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Issue 155, September 2018
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High summer The scene at Hungerford Wharf in Berkshire on one of the hottest days of the year. year See Kennet & Avon Canal feature, page 26. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
Canal closures continue despite the rain TEMPORARY canal closures are continuing to hit boaters with recent rainfall failing to make any ‘significant’ difference, according to the Canal & River Trust (CRT). Below average rainfall has meant the
Middle wich j ellyfi sh
reservoirs haven’t been able to recharge at a sufficient rate to provide for the summer’s boating in some places. Currently there are localised issues on parts of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Rochdale Canal, Huddersfield Narrow
THE Canal & River Trust has received reports of tiny tentacled creatures in the water near Bridge 23 off Clive Back Lane in Middlewich. They are believed to be freshwater jellyfish, Craspedacusta sowerbii, a non-native species about the size of a 10p coin. Describing it as a really unusual sight, CRT ecologist Sara Hill said she was not aware of them being seen in the network before. “We’re used to seeing all sorts of fish, birds and insects here in Middlewich, but jellyfish are a first and certainly make an interesting addition to the local wildlife,” she added.
Fee rise plea
Canal, the Lancaster Canal, the Peak Forest Canal and the Macclesfield Canal. Elsewhere, on sections of the Grand Union, Oxford, Regent’s and Caldon Canals, gates are being locked up at the end of the day to protect reservoir levels
THE Inland Waterways Association is asking the Environment Agency to reconsider proposed registration fee rises which could see some boat owners paying over 30% more for their licence over three years. It claims they will hit less well-off boaters and the timing of the consultation during the school holidays, when families are out on their boats, seems unfortunate. Proposed increases are: River Thames: 5.7%; Anglian Waterways: 7.5%; Upper Medway: 10% and unpowered boats and ‘Gold’ joint CRT/EA licences: 7.7%. EA states that the increases reflect the gap between revenue from each waterway and the cost of providing the services.
Continued on page 3
and enable backpumps to recirculate water ready for the following day’s boating. Adam Comerford, national hydrology manager for CRT, said: “The rainfall that we had at the end of July hasn’t made a significant difference, I’m afraid.
B ook ex change
A BOOK exchange has been launched on the waterside at Brentford Gauging lock on the Grand Union Canal thanks to a group of volunteers working with the Canal & River Trust. The bookshelf, which was supplied by nearby MSO Marine boat yard, encourages people to leave books for one another to borrow and read. Titles currently range from recipe books to Tolkien. CRT towpath ranger Darren Starling said: “The Grand Union Canal in Brentford is a brilliant place to spend some time so hopefully the bookshelf goes a little way to encouraging people to do just that.”
2 NEWS/COMMENT
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WELCOME WHAT would you buy if you won the lottery? According to a survey commissioned in advance of the Southampton Boat Show (September 14-23), a boat is top of the wishlist with 63% of responders, most of whom wish to escape the stresses of everyday life. I certainly had that opportunity when I joined single-handed boater Helen Hutt for a mini-break on the Kennet & Avon Canal, see feature on pages 26-27. While electrification work resulted in no trains, adding to my journey time, the sound of silence on the stretch running alongside the canal was magic. Phil Pickin found another way of de-stressing when he visited Chris Haddon who offers holistic treatments under the trade name Take A Breather on his narrowboat Carpe Diem, see his article on page 68. And the staff at Gayton Marina near Northampton are celebrating the opening of a new reception and office building designed to enhance the experience for the team and the visitors at this ABC Leisure Group hire base, see report on page 5. I promised to announce the finalists in our new Towpath Talk Top Team award for 2017-18 this month and it has certainly been a difficult task for the judging panel, making their selections from such a list of strong contenders. But they have and I can reveal that due to the closeness of the first vote we have five shortlisted teams, in alphabetical order: the Avon Navigation Trust’s Mobile Volunteering Team; Cotswold Canals Trust; Daniel Adamson steam ship volunteers; IWA Northampton branch; and Welshpool Canal Adoption Group. More about these teams next month and details of how you can record your vote. It has been great getting out and about during the sunny weather and one particularly enjoyable visit was to the Well Creek at Upwell in Norfolk where I met Sheena Hartley who has created a colourful garden around the Church Bridge Moorings, more on page 20. I also visited the Pocklington Canal for the Thornton Lock re-opening as part of the bicentenary celebrations, see page 14. Harry Arnold reports from Audlem on page 4 and Colin Wareing caught up with the last boaters through the Wigan Flight before its temporary closure due to the water shortages, see page 17. As we went to press, the weather had started to break with storms and torrential downpours. Hopefully that will see the closed canal sections re-opening before too long.
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CUTNOTES
Comment and recollections from Harry Arnold
A coincidental impulse? The Bridgewater and Manchester Ship canals were just an everyday part of the village scene in which I took little interest. I should have known better, as the latter loomed rather large in my then life and I ignored having family connections with both.
I SUDDENLY noticed that it is around 60 years since when, on some coincidental impulse, while on the way to my future wife’s then nearby home, I stuck my camera lens over the parapet of London Bridge in my home village and took this early narrowboat picture (right).
M y earliest narrowboat picture, 19 5 8 . I later identified the boat as the Alice of Runcorn-based Simpson D avies L td fl eet. PHOTOS: WATERWAY IMAGES
Some of the Blue L ine fl eet were still a familiar sight at Braunston 10 years later in 19 6 8 .
A true campaigner
RECALLING previous narrowboat gatherings, we once took a new friend to visit one for the first time some years ago. Among our mates on their boats was old friend Tony Gregory, who many will know for his canal carrying campaigning and long-time ownership of ex-FMC Tench. We introduced them and our friend asked Tony what they did at these events? Tony’s tongue-in-cheek reply was something like: “Well, we all arrive and moor up together. Get out all the traditional gear, polish the brasses, stand around gossiping, talking boats and canals, complain about the state of the cut and British Waterways and mutter about the people who aren’t here and should be. Then, after a couple of days, we pack away all the gear and go home.” Some of us may recognise ourselves. However, our new friend was so impressed that he went off and bought a narrowboat.
CAREFULLY owned and maintained, historic boats may go on for ever. Unfortunately, we humans don’t. We have lost too many good friends and long-time campaigners recently. One of these was Peter White MBE, see obituary on page 11. Yes, he was professionally employed in waterways as BW’s chief architect, but he was a true campaigner, innovative designer, conservationist and also a skilled artist. Beryl and I were close friends with Peter and his widow Paula and one of our spookiest nights was spent staying with them in a historic Midlands hall they then owned. We slept in a lofty bedroom reputed to have been once occupied by Oliver Cromwell before a famous Civil War battle. The loo was also up and down a creaky flight of stairs. We have a daily reminder of Peter in two of his superb paintings on our walls – of a BCN boat and the Anderton Lift – which he gave to us. In his job Peter gave regular talks in which he used one of my two favourite stories about the working practices of the BW staff of the time. The other one, previously recounted in this column, being John Freeman’s “They’re in their ‘just time’ Sir Frank!” Peter told of two BW workmen standing waiting for the van to take them back to the depot. They had this practice of knocking off at 4pm then.
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I had some enthusiasm for ships and an involvement with the RNVR, so fortunately took a few MSC pictures, including even a submarine. But my main photographic interest was railways and recording scenery in our then days of long-distance cycling. It was to be more than two years, most of which was spent on Army service, before we took a canal holiday and were thoroughly bitten by the bug.
Gathering and gossiping
Janet
E ditor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Assistant editor Sarah Spencer sspencer@mortons.co.uk Publisher Tim Hartley Advertising sales team leader Tania Shaw – tshaw@mortons.co.uk Advertising sales representatives Stuart Yule – syule@mortons.co.uk Chris Heaton – cheaton@mortons.co.uk E ditorial design Tracey Markham Di visional advertising manager Sue Keily Production editor Pauline Hawkins Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us Customer services 01507 529529 Telephone lines are open: Monday-Friday 8.30am-7pm. Saturday 8.30am-12.30pm help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk Ne ws & editorial Tel: 01507 529466. Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004. Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456. F ax : 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Ne x t I ssue – September 27, 2018
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At Audlem recently. Still standing around gossiping and polishing the brasses.
My wife’s idea, so I always blame her for our subsequent waterways way of life. Fast-forward 10 years to 1968 and – by now professionally involved – it was still possible to capture pictures like this one of the Blue Line fleet at Braunston (left). Nowadays it is mostly enthusiasts who recreate scenes similar to this at gatherings. But many of the boats still exist and I hope to carry on photographing them.
Peter White in the garden painting a picture of the hall where we slept in the spooky bedroom. Suddenly one of them turned around and stamped viciously on a snail, killing it. The other one asked why he had done that. The answer was that the snail had really annoyed his mate as it had been following them around all day. Peter was responsible for the now wellused quotation – now cunningly usurped by Birmingham’s tourism marketing (probably rightly so): “There are more canals in Birmingham than in Venice.” Peter’s original – which I’m sure I heard him first say when they lived in Gas Street – was, however – “There are more canals in the Black Country than Venice.”
A champion of the Anglian waterways
A ‘bundle of energy’ who will be missed by many
THE death occurred on August 12 of the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust president Alan Faulkner at a nursing home in Colchester. Following a serious illness over a year ago, he had returned home and continued to follow the trust’s progress and edit the East Anglian Waterways Association’s magazine, Easterling. Trust chairman Ivan Cane paid the following tribute: “Alan was a stalwart of the waterway scene, especially in East Anglia. He was one who worked on the restoration of the Upper Great Ouse to Bedford and the Old West River. “His involvement with the North Walsham & Dilham Canal goes back many decades, and he was instrumental in starting the present restoration from 1990, undertaking many early meetings with the North Walsham Canal Company during that decade, as well as liaising with all the statutory bodies commissioning the first civil engineering and ecological surveys of the canal – which led to the first work parties starting in 2000. “Ten years ago, through the East
THE death occurred recently of Lancaster Canal stalwart Keith Tassart, 77, who had been suffering from a brain tumour. He was a friendly, helpful ‘bundle of energy’ and will be missed by many, writes Frank Sanderson. Ex-British Waterways, farm manager and conservationist, Keith’s skills were legion, and his army of contacts, friends with specialised skills, was of particular value to the community and canal. He was appointed work party organiser for the Lancaster Canal Trust (LCT) and hit the ground running, moving a monthly work schedule into every weekend and sometimes during the week. He quickly drew on a large group of volunteers and managed to deal with outstanding canal problems, doing true restoration work. Travelling from his home in Morecambe, he gave much of his time to sorting out the green-scape in St Patrick’s churchyard, cutting down tree growth that had overshadowed the graveyard.
N orth Walsham & D ilham Canal Trust president Alan F aulkner. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Anglian Waterways Association, he helped and encouraged the inauguration of the North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust, becoming its honorary president a few years later in recognition of his work on the canal. I shall miss him dearly.”
K eith Tassart with Colin Ogden on their sail through the Hincaster Tunnel. PHOTO: FRANK SANDERSON He accompanied Colin Ogden, of Owd Lanky Boaters, in their daring dinghy sail through Hincaster Tunnel, which hit national headlines, saying: “I had to do it, as I will not be around if it ever gets back in use”. Keith will be missed by many and Lancaster Canal and the community in particular.
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New information panels at historic aqueduct NANTWICH’s fascinating canal history is now revealed in new interpretation panels installed next to Thomas Telford’s historic aqueduct known as ‘The Gateway to Nantwich’. The Canal & River Trust has been joined by Nantwich Museum and Nantwich Partnership to create the panels, which tell the story of the Shropshire Union Canal and the
aqueduct, which carries the canal over the A534 Nantwich to Chester Road. CRT enterprise manager Sarah Lalieu said: “The aqueduct is a perfect example of that golden age of canal building during the Industrial Revolution. History is all around us here and visitors will even be able to find rope marks left in the ironwork by hundreds of horsedrawn boats.”
THE Canal & River Trust’s dredging programme on the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes has had to be temporarily halted due to concerns that falling oxygen levels in the water during the hot weather could become too low to support the fish that live in the canal. So far, roughly 1500m3 of silt has been removed from the canal and the trust wants to remove a further 1000m3 from various sections between Wolverton and Milton Keynes. The £250,000 project was due to finish this summer but will now be completed during the winter.
The historic aqueduct which carries the Shropshire Union Canal over the A534.
Celebrating the installation of the new panels are Sarah Lalieu (CRT) with back, from left: Jeff Stubbs (Nantwich Partnership), Graham Dodd (Nantwich Museum), Coun Arthur Moran (Cheshire East Council), Nick Dyer (Nantwich Museum) and Kate Lynch (CRT). PHOTOS: CRT • Continued from page 1
Canal closures continue despite the rain
“Boaters may have seen that the hosepipe ban has been lifted in the North West but people shouldn’t naturally assume that means that the reservoirs feeding the canals in that area of the country have recovered as well. “The water supply for people’s homes is a lot more ‘connected’ and water companies can transfer water around the system as needed. Sadly the canal reservoirs aren’t connected and so we can’t move water around in the same way. “We’re a lot more reliant on rainfall and we just haven’t had enough – especially in the North West – and we need a period of sustained, significant rainfall to make up the deficit.” Mr Comerford added that, according to the Environment Agency, the rainfall for the three months of May-July in England was the lowest since 1921. Currently more than 90% of CRT’s 2000 miles of waterways are available for boaters to enjoy as normal.
IN BRIEF Dredging halted
Constructed in 1828, the famous cast iron trough aqueduct is designated a Grade II* listed structure. A £200,000 restoration funded by the Canal & River Trust, Cheshire East Council, Nantwich Town Council, Acton, Edleston & Henhull Parish Council and Nantwich Partnership involved repairs to the supporting masonry and cast iron parapet railings, brickwork repairs and repointing. The structure was also repainted. The new panels, coupled with recent improvements to a nearby canalside playground, are part of a partnership initiative to promote tourism and boost
investment in the picturesque Cheshire market town. The construction of the Shropshire Union Canal between Nantwich and Autherley (formerly the Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal) was Telford’s final canal project. He was in poor health at the end of his life and died in 1834, a year before it was officially opened. Telford-designed iron trough aqueducts can also be found at Longdon-on-Tern near Shrewsbury (completed 1797), Pontcysyllte (1805) and Chirk (1801).
Northern appointments at the Canal & River Trust THE Canal & River Trust has made two key appointments in the Yorkshire and North East region: Caroline Schwaller as chair of the regional advisory board and Sean McGinley as regional director. As part of the next phase of the charity’s transformation, Caroline and Sean will focus on encouraging and aiding more of the region’s residents to benefit from the canals and rivers that are on their doorsteps. Caroline has more than 30 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, with previous positions including CEO of KIVCA (Keighley and Ilkley Voluntary and Community Action) and chair of the Bradford District Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Assembly. Committed to collaboration, creative solutions, addressing inequality and demonstrating the value of charities, she currently chairs NAVCA (national membership body for local sector support and development organisations) and is a trustee of The Craven Trust, a small grant-making charity in North Yorkshire; Veolia Environmental Trust; and Hidden Voices Kenya. She lives in Halifax with her husband Martin and has four sons and five grandchildren. Caroline said: “I have many happy memories of canal holidays so I know how wonderful it is to spend time by or on the water. I’m
looking forward to helping more people across Yorkshire and the North East get to know their local canal and find out how it can benefit them.” Sean McGinley grew up in Yorkshire and started his waterways career 16 years ago. A chartered civil engineer, he has worked in management and engineering posts on waterways including the Chesterfield, Grantham and Erewash Canals, and the River Trent. He is passionate about the impact and importance of volunteering, and has spent time in Africa as a volunteer overseeing the planning and construction of roads. Sean is married with two children and enjoys cycling along the towpaths. Sean said: “I’m proud to take up this role and lead our regional team in helping people across Yorkshire and the North East discover how canals and rivers can make a real difference to their lives. I will be ensuring we work at a local level within the communities we serve, so we can deliver meaningful well-being benefits and support all users, whether they’re on the water or the towpath.” The regional advisory board chair position is voluntary for an initial term of three years. The boards will be initially formed of committed volunteers who served in the previous waterway partnerships.
Caroline Schwaller: Happy memories of canal holidays. PHOTOS: CRT
Sean McGinley: Passionate about volunteering.
Great outdoors
FREE kayaking sessions at the Yorkshire Waterways Museum in Goole have proved a hit with the youth of the East Riding. The sessions helped celebrate the arrival of The Desmond Family Canoe Trail, which is run by the Canal & River Trust to encourage young people aged 16 to 25 to use and look after their local waterways. Activities were organised by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the East and North Yorkshire Waterways Partnership, the Sobriety Project and Kingston Kayak Club with CRT support and are part of a local initiative called ‘Goole’s Great Outdoors’.
Grantham lock
WORK can now start on the restoration of Lock 14 on the Grantham Canal. According to GCS chairman Mike Stone, writing in the August edition of society newsletter Bridge, Canal & River Trust contractors Squires have prepared the access track and put in the upper dam which gives vehicle access to the towpath side of the canal. More volunteers are needed for this two-year project which will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a team that is building a heritage structure that will last for centuries. Email volunteer@granthamcanal.org
Wrong day! A CANALSIDE village that celebrates Yorkshire Day on the wrong side of the Pennines picked the wrong day for the weather, writes Geoff Wood. Heavy rain lashed Uppermill in Saddleworth and forced dignitaries to flee from the assembly spot beside the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and take shelter in the nearby museum. Uppermill traditionally celebrates Yorkshire Day on a Sunday (which fell on July 29, three days early) and its heritage is in West Yorkshire even though boundary changes have placed it in Greater Manchester.
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The long way round to Audlem By Harry Arnold
SOME of the 23 entrants to this year’s Audlem Gathering of Historic Boats – held over the weekend of July 29-30 – had quite an intrepid journey to the event.
This perhaps illustrated the determination of their crews to be among those attending the tenth year of these annual popular and friendly get-togethers. Middlewich’s major breach, another one just outside Liverpool and the
One of the highlights of this year’s Audlem event was the demonstration of traditional boat handing by Ian Braine of Canal & River Services with his ex-FMC motor boat Cactus and an 1889-vintage BCN Joey boat. PHOTOS: WATERWAY IMAGES
This is the way it’s done. Ian Braine’s seven-yearold son demonstrates winding up the top gate paddle on Lock 14.
closure of the River Weaver’s Marsh Lock, not only meant long journeys via the Shropshire Union, Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Trent & Mersey canals, but also involved passages of the Manchester Ship and Bridgewater canals. Trapped at Liverpool’s Salthouse Dock moorings, one boat was also forced to make the tidal crossing of the Mersey Estuary. The two-day Audlem event is hosted and organised by Peter and Chris Silvester of the Audlem Mill Shop – now also becoming well-known as waterway book publishers – with assistance from local volunteers and Canal & River Trust (CRT) staff. Apart from the gathering itself, a Saturday night boater’s barbecue is a social feature. Although it sometimes looked somewhat threatening, the good weather period did not break until late on the Sunday. As always, boats from most of the major original companies were represented. Mainly from the original Grand Union Canal Carrying Company and Fellows, Morton & Clayton. Fortunately for diversity of colours a number of owners have chosen to maintain some of them in liveries of later
Saturn, moored by the Mill, one of the original wharves where it used to call.
carriers in whose ownership they have passed through. The highlight of this year’s event for me and others was what was in effect a demonstration of traditional boat handling, when Ian Braine of Canal & River Services took his ex-Fellows, Morton & Clayton motor boat Cactus, towing ex-BCN Joey boat No.19240, down the three lower locks to wind at bottom of the flight. Along with his family crew, he had added assistance from other acknowledged experts, such as Roger and Martin Fuller. Adding to the atmosphere was the sound of the Bolinder engine in Cactus. A quote from an expert present (with which I totally agree) was ‘the best Bolinder on the cut’. Shades of memories of living on the Shroppie in the ’60s and hearing the hammering beat of the engines of loaded boats echoing up the cuttings. Armstrong Siddeleys and Listers, not Bolinders, but just as nostalgic. Ian’s restored Joey boat dates from 1889 and originally had the early BCN registration number of 123. I was amused and pleased that the CRT team leader had stressed to his volunteer lock keepers that they must
One of CRT’s volunteer lock keepers helps Ian Braine and Cactus through.
CRT chief executive Richard Parry – seen here with organiser Peter Silvester of Audlem Mill Shop – spent the whole Saturday morning at Audlem. Fellow organiser Chris Silvester was too busy preparing for the evening barbecue to have her photograph taken. watch the boats being worked to see ‘how it was originally done’. Not just to impress CRT chief executive Richard Parry, who spent most of Saturday morning at the gathering talking with virtually everyone on site. He, like everyone else involved as organisers, participants or visitors, contributed much to the friendly sociability and colour of another good weekend at Audlem.
A mix of the original and later-owning companies’ trading liveries made for colourful contrasting boat groups.
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New Gayton Marina building completes £500k project By Janet Richardson
GAYTON Marina staff and moorers got together on Saturday, August 11 to celebrate the official opening of a new reception, chandlery and office building. An upgraded entrance road, landscaping and signage is also part of the £500,000 project by ABC Leisure Group Ltd. The ribbon was cut by chief executive of the Canal & River Trust Richard Parry with Kevin Threlfall, ABC group chairman. Richard said: “The partnership we have got with ABC is very important. Having the industry making an
investment in the future on this basis is very important. Our mission is looking after the network we have got and to create more awareness and more use.” Describing Northamptonshire as a beautiful county, Kevin said he was delighted to see the marina looking as it does today. He explained the story goes back five years when it was decided that the marina beside the Grand Union Canal needed some money spent on it. “The people who worked there deserved more than they had got,” he commented. “Staff have put up with a lot in the past few years and one who I wish to mention is Zoe (base manager Zoe Harrison). She
Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry cuts the ribbon with Kevin Threlfall.
has been an absolute star, hopefully it will be fun from now on.” Kevin explained the ABC Leisure Group has 10 marinas and six franchise operations from which it provides about 5000 holidays a year on some 200 boats throughout the fleet. It builds 20 boats a year, so replaces the whole fleet within a 10-year period. He added 2018 had not been the greatest year in terms of bookings, which were down 2%, mostly because of the ‘beast from the east’, but later season bookings had picked up well, as had those for next year. Staff and moorers then toasted the new building with sparkling wine and scones with jam and cream.
Base manager Zoe Harrison, centre, and the marina staff toast the new building.
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ABC Leisure Group chairman Kevin Threlfall with base manager Zoe Harrison. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON
The new reception building.
Inside the new chandlery.
The landscaped entrance to Gayton Marina with its new signage.
The Gayton Marina hire base beside the Grand Union Canal.
Narrowboats on the marina.
6 NEWS
IN BRIEF Record year
THE Canal & River Trust’s 2017/18 Annual Report & Accounts chart a further year of progress. In particular it has been a record year for volunteering on the waterways, with active volunteers now significantly exceeding the number of employees. In addition to volunteers clocking-up more than 600,000 hours, with a 96% satisfaction rate, the overall condition of the trust’s waterways continued to improve year-on-year with core spending on waterway infrastructure, maintenance and repairs rising to almost £132 million. The Annual Public Meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 26 at Austin Court, Birmingham. Places are limited, register at www.eventbrite.co.uk
Aqueduct repairs
WORK has started to repair Stainton Aqueduct, which was badly damaged during the December 2015 storms. This will be funded by a £1.3 million Heritage Lottery grant to the Canal & River Trust and Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership (LCRP). Repairs to the Grade II-listed aqueduct, which carried the canal over Stainton Beck near Sedgwick in Cumbria, are expected to take around nine months. The grant and additional funding will also help to develop other key sites such as Hincaster Tunnel and Sedgewick Aqueduct as part of the Partnership’s Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail project.
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Replica milestone marks new phase in Sankey restoration By Harry Arnold
LITERALLY marking a new phase in the restoration of the Sankey Canal, the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS) has installed the first of what it hopes will be several replica milestones. The installation also forms part of St Helens Borough Council’s 150th anniversary celebrations. It was the initiative of – and thanks to a donation from – Dr Barrie Pennington of the Milestone Society, who had read in the SCARS magazine Canal Cuttings of the poor condition of the canal’s only remaining milestone, now kept in the garden of the Sankey Valley Heritage Centre in Blackbrook. The author had hoped that
one day replicas would be put in place. Taking up the challenge, Barrie worked with SCARS to agree on dimensions and design. Identifying the exact location of the original milestone at Bradley Lock in Newton-leWillows was made easy by the existence of photographs from the 1960s, including one by this writer. Barrie arranged for a local stonemason to make the replica from Fletcher Bank stone sourced from Ramsbottom, and liaised with St Helens Council’s service manager, Dave Bloor, to install it. Although grammatically incorrect in that an ‘s’ has been missed off ‘mile’, it is likely that the stonemason who worked on the original milestone in the 18th century was simply
following common local dialect. Even now, it is quite usual to hear a ‘St Helener’ drop the letter ‘s’ when describing distances in miles. With the replica, it was decided to copy the original as accurately as possible – mistakes and all. SCARS is now working with its partners in the Canal & River Trust, St Helens, Halton and Warrington councils on the production of more replicas to be placed wherever possible along the canal. Each costs £350 and donations would be most welcome. Chairman Colin Greenall said: “We are delighted that our work is reaching so many people and inspiring contributions to the ongoing renovation of the canal.”
The new Sankey Canal replica milestone in its rightful position below Bradley L ock, N ewton-le-Willows. I nset: Hopefully this will be the first of several. PHOTOS: SCARS
A photograph of the same scene taken 5 6 years ago by the writer on October 5 , 19 6 2 with the original milestone still in place. PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES
B&MK Waterway Trust unveils a series of imaginative wood carvings
This narrowboat doubles up as a seat along the proposed Bedford & M ilton K eynes Waterway route.
PHOTOS SUPPLIED
THE proposed route of the Bedford to Milton Keynes Waterway Park has been marked by the installation of unique wood carvings at the Forest of Marston Vale’s Forest Centre & Millennium Country Park. These were commissioned by the trust from artists Carrie Yuen and Tony Langston and portray examples of wildlife – birds and animals – that will live on, or near, the waterway and associated canal boat activities. The carvings were unveiled by the High Sheriff for Bedfordshire, Julian Polhill and a poem entitled Bold Beginnings, written for the waterway by canal laureate Nancy Campbell, was read by local storyteller Mark Steinhardt. B&MK Waterway Trust chairman Jane Hamilton thanked Central Bedfordshire Council for the grant from its Green Infrastructure Funds and Nancy for the poem which reflects the vision for the new waterway. She said: “The carvings will
One of the carved benches. create points of interest for visitors to the Millennium Country Park while enabling us to promote the route of the waterway in a most effective way.” The carvings can be found at Forest of Marston Vale’s Forest Centre & Millennium Countr y Park, Station Road, Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire MK43 0PR. The path through the
Millennium Country Park follows a stretch of the route that could one day be a major new waterway connecting the River Great Ouse in Bedford and the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes. The first new waterway to be built in England for 100 years, it is expected to lead to an increase in visitor numbers to the area and the creation of new tourismrelated jobs.
Green Flag award for canal country park THE Grand Western Canal Country Park, Mid Devon has clinched a Green Flag Award for the 10th consecutive year. More than 1800 parks and green spaces have received awards, which are judged by more than 700 volunteers. They visit sites across the country and assess them against strict criteria including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement. Owned by Devon County Council, the Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserve stretches more than 11 miles from Tiverton to the Somerset border. Local county councillor Colin Slade said: “I want to thank all the rangers and volunteers who work every day to ensure that the park continues to provide a wonderful location for people to enjoy a peaceful walk or cycle ride year after year.”
The G reen F lag awarded to the G rand Western Canal Country Park pictured at a recent F un on the Water event which enabled participants to have a go at paddle boarding, model boating, canoeing and pond dipping. Holding the fl ag are canal ranger J oanne Roberts and canal manager M ark Baker. PHOTO: DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL
RYA SPOTLIGHT 7
www.towpathtalk.co.uk The Royal Y achting Association ( RY A) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.
Volunteering opportunities with your helmsman skills DO YOU want a reason to get on the water more often? Why not do something rewarding with your helmsman skills and volunteer? “It’s difficult to imagine a better way of spending our spare time; helping others really helps us too.” Brian and Brenda Major are reflecting on why they volunteer for the Safe Anchor Trust, which operates from Shepley Bridge Marina in West Yorkshire. Having got involved with the trust seven years ago, the retired couple went from acting as support crew to both gaining RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman qualifications in 2013. Last year, the Majors, who volunteer two or three times a week from March to October, helped the trust take 10,441 passengers from local disadvantaged groups on 1072 no-cost therapeutic canal trips.
Brian says: “It may be an overused cliché, but ‘putting back something into the community’ describes very well how we feel about our involvement. The carers that accompany our disabled passengers very often comment how much their clients enjoy their trips out.” Many people get RYA Helmsman qualifications each year – most notably ahead of inland boating holidays – but these skills often go to waste if they don’t have regular access to a boat. Yet there are countless opportunities to put those skills to good use right on your doorstep if you’re prepared to give up a bit of your spare time. The Safe Anchor Trust is one example of many community organisations UK-wide that require qualified volunteers to helm their boats for local groups. Their 2017 trip numbers highlight the difference volunteers make on the waterways.
Lester Edon is another Safe Anchor volunteer RYA Helmsman, having qualified in February. He continues: “Living 10 minutes from the marina, as a family we would walk the towpath and often wonder why Safe Anchor Trust boats were so busy. “I decided to find out and was astounded at the professionalism of the volunteers and what they were contributing to my community. I immediately asked to be considered as a volunteer trainee helmsman to contribute to the enjoyment of the special people we carry.” Community groups like Safe Anchor are just one outlet for your helmsman skills. Youth organisations, such as scouts, cubs and guides, will also insist on a qualified helmsman for any inland waterways activities their young people take part in.
Public trips
The Safe Anchor Trust carried more than 10, 0 PHOTOS SUPPLIED
passengers last year.
In addition, throughout the country a huge number of canal trusts and societies are working on typically multimillion-pound restoration projects to return local waterways to their former glory. Their major fundraising activities include running public boat trips and water festivals with volunteers helping to educate passengers on a canal’s history and ecology but most importantly giving people a fun day out. For example, since 1989 Chesterfield
Based at Shepley Bridge M arina in West Y orkshire, the Safe Anchor Trust boats are always busy. Canal Trust volunteers have helped restore 12 of the 46 miles of canal from the River Trent to Chesterfield along with 37 locks and 11 bridges. The trust, via the Hugh Henshall tripboat, is also a recognised RYA Training Centre enabling the training of volunteers in helmsman skills. In the same way that there are opportunities for people with existing helmsman qualifications to use their skills volunteering, canal trusts are always looking for qualified RYA inland waterways helms to support their training activities. Having joined the Chesterfield Canal Trust to help the restoration many years ago, then becoming a volunteer on retirement, Brian Mears took advantage of the RYA helmsman training in 2016. He admits: “I find skippering very satisfying and enjoy talking to the passengers and people we meet on the canal. There is a tremendous amount of interest, but quite often people don’t like
to ask how a lock works, for example. I find the best way is to stick a windless in their hand and tell them what to do! They always say ‘Thank you’.” Meanwhile, civil engineer John Graham also gained his helmsman certificate after initially volunteering for the trust as crew. He adds: “I was quite happy operating the locks, passing the time of day with towpath users and being outdoors. However, I soon realised to get the most out of being a crew member was to be a helmsman. “I derive personal satisfaction from introducing passengers young and old to the controls of the narrowboat, practically explaining the workings of the canal system, and seeing their pleasure when experiencing a special day out.” Whether you’re an RYA helmsman who would like to get afloat more, or want to get qualified to volunteer in your local community, the waterways are your oyster. Visit www.rya.org.uk/ courses-training for details.
8 NETWORKING
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Runners have designs on raising cash for canal trust LICHFIELD 10k runners raising money for the city’s canal restoration trust will look the part thanks to local design and print agency Raphael Design, which is supplying their running vests. The six runners are taking on the challenge of competing in the event on Sunday, September 9 to raise money for the £1 million canal tunnel planned by Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust to go under the cross
city railway line near Birmingham Road. Funds must be raised by 2019 to ensure that the work goes ahead at the same time as the southern bypass tunnel. Team member Heath Rhodes is running in memory of his mother – and trust volunteer Mervyn Ainge – who both lost battles with cancer. Mervyn was responsible for the running of the LHCRT charity shop in the Arcade (ex Friary shoe shop) and was also the membership
secretary up to his death in 2014. Christine Howles, LHCRT communications director, thanked Clare and Pete Lubrano from Raphael Design for supplying the vests, as well as the athletes supporting the trust. She said: “Not only are our athletes raising vital funds for the canal tunnel but they are also raising awareness about our work, and the vests from Raphael Design will be a big help.”
Running smart, from left: Clare L ubrano, Scott L indsey, Heath Rhodes, Harry Wem and Pete L ubrano. PHOTO: LHCRT
Restoration day on the Wendover Arm
NEW CUT TEAM TAKE PART IN A NATIONAL EVENT
NOW in their fifth year at Drayton Beauchamp, the first of the Wendover Arm Trust’s twice-yearly restoration days was another success thanks to the volunteers who gave their time. The team arrived promptly to erect the various gazebos with tables, chairs and the trailer arriving from all directions. At midday the tea ladies arrived with cakes and fired up the urn. Donations tins were positioned at the gate with the car park attendants in place. A lot of the regulars go along for the tea and cakes and a natter in the sun and it is also a good place for the volunteers to keep in touch. The regular guided walks along to the restoration site give an insight as to how progress is being made, but this progress also entails a longer walk each year
INSPIRED by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Wildlife Trusts with central funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the nation’s remaining meadows were celebrated with 125 events across the country. One of these was Paddington Meadows in the North West, where more than 150 people enjoyed walks guided by wildlife experts around the 60 acres. Bottled water was distributed free to visitors in the hot sunshine. There were children’s and family activities, drone flying and anyone could have a go at willow weaving, making either a heart or a star. Organised by the New Cut Ecology and Heritage group working in partnership with both Warrington Borough Council and the Carbon Landscape organisation, the day was heralded as another success for the team. A spokesman said: “Our aim is to conserve and restore the meadows and the New Cut canal and it was pleasing to see so many people come along to share the day.” Paddington Meadows support a wide variety of wildlife and are noted for the number of relatively rare birds they support and for having the oldest hedgerows in Cheshire. www.newcuttrail.com
V isitors learn more about restoration on one of the guided walks. PHOTOS: ERIC ROSE
The popular cake stall. from Drayton Beauchamp church. This helps to publicise the canal and attract new members. Wendover Arm Trust is supported by the Chiltern Canoe Club, which sends a few members to each event to kayak or paddleboard on one of the rewatered stretches of the canal. This showcases its future use as a cruising destination. Back at the church, a screening of the restoration was being shown for those unable to walk the towpath and volunteers were available to talk the public through the photos of past and present. Wendover Arm Trust clothing and books were also on sale. The next restoration day will take place on Sunday, September 2 when the grand draw prizes will be drawn by the Mayor of Tring, Penny Hearn. www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk
Waterways Recovery Group at Shrivenham By Elizabeth Rogers
THE West Vale branch of volunteers who carry out work on the Wilts & Berks Canal were recently given a helping hand at Shrivenham. Members of the Waterway Recovery Group spent a weekend helping the volunteers with the restoration of Stepping Stone Bridge. The particular task on which they were engaged was the laying of coping stones. Expressing appreciation for their contribution, branch chairman Alan Morris said: “They have done a really good job. It was hard going, throughout an extremely hot weekend.”
The WRG ies who laid coping stones at Stepping Stone Bridge over a hot weekend.
HERITAGE GROUP
Cromford Friends complete second phase of coir roll project THE Friends of the Cromford Canal volunteer work parties have completed the second phase of fitting coir rolls to the towpath edge. It was recognised more than two years ago that parts of the towpath edge on the section between Cromford Wharf and High Peak Junction needed repairing due to historical erosion and damage caused by dogs scrambling out of the water. In several locations, there was a serious risk of the towpath being undercut by the water. An initial meeting in July 2016, attended by Derbyshire County Council countryside management and John Barker of the Friends of Cromford Canal work-party group, decided that dry coir rolls set into the water, backfilled and replanted would be the best practical way forward. Dry coir rolls are unseeded, because this section is an SSSI area, so new species of plant are not allowed. The FCC were fortunate to have two grants from DerwentWISE Landscape Partnership, one in the autumn of 2016 to allow the first phase to be completed
PHOTO: MARTIN LUDGATE
This year sees the 20th anniversary of the opening of Shrivenham Canalside Park, a popular local beauty spot, and a major celebration for the 21st anniversary next year is being planned. Three local walking groups – Shrivenham Health Walks, the Shramblers and the Shrivenham Clippers – all make frequent use of the pathways through the park. The Clippers live up to their name and their walkers carry secateurs and shears with which to cut back any intrusive shrubbery in areas throughout the village, and also any encroachments such as by stinging nettles.
Willow weaving activities during the open day at Paddington M eadows. PHOTO: NEW CUT ECOLOGY &
G iant ‘ sausages’ along the towpath prior to placement in the water.
The loaded workboat at Cromford Wharf. at the end of September 2017, with 50 coir rolls being fixed in position. The second grant, phase 2, in early 2018 allowed for the purchase of a further 50 rolls. Der wentWISE Landscape Partnership is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and additional advice to the FCC on preparation of the grant applications was from Waterside Care. The rolls for the second phase were delivered in the spring and fitting took place from April through to the end of May. Each roll is 10 feet long and one foot diameter and they were loaded on to the workboat, generously loaned by DCC. It was then pulled up to the site by the FCC’s narrowboat Birdswood. On the days when Birdswood was on trip boat duties, the work boat was poled up to site, which, in itself, is no easy task. On site, the rolls were tied together on the bank, so at one time there could be 10 giant sausages laying on the towpath. When all the connected rolls had been secured in the water, they were left until the following week to soak.
Puddling clay was then backfilled behind the coir rolls to provide a support for vegetation and to fill any voids. Finally the vegetation that had either been removed earlier or brought up from the Cromford Wharf area where all the winter reed pull had been stored, was replaced. New growth can now be seen emerging from the rolls that were set in place last year. The work parties over six weeks were supported by the tractor and trailer belonging to DCC, providing a constant supply of puddling clay for the backfill and some top soil. Without this support the whole job would have taken very much longer using wheelbarrows, which is heavy, tiring work over long distances. The second phase of the coir roll fitting involved 293.5 direct hours by FCC volunteers and it is estimated more than 12 tons of clay were used. Phase 1 and phase 2 combined, the FCC volunteers gave 750.5 direct hours and placed 100 coir rolls, which equates to 1000ft of repaired towpath.
The finished j ob with the vegetation regrowing. PHOTOS: FCC
NETWORKING 9
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Characters of the cut Julie Webb catches up with the RBOA stalwart who has lived aboard for half a century. I FIRST came across Beryl McDowall, now known to many as the energetic secretary, publicity officer and magazine editor of the Residential Boat Owners’ Association, at a Grand Union lock, on my honeymoon aboard our new narrowboat in 1974. She and her husband were working motorboat Buxton and butty Banbury for Threefellows Carrying Limited, following a spell steering trip boats on the Worcester & Birmingham and the Shroppie. Modern canal dwelling was then in its infancy. There was little support available for people like us, or Beryl, who bought her first liveaboard – ex-Clayton boat Poyle – in the late 1960s. Aged 75 and with 50 years of living afloat behind her, she’s the ideal person to advise prospective residents on everything from engines to etiquette (if boaters behave badly, she says, it’s usually because they don’t know any better). “A lot of our work is with associate members – people without a boat yet,” she said. “At the Crick seminars I say ‘Don’t be afraid to ask, however silly the question seems. We know what it’s like to have no one to help you. It can be an expensive mistake if the boat isn’t what you want.’” The association also tackles wider issues, such as the use of red diesel by residential boaters, and problems with landlords. Its guide, Living Afloat, recently appeared in a new edition, revised by Beryl. Her early years were spent in Market Drayton, Shropshire, walking cobbled towpaths that carried horses pulling loaded narrowboats, and climbing banks to avoid being trampled. She got on to the water in a canoe and then, after teacher-training and moving to Hertfordshire, bought Poyle, satisfying both her affection for canals and her desire to be based in a more rural area. The year after I met them on the lime juice run (Brentford to Boxmoor), she and her husband had a son, Andrew – now a naval architect – who grew up afloat.
Beryl taking the pair abreast down Hanwell Flight, Good Friday, 1975. Note the use of gate lines to open the bottom gates. PHOTO: BERYL MCDOWALL COLLECTION
Beryl McDowall with her narrowboat Wasp. PHOTO: JULIE WEBB “Other than the first days in hospital Andrew never lived on land till he went to university. As a baby I had him in his carrycot on the roof, propped up so he could see everything. Once he was toddling we got him a lifejacket and had a rule that as soon as he went outside the door he had to wear it. “I taught swimming classes so I got permission for him to try his lifejacket at the baths, so he knew it would turn him on to his back. “While he was still small we moved on to carrying gravel, which was somewhat monotonous, being a short haul job with only one lock. So Andrew would get off at the lock. One day he saw a hireboater heaving at the gate: no movement. He tapped him on the kneecap and said ‘You’re pulling the wrong way!’ Once he was older he would go ahead with a windlass.”
Rare engine
Beryl has valuable experience of boat-building from scratch. She and her husband designed and constructed their 55ft tug-style Spider, based on drawings of a steam-propelled vessel. When she and her husband decided to split up, Beryl, who had gone back to teaching (eventually becoming a technology adviser in Leicestershire) stayed aboard Spider. “Andrew had the back cabin so he could do homework, and go and lose himself with his friends.” After a while she wanted ‘something that was more me’, and her present home, Wasp, came into being. “We needed more space, so I went for 62ft,” she said. Wasp has a rare Lister SR4M engine. “I’ve also got a spare which I’ve used the gearbox from. We got caught in some horrendous ice once, coming back from Welford. We got to the outskirts of Leicester to find
the pound below Dunns Lock was empty, so we had to reverse through several inches of ice to Kilby Bridge Yard – which didn’t do the gearbox any good.” Beryl bought her present mooring on the Soar, with its acre of garden, in 2000, installing staging she treated in a creosote bath made (appropriately for something now banned on health grounds) from a galvanised coffin in which undertakers had flown a body back from America. The garden is a great source of pleasure to her: “I’ve loved growing things since I was a child on my dad’s allotments.” She acquired skill in traditional crafts – boat signwriting and painting, and ropework – in her early years on the canals and ran courses to encourage their continuation. She has a trading licence, allowing her to sell any Turk’s heads or swan’s necks she makes during the long winter evenings. Apart from the RBOA, she’s had voluntary positions on the Canal & River Trust Navigation Advisory Group and Central Shires Partnership, and the Boat Safety Scheme Advisory Committee. She’s currently involved with other local volunteers in the Mountsorrel Lock Adoption Group, creating gardens and improving the canalside. Occasionally (goodness knows how!) she still finds time for some boating, with a friend and their respective dogs. She’s got the satisfaction of seeing a third generation taking to the waterways. “Andrew can’t have thought his childhood was too bad: he’s bringing his own son up the same. When he was tiny Andrew brought him on board and said: ‘That’s the tiller you steer the boat from – and don’t put your fingers on the brass!’ which was exactly what his father said to him.” www.rboa.org.uk
Beryl with Andrew and the carrycot on Banbury’s cabin top, 1976. PHOTO: BERYL MCDOWALL COLLECTION
10 COMMUNITY BOATING
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Canal charity marks 40 years
Former chairmen Ronnie Rusack, left and John Hume, right, join present chairman David Mieras to celebrate 40 years of the Seagull Trust. PHOTO: CHARLES HODKINSON
THIS year is a significant one for Seagull Trust Cruises, the canal charity based at Ratho on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It was formed 40 years ago to provide free trips for people with special needs, and events are taking place to celebrate its creation. Three of the four chairmen from across the years recently met up to share memories over a meal at the Bridge Inn, near where the venture began in 1978. The first man to take the chair, distinguished professor John Hume, was delighted to return and see how facilities have developed and improved over the years. He admired the new dry dock cover before taking a trip on the newest boat.
Also there was Ronnie Rusack, who not only chaired STC for a number of years but was also the driving force behind the revival of the Union Canal. Present chairman, David Mieras, felt it was a significant day. “People like John, Ronnie and John Sime (who was unable to attend) have brought us to where we are today, taking thousands of folk – of all ages and varied disabilities – on free, relaxing and reviving journeys.” He added: “When the founders of the trust began with a very basic boat they probably couldn’t imagine the fully accessible boats we have today, operating from four bases across Scotland. It’s now my task to keep that initiative going.”
Seagull Trust Cruises continues to operate seven days a week thanks to teams of volunteers, although David is keen to point out that there is still a need to find more people and more money to keep the boats afloat. “We rely on donations to cover our costs, and it takes over a hundred volunteers to crew the trips,” he said. ● For more information on volunteering or donating please call 0131 445 2022 or 07763 351142, and to make a booking call 07511 055081.
Children share an unforgettable waterway experience on the Weaver THE chatter of excited schoolchildren could be heard all along the River Weaver when more than 300 pupils from Halton and Cheshire schools took part in a unique educational experience. Ornithologists, professional artists, marine engineers and waterway enthusiasts all shared their knowledge and experience with the pupils. Supported financially by the Big Lottery, the event, held on board the 1903-built steam ship the Daniel Adamson, was the culmination of weeks of work in the schools by the
learning and participation team at the Daniel Adamson Preservation Society and was built into the school’s curriculum. The children, split into small groups, worked with local professional artists and then moved about, meeting former Manchester Ship Canal employees and trying their hand at throwing heaving lines. Retired marine engineers explained how the steampowered vessel worked, followed by talks about the wildlife and the history of the waterway. Highlight of the day for the children was a cruise along the newly dredged
river between Sutton Weaver and Acton Bridge, where they enjoyed waving to the many narrowboaters on route and witnessing the movement of the barges laden with mud from the current dredging operations towards Anderton Lift Lock.
New Cut team
The wildlife adventure for the children was made all the more exciting with the expert knowledge of members of the bird survey group from the New Cut Ecology and Heritage Trail group in Warrington, who provided binoculars and work sheets.
The Daniel Adamson at Sutton Weaver. During their two-and-a-half-hour cruise working with the children more than 25 different species of birds, some quite rare, were seen, with the spectacle of herons taking flight being the most popular. Packed lunches were eaten at Dutton Locks, where the lock keeper joined in the fun, talking to the groups of children and explaining the workings of the navigation. Cathriona Bourke, DAPS learning and participation manager, said: “Everyone really worked well to
Some of the schoolchildren who enjoyed the waterways experience. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
provide the children with an essential part of their education and an experience of the waterways they will never forget.” The vessel, known as ‘the Danny’ – restored with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2014 – has learning and participation as key aspects of its mission. The 2018 school events are now fully booked and there is a waiting list for 2019. It also works with colleges offering engineering placements, workshops and community engagement ventures.
● The Danny has a programme of cruises on the Weaver until the autumn with new attractions such as a ‘gin cruise’ being added. Visit www. thedanny.co.uk or enquiries@danieladamson.co.uk for further details.
Friendly and helpful John wins Lock Keeper of the Year award BRITISH Marine has awarded its Lock Keeper of the Year award for 2018, with the honour going to John Rosenthal of Bristol. The hotel boat division of British Marine Inland Boating, chaired by Nick Mead, voted for the nominees and the final award was presented to John, who is based at Netham Lock. The award is open not only to lock keepers, but to all waterways staff who have offered outstanding assistance to waterways users. On presentation of the award on board hotel boat Tranquil Rose, Nick Mead said: “John was voted for by the members of the British Marine Inland Boating contingent thanks to his fantastic contribution to the smooth running of our industry. “John helped a number of boats at Netham Lock
and was noted as being helpful, accommodating and friendly; going above and beyond in the level of service he provides.” Nick added: “As professional boaters we like to recognise the professionalism of navigation authority staff, especially when they give exceptional service to boaters. “What makes canals unique is the living heritage of boating and navigation.” The 2018 nominees were: Martin Gillate, K&A East Lead; Colin and Thelma Edwards, K&A; Keith Burnage, Sonning; Annie Glynn, Thames Lock, Brentford; Paul Watson, Kings Lock, Oxford; Eddy King, Camden Lock, London; Peter Baxter, volunteer lock keeper, Leeds; Paul Reynolds, Liverpool and Miles Foster, Bank Newton.
James Scowen, owner of Tranquil Rose, congratulates John Rosenthal, lock keeper of Netham Lock, Bristol on his award, watched by Tony Moore, deputy harbour master and Charlotte Wallis, chef crew Tranquil Rose. PHOTO SUPPLIED
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Peter White MBE:
Chief architect to the British Waterways Board Tim Coghlan, who knew Peter White well over many years, recalls the life of this quite remarkable man who did so much to save our waterways heritage and had such a profound influence on its environment. IN ABOUT 1968, the 26-year-old Peter White, who had joined the Architects’ Department of Birmingham City Council in 1966, rediscovered what the Victorian William Showell had observed in 1865 – that while the canals of Venice measured 28 miles, those of the City of Birmingham, at 32 miles, exceeded them. This became a catch phrase, used so much in publicity and save-canals campaigns that it ended up as a Trivial Pursuit and pub quiz question. In the pantheon of those who did great things to save the waterways, Peter White must be there, though an intensely modest man to his end, he would never have claimed that accolade. Peter was born in 1942, when his parents were living in Stratford-upon-Avon, though as he was one of an expected pair of twins he was delivered at a specialist hospital in Shipston-on-Stour. He always regarded himself as a Stratford man and like Shakespeare, he later returned to that town to end his days. Peter was educated at King Edward’s Grammar School and from his earliest boyhood days, he was fascinated by the River Avon, which flowed through the heart of the town. Aged about 14, he earned holiday and weekend pocket money helping the riverboat operators hiring out punts and canoes, even though he could not swim. Then from August 1959 onwards, when the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) began the restoration of the South Stratford Canal – re-linking the River Avon at Stratord to the canals of Birmingham – Peter became involved as a volunteer navvy under who he termed his ‘hero and mentor’, the great David Hutchins. That experience taught Peter just what could be achieved in terms of waterway restoration, however hopeless the task at first appeared. The canal was finally reopened by the Queen Mother in 1964. Peter joined Birmingham School of Architecture where he completed his practical, working for architects James Roberts, based in their office on the top floor of the newly-built Birmingham Rotunda. In 1966, having now qualified as a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, he joined the Architects’ Department of Birmingham City Council and was soon putting his mark on things. At that time, following the demise of commercial carrying on the Birmingham Canal Navigations, the British Waterways Board (BWB) was said to earn more money from allowing industrial waste to be poured into its canals than it did from boat licence fees and moorings.
Major success
An early project that Peter led was the restoration of the derelict buildings above Farmer’s Bridge Top Lock, which included some modernisation and the building of a new pub. Part of the project was the restoration of the nearby buildings comprising Kingston Row, which was renamed James Brindley Walk. The project was a major success and won what was then a coveted Civic Trust Award. People
Peter White’s former colleague Roger Becket displaying Peter’s large drawing of his vision for Stourport, after his funeral in Stratfordupon-Avon. With him are several of Peter’s former BW colleagues. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN
At the celebrations at Hillmorton to mark his 21 years as BWB chief architect are Peter White, left, with Sonia Rolt and canal author Charles Hadfield.
PHOTO: WATERWAY IMAGES
began to take note as to how Birmingham’s network of canals could act as a catalyst for inner city regeneration, what with so much of the city centre having been abandoned in the post-war years. In 1970, Peter was recruited by Sir Frank Price, the chairman of BWB, to become its first and only chief architect. Price wanted to take BWB forward into the new world of canal leisure and Peter was seen as a key man in that move. Peter was proud to say he was the first architect to be employed on the canals since Thomas Telford who had died in 1834. Peter at first worked at the BWB headquarters in London, around the corner from Marylebone Station. He encountered great problems both in finding accommodation for his young family and also travelling from London to the main waterways sites he wanted to be involved with, which were mainly in the Midlands and further north. His solution was to move into the now empty main building of what was still the BWB maintenance yard at Hillmorton near Rugby. The move gave new commercial life to the maintenance yard and it became a hive of activity, with Peter taking on new staff to tackle the many assignments now coming to him from across the waterways. In 1991, Peter held a party at Hillmorton to celebrate his 21st year of working for BWB, which had coincided with his being awarded an MBE. His guests were many of the great and the good of waterways. But later that year, life was to deliver Peter a very cruel blow. On the very afternoon he was returning from Buckingham Palace, having collected his MBE, he suffered a major heart attack. This put an end to his active working life and he took early retirement from BWB. The 49-year-old Peter was not replaced as in a sense his work was done. Every part of the waterways now had an environmental/architectural corridor study, assessing what should be saved and how. More importantly, the battle to save the waterways had been won, with the re-opening of the Kennet & Avon Canal in the previous year. And in central Birmingham, at what had once been a major derelict site, Brindley Place was well under construction, with the International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall, the Arena and many other buildings now coming together – which would never have happened but for Peter’s vision. At his funeral, Peter’s friend and former work colleague Roger Becket produced, at the end of his eulogy, the large drawing Peter had made years ago of his vision for Stourport on the River Severn – adding that many of Peter’s proposals had been implemented, and that the place today ‘was not that much different from this drawing.’ The service card included the same for George Orwell’s Wigan Pier. And there are dozens more of these drawings illustrating his friend Anthony Burton’s book Canal Mania. Peter left few parts of the waterways untouched and what was achieved by him, will remain his monument. ● The author would like to record his thanks to the following for their help in compiling this article, in alphabetical order: Simon Ainley, Harry Arnold, Roger Beckett, Oliver White and Paula White
OBITUARIES 11
12 IWA ROUND-UP
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AROUND THE BRANCHES WITH IWA’S GEMMA BOLTON
There’s still time to train for restoration projects THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER volunteers across the country have been bringing derelict waterways back to life on IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camps. Every year WRG runs a training weekend offering volunteers a unique opportunity to acquire new practical skills to help them rebuild lock walls, refurbish bridges and revamp towpaths. This year more than 50 volunteers attended sessions at Brimscombe Port near Stroud to learn excavator
A WRG volunteer taking part in the bricklaying course.
and dumper operation, scaffolding, bricklaying, site tool handling and more. WRG also re-ran the Introduction to Lime with Brickwork Course providing volunteers with the chance to improve their heritage bricklaying skills during a two-day bespoke beginner’s event. Eighteen volunteers attended the course run by Ty Mawr, which has been delivering specialist trainings in traditional and ecological building since 1996. Everyone had the chance to spend time getting to grips with the theory in the classroom followed by practical training on site where they could get their hands dirty and apply their new-found knowledge in a practice environment. One of the many benefits of being a WRG volunteer is the chance to learn something new which provides you with skills for restoration projects as well as other areas of life. No experience is necessary. Spaces are still available on a number of Canal Camps this year. Visit wrg.org.uk for more information.
Excavator and dumper operation is one of the skills covered in recent training sessions. PHOTOS: IWA
HS2 campaigning continues with petition to Parliament IWA Lichfield Branch chairman Phil Sharpe presented IWA’s petition to the HS2 House of Commons Select Committee in July. The petition asked for recognition of the residential use of most canal boats, and for better noise mitigation fencing for boats moored in Great Haywood marina, on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood and Hoo Mill, and near Fradley Junction. IWA has welcomed publication of the HS2 Phase 2A Select Committee’s Second Special Report recommending improved noise mitigation for canal boat occupants at Great Haywood and Fradley Wood in Staffordshire. The House of Commons High Speed Rail (West Midlands – Crewe) Bill Select Committee, Second Special Report of Session 2017-19, published on July 23 states: “The Inland Waterways Association petitioned on behalf of occupants of narrowboats and how HS2 classified their residences. The Great Haywood Marina will be
IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust: Volunteers will carry out a variety of tasks to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation. Contact Chris or Steve Hayes: 01522 689460, workparties@ sleafordnavigation.co.uk
MIDLANDS
significantly impacted by the scheme and HS2 should look at installing the 5m barrier as requested by the petitioner. Furthermore, HS2 should look at providing further noise mitigation at Fradley Wood.”
Members of this Select Committee have listened to the evidence, understood that people do not just live in houses but also in boats, and recommended improved noise protection for these two canal locations.
Clearing weeds in the West Country VOLUNTEERS in IWA West Country Branch have been extremely busy over the last few weeks. A group of volunteers from national
Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangements are indicated.
Sunday September 9
PHOTO: PHIL SHARPE
dairy company, Muller Dairies, went along to one of the canal clean-up days to pull up Himalayan balsam in Bridgwater.
Sunday September 2 & Tuesday September 18
IWA Northampton Branch: Work party on the Northampton Arm. 10am-2pm. Work usually includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Contact Geoff Wood: geoff. wood@waterways.org.uk.
Tuesday September 11
– IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch: Work party in Kidderminster, meet 10am at Limekiln Bridge. Volunteers will concentrate on clearing plastics – noting sources and examples for future campaigns. To confirm contact: david.struckett@ waterways.org.uk
NORTH
Thursday September 13
Staff from Muller Dairies join volunteers to pull up Himalayan balsam. PHOTOS: IWA
Helping to clear the weeds around Newtown Lock.
Employees were given a brief talk on how to find the invasive plant, how to pull it up and how to dispose of it and then they set to work. As well as clearing large areas of vegetation, the team collected five large bags of rubbish. The following week again saw staff from Muller working hard to clear the weeds from a block-paved area around Newtown Lock where the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal joins the Bridgwater Docks. To get involved with IWA West Country Branch work parties visit waterways.org. uk/westcountry
VOLUNTEERS from IWA North Staffordshire and South Cheshire joined forces with the Trent & Mersey Canal Society to carry out a canal clean-up day over the summer. Five volunteers gave more than 28 hours in total to work on Locks 57 and 58 at Hassall Green on the Trent & Mersey Canal. At Lock 58, volunteers put numbering on the balance beams, which completed the renovation work at this particular lock. On Lock 57, volunteers painted preservative on the post and rail fence parallel to the lock chamber. They also prepped metalwork and paddle gear ready for painting and managed to find time to do some litter picking as well. To get involved with IWA North Staffs & Cheshire Branch work parties visit waterways.org.uk/staffscheshire
IWA WORK PARTIES IN SEPTEMBER
EAST
Great Haywood Marina will be one of those affected by HS2.
Renovations on the Trent & Mersey Canal
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Work party on the Uttoxeter Canal at Denstone, 10am-3pm. Contact Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve. wood@ waterways.org.uk
Saturday September 15
IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Work party in the Chester area working at various locations alongside the Shropshire Union Canal, 10am-4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Jason Watts: jason.watts@ canalrivertrust.org.uk
IWA Manchester Branch: Work party in Greater Manchester, 10am4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Contact: 07710 554602, secretary@ manchester-iwa.co.uk
Thursday September 20
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal, 10am-3pm. Contact: John Lawson 07940 878923, John. lawson@waterways.org.uk
Tuesday September 25
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch supporting Burslem Port Trust: Work party on the Burslem Arm, Stoke-on-Trent, 10am-3pm at Middleport. Contact: Steve Wood 07976 805858, steve. wood@waterways.org.uk
SOUTH
Tuesdays September 18 & 25
IWA Oxfordshire Branch supporting Banbury Canal Partnership: Work party on the Oxford Canal near Banbury, 9am-1pm. Contact Colin GarnhamEdge bcpontheoxford@gmail.com
WEST
Every Tuesday & Saturday in September
IWA West Country Branch (Bridgwater): Work party in the Bridgwater area. 10am-1.30pm. Please let us know if you intend to join us by 6pm the day before. Contact Mike Slade 07977 263840, mike.slade@waterways.org.uk
Every Saturday in September IWA West Country Branch (Taunton): Work party in the Taunton area. 10am-1.30pm. Please let us know if you are intending to join us by 6pm the day before. Contact Steve 07855 794256, stevebulgin@ icloud.com
For further information on any of these events please contact Gemma Bolton on 01494 783453 or email gemma.bolton@waterways.org.uk Details can also be found on IWA’s website at www.waterways.org.uk
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13
14 NEWS FOCUS
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Pocklington Canal Amenity Society chairman Paul Waddington applauds the unveiling of the plaq ue by M ary Harrison commemorating her late husband Tony’s legacy to the I WA which paid for the lock gates and gear.
The V IP party sets off from the M elbourne Arm on board New Horizons.
PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
Pocklington bicentenary event brings people together CELEBRATIONS to mark the 200th anniversary of the Pocklington Canal got off to a rousing start with the official opening of Thornton Lock. Following a restoration project by the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society with support from the Canal & River Trust, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Natural England, a further two miles of the 9.5-mile canal in East Yorkshire are now navigable for the first time in a century. A plaque was unveiled by Mary Harrison, widow of engineer and IWA trustee Tony Harrison, whose legacy
helped to pay for the lock gates and paddle gear. Pocklington Canal Amenity Society chairman Paul Waddington said: “We are extremely grateful for what this has enabled us to do.” Also revealed was the Green Flag Award recognising Pocklington Canal as one of the country’s top open spaces. The party of VIPs travelled down to the lock from the Melbourne Arm on board the PCAS trip boat New Horizons, followed by two narrowboats, before a ribbon marked the opening of the lock gates.
Adelle Rowe, area manager of Natural England, said the canal provides a corridor for the SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) in the area and commented: “This project is an example of what happens when people come together to find a solution for people and the environment.” Dave Renwick, chairman of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire, said they are always looking for that balance between heritage and connecting with people so they can benefit from the heritage of their doorstep. He acknowledged the work of the Waterways Partnership and, brandishing a lottery ticket, added: “This is what happens when people play the lottery.” One of the patrons of PCAS, Lord Halifax, said: “This is a day which I never believed we would see. When I cut the first sod in 2015 and was told that £250,000 would be needed for the restoration project, I never believed that sort of money would be found.”
Fantastic achievement
Y oung visitors try their hand at coracle sailing at Canal Head. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST
He also thanked CRT project officer Lizzie Dealey and the CRT teams involved in the bicentenary celebrations and added that he would like to see the restoration continue to Canal Head – the full length of the Pocklington Canal. PCAS has launched a new £150,000 appeal to restore Sandhill Lock, which is in derelict condition. More than 700 local residents and visitors enjoyed the bicentenary celebrations, which included a boat rally organised by PCAS over the weekend of July 28-29. Attractions included boat trips on New Horizons and a barbecue. Ebor Morris, the South Pennine Handspike Dance Team and the Driffield Silver Band provided the musical entertainment while Rusticus performances brought the canal’s characters back to life. Green Underwing Wildlife Education showcased the canal’s wildlife of the canal and Kirklees Adventurous Activity Team got people on the water on coracles. Dragon Willow was joined by 65 people to help weave a horse community sculpture, now named Storm after the weather; and Yorkshire Community Archaeology got people
Celebrating the G reen F lag award.
Describing it as a very proud day for everyone, Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry commented: “This is the most significant piece of restoration we have seen for quite a while. Thank you to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Mary Harrison for Tony’s generous legacy and Natural England for their support. It is a fantastic achievement.”
L ord Halifax , centre, who cut the first sod of the Thornton L ock restoration in 2015 wit h, left, CRT chief ex ecutive Richard Parry and right, PCAS chairman Paul Waddington.
The ribbon fl ies as the lock gates open.
Pointing the way from the M elbourne Arm. uncovering the canal's heritage through an archaeological dig. Project officer Lizzie Dealey said afterwards: “The amount of interest in the waterway over recent months just goes to show that canals are still incredibly important to people as a space to relax and unwind in the fresh air, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “Our thanks go to everyone involved in the restoration projects, Green Flag success, celebration events and ongoing activities, and we look forward to helping future generations enjoy the benefits of being by water.”
NEWS FOCUS 15
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Paddling for poems and plastic By Colin Wareing
JUST before part of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was shut due to the water shortage, two women paddled along good lengths of it. Current canal laureate Nancy Campbell kayaked the length of the canal from Liverpool over to Leeds on a trip to collect stories and experiences to be turned into poems. Although a northern girl originally from Northumbria, Nancy is now based down south and normally does her kayaking on the Thames at Oxford as a member of Falcon Rowing and Canoe Club. So she found the canal a lot quieter than with the rowing
eights and sculls, with novelty of the Gannow and Foulridge Tunnels, which she had permission to pass through from the Canal & River Trust. Nancy said of her trip: “One of the two stand-out experiences for me was meeting the creative hub at SAFE Regeneration in Bootle. I’m a keen gardener and I was impressed by the work they are doing to improve life for communities alongside the canal. The other was having the opportunity to read recent canal poems during Alarum Theatre’s performance of their show Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways (nominated for a Living Waterways Award) at The Rodley Barge.”
Canal poet laureate Nancy Campbell at Crabtree Lane, west of Burscough, during her trip along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal by kayak during which she stopped along the way to read poetry and engage with the local community. PHOTOS:
The Ryeford Bash By Jonathan Mosse
WHILE editor Janet Richardson was learning about all that had been achieved in reconnecting Stroud to the inland waterways network (News Focus, Issue 152, June), Alan Jones and his piling team were beavering away, providing authentic background noise. The past two-and-a-half years has seen them, complete with work barge and piling rig, securing towpath banks and erecting landing stages in the Ryeford area, close to Stonehouse and the impressive Ryeford Double Lock. This volunteer team, many of them retired engineers, have assembled all the kit necessary to drive sheet piling and landing stage legs into the bed of the canal and, while not the quietest of waterway pursuits, it has proved very effective providing, among other things, safe staging for boaters to disembark and operate locks and moveable structures. Canoeists, needing to portage around these obstructions to their navigation, have not been forgotten with the ends of the staging dropped to a suitable height for their use. In an effort to say a big thank you to Ryeford residents for putting up with all the noise and general disruption, the Cotswold Canal Trust recently held a hog roast for the community, also inviting the volunteers involved with the work and local businesses that had contributed in a variety of ways. Musical accompaniment was provided by an excellent band playing 60s and 70s tunes and there was no shortage of liquid refreshment. The event was held at long-standing CCT members’ Colin and Jean Wood’s smallholding, with bravura dance performances from members of their livestock! The afternoon’s activities were complemented by trips on nb Perseverance, moored alongside the adjacent Stroudwater Canal towpath and a good time was undoubtedly had by all.
COLIN WAREING OF COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS
Deborah Maw nearing the end of her journey as she passes along the canal near Lydiate on the outskirts of Liverpool.
Details of her trip can be found on www.waterlines.org.uk. Meanwhile in the opposite direction Deborah Maw, who is an environmental scientist and artist, paddled from Barrowford to Liverpool towing a Mantra Trawl behind her canoe collecting samples of floating plastic from the canal, following the journey that plastics take from land to sea via inland waterways.
She was litter picking, trawling for micro plastics and collecting water samples for plastic micro fibres, for her investigation work and with the intention of creating images of what she found. Deborah also had chance to introduce young people to her work as she called in at the Ykids Charity in Bootle. Details of her trip can be found on www.Patreon.com/ecosciart
Ryeford locals enjoying the hog roast hosted by Cotswold Canals Trust members Colin and Jean Wood. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE
16 PETS
Pets on the cut L urcher Je ssie is no ‘ fuel’ ... Aliso n Wilkerson finds a fuel boat dweller enjo ying a leisurely life
ON MANY cruises up and down – north and south on the Grand Union – we have bumped (not literally) into fuel boats carrying and selling coal, diesel and other essentials to the boating, as well as non-boating, fraternity. They are a real joy to behold as it’s wonderful to see these historic boats doing what they were originally designed for – working on the canal. While we all appreciate their splendour at events such as Braunston’s Historic Boat Rally, it’s even better to see them, their owners and pets working on the cut. One rather dull, overcast afternoon, I met a majestic but demure and mature 14-year-old lurcher (Bedlington/whippet X) called Jessie, along with her owners Julia Cook (Jules) and Richard, who run Jules’ Fuels (julesfuels.co.uk – You order, we deliver!). She has been travelling with them for about 10 years, since being adopted from another boating family who had four other dogs and a new baby to contend with. Jessie currently spends her time travelling between Nash Mills and Stoke, on a 71ft, 1937 historic boat called Towcester, purchased 11 years ago, formerly of the Grand Union Canal Company (GUCC) and now a glorious working boat fitted with a 1947 21bhp Lister JP2 engine. It tows Bideford, a 71ft 1936 butty, which is an unpowered boat, so don’t embarrass yourself by enquiring about its engine (would I?), which was rescued seven years ago. When not travelling Jessie is on Lactodurum – which takes its name from the Roman province now known as Towcester –a modern 2010, 70-footer moored near Stoke Bruerne, which incidentally is where Jules was born.
Jessie keeps a lookout from the fuel boat bow. PHOTO: ALISON WILKERSON Three-quarters of customers are regulars/ existing and the rest passing trade when both boats are breasted-up (side-to-side). Jules has the canal in her blood and has worked for Foxton Boat Services, Stoke Bruerne boat trips and the Canal Museum before taking on this business. Jessie does manage to have a well-earned break away in June as it’s quieter, with Jules and Richard, of course. Jessie used to be a keen runner and chaser but now prefers a quieter life, does not really play with toys and will bark rather than bother – plus she will only tolerate Staffie dogs. She is great on the boat and luckily a good swimmer as she has been a little accident prone, such as being blown off lock gates, running into barbed wire and coping with dislocated and ligament issues as well as managing on only three of her four legs for a while. Recently she has had ‘funny turns’ but still loves her favourite dog food, which happens to be the most expensive, as well as fresh chicken. She still really enjoys looking out, daydreaming, gongoozling, checking all is okay in the world each evening and most importantly, getting her owners up at 6am every morning for the loo!
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Warning for dog-owning boaters over Branston order By Les Heath
ONE of the most popular visitor moorings on the Trent & Mersey Canal, alongside Branston Water Park, could be fraught with problems for boaters with dogs. For years boaters have exercised their pets around the lake near to Burton upon Trent. There is even a designated beach area close to the canal for dogs to gain access to the water. But now a Public Space Protection Order issued by East Staffordshire Borough Council states that all dogs must be on a lead, even in the water. And enforcement officers are now patrolling the area to issue £75 fines for anyone not complying. A further £75 has to be paid if the owner is not carrying dog poo bags or something similar. This can be increased to £1000 on summary conviction.
Packed visitor moorings by the side of Branston Water Park. PHOTOS: LES HEATH
However, from the canal towpath, which runs parallel with the main park walkway for a considerable distance, there are 10 access points to the park, none of which have any signs warning unsuspecting boaters. As a result, boaters moored just outside have been caught out when their pets have moved a few feet from the boats through one of the access points. If the dog owners choose to walk round the lake in an anti-clockwise direction it could be up 20 minutes before they see an order notice. They are more likely to see an enforcement officer. The main access to the park from the visitor moorings displays a large sign, facing the canal, with all the rules and regulations. But not all. There is no mention of the Public Space Protection Order relating to dogs on leads. This is displayed a few feet beyond on a tiny notice fixed to a litter bin just inside the park. So to be safe boaters with dogs using these popular visitor moorings should keep their pets on leads at all times. Carol Flannery, team leader community and civil enforcement, East Staffordshire Borough Council, said that they are considering further signage to assist those approaching the park from other directions, including the canal moorings. But she added: “Responsible dog ownership does include the owner investigating their intended location prior to their visit to take note of any rules that apply.” LEFT: A sign on the towpath welcoming boaters – but no mention of dogs being on leads.
NEWS FOCUS 17
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Tough time on the Wigan flight before temporary closure By Colin Wareing
WATERWAYS staff and volunteers had a difficult day on Monday, July 30 when the temporary closure of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between Wigan and Gargrave took effect. This was due to the prolonged dry spell of weather leaving low water levels in the feeder reservoirs. The 21 locks in the Wigan flight are the longest to be affected with one narrowboat – a hireboat from Reedley Marina – using them on the Monday. The family aboard were quite happy to do a one-way hire from Reedley near Burnley to the Anderton Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Cheshire, which will become the base for the ABC boat Tufted Duck during the closure. Unfortunately over the previous night vandals had let the water go from the canal between locks 80 and 84, so they were held up as precious water was let down the lock flight to refill the pounds before the boat could continue its journey. Added to this was the grounding of three boats at the foot of the flight waiting for water to come down, after a
number of boats had gone down the Poolstock locks towards Leigh. After great work by the team on the ground all the boats were where they had hoped to be by about 4pm and the flight was padlocked up to hopefully prevent any more usage either by boaters or vandals until the rain replenishes the reservoirs and the canal can fully be reopened. Meanwhile up at Barrowford there was little boat movement and at Wheelton there was a pile of ash that is believed to have come from the steam engines on the Embsay Steam Railway near Skipton ready for sealing leaks in worn lock gates.
The last boat to go down the Wigan fl ight before its closure on J uly 3 0 , Tufted Duck descends from Aspull on the L eeds & L iverpool Canal. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING, COLIN AND CAROLE’S CREATIONS
A padlock on the paddle gear at L ock 8 5 of the Wigan fl ight.
The drained pound between locks 8 2 and 8 3 of the Wigan fl ight. Ash for sealing lock gates at Wheelton.
Na rrowboat Hollinhurst descending the Barrowford fl ight of locks.
Na rrowboat Eau Rouge grounded at the L eigh Ju nction.
18 EVENTS ROUND-UP
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Sparkling celebration of festival anniversary By Elizabeth Rogers
THE weather made its own contribution to the atmosphere as the Thames Traditional Boat Festival celebrated its ruby anniversary. Warm sunshine brought a continuous sparkle to the waters of the River Thames at Fawley Meadows near Henley-onThames, where the event was held. Its launch was back in 1978 and the founders were members of the River Thames Society. Over the years a changing sequence of other water-based organisations took over. Today it is run by a committee of
volunteers led by Lady Judy McAlpine, who said: “It is a great family weekend with something for everyone to enjoy.” Originally known as ‘a rally’, in order to give a more inclusive-sounding name which indicated that it was open to the general public rather than for boatowners only, the name was changed in 2015 to a ‘festival’ and it now attracts a wider attendance. The focus has always been on traditionally built chiefly wooden rivergoing vessels, powered by paddles, oars and engines and there is keen competition in the various categories. Lady McAlpine added that the show
is all about preserving the skills needed to conserve these rare beauties and to create new versions for those not fortunate enough to be able to buy an old one. The present committee is keen to see a profit that could be used to support apprenticeships in the art of traditional boat building. Many societies were represented, holding their own stands among the many which thronged the environs of the river. There they welcomed interested visitors and provided them with information which they could take away with them.
Royal rowbarge Gloriana makes an eye-catching sight. PHOTO: AMERSHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
World water speed record holder Bluebird K3 makes a successful Saturday run – at 12 knots to comply with E nvironment Agency regulations. PHOTO: AMERSHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
The colourful fla gs of the visiting boats at Henley. PHOTO: AMERSHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
Members of the Thames Traditional Boat Society manned another of the stands and two boats with which it has a connection were taken out on the river. They are Sgian Dubh and Thomasina, which are both four-man skiffs. Thomasina was built in 1994 by the wellknown boat builder Mark Edwards. There was much to keep the crowds of visitors – which numbered in the thousands each day – entertained. On the water Gloriana, the royal rowbarge which took part in the water-based pageant in London during the celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, was an eye-catching sight. There was much interest in Bluebird, the boat in which Malcolm Campbell, father of Donald Campbell, made his pre-war water speed record attempt followed by those of his late son after the war. A fleet of the Dunkirk little ships made their regular popular appearance and overhead a flypast by the Battle of Britain flight and a First World War air display took place.
V isitors admire one of the wooden boats on show. PHOTO: THAMES
TRADITIONAL BOAT SOCIETY
There were merchandising and food stalls as well as trade stands and a boat jumble. It has been said that if the Henley Royal Regatta, which took place during the preceding week, is the Festival of Speed, this boat festival is the revival meeting. Next year’s festival will take place from July 19-21.
Festival fun, including owls and alpacas, despite the downpours By Geoff Wood
EXTREME weather the night before was no deterrent for hardy West Yorkshire folk at a canal festival.
Before Dewsbury Canal Festival was due to start, the area was bombarded by lumps of ice as the heatwave turned into a downpour. Making the most of what sunshine flowed in changeable weather, locals and visitors
Na rrowboats lined up by the wharf. PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD
turned out in droves for the festival at Savile Town Wharf. The site, on a large stretch of land where Victorian bargees would have unloaded their cargoes, was tucked away behind the
appropriately named Leggers Inn. Once past the entrance, there was plenty to see. Nearly 20 narrowboats were lined up by the wharf, giving the festival an air of authenticity. And there were plenty of water activities with trips by narrowboat and canoeing. The festival has been on the go for 10 years and the free trips are traditionally operated by the Mirfield-based Safe Anchor Trust and the Calder Navigation Society. For children, the festival was doubtless a bit of a wonderland. Easily accessible on the left bank was a display of owls, some of which were tame enough to pick up. And close by and equally popular were some alpacas, whose owners invited visitors to take them for a walk. And if that wasn’t enough, on the right bank there was a children’s roundabout and a candy floss stall. Most visitors joined in the fun but it was equally interesting sitting and people-spotting as the world went by. In all it was a fun afternoon for the first day of the two-day festival and the smiles and laughter of visitors, locals and visitors alike proved it was a hit. Sometimes overlooked by out-of-towners, Dewsbury is not far from Huddersfield and Leeds. But it is a minster town and lies by the River Calder and an arm of the Calder & Hebble Navigation and efforts have been made in recent times to regenerate the centre.
EVENTS ROUND-UP 19
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Dancers walk to canalside venue By Geoff Wood
VISITING Morris groups came to dance at Standedge Visitor Centre – and ended up going the extra mile on foot. To mark the 65th anniversary of the hosts White Rose Morris from Huddersfield, teams came to the centre on the outskirts of Marsden from as far afield as Norwich and Southport. But their coaches could not negotiate the narrow entrance and roads to the Standedge Centre on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and had to drop the dancers a mile away. The visitors then had to walk the extra mile in full regalia to Standedge. Norwich member Mike Jones said: “The coach eventually dropped us at Marsden Railway Station and we had to walk from there.” Finally the entertainment got under way but the start was delayed by 40 minutes as teams walked the distance from the village. A handful of local Morris dancers attended but White Rose members were spread at a number of locations throughout the area. A team of women from the local area were on the scene to help with the dance. Duty manager at Standedge Alice Patefield said: “The Morris dancers got in touch and we thought it was a nice idea to have a display here.” Meanwhile the centre has widened its diet of entertainment considerably. There have also been craft exhibitions, numerous
K emp’s M en travelled from N orwich to dance at Standedge V isitor Centre. PHOTOS: GEOFF WOOD activities for children and wedding receptions, with a special weddings officer in post. A familiar sight in the area with their white costumes and straw hats, White Rose Morris was formed by a number of Leeds University Morrismen and others. As well as performing locally, they have spread the message abroad with appearances in Sweden, Provence and Romania.
Persephone Women’s M orris also went the ex tra mile to dance.
Paddleboarders stand up for river rights THE River Arun was a riot of colour recently as a flotilla made up of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards navigated from Pulborough and Stopham to the tidal limit at Pallingham, West Sussex. Organised by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, the annual river
rally attracted more than 30 small crafts. More than half were paddleboarders, illustrating the surge in popularity of the sport. The three-and-a-half-hour trip celebrated a long tradition of boats navigating a river which was once part of a route from London to the south coast.
The event aims to demonstrate that the River Arun is still a navigable waterway, proving that navigation rights still exist. The route took in the junction of the canal with the river and headed to Pallingham Quay, the furthest navigable point for boats on the route.
Wey & Arun Canal Trust chairman Sally Schupke said the good weather helped make the rally ‘good fun for all involved’ and recent rain meant even shallow sections were easy to navigate. She added: “The aim of the Trust is to restore the Wey & Arun Canal and that ticks all the boxes: heritage, environment and leisure.” The Wey & Arun Canal Trust is restoring the 23-mile canal between Pallingham in West Sussex and the junction with the River Wey navigation in Shalford, Surrey. Its restoration work has meant parts of the canal are now well used by canoeists, kayakers and, more frequently, paddleboarders.
A canoe heads towards Pallingham.
● D ay licences are available at the restored section in L ox wood, West Sussex . V isit www.weyandarun.co.uk for more information, or visit the L ox wood canal centre ( High St, L ox wood, West Sussex RH14 0 RD , tel 0 14 0 3 7 5 3 9 9 9 , open Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 4 pm) . Passing beneath the bridge at Pulborough.
Paddleboarders made up more than half of the fl otilla. PHOTOS: WACT
Ramblers visit canal restoration project
The 41 G roup pause on the Heritage Towpath Trail with the restoration works in the background. PHOTOS: LHCRT
RESTORATION of the canal at Fosseway Heath provided a pleasant background to two walks organised and led by Jo Trodden of the Lichfield and District Ramblers. Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust are creating a nature reserve and wetlands area at Fosseway Heath, as well as digging out a new canal bed with a completely rebuilt wall and a Heritage Towpath Trail. The first walk, arranged as part of the Lichfield Festival, included about 20 people, mainly local but some drawn from further afield, with other ramblers acting as marshals. So successful was this walk that John Rushton of the Aldridge
41 Club (those members of the Round Table who ‘retire’ at this age) repeated the experience on August 1 with members of the club. Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust volunteer Phil Cheesewright gave each walk a quick rundown of the history of the canal and the works being undertaken. The second walk encountered the Waterways Recovery Group in full force rebuilding the towpath wall at Fosseway, and the trust’s engineering director Peter Buck who welcomed the party. Phil and Jo were rewarded with the unusual wages of a tot of whisky – a welcome tradition of the 41 club.
L HCRT engineering director Peter Buck greets the ramblers with J o Trodden on the left.
20 WATER & WILDLIFE
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A floral w elcome on the Well C reek
Janet Richardson visits a hidden gem in the Fens BOATERS travelling to the Inland Waterways Association Festival of Water at St Neots may have cruised along Well Creek – a navigable link between the River Great Ouse and the inland waterway network. The eight-mile canalised river in West Norfolk stretches from Salters Lode in the east through the villages of Nordelph, Outwell and Upwell before connecting with the old course of the River Nene ock. at Marmont Priory Lock. Old photographs show urch boats at the Church Bridge mooring in Upwell beside a grassy ssy bank but over the last year or so this has been en transformed into a waterside garden by green-fingered villager er Sheena Hartley, for whom it is a labour of love. She told me: “We e have had many boaters through hrough this season and they all say that they have never seen a mooring like it and it is the best they have ever come across.”
The 55m visitor mooring, where boaters can stay for 36 hours, is owned by the Well Creek Trust, a local charity which was formed in 1970 with the aim of ensuring the survival of this ancient watercourse. Installed some 20 years ago, the mooring had fallen into disrepair and become very overgrown after ill health forced the retirement of its previous caretaker. caretak Until re recently the owner of her own narrowboat, Sheena approached the Shee trust chairman and trus the transformation in a village focal into point began last year po with the reclamation wi of the bank and successive plantings. su “It was very hard “I work I started with work. roses planted pl in memory of loved ones and then gifts from people’s gardens,” she explained. Local garden centre Goldings has also been very supportive.
M aintaining the Well Creek Trust’s Church Bridge mooring at U pwell is a labour of love for Sheena Hartley. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON
The Well Creek Trust’s information panel. The final point of the user’s charter states that ice breaking in winter is prohibited as the waterway is used for skating.
Sheena has painted the railing beside the steps down to the pontoon. L E F T: Roses were the first to be planted – many in memory of loved ones.
There is even a grapevine.
L ock keeper M aureen N orton, left, chats to a boater waiting to enter Well Creek at M armont Priory L ock from the old course of the River N ene.
WATER & WILDLIFE 21
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September wildlife: what to look out for In this new column, Phil Pickin gives some seasonal pointers for the towpath naturalist
A narrowboat passes the mooring on its way along the Well Creek. The village butcher’s shop can be seen on the right.
In the front is the herb garden where boaters can pick themselves a bunch. “I have fundraised and every plant on the mooring has been donated. There is no theme to my planting and I just gratefully receive all that is given,” Sheena continued. The week of my visit she had been given 100 plants following a village fete run by the local gardening club, whose secretary had helped to plant them. “Last year we had a lot of bedding but this year I have been putting perennials in. I have also planted a herb garden so the boaters can take away bunches of herbs. They say they have never seen anything like it anywhere else in the country. It is my hobby and I meet all sorts of interesting people from all over the world.”
Buzzing
Upwell is becoming a destination for boaters with a pub, The Five Bells – which reopened this summer and where you can now pick up Towpath Talk – as well as a butcher’s shop and a cafe opposite the mooring. An empty shop nearby is also to be redeveloped – “the place is buzzing at the moment and helping to promote tourism in the Fens,” added Sheena. The mooring has its own waterpoint,
for which boaters are asked to make a small donation. Both the pub and the butcher hold a key. Sheena, who originally hails from north of the border, is also a fundraiser for the Well Creek Trust and has organised events such as a Burns lunch and a recent coffee morning at the mooring, which turned into a street party and raised more than £700. The annual meeting takes place in January with a guest speaker and attracts a great turnout; this year 130 people attended as local interest in the river continues to grow. Well Creek has lots of wildlife to see including kingfishers and in the spring Upwell is famous for the daffodils which cover its banks. The Middle Level Commissioners are the navigation authority and there is currently no charge of for passage although a private bill going through Parliament is awaiting its third reading.
Acknowledgement:
Additional information from Well Creek – The Story of a Waterway, published by the Well Creek Trust.
Boats moored along the Well Creek in Upwell. ● For more information visit www.wellcreektrust.co.uk or follow on Facebook at Well Creek Trust.
IN MANY ways, September can be a very special month. As summer gives way to autumn, we are treated to some spectacular colours and excellent wildlife spotting opportunities while still being able to enjoy some beautiful weather. It’s a time for nature to get itself ready for the coming winter as trees begin to lose their leaves before the frosts start in earnest. Many insects’ numbers will fall with many dying and many becoming food for insect-eating birds who are also trying to build up fat stores for winter. Many of these birds will be preparing to leave the UK for warmer climates, and who can blame them? Migrations, in some cases, will have already begun, after all, adult cuckoos left in July, but the UK is also a destination for many birds. Some overwinter here while others stop off to refuel before heading off further afield. If you are close to the east coast or on the broads, you could be well placed to see waders and other species returning in good numbers. But it’s not just birds; many animals will also be making preparations for winter. If you are lucky enough to have one of our dwindling number of hedgehogs living close by, now would be a good time to help by providing a
Leaves starting to change colour on the Somerset Coal Canal. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
suitable place for them to hibernate. For those on the move, it’s not so easy but wherever you are you just might be lucky enough to see one. Depending on the situation you could consider feeding them (but not with bread or milk) and please don’t tempt them close to the water. Their numbers are falling badly, and we don’t want to make matters worse!
Red beacons
September is also the time for berries on the bushes alongside the towpath. These bright red beacons attract birds in large numbers, so no matter where you are, chances are you are going to see a lot of feeding activity. During dusk, you could be treated to the sight of bats flying almost silently overhead. With the water attracting what few insects are still about, these areas are targets for bats who are themselves feeding up for the winter hibernation. If you are particularly interested, there are a number of new bat detectors on offer, many of which link to smartphones and tablet
Hedgehogs will be starting to make preparations for winter.
computers and allow you to identify species. Moths too provide food for bats during the early autumn, but with our seasons changing it’s difficult to predict just what will be happening. While you are walking along the towpath or in the surrounding countryside keep a lookout for fungi as this is the ideal time of year to spot them. There are a huge variety with many being poisonous so make sure you know what you are doing if you touch any. My advice is – don’t! Enjoy them, try to identify them using apps and books but leave them to grow as a damp autumn is ideal for them. There are a few plants still flowering and setting seeds including thistles and rosebay willow-herb, and even the dreaded Himalayan balsam is likely to be in flower. Others might include greater bindweed and wild angelica which will attract the last of this year’s bees and hoverflies. But wherever you find yourself, enjoy this time of year. Being afloat, or close to water, affords us with a great vantage point from which to see and get close to wildlife.
PROJECT TO IMPROVE RIVER HABITAT By Elizabeth Rogers
WILDLIFE habitat on the River Evenlode on the edge of the Cotswolds, just north of the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood, has been improved following a major clean-up operation. Conservation charity Wild Oxfordshire launched the
restoration of Pudlicote project to improve habitat both on the river and in the surrounding fields. It focused on the damage that had been caused by past dredging of the river, the remains of which had been left on the riverbank. These were removed and the riverbed was raised using gravel and shallow riffles in order to provide better
living conditions for the fish and other wildlife. This should result in an increased connectivity for nature species between the river and the floodplain. A further phase will involve the conversion of 12 acres of land nearby into a wet grassland that will hold water and encourage birds.
Thames swan numbers hold steady By Elizabeth Rogers
THE swan population on the River Thames is doing well, the Queen’s Swan Marker David Barber reported following the completion of this year’s census carried out during the traditional event of swan upping. All mute swans that swim in open water along the river are the property of the Crown; a proportion allocated to two London Livery companies, The Vintners and The Dyers. This year the total number of cygnets counted was 106, a decrease from the 132 of 2017. “That year was a very bumper year,” David recalled. He is pleased that the numbers have stabilised at just over the 100 mark in recent times; a few years ago they were down to the 70s and 80s mark. “The swan population is doing very well on the River Thames,” he added. David was taking part in his 25th swan upping, which traditionally takes place during the third week in July, over five days.
The party of launches also carried representatives of the two livery companies who accompanied the team of swan markers dressed in their bright red uniforms, showing their royal associations. Among the many visitors to the census points to watch the swan upping – school children on special outings among them – was the Princess Royal. She visited the markers during their time at Marlow.
ABOVE: Weighing one of the cygnets. LEFT: The Princess Royal looks on at Marlow. Left of centre is the Queen’s Swan Marker David Barber taking part in his 25th swan upping. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
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WHAT’S ON
Email details of your event to: sspencer@mortons.co.uk or send details to: What’s on, Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ
Compiled by Janet Richardson and Sarah Spencer
B oat show boasts ex pand ing fleet of ex hibitors ONE of Britain’s best-loved boating festivals will welcome more than 80 new brands to its 500-plus fleet of exhibitors. TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show 2018 will also see around 100 companies increase the size of their stand or number of berths this year. The show will take place from September 14 to 23 and high demand has seen its land-based locations – the Holiday Inn area, Solent Park and Mayflower Park, which includes last year’s hugely successful Ocean Hall – completely sold out in record time. The show’s popular small and traditional boat area, the Arena, is also expected to be fully booked, while the Marina, which has been extended to accommodate more on-the-water activity and retains its title as Europe’s largest purpose-built marina, enjoys limited availability of remaining exhibition berths. An added bonus is that culinary duo Si King and Dave Myers (aka The Hairy Bikers), will be dropping anchor as part of a unique mouthwatering experience on offer exclusively for the 10-day event. Bringing together their love of
good food, wealth of knowledge of classic recipes and Britain’s finest seafood, Si and Dave will curate the menu for the show’s premium waterfront restaurant the Mariner’s Grill. Visitors will be able to see the duo at the event on Saturday 22, where they will also give a cooking demonstration of one of their exclusive dishes. Among the show’s new exhibitors are Tom’s Place, Trinity Marine, Suffolk Yacht Harbour, Dale Sailing and Scorpion Ribs. Marking its 50th anniversary, TheYachtMarket.com Southampton Boat Show celebrates the lifestyle, fun and excitement that being on the water has to offer and showcases the latest in marine technology and craft. Whether tempted to dip your toe in for the first time, an aspiring sailor or seasoned boater, it offers a fantastic social experience, the chance to stock up on the latest boating gear and the perfect opportunity to indulge a passion for the water. See www.southamptonboatshow. The Hairy Bikers will give a demonstration on com for more details. Saturday, September 22. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Learn more about shared ownership
FIND out what shared ownership could mean for you at this year’s Autumn Boat Share Show, which is taking place at Overwater Marina on Saturday and Sunday, September 8-9. Visitors will have a chance to view and compare the shared ownership narrowboats on show during the event, which opens at 10am each day and closes at 5pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday at the marina at Coole Lane, Newhall, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8AY. This is also an excellent opportunity to talk to existing share owners about how you can enjoy holidays each year on your own boat at less than the cost of hiring and meet the companies that manage most of the boats on view. The event also coincides with Overwater Marina’s annual RNLI Festival and on the Saturday night there will be live entertainment with soul singer Geoff Rey. Sunday events include the
Shared ownership narrowboats on show at this year’s spring event. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON popular raft race, dog show, stalls and lots more, including a world championship Custard Pie Competition!
Manchester canals inspire city artist A MANCHESTER artist who has featured the city’s canals in some of his recent work is celebrating his latest exhibition this month. Steven Bewsher is one of the Northern School’s exciting new generation. Born in Manchester in 1964, he graduated from Manchester and Wolverhampton and has exhibited widely. In 1995 he exhibited at the Mall Gallery in London after taking part in the Discerning Eye competition. In the same year he held his first one-man show in Knutsford to great acclaim. This led the way for further one-man shows and group shows around the country. Steven said: “I’ve always loved canals and have spent a lot of time along them at all times of the year.
“When I’m in the city, I would much rather take a towpath than the pavement. “I suppose it relates to my nature; when you walk along a canal you can be somewhat out of the way and invisible and this appeals to my reclusive side.” Steven’s work concerns the effects of light and shade on the landscape and the urban scene, capturing the changing colours and luminosity of the seasons and the texture of the built environment. His subject matter is varied from landscape to demolition – and the canals - but all painted with energy and feeling for the paint. The exhibition runs Thursday, September 13 to Saturday 29, at the Gateway Gallery, 116 Ashley Road, Hale, Altrincham. More details at www. gateway-gallery.co.uk
Car parking on the Sunday costs £5, with all proceeds being donated directly to the RNLI.
● F or further information on the Boat Share Show contact Andrew Cooley on 0145 2 9 126 17 / 0 7 9 6 1 5 7 4 23 1, email andrew@ boatshare4 u.co.uk or visit boatshare4 u.co.uk RN L I F estival: www.overwatermarina.co.uk
Steven Bewsher’s Approaching Storm, which features the Bridgewater Canal in M anchester’s Castlefield area, viewed from Beetham Tower. PHOTO: STEVEN BEWSHER, GATEWAY GALLERY
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Celebrating new slipway on the Wey & Ar un
Jo in the Lady Jayne crew on the D riffi eld Canal
BOATERS are invited to take small craft to the opening of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s new slipway on Sunday, September 30. The ceremony will be conducted by the Mayor of Waverley, Coun Denise Le Gal, at 2pm. WACT is inviting boaters to join in the celebrations by bringing along canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and other small craft. It will also be possible to launch trailable boats via the slipway on the summit level of the canal near Alfold and Dunsfold, Surrey.
JOIN the crew of the Lady Jayne and explore beautiful countryside and wildlife on a boat trip on the Driffield Canal. The cruise takes place on Friday, September 14, and will take you from Frodingham Landing southwards towards Bethells Bridge at Hempholme. You will see the bridge opening
WHAT’S ON IN SEPTEMBER
Construction started in summer 2016 and moved into full swing in July 2017. All the work has been carried out by volunteers, under the leadership of site manager Dave Evans and project manager Tony Ford. The project has cost in the region of £20,000, funded mainly by a donation from the Thriscutt family and will be named the Sydney Thriscutt Slipway. Boat entries can be made via the website, www. weyarun.org.uk
If you want your event listed in our free monthly What’s On section email your entry to jrichardson@mortons.co.uk or use the events form at www.towpathtalk.co.uk/events. As always please check with organisers on the details of the event before setting out on your journey.
September 1-2
September 17
Whitchurch Waterway Trust: Boat rally with trading boats, raffle and tombola, cakes and crafts. Dog show on Sunday at 2pm. www. whitchurchwaterway.uk/rally
Friends of Cromford Canal: The Midlands Railway in Derbyshire by Glynn Waite. Ironville Church Hall, Ironville NG16 5NN, 7.30pm. Admission £2, bar and raffle available.
September 2
September 18
Essex Boat Jumble: Battlesbridge Antiques Centre, Battlesbridge, Essex SS11 7RF. Opens 10am, adults £4, children/parking free. Contact Chaddock & Fox Promotions, 02392 381405/07887 771451, boatjumbles@yahoo. com, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk Angel Canal Festival: Boat rally and racing, trips, sailing and kayaking, street market with food and craft stalls, live entertainment, children’s activities including seaside in the city. Around City Road Lock and City Road Basin on the Regent’s Canal, 11am-5pm. Wendover Arm Trust: Restoration open day at Drayton Beauchamp Church HP22 5LS, 12.304pm. Guided tours of restoration site (about 25-minute walk), sales stands, teas and cakes, video presentation in church, also kayak and paddleboard activity on restored canal section. Free entry and parking (donations welcome). www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Limehouse – Thames – Docklands. Starts Westferry DLR by cycle hire point at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.
September 4
Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canal Society: AGM. Alvechurch Boat Centre, Scarfield Wharf, Alvechurch B48 7SQ (just behind the Weighbridge pub), 7.45pm. Contact Denis Pike 07870 939121, www.wbdcs.org.uk Wurzel Bush Folk Club: Singers’ night. The Ansty Golf Centre, Brinklow Road, Ansty, which is next to the Oxford Canal where there are plenty of moorings, 8.30pm. There is no admission charge but a collection is taken. Also September 11, 18 and 25. Visit the website for programme updates at www. wurzelbush.co.uk
September 6
Southampton Canal Society: A selection of canals and DVDs with president Brian Evans. Chilworth Village Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ, 7.45-9.50pm. Visitors welcome. www.sotoncs.org.uk
September 7
River Foss Society: Evening walk around Strensall, 6pm. For start point contact John Millett, 01904 491290.
September 8-9
River Canal Rescue: Boat and engine maintenance course with RCR engineers. RCR head office, Baswich, Stafford (by Bridge 101, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal). Two-day course £120.
September 15
River Foss Society: Five-mile circular walk along the Ouse from Moor Monkton, 9.30am. For start point contact Mike Gray, sdmike.05@ gmail.com
September 16
IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: Mile End – Limehouse. Starts Mile End tube station at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust: Heroes and villains of the Basingstoke Canal by Roger Cansdale. Royal Oak, Much Marcle HR8 2DN, 7.30 for 8pm. Everyone welcome.
September 20
East Yorkshire IWA: The east coast ports fishing industry by Alan Hopper. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham HU16 4BD. Contact Roger Bromley 01482 845099, roger.bromley@ waterways.org.uk
September 21
Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Three things you didn’t know about the RNLI by Mark Thomas. The Big Lock, Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9DN, 7.30 for 8pm. Contact Gillian Watson 01606 835606.
September 22-23
River Canal Rescue: Electrics course with electrical specialist Howard Williams. RCR head office, Baswich, Stafford (by Bridge 101, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal). Two-day course £150. Contact 01785 785680, enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk or visit www. rivercanalrescue.co.uk/rcr-courses/
September 23
Northern Cheshire Boat Jumble: Brookfield Farm, Sproston Green, Crewe CW4 7LN (Jct 18 off M6). Gates open 10am. Adults £3.50, children/parking free. Contact Compass Events 07971 250139, www.compassevents.co.uk Normous Newark Autojumble: Newark Showground, Newark NG24 2NY. Contact 01507 529430, exhibitions@mortons.co.uk Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: Sandiacre Lock Cottage open, 1.30-4.30pm. Admission and refreshments free, donations appreciated towards costs of opening cottages. Due to historic nature of cottages, disabled access is limited. Special openings can be arranged, contact Glyn Stenson 0780 925 1441, glynstenson@hotmail. com
September 25
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: Friends of Bennerley Viaduct with Kieran Lee. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 7.30pm. Admission £2 members, £3 non-members.
September 27
IWA Lancashire & Cumbria: Coke ovens on the Lancaster Canal by Brian Crawley, secretary of Carnforth Coke Ovens. St Chad’s Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittle-leWoods, Chorley PR6 8AJ, 7 for 7.30pm. Parking and bar available. Contact: 01257 274440, lancsandcumbria@waterways.org.uk
September 30
Grantham Canal Society: Half-hour boat trips on The Three Shires from Lock 18k, Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir NG32 1NY, near the Dirty Duck pub between 10am-4pm. Adults £3, children £2. www.granthamcanal.org
to let Lady Jayne through, and the many craft that moor there. You can stretch your legs at the landing at Strucheon Hill Lock and Weir and enjoy picnics before heading home again. The trip is ideal for those who want to learn more about the historic waterways and for bird and wildlife watchers.
Walk and learn at Pocklington
DO not miss the opportunity to walk the entire length of Pocklington Canal and learn more about this waterway at the same time. Built nearly 200 years ago, it is now a haven for wildlife, with interesting industrial heritage.
It is a linear walk and the ticket price of £5 adults, £3 under-16s, includes the bus to the start point at East Cottingwith. It starts at 10am on Sunday, September 9, with the meeting point Canal Head, Pocklington, on the A1079, YO42 1NW, grid
The start time is 11am (finishing at around 1pm) and the meeting point Bridge Farm, Church Lane, Frodingham, £4 per person. Booking is essential; take a picnic. Contact Beverley Tourist Information Centre, The Treasure House, Champney Road. Tel 01482 391672, or email Beverley.tic@eastriding.gov.uk.
reference SE 800 474, to finish at around 3pm. Booking is essential; contact the Countryside Access Team on 01482 395320, or online at www.eastriding.gov.uk/events (select brochure for Countryside 2018).
I nternational flavour to O x ford festival By Elizabeth Rogers
THE music at this year’s Oxford Canal Festival will strike an international note, as the headline act is to be the Ugandan instrumentalist Seby Ntege. He and his band of multi-instrumentalists play a blend of African sounds using their wide range of skills to entertain with afro-beat, Samba and British pop. The main event is to take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, following a launch event on the Friday evening at 7.30pm at the White Hart Inn in Wolvercote in North Oxford. Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground will be the venue for the weekend extravaganza, starting at noon. Many people from the Jericho area of Oxford have contributed to the planning of the festival, from which all the proceeds will go towards the purchase and restoration of a community boat. There has already been a fundraising event to provide funds for the festival. At an auction which took place in May, biddings for signed special
editions of books by such well-known authors as Philip Pullman, Mark Haddon and John O’Farrel contributed to a result of almost £9000. As well as a dog show and fancy dress parade, the weekend will feature canal-themed activities such as a ‘Canal Olympics’ and canalside walks. As they follow the paths, the walkers will be able to enjoy the sight of the especially decorated boats – and the especially spruced-up waterside gardens. Among the visiting musicians will be Ben Avison, who is currently working from his boat on a new album, and the Bristol-based The Hawkmen with the singer Scarlett Fagan. Their speciality is songs from the 1950s and early 1960s. Local artists contributing will be the Jericho Singers and the John Fletcher choir. Appropriately for the event, another act is named The Idle Women – after the definitely not idle women who, like land girls, contributed to the war effort during the Second World War, but in their case on water, rather than on land.
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IN BRIEF Re dhill boat show
READERS who have got hold of their Towpath Talk on publication day still have time to visit Redhill Boat Show at Ratcliffe-on-Soar over the bank holiday weekend from August 25-27. Nottingham Boat Co will be exhibiting its range of Sailaway wide beam boats, Tristar Boats will be displaying the boats in build in its workshop and there will be live entertainment, food, drink and trade stands. Entry is free. Moorings and caravan pitches are available, call 01509 672770 or 07760 627421/2.
Restoration day
THE Wendover Arm Trust will be holding its second restoration day of the year at Drayton Beauchamp Church on Sunday, September 2 from 12.30pm to 4pm. Guided tours of the restoration site (around a 25-minute walk) will be led by the trust, which is working to restore the Wendover arm of the Grand Union Canal. There will also be sales stands, teas and cakes, plus a video presentation in the church and kayak and paddleboard activity on the restored canal section. Free entry and car parking (donations welcome). More details at www. wendoverarmtrust.co.uk
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C hesterfie ld C anal to host landm ark w alking f estiv al POSSIBLY the largest organised canal walking event in the country will be taking place during September 2018. Taking in three counties and 46 miles of towpaths over nine days, the Chesterfield Canal Walking Festival is being billed as the biggest canal walking event ever run along a single canal. Organised by the Chesterfield Canal Trust, the festival will take place between Saturday, September 15 and Sunday, September 23 with a total of 51 guided walks – the majority of which are free
– ranging from a children’s walk of just two miles to the full 46-mile length of the canal in three days. The trust’s walks officer, David Blackburn, has been researching and leading walks for more than 20 years and said: “The Chesterfield Canal has featured in many walking festivals in the past, but this year the trust decided to organise a dedicated event that shows the Chesterfield Canal off to as many people as possible.
Promoting the Chesterfield Canal Walking F estival at Stret L ock are: Worksop ramblers D iana M unro, K eith Ross and J anet Ross with D avid Blackburn of Chesterfield Canal Trust and Coun J ulie L eigh, Bassetlaw D istrict Council. PHOTOS SUPPLIED “The canal is an absolute delight at any time of year, but early autumn possibly sees it at its best. There are walks for all ages and abilities, including specialist interest walks and combined walks and boat trips for people who would like a more relaxing day out. “We are very grateful to everyone who has helped us to put this festival together and to our sponsors, including our main sponsor Bassetlaw District Council.” Just some of the special interest walks include subjects such as nature, architecture and canal engineering, as well as an introduction to Nordic walking and discovering three lost canals. Several walks will also investigate the section of the Chesterfield Canal that has not yet been restored and will reveal plans on how this will take place.
G entrifica tion tour
THE London branch of the National Bargee Travellers Association will be hosting an open air discussion on ‘waterways gentrification’ at the Angel Canal Festival on Sunday, September 2. Members will also be handing out leaflets and leading a tour of some of the sites covered in the Canal & River Trust’s London Mooring Strategy.
Bat walk
GRANTHAM Canal Society is holding a bat walk on Friday, September 7, from 7.15-9pm, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Bat Group. Meet outside the Dirty Duck Pub, Woolsthorpe NG32 1NY for a short walk along the Grantham Canal at Woolsthorpe. The walk is free although donations will be gratefully accepted and split between the two groups. To book a place on the walk please contact 07926 414652 or email headranger@granthamcanal.org
Sa lt sculpture farewell THE Salt Pavilion, the sculpture by Katy Beinart which has been on display at the Salt Museum in Droitwich since May, will leave as it came – on board a canalboat – as part of the spa town’s Salt Fest on Sunday, September 8. There will be a carnival atmosphere as bands and craft stalls pop up in Vine’s Park as the salt pavilion embarks on its farewell journey. The sculpture was commissioned for The Ring, which is a part of the Canal & River Trust’s Arts on the Waterways programme funded by Arts Council England.
Tunnel trips
HISTORIC working boats will be on show at the Parkhead Canal Festival on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30, from 10am to 5pm at Parkhead Locks, Holly Hall Road DY2 0TT. There will also be steam engines, an air ambulance simulator, trade and craft stalls, vintage and classic commercials, cars and static engines. Trip boats will be operating all weekend into the Dudley Tunnels and there will also be a real ale bar and live entertainment. And don’t miss the duck race on Sunday at 3pm. For entry forms and information visit www.wbdcs.org.uk
● F ull details for all the walks, including booking information, can be found at www. chesterfield-canal-trust.org. uk. Bookings can also be made by calling 0 124 6 3 4 5 7 7 7 . Ramblers walking along the Chesterfield Canal towpath.
Towpath view of city canal film A SPECIAL screening of restored archive footage revealing a visual history of Birmingham’s canals is to take place in the city. Canals on Film will run on Thursday, September 13, from 4pm to 8pm at Brewmaster Bridge. It is being presented by the contemporary art venue Ikon Gallery, which has a long history of working on the canals, collaborating with artists on the waterways for nearly 20 years. It will include newsreel footage of Gas Street Basin in 1933. This special presentation will be screened
on to Ikon Slow Boat’s windows and watched from the towpath at Brewmaster Bridge. The screening is part of Birmingham Heritage Week 2018 in partnership with Film Hub West Midlands. Ikon is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue situated in central Birmingham. Established in 1964 by a group of artists, Ikon is an educational charity and works to encourage public engagement with contemporary art through exhibiting new work in a context of debate and participation.
Bo ating insight at open day SAWLEY Marina is offering an insight into inland boating at a special open day. Whether you’re looking to live life afloat, or for an alternative way to spend your leisure time, this one-stop source of information could provide the answers. Sawley Marina, the flagship inland marina of marina operator BWML, is holding the event on Saturday, September 1. Rod Grant, BWML’s head of retail, said: “We want to make it easy for people to meet the team and gain valuable information regarding all aspects of inland waterway boating. “Here they will be able to find out
about residential and leisure moorings and the costs and benefits of a life afloat. “They can talk with experienced staff and existing boaters, meet experts from BWML’s industry partners in insurance, safety, breakdown, rescue and servicing. “They can try a narrowboat or cruiser or attend one of BWML’s informative seminars during the day.” Entry is free and there is an on-site restaurant, bar and boating and leisure shop. BWML plans further open days at its marinas in Hull, Newark, Bedford and Ripon. See boating press for further details or visit www.bwml.co.uk
REGENT’S CANAL CENTRE STAGE IN NEW PLAY A NEW play celebrating the history of Regent’s Canal in London will be performed by pupils of the Blessed Sacrament School in Islington. Islington Canal Tales has been developed as part of a Heritage Lottery-funded project on the history of Regent’s Canal, spearheaded by the Young Actors’ Theatre of Islington (YATI). Written by award-winning playwright Linda Wilkinson and directed and produced by Asha Cornelia-Cluer and Susannah Gidley of YATI, the work comes out of a reminiscence workshop with the youngsters at Blessed Sacrament School, which was hosted by local residents and experts on the history of the canal in Islington. The pupils are enacting scenes of their favourite tales, which include explosions, the importance of
Norwegian ice to London and why horsepower was called just that. Wrapped up in music and featuring time-travel, the play is being performed this year as part of celebrations which will culminate in 2020 on the 200th anniversary of the completion of the canal. The next performance of the play, by pupils from Years 5 and 6, will be as part of the Angel Canal Festival on Sunday, September 2. It is performed on the Molly-Anna, purchased for use as a floating stage courtesy of the estate of Islington resident and legendary casting director Rose Tobias-Shaw. Jamie Lynch of YATI said: “All the project’s participants have shared a special experience together; by listening to each other, learning about each other and thereby increasing a little mutual respect.”
L ots happening at Tapton L ock F estival THE banks of the Chesterfield Canal will come alive with the exciting Tapton Lock Festival – and this year it really does have something for everyone. Over the weekend of September 15 and 16, from 11am to 4pm each day, visitors can join in the fun and watch Aerial Circus Cabaret, try their hand at Pif Paf Theatre’s amazing action painting, or take part in a
variety of arts and crafts workshops. For those who enjoy more leisurely pursuits, there will be choirs, brass bands and boat rides, or you can just relax with a craft beer and ice-cream. For more information about what’s on and the timetable visit the Junction Arts website www.junctionarts.org or call 01246 209219.
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Middleport Pottery wharf, with once locally based boat Dane – recently fully restored – on display. You cannot moor on the wharf during the Poppy display period.
P oppies flow f rom Midle port kiln By Harry Arnold
CERAMIC Poppies in the commemorative sculpture ‘Weeping Window’ are currently on display at Middleport Pottery by the banks of the Trent & Mersey Canal in Stoke-on-Trent until September 16. Boaters passing on the canal and walkers on the towpath opposite have an ideal view of them, in effect streaming from the top of the bottle kiln. The iconic work by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper is from the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’, which created such huge public interest at the Tower of London in 2014. It is presented by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s First World War centenary arts programme, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and UK Historic Building Preservation Trust (UKHBPT). More than four million people have already seen the poppy sculpture as it has toured around the country, adorning buildings such as Carlisle Castle, Liverpool St George’s Hall, Hull Maritime Museum and St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney. Middleport Pottery is one of the final stops in a fouryear tour before the poppies become part of the Imperial War Museum’s collection. It is an appropriate venue for its finale as Stoke companies Potclays provided the clay for the ceramic poppies and Johnson Tiles produced hundreds of thousands of the symbolic flowers for the original installation which numbered 888,246 poppies – one for every British or Colonial life killed at the Front during the First World War. It is understood that Potclays used canal water to make the clay. Local volunteers and staff of the Canal & River Trust (CRT) have created a safe viewing area, with appropriate fencing, for visitors to see the display from the towpath. The towpath can be accessed from Longport Wharf, Bridge 126, or from footbridge No.125 at the southern end. During our visit CRT volunteers were most helpful in supervising
The canal provides an ideal viewpoint to see the ‘Weeping Window’ ceramic poppy display at Middleport Pottery. PHOTOS: WATERWAY IMAGES
and there were refreshments provided from two traders’ boats moored nearby. Coun Abi Brown, deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and chairman of Poppies: Weeping Window steering group said: “Poppies: Weeping Window at Middleport Pottery could only uniquely be
of this city where we make art from dirt. And that could only be possible with the extensive canal system in Stoke-on-Trent. It’s how it all began. It’s significant for it to come full circle and for the Canal & River Trust to play such a key role in helping visitors to have such a wonderful canalside experience of the artwork.”
● If you wish to view Weeping Window from within Middleport Pottery (well worth it) you need to obtain free timed tickets in advance. Information and ticket bookings on www.weepingwindowstoke.eventbrite.com There is a special car park signed from the main A500 road.
26 OUT AND ABOUT
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Waiting for two oncoming boats at Hungerford M arsh L ock. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON
Boats, beam engines… and blisters! Janet Richardson takes a trip along the Kennet & Avon Canal WHEN single-handed boater Helen Hutt, who is treasurer of the National Association of Boat Owners (NABO), invited me to join her for a few days on the Kennet & Avon Canal aboard her narrowboat Pipistrelle I jumped at the chance to get some hands-on experience. But as the day drew nearer, my excitement was tinged with a modicum of trepidation – although I learned how to steer a boat and operate a lock a few years ago, I have had very little opportunity to put this into practice. My wheelie-case ready for the train – and replacement bus – journey to Wiltshire, I thought I had better buy some gloves. Big mistake; I thought the pair of gardening gloves with their faux
Setting off from Pewsey wharf.
leather palms would be ideal, but more of that later. On one of the hotter weekends of the heatwave, I arrived at King’s Cross on the Saturday morning only to find the Circle line was closed for engineering works. With shoppers pouring towards the delights of Oxford Street, I thought better of jostling for space on a diverted tube trip via the Victoria and Bakerloo lines and jumped in a cab to catch my connection at Paddington. At Swindon I boarded the bus and settled down to enjoy the short journey through the Wiltshire countryside to the canalside village of Pewsey where Helen met me at the station, bottle of milk in hand.
On the walk down to the wharf, she explained that we would soon have to get on the move as she was moored on the waterpoint – which had been the only space available. So after a quick snack we set off with the aim of getting four or five locks under our belt before mooring up for the night. With Helen instructing me from the boat I had my first go at operating the paddles at Wootton Rivers Lock. Full of enthusiasm with camera in hand, I joined an experienced boater with whom we shared the lock and all went well until I started to wind the paddle down. Because the camera got in the way I had to let go of the windlass part of the way down and had the embarrassment of it spinning round, luckily without causing any damage. First lesson: put the camera down somewhere! My catching skills also left a lot to be desired when Helen tried to throw me the centreline as she brought Pipistrelle into the lock. Anyway we were soon under way again and I had a go at steering until I was panicked by an oncoming boat and bridge and handed back the tiller. Having successfully negotiated Heathy Close Lock we reached Brimslade Lock where another boater told Helen that we might have problems finding a mooring place further on due to the water levels. Our lock buddies carried on as they had friends to meet but we decided to call it a day.
A touch of colour at Cobblers L ock.
Helen Hutt with Pipistrelle at F rox field.
A peaceful spot to moor above Brimslade L ock.
OUT AND ABOUT 27
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The wooden crane restored by the K ennet & Avon Canal Trust at Burbage Wharf.
A busy scene at Wootton Rivers L ock.
Shady spot
A walk back along the towpath took us to the village of Wootton Rivers with its thatched cottages and delightful old church with its distinctive clock. We also enjoyed a refreshing drink outside The Royal Oak before pressing on to find a circular route back to Brimslade Farm. Unfortunately a bridle path we set off along stopped short so we retraced our steps to the towpath. Having done three times my daily steps goal, my feet were starting to feel a bit sore and it was lovely to enjoy a quiet evening sat in a shady spot beside the towpath where all was calm – the neighbouring railway line being out of action due to electrification works. Sunday morning saw us set off bright and early to meet up with Dr Mike Rodd, also a NABO council member and Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Hungerford branch chairman at the canal summit at Crofton Top Lock. It was lovely travelling while the morning was still fresh and there weren’t any other boats on the move. By the time we had descended to Crofton Pumping Station it was hot, hot, hot and our first port of call was the Engineman’s Rest cafe for a refreshing drink.
The Royal Oak inn at Wootton Rivers.
Scaffolding signified the major Heritage Lottery funded work in progress but it was still very much open for business and visitor tours. Repairs are taking place to the leaking roof and lantern in the boiler house as well as pointing the brickwork and repainting. There is also a programme of improvement to the visitor experience including the washroom facilities and the creation of a themed play area for younger visitors. We were given an excellent guided tour by Crofton site manager Simon Hobson, who explained all the work in progress and gave us a history of the beam engines, the earliest of which – the Boulton & Watt – dates back to 1812. It was great having Mike sharing the load at the locks – some of the stiffer paddle gear necessitated bringing the ratchet windlass into use – and I abandoned my gloves after the palms stuck to the windlass, again causing me to let go. After lunch in the cafe, Mike accompanied us down the Crofton Flight to Great Bedwyn where we again found a pleasant mooring for the evening.
Sunny Sunday
Another boater informed us that both the shop and the village’s remaining pub were shut and a walk up the main street revealed this indeed to be the case – I must say I was surprised that a pub wasn’t taking advantage of passing trade on a sunny Sunday evening. After another busy day during which we went through 11 locks, I found when I took my socks off that I had acquired four large blisters on my feet. Luckily Helen had some plasters in her first aid box. She rigged up the TV aerial and we had a couple of hours’ viewing, although I must admit I hadn’t missed the box at all, such was my enjoyment at being out of doors in such beautiful countryside. The final day of my trip saw us descend a further nine locks to Hungerford. Again for a start we didn’t meet another boat until we approached Picketfield Lock.
Work in progress, but definitely open for business.
E merging into the sunlight from the Bruce Tunnel.
Helen brings Pipistrelle into Heathy Close L ock. Its crew didn’t want a narrowboat to share the lock with their GRP-hulled craft but kindly helped us set the lock for Pipistrelle. When we reached Cobbler’s Lock we met another boater who accompanied us down to Hungerford Marsh Lock and swing bridge where we waited for a pair of oncoming boats. This was the end of my journey and Helen found a delightful place to moor along the towpath between the church and Hungerford Lock. After a walk into town – including a visit to Boots for more blister plasters – we had a drink in the John of Gaunt pub where we returned later for a delicious evening meal. On the Tuesday morning, Helen walked with me to the station where I caught the replacement bus to Reading while she took on supplies before heading towards Kintbury where she picked up a friend who was accompanying her to Reading on her way to the Oxford Canal. I can’t thank Helen enough for her hospitality and such an enjoyable experience. I take my hat off to her expertise in single handedly manning her narrowboat and her agility which puts me to shame. The blisters are now better – but the memories of this wonderful trip will live on.
Crofton site manager Simon Hobson starts our tour in the boiler house.
The K ennet & Avon Canal Trust is currently seeking volunteers to j oin the team operating trip boat The Rose of Hungerford. There are various roles including helming, outside crewing, maintenance and inside hospitality. F ull training will be given. The Rose carries more than 6 0 0 0 passengers a year and is entirely run by volunteers. F or information contact new volunteer coordinator Tony Hill on 0 17 9 3 5 3 4 14 8 , anthony. hill5 4 6 @ btinternet.com
This unusual clock face spells ‘ G lory be to G od’ around the dial.
L ooking down from the viewing platform as a visitor tour gets under way.
● The nex t maj or event at Crofton Beam E ngines is A G uided Tour of the G reat E x hibition 18 5 1… on F riday, September 7 at 7 .3 0 pm when D avid de Haan, secretary of the Association for I ndustrial Archaeology, leads a guided tour and talk. Tickets are £ 10 including a light supper; advance bookings only to crofton.manager@ katrust. org.uk
The 18 12 Boulton & Watt beam engine.
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One of last Nurser narrowboats gets a new lease of life By Les Heath
A NEW venture is on the cards for Tooley’s famous boatyard at Banbury with the restoration of a 78-year-old historic narrowboat. A slot in the yard’s dry dock bookings is being awaited by
the Historic Narrowboat Club to firstly check the bottom of the 71ft Hardy. The wooden boat was raised and refloated earlier this year after lying on the canal bed at Braunston. It was then towed to Banbury.
Hardy awaiting the dry dock at Tooley’s yard, Banbury. PHOTOS: LES HEATH
Hardy has had two engines in its lifetime but now the engine room is empty.
Hardy was built for £380 in 1940 by Nursers of Braunston and is believed to be the last working narrowboat they made. It was registered at Daventry in September of that year with Alfred Buckler named as master. The original owner of Hardy was the Samuel Barlow Coal Company. The vessel was taken over by Blue Line Carriers, of Braunston, in 1962. The boat was sold into private ownership in 1971 and had various owners before sinking at Braunston, being raised from the canal bed and being refloated in the spring.
A sign on the cabin informs passers-by of the proposed restoration.
S eventy years on, a new B raunston bridge will pay tribute to selfless Peter By Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina
IN ABOUT 1948, the canal towpath at Braunston was effectively cut in half by the construction of what became known as the ‘Ladder Bridge’ – a 10ft high, up-and-over bridge approached on each side by steep wooden steps, which only the most agile could use. The works, together with the opening of the eastern reservoir to navigation from the canal, were carried out by the newly formed British Waterways Board to allow surplus working narrowboats to be stored at a time when post-Second World War canal carrying was in steep decline. Canal leisure use was in its infancy, and the Braunston towpath itself was in a very sorry state – so there was little if any objection. Seventy years on, and the bridge is still there, though the steps have been twice modified in recent times to make
them a little easier and safer to use. But the Ladder Bridge remains unusable to wheelchairs, pushchairs, anyone unable to climb those steep stairs, and some dogs which cannot cope with them. Various proposals have been made in the past to replace the Ladder Bridge, but they had always failed for lack of the considerable funding it required. But all of this is to change, thanks to a generous legacy of £100,000 from the late Peter Andrews (1934-2018), a former London school teacher, who took early retirement in 1994, and moved to a flat in the new Brindley Quays housing development in Braunston Marina, to indulge his passion for the canals. Probably no one knew the problems posed by the Ladder Bridge better than Peter, as most days he walked the Braunston towpath between the Brauston Tunnel and the double iron bridges at Braunston Turn. In so doing
The Braunston Ladder Bridge today. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN
he acted as a volunteer litter-picker. Peter’s last dog, a rescue called Molly, was so nervous of the Ladder Bridge that Peter had to carry her over it.
Charitable donation
In September 2017, Peter developed a nasty form of oral cancer, which spread elsewhere and finally rendered him unable to eat or speak. He faced his end with great courage and cheerfulness. He was still able to communicate with his friends by email. In one to me, he asked if I would give the address at his funeral, an invitation I was honoured to accept. Having opened this door, and aware that Peter intended to give his whole estate to various charities – he had never married and was an only child – I suggested that he should make a donation to the Canal & River Trust, a registered charity, specifically for the construction of a new bridge, to
replace the Ladder Bridge. It could be called, ‘Peter’s Bridge’ – to go with the Butcher’s Bridge nearby, or ‘Peter’s Two’ the old name for the first two locks on the Marsworth Flight further down the Grand Union Canal. Peter responded full of enthusiasm. He emailed Richard Parry, CEO of the Canal & River Trust, whom I had already briefed, offering a donation of £100,000 towards the project: “I gather that there is an intention to call the new bridge ‘Peter’s Bridge’ and I should feel very honoured if this were done.” In my final email to Peter, I wrote: “Now I know that ‘Peter’s Bridge’ will go ahead, it will be a fitting monument to your friendship to so many, your generosity and courage, and your great love of our waterways.” For my address, I invited Richard Parry to add his tribute to Peter, to include in it. He wrote: “The Canal & River Trust
The Ladder Bridge shortly after its construction in about 1948. Note the lack of trees and other vegetation. PHOTO: JIM PAYLER COLLECTION
Peter Andrews in about 2006 with his then rescue-dog Molly seen by the old dry dock at Braunston Marina. PHOTO: JOHN HICKS is hugely grateful for the selfless and dedicated volunteering that Peter did (literally every day and in all weathers!) to keep the Braunston flight tidy and in the best possible condition for visitors to enjoy, and also for the generous legacy he has left to help us replace the Ladder Bridge at Braunston.” Investigations have been under way to find the optimum solution to suit all canal users, including the possibility of a swing bridge or a lifting bridge – either of which would be the best solution for wheelchair and other disabled users. But the site is narrow, and through the middle of it runs the main optic cable between London and Birmingham, installed in 1997. The Canal & River Trust engineering team working on the problem is optimistic that a reasonable solution can be found.
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TRADLINE ROPE AND FENDERS Summer Specials Tradline Mooring Line Kit
These mooring line kits make a fantastic set of starter or replacement ropes. Complete with spliced eyes. • 2 x 10mtr lines ( bow & stern) • 1 X 12mtr centre line (c/w soft shackle) • 2 x mooring chains
£65.00
(£55.00, without accessories) 7 different colour options available
Lanyard Adjusters for side fenders
This neat cleat makes it simple to hang side fenders to the desired height, and quickly adjust as necessary.
£4.95 each
2mtr spliced lanyards available in black, navy and synthetic hemp
“Tradline” Pipe Fenders
x2 £20.00 x4 £38.00 x6 £55.00
We also offer a bespoke service and make ropes and fenders to your specific lengths and requirements Please ask
For these and lots of other ideas please call 01788 891761 or Email: tradline@btconnect.com Please check out our website www.tradline.co.uk Tradline Rope and Fenders, The old Blacksmiths Forge, Braunston Marina, Braunston, Daventry NN11 7JH
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Further developments at Fradley Junction By Harry Arnold
ALONG with the well-known historic Swan Inn, one of the longest established businesses at the Trent & Mersey Canal’s Fradley Junction is the Kingfisher Holiday Park. Once a simple caravan park, it has been expanded and developed by owner Jim Collins and his family into a major leisure development which is acquiring not only regional tourist recognition, but a national reputation. Over the years further land has been
K ingfisher Holiday Park owner J im Collins, with a member of his staff on the café terrace. F radley Ju nction and the dry dock in the background. PHOTOS: WATERWAY IMAGES
added and all the caravans are now of the modern specifications. The park both sells caravans to private owners and lets them as holiday accommodation and there is a current planning application in for 33 further pitches within the park. Linked to this and other developments is the opening of a new road giving direct access to the park from the main Fradley lane, in effect safely by-passing the single route along the canalside. Adjacent to the popular restaurant is an indoor heated swimming pool, in a modern-style building; a unique facility for this historic waterway location. For sporting enthusiasts there is crown green bowling and a tennis court and – if you are an angler – it has the fishing rights to Fradley Pool within Fradley Nature Reserve. Apart from the natural attractions of the walks around the reserve – particularly for children – there is an on-site outdoor play area and indoor games room. With the fairly recent final demise of the marine business at Fradley, Jim Collins acquired the lease of the boatyard building next to the Swan Inn, containing the shop, from the Canal & River Trust (CRT). This is along with the land and the dry-dock opposite and the mooring rights on the towpath side up
to Middle Lock. In a new investment development these buildings have been purchased from CRT and are now part of the Kingfisher Holiday Park’s expanding operation. The dry-dock – which has already been considerably renovated – will continue in use under the supervision of experienced operator Kevin Dickenson. Perhaps the most interesting proposal is that for the building next to the Swan Inn. Design discussions are in hand with architects and other involved parties to convert it into a holiday let, which will have a stunning view of the junction and the Coventry canal opposite. No decision will be made about retaining the shop until the design is finalised. Kingfisher’s canalside café was originally opened in 2004 and as demand grew its size was doubled in 2012. Then more recently the outside seating spaces were thoroughly revamped with a decked terrace section and another area by the swimming pool. The cafe now seats 60 inside, with the outside area accommodating approximately another 90. In addition to the range of home-made snacks and meals served during the day, the café will now open for ‘Tapas On The Terrace’ evenings from 5pm each summer Tuesday evening.
Plans are under discussion to convert the original boatyard building and shop, nex t to the Swan I nn, into a holiday let. ● F ull details of K ingfisher Holiday Park are on – www. kingfisherholidaypark.co.uk Tel: 0 128 3 7 9 0 4 4 7 . F or bookings for the tapas evenings Tel: 0 7 5 0 4 5 8 10 8 6 . Boaters wishing to use the dry-dock’s services and facilities should contact K evin D ickenson direct on 0 7 9 7 1 6 8 6 5 16 .
Change of focus for marina event CHURCH Minshull Aqueduct Marina recently hosted a one stop open event for boaters. The day was specifically designed to offer boat owners and interested parties the opportunity to look at the marina’s new controlled painting environments, revamped chandlery and extensive engineering operations. A selection of used boats were offered for sale on the day, along with new boats available from Knights Narrowboats and Aintree Boats. On land, professional staff, surveyors and suppliers were available to answer all boating questions, from buying a boat through to essential maintenance, mooring, painting and much more. Canal societies and trade stands
V isitors look at a boat undergoing restoration in the fabrication workshop.
were present, including Promarine Finance, GJW Direct, Canal & River Trust, British Marine, Shropshire Union Canal Society, SUMBA and the Small Task Team Volunteers. Other experts on site included boat surveyor Peter Tindall, boat safety examiner Russ Smith and Keith Meadowcroft from Volt Master. A showcase of Aqueduct Marina’s most recent painting projects was also available to view, with all workshops open and three recently painted boats on display. Live signwriting demonstrations were completed by Robin Wagg. Commenting on the day, Robert Parton, marina managing director, said: “After seven years of our successful family fun day, this year we decided on a change of focus to enable us to bring together a community of boaters. This gave existing customers the opportunity to catch up and new visitors the chance to get to know us. “We are delighted with the response from the day and would like to thank all those who came. We would also like to say a special thank you to exhibitors, staff and boat owners.” Restoration work on the Canal & River Trust boats was available to view, with special workboats showcasing welding processes and
A selection of boats were offered for sale on the day. PHOTOS SUPPLIED boat fabrication. The day rolled into the evening with a hog roast for moorers and live music performed by Alex Green. There was also a raffle with all funds going towards Kidney Research UK, the marina’s chosen charity for 2018. Clive Carter from GJW Direct said: “I managed to provide 15 insurance quotations during the day and I am very hopeful that we will be able to turn the vast majority of these into policies. Several other people took away details and I also spoke to quite a few current GJW customers whose boats are moored in the
Learn how to create silver jewellery on tranquil waterways
J onathan K ettle draws inspiration for his j ewellery from the tranqu illity of the waterways. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
JEWELLER Jonathan Kettle has transformed his narrowboat into a workshop where students can learn the craft in a relaxed and peaceful environment. Having previously made bespoke pieces to sell, Jonathan found that many people wanted to know more about how he made the jewellery and so began offering a range of courses in silver jewellery, drawing much inspiration from the tranquillity of the waterways. The Silver Jewellery Boat is a fully functioning studio, where students learn and apply their skills while also taking in some of the history and wildlife along the beautiful Worcestershire canals. With one-day courses and a range
of activities to choose from, the more experienced and complete beginners are equally welcomed into this unique, cosy and relaxing experience. Jonathan trained in engineering then transferred his skills to teaching. The Silver Jewellery Boat began in 2017 after a fireside discussion about the benefits of the relaxing and peaceful narrowboat environment where he was living. RI G HT: Students learn to make silver j ewellery on board the narrowboat. ● Contact 0 7 8 4 5 8 26 4 15 , www. thesilverj ewelleryboat.co.uk
marina. I was busy all day with a good flow of people, but it was a very relaxed atmosphere and I was able to talk at length with everyone that attended my stand.” ● Aq ueduct M arina will be hosting the event again nex t year in the middle of J uly ( 12-13 ) . F or more information contact Church M inshull Aq ueduct M arina on 0 127 0 5 25 0 4 0 or visit www. aq ueductmarina.co.uk
66 BOAT REVIEW
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Another impressive boat from Perrydale
Phil Pickin looks at the latest new build from this West Midlands yard.
L ockers are covered with upholstered cushions and striped back cushions to provide a comfortable seating area.
IT’S fascinating to watch a business grow and flourish for all the right reasons and that’s what would seem to be happening to the small team at Perrydale, the Kingswinford-based boat builders. Although it’s not that long ago that we looked at the first boats produced by David and Nicola, they already seem to have built a reputation for producing high-quality bespoke boats that customers really like. The couple are making something of a habit of creating highly individual, highquality boats and their latest creation, Sisi, is no exception. This 60ft semi-trad narrowboat was recently completed and handed over to its new owner, who will spend six months as a continuous cruiser and six months living aboard on a mooring. Therefore Sisi has been created to provide high specification accommodation for the owner but with
the option to accommodate up to four people if required. When you walk into Sisi, it’s evident that the boat is a cook’s dream. The galley, which accounts for a good proportion of the main living area, is a walk-through style fitted with impressive and 38mm thick oak worktops. Inset into one side is the sink and above the other hangs a utensil rack but what has to be the main feature of the galley is the Heritage range. This 280kg diesel-fuelled range is finished in slate blue, sits next to the steps used to enter the boat and is surrounded by a tiled splashback which matches that fitted behind the sink. The result is plenty of space to move around without sacrificing the inclusion of items like a washing machine and built-in dryer which, incidentally, is fitted below the breakfast bar. Draw fronts etc. are ash trim with oak panels. The interior of Sisi is a nice mix of colours with Lulworth blue finish to the oak walls, white tongue and groove on the ceiling and natural ash on the porthole shutters and surrounds etc.
The interior is a nice mix of colours. PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN The Heritage range is the main feature of the galley.
The free-standing couch which also provides a double bed sits opposite a TV inset within an ash wall unit.
American oak flooring is also very much in keeping with the overall look of the boat. The main living area is fitted with a free-standing couch which also provides an occasional use double bed. This sits opposite a 32in TV inset within an ash wall unit which provides additional storage and which, in turn, sits next to a modern slate grey radiator. Additional heating can be provided by the Morso stove sitting in the corner on its floating hearth. Lighting is provided by inset ceiling LED lights and below gunwale LED strips and a Houdini hatch also helps to provide natural light to the room.
Wave shape
Moving forward you pass through a door fitted with an attractive stained glass panel to enter a walk-through washroom which uses very distinctive floor tiles which, laid in a random pattern, have produced a unique and attractive feature. The washroom itself is fitted with a 900/900 corner shower cubicle, a very modern washbasin and chrome tap and a cassette toilet. Mosaic tiles have been used to form the splashback, and these have been formed into a wave shape to reflect the fact you are afloat. Moving forward you come into the main bedroom, which is fitted with what would seem to be as many lockers, cupboards and wardrobes as it is possible to fit in a room this size. Once again a modern slate-coloured radiator has been fitted, and a swivel-mounted TV screen is fixed in the far corner of the room. Its articulated mount allows the screen to be used in the bedroom or in the forward ‘snug’. Portholes are fitted to both sides of the rooms with a mixture of shutters or upholstered ‘buttons' used to provide privacy. The forward snug is designed with a lowered floor which, as a result, ensures access is easy and provides the maximum amount of usable space. Lockers to both sides are covered with upholstered cushions and striped back
A utensil rack hangs above one of the worktops.
cushions offer not only an attractive contrast but also a very comfortable seating area. Less obvious is the drop-in hanging table for this area and fixings in the top board of the catch for a hammock! A Flexteak floor completes the space. Outside, the boat is finished in navy blue with various graphics to the bow indicating the owner's Scottish roots. The colour scheme works well with the chrome fittings and a pale blue coachline highlighting the main sections of the boat. The helm controls fall readily to hand within the well-protected semitrad stern. In addition to this is the nice feature of an upholstered stern rail should anyone want to use it. Anti-slip textured coatings have been applied to make this area as safe as possible. The result of all of the hard work put in to build Sisi (named after the owner’s dog apparently) is, once again, a very stylish and high-quality boat. What is evident is the attention to detail and desire, on the part of the builders, to get everything ‘just right’. The level of finish is also to be complimented, in particular when looking at the standard of carpentry that goes into Sisi and all of Perrydale’s boats.
SPEC SHEET L ength: 60ft Hull: 10/6/5/4 E ngine: Vetus M4.17 42hp Prop: 17in 3-blade Bow thruster: 60 kgf E x haust: 24in dry silencer Power: 2 x 110 amp alternators, 5000W Victron inverter. 1 x starter and 5 x leisure batteries. Heating: Morso log burner, fin radiators, Sure-cal clarifier with 1 kW immersion heater with calorifier connected to engine water and central heating system. Windows: 8 x portholes, double glazed. 2 x side hatches, 2 x 36in windows. Water tank: 500 gal located below seats in snug. Cost: c£150,000
Builder:
The controls fall readily to hand within the wellprotected semi-trad stern.
The walk-through washroom with its distinctive fl oor tiles.
The M orso stove sitting in the corner on its fl oating hearth.
A TV , cupboard and wardrobe at the front of the main bedroom.
An attractive stained glass panel in the door.
Perrydale N arrowboats Ashwood M arina, K ingswinford, West M idlands D Y 6 0 AQ . Tel: 0 7 7 0 2 19 0 8 5 0 E mail: info@ perrydalenarrow boats.co.uk Website: www.perrydalenarrow boats.co.uk
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Books, DVDs and other items for possible review should be sent to: Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk
Engineering feats on the inland waterways
An essential purchase for historians
Reviewer: Elizabeth Rogers
Reviewer: Harry Arnold
AUTHOR John Laverick could not be much more up-to-date in his new book Voyaging The World’s Civil Engineering Wonders, in his references to the Wilts & Berks Canal. A source of controversy, with local objections being made by individuals and organisations, has been the proposal by Thames Water to build a new reservoir on land near Abingdon on a site that would affect the rest of the canal. The author’s own comments on the subject are of a mostly positive nature, mentioning the benefits to the canal route that he believes could arise should the reservoir application eventually be given permission to go ahead. The Wilts & Berks is one of two canals about each of which there is a full chapter. The other is the Kennet & Avon Canal. For the Wilts & Berks Canal the author writes about the restoration project, which he describes as being ‘at about the end of the beginning’. He can write with authority as he is a vice-president of the Charitable Volunteer Trust which is undertaking the restoration work. The chapter is headed ‘The Impossible Dream, Britain’s Most Ambitious Ongoing Restoration Project’, for it is a waterway with many sections of the route derelict and with structures such as bridges either destroyed or fallen into a state of considerable decay. It is, the author says, a supreme challenge, but one well worth taking on for the benefits to
leisure activities, for boaters and walkers and cyclists along its wide and level towpath. The illustrations include an original milestone (Semington 26 miles).
Project manager
One of the interesting illustrations in the chapter ‘The Restoration of The Kennet & Avon Canal, Saved By A £25 Million National Lottery Grant’ is of a replica of the engraved stone tablet on the wall of the Bruce Tunnel. This expresses gratitude to the Earl of Aylesbury Thomas Bruce and his son Charles, Lord Bruce, ‘for their uniform and effectual support for the building of the canal’, which was opened in 1810. The author himself played a major part in the present time, as restoration project manager. The project came to fruition in 2003 with a formal opening by the Prince of Wales. It included measures for the conservation and support of wildlife, an example being the ‘castellated mooring’ section. This was where there were open spaces between the hard edging for boat moorings, these allowing access to the water for water voles and other waterside creatures. There were also some sections with reinforced ‘soft edging’, made of woven hazel faggots. This was regarded as a ‘first’ in canal terms. Today the canal provides much enjoyment for people of all ages and for local communities, and it boosts the economies of the places through which it passes. The author has spent his whole
career designing, building and maintaining facilities, from small vessels to big ships. Among those he describes are a project at HM Naval Base in Devonport, Plymouth, and another on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. There have been many others worldwide. Back in England, on Barton Broad in East Anglia – said to be where Admiral Lord Nelson first learnt to sail – its pleasure island had its banks reinforced with gabions – wire-mesh baskets filled with natural stone pebbles to form building blocks. This chapter is entitled ‘Restoring Nelson’s Waterway, Breathing Life Into A Norfolk Broad’. On that headed ‘The Seven Wonders of Britain’s Inland Waterways’ the author mentions a restored aqueduct on the Llangollen Canal, as well as other great engineering feats and the three National Waterways museums which are located at Gloucester, Stoke Bruerne and Ellesmere Port. Voyaging the World’s Civil Engineering Wonders is published by The History Press, priced £25 (Hardback, 194 pages). ISBN 978-07509-84362
A village church’s role in canal history Reviewer: Les Heath
BOATERS approaching Braunston, at the heart of Britain’s waterways, know only too well that the village’s stunning church spire on a lofty hill can be seen for miles around. The same view greeted the boatmen of yesteryear, who adopted the church as ‘theirs’ and who travelled miles to ensure their baptisms, weddings and funerals were held at Braunston. All Saints’ Church became known as the Boaters’ Church and played an important part in the lives of canal people. In recognising this fact, the church has produced a booklet entitled The Cathedral of the Canals, which is not a definitive history but a record of how Braunston’s church and the canals have become inextricably linked. Divided into chapters covering the early years and from the 18th to the 21st Centuries, the booklet is a must for canal enthusiasts. Probably the most fascinating parts are the transcriptions from the parish registers listing 737 boating baptisms, with the dates, child’s name, parents’ names, abode and father’s occupation. There is evidence that some children were christened twice. The first would be near where they were born, say Brentford or Birmingham, and the second in Braunston, as though they were not ‘done properly’ until they had been baptised at Braunston. A total of 110 boaters’ marriages, from 1838 onwards, are also listed, together with the ages of the bride and bridegroom, and his occupation. Several were from well-known boating families. Braunston’s boating funerals are listed from 1813 up to the 1990s and provide a wealth of information. Boatmen and boatwomen and their children who died away from Braunston, would return ‘home’ and only then would the death be ‘noticed’ and registered.
First link
The church’s firstt als link with the canals was probably in July 1774 with the baptism of the son of a navigator – one of the navvies who dug the cut – the first time such an occupation n had appeared in the parish registers. The booklet details ls the cholera outbreak which swept through the village in 1834, the first victim being a boatman. A total of 70 people were affected and 19 died. Whereas most people on land regarded boat people as a race apart, evidence suggests that this was not originally the case in Braunston, where they became part of the local community. It was only later in the 19th Century when boatmen could no longer afford homes in the village and withdrew to a full-time life on the cut, that they became divorced from the rest of the community. However, they still used Braunston for their marriages, christenings and burials. Mention roses and castles and one thinks of the Nursers of Braunston, many of whom are buried in the churchyard. Some say the roses and castles tradition actually originated in Braunston. The 1923 boatmen’s strike and its effect on the village is well documented and illustrated, as are the changes that have taken place well into the 21st Century. It’s not the sort of gem you can pick up in a bookshop, but The Cathedral of the Canals is available from Braunston Church for £6. All proceeds go to the Friends of All Saints, Braunston, a charity formed to raise money to preserve the building.
PUBLISHED under the new organisation name of the Waterways Museum Society, the content of this year’s issue of the Waterways Journal (Volume 20) is as diverse and interesting as ever. Many of the pages are devoted to the formation and activities of the early nationalised waterway network, appropriately on its 70th anniversary. Following David Parry’s detailed work on improvement to the lower River Dee in the previous volume, Terry Kavanagh takes us above Chester on to the upper river, looking at the trade and cargoes moved on the Dee since its earliest use for navigation. Expertly researched and accompanied by contemporary illustrations, I found the most fascinating part of the author’s work was on the types of local craft and the men – including the bow hauliers – who worked them. Perhaps appropriate was that one of the last was used for funerals. Joseph Boughey both speculates on motives and reports on the facts – and the ‘politics’ – behind much of the waterway network and some of the docks becoming a nationalised asset. An interesting summary study of
the background to this which hasn’t been aired for a while. Continuing the nationalisation theme, editor Cath Turpin has done a superb and detailed study from material in the Waterways Archive on the first forays of D&IWE (British Waterways) and subsequent ventures into the pleasure boat business. Lots of boat details. It doesn’t cover the latter period however, when as BW it finally acquired some tried and tested hire boats from Harborough Marine, before going out of it. It should also be borne in mind that Cath’s source material is ‘official’ documentation in the archives, but there are many more records in private hands. Plus, there are the recollections of some of us of the sheer incompetence and wastefulness of a national organisation in effect dabbling in what is essentially a cottage family-run industry. A future ‘now it can be told’ opportunity. Cath also outlines a short and useful history of the setting up, then centralisation at Ellesmere Port, of the Waterways Archive. Perhaps there could have been more emphasis on the early 1950s when the HQ of D&IWE started to appeal for records while other departments (and senior staff ) were destroying documents. In a classic case, a
bulldozer was driven through a building still containing the records of one canal. It was only through the dogged determination of enthusiasts that much of the Waterways Archive survives Finally, if you missed the press reports of the event of last October, Barry Green reports on the ‘Big Lift’; when many of the rapidly deteriorating historic boats in the NWM collection were removed from the water to storage on land for hopefully future conservation. Once again, the Waterways Journal is not only a great read for all, but an essential purchase for historians. Waterways Journal (Volume 20), edited by Cath Turpin, softback, £7.99, is available from the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port and other waterway outlets. Or by mail order, at £9.99, via the Waterways Museum Society’s website, www. waterwaysmuseumsociety.org. uk/publications
A definitive guide to dragonflies and damselflies Reviewer: Christopher Heaton
A MUST have for anyone with a casual interest or the serious observer in (odonata) dragonflies and damselflies, the new edition of a definitive guide is packed with fully revised up-to-date information. The fourth edition of Britain’s Dragonflies: A Field Guide to Damselflies and Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash, is the most beautiful and comprehensive guide currently available. Anyone using the waterways cannot help but be fascinated by these most prehistoric insects as they patrol waterways in search of prey! The book contains detailed information on where and when to look for each of the 57 recorded species, as well as several potential migrants, with easy-to-use maps, calendar and stunning photographs. Other sections include how to watch, photograph, record and monitor dragonflies;
as well as conservation status and legislation; and introduced exotic species. Each species of dragon and damselfly is covered with amazing attention to detail to help separate many similar species, also offering advice on where to look for some of the rarer species . This book is a pleasure to own and is highly recommended and will be referred to time and time again. Britain’s Dragonflies: A Field Guide to Damselflies and Dragonflies of Britain and Ireland by Dave Smallshire and Andy Swash. Published by Princeton University Press (Softback, 232 pages, £17.99). ISBN: 9780691181417
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Home or away: the best of both worlds HUSBAND and wife team Mark and Julie Bestford literally bring the boatyard to you! They live up to the motto of their company Boatwork Ltd by taking their repair, restoration and refit services to customers up and down the country. Although based in a couple of units at Oundle Marina beside the River Nene, their portable workshop enables Mark and Julie to deliver their services to the customers whether they are commercial boatyards or private boat owners. They can inflate the 45ft workshop in five minutes to provide a clean and safe environment in which to carry out paint spraying and other repairs or restoration work. “We only keep it up as long as we need to and we can put a false floor in. It is a bonus at boatyards which don’t have covered facilities,” Mark explained. Although they specialise in GRP work, their services also include boat painting, two-part Epoxy and gelcoat repairs, Coppercoat anti-fouling treatments, templating and the installation of marine decking and interior carpets. Current projects range from a 40ft sailing yacht at Hull Marina to a 58ft widebeam at Harefield Marina in Uxbridge. They have recently taken on the
Midlands franchise to supply and install Floteak synthetic teak flooring from Beautiful Marine Floors. This has a variety of applications from deck and cockpit areas to bathing platforms and will be launched at the Southampton Boat Show (September 14-23). Both with 22 years of service in the Royal Navy, Mark and Julie drew on their marine and sailing experience to deliver two yachts across the Atlantic and operate a charter base in the West Indies for a season. When they settled back in the UK in 2010, they looked at what skills they had for life ashore. After graduating from a 40-week course at the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy with a City & Guilds diploma, Mark started his own business in Chesterfield in 2012. Julie worked in the caring profession until he started getting busier. “I decided to take a break and come on board and help Mark, which I have been doing since last November,” she said. In her limited spare time, she is building her own canoe in which she intends to take to the water. Boatwork’s Northamptonshire base has good transport links with its proximity to the motorways and
the A1. “We do quite a bit of work on the outskirts of London as well as at Sawley Marina in Derbyshire and into Staffordshire. There is a lot more call for GRP work in the Midlands and North and we are currently working on several members’ boats at Carsington Sailing Club (near Ashbourne).” Mark and Julie offer a complete restoration service during which the decks are completely stripped and all holes and defects are remedied before they are built up again. Where real teak decking is required, they template it and make up the full deck in the workshop before transferring it to the craft. “We are confident that we can be flexible to adjust to boat owners’ needs. We help them get their boats back into the water. For large projects, we have a network of boat builders we work with.” Boatwork L td, U nit 2 & 3 A, Oundle M arina, Barnwell Road, Oundle, Peterborough PE 8 5 PA. Contact 0 7 9 7 0 3 0 8 3 7 0 , www.boatwork.co.uk/ Beautiful M arine F loors www.marinefl ooring.co.uk
The Boatwork team: J ulie and M ark Bestford with I rish terrier pup Oaken in their Oundle workshop. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
Take a breather with Chris By Phil Pickin
A River Canal Rescue team lifting a sunken narrowboat from a lock. PHOTO: RCR
RCR call-outs continue to rise RIVER Canal Rescue reports that yet again this year, the number of call-outs it’s received over the summer season so far has reached unprecedented levels. From June 1 to July 31, the breakdown and emergency assistance firm responded to 902 call-outs and undertook 223 major rescues or repair jobs. During the same period last year, RCR attended 833 call-outs and 208 major rescues/repairs. One of its recent major rescues – on July 20 – was to raise a 70ft narrowboat from the depths of the Macclesfield Canal. The boat sank in lock nine of Bosley’s 12-lock flight after appearing to have got caught on the lock gate cill. It was the owners’ first day out on their first ever boat.
RCR operations director, Jay Forman said: “Speed was of the essence to clear the waterway – we were notified of the sinking the afternoon of July 19, by early evening we’d assessed the site and at 10am the next day, a four-man team began to raise the vessel.” As is typical for this type of rescue, RCR drained down the lock, sealed the boat and set up water pumps to prevent water ingress when the lock refilled. Jay concludes: “As the owners lost everything, we put them up in a hotel for the evening and ensured they had money for food etc. This is a tricky lock flight, particularly for people new to boating – we’ve had to raise three boats from here in three years.”
CONTINUING with the recent theme of businesses afloat, we recently paid a visit to an innovative business trading under the unusual name of Take a breather with Chris, run by Chris Haddon and his dog Lola from his 55ft boat Carpe Diem moored at Victoria Pit Marina on the Macclesfield canal near Poynton in Cheshire. Chris, who is (takes a deep breath) a VTCT Level 3 reflexologist, ITEC Level 3 Swedish masseuse and a Usai Reiki Level 2 practitioner also holds diplomas in Indian Head Massage, Thermo Auricular Therapy (Hopi Ear Candling), Traditional Thai Foot Massage, Chair Acupressure Massage and Crystal Healing. This impressive range of therapies are all available, by appointment, on his boat. The idea behind the business came from a lifelong involvement in alternative therapies, having grown up watching his mother who has been a practitioner for many years. Even while working at a Manchester-based recording studios Chris was providing treatments to help stressed musicians who were at risk of burning out due to the pressures of touring and performing. After five to six years of treating people, and with the popularity of holistic treatments growing, Chris decided to ditch the studio work (although he
still plays music) and set up in his own right aboard a 55ft boat bought from Venetian Marine in late 2017. The boat itself has needed little conversion other than the removal of the range and the installation of a folding couch to help accommodate his treatment table, and with the recent move to a permanent mooring at Victoria Pit, Chris is finding his clients are loving the new experience. Chris feels that the relaxed atmosphere on board is conducive to the therapies he offers, especially when the rain pitter-patters on the roof of the boat. His clients seem to agree as they readily make the 20-minute journey from the city centre to his new location. As for the future, Chris is considering a number of developments for the business, all of which he will run past his mentor provided as part of his successful bid to join The NatWest Accelerator Programme six months ago. As a result, he's busy promoting his business to corporate clients who see the benefit of workplace well-being. With more and more people acknowledging their struggles with mental health problems and as a result
Chris Haddon offers a range of therapies on the water.
PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN
looking for alternative ways to address these problems without resorting to pharmaceutical remedies, the potential for Chris’s business looks good. It’s also great to see a novel interpretation of a boat business. One that is very much in keeping with the Canal & River Trust's wish for the waterways to be a resource for everyone, and a therapeutic one at that!
A tranq uil location for Chris’s boat Carpe Diem with L ola on board.
Chris prepares his treatment room.
● F or more information on the therapies, Chris has to offer visit his website http:/ / takeabreatherwithchris.com or his F acebook page https:/ / www.facebook.com/ takeabreatherwithchris
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Clearing the way: Everything you need to know about reed cutting Overgrown vegetation can quickly lead to choked water. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Charlotte Lea, ecologist at The Rothen Group – a national independent civil engineering and maintenance business – explains why removing excess reed growth before it becomes unmanageable is an essential part of keeping the canals and waterways in top condition. Why is reed cutting important? REED cutting has a variety of benefits, including helping to improve the appearance, health, safety and functionality of the waterways. The main reason a private property or commercial premises enquire about reed cutting services, however, is usually to keep the water flowing and to stop the overgrown reeds from choking the body of water. From an ecological perspective, reed cutting is crucial to maintaining a mosaic habitat of low and high vegetation, flowering plants and open water. For sites suffering from invasive species growth, such as floating pennywort, the process of reed cutting is even more essential as without proper maintenance invasive species can destroy native water plants, kill fish and choke drainage systems.
When is reed cutting usually completed?
head attachment allows for living creatures, such as invertebrates, to be released back into the water safely during the process. For smaller bodies of choked water, The Rothen Group suggests using a digger with a long reach excavator arm in order to perform reed clearance from the bank side. This is a cost-effective option as there is no need to mobilise the boat. Once the job is complete, a healthy margin of vegetation is left around the border, and landowners are advised on how to best maintain the area. For unstable banks or where the water levels are too low to float a boat, The Rothen Group uses an amphibious excavator to remove reeds. The excavator can be used in shallow water (around a metre deep), without sinking. A side pontoon can also be attached to allow the plant machinery to operate in deeper water if required.
Clearing weed from a stretch of the Lancaster Canal.
What happens to the reeds once removed? Once removed, vegetation is either left along the banks to compost down or loaded on to hoppers and moved by pusher tugs to a discharge site. For very dense reed growth and strong river currents, boats with twin propulsion augers are used to transport the waste. All of The Rothen Group’s boats have biodegradable hydraulic oil, so that no oil can pollute the water. At the discharge site, the reeds are left to dry and then used as topsoil or compost.
Reed cutting maintenance can be completed at any time, but it is typically done during the warmer months when reeds usually grow more rapidly. Overgrown vegetation can quickly lead to choked water, so it is good practice to plan maintenance around the summer months and to monitor it.
How is the reed cutting process done? The size and location of the site will determine the approach and reed cutting equipment used. At The Rothen Group, we have experience of removing reeds from small sites, such as entrances to dry docks and side ponds, as well as from larger expanses of canals or watercourses. For larger sites, our specialist reed cutting boat removes reeds from the water with ease, while simultaneously removing vegetation from along the banks thanks to a flail head attachment on the side arm of the boat. The design of the flail
Vegetation can be left along the banks to compost down.
A Rothen reed cutting boat in action. ● For more information about The Rothen Group’s reed cutting services, visit www.therothengroup.co.uk and follow on Twitter.com/TheRothenGroup and Facebook. com/therothengroup. For business enquiries call: 01827 215715 or email: info@therothengroup.co.uk
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Gar de ning afloat in S eptember More topical tips from Lee Senior OUR summer of never-ending sun and drought has meant almost never-ending watering and ensured almost permanently empty water butts! Those who have been able to get enough water to their plants have been suitably rewarded. In containers bereft of water, silvery leaved plants such as creeping sedums and succulents fare best. They are easy to grow, drought-tolerant and need no additional water once established. They can be planted in a shallow container or window box and will cover any surface. Small sedum roofs are becoming increasingly popular too. The delightful purple-leafed sedum Purple Emperor makes a wonderful spectacle and bees and butterflies can’t get enough of the flowers. Alternatively, a single dwarf evergreen conifer makes a nice all-year-round feature in a small
A container planted with hebe Heartbreaker and dwarf conifer.
The bee-friendly sedum can be planted in a shallow container, window box or even a roof. PHOTOS: LEE SENIOR
ornate pot. Dwarf conifers are, of course, nothing like the fearsome leylandii conifer hedging plant. Quite the opposite in fact, as slow-growing dwarf varieties such as Minima Aurea will only grow a few centimetres per year! The final height is up to one metre and that is only reached after at least 20 years. Or, with one eye on winter, why not plant dwarf daffodils in the same container and add a few winter bedding plants, later in autumn. Autumn is almost upon us in the veg garden. If you are intending to grow any spring harvested cabbage this is the time to order plug plants. They can be purchased via mail order – a great option if you don’t have space to sow seeds. A compact variety such as Winter Jewel also provides excellent nutritious winter greens. It will also form a small heart if left.
Hummus, dill and cucumber toast Fresh dill and cucumber ‘ribbons’, marinated in a little lemon and olive oil and served on hummus toast – a perfect seasonal summer sandwich.
Flowerbed design is out of this world! SIX-year-old Josie Bryant from The Russell School is the youngest ever winner of Squire’s Garden Centre’s competition to design a flowerbed at Teddington Lock. Local schoolchildren are invited each year to design a planting scheme for a flowerbed at the Environment Agency’s lock on the River Thames. Pupils aged between 6-11 from The Russell School and Hampton Hill Junior School took part in the competition, which is run by Squire’s in conjunction with the Environment Agency. The children were given a template of a circular flowerbed with a sundial in the middle, and had to suggest colours and patterns that could be planted up to reflect the design brief which was ‘The 60th Anniversary of the London Planetarium and 100 years since the first performance of Holst’s The Planets’. Josie’s winning design used purple and blue flowers to represent darkness in space, interspersed with yellow and white flowers to show the stars in the night sky. Sarah Squire, deputy chairman of Squire’s and Mandy Marshall, from the Environment Agency’s River Thames Waterways Operations team, judged the designs, and the children who created the best designs in each age group were invited to a prizegiving afternoon tea with their parents at Squire’s in Twickenham.
This month’s seasonal recipe from Anna Pettigrew
All children who attended received a certificate and a goody bag from Squire’s, and Josie’s winning design has been planted up at Teddington Lock. Sarah Squire said: “I am always overwhelmed by the time and effort that all the children put into their designs, so congratulations to everyone who took part. “It was lovely to meet the finalists at our special prizegiving tea party at Squire’s in Twickenham. Josie Bryant was our overall winner and her design has been planted up at Teddington Lock and is looking absolutely fantastic.” Mandy Marshall, from the Environment Agency, added: “The children’s designs are so imaginative, and I’m pleased to say that all the designs submitted will be on show at Teddington Lock throughout the school summer holidays. “I hope that many people will come and see them, and the winning flowerbed design, which is planted up and is looking wonderful – it really brightens up the lock.” www.squiresgardencentres.co.uk
Sarah Squire with winner Josie Bryant and Andy Croxford from the Environment Agency. (Inset) Josie’s winning design planted up at Teddington Lock. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
SERVES 2 Preparation time: 20 minutes ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
2 slices of granary bread 3 tbsp hummus 2 tsp fresh dill, chopped ½ cucumber 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste
Run a vegetable peeler lengthwise down the cucumber to create long ribbons. Add the cucumber to a bowl alongside the lemon juice and olive oil. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste then set aside for 10 minutes to marinate. Meanwhile add hummus to a small bowl. Roughly chop the fresh dill, and add half of the dill to the hummus and mix to combine. Set aside. Toast the bread. Spread half the hummus on each slice of bread. Top with cucumber, and garnish with the extra dill. For more of Anna’s seasonal recipes see our sister title Kitchen Garden. To take advantage of a special subscription offer of three for £5 plus 20 free packs of seeds followed by £20 for six issues, call 01507 529529, quoting KG160, or visit classicmagazines.co.uk/kg160
Ginger, spice and all things nice THE home of gingerbread – the canalside town of Market Drayton in Shropshire – will celebrate all things Ginger & Spice during its award-winning, four-day festival from Wednesday to Saturday, September 26-29. Timed to coincide with British Food Fortnight, there will be events every day around the town. The Spice Exchange street market will take place on the Saturday, with everything from ginger teas, spicy pies, chocolate enrobed ginger, spice-infused jams, ginger scotch eggs, gingerbread, aromatic gin, local real ale and cured gourmet meats as well as a host of ginger-themed delicacies! There will also be the chance on the Saturday to enjoy street food and spicy drinks too in the Street Food Bazaar in the Clive and Coffyne beer garden! Free to attend, the event takes place in and around the Buttercross, Cheshire Street and the Clive and Coffyne pub beer garden, from 10am5pm with live music and other activities. Free live cookery masterclasses and demonstrations will take place throughout the day in the cookery theatre at the back of the Clive and Coffyne pub with a host of local, regional and top chefs including: • James Sherwin of Wild Shropshire • Chris Burt and team from the Mytton and Mermaid Hotel and Restaurant and River Town • The head chef and team from the White Lion Pub and Restaurant • A Shropshire lad, Adam Purnell and Kadai Cooking • Zoe Harrison, Butterbelle Festival fringe events will take place in and around Market Drayton from the Wednesday to the Saturday, including:
A foraging walk with James Sherwin and Bee McGovern will be one of the festival fringe events. PHOTO SUPPLIED Heritage Spice Trail A Passage to India gin tasting Foraging walk with James Sherwin and Bee McGovern A Little Bit of Spice talk and buffet with Dr Sue Clive’s pop-up supper club Illustrated talk on Clive of India Live music event Film and curry night Nutbutter masterclass with Butterbelle Gingerbread and port tasting event The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning Spice Box Theatre Group Market Drayton country markets Gingerbread baking masterclass
● For further information and booking details visit www.gingerandspicefest.co.uk
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FOOD & DRINK staurants Canalside pubs & re.. to satisfy all tastes.
The courtyard at the Laughing Duck. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Cafe’s new owners off to a ‘quacking’ start! The Canalside Cafe overlooks the Trent & Mersey Canal. RIGHT: Bring your bake and be in with the chance of winning a hamper. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Join Canalside for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning CANALSIDE Farm, near Stafford, will be joining in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning on Friday, September 28, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. There will be several special offers during the day and for every hot drink purchased between 9am and 11am, £1 will be donated to the charity. Canalside is also asking customers to bake cakes themselves, for a ‘bake off’ style competition, where the winner will receive a hamper from the farm shop.
Trip boat diner for sale A CANALBOAT with on-board restaurant could be the ideal business for someone who enjoys messing about on the water, writes Geoff Wood. The owners of Hebden Bridge Cruises in West Yorkshire are selling their canal trip boat and dining service which operates from outside the busy Stubbing Wharf Pub. It is for sale as a going concern with a guide price of £49,950. Business agent Ernest Wilson is handling the sale. www.ernest-wilson.co.uk
Entrants are asked to bring their cakes to the cafe by 9am on the morning of the event to be judged, so that the cakes can then be sold with all proceeds being donated directly to Macmillan. Owners Chris and Wendy Barton said: “Having a coffee morning is such a simple idea and is the perfect chance for friends and family to catch up over a cuppa and a slice of something delicious, while raising money for a great cause.” Canalside’s cafe has seating for 72 customers inside, plus an additional 40 people outside on a decking area overlooking the Trent & Mersey Canal. ● If you would like to attend the coffee morning, Canalside Farm is located in Great Haywood, just six miles from Stafford. It is situated just off the A51, between Stone and Rugeley or from the Stafford direction, follow the signs for Tixall and Great Haywood (postcode ST18 0RQ). The Farm Shop and Cafe are open every day from 9am to 5pm. For further information contact 01889 881747 or visit www.canalsidefarm.co.uk
A warm welcome awaits you with our Traditional home cooked, locally sourced menu or ull
enu details please visit our ebsite
Just a 3 minute walk from Beeston Marina
C
137 TRENT ROAD, BEESTON, NOTTS. NG9 1LP
W C Recently Refurbished
01157 795327
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AFTER a busy few weeks the new owners of the Laughing Duck canalside cafe have settled in at Fradley Junction. Since taking over in June, Tom Owen and Dale Newitt have been busy renaming and rebranding the already popular previously named Canalside Cafe. They moved to Fradley Junction in October 2017 after selling their public house in Etwall, Derby. “We fell in love with Fradley Junction after the first visit to it and have quickly made the junction home,” they told Towpath Talk. “When we heard the cafe was for sale we jumped at the chance of taking it on and putting our own stamp on it.” The Laughing Duck was born through the new owners listening to the busy chatter of the ducks outside the cafe one sunny morning on the Trent & Mersey Canal. “We felt the cafe needed an identity here in Fradley Junction and wanted to offer a fresh feel to the cafe, while still maintaining the high standard and quality of food the previous owners had built up,” they said. Since taking over Tom and Dale have now opened a shop within the cafe, offering a range of basic
amenities including fresh milk, fruit and vegetables, daily newspapers and stamps. They concluded: “The winter months will be a chance for us to catch our breaths, but will see the Laughing Duck team as busy as ever, as we continue to extend the menu with home-made treats and further investment within the restaurant area.”
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HO LIDAYS BOATING
Canal breaks and river cruising in the UK, Ireland and Europe
Hotel boat achieves VisitEngland gold standard LUXURY hotel boat Kailani has become the first hotel boat to receive the Gold Award from VisitEngland. It complements the five-star rating awarded by VisitEngland since Kailani’s first assessment in 2014 and recognises the facilities and services which owners Gordon Horry and Dorenda Wrigley provide for their guests. The hotel boat, which sleeps up to four guests and is fully crewed and catered, cruises England’s canals and rivers from April to October each year, covering a distance of more than 1000 miles. Kailani is the only hotel boat certified by the Port of London Authority to navigate the tidal section of the River Thames between Limehouse in East London and Teddington. Gordon Horr y, who designed the boat with partner Dorenda Wrigley, said: “We’ve been awarded five stars by VisitEngland for four years now and for our hard work to now be recognised with this Gold Award, the first awarded to a hotel boat, is testament to our hard work and determination in offering guests an unforgettable boating
D orenda Wrigley and G ordon Horry on board hotel boat Kailani which has received a G old Award from V isitE ngland.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
experience.” The boat won the prestigious Lionel Munk Trophy for the best commercially built boat in 2013. Hotel boat Kailani cruises from Birmingham to London on the Grand Union Canal, around
London’s canal network, out to Hertford on the River Lee, to Guildford on the River Wey, along the navigable River Thames to Lechlade in Gloucestershire and along the Kennet & Avon Canal from Reading to Bristol.
● G uests can choose the length of their stay and the areas they’d like to cover from the available itineraries detailed on Kailani’s website ( www.hotelboatkailani.com) . Prices start from £ 7 20 pp for a four-night break in the twin cabin on the River Thames and from £ 5 20 pp for three nights in the twin cabin on all other routes.
The picture-perfect If fle y L ock. PHOTO: ISTOCK
A view to make you smile By Elizabeth Rogers
WHO feels in need of a view to cheer them up? They might well find one on the Thames because Oxford’s Iffley Lock has just been voted the country’s second happiest view.
The poll was among guests and staff of the Best Western Great Britain hotel chain and the lock was just pipped to first place by Broadsands beach on the Exmoor coast in Devon. Iffley Lock dates from 1632, when it was built together
with others in the area. The other two are at Sandford and Swift Ditch. It has a traditional lock keeper’s house and cabin and adding to the tree-lined scenery of the River Thames is the attractively maintained garden.
Hatton L ocks above Warwick in the heart of E ngland. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON
Top spots for family holidays WITH the holiday season still in full swing, Waterways Holidays suggests some popular destinations for families to enjoy. The company offers narrowboat hire across the network through its online booking portal. “A narrowboat is not only a floating holiday home, it is your mode of transport and sightseeing all wrapped into one great-value package,” said managing director Nigel Richards. Family-friendly narrowboats come in all sizes, from compact four-berths to 60ft-plus-long boats sleeping up to 12. Many are pet friendly at no extra charge, and all are equipped with everything needed for a selfcatering holiday afloat. Initial tuition is always provided, along with the loan of buoyancy aids. LLANGOLLEN CANAL : Waterways Holidays offers seven start points between Llangollen and the junction with the Shropshire Union Canal. This is a wonderfully scenic canal, with the thrill of crossing the 126fthigh Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (UNESCO World Heritage site).
THE HEART OF ENGLAND: The Grand Union Canal is the ‘spine’ of the network, connecting London with Birmingham. Linking rivers like the Avon and Severn wander through Warwick and Stratford while canals enter the heart of Birmingham and Leicester. Choose from 12 start points on the Grand Union Canal itself, with many more across the Midlands. BATH: This elegant city is a living history book for family sightseeing. Bath is packed with fascinating museums from the Roman Baths and No 1 Royal Crescent to the Jane Austen Centre. Moor in the city centre or 10 minutes’ walk away at Sydney Gardens. There are seven start points within easy reach of Bath. SCOTLAND: Waterways Holidays suggests hiring from the base at the foot of the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift, which is the height of about eight doubledecker buses. Marvel at this feat of modern engineering,
then cruise the Forth & Clyde Canal to see the Kelpies, or head towards Linlithgow. THE FENS: Perhaps Britain’s least-known waterways. The Nene and Great Ouse rivers combine with navigable fens to bring boats into the heart of cathedral cities like Ely and Peterborough, sleepy Cambridgeshire villages and fascinating nature reserves. Start from Ely or March. RIVER WEY: The river was made navigable as early as the 1630s, and today is managed by the National Trust, providing a green corridor through Surrey to connect with the Thames. Excellent choice of waterside pubs and restaurants. Start from Guildford, Send or Farncombe. THE BRECON BEACONS: The Monmouth & Brecon Canal is ideal for nature-lovers: spot red kites, kingfishers and herons. Its 36 miles are cut off from the rest of the canal network; with tranquil towpaths, few locks and lovely views, it is the ideal ‘first time’ canal, with three start points.
● F urther information and advice from Waterways Holidays on 0 125 2 3 3 9 0 23 , www.waterwaysholidays.com
HOLIDAYS 73
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Back again... Kiwis just can’t stay away! Cheryl Howes of Kate Boats continues the series from Drifters – a consortium of independent self-drive hire boat companies set up to promote enjoyment of canal holidays. AS A narrowboat fleet we are small enough to still recognise the recurring names that pop up. We’ve been hiring out boats for 19 years and have followed a few stories through. As the bookings for the year ahead start coming in, it’s great to see the familiar names of repeat customers dotted among the new. For example, there are the girls, who started with a hen do, which turned into an annual outing, and now they come on the first (cheapest!) weekend of the season every year. There are the customers who have a boat out for a couple of weeks every Christmas for their ‘Santa’ cruise, which involves inflatables all over the boat, lots of Facebook photos, and lots of people reporting they have
spotted them along the way. We built a boat for a couple who were among our original hirers and over the years we’ve regularly waved as they passed by on their cruises. We then did some maintenance on their boat – and watched the paintwork fade over the years. We got involved with selling their boat as they moved on to new adventures, and to round it all off they have just booked a week on a hire boat with us, because they are really missing it. So full circle. And then there are New Zealanders who come every year for six weeks, who have a favourite boat and each time they arrive they tell us this will definitely be their last year. Then when they get home, they decide they can manage just one more!
What memories are made of: E dstone Aq ueduct on the South Stratford Canal. PHOTO SUPPLIED
West Yorkshire town is holiday hotspot By Geoff Wood
HUDDERSFIELD has been rated among the top five locations in the UK for a waterside holiday. The analysis, based on ratings and reviews on holiday rentals website HolidayLettings.co.uk, puts the town in the same company as picturesque Rosson-Wye in Herefordshire, Tiverton in Devon and Omagh in Northern Ireland. Landlocked Huddersfield is one of the last places you might think of as an inland port. But for more than 150 years, the Huddersfield Broad Canal was laid out with wharves, cranes and housing for the workers. In the 19th century, traffic began to decline. But now the site is bustling once more in a leisure boom with narrowboats lining the canal and filling the nearby marina at Aspley Basin. The marina itself is quite small and narrowboats spill out on to the adjoining Broad Canal, where they commonly line the towpath with its visitor moorings. But Huddersfield is still an urban and industrial area and it seems surprising that so many boaters should make a beeline for the town. Many however will discover that attractive villages circle the town and the Pennines are only a few miles away. Jon Lee, one of the directors of the marina, said: “People are surprised that there is a marina in the middle of Huddersfield. But we get quite full and a
The Huddersfield L ocomotive Bridge.
lot of people stay for quite a while. Some do use it as a cruising centre but there are 40 locks to Marsden and the Standedge Tunnel on the Narrow Canal and nine on the Broad Canal.” For others though the basin and the Broad Canal are home from home as owners go off to explore the area by public transport. One boater said: “It is near the shops, the trains and the buses and there is a superstore quite close.” The canal boat scene at Huddersfield also has a good effect on surrounding businesses. The manager of the local Premier Inn said: “Some people specify a room with a canal view because they want to look out at the boats moored outside.” History is close by with the impressive Locomotive Bridge just a short stroll away down the Broad Canal. The bridge, today powered by an electric motor, still has the original counterweights and a wooden platform for traffic. Alan Stopher, chairman of the Huddersfield Canal Society, said: “When canals went into decline, the Narrow Canal closed. But the Broad Canal never closed and coal barges came up it until the 1960s. “It is fair to say that Huddersfield is not thought of as a boating destination but these days it can be accessed from the Standedge Tunnel and the Calder & Hebble Navigation. I am pleased that Huddersfield has become popular for boats these days.”
Boats moored along the Huddersfield Broad Canal. PHOTOS: GEOFF WOOD
74 TECHNICAL
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Anodes – not a mystery, more a matter of nobility Ben Sutcliffe-Davies has more than 35 years’ experience in the marine industry, including boat building in timber, GRP, steel and aluminium. An accredited member of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA) and an associate member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS), he is also a full member of British Marine and the Inland Boat Builders Association. TO MANY of the owners of craft on the inland waters, anodes are very straightforward; bolt or weld a few magnesium blocks on to the hull (depending on what your craft is made from) and off you go for the next few seasons, depending obviously on the sizes of bars fitted. However, how do you know if they are working or not? Sometimes when surveying in several areas of the canal system I have heard some owners say that the anodes have been on for four to five seasons and look almost like new. In other cases the anodes have been on less than two years and have virtually worn out... so what is going on?
The rules of protection
To understand what anodes are, it is important to understand the rules of nobility with differing metals while in water. The periodic tables on the internet do show iron, steel, bronze etc. in the correct nobility/order. The properties of a good and effective solution are to use the lowest in the tables to protect all those metals above as long as they are able to function correctly for the type of water the craft is actually afloat in.
This, depending on the water type, does often cause some problems. Generally most of the inland waterways are, as we know, obviously fresh; however there are a few areas within the system that could be considered a little brackish (fresh and salt water mixed). Generally, on the inland system on a steel or GRP craft, the use of magnesium anodes is the right option. However, if the same craft was moored in what is known as brackish waters then it is recommended to use aluminium anodes. Lastly craft moored in salt water (tidal) would need zinc anodes fitted. So how do we tell the type of water we are in, I hear you ask? Firstly, the rule of thumb is that if the craft was moored in a good tidal range in UK waters it is very unlikely to be in anything but salt water. Where the craft was moored in a situation where sea water and inland rivers can mix plus areas where there are marinas with some form of lock gates that can also have some type of ground drainage like storm drains from buildings running into it, there is a very good chance that the water the craft floats in may be fresh or brackish.
Most of our inland system however will be fresh water, but even fresh water can have some interesting local discrepancies where the quality of the water in the canal and what is within the make-up of the canal linings can affect the reactions of exposed metalwork. The use of a simple hydrometer to test the salinity of the water is also a simple way to quickly test it too. Where possible the majority of steel narrowboats have anodes fitted forward and aft within the swim arrangements. Sometimes you can be lucky to see them under the water slowly wasting if the visibility of the water is good. Often the only way you will know what’s going on is when the craft is out of the water for blacking. If the anodes are bonded correctly to the hull then they should have some obvious wastage to them over a year or so. If it hasn’t but has got some form of crust like calcium to the anodes, then it’s likely the anode has shut off or it’s not working. Often asking the local boatyards etc. will give some information of water quality. The problem sometimes can be how much damage has already been done before you actually find out.
If you see this silver on the underwater side or base plating it’s very likely been caused by a shore power earth fault. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
Typical deep pitting, some more than 4mm deep in 6mm plating, caused from lack of proper coating protection and lack of appropriate anodes.
Surprising results
Forty years ago, when I was an apprentice, we carried out an experiment during the first year when we all cut four short lengths of timber and made sets of identical test boards from them with several different metal fastenings either screwed or hammered into it. One set were even dipped into an early form of epoxy tar that was allowed to dry. We then hung them off the end of the old jetty in Lowestoft harbour (sea water) and at Oulton Broad (fresh water), where we were based for a month, with one fitted with a small piece of zinc, another with aluminium, the third with a small amount of magnesium and the fourth set that had been coated in tar and with a form of anode. The results were quite surprising; the metal work that was coated in tar and the set with zinc when in salt water were both unaffected but in fresh water the zinc anode had gone white and formed a crust. The magnesium anode in salt water had completely disappeared and the metal work had all started to be affected and when in fresh water had clearly protected the metal work. The one I found most interesting was how the brass screw changes to pink from the dezincification of the brass alloy, this reaction also still regularly happens to propellers where the zinc or tin within the bronze alloy has been stripped out by the other metals within the line of nobility where no anodes have been bonded. It really proved that coating any steel metal work under water really does slow and even in some cases halt the galvanic reactions as well. So when a vessel is out of the water, what should we check? Firstly, get familiar whenever possible with looking at the propeller blade colours and what sound it makes when you lightly tap the tips with a hammer. Depending what type of propeller material you have will affect the types of reactions that occur – if you have a good quality bronze blade that has levels of tin, often the edges of the propeller will become very brittle
when tapped with a hammer and colours may look a bit dull; with a manganese bronze they will go quite pink in many cases. Often if it won’t ‘ring’ when tapped lightly with a small hammer, there’s almost certainly an issue. Look for the edges of the blades failing too. With steel hulls, look for the development of pitting to the side and base plating. As many will know, there are great arguments as to whether base plating should be protected. From my own experience any proper protection is better than none. The biggest problem is getting proper clean surfaces to coat properly and ensuring that coatings are worked well into any shallow pitting.
Areas of effectiveness
I was always told years ago by my father to think of the anode as a light bulb! If the area of hull or propeller for instance can be sighted from the anode and it’s well bonded to the steel hull or with a GRP hull and correctly bonded, then in theory it will protect. Simple! With many narrowboats over 40ft, craft can lack good midship protection and a high percentage of all steel craft rarely have the base plating protected with any form of tar or epoxy coating or anode! These days it is becoming more important to ensure all underwater areas of steel plating are properly coated to seal the plating to reduce the reactions, especially now that most new steel plating has a large amount of recycled material introduced that over the last 15 years has rapidly increased as production costs and cheaper imports drive the costs down. It is one of the main reasons why so many firms and surveyors try to recommend deep cleaning the back of the vessel and epoxy tarring of the hull; if the plating is well coated the surface areas exposed are obviously dramatically reduced.
Shore power
Since the introduction of shore power the importance of good quality wiring on board is essential. Keeping 12v DC and
240v AC at least 150mm apart and on insulated battens (timber) wherever possible is essential, well made jointing, ensuring the earthing of a system is to just one point on the hull and preventing any wiring left lying around within damp underwater bilge areas will again help reduce further issues. The other problem with shore power is when you have plugged into your supply, there is a risk that you can link into other people’s problems. I am very aware of issues where several craft had all been plugged into one supply cable; one of the craft had an earth fault and the other three craft had electro pitting to the side plating from it. A way to protect your craft that’s seriously worth considering to combat this type of issue is to use the popular method of a galvanic isolator that just isolates the earth feed. The better but more expensive method is an isolator transformer – this in layman’s terms will totally cut you off from everyone else’s earth problems.
Alloy craft
I haven’t touched on these but they can be a complete can of worms and sometimes need individual consideration. Most anode companies suggest not fitting any anodes to an aluminium hull or shafts but to ensure that the underwater areas are all well protected with suitable epoxy paint finishes. On craft with an outboard or drive legs it is sometimes better in fresh water situations to fit a magnesium anode near to the unit and bond the drive fastenings to it. Many of the internet websites run by anode suppliers do provide easy-to-use anode selectors; this is a great step forward and very helpful. Some firms even offer very good technical call centre help lines and if you are not totally sure it’s best to take advice from them on an individual basis by telephone! Lastly, remember, don’t paint the anodes and keep them clean. If the anode isn’t wasting away it’s likely your craft’s hull or fittings are!
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BOAT SALES
Your essential monthly guide to boat builders, brokers and private sales
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www.AlvecoteMarina.co.uk
ALVECOTE MARINA GROUP
01827 898585
narrowcraft@alvecotemarina.co.uk
Narrowcraft Brokerage
Tuesday - Saturday 8.30-5.30. Sunday & Monday by appointment.
Robeys Lane, Alvecote, Tamworth B78 1AS
TARA LD
SO
£48,950
a
AELFWYN
e
35ft Trad, built by Colliery Narrowboats, 1994, ideal starter boat or holiday craft, BSC expires 07/08/18, fully blacked in April 2015.
57ft Semi-trad by Riverview boats. Beta Marine - Low engine hours. Built 2000 2 berth
EDEN
Trad by Brumagen Boats 1978 50ft Tug with traditional boatmans cabin. Lister HA2 in traditional engine room
£29,950
SUSANNA
Just arrived. 47ft cruiser stern, 2 berth project boat. Yanmar engine, GRP superstructure/ Steel Hull, Hull overplating work has been carried out.
£12,000
£24,950
LUCY HELEN
BLUE MOON:
38ft cruiser style, 1982 Coles Morton Marine
57ft semi trad by Measham boats 4 berth, Nanni Diesel engine
£49,500
LD
SO
£17,500
WILLIAM
Purpose built 70ft Coal Boat built in 2012. Powerful modern Barrus Shire engine. Modern accommodation with galley and shower. Retail diesel tanks and pump fitted. Full set of cloths. Everything you need for a canal retail business
ONLY
£38,950
FREE MOORING - NO LICENCE REQUIRED - FREE MOORING - NO LICENCE REQUIRED Thinking of selling? Look no further, we have been selling boats for over 30 years and urgently need more boats for more customers. No licence required and no moorings charged.
Call our friendly boating team now on 01827 898585
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READER ADVERTS For sale
49FT TUG built by Keelkast c1992 powered by Russell Newbery DM4 44hp, recently refitted and repainted, new boatman’s cabin, bathroom and galley, large bedroom space under front tug deck, new BSC, £39,950. Tel. 07956 656887. W Mids.
BARGAIN OF THE YEAR - THE JOKER 2011, 65ft long, 12ft beam, 6 berths, Beta 50 engine model, 200 ltr fuel capacity, 500 ltr water capacity, a dream to own fully fitted out to a very high standard today this boat would cost £175,000 must be seen, £79,000. Tel. 07885 295413.
ENTERPRISE SEAMASTER 30 Twin Perkins 50hp diesels, 6 berths in three cabins, fuel tanks 2 x 40 gallons, water 40 gall, fully kitted ready to go, BSC, £15,000 Tel. 07594 956921. rodjones47@outlook.com 30FT NARROWBOAT CRUISER stern, Nanni Di engine, solid fuel stove, fixed d/bed, 1500w inverter, 22TV calorifier, gas water heater, gas fridge, half ton water tank, bath gold taps, Belstaff sink, Epoxy and blacking, lots of storage, hi-class fit-out, Shore power gas stove, new batteries, BSS 18 months, must be seen, porta-potti, moored Staffordshire, £26,500 Tel. 07966 495016. Aberystwyth. J L PINDER & SONS 58ft narrowboat trad stern, 2005, Barrushire 40hp Yanmar engine, moored Droitwich, £28,500. Tel. 07486 579828. Worcs.
SAILING DINGHY SKYLARK 8ft for up to 2 persons, marine ply, c/w original plans and paperwork, multi chimed hull, quick botya despite smallish sail, c/w wheels in keel, tall and short mast, extra centre seat, dagger board oars, motor mount, wired for elec outboard, with exterior plug, built in buoyancy, weighs 60lb, can be rod racked single handed, everything like new, garaged from new, motor and battery kit inc, would make good fishing dinghy, very stable, £395 Tel. 0777 9776508. Halifax, W Yorks.
TRAD NARROWBOAT - CTS previous working boat, built 1969, Beam: 6.10 ft; 4 berth, BSS expiry: July 2020. Last survey: Oct 2014. Victoria is a traditional narrowboat with friendly residential mooring in Todmorden, W Yorks, with water, Elsan, electricity, private garden space and parking, traditional stern 70ft former working boat with orig boatmans cabin and Lister SR3 engine, considerable refurbishment and updating has taken place thr’out last few years and she is an extremely comfortable boat ready to be lived on immediately, blacked Feb 2016, all anodes checked. Work outstanding: some damage to the tiller, needs to be looked at. Mooring: Baltimore Marine, Todmorden, £42,000 Tel. 07403 680132.
SEA OTTER 30 2002, 30ft, 4 berth, excellent opportunity to purchase an aluminium Sea Otter, many extras fitted, would make a good family narrowboat with very low maintenance, can be seen at White Bear Marina Adlington. More info and to make an appointment view boat please call £42,500. Tel. 07845 560025 or 0161 7611913.
23FT NORMAN Honda 10hp (10 hrs), fridge (10 hrs), sale due to death of owner, needs some tlc to restore it to working condition, £3500. Tel. 01788 572863. Coventry. 50FT SEMI-TRAD NARROWBOAT 1982, 6ft 10” beam, 4 berths, Lister SR3 engine, 250 ltr fuel capacity, 1000 ltr water capacity. Duke of Bridgewater is a 50ft semi-trad “Norseman” hull narrowboat built in 1982 by highly respected boatbuilders Hancock & Lane. boat is perfect size for permanent living and continuous cruising particularly in central London or other busy areas - 40’ boats are too small for comfortable living requiring too many compromises in terms of living space/storage, whilst it’s difficult to find moorings for 60ft boats, however, a 50’ boat is small enough to give you plenty of mooring choices, but enough living and storage space to be very comfortable as a live-aboard boat, £37,500. Email: john.howard1@me.com 60FT WORK BOAT Swap or for sale, Armstrong Siddeley AS2 engine, LMS station boat, ‘Paragon’, built by Yarwoods 1929,. for sale or will swap for steel narrow boat up to 35ft. Message for more information regarding Paragon and with information about your boat if you are interested, £18,000. Tel. 07480 860542. Staffs.
TRADITIONAL NARROWBOAT 1992, 38ft long, 7ft beam, 4 berths, Perkins Perama engine 3 cylinder engine, 180 ltr fuel capacity, 180 ltr water capacity, traditional narrowboat, R & D manufactured, launched 1992, slipped every 2 years, anodes changed, good condition, 4 berth, 2 wardrobes, shower, gas oven, 2 rings Double glazed, oil c/h, alarm fitted, bow thruster, s/s water tank, £23,500 Tel. 01354 651704. Cambs. 20% SHARE in 2+2 berth 60ft narrowboat, 4 + weeks pa, moored West Midlands marina, small friendly privately managed group. For full details email: robdewey1950@gmail.com
Selling your boat is FREE for private readers of Towpath Talk NORMAN 20 canal and river cruiser, new gas and petrol lockers, new collapsible windscreen with safety glass, Mariner 9.9 outboard, all aft woodwork an outside deck replaced, £1200. Tel. 01328 830086. Norfolk. CREIGHTON CRUISER canal/ river, 4-5 berth, age late 80’s/early 90’s, 1500 BMC diesel engine, new Z-drive, outer gearbox, only done 5 miles, new upholstery, pump-out toilet system, bathroom, shower etc, hot/cold water, very vgc, unused in last 4 years due to not having enough time, centre cockpit, rear and front bedrooms, kitchen at front, £11,500 Tel. 07966 255239; 07966 255239. W Bromwich. DAWNCRAFT 25FT CRUISER 1974, 25ft long, 7ft beam, 2 berths, Honda 15hp engine that has been regularly serviced, 19 ltr fuel cap, 19 ltr water cap, 25ft long and 6ft 10” wide, suitable for canals and rivers, Honda 15 engine BSC til 8th June 2021, Vanessa 2 burner gas cooker with oven and grill, gas fired hot air heating, rewired thr’out, ready to cruise with cutlery, pots and pans, plates, cups etc. £5500. Tel. 01773 825635. Derbys. SEA OTTER aluminium narrowboat, 30ft, 2001, 3-berth, one owner, Nanni engine 2.50, 1400 hrs, s/h, BSS Nov 2020, fully equipped, carefully maintained, £29,750 Tel. 07748 556656. S Oxon. alpadawe@ntlworld.com
RENTING A BOAT TO LIVE ON, OR HIRING OUT YOUR OWN BOAT?
Our important message to both groups is to do careful homework first and not to either hire out your boat or rent a boat that isn’t properly licensed for this use. Please visit: www.canalrivertrust.org. uk/boating/a-boat-of-your-own to avoid any difficulties with legal and safety issues involved.
Boats wanted NARROWBOAT PROJECT WANTED. 40ft upwards in length. In need of external or internal work etc. Tel 07906 019299
Parts for sale ALUMINIUM BOAT WINDOW with top opener plus timber frame, glazed, window width 31 9/16”, frame height 23 5/8”, window unit 31 3/16” wide, 22¼” height, any reasonable offer considered. Tel. 07981 162779. Derbys. DANFORTH STYLE ANCHOR 15kg, with 20ft chain dimensions, 600 x 600mm, photo can be supplied, £20. Tel. 07840 986653. Burton-on-Trent. FOLDING MATTRESS for boat or caravan, 6ft long with fold in the middle, 4ft wide, vgc, £50 Tel. 07977 638787. Ellesmere, Shrops. INFLATABLE BUOYS new, 16” dia, ideal for front of GRP boat, red, 2 of, photo can be supplied, £20 Tel. 07840 986653. Staffs. LISTER HA/HR ENGINE parts, barrels, cyl heads, crankshafts, camshaft, all used parts, prices from £35. Tel. 01205 480693. Lincsw. REAR FENDERS corner for GRP boat, brand new, 160 x 160 x 60m, 2 of, photo can be supplied, £20. Tel. 07840 986653. Staffs. RULE 500 GPW BILGE PUMP used with Rule magic plus auto float side, £20; white corner side fender, anchor marine, £10. Tel. 077910 34695. Cambs. STERLING INVERTER/CHARGER 2.1kw Procombi-S, used, collection only from Northampton area, £175. Tel. 07785 188382. Suffolk.
BLACK SIDEBOARD/TV CABINET/STORAGE very lightweight but sturdy, measures 122cm wide, 68cm high and only 40cm deep. Collection from London 10 mins walk from Little Venice/Paddington basin. £250 Tel. 07860 400541.
CAPTAINS CHAIR foot stool, fabric, £75. Tel. 07422 513618.
CAPTAINS CHAIR AND STOOL green leather, £75. Tel. 07422 513618.
space needed. Tel. 01933 625169. Northants. 1950S CHROME RADIO torpedo switches, with trans box, good condition, push bottom, its lovely, v rare, offers over £50 can post Tel. 07971 687318. N Devon.
FIXED SEATING CUSHIONS about a year old, come from both pet and smoke free environment. 4 x large cushions deep 10cm, high 38cm, wide 118cm; 2 x small cushions deep 10cm, high 35cm, wide 60cm. Also three porthole curtains in same material. £150 Tel. 07422 513618.
KITCHEN CABINET Free standing kitchen cabinet. Vintage look, 1950’s wooden frame & doors, £90 Tel. 07860 400541. Collection from London 10 mins walk from Little Venice/Paddington basin.
Parts wanted WANTED 3.5KW travel power generator. Tel. 01233 639191. Kent. WANTED TRAILER for cruiser, 24ft double axle inc, winch preferred, will collect. 01924 327395. Mids. WHALE MK IV FLIPPER PUMP for sink water supply, must be working, complete and no leaks, post or collect. Tel. 077910 34695. Cambs.
Miscellaneous
5-PIECE PAN SET German, s/sl pan set, 18/10 steel and sustainable for all hob types inc induction, pan handles have hook holes so can be hung from the galley roof to save space. Collection from London, Maida Vale, 10 mins walk from Little Venice/Paddington basin, £40. Tel. 07860 400541. London.
CUBE STORAGE UNIT Cube storage unit with doors. Measures 90cm tall and did fit under gunwales on narrowboat Happy Memories’, 89cm wide and only 19cm deep. Collection from London 10 mins walk from Little Venice/ Paddington basin. £30 Tel. 07860 400541. London. BATHROOM DRAWERS very lightweight, with rope handles, measures 72cm tall by 38cm wide and 27cm deep. Collection from London 10 mins walk from Little Venice/Paddington basin, £20. Tel. 07860 400541. London. BRITISH TRANSPORT DOCKS for sale ‘150 Years Of The Port Of Goole”, 1826 to 1976, £5 plus postage Tel. 0113 2693672. W Yorks. PLASTIC WATER TANK 27 galls 28” x 42” x 6½” underbid boat/van, any reasonable offer accepted,
STOVAX 1A BRUNEL multi-fuel stove, cast iron with boiler to run radiators/hot water, very efficient, exc cond, 21” high, 15” wide, (approx £1100 new), oiro £550. Tel. 0781 5024521. CRUSADER TWIN TUB never used, suitable for boat or caravan, £75 ono Tel. 07470 377708. Staffs.
Engines
PETTER DIESEL ENGINE 2 cylinder, electric starter motor, can be seen running, v heavy, loading facilities available, purchased for forklift truck but now no longer required, £550. Tel. 01780 410169. View S Lincs.
104 ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton
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The S hannon class lifeboat – fiv e years on
The Lough Swilly Shannon class lifeboat, the Derek Bullivant. PHOTO: RNLI
Alison Alderton looks at the development of the RNLI’s modern all-weather craft, named after the Irish river. THIS summer, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Shannon class lifeboat’s introduction to the fleet. Being the first lifeboat to be named after an Irish river and having some unique state-of-the-art features, when Lough Swilly took delivery, as the first station in Ireland to receive the newly designed craft, it was met with great enthusiasm. The Lough Swilly lifeboat station stands on the Inishowen Peninsular, County Donegal. Providing cover for both commercial and leisure boating activities, it operates two lifeboats, an inshore vessel and, since 2015, an all-weather Shannon named the Derek Bullivant. The lough is well-known for its wildlife, with dolphin watching being a popular pastime. Due to its wrecks, it is a favourite with anglers and divers and, in the past, was an important naval base due its deep sheltered waters. Designed by the charity’s own team of engineers, the £2.2 million Shannon class lifeboat is the first modern all-weather lifeboat to be propelled by waterjets rather than propellers.
At maximum power, the Shannon lifeboat pumps 1.5 tonnes of water each second from her waterjets and allows the Shannon to operate in shallow waters and be intentionally beached. When precision really matters, such as operating alongside a stricken vessel or navigating around hazards, they come into their own.
Sea trials
The first Shannon was the Jock and Annie Slater, which joined the fleet after an official ceremony at RNLI headquarters in Poole on July 11, 2013. Since then, 28 Shannon class lifeboats have been produced. Over the past five years, Shannon class lifeboats have launched 703 times on service, rescuing 876 people and saving 17 lives. The process of creating a new all-weather lifeboat began back in 2005, when an early ‘off-the-shelf’ boat design underwent sea trials but it was found that crews were subject to too much impact in rough weather. The RNLI went back to the drawing board
The All-weather Lifeboat Centre. PHOTO: RNLI/NATHAN WILLIAMS and used in-house engineers to create a design that would minimise this. RNLI naval architect Peter Eyre, only 24 years old at the time, came up with a carefully optimised hull shape to reduce both vertical and sideways slamming. The resulting hull features a narrow bow to cut through the water which is counteracted by very wide aft sections keeping the boat steady and upright. Inside the boat, an improved systems and information management system allows the crew to operate and monitor
many of the lifeboat's functions from the safety of their seats, using ‘trackball pods’ in their armrests. The system is weatherproof and the control buttons have been specially designed so that crew wearing gloves can still use them. Shock-absorbing seats further protect the crew from impact when powering through waves. As with all RNLI all-weather lifeboats, the Shannon class is designed to be inherently self-righting, returning to an upright position in the event of capsize.
The view of Ballymastocker Bay from Saldanha Head, Lough Swilly. PHOTO: ANDREAS F. BORCHERT
Recovery system
Just over 13m in length and weighing 18 tonnes, the Shannon is the smallest and lightest all-weather lifeboat, meaning she can be launched straight off the beach via a new and improved launch and recovery system. Designed in conjunction with Supacat Ltd, the new tractor-borne carriage allows a faster and safer launch and recovery time than the present system. It operates as a mobile slipway, which solves the unique challenge of transporting, launching and recovering the Shannon lifeboat over some of the most demanding beaches. The RNLI aims for its lifeboats to reach at least 90% of all casualties within 10 nautical miles of the coast within 30 minutes of launch in all weathers. In the vast majority of cases, this is achieved. However, the Shannon class will help the RNLI to better meet this target as it is capable of operating at 25 knots and will replace a selection of Mersey and some Tyne class lifeboats, which operate at a slower top speed. Two 650hp Scania engines propel the Shannon and with only 80% of its power needed to reach top speed, the engines should last longer. Each engine has its own 1370-litre fuel tank which can be refuelled at a rate of 200 litres a minute, meaning the lifeboat will never be out of action for long.
ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton 105
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Low water levels prompt change in itinerary for Shannon Boat Rally
The lighthouse at F anad Head, L ough Swilly. PHOTO: ANDREAS F BORCHERT
THE Inland Waterways Association of Ireland’s (IWAI) most prestigious event, the Shannon Boat Rally, fell victim to low water levels in July, resulting in the abandonment of a visit to Lecarrow. Originally constructed to assist in the transporting of locally quarried stone, the compact harbour at Lecarrow is reached from Lough Ree’s Blackbrink Bay by means of a mile-long canal. With pubs and restaurants, as well as access to one of the most important medieval sites in Ireland at Rindoon, it is a popular port of call. In a statement issued the week before the rally, Commodore Niamh Herraghty said: “Health and safety is the most important consideration when planning any rally and given that Waterways Ireland have issued a Marine Notice regarding water levels, as commodore, I today took the decision with our chairperson, Siobhan Cluskey, to move the rally from Lecarrow.”
L ecarrow is usually a popular port of call. PHOTOS:
ALISON ALDERTON
Marine Notice 67 of 2018 was issued by Waterways Ireland on July 16. Containing a cautionary warning that low water levels exist on the Shannon, it stated that the navigation between Albert Lock – Rooskey – Tarmonbarry – Athlone is below Ordinary Summer Level. Masters of vessels, particularly those with deep drafts, are advised to navigate with additional caution and to remain within the navigation at all times. The modern harbours of Lanesborough-Balleyleague and Port Runny provided alternative venues for those attending the IWAI’s 58th Shannon Boat Rally which, in keeping with the hot summer weather Ireland has been experiencing lately, chose the theme of Club Tropicana. Once resuming the original itinerary, other ports of call included the Lough Ree Sailing Club, Athlone, Shannonbridge and Hot Springs. The Shannon class lifeboat Joanna and Henry Williams, being lowered into the water at the All-weather L ifeboat Centre in Poole. PHOTO: RNLI/NATHAN WILLIAMS
It is the RNLI’s long-term aim to make sure the entire lifeboat fleet is capable of 25 knots. That means it will require at least 50 Shannon class lifeboats. To make this happen, the RNLI constructed a brand new All-weather Lifeboat Centre at its headquarters in Poole, Dorset. Six Shannons are made here every year and other lifeboats come in for repair and maintenance work.
C ost efficient
Daniel Sharp, RNLI manufacturing manager for the All-weather Lifeboat Centre, said: “It’s fantastic to have been involved in the Shannon class lifeboat since its conception, through its development phase, and now on to having 26 Shannons in the fleet. I’m looking forward to seeing the Shannon fleet completed.” The RNLI has worked hard to ensure the Shannon is cost efficient, without compromising on safety and quality. Savings have primarily been made due to the size and weight of the boat. Less material is used to build the Shannon and smaller, less costly engines are needed to power the lighter boat. Although each Shannon class
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Useful information
To find out more about the RNLI visit: www.rnli.org Keep up to date with the Lough Swilly RNLI at: https://www.facebook.com/Lough-SwillyRNLI-2 52395128302393/
lifeboat is expected to have an operational lifetime of 25 years, the life expectancy of the hull and wheelhouse is 50 years. So after 25 years of service, each Shannon lifeboat will undergo a total refit where the machinery, systems and equipment will be renewed or replaced and the hull and wheelhouse reused – creating a new Shannon class lifeboat ready to save lives at sea for a further 25 years.
Acknowledgements
M y grateful thanks go to the L ough Swilly RN L I and E mma G eary of RN L I Headq uarters, Poole for their help and use of photographic images within this article.
L ytham St Anne’s Shannon class using the newly designed launch and recovery system. PHOTO: RNLI/NIGEL MILLARD
● To find out more about the I WAI visit: www.iwai.ie
The Shannon Boat Rally at Athlone.
Irish president to attend World Canals Conference THE president of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, has confirmed he will address the World Canals Conference at Athone from September 10-12. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his commitment to and love of the inland waterways of Ireland, their history and culture. Keynote speakers at the event also include Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) director Mike Palmer, who has been a dedicated restoration volunteer at projects throughout England and Wales, including the Montgomery and Droitwich canals. He is currently chairman of Waterway Recovery Group, which he sees as the national co-ordinating body for voluntary labour on the inland waterways of Great Britain promoting best practice in volunteer restoration of canals. Mike has also been instrumental in the development of IWA’s Restoration Hub in which WRG plays a major part and has actively encouraged the restoration movement to adopt best practice in volunteer management, health and safety, canal restoration skills and techniques, and plant operation. He was awarded the MBE in 2016. Another keynote speaker will be manager of engineering and maintenance for the New York State Canal Corporation, Catherine T Sheridan. She has more than 28 years of experience in the transportation and maritime industries and is a licensed professional engineer. Every year, the World Canals Conference brings together hundreds of canal and waterway enthusiasts, professionals and academics from around the world who exchange ideas about canal management and development. http://wccireland2018.com
New Facebook group for Irish liveaboards IRISH liveaboards are being invited to join a new Facebook group and share their views and tips on life afloat. The aim is to create a positive community where both the joys and difficulties of life on the water can be discussed and the sustainable lifestyle promoted. Members of the group, called Liveaboards Ireland, believe there is a need for broader recognition of this type
of waterway user and those interested in joining it and it is their intention to campaign for such. They will also endeavour to seek further residential berths and communities on both the inland and coastal waters of Ireland. Membership of the group is currently open to people living aboard and to those with a wish to do so. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ liveaboardsireland/
Ireland’s waterscapes discussed at two major conferences By Alison Alderton
THE UK & Ireland Lakes Network (UKILN) recently held its annual conference in Northern Ireland with the general theme of ‘Connecting People and Lakes: Past and Present’. This focused on lakes as a health and well-being resource, the sublime and poetic features of wet landscapes, past and present cultural traditions associated with loughs and how and why people simply want to connect with water itself. UKILN is an association of people and organisations who have an interest in lake management through a whole catchment approach, achieved through the sharing of the experience and expertise. Bringing together different organisations, ranging from national regulators to local interest groups and specialist professionals, it covers a wide variety of lake issues from the environment to local community needs, leisure uses and legal requirements through to the more intangible values such as their cultural and spiritual qualities. The conference was held at Bellaghy, Co Derry, in the new Seamus Heaney Homeplace centre which opened in 2017. Named after the Nobel laureate and internationally renowned poet whose work often celebrated the Lough
Connecting with water for health and well-being. PHOTO: ALISON ALDERTON Beg landscape in which he was born and brought up, it was also considered of relevance and opportune to examine his writings about the connections of water to the cultural, historical and spiritual aspects of our lives. Meanwhile, in the Republic of Ireland, the town of Killaloe on Lough Derg hosted the 2018 National Landscape Forum organised by Landscape Alliance Ireland. With talks, field trips and workshops including a historical tour of Killaloe, boat trips and a visit to Mountshannon, to discuss Holy Island (Inis Cealtra), on the tentative list of World Heritage Sites, it explored water – a vital ingredient – in the context of an integrated landscape.
106 TOWPATH TREASURES
www.towpathtalk.co.uk Words: PHILLIPPA GREENWOOD Images: MARTINE O’CALLAGHAN
Starvationer Prototype for the narrowboat
A SKINNY little boat known as the starvationer played a remarkable role in the mid-1700s as it was destined to influence the emerging story of Britain’s canals. The starvationer is believed to be the prototype for the narrowboat and this tiny vessel helped shape the thoughts of the great canal engineer James Brindley when he first designed Britain’s canal and narrow lock systems. Francis Egerton, the Duke of Bridgewater, used starvationers in his mines at Worsley in the 1700s. The boats worked several miles underground, scurrying along a 46-mile labyrinth of man-made channels into the mine system. The starvationer was made of oak and elm to be sturdy, and had a point at both ends, which was practical for its purpose in a tight mine. Its name is attributed to its narrow bony appearance with exposed
rib shapes, and the dark task of this mine boat only adds to the lament in the name. In the mines, the starvationer would be loaded with coal and then moved through the levels on an ingenious inclined plane. The engineering audacity of the first Canal Mania was birthed in the Duke of Bridgewater’s mines. Like most grand engineering and entrepreneurial feats along the canals, it was ordinary men who laboured to bring success to fruition. In the Duke’s amazing mines, men spent dark days ‘walking’ starvationers through the tunnels by lying on their backs using their feet on the roof of the tunnel to move the unpowered boats. The coal was transferred to bigger boats which were then towed further along the cut. Boats as big as 70ft long by 7ft wide were built for the job, and these ‘box boats’ were most likely to have influenced Brindley when he came to construct
The arm leading to Worsley Delph.
the narrow locks that became the main feature all across the networks of Britain’s canals. The mines were profitable, but the Duke wanted to reach markets quicker and more economically than by clumsy tracks over land. So he asked James Brindley and John Gilbert to plan a route that could get his coal from the mine to Manchester by boat.
His pioneering business logic gave Britain its first completely man-made inland waterway, the Bridgewater Canal. It was an insane idea that turned out to be a roaring success. The canal was lock free as it followed the contours of the landscape. Brindley stunned sceptics, and even when he met the River Irwell, the worst obstacle in his route, he innovatively built Barton Aqueduct to enable his canal to carry on regardless.
Worsley Delph.
A starvationer on display at the National Waterways Museum.
TOWPATH TREASURES/ANGLING 107
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The Towpath Angler Our monthly look at the angling scene
Barton Swing Aqueduct which carries the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal. The starvationer was an instrument in the early movement that created a 2000mile network of canals in Britain. Today the National Waterways Museum has one of these important boats as an exhibit. In its robust glory, sitting in dry silence for museum visitors to admire, it somehow seems to
sum up the success of an entire canal system. But its message doesn’t cling on its own selfimportance, it rings with the core notion that no single boat, or bridge, or engineering marvel or entrepreneur with brave ideas could have made the canals work on their own – it was people of all skills and class that made canals work.
The Packet House at Worsley.
The National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port.
Ad apted ex tract from Britain’s Britain’ Canals, A National Treasure in 100 Must-See Objects by Phillippa G reenwood and M artine O ’ Callaghan – published by Coolcanals J uly 2 0 1 2 . www.coolcanals.com
FACT FILE National Waterways Museum One of the last remaining starvationers, a 30ft by 3½ft wooden boat, is on display at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port. Open daily. Cafe and gift shop. Admission charge. Wheelchair access to most areas. www.nwm.org.uk Waterways Museum Society The waterways enthusiasts who formed the Boat Museum Society (now known as the Waterways Museum Society) were responsible for the founding of the National Waterways Museum (then called the Boat Museum) to protect historic boats and a traditional way of life. www.boatmuseumsociety.org.uk Barton Swing Aqueduct The Barton Aqueduct was originally built to carry the Bridgewater Canal over the river Irwell, but was replaced in 1893 by the Barton Swing Aqueduct when the Manchester Ship Canal was built. Barton Swing Aqueduct is one of the wonders of the waterways, as it swings the canal effortlessly out of the way for the huge ships on the Manchester Ship Canal below. www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk
Location Ellesmere Port OS Grid ref: SJ405771 Canal: Shropshire Union Canal How to get there By train Nearest train station is Ellesmere Port National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 By bus Traveline 0871 200 2233 By car Free car park at the museum On foot The towpath continues right into the museum By boat Boat trips: The museum runs short boat trips along the Shropshire Union Canal in its own trip boat, Centaur. Timings vary. Nearest boat hire: Chas Hardern Boats, Tarporley. Holiday hire. T: 01829 732595 www.chashardern.co.uk Moorings: Visitor moorings are available within the museum complex Local tourist info Cheshire Tourist Info 0845 647 7868 www.visitchester.com
JULY saw the summer meeting of the Angling Advisory Group. Held in Stoke-on-Trent, there was a sizeable agenda with a visit to a Let’s Fish session on the local canal scheduled afterwards. It was good to welcome four new members who will, undoubtedly, bring different skillsets and experience to the table. Sadly we had to say cheerio to some members, not least my long-time friend John Castle. John’s contribution over the years has been immense. Of course the Canal & River Trust itself is undergoing a complete restructuring, which will mean that Fisheries and Angling will move to a new strand in the organisation. That said, it very much looks as though it could prove beneficial in a variety of ways. As part of the restructure the trust will operate six regions instead of the former waterway-based set-up. Each of the regions will have its own Partnership Advisory Group so it is important that these represent, as far as possible, all sectors and skillsets. Other items discussed included the ongoing saga of non-native species. Illegal stocking is one of the key reasons for the spread of these but detection and, consequently, enforcement are not easy. The group was also given an enthralling presentation by the Environment Agency on a future angling strategy. Not surprisingly it attracted considerable audience participation. There is absolutely no doubt that it will be an essential tool in the future development of our sport but, as I and others said, there must first be an assessment of the previous strategy looking at its strengths and weaknesses to ensure that the same mistakes are not made again.
Campaign update
There was also a comprehensive update on the Let’s Fish Campaign 2018 given by project co-ordinator Peter Henery. Peter has achieved a great deal in a relatively short space of time. Clearly the 2018 programme has plenty in it for everyone and will, I am sure, result in a big uptake. Alongside this Peter is organising the Junior Canal Championship which, as usual, will be fished on the same day as the Canal Pairs Final. Numbers are already well up on previous years and there is room for plenty more. Last month I again talked about the longtime proposed pilot scheme on the Kennet & Avon Canal to introduce a revised mooring policy which would facilitate a 5m gap between boats. The situation on the K&A is so bad that the angling clubs who all have long-term agreements with CRT are effectively unable to exercise their rights for which they pay very
David Kent
significant amounts. In addition there is a safety issue too in that a gap between moored boats would help to prevent the spread of fire. It is probably 10 years since this problem was first flagged and despite a plethora of working groups and written reports progress has been zero. A meeting has just taken place where the target was to find a solution for the K&A which might then be a blueprint for use elsewhere where there are similar problems.
Weather toll
Well we have had an unbelievable period of weather which, I guess, is all very nice if you can relax and enjoy it. Sadly though it has caused almost unprecedented problems in the farming industry with shortages of feedstuffs etc. The weather has also taken its toll on our fisheries, with loads of fish deaths across the country due mainly to low dissolved oxygen levels combined with increasing water temperatures. My local River Trent, for example, hit 25 degrees last week and is likely to do so again this weekend. The thunderstorms last week only made the situation worse. While they put down an inch or two of fresh water they are notorious for sucking out oxygen from the water. Thankfully I hear that our canals have generally stood up pretty well and locally there have been some impressive catches with bream seeming to dominate things. I always close with a comment about my own form which, while this has not been especially good, I do think I am making some better decisions in the matches I fish than was perhaps the case a month or two ago. July saw me notch up two wins, two seconds and two section wins. One basic decision was to keep things simple and avoid complications. I truly believe this is good advice whatever your style of fishing. I am sure the rewards do come. Tight lines.
Blast of a catch involves a bomb squad visit A RIVER Thames angler who cast his rod in the wake at Wallingford had a catch that he could really go home and boast about – while magnet fishing he hooked, not a fish of a record-breaking weight, but an unexploded Second World War grenade, writes Elizabeth Rogers. He called Thames Valley Police who sent for a specialist Explosive Ordnance
Disposal (EOD) team. They removed the grenade from the river bank to a safe site in the centre of a field where they could carry out the blast. A cordon had been set up to protect the interested onlookers, but it was stressed that there was no danger to the wider public at any time. The cordon was lifted after a few hours.
L et’ s F ish fi nal events
F ishing for tools
THE Let’s Fish campaign ends in September with the last of more than 100 free events which have taken place over the summer. Organised by the Canal & River Trust, this is an accessible way to enjoy the waterways in which the whole family can be involved. Tackle, bait, rod licence, fishing permit and expert coaching are all provided. Venues include: September 9 Three locks, Leighton Road, Stoke Hammond, Milton Keynes MK17 9DD, 10am-4pm (also October 7); Overwater Marina, Coole Lane, Nantwich CW5 8AY, 10am-4.30pm. September 22 Lancaster Park Industrial Estate, Burton-on-Trent DE13 9PD, 10am-4pm. For booking details, visit www. canalrivertrust.org.uk and click on enjoy the waterways/fishing/lets-fish
AN ANGLING group is crowdfunding for equipment to help members in their mission to improve the environment, writes Geoff Wood. Bury-based Little Britain Anglers are in need of tools to assist in their work to clean up the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, the River Irwell and the surrounding area. The volunteer-led group hopes to raise around £1000 via a new Just-Giving page that has been set up. Chairman Eric Owen said: “We are raising money for more tools such as spades, brushes and hedge cutters. These will help us to carry out more work across Bury and Radcliffe, including cleaning up overgrown areas and removing litter from the rivers, and allow us to do these jobs more efficiently to protect wildlife, birds and plantlife.”
108 WET WEB
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The Wet Web Helen Gazeley looks at some security solutions for boaters before the nights start to draw in. IN JULY, Skipton Magistrates’ Court heard how a young man broke into Hum Drum, a holidaymakers’ narrowboat at Skipton last October, using bolt cutters to cut a padlock. He was caught when a police officer saw him acting suspiciously and found his bag, complete with bolt croppers and items from the narrowboat. Of course, narrowboaters are used to attention from passers-by and reports like these make it seem that they’re particularly vulnerable. However, Jenny Burnley of Silsden Boats, which owns Hum Drum, said: “We were surprised when it happened. We’ve had the company 23 years, and this is the first one that’s been broken into. We’re very lucky here on the Leeds to Liverpool. Rochdale and stuff can be a little bit rougher, but most of our boaters generally travel between Leeds and Foulridge as that’s a week’s cruise, and it’s not a big issue on this canal.” However, that doesn’t mean that a few precautions don’t go amiss to reduce the chance of drawing interest from the wrong type of person, especially as the autumn nights draw in. The Fit Out Pontoon offers a list of ideas to consider (https://www. thefitoutpontoon.co.uk/safety-security/security-onboard), including low-consumption LED lighting and lighting that emulates a TV screen, and high-security cylinder padlocks such as sold to van users, to deter thieves. Dan Brown, who vlogs as The Narrowboat Lad, has other ideas on padlocks, though, with his policy of deterring thieves by making his presence on board as unclear as possible. As he points out, a padlock on the door makes it clear that no one’s in, so he’s fitted a Yale lock. Watch the video (https://youtu. be/Qb0xsXQPVlg) for what he describes as “tiny things that you pick up as you go along” for the useful tips he employs. From Boatlife, the blog of Les and Jaqui Biggs on nb Valerie, Jaqui mentions how she’s kept some of his clothing to help deter ‘toe-rag harassment’ (boatlife.blogspot.com/2017/02/ the-new-normal.html); Les sadly died in January 2017. “Les told me to keep a pair of his boots out on the bow when I moored up. When I hang washing out to dry in the summer I will also hang a few of his clothes as well. The trick is not to act like a woman living on her own.” You can also keep up to date with local crime concerns by checking the availability of Neighbourhood Alert in the area
Insight-Security.com, with 20 years in the security business, prides itself on selling good quality security solutions. Their Fake TV Simulator is currently on special offer at £10 plus VAT. PHOTO: INSIGHT SECURITY – a community messaging system that connects police forces, local authorities and Neighbourhood Watch. Developed in Nottingham in 2003, it's now used by more than 30 police, fire and rescue, local authority, utility and national organisations to notify members of crime and suspicious activities, as well as ask for help and information. Police forces include Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire; a full list with appropriate links can be found on the website (https://www.neighbourhoodalert. co.uk/AboutUs). With an eye to the possibility of losing valuable property, it’s worth looking at Immobilise.com, the UK National Property Register. With getting on for 35 million items of property registered on the site, it gives police the chance to reunite owners with stolen property, while alerting the stolen goods database CheckMEND (www.checkmend.com/uk), which allows second-hand dealers to check the provenance of electronic devices and is recommended by eBay for buyers and sellers of mobile phones (pages.ebay.co.uk/buy/guides/ mobile-phone-advice). It will also provide certificates of ownership for police reports and insurance claims. Immobilise is directly linked to the National Mobile Property Register (thenmpr.com), used by the police to search serial numbers of suspected stolen property. Finally, in the unhappy event that you do lose something, Report My Loss (www.reportmyloss.com/uk) is a website where you can submit details of lost property; in some areas like Manchester, where it’s subsidised by the local police force, it’s free of charge. The database is available to police and lost property offices nationally and, again, information is placed on the NMPR.
Do you have a favourite blog or website? Email Helen at helengazeley@aol.com
TALKBACK Risky tunnel transits could threaten free access OUR unrestricted passage through our canal tunnels could be under threat. Recently a wide boat was proved photographically to have passed through Blisworth Tunnel on a Sunday evening without booking any passage or having any sanction for doing so. There was risk of a serious accident happening if another boat had been encountered. It is suspected that this same boat, and others, had made similar risky transits, though no proof is available. The passage of wide boats through the tunnels is a considerable cost to the Canal & River Trust in providing supervision to prevent dangerous incidents. Just last weekend a group of nine canoes made unauthorised passage through Blisworth and Braunston
tunnels, without any authorisation, and using just head torches as illumination. Given the restricted view low down ahead that anyone steering from the back of a narrowboat would have, the steerer could easily have run down these foolish people, and with no chance of summoning help in such an emergency. Had a serious accident occurred, as so easily could have happened, can you imagine the implications? Under present health and safety regimes, I would bet that the result would be free access to ALL tunnels being stopped for ALL boats. There are serious safety concerns with both these incidents, and any other similar ones that occur. David Daines By email
Damage to Crooklands old bridge I AM sure readers will be as concerned as I am about the damage caused by heavy traffic to the grade II listed Crooklands Bridge 166 on the Lancaster Canal, near Kendal. I have been reporting the damage to this lovely old bridge for some years, and note that recent damage has displaced the second course and moved the parapet top stones so much that they are now at risk of being pushed beyond the point of balance, which could result in the heavy parapet stones dropping into the canal or on to the canal towpath, risking injury to walkers. This bridge, on a country road, was designed for horse and cart, and is clearly unable to cope with the heavy vehicles which use it to get to the weighbridge on the nearby industrial
site. There is talk of extending this site by a further 19 acres, which will only bring more heavy vehicles over a listed bridge which actually needs traffic to be diverted away from it. A junction with the A590 is surely a more sensible answer. This would enable the Canal & River Trust, which must be frustrated by the need to make constant repairs to this listed bridge, to effect a more permanent repair, thus ensuring that towpath walkers are not severely injured or killed. I am very much hoping that Cumbria County Council and CRT can agree that the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous, and will be able to work together to remedy the situation. Frank Sanderson Crooklands, Kendal
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N avigation or well- b eing? S ome q uestions for C R T
Veronica Potter shares the following letter sent to the Canal & River Trust after her decision to cancel her ‘Friends’ contribution and subsequent six-week cruise.
John Catterson shares the following letter sent to Jon Horsfall, head of customer service support at the Canal & River Trust, relating to a letter which appeared in Talkback, Issue 122, December 2015. IN MY letter I pointed out the risks of the policies to the navigations in CRT care. The letter had the headline ‘Short term gain for long term pain?’ and its main point was the reduced care of the towpath and the planting of wild flowers (weeds) in the canals. On that occasion I pointed out four or five places that were already suffering as a result of your (the trust’s) actions, you replied that you would look at them and take remedial action and put them in order. It seems you forgot. I’ve visited the canals I highlighted and the spots on them with problems. There’s only one that I believe CRT has done anything to (south of Hopwas) and your actions were inadequate and the problem and the reeds are growing. Now the narrowing of the canals is growing exponentially and CRT don’t seem to think it is a problem. Joke in the pub at the moment, if the widths of the canals keep reducing will our licence follow suit. That’s the navigations dealt with for the moment. Well-being is a different thing altogether. Looking at social media in the past week boaters and walkers alike are finding it harder to walk in a number of places because of the encumbrances caused by weeds, brambles and nettles not to mention the ticks that fall from them. Two on Facebook today mentioned Barby and Napton (the Napton one showed a mastiff almost disappeared while only a metre in front). I don’t know what the statistics for
walkers and anglers are but I can’t see them being on the up. How do CRT expect to attract more people when neglecting the basics in the name of environmental diversity, beats me. Here I ask five questions all answerable with a yes or a no. That is all I ask for: 1. Have you stopped planting weeds and aquatic plants (the phrase I believe CRT use is bio diversification) in the navigations? 2. Do you intend to return the canals to the width they were when CRT inherited them? 3. Will you take steps to remove the submerged plants that are now clogging up the canals and other navigations? 4. In order to attract more people to the towpath could you return them to a pleasant place to walk clearing the brambles, nettles and weeds? 5. Will you seek out people who know what navigations and canals are there to serve as trustees, or will you lapse into the tradition of being a self-perpetuating oligarchy and seek only people with your beliefs for recommendation? These questions are aimed not only at the management but also the board of trustees of CRT. John Catterson Nb The Cat
Y ou can help prevent drownings in qua rries, reservoirs and other open water WITH the continuing, unusually warm weather, I am writing to request your readers’ help in saving young people’s lives. Over the last few weeks there have been a number of tragic drownings in quarry lakes, reservoirs, canals and other, similar man-made bodies of open water. All too often, these tragedies occur when people are engaged in what they perceive as harmless fun, either cooling off in the water or playing near the water’s edge. Man-made water bodies like quarry lakes and reservoirs can be extremely deep, have sudden changes in water depth, be difficult to exit and conceal a range of hazards such as pumps, entangling weeds, rocks and old machinery. Quarry faces and edges can be unstable and suddenly give way, resulting in falls into water and also making it more difficult to get oneself back on to dry land. The water in quarry lakes and reservoirs can also be extremely cold, even after a long hot spell. At 15C and below, the body can experience cold water shock when immersed in water, which results in a sudden, involuntary inhalation of water into the lungs, which can be deadly. The cold water can also cause even strong swimmers to tire
ervations of a former ‘ friend’
quickly, become breathless and potentially disorientated. Statistics show that nearly half the accidental drownings occur following an unexpected fall into water; cold water shock is a significant factor in many of these deaths. The RNLI is recommending that someone plunged into water initially floats on their back, allowing their body to acclimatise to the cold water and providing time to calm down before attempting to exit the water. The Mineral Products Association (MPA) is supporting the water safety campaigns being run by the RNLI and other organisations such as the RLSS and the Fire and Rescue Services’ ‘Be Water Aware’ campaign. Collectively, we do not want to discourage members of the public from enjoying the water but would like people to be aware of the risks and choose to swim in areas that are safe. To find out more, view the MPA campaign Facebook page Stay Safe Stay out of Quarries or the RNLI website www.respectthewater.com and ‘share’ this with others. Please also remember that warning signs and fences are there to help protect you and your family. Elizabeth Clements Mineral Products Association www.mineralproducts.org
WE WENT north up the Shroppie to Ellesmere Port, then along the Llangollen to Trevor, retracing our route until turning eastwards along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire, north up the Trent & Mersey to Stoke and finally along the Caldon. At various places I had cause to recall the current issues affecting the changes and CRT and the impact on boaters. Now I would like to bullet point my thoughts. • You justified the changes by saying CRT needed to ‘reach a wider network of people, not just boaters’. This would be the basis for hoping for further Government funding in future years. • You assured me the cost of rebranding would be minimal and, in a statement from Richard Parry, we were all told rebranding would be rolled out gradually as and when needed. • Cruising up the Shroppie we thought that your current thinking is only reaching those already using the towpaths and areas close the canals. New signs are only seen by those already on the towpaths. Would you not reach a far greater and more diverse clientele if you enhanced the aqueducts over our roads – notably the A5, but many minor roads as well. This has been beautifully done at Nantwich. Many drivers/cyclists/ tourists could be made aware of the CRT and its benefits if the aqueducts were repainted and prominent signs were above the roadways. • Arriving at Audlem, we noticed all the signs had been replaced with the new, appallingly unimaginative, logo thus discrediting the message from Richard Parry. Not all, if any, of the signs here needed replacing. Not only were the signs new but there was an over-abundance of them. • On trying to empty our rubbish at Audlem we were absolutely disgusted
at the state of the rubbish area. Note also the reference to monitoring of the area, the prominence of a new sign and, perhaps worst of all, and pointed out to me by another boater, the proximity of this disgusting tip to a sign advertising the fact that immediately next door is a pub serving food! This alone made me certain my financial contributions were not being put to good use. • New signage continued to be seen as we made our way on our trip. We stopped at Chester both going and returning and, bearing in mind this trip was made just a few weeks after the rebranding, we noticed a further waste of precious funds. The canalside paved area close to the pub had the new logo painted on the surface but already it was almost completely worn away! This had lasted, perhaps, just a couple of weeks. In terms of waste – resources of paint and time spent just make whoever is behind your current ‘big spend’ seem totally incompetent. • At Hurleston locks we found the Elsan disposal out of use. On our return, we found it had not been fixed. Much worse still, when talking to a local, we discovered it will never be replaced and much money had been wasted refurbishing the service area when it had been known for a long time that the sewers (or similar) had already been declared unsuitable. Why not put an honest sign on the service area stating the fact that the area is permanently closed? Meanwhile a lack of facilities for Elsan/rubbish disposal must cause a health hazard. • We talked to many of your paid staff and also many volunteers on this trip. All were disillusioned; not one had a positive word to say about the current state of affairs; all voiced concern about the future; many bemoaned the waste of money being spent, not only on new signs, but on new clothing before existing clothes were any degree of worn out. Many references were made to the money being spent and at the same time
The disgusting state of the rubbish area at Audlem. PHOTOS SUPPLIED
CRT asking for funds to repair the Middlewich Breach. It was suggested that CRT collect the old clothes, now being replaced to plug any holes in the system. CRT is becoming a laughing stock. • Boaters like ourselves were voicing the views that boaters are the people who put a great deal of money into the waterways but most of the benefits appear to be for cyclists, many of whom are a menace and consider the towpaths to be made solely for them, or for walkers (dog-walkers, hikers, etc.) or for anglers. • The only achievement this rebranding exercise has made is to alienate boaters, volunteers, other users of the waterways and the general public who see CRT appearing to waste money while asking for donations. When CRT can assure me that my funds, which as I am a pensioner are very limited, will be of benefit to boaters, for whom the canals were originally made, I may possibly consider helping to fund your cause. When I can once again see an honest approach to future changes, and not a ‘new signs rolled out when necessary’ farcical statement I might think again. When I see staff no longer concerned for their futures and volunteers not telling me they feel ‘like unpaid staff’ and that they have to attend this course and that course before they can carry out simple volunteer activities (more money wasted) I could reconsider – but no doubt you will have increased my boat licence/mooring fees etc. to enhance yet more Cycle Race Track or Canal Rubbish Tips and my boating days will be doomed... Veronica Potter By emai
A sign advertising the fact that immediately next door is a pub serving food!
W ildlife be nefit from br each
WITH regard to the letter from Richard Heasman (Talkback, Issue 153, July) I totally agree with the points he made apart from one. Please no increase in grass cutting. Our butterflies and bees need more wild areas not less. Perhaps we could all go back to carrying a pair of garden shears for when we moor in lovely uncut stretches of wildflower margins? The Middlewich canal was a riot of wildflowers this spring due to not being cut. Maybe that was the only small advantage to the closure but for those of us who wandered down
The new logo is already almost completely worn away.
the empty open stretch it was a joy to behold.
Annoying inconvenience
Hoorah to Towpath Talk for publishing the letter from David Scowcroft (Talkback, Issue 153, July). He eloquently described the feelings of the vast majority of the beleaguered boating community. We are an annoying inconvenience to CRT (often referred to as the cyclists and ramblers trust). The muddy stretch of water running through the country would be far more usable if it were left to
anglers, canoeists, cyclists and paddle boarders, thus avoiding the need for lock maintenance and dredging. Despite the fact that, according to the annual report, there are more than 34,000 boats on the system we seem to be at the bottom of the list when it comes to our needs. Mr Parry, you need to start listening to what is fast becoming the silent minority and spend your limited resources on the resource that is under your nose. Sue Marriott Nb Spirit of the Wind
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CRACKER’S CHAT
Ramblings of a narrowboat horse on the Montgomery Canal “Two days of festivals but a month of adventures!” DURING our recent travels on the isolated section of the Monty between Arddleen and Refail (pronounced locally as Reval), we encountered a veritable cornucopia of life, both human and non! As well as attending the Welshpool Transport Festival, we extended our stay to include the Country Music Festival, which attracted a huge crowd of country and mainly western enthusiasts. It reminded me of when Julie Andrews sang in the mountains of all the poorly cattle (The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Moo Sick!) Our intention, in conjunction with the Heulwen Trust boats, was to provide a ‘water taxi’ service from and to the show site in Powys Castle grounds and Welshpool town centre. However, and in fairness we were warned about this, one of the main showcase events was a re-enactment of one of the American Civil War battles.
This involved the letting off of every calibre of firearm in existence at the time. Side arms, rifles, Gatling guns, cannons et al! They were only firing blanks, but how was I to know that and they were VERY LOUD! Now, as my regular readers know, I’m not a horse of sensitive disposition, but when I heard the opening salvoes of the Battle of Gettysburg, I thought: “I’m Gettying outta here!” Luckily my team were, as usual, on the ball and, swiftly running towards my head, they soothed and calmed me down. This extravaganza was due to take place at 10.30am and it was now well past High Noon, so it should have all been over by the time I appeared. I just thought ‘typical Yanks – late as usual’ i.e., years 1917 and 1941! Anyway, we swiftly rejigged our schedule and departed to the quieter reaches of this wonderful canal. Thank goodness this event only happens once a year, as I
A wonderful conglomeration of boats, people, birds and me in Welshpool.
don’t think I could tolerate so many overstretched denim jeans and gingham dresses more often! (I blame the burgers and beans).
have been cancelled, and yet the restoration towards Crickheath continues apace? What’s the point of renovating yet another closed section which boats can’t reach? Answers on a postcard to the usual address please.
Locks and leaks
Community trips
However, we mustn’t let a few minority incidents outweigh an overwhelmingly joyous and soon-to-be-repeated experience. We’ve been invited to attend the Berriew Show (a much more sedate and gentle affair) at the end of August, so watch this space. The only thing stopping us (apart from the transportation costs) are the stoppages due to lock gate replacements in Welshpool and at Belan Locks. Why? And I am allowed to ask this question because I’m just an inquisitive horse rather than a kowtowing hooman – why are we renewing lock gates on a rarely used, closed section of canal when there are other, frequently used ones, sorely in need of urgent restoration, e.g. Aston Locks near Queenshead? Also, because I haven’t mentioned this particular ‘elephant in the room’ for a while, why have the intended repairs to the leaking Redwith to Pryces Bridge section been postponed yet again? The restoration of this quartermile length, between bridges 83 and 84, was officially opened (twice) in 2014, was found to be leaking shortly afterwards and has been closed to boat traffic ever since! Expensive estimates for repair have been submitted by ‘expert’ engineers, but nothing ever gets done. Both WRG working parties, scheduled this year
On our return to Maesbury, we were reminded of why we initially adopted this quiet stretch of cut as our stamping ground. Moored alongside Canal Central tea-rooms, Iain and Fiona welcomed us back like long-lost friends; my paddock was lush with grass, despite the long dry summer, because I’m the only one that eats it! We recommenced our rewarding community trips, one of which was to take out a group of young carers who don’t get a lot of time off or ‘chill time’. A relaxing horse-drawn canal trip with me was followed by a barbecue. Thanks to our local Rotary Club for organising this worthwhile event. Several of the youngsters commented how relaxing and enjoyable it was and a couple expressed an interest in getting involved with helping out. This would be very much a two-way street, as not only are we in need of younger team members, but these young people are in need of stress-free activity to counteract their day-to-day issues. We know that joining our team will enhance their ‘well-being’ and hopefully provide a more balanced lifestyle. On this note, we would welcome anyone (preferably younger and fitter than we are) to join our team. Whether it’s assisting with the boat or working with yours truly, we need people with a ‘can do’ attitude, who
Away from the hustle and bustle, a more tranq uil section of the M onty.
I f you would like to
comment on any of Cracker’s remarks, please get in touch via email at hello@ bywatercruises. co.uk or on Twitter @ bywater_ holiday or follow him on F acebook under BoatHorseCracker.
TOWPATH TITTER A ‘ selfie’ with one of the more q uiet cowboys, J ohn F oulkes, my best mate! PHOTOS SUPPLIED
live locally or have their own transport. If you’re interested, or know someone who might be, please get in touch – contact details above Towpath Titter. Until next time, may your bucket be full of carrots.
Love Cracker
Funding gap, Canal & River Trust friends and thrift Mark Tizard, co vice-chairman of the National Association of Boat Owners (NABO), comments on some more topical issues. THE Environment Agency has recently launched a consultation regarding proposed licence increases for the next two years. After the Canal & River Trust they are the next largest navigation authority, each year issuing around 29,000 licences, of which only around 10,000 are for powered craft. No doubt they are aware of CRT’s recent licence increase of 5% (more for widebeams) due to the removal of discounts for the majority. To help fill a large funding gap the EA proposes substantial year-onyear percentage increases of 5.7% Thames, 7.5% Anglian and 10% Medway and for those that buy a gold licence 7.7%. This will be around £100 a year increase for a 60ft canal boat. This increase is estimated to bring
in an additional £1 million over the two years. There is a need for greater transparency from the EA as to how they arrive at this large funding gap. Is it because they face an increasing maintenance backlog or is this a reflection of reduced Government funding? Probably both. With such shortfalls in funding surely CRT should drop aspirations to take over EA navigations and focus all its attention on convincing Government of the benefits of continuing to fund its waterways. Talking about a shortfall of funds, I notice from the accounts that CRT’s friends continue to be bought at quite a price. To date every friend has cost £743 to recruit, generating a loss per
friend of £228 (I believe this figure includes costs and income received from one-off donations and legacies). Last year CRT recruited an additional 3500 friends at a cost of £3.9 million which is £1114 per friend or a net loss of £143 per friend after donations. The loss each year since the scheme started is now coming down but still stands at £5.5 million. No doubt the friends form an important part of CRT’s PR drive for ‘well-being’ but these are substantial costs when added together with the costs involved in recruiting and training volunteers whose numbers, hours and satisfaction ratings continue to grow.
Lock leakage
Much will no doubt be written about the current hot summer and its effect on the water levels. Having a deep drafted boat we made a conscious decision to return to our Midlands marina for August rather than head north as originally planned. We will
Continuing our light-hearted look at life on the cut with two pictures snapped by Les Heath on his travels.
head out again in September should levels improve. CRT is to be congratulated for proactively managing water supply, giving boaters as much notice as possible. As more overnight closures come in spare a thought for those hirers whose cruising has been curtailed and hire businesses that are close to the affected routes. We are often reading about water companies and whether they are doing enough to control leakage. Perhaps now is the time for a greater focus by CRT on lock leakage and a real push to ensure new boaters (hirers or purchasers) are reminded of the importance of sharing locks, closing paddles and gates. Following on from my suggestion last month regarding turning empty long-term moorings into visitor moorings I’m pleased to report a prompt response and dialogue from the local customer operations manager for the West Midlands, Ian Darby, to look into the two examples I gave.
F ine G eorge’s Bridge on the Trent & M ersey Canal now looks far from ‘ fine’.
High but not q uite dry. A strange sight on the Ox ford Canal. If you have a suitable photo or anecdote we can share with our readers, please send it to Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR or email: editorial@ towpathtalk.co.uk And don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter @ towpathtalk and on F acebook
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