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Issue 95, September 2013

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Check out the newly launched Towpath Trader website today.

CONCERN OVER LOSS OF VISITOR MOORINGS

P6

The smart place to buy & sell boats. www.towpathtrader.com

TRIP BOAT COMES TO CROMFORD CANAL P8

Celebrations were held in Henley recently to mark the 40th birthday of hotelboat Tranquil Rose pictured here in Shiplake Lock on the River Thames. Full story on P5.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

BOAT REVIEW:

Planning to free up ‘moor’ spaces on the River Thames

Phil Pickin tries Kate Boats’ new arrival P103

MOORING at busy spots on the River Thames could soon be easier under a new scheme to encourage boaters not to overstay at Environment Agency moorings.

The agency has teamed up with car park management company District Enforcement for a six-month trial aimed at ensuring as many people as possible are able to benefit from free 24hour moorings on the river.

Nick McKie-Smith, enforcement manager at the agency, said: “Misuse of

GLOUCESTER DOCKS –

WHERE OLD MEETS NEW P106

Ed Helps gets on his bike ABC Leisure Group MD Ed Helps is getting on his bike again to take part in the Canal & River Trust’s Great British Bike Off sponsored ride from London to Manchester. He will be covering his own expenses so every penny given will go to CRT. Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/Edward-Helps or send cheques made payable to ‘CRT Great British Bike Off’ at Worcester Marina, Lowesmoor Wharf, Worcester WR1 2RS.

450 BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

moorings is widespread along the River Thames and our customers tell us this is one of the biggest problems for them.

By enforcing mooring rules we hope to increase access to our free 24-hour moorings, making more moorings available for more customers.”

The pilot scheme started at the beginning of August on East Street in Oxford, and anyone found over staying their mooring period will be subject to a £100 charge.

District Enforcement will apply the

P15

Stourport Marina Tel 01299 827 082 Stourport on Severn

Tel 01753 851 717

River Thames, Windsor

Thames & Kennet Marina

Walton Marina

Tel 01932 221 689

THE new Bedford community boat and local businesses have teamed up to encourage people to visit the town centre. Bedford Business Improvement District (BedfordBID) has been encouraging its 575 town centre levy-paying businesses to get ‘on board’ with the tourist potential of the John Bunyan boat.

Since being launched this summer, the community boat has already brought more than 1000 visitors into the town centre to take cruises or charter trips up and down the River Great Ouse.

Boat sales at seven Marinas with over 150 boats for sale

Visit:

www.tingdene.net

Upton Marina

Tel 01684 593 111 Upton upon Severn

Walton on Thames

Brundall Bay Marina

Tel 01189 477 770

River Thames, Caversham

Tel 01603 717 804

Pyrford Marina

Tel 01932 343 275 River Wey, Surrey

Norfolk Broads

will enable us to better regulate our moorings and enable our enforcement officers to spend more time dealing with other priorities such as boat registration and speed and wash offences.”

The Environment Agency has been working closely with the River Thames Alliance Moorings Group – of which it is a member – to develop this trial and will share the results at the end of it.

Pilots also started in Weybridge and Walton upon Thames from August 15.

All aboard for tourist trips Green team lends a hand

More locations, more choice Racecourse Marina, Windsor

model used to successfully enforce car parking fees to EA moorings. The principles are the same as the civil legislation used in private car parks relating to contract law.

Mr McKie-Smith continued: “We believe a modern and faster enforcement solution is achievable. The trial may lead to a river-wide approach that can be adopted by all landowners with moorings on the River Thames to tackle illegal mooring.

“We are confident that this approach

VOLUNTEERS stepped in to help keep the Dudley canals graffiti free after vandals hit a local nature spot. Green Team Dudley, which has a longstanding partnership with the Dudley Canals Trust, offered its support when vandals scrawled ‘Who Cares’ across a local landmark. The group, all adults with learning disabilities, cleaned and repainted the sculpture celebrating a world renowned anchor and chain maker, N Hingley & Son Ltd, which was based in Dudley for 150 years.

2 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WELCOME

ON ONE of the hottest days of the summer so far, I could feel the sun on my back as I listened to Inland Waterways Association national chairman Les Etheridge talk about the Government announcement that a transfer of the Environment Agency navigations to the Canal & River Trust will not now take place in 2015/16 as proposed.

He also used the platform of the opening ceremony of The Waterways Festival at Watford (see our report on P4) to draw attention to the IWA’s lobbying in a bid to safeguard the network and restoration schemes threatened by the HS2 rail proposals.

Those ‘mad dogs and Englishmen’ who braved the midday sun to listen while families in the neighbouring park were enjoying the paddling pool and their ice creams were, perhaps understandably, in the minority as visitors were noticeably thin on the ground.

Saturday saw more people although as soon as a Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight had given a flypast while en route to an air show at Fairford, everyone quickly dispersed leaving traders to voice their disquiet at the exhibitors’ bash in the evening.

Discussions have already started about the format of next year’s festival at Stratford-upon-Avon. One thing’s for sure, it will have to be very different and we look forward to hearing what direction it will take in due course.

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TALK

Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Julie Brown Display advertising Richard Sinclair rsinclair@mortons.co.uk Nikita Leak nleak@mortons.co.uk Classified advertising Stuart Yule syule@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Barton Divisional ad manager Tracey Glover-Brown Direct sales executive John Sharratt Group production editor Tim Hartley Production manager Craig Lamb Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Managing director Brian Hill Contact us General queries 01507 529529 help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & 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 Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – September 26, 2013

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529529

Meeting receives first year report

By Harry Arnold

The four main speakers at the CRT Annual Meeting, from left: Richard Parry, Tony Hales, Jane Cotton and Vince Moran. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Janet Charity status opens the door to new funding sources

TOWPATH

See page 11 or call 01507

By Bob Clarke

TOWPATH Talk has been told that the Canal & River Trust (and formerly British Waterways) has directly received over £40 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund since 1999.

The details were revealed after we asked what extra grant aid sources would be available now the trust was up and running.

CRT’s Head of National Programmes, Tony Harvey, said: “The exciting opportunity for us now that we are a charity is that we can also look at the many trusts and foundations that are aimed at supporting UK charitable causes.”

And trustee John Dodwell explained: “We have the same abilities to apply to the Heritage Lottery Fund as we formerly had before the Canal & River Trust existed,” and gave the example of the Droitwich Canal, the application for which was the responsibility of BW working in concert with the Droitwich Canal Trust and committed local partners.

He added: “The key difference now is that the trust is able to apply to 10,000 grant-making trusts and foundations in the UK that exist to support charitable causes and distribute £2 billion annually. We could not have done that as British Waterways.”

AROUND 100 people attended the first Annual Meeting of the Canal & River Trust, held in the somewhat idyllic surroundings (especially considering the hot weather) of the National Waterways Museum at Ellemere Port on July 9.

Chairman Tony Hales led the four key speakers in summaries of the CRT’s first year. Operations director Vince Moran spoke about engineering and finance and CRT trustee Jane Cotton about aspects such as volunteering and wildlife.

New chief executive Richard Parry – thrown in at the deep end on only his second day in charge – wisely simply introduced himself and said he was there to learn and listen to the ideas and opinions of others, both from the CRT and the audience.

A panel of five other speakers prominent in the waterway scene outlined their ideas for the future and there were question sessions addressed to these and the main speakers. A number of delegates prominent in the boat industry expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed increases in fees in the recently launched trade licence consultation, to which no clear answers were given.

The afternoon session divided the delegates into workshops to discuss maintenance, restoration, volunteering, wildlife, arts and local partnerships, with a chance to see exhibits by CRT staff illustrating aspects of their work.

CRT’s first Report & Accounts – covering the first year since it took over from British Waterways – was published and presented to the meeting on the day. To download a copy visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/accounts2013

Got a canal or waterway restoration project in need of some help?

WOULD your canal or waterway restoration project benefit from a Canal Camp in 2014? If so the Inland Waterways Association’s Waterway Recovery Group would like to hear from you.

The first stage of the process invites canal societies, trusts and waterways groups to express their interest in hosting a Canal Camp. The WRG appreciates that many of the details depend on funding and other variables, so understands if a definite proposal cannot be made.

The WRG would also be pleased to discuss possibilities; please contact Jenny Black at 01494 783453 ext 604 or email enquiries@wrg.org.uk as soon as possible so that a site visit can be arranged.

AlpAcAs helpto commemorAte mill heritAge THE owner of one of Yorkshire’s top rural visitor attractions donned Victorian attire and began a walk with a trio of alpacas in tow to commemorate the county’s mill heritage.

Jamie Roberts set out from Saltaire on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in West Yorkshire to return home to Kilnsey Park in the Yorkshire Dales as part of the park’s 35th anniversary celebrations.

The walk also honoured an important anniversary in the history of Salts Mill, one of Yorkshire’s and the world’s greatest industrial powerhouses in Victorian times and now a cultural centre and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It was 120 years ago when Jamie’s great great grandfather Sir James Roberts took over Salts Mill from the family of the founder, Sir Titus Salt, and saved it from bankruptcy.

As the mill’s fortunes – and those of his family – were largely built on spinning alpaca wool, Jamie decided it was a fitting tribute to start the walk with the camelid trio before they take up residence at Kilnsey Park.

Jamie said: “The success of the mill enabled my ancestors to purchase the Kilnsey Estate in 1911 and it has remained in our family ever since.

“In 1978 we opened a trout farm and trekking centre and since then the estate has gone from strength to strength not only as a visitor attraction but also as a centre for conservation and as one of the most sustainable businesses in the UK.” ● More information can be found at

www.kilnseypark.co.uk

Jamie Roberts sets out from Saltaire with a trio of alpacas. PHOTO SUPPLIED

In order to arrange site visits for any potential sites, the WRG needs final submissions for Canal Camps by September 18.

To help the WRG get a better picture of the proposed work please include (if possible): a description of the work; any plans, details of permissions and funding; any photos of the site.

The WRG runs over 20 week-long residential working holidays called Canal Camps on the derelict canals and waterways of England and Wales. ● For more information visit

the WRG pages at https:// www.waterways.org.uk

NEWS 3

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Fears for former toll house – council issues stop notice

This picture of the former toll house was taken in May when the latest planning application was submitted. PHOTOS: RAY GILL

New roof construction work was evident when this picture was taken in July.

By Janet Richardson

A FORMER toll house on the Grand Union Canal could be at risk despite being listed by the local council, it is feared.

The sale by the Canal & River Trust of the building at Bulls Bridge, on the junction with the Paddington Arm, included a condition that it would be refurbished. The house, which was in a poor condition, was bought by a haulage contractor who intends to convert it into offices for his business.

But according to Ray Gill of the Inland Waterways Association’s Middlesex branch, although a planning application by the new owners is currently undecided, work has recently been carried out including the demolition of a chimney stack and the erection of a new steep-sided timber framework.

The application by Mr Sunjive Corpaul of Slough is for the proposed refurbishment of the Toll House and erection of one unit, concrete

Lapal supporters keep up their campaign despite plans setback

By Bob Clarke

THE future of the Selly Oak, Birmingham, end of the Dudley No 2 Canal – currently in-filled – has again been thrown into doubt with developers being accused of reneging on an earlier agreement.

This was to restore the canal through a public park and a multi-million pound development site and restore the canal’s original 200-year-old junction with the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

The development is led by Sainsbury’s who intend to build a superstore on the site which will also include a retail shopping area, offices, student accommodation and a major sciences park designed for medical research companies associated with the huge Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

But the revamped plans enraged many of the local city councillors when they discovered that the plans did not include the restoration of the canal from Selly Oak Park through the site to meet the Worcester Birmingham Canal and despite an earlier promise to pay £6 million towards the cost of road improvements – completed six years ago – had in fact paid nothing.

The omission of the canal from the latest plans has also infuriated local residents, the Inland Waterways Association and the Lapal Canal Trust. The Canal and River Trust has also lodged objections and boaters recently formed a protest rally.

The Dudley No. 2 Canal is more popularly known as the Lapal Canal and chairman of the Canal Trust, Dr Peter Best, has pledged that the trust will fight the new plans “to the bitter end”.

Although a decision is unlikely for several weeks, councillors, residents, IWA and the Canal Trust will maintain their campaign until the matter is resolved.

Sainsbury’s declined to comment as the matter is still subject to further negotiation and discussion but their architects said the scheme still allowed for the canal to be reinstated at a future date.

The Lapal Canal was opened in 1798 and was 11 miles long. It was built by the Dudley Canal Company to bypass the Birmingham Canal Navigation company’s high toll charges. But it proved expensive to maintain and the Lapal Canal Tunnel – Britain’s fourth longest – was dogged by a series of roof collapses the last of which was in 1917 forcing its closure.

mixing and lorry parking with ancillary officers and staff facilities, plus landscaping with car parking for boaters.

Mr Gill told us: “I subsequently contacted the planning officer at Hillingdon and understand that a stop notice has already been issued. Our concern is that features of architectural interest have already been lost and that the current owners will fail to appropriately conserve the Toll House as part of the historic setting of an important canal junction on the southern Grand Union.”

The branch was informed by CRT that it hoped the new use of the toll house would ‘safeguard its future’. A strip of land adjoining the canal has been retained by the trust for mooring purposes.

Mr Gill added that there had been a succession of planning applications to demolish two cottage buildings which have virtually fallen down and to refurbish the toll house which has been described as being in ‘poor condition’.

Trust appoints property professional THE Canal & River Trust and Secretary of State for the Environment have jointly appointed an investment expert to help oversee the trust’s investment strategy.

Owner of a 62ft narrowboat based on the River Thames and Kennet & Avon Canal, Malcolm Naish is an investment property professional with a career advising major corporate and public bodies on their property investment.

He commented: “Having been born and raised in the West Midlands, the son of an engineer, it was perhaps inevitable that I would develop a keen

interest in our industrial heritage.

Following a number of canal holidays with friends, my wife and I bought our own narrowboat which provides us with a great deal of pleasure.”

Malcolm will work closely with the trust to enable him to provide an annual report on its investment activity to the Secretary of State. The report will be publicly available.

His initial appointment is for a period of five years. The position is voluntary involving between five and 10 days per annum. The trust and Government will jointly meet the expenses of the post.

Traffic to be diverted over bridge A TEMPORARY bridge that will carry 20,000 vehicles a day over the River Weaver in West Cheshire has been built to help drivers that normally use Sutton Swing Bridge while it is being restored.

The two-way bridge is like a huge Meccano set, measures 36m long, 16m wide and weighs around 150 tonnes. Traffic should start using it in early September enabling the main works to start.

The £4.5 million restoration will include the full replacement of the bridge deck to maintain the bridge’s current carrying capacity of 40 tonnes. The pedestrian walkways will also be refurbished, as well as a full repaint to restore its appearance and to protect the bridge structure.

The work will be completed by autumn 2014 and will increase the life expectancy of the bridge by 50 years.

IN BRIEF

Cruises ‘cootailed’

BOAT trips along the Cromford Canal will be delayed after a coot decided to build a nest just where the narrowboat Birdswood needs to turn round at High Peak Junction.

As reported on page 8, The Friends of the Cromford Canal (FCC) hoped to run the first public trips in late August, but trial runs will now have to wait until the coots quit the nest.

“The breeding season is late this year,” said Derbyshire County Council waterways development officer, Susan White, “and it will probably be September before we can do a complete return run.”

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Holiday plans IN our latest online poll we asked

readers how they would be spending their holidays. Not surprisingly almost 60% said they would be on their own boat on the inland waterways, 19% would be stopping at home while 7% would be taking to the water on a hire or hotel boat, 7% planned to holiday in the UK in a hotel, tent or caravan and 7% were heading for the sun.

This month we are asking if you have had any problems finding overnight moorings.

Flood warning

A CALL has gone to York City Council and the Canal & River Trust for warning signs after another narrowboat sank near the Marygate Landings while the River Ouse was in flood recently. IWA North Riding Branch secretary Tony Martin said visiting boaters should be made aware of the fact that the River Ouse is prone to flooding on a regular basis. No one was on board the boat at the time.

Diesel petition There is still time to add your

name to a petition calling on the Government to overrule the EU over an attempt to stop boaters on Britain’s inland waterways network lawfully using red diesel.

The online petition closes on October 9 and at the time of going to press there were 930 signatures.

Visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk and search for red diesel.

4 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Watford welcomed the Waterways Festival – but where were the crowds?

Words: Janet RichaRdson Photography: Janet RichaRdson and RichaRd sinclaiR

Looking down at the showground from the big wheel. There are plenty of stands but a noticeable lack of people.

THE Inland Waterways Association is seeking high level meetings in a bid to keep the transfer of Environment Agency navigations to the Canal & River Trust on the agenda.

In a speech at the opening ceremony of the Waterways Festival at Cassiobury Park, Watford, national chairman Les Etheridge spoke of IWA’s long-held National Conservancy ideal and said that following the Waterways Minister’s recent statement that matters were delayed owing to spending cutbacks, the two major inland navigation authorities are now headed in different directions.

He said: “Since the 1950s we have been advocating that the inland waterways should be run outside of Government control by a National Waterways Conservancy. Last year the creation of the Canal & River Trust was a first step towards achieving this. IWA had hoped that the navigations controlled by the Environment Agency

Three-year-old James tries out the rocking narrowboat on the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s award-winning stand.

Sheridan the robotic sheepdog doing the rounds.

would be part of the Canal & River Trust when it was set up last July.

“The Government stated at the time that it was its policy that the Environment Agency navigations should transfer to the Canal & River Trust at a later stage, potentially in 2015/16.”

But the announcement that the transfer of the Environment Agency navigations would not happen in 2015/16, although it remained Government policy, and a 10% reduction in the Defra budget meant that, unlike CRT, the Environment Agency cannot now plan for the future.

Pledging that IWA would continue to campaign for the transfer to take place at the earliest possible opportunity, Les continued: “Combining the navigations in the new charity offers economy of scale and opens the door to new fundraising opportunities that are not currently fully available. Deferring the chance to take advantage of these benefits makes no sense when money is tight.

“IWA has asked for meetings with both the minister and the shadow minister so that we can make our disappointment and frustration clear.”

He also drew attention to the extensive lobbying currently being undertaken to provide the best safeguards for Britain’s waterways affected by the HS2 rail proposals which could pose threats to parts of the current network and restoration schemes.

Michael Pinnock’s award-winning working boats Fazeley and Clover.

Hot welcome

Before declaring the 60th IWA national festival officially open, Elected Mayor of Watford, Coun Dorothy Thornhill, wished everyone not just a warm but a very hot welcome and spoke about the history of Cassiobury Park which was the ancestral home of the Earls of Essex and was bought by the local council about 100 years ago.

Festival chairman Michael Stimpson also spoke of the amount of work done by the Waterways Recovery Group and IWA volunteers, many of whom had given up their summer holidays to help.

He added that next year’s festival will be held at Stratford-upon-Avon.

The heatwave may have impacted on attendance figures, especially on the opening day. However there was a noticeable lack of visitors throughout the weekend with traders expressing disquiet at an impromptu meeting after close of business on the Saturday.

Although IWA claimed a footfall of around 15,000 people in its post-event press release, we were told during the festival that these figures would be based on people through the turnstiles.

But as many visitors and exhibitors used them several times each day to move between the showground and the canal, it puts a question mark over their accuracy. The ‘crowd’ also dispersed rapidly following the flypast by the

Carol Mead, chairman’s consort; Coun Les Mead, chairman of Three Rivers District Council; national chairman Les Etheridge; Elected Mayor of Watford, Coun Dorothy Thornhill; festival chairman Michael Stimpson, Sue Stimpson and festivals director Ian West.

Spitfire of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on Saturday afternoon.

And although the moored narrowboats – around 300 boats stretching for some three miles – provided a colourful spectacle along the Grand Union Canal, some festival goers voiced their disappointment that there weren’t more exhibition boats.

Visitors young and old had the chance to learn how to drive a digger with Waterway Recovery Group volunteers.

Festival award winners Waterway/festival drawing or painting (under 9s) Ruby Moorse (6), nb Guelrose; cake made on site Marjorie Marchant, nb Constable; cruising club with highest percentage of boats Cotswold Canal Cruising Club; illuminated boat Elton John theme and floral decorated boat Michael and Marion Birch, nb Muttley; decorated campsite unit Robert Taylor; longest journey John and Nancy Harman, nb Perfect Harmony; most enterprising noncontinuous journey Michael and Denise Bending, nb Denise; David and Sylvia Jarvis, nb Orchid II; commercial stand Cook Spanish; waterway related stand Wey & Arun Canal Trust; best designed private galley and private entry boat Rodney Wardlaw, nb Hazell Nut; amateur boat fit out Craig Haslam, nb Nimrod; residential boat David and Angela Dunham, nb Norfolk Belle; working boat Michael Pinnock, nbs Clover and Fazeley; commercial boat Hotel boat Kailani built by Aqualine Marine Ltd.

NEWS 5

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Hotel boats then and now Words: HARRY ARNOLD Photography: WATERWAY IMAGES, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

ALTHOUGH there were examples of converted exworking barges, in 1974 a purpose-built wide-beam hotel boat was a pretty rare bird. Living at the limit of the wide section of the Trent & Mersey Canal in Burton-on-Trent, David and June Tebbett came up with the idea of the Trent Valley Cruising Hotel and the boat Tranquil Rose; to operate holidays downstream of the town and on to the wide waters of the Trent, Soar, Fossdyke and Witham and right up into Yorkshire on the Ouse.

My involvement came with Dave and June asking me to produce a brochure. I asked what the boat was going to look like and they produced a layout plan on a piece of graph paper. So from this layout I produced an artist’s impression of what the finished Tranquil Rose should be.

They took it along to boatbuilder John Pinder, who then also had a base in Burton’s Horninglow Basin, and he said: “I’ll build it like that.”

Tranquil Rose operated successfully on the East Midlands and North East waterways for a number of years and then moved south to work on the rivers and wide canals of the Thames, Wey, Grand Union and Kennet & Avon canal, where she is still operating. Now owned

by James Scowen and Sheelagh Bowie, who are ably assisted by crew members Steff Coath and Evan Fryer, they trade as Thames & Chiltern Holiday Cruises

(see www.tranquilrose.co.uk for more info).

The short list of intermediate owners and operators reads like a Who’s Who of the waterways industry – Mick and Cynthia Hall, Andy and Ann Newman, Mike Partridge and Steve and Steph Furniss – most of whom are still active in various aspects of the boat business; including in training, hire, and passenger boats.

James invited those of us who were involved in the boat’s past life (and were available) to celebrate the 40th birthday of Tranquil Rose on the Thames at Henley. To reminisce about experiences aboard the boat as we were fed and watered in true luxury hotel boat style travelling upriver through Marsh and Shiplake locks on a perfect sunny day. Perhaps some of the recollections about odd passenger and navigation incidents are better kept among the company then present. A great birthday for a boat which after 40 years looks better than ever and has acquired a long-standing reputation for comfortable cruising with an experienced and knowledgeable crew.

New arrivals

In contrast to the longevity of Tranquil Rose we recently saw two brand new wide-beam hotel boats. On the Kennet & Avon Canal was similarly named Wessex Rose, which the owners David and Karen Binney describe as ‘England’s Largest, Latest & Most Luxurious Canal Hotel Boat’.

Designed almost to the maximum size capacity of this waterway’s locks, the hull was built by Tyler Wilson and fitted out by Daventry based bespoke boat builders, Milburn Boats.

The boat runs between Bath and Newbury on three, four and seven day scheduled cruises throughout the summer with special cruises for Christmas, New Year. Full boat charter is also available.

Wessex Rose is able to accommodate up to six guests in its three luxury en-suite cabins, and provides full-board, fully inclusive cruises The boat is equipped with features such as hardwood floors, under-floor heating throughout, Wi-Fi, mood lighting and a large saloon with armchairs, opening panoramic windows, sun roof, feature stove and home cinema. www.wessexrose.co.uk The titles ‘latest’ (and possibly ‘most luxurious’) have already been claimed by yet another new hotel boat Kailani which was officially launched at the IWA’s Waterways Festival at Cassiobury Park. Built by Aqualine Marine Ltd., she won the Lionel Munk Award for the best commercial boat at the event.

Owners Gordon Horry and Dorenda Wrigley have used their extensive business experience in the hotel and conference sector to provide a boat with accommodation for up to just four guests in two cabins, each with private ensuite facilities on three to seven day holiday breaks. The cruising area is similar to that of Tranquil Rose, the canals and rivers of Southern England. (www.hotelboatkailani.com)

Tranquil Rose celebrates her 40th birthday in Shiplake Lock on the River Thames.

The standard of fit-out is exceedingly high with such touches as the saloon ceiling (nautically the deckhead) emulating a design seen on the QE II. Inexperienced observers of hotel boating, who might imagine that owning and crewing these boats is all just happy-go-lucky cruising along the waterways might have a shock. It is great for the passengers but the crew has to service their sometimes exacting needs virtually 24-hours a day.

A late lamented and very placid good friend of mine became so frustrated with this regime that she threw a tureen of soup over the passengers. Also, in contrast to the launch of new hotel boats, one might question why three (virtually all) of the existing narrow beam hotels boat pairs are up for sale?

Tranquil Rose moored on the River Soar in her first season in 1974.

Wessex Rose on the way to Bath on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Kailani won the award for the best commercial boat at the IWA Festival.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

The spacious saloon in Kailani.

6 NEWS

IN BRIEF

Trip boat plan

PROPOSALS for a waterside development in Aylesbury include the introduction of a trip boat in 2015 to provide a new attraction in the Buckinghamshire town.

It would initially operate for a trial period offering short journeys turning at the new Circus Fields basin, according to the Canal & River Trust. South East waterways manager Jeff Whyatt said it could have a huge economic benefit but would depend on the development of the Aylesbury Centre educational facility. The CRT and the district council are focusing on plans to introduce better access to the Aylesbury Arm, new mooring posts and bank reinforcements.

Cavalcade posts

PREPARATION is under way for the 2014 Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend. The organisers are seeking volunteers for the following posts: catering manager and assistant, entertainments assistant, site and services assistant, sponsorship and advertising manager. Contact IWA commercial director Jerry Sanders on 07788 204442, email exhibition@waterways.org.uk

Tidy burglar

A BURGLAR who even did the washing up after stealing food from boats moored on the Oxford Canal has been jailed for 10 months.

Homeless Geoffrey Cave, 60, was arrested following burglaries in Thrupp and Upper Heyford, the court heard. In his defence Sarah PartridgeSmith said he had only targeted canal boats because he had become desperate during the cold weather.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Concerns over loss of Kennet & Avon moorings

By Harry Arnold

THERE are concerns by users – particularly by the council of the National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) – about visitor moorings being withdrawn on Canal & River Trust (CRT) waterways – often without any consultation with users – and made available for other purposes sometimes of a commercial nature.

A case in point is a planning application on the Kennet & Avon Canal to change of use of a visitor mooring to a permanent trade mooring near to the middle of Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire. (We understand for a floating hairdressing salon). NABO has officially expressed its opposition to the application There is already an acute shortage of visitor mooring on this length – further exacerbated by the number of unofficial liveaboards in the area.

Bradford-on-Avon is an extremely popular, historically important ‘honeypot site’ and boating visitors are a major source of revenue for the town. Ironically there are quite a number of empty premises – suitable for such a business – in the town.

NABO says it is fully aware of the work being done by the CRT and its Kennet & Avon Waterways Partnership to increase, and indeed ensure, the availability of visitor moorings over the entire western end of this waterway. It says that it is clear that the loss of this mooring would be in direct conflict with those efforts, which have the support of Wiltshire Council We have heard of other problems in this area where a hire fleet has been allowed to operate from visitor moorings and another from a historic wharf which is a water and service point for visiting boats.

Commercial mooring controversy at historic Bradford-on-Avon.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Thumbs up for York riverside warehouse conversion

Bridge works help keep community together

By Geoff Wood

By Geoff Wood

PLANS to redevelop a landmark riverside site in York have been given the go-ahead.

The listed Bonding Warehouse on the Ouse is now set to be converted into offices, apartments and a restaurant.

The City of York Council’s area planning committee unanimously agreed the proposals from Yorkbased Grantside Limited which provided a new life for the building which has been empty since 2000.

Grantside development director Peter Callaghan said: “We are absolutely delighted by the decision as we believe everybody would like to see the Bonding Warehouse brought back to life.”

The Bonding Warehouse has stood empty since 2000. PHOTO: KEITH CHAPMAN

A HISTORIC bridge is back on top form after a sevenmonth engineering project.

The 160-year-old Parkin Lane Canal Bridge on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Calverley, near Leeds, was showing signs of serious deterioration, threatening the only access for vehicles to the small community it serves. It also forms part of the Calverley Millennium Way – a special walk around the boundary of the village created by locals.

But an innovative scheme meant the bridge could remain open while work was carried out including the installation of new structural steelwork that supported rather than replaced the existing cast iron bridge.

Lifting equipment mounted on pontoons on the canal was used to lift steelwork into place. Exposed metal work was repaired and repainted, including the beams and the decorative parapet railings, and repairs to the road surface were made.

A special opening ceremony marked the completion of the engineering work which was a joint effort by the local community, Thornhill Estates, the Canal and River Trust and contractor Colas.

Former flour mill could become heritage centre

By Geoff Wood

PLANS to develop the interior of a former waterside flour mill at Castleford have been unveiled.

Formerly owned by the Canal & River Trust, Queen’s Mill on the River Aire and close to the Aire & Calder Navigation is seen

as having great potential as an arts and heritage centre.

Development is now in the hands of the new owners, the Castleford Heritage Trust, whose chairman Alison Drake said: “The potential of the mill is enormous; we want the mill to be a showcase of the best of

Castleford’s history and traditions but also to be a place for people to learn to develop their talents and earn a living.”

The mill was once the world’s largest stone grinding flour mill and power was provided until the 1970s by a waterwheel.

End ofan Era THE departure of the last sand barge from Whitwood Wharf on the Wakefield Branch of the Aire & Calder Navigation marked the end of an era as Fusedale left empty on July 30. Following a merger between Lafarge and Tarmac, deliveries have now ceased. Mel Smith from neighbouring Fairies Hill Moorings Ltd commented: “Whether you liked them or feared them as they plied between the River Trent,

Goole and the Aire & Calder Navigation to our entrance lock, they were an impressive sight. At 200ft long by 20ft wide with 12ft under water and inches of freeboard above there wasn’t much that slowed them down. It is a sight that we will miss. Hopefully they will find other cargo so that they are not lost forever.” ● More on Humberside’s Working Barges, reviews P55

A now historic photo: a sand barge helps a narrowboat stuck on a notorious sand bar on a bend in the River Calder (Aire & Calder Navigation). PHOTO: MEL SMITH

Central Shires hosts first annual meeting THE first annual meeting of the Canal & River Trust’s Central Shires Waterway Partnership will take place at The Waterfront pub, Barton Turns Marina, Barton-under-Needwood, Staffordshire DE13 8DZ on Wednesday, September 4.

An opportunity to look back at what’s been achieved in the first year and ahead to the priorities for the next few years, it will take place between 6.30pm and 9pm.

The partnership has been busy since its launch in Fradley last July, attending a number of canal festivals, securing funding to improve boating facilities and information in Atherstone, helping to tackle invasive species on the Caldon Canal and developing future plans.

People can find out more about the partnership and its members at http://canalrivertrust.org.uk /noticeboards/central-shires-waterways

RYA SPOTLIGHT 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) 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.

Five reasons why you should get training...

TAKING a stroll along a riverbank or towpath is a great way to get into the great outdoors, but what about getting out on the water yourself and taking the views in from a different perspective?

There are plenty of ways of getting on a boat – cadging a lift on a friend’s boat; a ride on one of the many trip boats dotted around the inland waterways; hiring a boat for a few hours or longer; or, more unusually perhaps, spending a couple of days learning the ropes from a qualified instructor.

Your instructor will be experienced and knowledgeable and will be able to train all levels from introducing a complete novice to basic boat-handling and safety to being able to offer hints and tips to sharpen the skills of even the most seasoned boater.

Five reasons to get trained are:

The RYA has unveiled three new offers for its members – 50% off all RYA regalia, 30% off the new Garmin quatix GPS Marine watch, and 2-for1 offer on all-attraction tickets to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. RYA membership development manager Conor Swift explained: “We aim to partner with organisations that we feel offer products and services that our members will really value.”

All training should be enjoyable and as stress-free as possible. After a short while at the tiller or the wheel, you’ll gain in confidence and be really getting into the swing of things – greeting other water users with a cheery wave and hello, rather than a nervous grimace.

There’s so much to see and learn along our rich waterways, it’ll be an entertaining couple of days.

Guard of honour A LOCAL couple’s big day was

Family learning – team building with your crew

Peace of mind

The romantic idea of messing about on the river appeals to lots of people, but along with that is perhaps a little fear of the unknown, and maybe some concerns about safety. Taking training will help allay those worries.

From wearing personal buoyancy to understanding how to operate locks and work the lines safely is an integral part of the RYA’s practical courses.

Cheaper holiday hire

Training helps give peace of mind when out on the river or canal.

Membership offers

Fun

Aside from the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman’s course, 2013 saw the introduction of an Inland Waterways Crew course aimed at boaters from age eight upwards.

Both courses can be run on the same boat at the same time as they complement each other. So, if you are looking for an activity the whole family can get involved in, look no further.

For the most part, a certificate is not required to hire a river cruiser or narrowboat for a day or two, and some training is given before the boat is handed over to you for your break.

Increasingly, however, we are seeing that hire companies are offering a discount to those who hold an RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman’s certificate. For

IN BRIEF

Operating locks is an integral part of the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman’s certificate course. PHOTOS: RYA more details visit www.rya.org.uk/coursestraining/ courses/inland/Pages/ThingstodoIWHC.aspx

Boating abroad

In the UK, we enjoy freedom from needing to hold a boat driver licence when taking out our own boat for pleasure. However, a license or proof of competence is often required when boating abroad, in the form of the International Certificate of Competence (ICC).

To operate a boat on the inland waterways of Europe you will need an ICC Inland: this can be obtained by gaining the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman’s certificate and by passing the CEVNI course. Find out how to apply for the ICC at www.rya.org.uk /infoadvice/boatingabroad/icc/Pages/default.aspx ● There are over 50 RYA recognised Inland Waterways training centres throughout the UK and even a couple in France. To find your nearest training centre visit www.rya.org.uk

made even more special thanks to the National Waterways Museum and Holiday Inn, Ellesmere Port.

Elizabeth and Jason Barlow’s wedding at the hotel coincided with the Warriors and Washerwomen Living History Fair at the museum, so the hotel and museum arranged for the bride and groom to visit the museum for some photos – complete with a guard of honour from living historians dressed as 1770s British Redcoats from Cheshire’s 22nd Regiment of Foot.

8 NETWORKING

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Canalside garden heightens the senses

SOCIETY NEWS

Pub plan

THE Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is bidding to save the Peterborough Arms at Dauntsey Lock in Wiltshire.

Having succeeded in getting it added to the county council’s list of ‘assets of community value’, giving community groups the option to step in, it now has six months to raise more than £330,000 to buy the property. Wiltshire brewery Wadworth shut the pub saying it was not a viable business and applied for permission to turn it into a house but the WBCT wants to run it as a canalside pub and visitor attraction with boat trips.

Lottery bid

THE funding of a Conservation Management Plan for the Pocklington Canal will be included in a revised Heritage Lottery bid by the Canal & River Trust. Following the rejection of an earlier bid, a smaller scheme costing around £700,000 is likely to be submitted in August, with the support of the Pocklington Canal & Amenity Society, followed by the Stage 1 application in November.

(Double Nine, Summer 2013)

Best practice

THE Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society won a prestigious Best Practice Award from the North Western Branch of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation for its work on the Meccano-style bridge which was officially opened in April. The next stage of works at Nob End, to make the locks more visible, has been agreed with the Canal & River Trust.

(MB&BCS News, August 2013)

New generation

THE Cotswold Canal Trust is introducing a Young Persons membership category aimed at attracting supporters of the future and volunteers who can gain vocational skills as well as experience in working as a team member. (The Trow, Autumn 2013)

Building bridges

CIVIL engineer Tony Ford has become a director of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust. He is drawing on his long experience in designing roads and bridges to work on plans for rebuilding Compasses Bridge in the Alfold-Dunfold area. (Wey & Arun Canal News, June 2013)

Barbara Rees FORMER chairman of the IWA

Stoke-on-Trent (now North Staffordshire & South Cheshire) Branch, Barbara Rees, has died at the age of 91. She joined the committee in 1983 and served as chairman from 1988 to 2001. She was awarded a Richard Bird Medal for her long commitment to IWA. (IWA Bulletin, August 2013)

A crowd of supporters look on as Birdswood is lowered into the Cromford Canal. PHOTOS: DERICK SPENCER

Trip boat craned into Cromford Canal THE Friends of the Cromford Canal (FCC) celebrated the arrival of the group’s long awaited trip boat by low loader on July 27.

This followed a fundraising campaign to buy and refurbish a traditional narrowboat, Birdswood, which was built in 1938 and will fit in well with the historical heritage area around the canal and mills.

The boat has been at Langley Mill where it has had a total repaint in Cromford livery and a complete makeover for its trip to Cromford. It has been re-engineered from diesel power to electric power due to the sensitivity of the Cromford Canal waterway.

Once the crews have been trained and the required licences obtained, trips will be available on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Cromford Wharf to High Peak Junction and back. Passenger services should start in late August or early September.

Without the support of Derbyshire County Council (DCC) which dredged the canal last winter as part of its management strategy, this would not have been possible.

FCC would like to thank DCC and all our supporters and members for their work in making this happen.

This project is being supported by the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) for which Defra is the managing authority, part funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.

It is the Friends’ intention to operate the trip boat

Finally on the water.

Birdswood not only to take tourists but also to provide an educational resource for schools.

Chairman Matthew Rogers said: “This is an exciting time!

The Friends look forward to providing boat trips and for this to play a role in attracting and retaining both existing and new visitors to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.”

In the late 1970s to early 1980s a similar trip boat cruised this length of the Cromford Canal and was popular with tourists.

A NEW sensory garden was recently opened alongside the Saltisford Arm of the Grand Union Canal in Warwick by district council chairman Coun Richard Davies.

Warwick District Council funded the new garden and site improvements for disabled visitors in the Saltisford Canal Trust’s community orchard.

A series of raised timber beds, themed fragrant planting and new special paving has been laid to make it fully accessible for wheelchair users.

The garden was designed by Saltisford director, Alan Lorentzen, and built by Ian Newman and John McArthur; with a volunteer working party from the National Grid helping with the planting.

Saltisford Canal Trust welcomes visitors during normal opening hours to come and enjoy the waterside gardens and a picnic area in its extensive grounds near the centre of Warwick.

As well as the refurbished visitor centre, with a small exhibition on the canal restoration and Hatton Locks, light refreshments and ice cream are on sale and visitors can explore the Saltisford waterside gardens trail and learn more about the history of the local canals and soak up some waterway heritage.

The Saltisford Canal Centre is a short walk from Warwick Town Centre. ● A registered charity, the Saltisford Canal Trust was set up to restore the canal arm and to promote the use of the canal in Warwick. It does this by having a day hire boat, waterside gardens open free to the public and providing moorings for both visitor boats – over 800 in 2012 – and long term moored narrowboats. A wide range of services include a laundrette, gift shop, drinking water, electrical hook-up, sewage pumpout and rubbish disposal.

Lancaster trust looks forward to anniversary THE Lancaster Canal Trust will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special edition of its Waterwitch magazine.

Around 50 members were welcomed by president Hal Bagot, of Levens Hall, to the trust’s recent AGM at Nether Kellet, some travelling from a wide area despite the heatwave.

Newly appointed Canal & River Trust North West waterway manager Chantelle Seaborn gave a talk followed by an illustrated presentation by treasurer Peter Jones on progress on the current canal restoration at Stainton during the past 12 months.

Also shown was film of 55 children from Heron Hill School, Kendal,

on a fact-finding nature mission on the canal.

Officials elected were: Hal Bagot, president; John Gavan and David Slater, vice-presidents; Richard Trevitt, chairman; Helen Thomas, vicechairman; David Currington, secretary; Peter Jones, treasurer and Frank Sanderson, public relations officer.

The new waterside gardens alongside the Saltisford Arm at Warwick.

PHOTO:ANDREW MCGURK

Information: 01926 490 006; www.saltisfordcanal.co.uk

Founder of an iconic range of boats ONE of the pioneers of the modern marine industry, John Freeman, died peacefully at his Devon home on Friday, July 26, two days before his 96th birthday.

He led an interesting life and sparkled with energy and enthusiasm, having been one of the paramount leisure craft manufacturers from the 1950s to the 1980s, producing over 6500 cruisers from 22ft to 41ft with a range of 27 models.

Mr Freeman was born into a farming family in 1917; he was very keen on woodwork and by the age of 12 he was making poultry houses to help sustain his family. At 17 he built his first caravan – it had a wooden frame and ‘deck chair’ canvas for the sides. He spent the war years in the RAF continuing the caravan construction while on leave and after his de-mob in 1946.

At this time polyester resin was an unknown quantity but he experimented with it during the development of his caravans. GRP caravans were very heavy and not so successful; however the idea of a boat led to the first GRP production line for family cruisers with the ‘birth’ of the iconic Freeman 22 in 1957.

The introduction of the Freeman brand was at Olympia during the London Motor Show. At this time he revolutionised the industry producing a ready to go, all the comforts of home, user friendly boat you could just order. There was no longer any need to commission an architect to design

or a boat-builder to construct your individual vessel.

The highest quality craftsmanship and materials were used in production to the degree of buying a tree and using the same grained veneer throughout each cruiser. As there were very few wholesalers at this time, Mr Freeman designed and manufactured his own fittings. The continued success of the Freeman brand is owing to the fact the Oxfordshire-based company at Sheridan Boatyard, Moulsford, continues to supply virtually all of the original fittings and through the Freeman Owners Club expects to be able to secure its future.

Mr Freeman will be greatly missed but John Freeman at the helm of a Freeman his inspiration will live on.

22 Mk2 cruiser in 2007. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Testing a Freeman 22 Mk2.

A man with time for everyone

By Geoff Wood

A CANAL campaigner who helped lead the project to reopen the Rochdale Canal has died aged 84.

Mark Andrew was a key figure in bringing tourism and restoring prosperity to Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire.

In particular he was instrumental in the restoration of the 200-year-old buildings around Sowerby Bridge wharf.

Mr Andrew set up Shire Cruisers Ltd and Calderdale Leisure Services Ltd in the town and was chairman of the Salt Warehouse Trust.

An architect by profession, Mr Andrew met his wife Roma when they were both working in Uganda. They were a devoted couple and she died just eight weeks before his death.

Friends described Mr Andrew as a generous spirited, energetic, congenial man with time for everyone.

NETWORKING 9

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Cheddleton’s towpath improvements opened WORKS to make a popular stretch of Caldon Canal towpath more accessible and user-friendly for the local community were recently opened by Charlotte Atkins, chairman of the Canal & River Trust’s Central Shires waterway partnership.

The Caldon Canal towpath through Cheddleton has been rebuilt to give walkers, cyclists and disabled visitors a clean, green traffic-free route, between two of the area’s most important and popular historic attractions, Churnet Valley Railway Station and Cheddleton Flint Mill.

Charlotte said: “It’s great to see a project that’s been driven by local people come to fruition in this way. We know from our discussions that the local community are passionate about their local canal and were keen to see it made more enjoyable for people on bikes, in wheelchairs or with pushchairs.”

As reported last month, the ‘Connecting the Heritage’ project has seen the Canal & River Trust improve 1.2km of towpath including the creation of a wheelchair-friendly boat access point at the Flint Mill, specially designed in conjunction with The Beatrice Charity which provides boat trips for those with a need to get afloat.

New visitor moorings have also been created near to the steam railway station to enable boaters

to stop and use the shops, pubs and other facilities, providing a welcome boost to the local economy.

The improvements are the first big communityinspired project to be delivered as part of the Churnet Valley Living Landscape Partnership (CVLLP) which is aimed at protecting, enhancing and celebrating the special landscapes of the Churnet Valley. The £200,000 project has been part funded by CVLLP with additional funding being provided by Communities Mean Business, the Canal & River Trust and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

It has also benefited from significant involvement of volunteers from the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust and the local branch of The Inland Waterways Association.

Julie Arnold from the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust added: “The local waterways volunteers have been working on the campaign towards towpath improvements for a number of years: interviewing towpath users, arranging village consultations and undertaking vegetation clearance plus surveying the route with Canal & River Trust engineers.

“They are delighted that this has led to these partnership projects that are now delivering improvements for everybody that uses the Caldon Canal through the Churnet Valley.”

Charlotte Atkins officially opens the improved towpath at Cheddleton. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Canal businessman and restoration pioneer

By Bob Naylor

A BOATING man to his very core, retired Kennet & Avon Canal businessman and Crofton volunteer George Randle Gibson died on July 5.

Born in 1931, he served as an engineer officer in the Royal Navy for 37 years.

His last job with the admiralty as a commander included the responsibility for several hundred small boats belonging to, or affiliated to, the services so when George retired from the Navy in 1985 he put this knowledge of small boats to good use when he became a marine surveyor specialising in canal and river craft.

George was one of a band of entrepreneurs who put their faith, and money, into setting up businesses on the K&A Canal at a time when many thought it would never reopen. George and other riparian businesses, along with volunteers working on restoration projects, helped to drive the restoration forward. He was chairman in the early days of the Association of Canal Enterprises (ACE), which later became the Kennet & Avon Canal Trade Association.

He ran an electric trip-boat,

Patricia, from Hilperton and in 1986 he and his family moved to an old builders’ yard and cottage alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal at Honeystreet. At that time the canal was closed. The weed clogged, shallow water of the 14 mile Long Pound was only just navigable largely thanks to the movements of the landlocked nearby Pewsey Wharf Boat Club.

Over the years proper wharf facilities and moorings at the ‘bottom of the garden’ site were installed and Builder’s Wharf run by George and his wife Shelagh was considered to be one of the best kept moorings on the canal system.

When British Waterways introduced the Certificate of Compliance (C of C) in 1990 (the forerunner of the Boat Safety Scheme) George was one of the first surveyors in the scheme. His reputation for fairness in his examinations and his willingness to share knowledge is legendary – as are George’s surveys that he bashed out on his old typewriter with its distinctive italic typeface.

As well as running a business on the canal George was involved with the K&A Canal Trust and he had been a

The late George Gibson.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

volunteer engineer at its steam powered pumping station at Crofton. When, thanks to the efforts of the K&A Canal Trust and Bath City Council, the Widcombe Flight of locks in Bath were reopened in June 1976, George and Shelagh were among the first to travel up the flight in their boat Border Gypsy.

George finally retired at the age of 80, Builder’s Wharf was sold and he, his wife Shelagh and his son Chris moved to Devizes. He is survived by Shelagh and two sons, Chris and Stephen.

10 VOLUNTEERING

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WORK PARTY ROUNDUP WITH IWA’S ALISON SMEDLEY

Outbreak of Himalayan balsam tackled on Pocklington canal

VOLUNTEERS gathered at Melbourne to attack an outbreak of Himalayan Balsam on the Pocklington Canal. This was a joint effort by IWA East Yorkshire Branch and the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society (PCAS), supported by the Canal & River Trust.

A substantial amount of Himalayan Balsam was removed from the extensive area designated as a wildlife reserve behind the moorings on the Melbourne Arm. After welcome refreshments taken on board the PCAS trip boat New

Learning about lime mortaring in Marple CO-OPERATION between a private householder, the Canal & River Trust and volunteers from IWA Manchester Branch led to the holding of a two-day introduction course on stone walling and lime mortaring in Marple recently.

The householder was most hospitable and pitched in to assist the three volunteers who wished to learn more about the subject.

The wall in question was at the bottom of a fairly steep terraced garden that was adjacent to the disused swing bridge abutments between bridges two and three on the Macclesfield Canal. By the end of the two days the results looked great and the volunteers were keen to put their newly learned skills into practice on other projects.

Horizons, the party moved to another site at Coates Bridge, further along the canal, where a small concentrated outbreak had been discovered near to the offside bridge abutment.

This was a much less accessible area and warranted the wearing of lifejackets while working on the steep embankment close to the canal side. As a result of the day’s efforts the branch hopes that the spread of the plant will be severely halted and are planning a further event next year to catch any further growth.

More to do at the Cheshire Locks

Pulling up the Himalayan Balsam at Coates Bridge, Pocklington Canal.

PHOTO:ALISTAIR ANDERSON

First work party on Northampton Arm following the canal adoption THE first birthday of the Canal & River Trust on July 2 was an auspicious date for the first of IWA Northampton Branch’s work parties on the 4¾ mile stretch of the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal, representing probably the largest canal adoption in the country.

The work party captured the attention of the media with BBC Radio Northampton and an ITV Anglia News Team turning out to interview volunteers and film them in action at Lock 17 at the bottom of the Arm. Lock 17 in the heart of Northampton at the gateway to the River Nene had been chosen for the first assault because it was arguably the area most in need of some TLC. It is also the entry point to the canal system from the river and first impressions count. Due to delays with a planned housing development with proposals to landscape the area around

the recently restored and re-installed crane which replaces an earlier shelved pub development, the area is looking distinctly overgrown and unloved. In a very short period of time volunteers were able to complete a number of tasks to tidy up the lock area including litter picking, rubbish and vegetation clearance, weeding, applying paint to the lock gates and handrails, and painting bollards and the lock ladder landing. As a result the immediate area has been transformed, looking brighter, smarter and distinctly tidier.

Dates for more task parties on the Northampton Arm will be announced shortly. All are welcome, not just members of the IWA. The Canal & River Trust and Northampton IWA will be working closely with local companies, residents associations, community and youth groups to encourage participation.

Ford workers help clear litter on the River Lee Navigation EMPLOYEES from Ford and other volunteers joined IWA North & East London Branch’s work party at Three Mills Lane Bridge. CRT had kindly provided a work boat for the day so the first task was to clear the floating litter from this stretch of the River Lee Navigation before heading north to CRT’s wharf.

At the wharf the volunteers spent a good few hours clearing the vegetation from the towpath, moving it to a nearby hedge so that it could compost and continue to provide a

habitat for local wildlife. The last job of the day involved travelling slightly further north to litter pick the access path that leads to the new floating towpath. Volunteers also removed the rabbit protectors from the blackthorn that had been planted among the wild flowers. The litter collected filled 12 bin bags and a door was also retrieved from the water.

A good day was had by all, thank you to all the volunteers, Ford employees and the CRT team for supporting the event.

Ford employees volunteering at IWA N&EL Branch work party. PHOTO: STEFANIE PRESTON

All spent an enjoyable day pulling Himalayan Balsam and the younger volunteers particularly enjoyed squashing the stems, demonstrating that this type of work party really is suitable for all ages. Many thanks to all the volunteers who turned up for the day; some considerable distance of towpath and surrounding area was cleared of Balsam.

Marsworth bashers find no balsam this year LAST year IWA Chiltern Branch climbed into the side ponds by the Marsworth Locks and pulled up and removed from site all of the Himalayan Balsam. Other branches across the country also removed Himalayan Balsam from their areas and on going back this year found that, although still there, the quantity of Himalayan Balsam was well reduced.

This was not the case for IWA Chiltern Branch which, on its return in July, found the plant to be completely absent from the area, highlighting just how successful the removal of this plant can be in capping its spread.

Despite there being no Himalayan Balsam, the volunteers weren’t short of work to do; climbing down into the side

Hard at work on the Cheshire Locks.

PHOTO: BOB LUSCOMBE

FORTHCOMINGWORK PARTY EVENTS Sunday, September 1

IWA Oxfordshire Branch: Hythe Bridge, Oxford City Centre. 10am-4pm. Getting the waterway ready for Oxford Open Doors. The work party will be cleaning up the area by carrying out litter picks and clearing low level vegetation. All help is welcome whether you can spare a few hours or the whole day (remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, also bring a packed lunch). Contact Stefanie Preston on 01494 783453 or email stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk.

Thursday, September 12

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Painting the bridge at Hazelhurst Junction. 10am to 3pm (remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, also bring a packed lunch). Meet at Hazelhurst Top Lock. Contact Bob Luscombe on 07710 054848 or email bobluscombe@btinternet.com

Saturday/Sunday September 14-15

Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society supported by IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch: Monthly work party at Tardebigge Lime Kilns. 10am to 3pm each day. Meet at Canal & River Trust depot at Tardebigge, Worcester & Birmingham Canal (New Wharf, Alcester Road, Tardebigge, Bromsgrove B60 1NF). Further information from Bill Lambert w.lambert@ntlworld.com

Thursday, September 19

IWA Warwickshire Branch: Lapworth lock painting, litter picking, veg clearance and path work. Meet at Kingswood Lock, Lapworth, Solihull B94 5RB. 10am to approx. 3pm. Contact Brian Bayston by phoning 01926 831508 or emailing info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk

Saturday, September 21

A good day’s work on Caldon Canal A SECOND Himalayan Balsam bashing work party met at Froghall on the Caldon Canal where the group of 10 volunteers spent the day balsam bashing and also painting the two mileposts on this stretch of canal.

Volunteers on the day ranged in age from six to 60 plus and included boaters on holiday and one volunteer on holiday from California.

VOLUNTEERS returned to the Cheshire Locks for another work party painting locks, vegetation and cobble setts clearing. On another warm and sunny day they spent the time working on Lock 50 (Lawton Locks) on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

After much hard work and effort, the end result showed a much improved sets of locks with the cobbles on the towpath and around the lock once again fully displayed at lock 50, adding to the overall appearance of the lock flight that has been receiving attention over the last few work parties. Many thanks once again to the returning volunteers and the new volunteers who came along for the day and also to CRT for usual support in terms of materials.

Volunteers clearing invasive plants from Marsworth Locks side ponds.

PHOTO: STEFANIE PRESTON

ponds they removed other invasive plants so that our native species can thrive and create a diverse habitat.

Tardebigge Lime Kilns work parties continue MEMBERS of IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch have been continuing to support the Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canal Society’s project uncovering the lime kilns at Tardebigge. The monthly work parties have seen the vegetation and soil from around the lime kilns slowly removed to expose the remains of this historic structure.

On the most recent work party, vegetation that had grown up since the project started in February had to be cut back which took most of the morning. During the early part of the afternoon volunteers were able to clear more of the waste soil and discovered collapsed masonry that looked like it had once been a wall.

In addition to this work a couple of people continued to remove soil and debris from the low walls at the foot of the kilns and cut down pieces of the tree trunk that stands in the middle of the whole site. Bit by bit they are making the site look a little more cared for.

Work parties at this site will continue on the second weekend of the month, on both the Saturday and Sunday, from July onwards.

IWA Warwickshire Branch supporting Canal & River Trust Towpath Taskforce: Lapworth, tasks include lock painting, litter picking, veg clearance and path work. 10am to 4pm. Meet at Kingswood Lock, Lapworth, Solihull B94 5RB. Contact Brian Bayston by phoning 01926 831508 or emailing info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. Painting and vegetation clearance. 10am to 4pm. Contact Bob Luscombe on 07710 054848 or email bobluscombe@btinternet.com IWA Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch: Canal Clean up, Nottingham.

10am to 4pm. Starting from Beeston Lock, work will progress along the Beeston Cut and the Nottingham Canal to Meadow Lane and will include litter picking and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Meet at Beeston Lock, Canal Side, Nottingham NG9 1LX. Parking is available along Canal Side and Riverside Road. Please advise Alison Smedley, IWA Branch Campaign Officer, if you are planning on attending this event or would like further details, on 01538 385388 or email alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk

Tuesday, September 24

IWA Oxfordshire Branch: Lock 29 Oxford Canal, Banbury. 10am-4pm. Getting the waterway ready for the 10th annual Banbury Canal Day. The work party will be painting bollards and other pieces around the lock to smarten up the canal in preparation for this special event. All help is welcome whether you can spare a few hours or the whole day (remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, also bring a packed lunch). Contact Stefanie Preston on 01494 783453 or email stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk.

Wednesday, September 25

IWA Guildford & Reading Branch: Southcote Lock (104), Kennet & Avon Canal.

The group will be painting the lock to keep it in good condition and maintain the canal’s appeal to those who use it. (Remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, also bring a packed lunch). All equipment and materials will be supplied by Canal & River Trust. Contact Verna Smith on 01252 517 522 or email verna.smith63@gmail.com

Saturday, September 28

IWA Manchester Branch supporting Canal & River Trust Towpath Taskforce: Location varies in the Greater Manchester area. 10am to 4pm. Tasks include painting, vegetation clearance, pulling rubbish out of the canal and litter picking.

Contact Ian Price chairman@manchester-iwa.co.uk or phone 07971 444258.

For further information on any of these events, please contact Alison Smedley, IWA Branch Campaign Officer, Telephone: 01538 385388/07779 090915 or email alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk or Stefanie Preston, IWA Branch Campaign Assistant, Telephone 01494 783453 or email stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk Information can also be found on IWA’s website: www.waterways.org.uk

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11

12 NEWS

IN BRIEF

Green flag

THE Grand Western Canal & Country Park has successfully retained the Green Flag Award for the fifth consecutive year from environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy. Visitors to the canal, which is managed by Devon County Council and stretches 11 miles from Tiverton to the Somerset border, are also able to enjoy the new £305,000 visitor centre which opened in April and celebrates the canal’s history and local wildlife.

Canal reserve WOLVERHAMPTON City Council

has declared that the Wyrley & Essington Canal is now a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation writes Bob Clarke.

The announcement follows a campaign by nearly 100 residents to have the whole of the canal recognised as a nature reserve.

This means it is now protected from development and paves the way for the canal to be registered as a local nature reserve by Natural England. City councillor Phil Bateman, who led a six year campaign to have the canal recognised, described it as a ‘fabulous resource’.

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CRT and IWA clash over plans for community boat licence fees

By Bob Clarke

TWICE in as many months, the Canal & River Trust is about to have a head-on confrontation with the Inland Waterways Association – this time over the trust’s proposals to increase charity and community boat licences by up to 60%.

The first occasion was, as reported in Towpath Talk, CRT’s decision to allow a trip boat to use visitor moorings at Upton-on-Severn without consulting either the local IWA branch or Upton Town Council which is part owner of the moorings – for which the CRT had to make a public apology.

The latest clash involves the same CRT employee, business boating manager (South) Susie Mercer, based at the trust’s Gloucester Office.

The IWA has now responded to Ms Mercer’s document objecting “to the fact that the trust has not followed its own improving openness and

accountability” and that the association was not formally consulted.

And it is also critical of the timing and duration of the consultation telling her that: “It came at the busiest time of the hire boat industry along with the short duration of only five weeks which is also considered unhelpful. Furthermore it is understood that there are some holders of business licences who did not receive the consultation and who may still be unaware of the proposals.”

The association points out that in October last year the CRT trustees decided to limit boat licence increases for three years from 2014 to inflation only at the same time as endorsing planned licence prices which still see licence fees rise by 4.6% from April 2013 (2% above inflation) and that this principle should apply to both business and private licence holders.

IWA also claims the trust’s intention to obtain an increase in income as a result

By Bob Clarke

TWO lucky readers won fantastic prizes in our recent competitions.

Congratulations to Susan Robinson of Manchester who won the GPS tracker supplied by Tracktronics for correctly answering that GPS stand for Global Positioning System. Also to Stephen Hill of Heysham, Lancashire, who was the lucky winner of the Hubbax 3G Broadband device from Marine Buzz. His entry was drawn from all those who correctly answered that the device’s maximum download speed is 21 Mbps.

A CALL for safety fencing to be erected alongside canals has been dismissed

by West Midlands waterway manager, Dean Davies, who said fencing could actually hinder rescue action.

The call came from a local councillor after an inquest recorded an accidental death verdict on a six-yearold girl who drowned in the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Wolverley, near Kidderminster.

THE visitor centre at the Anderton Boat Lift in Cheshire has been refreshed with the addition of new display cases and collections. They contain historic objects and artefacts previously in storage in the national archives, housed at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

The objects will help to tell the story of the boat lift and the people who engineered, built and used it and are an addition to the existing information and videos at the Canal & River Trust visitor centre near Northwich.

Tall order A £50 million plan for a marina

and housing complex at Selby in North Yorkshire has been rejected by the local council because of the proposed height of the buildings and the lack of education, play or social housing provision, writes Geoff Wood. It would have created 400 houses and apartments, shops and restaurants and a marina for 32 boats in the area where Selby Canal meets the River Ouse.

Mr Davies said: “I know there have been calls for extra safety measures along this part of the canal and we have carefully looked at this. However, additional measures such as fencing can prevent an early rescue from the canal by emergency services and can actually prevent access to the water.

“Canals are beautiful places and 10 million people visit them every year.

Nonetheless, this case highlights how important it is to stay safe and be aware of the risks.”

Murals depict canal history

Welsh showcase CANALS and waterways in Wales

New display

particularly where they raise funds through occasional commercial trips that enable them to offer free or subsidised outings to those whom the charity is aimed at benefiting.”

In a letter received by Towpath Talk, someone involved in charity and community boats, who asked not to be named, described the removal of the discount as ‘unreasonable, illogical and unfair’, particularly where the charity concerned invests any money it raises in the maintenance of the canal on which it operates.

Describing the ‘fairness argument’ as a red herring, he added: “It is public policy to encourage and support charities… given its public funding and public monopoly in respect of waterways, CRT should respect public policy and not exploit its monopoly and dominant position by seeking to disadvantage all charities other than itself.”

Fencing could hinder canal rescues

Hi tech prizes

are to be showcased to the world through a new artist-in-residence programme aimed at attracting more tourists. The first two will start later this year with a sixmonth residency on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and a year-long residency on the waterways of the Welsh Marches. A second, year-long residency will see an artist responding to the mix of architecture, engineering and people in six countries, including England and Wales, where waterways cross national borders in Europe.

of its proposals is not sensible or sustainable when the bulk, £106,000, is expected to come from day and holiday hire. “It is likely the CRT income it will receive will be considerably less than this as a result of hire companies going out of business or simply choosing to cease hiring out boats as part of a wider business.”

And it reiterates that many people become boaters after sampling trips on day and holiday hire boats. IWA also warns the trust of the effect the proposals will have on canal societies that operate trip boats where all the funds go towards further restoration of their canal project.

While welcoming the new category of community boat, the IWA says: “We are concerned that there are some community organisations which operate boats for holidays or day trips for disabled or disadvantaged children that will be disadvantaged by this,

Passenger boat MV Teal which recently carried The Queen across Lake Windermere.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Royal trip across the lake

By Harry Arnold

THE Queen – accompanied by The Princess Royal – had an inland waterways trip on Lake Windermere during a visit to Cumbria in July.

She travelled aboard Windermere Lake Cruises’ passenger boat MV Teal from Bowness-on-Windermere to Brockhole Pier where they both met representatives of the Lake District National Park and voluntary rangers.

Before embarking from Bowness, The Queen was received by the chairman of Windermere Lake Cruises William Bewley who introduced her to company employees and the boat’s crew as she walked along the pier.

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, previously travelled aboard the 1936-built Teal on a cruise between Ambleside and Bowness in August 1956.

Windermere Lake Cruises were recently listed among Britain’s top ten tourist attractions.

THE history of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal inspired students to create colourful murals to brighten up empty shops on Burnley’s Trafalgar Street.

Media studies students from Marsden Heights Community College in Nelson and the Faith Centre in Burnley spent two months working with photographer Scott Kershaw to compile a set of images representing the historical and natural features of the canal.

They also went on a canal boat trip and visited the Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre to learn more about the history of the waterway.

Canal & River Trust community officer Emma Bartlet said the posters will be on display for several months and will hopefully be seen by thousands of people.

A canalside terrace and footbridge are among plans for a new development in the heart of the Weavers’ Triangle.

Water taxi volunteer calls it a day A VOLUNTEER who has run a water taxi service for almost 30 years has retired to let someone else take the helm, writes Geoff Wood.

Ronnie Rose, 75, has looked after the Marsden Shuttle operated by the Huddersfield Canal Society which links Marsden railway station with the Standedge Visitor Centre along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

Decline in demand forces sale of well-known community trip boat

By Bob Clarke

AT the end of the current boating season a community trip boat based in Walsall will be put up for sale due to a fall in demand.

The H F Truman – named after a former Mayor of Walsall – was built in 1996 and has been operated by the Enterprise Narrowboat Trust. It is full length and operated as a residential cruiser carrying 12 passengers and two crew.

The crew were accommodated in a back cabin with the rest of the boat comprising two cabins – one with four bunks and one with eight. There is also a large lounge/dining area, full cooking and personal facilities.

It is powered by a Lister Alpha 4 engine and is on offer at £25,000.

At one time it was funded by the Walsall Youth Service but with local authority financial cutbacks, funding was withdrawn.

One of the trust’s volunteers, Bob Williams, said that apart from funding being withdrawn there had been a fall in demand. As the trust also operates another boat – a day boat for more local journeys – the trust decided to sell the H F Truman.

“As the boat has some bookings for the remainder of the season, we will not be selling until the end of the current boating season.”

Anyone interested can contact Mr Williams on 01543 671427.

Society chairman Alan Stopher (left) presents Ronnie with an engraved windlass to mark his retirement. They are pictured with the Standedge Visitor Centre cottages in the background. PHOTO SUPPLIED

EVENTS 13

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Successful debut for the Blackburn Canal Festival

By Geoff Wood

A teddy bear braves the rain at Todmorden. PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

Show goes on despite the storms

By Geoff Wood

CITY centre and countryside were represented in the South Pennine Ring Festival for Northern canals.

Ancoats in central Manchester was once described as the world’s first industrial suburb. But there were concerns about living conditions and it fell into decline in the 1930s Recently there has been considerable redevelopment with new apartments and shops. And the land linking the Rochdale and Ashton Canals has been turned into a marina – the scene of this year’s Ancoats Canal Festival.

Apart from narrowboats, there was canoeing on the marina, a barbecue, circus activities and face painting.

But many visitors on the Saturday thought it was a shame there wasn’t a bigger turnout among local people.

However, in the hills where the Rochdale Canal reaches its summit it was a different story on the following Monday night.

A flash flood caused scenes described by residents as sheer devastation. Water to a depth of 18in poured down the hill, demolishing a wall and ripping up a road surface.

A total of 20 homes were flooded.

But the spirit of local people endured in canal festival week and two days later residents turned out to stage a lantern parade along the canal, even though the weather was still stormy.

An illuminated boat provided by the Rochdale Canal Society accompanied the walkers along the towpath at Todmorden. And there was entertainment at Fielden Wharf from fire dancers as supporters in their waterproofs looked on.

THERE was fun in the sun for visitors to the first ever Blackburn Canal Festival.

Boaters got in the sunshine spirit by decorating their vessels tied alongside the historic Eanam Wharf.

Visitors turned out in T-shirts and shorts to be entertained, listening to music and watching dancing displays.

The festival was given a civic opening by the Mayor of Blackburn, Coun Salim Malla.

It was another sign that the Eanam Wharf where the festival is based is on the up. A year ago, the wharf on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, where coal and cotton were floated into Blackburn, was largely derelict.

Now it is a regular centre of activities with businesses and a restaurant and the prospects are even brighter.

One of the organisers David Wilson said: “The response to the festival has been fantastic. We have had a lot of traditional food from different countries on offer and there are other developments in the pipeline.

“I can announce that we are to become Britain’s first sailthrough restaurant and this makes sense as more and more people are now sailing past and mooring at the wharf,” Organisers later said the event had been a considerable success and that 3000 visitors had attended over the weekend.

Visiting boats lined up at Eanam Wharf. PHOTOS: GEOFF WOOD

Young dancers take a bow.

A decorated narrowboat with a patriotic theme.

Blue skies at Scarisbrick

A busy scene, especially at the ice cream van, at Scarisbrick Marina’s festival and open weekend. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING

By Colin Wareing

UNDER glorious blue skies and soaring temperatures thousands of people flocked to the open plains of West Lancashire to the Scarisbrick Marina alongside the Leeds & Liverpool canal for their first festival and open weekend in July.

Organisers sister and brother Sarah and Danny Mawdsley were delighted with the way the weekend went and the amount of people that came along to sample the delights of the tea room, the entertainment from brass bands, folk and shanty musicians, boats, crafters and lots and lots of ice cream.

Over the weekend local branches of charities RNLI, the air ambulance, Rainbow House and Clatterbridge benefited from collections boosted by face painting, vintage fire engines and a vintage fairground organ.

Once again the canal community had come together to put on a free show for the general public, with the Canal & River Trust busy signing up friends from everyone who enjoys the waterways.

Two events in one weekend raise £1000 for charity CHURCH Minshull Aqueduct Marina held two very successful events over the weekend of July 20 and 21, raising more than £1100 for charity.

Marina director Robert Parton said: “We were raising money for The Powered Wheelchair Appeal run by Helsby Golf Club and will be donating £1000. We have also made a £100 donation to the Saturn Project to help with the education programme and boat maintenance.”

The money was raised with a Boaters’ Bash, featuring the band Aphrodite, on Saturday evening and a Family Fun Day at the Cheshire marina on the Sunday. Over 150 tickets were sold for the bash and

the Wigan-based band offered a very popular mix of music from Blondie through to the Kaiser Chiefs. A fish and chip stall on site also went down well and with the Galley bar open, the evening was a tremendous success.

The Sunday fun day also proved very popular, particularly the dog show organised by Nantwich Vets, the set from the singing group The Funky Choir, the Cheese Boat and the model boats in the marina. The Shroppie Fly Boat, Saturn, was also there and gave visitors the opportunity to view the last purpose-built fly boat in existence.

Crewe Model Boat Club offered young and old alike the chance to try out radio controlled model boats

and there were many other stalls on site during the day, including the Shropshire Union Canal Society.

The Powered Wheelchair Appeal at Helsby Golf Club was set up in 1983 to raise £641 for a powered wheelchair for a local youngster.

The appeal has continued and has now provided 314 powered wheelchairs for young people in Cheshire including James Harris from Shavington. Today these chairs cost several thousand pounds each but allow much needed independence for disabled youngsters. James’s mum Anya said: “We suggested the charity to the marina because having the electric wheelchair has made so much difference to James’s life.”

Fun day music from the Funky Choir. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Scarisbrick Marina owners Sarah and Danny Mawdsley who organised the first Scarisbrick Marina Festival

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BOATYARD & MARINA NEWS 59

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insider

Getting Afloat Bits & Bobs Reviews

Planners give go-ahead for Mercia development MERCIA Marina’s plans for a waterside retail development with offices and a restaurant have been approved by South Derbyshire District Council.

The marina, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, submitted revised plans for the £1.7 million Boardwalk development in May. It is scheduled to open in spring 2014, potentially creating up to 40 jobs.

A previous planning application for The Boardwalk had already been given the green light last year, but the marina decided to add office space to its original retail-only proposal to suit the current commercial climate.

The Boardwalk will comprise a central restaurant, built over two floors and recessed to include an outdoor seating

area on the waterfront. The restaurant will be flanked by three retail units on each side and the remaining upper floor space will include up to four small office units.

Mercia Marina has already attracted two flagship retailers: The Butcher, The Baker, The Ice Cream Maker to operate a farm shop, and the clothing retailer Bluewater.

Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, said: “We’re delighted that the council has agreed to our latest plans. The Boardwalk will give yet another boost to the job market and local economy – not least with the additional visitor numbers the development will generate.

“We’re currently in the process of

finalising the legal and financial details before we begin construction, but we hope to start building by the end of the year.”

The 74-acre Mercia Marina, which lies near to the South Derbyshire village of Willington, is Europe’s largest inland marina.

Meanwhile, the marina is particularly interested in finding the right operator to take on the 120-cover restaurant which will cater for lunchtime and evening trade for boaters and visitors alike.

Anyone interested in opportunities within the new Boardwalk development should contact Paul Rushton, of Rushton Hickman Ltd, on 01283 528002, or Matthew Phillips on 01213 532757.

On the right is the promontory which will be the site of the new Boardwalk development with a waterside restaurant, shops and offices.

Beacon boaters head for Barrow CUSTOMERS of Beacon Boats in Barrowupon-Soar, Leicestershire, over the past nine years have been invited to a gathering on September 7.

Every boat built to date is still with its original owner and although only a handful will be able to bring their boats, mooring above Barrow Deep Lock, many others are hoping to attend the evening function in the Soar Bridge Inn. Although that is by invitation only, members of the public can see the visiting boats from the towpath.

P60 P61 P61

What’s On P62 Products & Services P64

Botany Bay Boatyard & Brokerage with its 40-ton crane alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Crane service to the Lancaster Canal CONVENIENTLY situated close to M61/Jct 8 alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Chorley, Lancashire, Botany Bay Boatyard has been established for over 30 years.

The yard prides itself on having built up an excellent reputation with many a satisfied customer due to its invaluable experience in all manner of quality boatyard services. The friendly and experienced team will assist you in every possible way.

It has a fully certified 40-ton crane on site to cope with any lifting requirements. Larger heavier vessels can be accommodated by means of a tandem lift.

Facilities also include boat painting, blacking and signwriting, short and long term hard standing, maintenance and servicing, professional boat fitting services, DIY facilities, shortterm moorings, hull surveys and welding work, boat transport and on-site parking.

Shaun Smith told us: “We build new

boats on site, renovate older ones and allow customers to work on their own boats, with hook-ups available. We also have an on-site mechanic and can arrange surveys and boat safety examinations. We have a selection of customers’ boats for sale.”

Cranage onto hard standing includes two weeks’ hard standing free of charge.

Shaun added: “We do not inflate prices from our suppliers, we pass the saving on to you. So whether you’re a boat owner or just keen to find out more, call us and you’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome at Botany Bay Boatyard and perhaps enjoy a drink or a bite to eat at the Lock & Quay canalside restaurant.

New for 2013: Beat the queue and take the hassle out of navigating the Ribble Link. Have your vessel professionally lifted and transported on to the picturesque Lancaster Canal.

Ring for competitive rates on all types of vessel.

● For more information visit the website at botanybayboatyard.co.uk and follow Botany Bay on Facebook.

New work boat Aquilo is launched on to the Kennet and Avon Canal

A NEW work boat was launched recently at Hilperton on the Kennet & Avon canal.

Aquilo, a 70ft small Woolwich replica, was fabricated by Colecraft using plans supplied by Laurence Hogg.

The boatman’s cabin is being fitted out by The Boatyard, Hilperton, where Victoria and

Spencer Collins will be operating it as a coal, diesel and chandlery boat from early September with a regular run to Bath and the bottom of the flight at Devizes. ● For information, contact 01225 710017.

Four Gold Anchors BRUNDALL Bay Marina, on the Norfolk Broads, has been awarded Four Gold Anchors by The Yacht Harbour Association. The presentation was made to the marina staff team recently by Dr John Packman, chief executive of the Broads Authority.

The 329-berth marina set in 50 acres of parkland is part of the Tingdene Marinas Group.

Open day visitors take a closer look at one of the boats being fitted out.

Good day out at Fernwood Boats

Home town surprise A BANBURY boatyard had a surprise when a narrowboat bearing the name of the Oxfordshire town arrived in its dry dock recently. Manager of Tooley’s Boatyard, Matt Armitage, was asked to carry out some maintenance work on the boat and some replacement panels were also welded on to the Banbury’s steel hull before it was towed back to its home mooring at Wolvercote.

Woolwich replica Aquilo is launched onto the Kennet & Avon Canal at Hilperton. PHOTO SUPPLIED

FERNWOOD Boats held its annual open day at its workshops close to Grantham, Lincolnshire, on Sunday, July 6.

The company usually times its open day soon after Crick Boat Show, which allows for people who saw them at the show to get the chance to meet all the staff, see current boats in build and to discuss their needs in more depth.

One of the company’s preferred shell suppliers, Alexander Boatbuilders, was also on hand to answer any questions on the first steps of the building process.

There were three boats on show, all in the fitting stages. One of these boats is currently being built for a Dutch customer, who had arranged for a coach party of family and friends to come over for the day for a few glasses of bubbly and to see their dream coming together.

With great weather, light refreshments and the opportunity to look through previous builds, designs and ideas, it was a good day out for any potential buyer.

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Buying a new boat: The do’s and don’ts

In the seventh article of his series looking at what turns ordinary people into boaters, Peter Underwood takes some advice from the Canal & River Trust and the trade bodies and adds a bit of caution of his own.

IF YOU are planning to become the proud owner of a new boat – congratulations, you have just become a pretty rare beast.

Retired dental surgeon Paul Faulkner and his wife Kathy, a former headmistress, with their boat Carpe Diem, designed to fit Paul’s tall stature.

Around 1% of British households own a boat on our canals, just under 24,000 of us – according to the most recent survey by the British Marine Federation, although the Canal & River Trust reckons there are 35,000 boats on our inland waterways.

But there are fewer new boats registered each year. In 2008 it peaked at 2135 new registrations with what was then British Waterways. As the recession took hold it dropped dramatically to 1687 in 2009, down to 1544 in 2010, 1480 in 2011 and just 1279 last year.

Those numbers also illustrate why you need to be especially careful of who you buy your new boat from.

The number of boat builders going out of business has long been a concern to the industry – and if the builder goes bust while your boat is in his yard it will be exceptionally difficult to get at it, especially if the boat is assumed to be part of the disposable

assets of the company rather than your possession.

That makes it essential that you have a British Marine Federation boat building contract signed by both you and the boat builder which ensures that you own the bits you have paid for, so, in theory, you can never lose your boat or your money.

Avoid any builder who asks for a massive deposit up front. A payment of around £1000 should secure your build slot and allow you to start designing your boat with the builder.

That should produce an agreed specification and price with the stages of production and the percentages payable set out in the contract. That way you know when and how much you have to find.

The advantages of buying new include being able to specify exactly what you want in your boat and having a guarantee of the work when finished. I have to say that – at a time when many new cars come with three, four or five year guarantees – I find it puzzling that most builders will only guarantee their work for one year.

The disadvantages include having to pay 20% VAT, although you can’t quite say that you lose that off the value of your boat as soon as you take delivery.

That’s because the second-hand value of your new boat tends to be based on the total figure – including VAT – rather than the value without the tax.

Chris and Dee Gapper on the bow of their new widebeam once it landed in the water.

Building the boat

Assuming you have already made the key decisions on length, width, layout etc. it is worth offering a word of caution. If you are concerned about resale value any boat broker will tell you it is much more difficult to sell an unusual boat, one built around your particular idiosyncrasies.

It may be boring but choosing a fairly standard layout and design will mean a better price later on.

You can find plenty of boat builders in the pages of this newspaper but they are not all the same. Some build from the bottom up – buying in the steel to weld together the shell, fitting the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services you need, building the interior spaces, painting the exterior and even finishing up with the signwriting.

Others buy in shells, sometimes from other UK firms, but also from around the world, from the Polish shipyards to a Chinese factory.

The shell does matter, whether it is built here or abroad. I have seen shells turn up for fitting at a boatyard with very poor lines, obvious welds and a general feel of being thrown together. It is good advice to take a close look at the shells your builder has either created or bought in before a painter gets to them.

Of course, the better the reputation of the shell-builder the higher the price – just as the price will soar as soon as you start specifying something out of the ordinary.

A basic new narrowboat will probably cost around £1200 per foot length, fully fitted, and a wide-beam about £1600 per foot.

Do your research

Up and down – the Gappers’ new boat is craned into the Grand Union and a new boat joins the thousands on the system.

A lot of boat for their money – satisfied customers Chris and Dee Gapper watched their new widebeam boat being craned into the water at Willowbridge Marina on the Grand Union. It had arrived on the back of a lorry from Poland that day.

Like a substantial proportion of those buying a new boat in these straightened times, it had been bought after selling their house and they plan to make it their home.

Chris, 54, and his wife Dee, also 54,

broke many of the guidelines when buying their new boat, paying £47,000 up front for the vessel, which cost them £65,000 plus another £4800 for delivery from Poland – but they were happy when I chatted to them inside the slightly echoing main cabin of their new home.

Despite the financial gamble, Chris says he is happy with their purchase.

“We specified a sailaway with lots of

extras, including a fitted bathroom and an extra-large pump-out tank,” he said.

“We are expecting a delivery from IKEA today and my family is helping to put together the kitchen, bed and other furniture.

“The firm seems to have delivered what it promised, although the aftersales service was a bit limited. All in all I reckon we have got a lot of boat for our money.”

Some people have the skills necessary to do the fit-out work themselves and will buy what tend to be called sailaways, fitted to a specific level that usually includes the engine, electrics and interior lining. More sophisticated packages could have a bathroom fitted as well.

At the other end of the scale you can just buy a hull with no engine, although it may include a diesel and water tank, gas locker, rudder, tiller and gas locker.

There is no alternative to doing your research, visiting various boat builders, seeing what they offer and – most importantly – talking to their previous customers. If they are unable or unwilling to put you in touch, go somewhere else.

If you have decided on the best steelwork you can afford, satisfied yourself your builder is unlikely to go to the wall, and agreed a design, you can’t really go away and leave your chosen builder to do the business, just dripfeeding him money when asked.

You really do need to be visiting your builder regularly. At the simplest level you need to be sure that he has done what he claims to have done before you make the next stage payment. Equally importantly, if you see your boat coming together you will know what is behind that piece of veneer or beneath a step, and that can be really helpful when the boat is yours.

You will get cost benefits from buying a new boat from a standard range as the

Inside Paul and Kathy’s boat where light and modernity is the theme. builder can create templates, place bulk orders and pass on the savings. What you won’t get is individuality.

All new boats have to comply with the Recreational Craft Directive. Make sure you get all the certification, markings and manuals that are required under the law.

I would suggest that it is important that you feel comfortable with the builder creating your new boat. You may well be dealing with the person who actually welds the steel and saws the wood and many of them are highly skilled. You need to feel you can call in at any time and be welcomed.

This is not so easy with overseas manufacturers. If your boat is being built in a Polish shipyard, even an inspection trip, often offered to buyers, will not give you the regular contact most would feel happy about. The best alternative is to make sure you have talked with several existing owners and get any commitments made verbally by the UK salesperson put into writing.

There will be complications, misinterpretations and even mistakes, it is almost inevitable, but you have to be happy that you can sort them out with the people doing the work.

Pleased with their purchase Paul and Kathy Faulkner, a retired dental and oral surgeon and his former headteacher wife, took delivery of their new boat two years ago – and they are still pleased with their purchase.

Paul explained that the boat had been designed by him to suit his unusual height and he had specified a clean and simple layout for the vessel which they use for several months a year.

Fitted by Drayton Boat Services in a hull produced by the now defunct M&D boatbuilders of Stourport, it has a Vetus 42 engine and serves the retired couple as a home for months at a time.

“I would do the same thing again,” he said, “because it has given us a boat that suits our particular needs and gives me a bed long enough to fit me.” ● Next month: Buying a secondhand boat

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BITS & BOBS GREETINGS! When I was growing up, fall foraging was part of our seasonal routine. My Gram knew the location of all the local berry patches and abandoned orchards.

To this day I can’t pass wild, ripe fruit without stopping to chuck a bit into a basket. Gram had big, deep cupboards; hard to find on a narrowboat. I compromise by turning to a family preserve recipe that is stored in small jars. This ‘jam’ was made for special occasions because while simple to make, apple butter takes longer to cook than an old-fashioned Christmas pud – 12 hours.

REVIEWS

by Rexx & Phill

This recipe works a treat for us because as the crisp, winter weather sets in, we have the heater on all night and the top lid with a diffuser provides a perfect surface for long, slow cooking. I just prepare the apple mix and let it bubble on a whisper of a simmer all night long (7pm-7am) to thicken and yummify. (Our diffuser keeps the mixture on low). Either way, you can’t get better than this ‘jam’ spread on buttered sour dough toast for a winter treat. Once preserved these beauties keep up to a year; they make great holiday ‘prezzies’.

Books, DVDs and other items for possible review should be sent to:

September top tip

When the cold sets in, our drip diesel heater becomes our new best friend. We have a couple of tricks to get maximum cabin comfort. We put a large bowl of water on our heater during the winter months.

The bowl sits on a diffuser to prevent it from getting too hot. We have found that this helps put moisture back in our cabin.

During the day, we keep a specially designed heater fan on the heater lid which distributes the heat. And of course we use our heater lid (with the diffuser) to cook long, slow casseroles and soups.

Rexx’s Apple Butter Preserves

Prep time 1 hour, cook time 14 hours, makes a dozen small jars Apple Butter

● 4 quarts cooking apples

(6 med apples equal 1 quart)

● 3 cups water ● 1 cup apple cider ● 5 cups sugar ● ½ tsp cinnamon ● ½ tsp allspice ● 1 250ml Jar Bramley apple sauce

Peel the apples, core, cut into quarters. Mix the sugar and spices together. Mix in with the apple quarters. Tip the mixture into a large kettle. Pour over the liquid ingredients.

Stir to combine. We put a diffuser on top of the stove lid for this long, slow cooking. I start the cooking around 7pm (giving a good stir every hour or so until we go to bed).

During the night the mixture continues cooking with the diffuser preventing it from sticking on the bottom. In the morning I just continue the process adding the jar of apple sauce and adjusting the seasoning about an hour before I judge the butter ‘done’ (7am or so).

‘Done’ means the apple butter has reached the desired colour (nice cinnamon brown) and the desired consistency

Phill’s Apple Pie

Prep time 30 minutes, cook time 50 minutes or so, serves 6-8 I know why they call it fall; that’s when the apples hit the ground and I know exactly what to do with ’em – make apple pies. In our family, it was a mandatory part of marital bliss that wives put out a good apple pie. One day, my grandmother turned to me and said: “Learn to make your own pie so that you will value it when someone does it for you.” Here is her recipe wrapped up in that wisdom along with a couple of her tips.

Tip 1 Mix in a couple of tart apples or juice of half a lemon to balance the sweetness. Tip 2 Slice your apples into the bowl, pause to sprinkle that layer with the sugar compound before you top it with the slices of the next apple; the slices weep and start the syrup before they even go in the pie shell and the spices are mixed through evenly.

(thick jam). Do a final adjustment of the seasoning by adding more sugar, cinnamon or allspice. The jar of apple sauce seems to blend everything together but it is optional.

To preserve: Spoon the hot apple butter into hot, sterilised jam jars, filling to just below the rim. Wipe the rim of each jar using a paper towel dipped into hot water. Place a lid on each jar; seal tightly. Arrange the jars in a large pot.

Add boiling water to the pot so that at least 2.5cm (1in) of water covers tops of jars. Cover the pot and boil rapidly (15min). Remove jars from the pot. Cool to room temperature and count the ‘pings’ as they seal. Store in a cool dry place for up to one year. Refrigerate after opening.

Two Crust Pastry ● 2 cups all-purpose flour ● 1 tsp salt ● 2/3 cups cold shortening, diced ● 2 tbsp cold butter, diced ● 4 tbsp water ● 1 egg ● 1 tbsp sugar to sprinkle over the top crust Filling ● 1 cup caster sugar ● 1 tsp cinnamon ● 8 or 9 baking apples, peeled, cored, sliced ● 2 tart apples, peeled, cored, sliced ● 4 pats butter ● 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional) Mix together flour and salt. Rub in the shortening and butter until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Sprinkle over the water (if too crumbly, add another teaspoon or so of water) and gather the mixture into a ball.

Wrap in cling film and chill for a half hour (or for the time it takes to prepare the filling). Divide the chilled pastry into two balls (2⁄3 and 1⁄3). Roll out the larger ball to the thickness of a £1 coin; roll this loosely over your rolling pin and unroll it over the pie dish. Gently ease into the bottom.

If using a pie bird, place this in the centre. Add the filling, dotting it with pats of butter between layers. Roll out the top pastry; make a small hole in the centre for the head of the pie bird OR prick a few holes in the top dough with the tines of a fork. Using the rolling pin technique, loosely drape the dough over the rolling pin and unroll over the mound of apples. Trim, crimp the edges of the dough together and brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with caster sugar and bake 220ºC (425ºF) Mk 7, (50min) until crust is browned. Fare Well.

Gardening Afloat

Lee Senior’s topical tips for growing your own fruit and veg in the month of September.

OUR days are becoming noticeably shorter now, with autumn just around the corner. However, this year has been a bumper year for small scale amateur food growing across the UK. Indeed many vegetables are still cropping well and should continue to do so until the first frosts.

Courgettes, although prone to mildew now, can go on till October in most years.

Meanwhile, Japanese overwintering onions can be planted out this month, both in beds and larger containers. These heat-treated ‘mini sets’ are widely available now and they will survive

Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

Bringing history to life on the Thames and Severn Canal Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

AN IRRESISTIBLE mix of old and new photographs brings history to life in the recently published book, The Thames and Severn Canal Through Time.

This canal opened in 1789 and was in use until the early 20th century. It links the two great rivers of southern Britain over 37 miles, so is a great canal to explore.

The comprehensive selection of photographs, accompanied by plenty of fascinating information, highlights the many changes over the last century.

The album presents images old and new grouped to reflect these changes.

The spectacular scenery of the Thames and Severn Canal is matched only by its impressive features and statistics, which include 44 locks, a climb of 241 feet from Stroud and the two and a quarter mile long Sapperton tunnel.

The Thames & Severn Canal Through Time by David Viner is from Amberley Publishing in softback, priced £14.99.

ISBN: 978-1-84868-044-9

Canal and river transport still alive Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

FOR anyone who thinks canal and river transport is a thing of the past, a book from distinguished transport photographer Malcolm Slater shows that the carriage of freight is alive and well on many of the UK’s larger waterways.

Humberside Working Barges 2012-2013 is a photographic record of modern day cargo carrying in the North East.

This is for anyone interested in working barges, the Humber Estuary and the commercial rivers and canals that flow into the Humber.

Humberside Working Barges 2012-13 is priced £6.50 plus £2.70 recorded first class post from Slater’s Photographic Sales and Publishing, 75 Broome Close, Huntington, York YO32 9RH ISBN: 978-1-871392-05-0

Knotting package Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

HERE is something that goes a step further than the simple ‘how to’ book on knot tying.

The Practical Knot Pack contains not only a user-friendly booklet, but also handy ‘go anywhere’ cards of the first 10 knots in the book and two lengths of cord for practising.

So in one little package there is everything for the enthusiast or knot novice.

The booklet tackles 50 of the most useful knots with step-by-step instructions and illustrations.

Some of the knots have been is use for thousands of years while others are recent discoveries.

This book will provide an excellent range of skills in a fascinating, sometimes vital yet often neglected craft.

The Practical Knot Pack with softback book by Steve Luck is published by Adlard Coles Nautical, priced £12.99 ISBN: 978-1-4081-9206-1

the cold winter weather. Twist the onion into the compost, leaving the tip just above the soil level.

Protect from birds trying to pull them out until growth commences.

Pointed spring harvested cabbage can be transplanted now and left to grow on slowly over autumn and winter before being ready to pick next May. It is still worth sowing radish in a window box or trough and mixed salad leaves for a quick crop in November before the bad weather sets in.

Remember to cut off asparagus foliage as it turns yellow to protect the crowns over winter.

When you pull up your spent pea and bean plants, leave the roots in the soil. They contain nitrogen fixing nodules that will help fertilise the following crop.

A veritable harvest of vegetables during what has been a bumper year.

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WHAT’S ON

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Compiled by Janet Richardson

Restoration day on the Wendover Arm

FOLLOWING the success of last year’s ‘Walk an Arm’s Length’ along the Wendover Arm, it was decided to arrange days when the public would be encouraged to visit the canal and view the upto-date restoration workings.

The first of these was on a sunny day in early June when the event was held in and around St Mary the Virgin Church in Drayton Beauchamp.

The Reverend Elizabeth Moxley kindly offered the use of the Church and its facilities.

During the afternoon there were four guided tours planned to the current restoration site a

short walk along the towpath. At the current workings the Restoration Director Roger Leishman gave an in depth report on the methods used, all the while the diggers and dumpers worked furiously moving the spoil in the canal bed.

A Wendover Arm Trust Restoration Day will be held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Church Lane, Drayton Beauchamp HP22 5LU on Sunday, September 8 from 12.30-4pm. Winners of a grand draw will be picked during the event. www.wendoverarmtrust.co.uk

Email details of your event to: dsharp@mortons.co.uk or send details to: What’s on, Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR

Shackerstone springs to life ON THE first weekend of September each year the small, sleepy Leicestershire village of Shackerstone on the Ashby Canal springs to life with the sights and sounds of the family festival.

The event will take place this year on September 7-8 and is expected to attract about 15,000 people. Run by the villagers of Shackerstone, members of the Ashby Canal Association and the Shackerstone Railway Society, the event has helped raise over £350,000 for good causes, both national and local over 15 years.

As well as narrowboats, there will be vintage cars, planes, steam trains on The Battlefield Line and much more besides.

On Saturday the Dakota from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be giving a flypast and the Spitfire on Sunday when the Red Arrows will also give a full 25-minute display.

Main ring attractions on both days will include the Knights of Nottingham jousting team, the Black Rock racing llamas and Piston Rings motorcycle display team.

There will also be lawn mower racing, a dog training demonstration, vintage tractors

and traction engines, birds of prey and a Wild West arena.

The not-for-profit organisation has run since 1995 and has helped raise over £350,000 for good causes, both national and local.

The Festival Site is midway between the villages of Congerstone and Shackerstone, off Barton Lane, look out for the yellow AA signs. If you are using sat nav the nearest postcode is CV13 6NB - Barton Lane, Congerstone.

● For further details and admission charges and online tickets visit www. shackerstonefestival.co.uk or call 07767 400894.

Floating market comes to Birmingham BIRMINGHAM’s canals will host what is expected to be Britain’s largest floating market on September 28 and 29.

Taking place on the Birmingham Main Line Canal alongside the National Indoor Arena, this two-day event will be opened by Canal & River Trust chairman, Tony Hales.

During the weekend the canal is expected to be a real hub of activity packed with narrowboats selling everything from books, cheeses,

handicraft, fashion and a whole variety of food.

Peter Mathews, chair of the West Midlands waterways partnership, said: “We want to get as many people as possible to visit Birmingham’s waterways for this fun weekend. There will be lots of exciting things to do, see and eat, and it should be a really great family day out.”

Places are going fast so to book a space at the floating market contact organiser John Sloan at sloan.john@yahoo.co.uk

Duck race will be part of Discovery Day fun Visitors find out about restoration progress during the June event. PHOTO: DAVID LONSDALE

ORGANISERS of the Grantham Canal Society’s Discovery Day on Sunday, October 13 are hoping for plenty of support from the public this year.

Funds have been severely depleted recently due to the necessity of having to replace the bottom gates on Woolsthorpe Top Lock.

Events team leader, Rosemary Gibson, said: “Discovery Day is our showcase event, when all sectors of the society can contribute their efforts in an enjoyable way. It enables us to

inform the public of our achievements and exciting future projects.

It’s an opportunity for anyone interested, to find out how to get involved as a volunteer.”

The eccentricity of the annual ‘Dirty Duck Race’ will only be part of the fun, when course designer ‘Ay Up Me Duck’ (aka Anthony Jackson) will endeavour to impede the ducks in their dash for the finishing line. He failed miserably last year, when his mischievously placed Ducking Stool failed to

Spectators watch the duck race leaders round the canal turn.

work, and his Really Scary Tunnel wasn’t scary enough – what tricks will he employ this year we wonder?

Rosanna Burton of the RSPB Futurescapes Project will be running her children’s activities throughout the day.

Bat carers from Lincolnshire Bat Group will have some of their rescue bats for all to see, and if Hedgehog Welfare have any little underweight Hedgehogs – visitors may be treated to one being bottle fed.

Narrowboat trips are sure to be very popular, so arrive early to book your place.

Stalls and demonstrations will include a textile artist, creative jewellery, roses and castles painting, Sustrans, talks, displays, clog dancing by the Maids of Clifton and refreshments to the accompaniment of the Melstrum Ukulele Orchestra.

Two songs written about the Grantham Canal will be performed – one written specially for the canal’s opening ceremony over 200 years ago.

Buskers are also welcome.

Make a model boat out of junk and bring it along to enter into a novel competition; it doesn’t have to float!

Volunteers from the Grantham Canal Society, will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the canal and you can also bag a bargain at The Grantham Canal Charity Shop!

All proceeds from Discovery Day will go towards the continued improvement of the canal. ● The Discovery Day takes place at the Canal Depot, beyond The ‘Dirty Duck’ pub at Woolsthorpe by Belvoir NG32 1NY from 10am5pm. More information www.granthamcanal.org

WHAT’S ON 63

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The eagle has landed at Standedge

Rally returns to West Stockwith

More boats expected at Black Country Festival

WEST Stockwith Yacht Club is reviving its rally after a break of several years with a weekend of activities on September 21 and 22.

Bassetlaw MP John Mann will open the event in the West Stockwith Basin close to the junction where the Chesterfield Canal meets the tidal River Trent at 11am on the Saturday.

Visiting boats will include Humber super sloop Spider T and the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Seth Ellis which will take trips up the canal through a couple of locks.

Other attractions will include vintage cars and tractors, face painting, displays and all-day refreshments.

Boaters can enjoy live entertainment on the Friday evening (September 20) at The Waterfront Inn and there will be a beer festival throughout the weekend.

Any boaters wishing to come are asked to ring and ask about moorings, also anyone wishing to bring a car or old vehicle. Contact Ken Collier on 07775 531446.

THE number of boats attending this year’s Black Country Boating Festival at Windmill End, Netherton (Dudley No. 2 Canal) on September 13-15 could well be more than last year’s turnout, writes Bob Clarke.

This will be the 28th such Festival and organiser Paddy Grice says there will be non-stop musical entertainment on both days with a large variety of real ales and cider lined up.

In addition to the traditional boaters’ breakfasts on the Saturday and Sunday mornings, evening meals will also be served on the Friday and Saturday evenings although boaters will be indicating their evening meal choice on the back of their boat entry forms.

Later information can be found on www.bcbf.com

Take a trip to Tipton Festival HAVING started with just a small number of narrowboats the Tipton Canal & Community Festival has now become a recognised event on the boaters’ calendar.

This year’s festival will take place on September 21 and 22

when attractions will include live entertainment, children’s rides and activities, art and craft demonstrations, Dudley Canal Trust display and boat trips, a car boot sale and a water taxi service to the Barge & Barrel.

● The event takes place in the Neptune Health Park, Sedgley Road West, Tipton DY4 8PX. For further information visit www.tiptoncommunityassociation.com

WHAT’S ON IN SepTember

It was a case of the eagle has landed at Standedge Visitor Centre on the Huddersfield Canal at Marsden, West Yorkshire. Kyla, a white tailed sea eagle, pictured here with owner Colin Badgery, takes a break from an aerial display for visitors along with other birds from the Brds of Prey Centre at Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Special events at the canal centre at peak periods have been keeping visitors interested and some, like the birds of prey display, have attracted a large turnout.

PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

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

September 18

Regatta open day: Boat jumble, fun and games, boat trips, food and live entertainment. Staniland Marina, Lock Hill, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 5EP. Contact 01405 813150 www.stanilandmarina.co.uk Angel Canal Festival: Boat trips, live entertainment and street theatre, children’s activities based around City Road Lock, Basin and towpath alongside the Regents Canal, also local streets and a park, in Islington, North London. 11am-6pm, free admission.

Essex Autumn Boat Jumble: Battlesbridge Antiques Centre SS11 7RF. Opens 10am; admission £4, accompanied children/car park free. Contact Chaddock & Fox Promotions 02392 281405 or 07887 771451, www.boatjumbles.co.uk

IWA Lichfield: ‘A river cruise – Bourgogne to the Mediterranean’ illustrated talk by Patrick Marks. Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield WS13 8AY. 7.30 for 7.45pm.

September 20

IWA East Yorkshire: ‘When Wheldale went t’ London’ – Chris Sherburn presents a talk on the trials and tribulations of taking a small ‘Tom Pudding’ tug to sea and arriving in London in time to meet the Queen. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4BD, 8-10pm. £2 inc. refreshments. Contact roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk 01482 845099.

September 21

Devon Autumn Boat Jumble: Newton Abbot Racecourse, off A38. Opens 10am; Adults £3, child/parking free. Contact 01803 835915, www.compassevents.co.uk

September 2-28

Artwork by Michele Field: Oxford Central Library, Westgate OX1 1DJ. Open Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm; Fri/Sat 9am-5.50pm, closed Sundays.

September 21-22

September 4

Central Shires Waterway Partnership: AGM at The Waterfront pub, Barton Turns Marina, Bartonunder-Needwood, Staffordshire DE13 8DZ, 6.30-9pm.

September 5

Birmingham Canals Navigations Society: Grand Canal of China, talk by Liam D’Arcy Brown.

Titford Pumphouse, Engine Street, Oldbury B69 4NL, 7.30pm. Contact Phil Clayton 01902 780920.

Southampton Canal Society: Water Management and Modelling. Adam Comerford, CRT group hydrology manager and Gordon Osborn, SCS member and modeller with ABPmer will present a joint talk about the science of managing water both when there is too little and too much. Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ, 7.45pm. Visitors welcome. Contact 02380 675312, www.sotoncs.org.uk

September 7

Open day: Roydon Marina Village, Roydon, Essex CM19 5EJ. www.roydonmarinavillage.co.uk River Foss Society: Walk from Coxwold to Easingwold, 10am. Contact Bob Jowett 01904 764702, bobjowett1@btopenworld.com

September 7-8

Slough Canal Festival: Bloom Park, Middlegreen Road, Langley, Slough, 11am-5pm. Free entry and parking. Contact 01753 875194, www.slough.gov.uk/canalfestival Mercia Marina: Anniversary festival. Family fun with food stalls, crafts, live music and fireworks.

Findern Lane, Willington, Derbyshire DE65 6DW.

September 8

North Boat Jumble & Small Boat Sale: Brookfields Farm, Sproston Green, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire CW4 7LN, 400m from Jct 18/M6. Opens 10am; adults £3, child/parking free.

Under new management, contact Chaddock & Fox Promotions 02392 281405 or 07887 771451, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk

Strawberry Island Boat Club hosts its annual rally from September 13-15.

September 9

River Foss Society: Moth evening with Dr David Chesmore in Doug Heald’s Garden, Yearsley Bridge. Starts 7pm. Contact June Card on 01904 766196, junecard700@gmail.com

September 10

IWA Middlesex: Jon Willis talks about the Crofton Beam Engine. Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge UB8 2QX. Doors and bar open at 7.30pm for 8pm start. Members and guests welcome. Middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk

September 11

IWA Warwickshire: ‘A year as IWA national chairman and my aspirations for the future’ by Les Etheridge. The Sports Connexion Leisure Centre, Ryton-on-Dunsmore CV8 3FL. 7.30pm.

South London IWA: Speaker TBA. The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. 7.30 for 8pm. Contact Alan Smith 02082 551581, 07774 890750 or email alan.smith@waterways.org.uk

September 13

IWA West Riding: ‘Water management within the Canal & River Trust’ by Adam Comerford.

South Pennine Boat Club, Wood Lane, Mirfield WF14 0ED. 8pm. Contact 01133 934517, kandal@btinternet.com

September 13-15

Strawberry Island Boat Club: Rally of boats, Doncaster. Visiting boaters are offered one week’s free mooring before and after subject to availability. Contact rally harbourmaster johnw mills2313@yahoo.co.uk and for further information visit: www.strawberryislandboatclub.co.uk

Burnley Canal Festival: Family fun, live music, canoe taster sessions, boats and much more.

Canalside, 10.30am-5pm.

September 14-15

Salt Fest: Annual event celebrating Droitwich Spa’s heritage including re-enactments, live music and entertainment, canal boat trips, dog show and real ale bar. Town centre and Vines Park 11am-5pm.

Chesterfield Canal Trust: Heritage weekend boat trips (50 mins) from the Bay Tree Cafe, Retford DN22 6AS to Woodcock’s Bridge, going through two locks. Departing on the hour from 10am-4pm, adults £5.50, children £5. Information and bookings contact 07925 851569.

Friends of Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum: Village at War Weekend, Stoke Bruerne.

10am-5pm.

September 15

West Sussex Boat Jumble: Hunston Road, Chichester PO20 1NP (off A27 Chichester Bypass). Opens 10am; admission £3, child/parking free. Contact 01903 761773/07899 850308, www.sussexboatjumbles.co.uk IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regents Canal: King’s Cross – Granary Building – Camden.

Starts King’s Cross taxi rank at 2.30pm. Costs £9, £7 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0208 458 9476.

September 17

Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust: Jeremy Picton-Turbervill talks about The Hereford Bull, its inception and participation in the Diamond Jubilee River Thames Pageant.

Royal Oak, Much Marcle, 7.30 for 8pm, everyone welcome.

Huddlesford Heritage Gathering: Lichfield Cruising Club, Huddlesford Junction. Historic narrowboats, classic cars, boat trips, trade and craft stalls, children’s rides, live entertainment, all day BBQ and real ale 10am-5pm. Admission £3, children free, on-site parking free. Boaters welcome, call Sue Williams on 01543 671427 or email info@lhcrt.org.uk

September 22

Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: Sandiacre Lock Cottages, Lock Lane (off Longmoor Lane) open from 2.30-5pm. Admission free but donations appreciated.

September 23

IWA Milton Keynes: Members boating forum and Croatia cruise film. The Milton Keynes Pavilion, Worrell Avenue, Middleton, Milton Keynes Village MK10 9AD (accessed off Tongwell Street V11). Free admission.

Contact Rodney Evans 01908 376449 rodneyevans48@gmail.com

September 24

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: ‘Erewash Canal’ by Michael Golds. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 8pm.

Admission £2.

September 25

IWA Chiltern: A cruise along the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal with Christopher Dyche. New venue – Little Chalfont Village Hall, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks HP8 4UD. 8pm. All welcome to attend. Contact 01932 248178.

September 29

Solent Autumn Boat Jumble: Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton SO31 5DR, Jct 8/M27. Opens 10am; admission £4, accompanied children/car park free. Contact Chaddock & Fox Promotions 01329 661896 or 07771 962495, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk

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The way forward for domestic boat use

AS BIG believers in using the right battery for the job, Alpha Batteries is finding its range of Trojan batteries is becoming more and more popular for marine and canal boat applications.

It seems word gets about within the marine and boating communities and when it comes to battery power, lots of people have different opinions. But when it comes to Trojan the message is clear – they do the job for heavy use.

Trojan’s range of 6v traction batteries has been around for some time. Tried and tested, albeit old-fashioned, technology seems to prevail when it comes to battery power needed for domestic and heavy boat use.

Alpha Batteries is proud to be appointed a major UK online retailer of these batteries. Sales director John Gabbott commented: “We tend to find loyal Trojan customers over the years will buy nothing else and due to the high quality do not have to buy them often. Bad for us I suppose.

“We have also found a large surge in customers enquiring about the product or calling us for advice in which we can 100% recommend the Trojan range. We tend to find customers who have purchased traditional budget or standard leisure batteries for domestic boat use are now looking for something better, something that lasts.”

Although they perhaps cost more initially, there are savings in the long run against having to buy standard leisure batteries every 12-24 months.

Science aside, at the very heart of the Trojan range lie extra thick plates and this is the key. It’s all about how low you can discharge the battery and how it copes thereafter.

The Trojan range can be safely discharged by 80% and recover without loss of capacity, something standard leisure batteries simply cannot do, according to John. “If you repeatedly discharge a standard 12v 110ah battery it will be down to 50ah within a matter

Arthur’s treat for ‘her indoors’

of months and you will be left scratching your head as to why the TV won’t stay on as long, why the fridge keeps going down or why the heater has gone off. Sound familiar?”

Leisure batteries are designed for leisure time use (one-two months). If you live on your boat or use it often you need traction batteries which are as good as they get.

➔ contact: 01706 356356

Formoreinformation

www.alpha-batteries.co.uk

Boilers from Kuranda UK give quality and economy MARINE heating and power specialist Kuranda UK is stocking a new economy range of diesel-fired boilers from Kabola.

The concept of the HRE range is to provide a Kabola boiler of the same renowned quality and reliability but at a reduced price.

This has been achieved by simplifying the control system but without reducing the overall quality.

HRE models have very high efficiency ratings and low running costs and are available in 10kW, 14kW & 19kW.

Formoreinformation ➔ please contact Kuranda UK Ltd of

A NEW trip boat operating along the Grand Union Canal aims to give her – or him – indoors a real treat.

The brainchild of Josie Asher and Sarah Green, Arthur Daily Trips operates on the Cowley-Denham stretch in the Uxbridge, Hillingdon area, initially on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm, but it is hoped the service will expand.

These one-hour taster trips from Cowley Lock, off Iver Lane by the lock toll house, go to the junction of the Slough Arm and back, see website for further details. Light refreshments are available.

Built in 1985 as a replica of a 1935 trip boat, Arthur used to carry 24 passengers but this has been reduced to 12 providing more comfort with facilities including fold-down tables,

CD player, cooker and fridge, making it ideal for group charters as well as individuals.

The Mayor of Hillingdon has already been on board and in the first week of operation, bookings were received from five groups. Charter trips can run anywhere between Bull’s Bridge and Rickmansworth.

Josie told Towpath Talk: “There used to be a boat offering a run to The Dolphin chip shop in Harefield; we want to reinstate this, also a run up to the Orchard pub.”

➔ Formoreinformation ring 07891 909749, email

arthurdailytrips@gmail.com or visit www.arthurdailytrips.co.uk

Providing plenty of propulsion for royal row barge Gloriana THE Royal Row Barge Gloriana has two Sillette Sonic electric saildrives fitted providing more than adequate propulsion and manoeuvrability when not under power from its 18 rowers.

A recent breakdown was due to the failure of a newly fitted battery unit and unconnected with the Sillette product.

Sillette MD Glen Print said: “Since we have been producing these electric drive units they have proved extremely reliable and effective and to the best of our knowledge there have never been any failures.

“Gloriana’s pair of specially built, bronze drive legs continue to function well and provide eco friendly, alternative and/or backup power for the craft.”

Whaley Bridge on 01663 734800, www.kuranda.co.uk

➔ Formoreinformation on Gloriana and Sillette Electric Drive Systems visit: www.sillette.co.uk

Narrowboat in rescue drama after tiller snaps near weir on the river Avon

Pegasus is safely moored up by the weir buoys after losing all steering when the tiller snapped.

PHOTOS: RCR

WHEN Len and Sue Cale set off on a 20-mile trip from their mooring in Tewkesbury to a new one in Evesham, little did they realise they’d end up requiring the help of River Canal Rescue.

The Cales live aboard Pegasus, a 60ft, 20-ton canal boat bought five years ago. They took out RCR membership in 2012 and are thankful they did.

Len explains: “In March, we embarked upon what we thought would be a relatively straightforward journey on the Avon. We checked water levels with the Avon Navigation Trust and our daughter Emily and her partner Nat joined us to help with the locks.

We also had three dogs onboard.

“The river was full with a strong current, so we had to be careful. We made good progress and after leaving Strensham Lock, set off on the river for Nafford lock which is by some large sluice gates. At this stage I noticed the water levels were rising very quickly so decided to moor up until they receded.

“After an overnight stop, I manoeuvred Pegasus in order to get its nose facing up the river. However, the currents were very strong and as I leant against the tiller bar, I heard a loud snap. This propelled me towards the captain’s perch and before I knew it, Pegasus had lost all steering and was heading towards the sluice gates.

“I put the boat into reverse and managed to position the back end onto a mud bank. The front end was flailing around, so I dropped anchor which stabilised us. If the boat had been dragged any further into the river current, we would have ended up in the sluice.

“We were truly stuck. When the RCR guys arrived, they pulled Pegasus to a nearby concrete mooring and endeavoured to remove the anchor. Even with four people pulling, it wouldn’t shift, so we had to leave it behind, along with the tiller. Jay from RCR used a specially adapted tiller to move the boat, steering with his feet and ankles.

“RCR took us to Wyre boatyard where the temporary tiller was removed and we waited for the river to go down. RCR’s rescue co-ordinator, Paul Johnson, then arranged for a rescue boat to take us to our mooring at Evesham marina and from there a replacement tiller was designed and installed.

Although this incident stretched our three-day journey into over a week, I can’t thank RCR and the

The broken tiller. boatyard teams enough; they were magnificent. It would have been much longer without RCR and the team provided much-needed reassurance at a stressful time, keeping in constant touch and advising what was going to happen next.”

Managing director, Stephanie Horton, commented: “This case illustrates the speed at which situations can be resolved if RCR gets involved. We’re able to liaise with boatyards, marinas and insurance providers – getting boaters back on the water as quickly as possible.” ● To find out more about River Canal Rescue or Canal Contracting, visit www.rivercanal rescue.co.uk or phone 01785 785680.

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Dream Narrowboats Distinctive bespoke live-aboard specialist

It’s our business to make you a narrowboat to be proud of...

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s Vetus 4.17 engine with 3.5kw travel power s Victron 3000 inverter/charger s Vetus flush toilet with 215l waste tank s Vetus accumulator tank/ water pump s Morso Squirrel multi fuel stove s Full size washer/dryer s 12v fridge and 12v freezer s Full size shower s Solid ash (20mm) above gunnels & ceiling s Solid oak (18mm) floor throughout

Please contact us for a viewing, brochure or any query you may have tel Pauline on 01270 501047/07817 935639 email: dream_narrowboats@hotmail.co.uk Based in Middlewich Please call for directions

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READERADVERTS 41ft SE SEA OttER aluminium cruiser narrowboat, 2007, 780 hours, extras fitted including bow thruster, Webasto diesel central heating, cratch cover and a new “Wilsons of Kinver “ rear cover, mascerator toilet, accoustic insulation, microwave, TV/DVD player, radio, cruising pack, anchor, chain, life rings, pins, lock handle, boat hook, uprated electronics, batteries, six berths, Nanni 29hp diesel engine, and early viewing is suggested £55,000. Tel. 07884 108180.

Merseyside.

AtLANtA 24 cabin cruiser, 1988, 9.9 outboard electric start, good condition. A new BSC when sold, anti-fouled and engine service Sept 12, nice started boat!! Priced to sell.

Tel. 07989 724110. Derbys.

DOERAK DUtCH StEEL CRUISER 24ft, beam 8ft, Yanmar diesel inboard engine, BSC til 19/02/15, please note this boat is not fibreglass, £12,500. Tel. 07764 578200. River Lea, Herts.

AURORA 39ft Springer cruiser stern, Lister SR2 diesel engine, cabin sleeps 3, classic fuel burner, camping gaz stove, Morco gas heater, BSC 2016, last hull survey was 2011, Tel. 07855 501048. Northants.

DUtCH BARGE luxury spacious live aboard boat offers style and comfort, trad Dutch barge style exterior with mod open plan fit-out, a unique opportunity Tel. 07967 543382. W Yorks.

BIRCHWOOD CENtRE COCKPIt 33ft, 1978, aft cabin with ensuite, portaloo, wheelhouse,sleeps 3, galley with cooker and fridge, 11ft 6in beam, would make live aboard. Bargain at £17000 or offers Tel. 0115 7526274. Notts.

ENSIGN CRUISER 1983, 25ft, 4 berth, Ford 1600 crossflow engine licence May 2014, shower, cooker, fridge, toilet, hot/cold water, Safety Certificate, viewing welcomed. Tel. 07503 583525. .

50ft NARROWBOAt for cheap share. Email: kalegu@hotmail.com.

Warks.

52ft CRUISER StERN NARROWBOAt 1992 by Shotbolt Engineering, rev layout, full covers, c/h to 3 rads, pump out toilet, shower and vanity unit, lounge with sofa bed, Old Dutch diesel stove, Mitsubishi K4 engine, starter battery and 3 deep traction Trojan batteries, last blacked 12 months ago with new anodes fitted, BSS til 17, licensed til Jun 14, ready to cruise, Tel. 0789 5065648.

W Yorks.

57ft CRUISER StERN Reverse layout, built 2011, re-blacked 2013, Staffordshire boats hull, Cain narrowboats fit-out, Isuzu 35 engine, less than 1000 hours, gas c/h + Morso stove with back-boiler, blue & pale purple with yellow coach-lines Tel. Martyn 07904 399579, Jain 07984 146151. W Mids.

60ft LIVE ABOARD Professionally fitted out, 2.2 Barras engine-serviced Jul 12, loads of storage, prof repainted & blacked Oct 12, BSS cert to Aug16. Residential mooring available £59,950 vno. Tel. 07932 458951. Leics.

ALICE BLUEGOWN 58ft, 2005, completely refurbished, multi-fuel stove, gas ch, master volt 2kw invertor and battery management system with 130 amp 2nd alternator. Tel. 07917 445529. Bucks.

ALL StEEL NARROWBOAt 70ft, currently cruising the Thames/Kennet & Avon, Gold license until end of 2013, ideal live aboard or for long term cruising, reliable and economical (I fill up twice a year), may be able to deliver, Tel. 07870 676090.

BOAT PROJECT Europa mid steering twin cabin, 7m epoxied hull. canopy, windscreen, new windows, dolly not trailer, no engine etc. £395. ono Tel. 01507 533455.

BLACK SAB 2003, 50ft trad stern, built by Price Fallows, ideal liveaboard or extended cruising, includes countryside mooring £25000 ono; priced for quick sale. Tel. 07725 52645. .

CANAL BOAt PROJECt 70ft, spray foam insulation, all new oak interior, stove, engine, 30k spent, replated, repainted, and much time and love spent on it, toilet, kitchen area, etc, Tel. 07757 360905.

Bucks.

CRUIER StERN NARROWBOAt 40ft, used cond, built 1994, 6ft 10in beam, 2 berth, Beta marine BD1005 diesel 25hp engine, 40 ltrs fuel capacity approx, blacked, BSC, £27000 ono Tel. 07598 929701.

Derbys.

CRUISER StERN NARROWBOAt 30ft, good condition, recently had a full survey and has a BSC valid until 4th Jun 17, separate sleeping area, shower/toilet and a kitchen/galley area, all fitted out with attractive timber cladding. Tel. 07767 202940. .

CRUISER StYLE NARROWBOAt 45ft built by Deeside narrowboats in 2000 with four berths, current Boat Safety until Sep 2013, fully repainted in Feb 2009, hull blacked Jul 07, survey Sep 2004 and cratch covers front and back 2006, £25,000. Tel. 01772 681920.

Selling your boat is FREE for private readers of Towpath talk See coupon on page 95 for details

LOOKING fOR A LIVE ABOARD? Want to try before you buy? Cecil 2 is for sale at £25,000 but I am relaxed about how this may be achieved. Want to know more about my ideas? then email me now Tel. 07876 728955. kalegu@hotmail.com London.

MALLARD DARtLINE 1994, 38ft, cruiser stern narrow canal boat, recently blacked and painted to good standard, Isuzu engine 42hp, 2 berth, new BSC, lovely cond all round, £26750 ono Tel. 01244 336484. Cheshire.

MARINER 520 Retro offers luxury/space, many extras, folding canopy, rope fenders etc, only 1 yr old with 15hp outboard, takes 8 board river/6 sea boarders, c/w braked trailer, £6500 Tel. Dave 07768 187923. E Yorks.

GREAt PROJECt BOAt 50ft, on hard stand in the Tarleton area, manufactured 1989 by Calcutta, 1.5 BMC diesel engine, good working order. Ready for re-fit, new ply lined floor, ballast, bottom blacked, solar panels and generator. £14995 Tel. 07917 248758. brian@bcelectricaluk.com Lancs.

HANCOCK AND LANE 43ft, 1979, new front and rear hoods, five new batteries, new inverter, new consumer unit, new alternator, BSC, toilet and shower, two bunks and d/bed, cooker, £20000 ono Tel. 01925 227284; 078940 188443.

Wigan.

HIGHBRIDGE CRUSADER 1985, 32ft, 6 berth, BSC, licence Apr 14.

Mercury petrol outboard 9.9hp, Propex heating, Morco hot water, shower, 68w flexible solar panel on roof, new canopy, £16,000 ono. Tel. 07949 321573. Cheshire.

PIPER tRAD NARROWBOAt 2008, 62ft, built 2008, Beta 43 engine, Victron 3kw inverter, 4 Leisure batteries, starter, bow water tank, front deck gas locker, £40000 ono Tel. 07411 488395. .

RIVEtED IRON WORKING BOAt 1909, new bottom and footings 2005, counter rebuilt 2010, Dorman 2DWD engine, Epping Range, 2 x 600 gallon diesel tanks and pump in hold, Hull Survey 2010, £30000 no offers, no time wasters Tel. 07913 761871. Oxon.

NORMAN 18ft CRUISER Honda 1.5 outboard, 2-berth, hob and grill, Safety Cert 2015, new canopy, twin rubber, solar panel, gas heater, porta potti, £3400 ono Tel. 01858 575766.

Northants.

RUSHtON LADY 45ft cruiser stern narrowboat, built 2000, 4 berth cross fixed d/bed and dinette, will convert, pump-out toilet, shower.Beta marine engine, moored Rufford, £25000 Tel. Peter Eccleston 01772 681920. Lancs.

NORMAN 22 ,all new from hull upwards,1” oak floor, new back decking,new bed new blinds,marina 55 engine,for more pics,email me, including furnisher, just wants painting, Tel. 07906 826160. Derbys.

SARK 43ft CRUISER 1991 cruiser stern built by Stenson, professionally painted by John Sanderson and reblacked, 40hp Lister engine, 1900 hrs, Alde gas heating, lined in oak/mahogany, £36,500 Tel. 01384 591071. W Mids.

SEMI tRAD NARROWBOAt 57ft, 2005, Price Fallows shell, Halco fitout, BSC 2017, 2500 hrs on Beta 38 engine, fixed double, dinette, fridge, washing machine, diesel c/h, woodburner, cassette wc, excellent condition, blacked 2012, £49,950. Tel. 07973 661581. Wilts.

SHEtLAND fAMILY fOUR a great little starter boat for someone who is new to boating, this boat is in great working condition and ready for immediate use, recently waxed and anti-fouled in July 2013, engine fully serviced in May 2013, Safety Certificate until Jul 014, lovely interior, well looked after, £2900. Tel. 07802 193770.

SPRINGER NARROWBOAt Springer, 1991, 27ft narrowboat, cruiser stern, BSC 2015, 3 berth, exc cond, ready to cruise, Thornycroft 2cyl engine, c/w marina mooring if required at Welford, Tel. Jim 07769 642473. Northants.

tRAD StERN NARROWBOAt 36ft, 1985, BSC 2016. lic 04/14, Farrymann twin diesel. More photos on request, wood burner, full size cooker, porta potti, new bed settee, fridge, shower. Tel. 01905 620613.

Worcs.

tRAD StYLE NARROWBOAt Evans & Son, 50ft, bottom backed 2013, Beta 38 engine, approx 500 hrs running, full cooker, new gas fridge, fixed double shower room, Thetford flush toilet, £30000 ono Tel. 07787 336285. Cambs.

tRAD StYLE NARROWBOAt 57ft, much admired, one owner, self fitout by cabinet maker, 1993 launch, blacked, well insulated, 4/5 berth, raised dining area, invertor, £36,500.

Tel. 07867 757254. Northants.

tRADER 41 1989, twin caterpillar 260hp, aft deck controls, aft canopy, fully equipped, Avon RIB, 15hp outboard, berthed Turkey, usual value £120,000, bargain at £60000 Tel. 01405 869542 or 0090 536 886 0731. E Yorks.

SPRINGER NARROWBOAt 30ft Lowena Vetus Mitsubishi 3 Cyl Engine with ZF automatic gearbox, lovingly restored, panelled throughout in pine, moored on River Avon at Wyre Piddle Pershore. £14,550.

Email: peter_johnson59@hotmail. com tRADItIONAL NARROWBOAt 50ft, 1991, Roger Fuller build, Nanni engine, hyd drive & bow thruster, elecs 240v/24v/12v power, c/h, galley c/w gas hob, grille and oven, gas/elec f/freezer. £36500 Tel. John 07707905250. W Mids.

StEEL NARROWBOAt 40ft, newly fitted out, BMC 1.5, newly painted, fixed double, new kit, bathroom, open plan lounge, rewired, blacked 2012, mooring possible with negotiation, £24000 ono Tel. Nik on 07866 486 659 or 01244 371159. Cheshire.

NORMAN 23 with 15hp Honda outboard, recently refurbished, 3/4 berth, Honda 15 electric start outboard motor, separate toilet compartment with cassette toilet, BSC til 2017, license until Oct 13, undersealed this spring, new fenders and rubbing strips fitted, water tank with electric pump, £6500. Tel. 01785 823487.

HOPPER BARGE 70ft x 6ft 10” for sale, good condition, ex British water ways, £2000 ono. Tel. Terry 0121 7645000. W Mids.

NORMAN CRUISER 23ft, 10hp Honda outboard motor, build 1984, good cond, recently reupholstered, new porta loo, £6995 Tel. 07772 801182. S Yorks.

KAGNAAR DUtCH BARGE 14.5 steel houseboat, 2.85 wide, bath sleeping cabin, kit with hob and fridge freezer, Mercedes diesel engine, large back deck, £25000 Tel. 07806 686997. Herts.

OGDENS’ NUtGONE fLAKE 93 70ft narrowboat, built Pinder 93, 2 beds, walkthrough bathroom - full size bath, Grohe shower, Morso w/boiler + Epping range, Victron inv & bats, £46,000. Tel. 07868 730589.

London.

NORMAN CRUISER 20ft cruiser, Honda 9.9hp engine, 2 x 2 berth sink and portaloo, BSS 2017, good condition, £2000 for quick sale. Tel. 0116 2302322. Leics.

tRADItIONAL NARROWBOAt 1986, 40ft, ideal starter boat, Safety Cert till 2016, blacked spring 2012, all paintwork completed June 2013, cabin has wood burner and comfortable bamboo sofa and arm chair, 3000 watt inverter gives you 240v for all your TV/DVD etc, £19750 Tel. 07806 638160.

SEA OttER 31ft aluminium narrowboat, 3 berth, 2002 includes cratch cover and equipment, £34,000 ono Tel. 0115 9733853. Notts.

SEAMAStER 30 GRP cruiser, 6 berths in three cabins, twin diesels, gas heating, two heads, calorifier, fridge, etc,four batteries, anchor, ropes, fenders, ready to go. £15000 for quick sale Tel. 07594 956921. E Yorks.

BIRCHWOOD 33 CLASSIC Twin Perkins diesels, rear double bed, ensuite, two toilets, shoewr, cooker, fridge, GPS radio, c/heating, antiouled 2012, auto steer, £23,000 ono.

Tel. 0114 2510098; 07574 751145. S Yorks.

tINCAN 57ft long, 45hp Yanmar diesel, built 2010, 12v/220v inverter, mint condition. Tel. 07886 131644.

Glos.

tRIStAR 24, built 1991, 4 berths, cooker, fridge, toilet, shower, hot & cold water, standing head room, 12 & 240v electric, Yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke outboard, BSC and licensed, £9995 Tel. 07850 760202. tRAD BOAt 1989, 60ft, built by Les Allen, distinctive lines, updated 18 mths ago inc new dinette, oak cratch and cover, oak flooring, steel hearth, new deck boards, £31,800. Tel. 07922 163072.

31ft X 9.1/2 MOTOR CRUISER 31ft x 9.1/2 motor cruiser make RLM twin Perkins diesel, z drives 4 yrs c.o.c. ideal for river or sea, offers over £19000. or swap for narrowboat. Tel. 07882 191948. Cheshire.

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NationalNarrow boats W anted For C ash

0800 3895325 TWO ONE TENTH SHARES in friendly private boat share syndicate, well maintained 54ft R&D 6 berth built 1986, BMC 1.8, £2500 per share; bought own boat hence sale.

Tel. 07971 7138196. richard@tyto. me.uk

VIKING 23fT 4-berth, exc order, Honda 20, full s/h, full cooker, mains + 12v fridge + electrics, light oak woodwork, 13 years old, with mooring on Lancaster canal, £17,000. Tel. 07779 776508. W Yorks.

WORKING BOAT Star Class small Woolwich butty, new back cabin, new bottom, good boat for enthusiast, £17,000 ono. Tel. 07956 703368. W Mids.

40ft NARROWBOAT all steel, 12 month's licence, 4 years BSC, unfinished, easy project, £13,000 ono.Tel. 07706 577100. W Yorks.

DORMAN 20 1940, runs fine, over fuels, white smoke inc Kingfisher gearbox, available end August in Braunston area, can be seen running, bargain!! £2500 ono.Tel. 07958 001902. W Yorks.

FAIRLINE MIRAGE 29ft, Volvo diesel, rear cockpit, 4 year BSC, sleeps 5, cooker, fridge, shower, original gel coat, good standing height, bathing platform, dinghy, £12000. Tel. 07574 751145. S Yorks.

RINNAI BTU 150 REV 58E, instantaneous water heater, as new; Volvo Penta £110 outboard, serviced late last year 9-9H spare motor, £60.

Tel. 0114 2461170. S Yorks.

FLOATING HOME 2001, 50ft x 10ft, wide beam, diesel fire, cooker, fridge, bath, shower, blacked, £52000. Tel. 07956 581069. Essex.

JCB PETROL CHAINSAW hardly used, Wakefield area, £50 ono. Tel. Dave on 07773 502529. Man. THREE CHROME PORTHOLES two with glass, brand new, size 14 1/4in, £60. buyer collects Tel. 07527 746530. Notts.

LISTER FREEDOM Blackstone gearbox, 2-1 reduction, £3500. Tel. 07563 188944. Staffs.

HOME-MADE STEEL 33ft, all steel narrowboat, cruiser style, engine parking, needs looking at, not running yet, just don't have the time to finish her, just wants finishing inside, 3 berth, £5000. Tel. 01925 234560.

Cheshire.

MIDLAND CANAL CENTRE 31ft, 1992 cruiser style narrow boat, BSS 2015, hull survey Nov 2012, blacked March 2013, four new anodes, full marine service, Lister engine, three berths, lovely boat. £15000. Tel. 07932 815874. Bucks.

ROWING DINGHY very sound fibreglass hull, upper needs renovation with electric outboard, battery oars and trailer, may swap old toys, £250.

Tel. 01296 668339. Beds.

TRAD PORT HOLES 57ft, cratch cover, fixed double + 2 fridge/freezer, 2.5kw invertor, Beta 38 crowther prop, oak/ash lined out, long term cruise liveaboard, Safety Cert 2017, £69500. Tel. 07787 308788. Cheshire.

XM QUICK FIT adult lifejacket, inflatable manual, red, worn once, £25; Seago child's 40kg life jacket, inflatable, automatic, worn once, £15. Tel. 01594 541320; 075800 96651. Glos.

w w w .nationalnarrow boatsforcash.co.uk

GARDNER 3LW MARINE with or without 2UC gearbox, fully rebuilt using many new parts by works engineer, full photographic record kept of all work done inc polishing to TRAD standard. Tel. 01282 771874.

Lancs.

STARTER BATTERY TYPE 334 12v, 700 CCA 95AH, h/duty narrowboat or cruiser, battery purchased in error, new with 4 year guarantee, also fit Land Rover, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Nissan narrowboat size and terminals as picture £75 buyer collects Tel. 02380 404541; 07812 398142. Hampshire.

Parts for sale

BOAT WINDOWS new, unused, made by Wesley Marine Ltd, clamp in type, green p/coated finish, 6 windows DBV 30” x 19”, arched tops and 4 port holes, 12.5”, one with obscure glass, £550 buyer collects Tel. 07985 734731. W Yorks.

BRASS fT HEAD Of Water Gauge 6’’ dia, highly polished, suit vintage engine room, £15. Tel. 07776 393427. Collect Northants/Warks.

3KW PURE SINE-WAVE inverter with remote control, vg working order, £450 ono. Tel. 07807 571420.

Clwyd.

2X HURTH GEARBOXES HBW100 condition unknown, HBW50 dismantled but complete, clutch was slipping, £30. for bot Tel. 07794 203949.

Insta n A lw at C ash A vail y s able

TRAILER 95” long, 60” wide, box size 54” x 42”, spare wheel, drop down tailgate, will stand on end for easy storage, £125 ono. Tel. 01924 273783. W Yorks.

ADVERC battery management system, gwo, £50. Tel. 07807 571420.

Clwyd.

ANCHOR 14kg Danforth, with chain and shackles, £35. Tel. 07867 526322. Staffs.

AQUAJET WOS 3.4 freshwater pump, 12v, automatic, £35 plus transport. Tel. 01767 640938. Beds.

ARDIC DIESEL air and water heater, removed from my boat, complete but sold for spares, only £50.

Tel. 0113 2250760; 07974 652040.

Leeds.

AUTOMATIC SATELLITE DISH (Travelsat), perfect working order, £350. Tel. 07766 590383. Cheshire.

LISTER DIESEL ENGINE and gearbox, twin cylinder, working when lifted out of my Rugby built narrowboat, now surplus to requirements.

Offers. Tel. 0115 9762675. Notts.

COMPLETE PUMP OUT SYSTEM stainless steel tank 95 x 75 x 40cm, Macerator - whale gulper 220, white push-button toilet, all hoses, £400. ono Tel. 07752 246854.

BMC 1500 ENGINE complete with Hurth 125 gearbox, £750. Tel. 0777 5745187. Bucks.

BOAT WINDOWS for sale, new unused by Wesley marine, in green powder coated finish, clamp in type, 10 windows in all, 6 x 30" x 19" arched top and 4 x 12.5" port holes, £550. buyer to collect. Tel. 07985 734731. W Yorks.

CANOPY to fit Seamaster 30, requires new rear window, very useable condition, £30. Tel. 0113 2250760; 07974 652040. Leeds.

DANfORTH ANCHOR 20kg, length 1025mm, width 670mm, fin length 560mm, chain 10mtr x 10mm, warp 20mtr x 16mm (warp has hard splice at 13mt), inc warp trug bucket, £100 Tel. 02380 404541; 07812 398142.

S’oton.

GARDNER 3LW ENGINE needs tidying, can be seen running also includes Newich PRM grearbox, needs adapter plate to fit engine, would make good tug engine, £2900 ono Tel. 07966 450432. Worcs.

GLAZED ROOF PANEL toughened, glass brass anodised, 50cm x 50cm, new, £40 ono.01939 236129. Shrops.

KINGFISHER ENGINE Model KD14, twin cylinder horizontal water cooled 4-stroke diesel 12hp, electric starter, good condition, £375. buyer collects Tel. 01252 547057. Hants.

PRM 260 D3 drop centre gearbox, 3-1 reduction, low hours, £300. Tel. 07576 675853. Berks.

STERLING PRO-SWITCH 32 brand new, never used in box, remote control, 3 way power selector switch, £120. Tel. 07711 991600. S Yorks.

WINDLASS X TWO new navigation light (white), Armco mooring hooks x two, tiller pin and bits, £20. Tel. Dave 01246 201322. Derbys.

MASTER VOLT 80 amp battery charger, working order, buyer collects, £70; heavy duty pump out (manual), buyer collects, £110 ono.

Tel. 077960 15458. Herts.

OLD ENGLISH diesel stove, £50.

Tel. 07879 867723. Warks.

Wanted THE BOAT SHOP UK Leighton Buzzard. We buy boats in any condition, boats needing welding work, or refitting, cash available for the right boats. Tel. 07971 305880; 07742 260961. (T)

CHEAP TRAD NARROWBOAT wanted, fire damaged, sunk etc, in need of work, must be cheap, Tel. 07591 535752. Warks.

MOORING WANTED For 55-60ft narrowboat to purchase, all areas considered, please tel with details, Tel. 07900 316253. Derbys.

HOUSE: COSTA DEL SOL Swap house in Costa del Sol for boat in UK to the value £75,000. Tel. Paul 07789 224748 for more details.

Cambs.

TWO RETIRED GENTS from S Africa have rented a 6 berth canal boat sailing from Sawley marina near Lung Eaton for 3 weeks starting 1st Sept need a maximum of 4 suitable companions. If interested please tel.

01642 641859.

NARROWBOAT WANTED to rent or buy, attractive terms offered, moored in marina. 01908 397208. Bucks.

EXCHANGE - LARGE SPANISH FINCA in the Murcia region for narrowboat, we need to come back to the UK due to health issues, preferably in the Midlands area. Contact .

There will of course be the purchasing legal costs and notary fees. Tel. 07445 936950 for pics and full details.

Staffs.

EXPERIENCED LADY SKIPPER seeks male or female boating companion, for Thames cruises, Tel. 07522 544416. London.

HAPPY WANNABE BOATING couple, looking for a live aboard narrowboat, to rent/lease/buy 57ft-70ft 4 berth + W Mids based (poss mooring available), we are looking to live on it permanent, not short term. Tel. Graham 07903 883971.

LADY BOAT OWNER blonde, 51, medium build, new to narrowboats, looking for a male experienced boater to assist and help her learn the ropes! Maybe leading to a relationship! Tel. 07818 133552. Kennet and Avon Canal/Devizes area.

LOOKING TO HIRE a narrowboat long term 3 to 4 years, boat around 50-60ft. Email: greeny_d@yahoo. com Texas, USA. MIDDLE-AGED BOATING COUPLE relocating to the UK are seeking a furnished flat/house to rent from private from Oct 13 until we’ve found our dreamboat to move onto, all areas considered. Email us at: mcummins@web.de NARROWBOAT PROJECT WANTED I am still looking to buy a narrowboat ready to use or needing work must be all steel I have funds in place and am keen to buy one although I live in Norfolk, I'm prepared to travel, Tel. 0790 6019299. Norfolk.

NARROWBOAT WANTED to rent or rent to buy. We are a family of 4 with lots of experience and we would like to rent for a minimum of 6 months or rent to buy on the Peak Forest/Macclesfield canals. I have stated £500 but would be willing to pay more for the right boat. Please contact me on Tel. 07980 325622.

RETIRED BOAT BUDDY male/female required to accompany female for cruising GU over the summer/autumn, own boat not essential. Tel. 07855 501048. Northants.

WANTED PRM OR HURTH gearbox, anything consider, will travel, cash waiting. Tel. 07940 722051.

Leics.

RETIRED GENT mid 60s narrow boat owner requires lady to cruise with this summer. Tel. 07979 102927.

W Yorks.

PROJECT NEEDED anything considered, fire damage, water damage, unfinished project or just a neglected boat. Immediate payment.Tel. 07940 579012. Warks.

Parts Wanted WANTED! SEALAND traveller toilet basin and seat, any model/any age!

Will pay of course. We have everything we need for our new pump out but now need the final part! Also interested in other similar gravity discharge/dump through basins. Tel. 0757 8066804. Middx.

Miscellaneous

BUBBLE CORNER DIESEL STOVE 4kw back boiler, fully controllable to regulate temp, exc cond, completely cleaned, still plumbed to show how it functions, £550 buyer collects. 07988 097869. W Yorks.

LOST CAT: Westport Lake visitor moorings, Stoke-on-Trent, since night of 1 August, black, about 2 years old, female, no tail, microchipped. If you had a stowaway or spot her please tel./text. 07860 870789. Staffs.

2-SEATER SOFA custom made, craftsman built sofa by Duresta, arms fold down to convert to single bed, coil sprung hardwood frame (25 yr guarantee), exclusive hardwearing material, immac, 3 years old, rarely used, cost £500. Tel. 07732 684008; 07930 319176. Notts/Leics.

6 PORTHOLE LINERS 6 (brand new in box and cellophane) spun brass 11"/280mm porthole liners, 2.5" / 65mm depth, cost £147 (can show receipt), £120. 07824 446259.

Lancs.

6KW MOTOR used once, bow lamp reg'd, dry suit, 5ft 7", never worn. Tel. 01244 378779. Chester.

BT ROLATRUC 2,300kg capacity, pallet pump, truck, £50. Tel. 07717 660185. Staffs.

KINGS AVON 1 twin tub washer for boat or caravan, vgc, £35; one single tub mini wash, good cond, £20; Cyclapse folding bike, 6 gears, good condition, £40. Tel. 01909 530634.

Notts.

GLEMBRING c/h hot water diesel drip heater, stainless steel body, chimney and day tanks, 2 rads 1000 by 500, 3 rads 400 by 500, £195.

Tel. 07884 480638. Derbys.

ADULT MOUNTAIN BIKE folding frame/pedals etc, 21-speed Shimano gears, twist grip change, Shimano disc brakes, front/rear suspension, 26" wheels/alloy rims, met blue, like new, £60. Tel. 01252 713054. W Surrey.

BATH white fibre glass, including taps, 61cm wide, 122cm long, 36cm high, good condition, £40 ono. Tel. 01327 879461. Northants.

CHAR-BROIL GAS BARBECUE with side burner, exc cond, £55. Tel. 07950 047489; 01282 453549. E Lancs.

ELECTROLUX FRIDGE RM212 mains/12v/gas, clean cond. Tel. 07794 203949.

KABOLA old Dutch diesel stove, chimney and flue and new spare Mica window included, £250. ono Tel. 07726 941191. Merseyside.

LARGE AMOUNT of canal and river maps to sail from Calais to the Med by many routes plus many other helpful books, many are new but all are in a good useable condition. For details, Tel. 07954 584998. S Yorks.

NARROWBOAT MAGAZINE No 1 Spring 2006- Summer 2012, 26 copies, 1 binder. £20. Tel. 07870 757409. Derbys.

PAIR WILSON CHAIR BEDS Good condition, storage inside, c/w footstool, over £500 each new, £100. collected from Peterborough - delivery possible. Tel. 0777 9619828.

Cambs.

SHORLINE FRIDGE 12v, in good working condition, ice box and salad box, white with brushed s/s silver door, 855" high, 500" wide, 600" deep, £150. Tel. 07805 762411; 07906 962414. Oxon.

THETFORD CASSETTE TOILET swivel bowl, Model C200cw, clean and tidy, requires cassette, £35. Tel. 07884 480638. Derby.

TWO QUICK FIT 150N automatic adult life jackets, worn once, as new, £15 each plus post. Tel. 01767 640938.

TWO SLEEPING BAGS make a double, one bronw, one navy blue, £3.5. each; buyer collect from Coventry or pay postage. Tel. 02476 440623. W Mids.

VILLAGER C-DUO multi-fuel stove, wood/solid fuel, new and unused, £550 ono. Tel. 01780 470599 answer phone. Northants.

WASH BASIN and vanity unit including taps, white gloss, unused, excellent condition, 40cm wide, 83cm high, 22cm deep, £60. ono Tel. 01327 879461. Northants.

WORKTOP/TABLE TOP clothes washer and Creda spin drier, both 240v. but been used via inverter over last 3 yrs, both like new and proper working order. Tel. 07929 856764 and ask for May. Notts.

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CANOPIES STA F F O R D SH IR E CA N O P IES

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BOAT PAINTERS

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BOAT PAINTERS Try the narrowboat painting specialists on the North Oxford Canal

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TAILO R M AD E COV ER S B Y

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BOOKS CANAL BOOKS, GUIDES AND MAPS. Probably the best selection. www.canalbookshop.co.uk or visit Audlem Mill on the Shropshire Canal. Tel: 01270 811059 AU471593L AU492921L

BROKERAGE The Boat Shop UK Leighton Buzzard. We buy boats in any condition, boats needing welding work, or refitting, cash available for the right boats. Ring 07971305880 / 07742260961 BO493786L

CANALIA

The B o a tSho p

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DECORATIVE GLASSWORK

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Canvasman - see some examples of our work on our main advert page 37 01943 851444 www.canvasman.co.uk CA492739L

TRADITIONALLY PAINTED CRATCH BOARD

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HEATING

HEATING

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FENDERS

MAIL FORWARDING Boatmail.co.uk. The boaters mail forwarding company.

Tel: 07984 215873 email:info@boatmail.co.uk BO480998L

INSURANCE

ENGINES For sale: Gardner 3LW fully restored. We also have 2LW, 4LK, 4LW, 5LW and the LX's. Tel: 07802572441 www.tangentengineering.co.uk TA493244L

GIFTS

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EQUIPMENT

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UK and Continental Maps and Guide Books Boating and Canal books including History, Boat Maintenance, Canal Crafts, Fiction Videos and DVDs • Gifts and CD roms Bert and Betty Books Model boats, Chandlery and Canal Magazines.

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The equipment panel.

Green is the colour…

The latest addition to Kate Boats’ hire fleet, nb Georgina.

Phil Pickin reports on Kate Boats’ latest addition to its hire fleet.

IN time for the 2013 summer which, at the time of writing, is providing us with wall to wall sunshine and ideal cruising conditions, Kate Boats launched the latest addition to its hire fleet, NB Georgina.

This new 70ft cruiser style boat has joined the Kate Boat fleet on something of a shared ownership basis despite the boat being privately owned. With 26 boats in the fleet, Kate Boats is not currently looking to expand on the shared ownership scheme for the time being. The scheme, which has been in place for a number of years, has proved highly successful, so much so that the company is not currently looking for more buyers of shared boats. Georgina is owned by Mr Peter Edwards who owns two other boats in the Kate Boats hire fleet; and, having overseen the others, felt confident enough not to have too much to do with the design of Georgina. But, having said this, he is delighted with the result.

Georgina is finished in Kate Boats’ green colour scheme which makes her inclusion within a hire fleet less obvious. The hull, built by Colecraft, was delivered to KB’s yard at Stockton where the entire fit out and eventual launch took place. The hull was sprayfoamed before being lined with ash. The resulting boat is, like all of K B’s boats, light and having a spacious feel to it. This is despite Georgina being fitted with portholes in some areas, which can reduce light levels. However, this detail makes a nice change to the practice of having the same windows fitted throughout.

So let’s do a walk through and see what the layout is. The sizable stern’s deck plates conceal the engine and all the associated systems and equipment you would expect to find. However, and unusually, the gas bottles have been moved to a locker at the stern. Moving

A table can be used to make the most of the space on the forward deck.

these from the forward deck has allowed extra space to provide a comfortable seating area – so much so that provision for a table has been added to make the most of the space. From the helm position you move into the first bedroom, fitted out, when visited, with the two single beds converted into a double. Below the beds are good sized storage lockers and above are storage shelves and speakers fitted into the roof.

This bedroom also has a TV fitted to the aft wall.

Immediately forward of this room is the first of two bathrooms fitted with electrically flushing toilets, fitted shower cubicles and modern wash basins.

Maximum use has been made of the room available with plenty of storage and novel use of spare space for the storage of towels etc. LED lights illuminate what is already a bright room and heating is provided by a chrome heated towel rail.

Forward of this are two additional double beds. Each bedroom area can be separated off, allowing the occupants access to their own bathroom; a very necessary feature if you are close to maximum capacity onboard. Again, both doubles have storage below and above and have LED lights fitted.

Throughout the aft section of the boat, portholes have been fitted with curtains and retaining rails which complement the look of the interior very well. On the walls are the radiators which provide the heating which is supplied by an Eberspacher heat exchange unit fitted to the engine.

Moving forward you come into the galley which is on both sides of the boat, with the ‘wet’ area to the port side of the boat. The sink and integrated stainless steel drainer are inset into ample worktops finished in black which provide plenty of preparation space.

Below this area are more cupboards and a fridge. Opposite is additional workspace with a matching worktop into which has been fitted a freestanding domestic styled New World cooker. On the dividing wall with the bathroom a good sized microwave has been added; an almost essential in all galleys these days. At the end of this fitment is a storage area for the tabletops that can be fitted on to central pedestals between the bench seating area in the main lounge area.

The lounge area is the only part of the boat to be fitted with rectangular windows, which does provide the

The seating has been finished in green which works well with the pale colours provided by the lining.

The sizable stern’s deck plates conceal the engine and other equipment; the gas bottles have also been moved to a locker at the stern. maximum opportunity to enjoy the views. The seating has been finished in green which works well with the pale colours provided by the lining and fit out ash. Lockers sit either side of the forward door to the outside deck area and these lockers also house the radio and power points. Above this sits the TV/DVD fitted to the wall. The forward deck does have a significant amount of room and really benefits from having the gas bottles moved to the stern.

NB Georgina is, as was expected, a showcase for the high standards of finish and nice design ideas Kate Boats puts into all of the boats it builds. Rather than build basic boats for hire, it builds boats that you could and would buy. As a result, hirers become buyers, as they know what to expect, with their holidays becoming extended trial runs. It’s certainly a formula that seems to have worked, and continues to work, for the Warwick based company. Although currently there are no more opportunities to buy a shared ownership boat, Kate Boats would be more than happy to answer any questions should anyone be interested in owning one of its boats. Similarly, if anyone is interested in hiring, bookings are still available – some aboard NB Georgina! Check out the website.

SPECIFICATION Builder: Kate Boats.

Hull: 70ft by Colecraft.

Berths: 8 (four double beds – three fixed and a further one to convert in the lounge) Engine: Canaline based Kioti 40.4kw 43hp. Supplied by Engines Plus.

Fuel tank: 317 litre Transmission: PRM 260 gearbox.

Electrical System: Victron inverter.

Line out material: Ash Insulation: Sprayfoam by Cosyhome.

Toilet: Techma (Electrical) Lighting: LED throughout.

Domestic/galley equipment: Under worktop fridge, New World NW55 cooker & microwave.

Heating: Eberspacher engine heat exchanger running wet radiator system.

Kate Boats The Boatyard, Nelson Lane Warwick CV34 5JB Tel: 01926 492968 Email: cheryl@kateboats.co.uk Website: www.kateboats.co.uk Kate Boats also has a Facebook and Twitter page.

The sink and integrated stainless steel drainer are inset into ample worktops finished in black which provide plenty of preparation space.

One of the three fixed double beds.

104 BOAT SAFETY/ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton

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Staying safe on your boat This month Clive Penny of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners looks at the remainder of Parts 8 and 9 of the Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) Examination Checking Procedures (ECPs) for privately owned and privately managed boats.

PART 8 is all about appliances and flues, and part 9 refers to pollution prevention.

The information in this article forms only an overview. For the full requirements go to www.boatsafety scheme.com In addition to the requirements of part 8, the fuel arrangements for all installed appliances must also meet the applicable BSS requirements: Part 2 for diesel, paraffin or spirit, part 3 for electric, and part 7 for LPG. All liquid fuelled appliances (e.g. diesel) must be provided with a valve or cock to shut off the fuel supply. These must be located in readily accessible positions and within reach of the appliance, but not in a position that requires the user to reach over or around the appliance to operate them.

LPG or paraffin refrigerators on vessels with petrol propulsion engines, inboard or outboard, must either, be room sealed, or the air intake and exhaust gases must pass through a flame trap. LPG or liquid fuelled appliances must not be installed in petrol engine spaces.

Appliances, appliance flues, and all their surrounding surfaces must not show signs of leaking fuel, or heat damage (scorching, blistering or discolouration). This also applies to any soft furnishings, curtains and blinds etc.

Your examiner will also check for heat damage below or around any ‘bulls-eye’ or domed deck lights.

Non-portable appliances (e.g. freestanding cookers) must be properly secured against unintended or accidental movement.

All the burners and pilot lights on LPG appliances fitted on or after January 3,

General Requirements 25 to 29 cover part 8 specifically 25 All appliances must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risks of explosion or of fire starting and spreading.

26 All liquid-fuelled appliances must have an emergency shut-off valve located at a safe distance from the appliance.

27 a) LPG and liquid-fuel burning appliances installed from January 3, 2000.

All burners and pilot lights shall be fitted with a device that automatically shuts off the fuel supply if the burner flame fails. b) LPG and liquid-fuel burning appliances installed before January 3, 2000.

Burners on catalytic appliances, appliances with continuously-burning flames and pilot light burners shall be fitted with a device that automatically shuts off the fuel supply if the burner flame fails.

28 All appliance flues must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risk of fire.

29 All fuel and power supply systems for appliances must meet these general requirements where relevant.

2000 must be fitted with a device that shuts off the supply if the burner flame fails. All LPG appliance burners must be in good condition and deliver a proper flame. Your examiner must be able to light all the burners to check the flame pattern.

The remaining checks in part 8 on ‘privately owned and privately managed boats’ are advisory. This means that your examiner can still ‘pass’ your boat even if your boat fails to meet the requirements for these checks.

However, your ‘certificate’ will be marked to indicate that some advisory checks do not meet the standard. In some cases, your examiner may also issue you with a warning notice regarding the non-compliance.

All appliances requiring a flue, or exhaust, must be fitted with one. They must be complete and in good condition and must terminate directly to outside air.

Your examiner will check that any open flues to LPG appliances are operating effectively.

Is your vessel provided with adequate fixed ventilation?

All LPG appliance burners must be in a good condition.

Your examiner will calculate the total area of fixed ventilation that your boat requires, taking into account all the fuel burning appliances and the number of berths. The examiner will then measure the amount of fixed ventilation available, mushrooms, grills, etc. Your examiner will then confirm that the total effective area of fixed ventilation (at least up to the calculated fixed ventilation requirement) is divided as equally as practicable between high and low level.

Ventilators, doors, windows and hatches that can be closed without the use of tools will not be included in the calculations as these are not considered fixed ventilation.

Permanent and measurable gaps around doors and windows when the windows or doors are fully closed can be taken into account as part of the fixed ventilation provision.

In the event that a significant shortfall in fixed ventilation is determined, the examiner will issue a warning notice. A significant shortfall is where: • the total effective area of fixed ventilation is 50%, or less, of the calculated fixed ventilation requirement; or, • the total effective area of fixed ventilation is less than the calculated fixed ventilation requirement for appliances with continuous-burning flames; or, • there is no high or no low-level fixed ventilation.

On all seagoing boats with closable ventilators a warning notice must displayed on or near all non-room-

sealed fuel-burning appliances. The warning notice must read: ‘WARNING – Open ventilator(s) before use’, or equivalent wording.

Part 9 – pollution control.

General requirement 30: Any leakage of oil from engine equipment must be contained and prevented from being avoidably discharged overboard.

All fixed internal combustion engine and gearbox installations must have an engine tray or oil-tight area. Each engine tray or oil-tight area must be at least as long and as wide as the combined length/width of the engine and gearbox. The material of each engine tray or oil-tight area must be non-porous and oil resistant. All engine trays or oil-tight areas, including joints and seams, must be free of signs of leaks, damage and deterioration. The volume of each engine tray or oil-tight area must be sufficient to retain the estimated capacity of the engine/gearbox sumps.

Fixed bilge pumps and bilge suction pipes must not draw from an engine tray or oil-tight area, unless the: • discharge is through a bilge water filter capable of a 5ppm discharge performance level, as verified by markings on the filter or an appropriate declaration from the manufacturer or supplier; or, • there is a facility to discharge to a holding tank.

General requirement 31: Bilge pumping and toilet systems must be designed, installed and maintained in a way that minimises the risk of avoidable pollution.

All toilets and toilet holding tanks having an overboard discharge line must have a valve fitted in the discharge line. The valve and connections must be complete and leak-free.

Discharge outlets having a ‘tools-toremove’ cap, and overboard discharge lines from toilet holding tanks discharged solely by shore-side pumping arrangements, are not subject to this check. ● The full list of all the checks, with the actions an examiner will take, are on the BSS website, at www.boatsafetyscheme.org.

All of the articles from this series can be found on my website: www.canalelectrics.com Your local member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners can be found at www.ABSE.org and will be happy to answer any questions you may have and assist in any way they can.

Women at the top

Waterways Ireland appoints Dawn as new chief executive THE new chief executive of Waterways Ireland, Dawn Livingstone, took up her post at the end of July.

A committed outdoor recreationalist, Dawn joined Waterways Ireland in 2002 as the head of strategy and policy, moving in 2008 to become head of property and legal.

Prior to working for Waterways Ireland, Dawn was director of Share, a charity promoting opportunities for integration between able bodied people and people with special needs of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

During her tenure, Share grew to become a 220-bed residential activity centre on 60 acres, with a 300-seat multi-purpose theatre/arts/bar complex, 50-berth marina, and indoor leisure suite. Dawn’s entrepreneurial work in this role was recognised with the award of the Gallagher’s Northern Ireland Business Woman of the Year winner in 1988

Waterways Ireland’s new chief executive Dawn Livingstone.

PHOTO:WATERWAYS IRELAND

Originally from Co Down, Dawn holds an MBA from the University of Ulster, is NI Trustee to the Family Fund, a member of the Consumer Council of NI and a Trustee of the Lloyds TSB NI Foundation.

A keen sailor and gardener, she is married with two daughters.

Female IWAI president elected THE Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) has elected its 17th president, only the second female to hold the position in the association’s 59 years of existence.

The IWAI’s new president Carmel Meegan. PHOTO: PAUL SCANNELL

Carmel Meegan is said to be privileged and humbled to be elected and following in the footsteps of Ruth Delany, author and leading authority on Ireland’s inland waterways, who was the IWAI’s first female president back in 1981.

With over 25 years of boating experience, Carmel is well qualified to take on this challenging and often demanding role. Attending her first IWAI Shannon Boat Rally (SBR) in 1994, Carmel went on to become a committee member taking on the roles of SBR commodore in 2005 and rally secretary for the past four years.

Between 2004 and 2010 Carmel was the elected national secretary of the association and for the past two years has held the position of vicepresident.

In 2013, there has been a substantial increase in ladies taking on more key roles within the association’s executive with the positions of secretary, treasurer and membership secretary all being taken on by female members. We wish Carmel and her team a successful term in office.

It’s the Grand COFF and HOFF THE Grand Canal Offaly Floating Festival, the Grand COFF for short, will take place in Tullamore between Friday, September 13, and Sunday, September 22.

This 10 day event will celebrate canal trading culture with a special focus on the trading families of the Grand Canal. Reflecting the benefits of the canal through business, pleasure and tourism, it will include representatives from the Heritage Boat Association with their former trading vessels and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) among others.

There will be a full programme of events including historical exhibitions, boat cruises, canal talks and drama as well as competitions. A commemorative book compiled by the young people of Tullamore featuring local history and links to the Grand Canal’s trading families will also be launched during the event.

The Grand COFF will coincide with the Harvest Offaly Food Festival known locally as the ‘HOFF’. Celebrating all that is good in Offaly food produce, this will include artisan food markets, cookery demonstrations and the chance to enjoy a harvest festival meal at a long table beside the canal. ● Further details are available from: COFF: www.offaly.iwai.ie HOFF: www.harvestoffalyfoodfestival.com If your family has a past connection with trading on the Grand Canal and you would like to be involved in the celebrations email: johndolan@iwai.ie

Walk along the Greenville Canal THE history of the Greenville Canal was outlined during a walk organised with members of the South Kilkenny Historical Society recently.

Taking advantage of a diversion which rendered it dry in most places, over 40 people of all ages wore wellingtons for stages where the canal was still in water between the Mill at Greenville and Castle Hole just under

the site of Dangan Castle.

They heard that construction of the canal started around 1746 and it was used to supply water to three different mills.

Kathleen Laffan of SKHS explained the role of the river Blackwater and its associated works, including the canals, weirs and mills, in the development of Kilmacow for over three centuries.

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A passion for historic craft

Alison Alderton looks at some of the historic barges flying the flag for the Heritage Boat Association.

IRELAND’S waterways once thrived with traffic but as trade dwindled in the 1960s commercial boats became redundant. Many were abandoned, neglected or left exposed to the elements which often resulted in sinking. After spending decades forgotten lying in the murky depths, some of these craft have now been raised by enthusiasts. Lovingly restored to create individual and unique floating homes, this motley, yet captivating collection of craft now forms the Heritage Boat Association.

I first came across the HBA at a Discover Athlone day in 2009, one of a series of events organised by Fáilte Ireland promoting tourism.

Gerry Burke, then chairman, was proudly flying the flag for the association and more than happy to show me around his own heritage boat. At the time I was yet to take the plunge to rehome my own barge in the country and there is no denying that Gerry’s enthusiasm and willingness to share his knowledge of the waterways was a major influence in helping me make the move. Since that time I have been privileged to attend several HBA events, being warmly welcomed by their members who all have one thing in common, a great passion for their craft.

The association’s main aim is to protect, promote and celebrate Ireland’s historical craft.

To qualify as a heritage boat a vessel needs to be aged 25 years or over and have a connection with commerce such as cargo carrying or being once owned by a prominent figure within the industry.

The Heritage Boat Association at the Shannon Rally.

As Gerry Burke explains, most Irish trading vessels have undergone three stages, a working life, demise and rejuvenation. While this alone makes these craft interesting, delving deeper into their histories reveals some tantalising glimpses into the waterway transport system of Ireland’s past. The HBA has recognised this by producing two informative gazetteer-style reference books which not only prove compulsive reading but also act as a useful tool for boat spotters.

Today the chairman of HBA is Joe Treacy. Like those who have held this position previously he is just as passionate about trading craft and over the years has lovingly restored Heritage Boat 4E. Dating from 1896 this craft has an intriguing history changing from a horse-drawn vessel to engine power then back again resulting in its registration number and purpose varying on several occasions.

As one of the HBA flagships, 4E travelled to Dublin in 2001 with three other craft, 35M, 68M and Dabu, in order to launch the Heritage Boat Association which culminated in the Minister Sile DeValera hoisting the now well-known blue burgee of the association on 4E’s mast.

With such a diverse collection of craft you can never be quite sure what will be attending an HBA gathering but an event may well include some of the following which are also a selection of my personal favourites. Heritage Horse Boat No 2, Dabu, was built in 1878 from riveted Swedish iron and would have transported various cargoes including coal, flour, turf, wheat and general groceries. Built in Northern Ireland 31B traded on the Barrrow Navigation and the Grand Canal before being purchased by Williams & Woods Ltd for whom it carried various types of confectionery and preserves resulting in it becoming affectionately known as ‘The Jam Boat’. Rud Eile, an 1890s River Barrow barge, originally used to transport paraffin, was found sunk in the Old Coal Harbour in Ringsend, Dublin. Raised and restored she went on to win the Display Prize at the 2008 Classic Boat Regatta held on Lough Derg. Dating from 1846, Chang Sha was built as an iron-plated steam-powered personal launch for a director of the Grand Canal. It is believed its name refers to the capital city of the Hunan Province in China where a previous owner used to holiday.

Over the years many trading craft from other countries have found themselves in Ireland and these are also acknowledged by the HBA. The majority are from the Netherlands and two of the most impressive are: Ebenhaëzer, a 68ft fully rigged sailing tjalk built in Ijist, Friesland, and registered in 1904; and the stylish Samson, a boltjalk from Groningen originally used to transport turf.

As well as light-hearted get-togethers there is also a serious side to the HBA. Its attendance at major waterways events and tireless campaigning to restore, reopen and improve Ireland’s waterways and conditions for all boaters is now a force to be reckoned with. These colourful and proud custodians of Ireland’s remaining trading vessels deserve much recognition for their drive, enthusiasm and passion, as without them the Irish waterways would not be what they are today.

ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton 105

Known as ‘The Jam Boat’, 31B carried various types of confectionery.

Chang Sha was built as an iron-plated steam-powered personal launch for a director of the Grand Canal.

Built in 1878, Dabu would have transported various cargoes

Dutch-built Samson was originally used to transport turf.

➔ Usefulinformation The HBA website is full of information on Ireland’s historical boats and includes an up-to-date calendar of its events as well as details on how to become a member. www.heritageboatassociation.ie Further Reading Cool Metal – Clear Water The Heritage Boat Association

4E on the Royal Canal. PHOTOS:ALISON ALDERTON

An 1890s River Barrow barge, Rud Eile, originally used to transport paraffin.

Fine Lines – Clear Water The Heritage Boat Association

106 TOWPATH TREASURES

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Gloucester Docks

An army of waterside warehouses Words: PHILLIPPA GREENWOOD Photography: MARTINE O’CALLAGHAN

Standing like towering brick boxes, the warehouses exude servile and protective expressions.

The Mariners’ Church is still open today.

The bell mounted on the wall of the North Warehouse is from the famous ship Atlas.

THE Romans were wise enough to pick Gloucester as a garrison to guard the River Severn; and as the river grew to become an important trade route, Elizabeth I granted Gloucester port status in 1580. But the River Severn played vicious games with vessels that struggled inland, with unpredictable sands and volatile tide levels. The Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was built to bypass the most difficult section.

When the canal opened in 1827, it was the widest, deepest canal in Britain – and it must have messed with the minds of ordinary villagers who witnessed tall ships walking miraculously inland on their way to Gloucester Docks.

Trade was at its peak with the arrival of the canal and the newly built docks at Gloucester were handling exports and imports from around the world, with grain and timber as the bulk. Huge warehouses were built to store cargo; some have survived and are protected in their full glory today. Standing like towering brick boxes, the warehouses exude servile and protective expressions as they dutifully cocoon the water. Softly regimented patterns of bricks and mathematical rows of windows give the docks a strangely comforting appeal from minimalist architecture that is uniformly beautiful.

History clings in dockside ropes and rusty mooring rings, in preserved rail tracks and a steam crane, and everywhere you look there’s a clue to the past. Mounted on the wall of North Warehouse there is a bell that looks quite ordinary at first glance. The bell is from the famous ship Atlas that sailed the seas to India and China for the East India Company. When the ship was dismantled in 1832, the bell found a new home in the docks. It is the bell that rang to call the start and end of every working day in the docks, and the daily sounds of bustle that once boomed from these historic docks are held in its ring.

Boatmen from around the globe once arrived in the docks, and communication was often difficult with so many different languages. Dock workers were low-paid, hard-living folk, and fighting and drunkenness were rife.

Both the boatmen and the dock workers often fell into the water after drinking too much in the tavern. Among the human chaos, the Mariners’ Church was built to care for the spiritual welfare of dock workers, seamen and folk from the canal boats. Boat people wore distinctive dress and there was an impenetrable social barrier between them and ordinary citizens, so the Mariners’ Church was designed to welcome anyone even in their work clothes. It must have been a place of deep calm for a mariner living in stormridden climes. The church is still open today with the same balm for those who enter.

Adapted extract from Britain’s Canals, a National Treasure in 100 Must-See Objects by Phillippa Greenwood and Martine O’Callaghan – published by Coolcanals July 2012.

www.coolcanals.com

TOWPATH TREASURES/ANGLING 107

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The Towpath Angler

David Kent

Our monthly look at the angling scene

The entrance to the docks from the canal.

Llanthony Warehouse has become the home of Gloucester Waterways Museum. The museum tells the story of the canals and invites visitors to discover amazing local sagas through exhibits that range from climb-aboard boats to displays of precious historic artifacts and hands-on activities. This canal museum is imaginative and refreshingly visitor friendly, and a mustsee treasure in its own right.

The docks are paved in history on the sweat of their past, but modern sounds today click with tourist cameras and smells of mouth-watering gastro food waft across the water between the scuffle of ropes as boats moor for the night. Old life and new life are the inseparable attraction of Gloucester’s historic docks.

The moorings overlooked by warehouses.

FACT FILE Gloucester Waterways Museum Find out all about the heritage of Britain’s waterways and Gloucester Docks in the Gloucester Waterways Museum.

The museum is in a Grade I-listed former warehouse with exhibits on wildlife, boating, touch-screen and interactive displays, and floating boats to explore. Open daily.

Admission charge (free entry for Friends of Canal & River Trust). Cafe next door to the museum. Gift shop.

Wheelchair access (except to floating exhibits).

01452 318200 www.gloucesterwaterwaysmuseum.org.uk

Tall Ships Festival Brings a taste of maritime history back to Gloucester Docks. Tall ships, family entertainment, shopping and food.

Held end of May in the heart of the docks. www.thecityofgloucester.co.uk/tallships Location Gloucester.

OS Grid ref: OS SO827183 Canal: Gloucester & Sharpness Canal How to get there By train Nearest train station is Gloucester National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 By bus Traveline 0871 200 2233 By car Car parking at the docks On foot It’s possible to walk all around the docks, and the canal towpath starts in earnest just beyond Gloucester Docks.

Sustrans National Cycle Route 41 follows the canal towpath much of the way from Gloucester to Sharpness.

By boat Nearest boat hire: UK Boat Hire, Worcester. Holiday hire. 0330 333 0590 www.ukboathire.com Portharb Narrowboat Holidays, Worcester. Holiday Hire.

01905 29938 / 24115 www.portharb.com Boat Trips: 45-min boat trips run from Gloucester Waterways Museum along the canal and the river Severn. Commentary from the skippers. Private charter also available. 01452 318200 www.gloucesterwaterwaysmuseum.org.uk Moorings Visitor moorings are available in the docks.

The Tall Ships Festival.

Local Tourist info Gloucester Docks website www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk Gloucester Tourist Information Centre 01452 396572 www.thecityofgloucester.co.uk Canal & River Trust Use the Canal & River Trust website to find specific local information. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

I AM pleased to report that further to the joint Canal & River Trust/Angling Trust meeting I talked about last month, a second meeting has taken place recently.

Again hydropower was a lead topic but there was considerable discussion on a wide number of issues including environmental and developmental. It is abundantly clear that there is much more to follow on this partnership story.

Certainly individuals from both organisations are starting to form productive relationships.

As the role of each of the specialist CRT advisory groups develops it is becoming clear that there is so much crossover and synergy between some that an even closer working relationship seems to be called for.

Several of the groups have common aims and objectives and I feel sure that a closer relationship can only benefit the CRT greatly. Issues such as the environment, towpaths, dredging and anti-social behaviour appear on the agendas of these groups quite frequently and input from each can be crucial.

Angling Trust’s continual pressure over more appropriate action about piscivorous birds is beginning to produce results. So many of our natural waterways and, more recently, ‘man-made’ stillwater fisheries have been decimated by the incessant predation. Signs are that while firm controls remain in place it will be easier to manage the problem in an efficient but sustainable way.

Even our canals do not escape the predation. It would be easy to think that the more urban sections would see no predators because there is so much human presence both on the towpath and in the immediate canalside area, but nothing could be further from the truth. Generally speaking many of these avian predators have no fear of humans.

Bags of fish

Elsewhere in AT the competition season is in full swing. Staff and volunteers are often burning the midnight oil to ensure that things go well on match day. Recently I was involved with the Cadet/ Junior/Intermediate National Championships which all take place on the same day at the same venue.

This year we used a commercial fishery in the West Midlands. It is probably true to say that a great day was had by all. Indeed it had a festival feel to it. Even the Cadets, the real youngsters, caught bags of fish and went home pretty happy. The big National, the Division 1, draws ever closer. With a colleague I spent some time touring round the sections especially in the Rugeley area and it is clear just how difficult it will be to organise and manage safe parking and safe access to the towpath. It will all come good.

No further restocking of my local Erewash Canal after last September’s pollution has taken place of late and there will be none in the next few months as it is always too risky trying to move fish once the temperatures rise. Let us hope that more fish can be found before winter as it looks as though we will go well into 2014 before the lower sections of the canal are worth fishing.

Given that we have had a number of days in the very high 20s recently, water temperatures are, not surprisingly, pretty high so fish everywhere are more actively feeding. On one of the upper reaches of the Erewash a match was won with almost 7lb of fish with some decent weights behind it. I understand some of the Division 1 practice events on the Trent & Mersey have produced mixed results although some took place during the very hot, sunny weather which were not the best of conditions for good fishing. As last month I think some of the South Yorkshire canals are producing plenty of fish.

Just a brief update on my own form.

It is still fluctuating with a couple of good placings and then a couple of nowheres. Lately I seem to be first out of the prize list so still have room for improvement. The autumn is often good for me so here’s hoping.

Tight lines.

One for the anglers AN ESSENTIAL book for anyone planning to fish the freshwaters of Britain from ponds and lakes to canals and rivers, Britain’s Freshwater Fishes covers the 53 species of freshwater and brackish water fishes that are native or have been introduced and become naturalised.

This illustrated guide by scientist and author Mark Everard features high quality in-the-water or on-the-bank photographs throughout. Detailed species accounts describe the key identification features and provide information on status, size and weight, habitat, ecology, and conservation.

Written in an accessible style, the book also contains introductory sections on fish biology, fish habitats, how to identify fishes, and conservation and legislation.

The author is also a frequent contributor to television and radio and his other books include The Complete Book of the Roach.

Britain’s Freshwater Fishes is part of the Princeton Field Guide series published by Princeton University Press, softback 144 pages, priced £17.95.

ISBN: 978-0-6911567-8-1 (ebook ISBN: 978-1-4008468-9-4)

108 WET WEB

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The Wet Web

Helen Gazeley feels the heat as she looks at cool solutions, algal blooms and green cleaning products in this The microfibre E-cloth from Lakeland needs nothing month’s online guide. but water to clean.

STEEL hulls and searing temperatures are not a good combination, as discussed on the online thread Keeping a Narrowboat Cool on the forum on Living on a Narrowboat livingonanarrowboat.co.uk Suggestions have included painting the roof a light colour to reflect heat and pumping canal water over the roof through

garden soaker hose, with the power supplied by solar panels.

On her blog, Fiona Slee of Epiphany http:nbepiphany.co.uk points out that a light-coloured roof causes glare for the helmsman and more cleaning.

Instead, they rely on opening as many of the doors, hatches and windows as possible and say that their best build decision was to

Dri-pak sells a range of simple, effective cleaning products

include removable porthole glass. This makes hot nights much easier, with lace porthole covers allowing both air-flow and privacy.

Warm weather increases the likelihood of blue-green algae blooms, and three suspected occurrences happened at the beginning of this month on the Montgomery, Shropshire Union and Leeds and Liverpool canals.

You can keep up with reports on Towpath Talk’s Stoppages and Restrictions page www. towpathtalk.co.uk/Content/stop pages-and-restrictions1.

Most blooms are harmless, but some are toxic and all should be treated with caution. The CRT includes pictures of blooms on its website http://canalrivertrust .org.uk/news-and-views/features /the-dangers-of-blue-greenalgae and advises on strict hygiene after handling ropes and other wet equipment so that none is accidentally ingested.

One of the elements implicated in algal growth is the presence of phosphates, of which a major source has been washing products. From June this year, an EU regulation

Universal Stone contains soapflakes, green soap, vegetable oils, glycerine, polishing clay and perfume oils. limited phosphorous content in laundry detergent, although a reduced level in dish-washer tablets won’t be enforced until 2017. There are, of course, many other potential pollutants in our washing products, and ingredients can be found at Ethical Consumer www.ethical consumer.org, along with reviews of alternatives, such as soap nuts and wash balls.

Home remedies abound.

Lemon juice and white vinegar are praised for removing limescale in the thread Cleaning materials, what do you use? on the Canal World forum www.canalworld.net.

More suggestions are listed at How to Clean Anything (www.howto cleananything.com/generalcleaning-tips/old-fashionedhome-cleaning-remedies) and www.eartheasy.com, where they

suggest Worcestershire sauce, vinegar and salt solution to clean brass.

Meanwhile, promising to clean, not only brass, but windows (including plastic ones), work surfaces, hobs, stoves, sinks, showers and all the metal surfaces, Universal Stone www.universalstoneuk.com is an environmentally friendly, dry solid made up of soapflakes, green soap, vegetable oils, glycerine, polishing clay and perfume oils. You can watch it bringing a shine to a tired boat on the website, and it also promises to remove soot, exhaust marks and light grease.

You can’t get much more environmentally friendly than water, and fans of microfibre cloths, which require nothing but, include a narrowboater who has reviewed E-cloths at Lakeland

www.lakeland.co.uk/ 9319/Ecloth-Kitchen-Pack. She says: “I was especially keen to try them as I want to reduce the amount of chemical waste going into the canal.” With the E-cloths, she now uses very little washing-up liquid.

And finally, for everyone who has trouble tracking down the simple products of yesteryear, Dri-Pak www.dri-pak.co.uk offers basic, low-impact products from soda crystals to soap flakes, including a useful borax substitute, now that borax itself has been disallowed by EU reclassification. Its blog carries tips, how-to videos and competitions.

➔ Formoreinformation Do you have a favourite website?

Email Helen at helengazeley@aol.com

Boats cut adrift in the middle of the night AS BOATERS are no doubt aware, the toilet facilities by Lendal Bridge in York have been demolished, to be replaced by upgraded facilities as agreed by the developers with York City Council.

So far, so good – we are keeping a close eye on the temporary facilities. However, Star Inns have applied for a licence that will allow them to stay open until 2.30am – seven days a week. The chairman of the North Riding Branch (IWA), Michael Cadoux, has written to object, as have people who live by Lendal Bridge and at the bottom of Marygate.

However, there are only two residential properties directly affected by this proposal. What the applicant is clearly failing to see is that an adjacent mooring (Marygate Landing), which is extremely busy throughout the summer, and on which there are often long stay boats during the

rest of the year, is effectively the same as having houses or flats which are regularly occupied next door to their premises.

There is an added dimension that householders do not have to endure, however, and that is that they do not get cut adrift in the middle of the night, as has happened within the last 18. Three boats were cut adrift from Marygate Landing in York. The Emergency Services woke one owner up as his boat was going under Lendal Bridge – by banging on the roof.

If you have a similar application pending in your area, then please alert Towpath Talk.0 Licensing Authorities need to be generally aware that a regularly used mooring equates to a residential quarter.

Tony Martin Secretary North Riding Branch IWA, York

Vital to the survival of butterflies and bees ON A beautiful afternoon in early June I was sitting on a quiet canal bank in Warwickshire when I heard the dreaded sound of grass cutters. When he saw me, the strimmer operator avoided and left uncut the stretch of towpath where our boat was moored, it was too hot for arguments about grass cuttings spoiling paintwork. But this letter is about something much more important than my boat’s paintwork. I want to know why we are sanctioning the chopping down of mile upon mile of standing wild flowers in full bloom. Not only do the many different flowering plants contribute to the beauty and interest along the canals, they are also vital to the survival of many endangered butterfly and bee species that feed on them.

What are we doing wrong to cause such a yawning gulf between Canal & River Trust rhetoric and the reality on the

ground? A brief item ‘Hedgerow boost’ in Towpath Talk (News, Issue 92, June) announced an expensive new CRT project to survey 600 miles of waterside hedgerow and establish where “hedgerows can be extended to connect with nearby woodlands and other important habitats.”

Meanwhile, miles of invaluable canalside habitat are being slashed daily through unnecessary tidying up.

Yes, the cutting back is understandable in places where the towpath is exceptionably narrow and needs to be kept clear for the safety of cyclists but what is the need elsewhere? As soon as the contractors had moved on past our moored boat, I took a steel tape and measured a full 11ft 4in width of cut grass from water’s edge to hedgerow bottom. A worn strip, bald even of grass, showed clearly the bit that would actually be walked or cycled over. The rest could have

been left to look glorious and support wildlife.

The hedges themselves seem to be suffering too from the brutal use of cutting tools wielded by contractors who do not really know what they are doing. Over the previous few days I had observed the many miles of hawthorn hedge that were baring no flowers, compared with the riot of may blossom on those in the neighbouring fields. Fewer flowers mean fewer fruits and seeds for birds and small mammals as well as less food for insects.

It seems to me that if we really want to preserve the potential of our canal network to provide wildlife habitat, we must support James Moore’s call (Talkback, Issue 92, June) for the network to be run by properly paid, experienced staff who understand, and care about, the whole picture.

Rachel Mann By email

109

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TALKBACK

Your chance to write to us on any Towpath topic:

Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

An unlicensed boat for every mile of canal National festival was ‘shambolic’

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There’s always an easier way NO MATTER how slowly I pass moored boats many swing to and fro on their loose moorings. Once a boat starts moving it exerts a considerable force on its moorings which ultimately will pull out the pins.

As a yachtsman I am baffled that most canal boats are moored solely by what we call breast ropes. A yacht moored that way in a busy harbour would be reduced to matchwood before the tide was out.

May I suggest a simple ruse to keep your boat settled, first by describing a comprehensive mooring technique and then by describing the easy way – there’s always an easier way!

TWO SPRINGS – While the breast ropes keep a boat alongside they don’t stop it moving (fore and aft) and it is that movement that exerts the load on our pins. Springs are simply additional ropes to counter that movement. One (the head spring) runs from a secure point at the bow of the boat backwards to the aft pin and the other (stern spring) runs from a secure point at the back of the boat forward to the forward pin. Set them

as low as possible and pull reasonably tight so they stop the boat moving. If I were leaving a boat a few days I would use this method.

EASY WAY – If I am just stopping overnight then I use a single spring. I attach the rope near the middle of the boat low down (set high it would tend to tilt the boat over) and lead it to the most secure pin. Pull on the spring to draw the boat towards that pin so the breast ropes are tight and aligned to counter the force in one direction while the spring counters any movement in the opposite direction.

Secure the spring before the boat has chance to drift back again so there is no slack in any of the mooring ropes.

The boat is now secure, doesn’t move as other boats pass and we enjoy a quiet night.

You may choose to vary the approach depending upon your boat’s layout but the basic principle is ‘don’t let the boat move in the first place’ by having spring(s) aligned to stop that movement.

Rob McCulloch By email

MY WIFE and I have just completed a trip from Marple in Cheshire to London and back.

Most of the time while cruising there is not a lot to do but look at the scenery, so after a while I started to look at all the moored boats both on permanent, long term moorings and towpath moored. It did not take long to work out that there is an unlicensed boat not displaying a current valid licence for every mile we travelled.

This would indicate that there are over two thousand unlicensed boats on the system, Why? What is the Canal & River Trust doing about them?

Is there a list anywhere of CRT’s successful prosecutions?

CRT’s stock answer seems to be, these boats are somebody’s home so we cannot remove them.

If I lived in a motorhome parked on a public highway would the police or the local council let me stay there without a valid licence? I think not.

I wish I understood how to set up and maintain a website to display unlicensed boats names, numbers, and location and see how long it takes CRT to remove the offenders.

With regards to permanent and long stay moorings I am of the opinion that instead of CRT selling off even more of these moorings, they should abolish them all. This would free up a great deal more canal and mooring space for canal users that actually want to use the canals, after all it’s just cheap living accommodation, not what the canals are intended for; some of these boaters are living in quite squalid conditions.

While on this subject what happens to the effluent from these boats moored in out of the way places with no transport?

A lot of these boats seem to be what I would term ‘hobo boats’; we all know what they look like, rusting hulks, no licence, piles of junk on the roof and towpath.

CRT want more people to use the towpaths but people, especially women, do not like walking past these hulks; these boats bring the canals into disrepute.

The other problem is boaters are getting fed up having to keep shutting down the engine every few minutes while going past yet another line of permanent moored boats. I have noticed that boaters are now doing the ‘token slowdown’ which entails taking off a little power then putting a good blast on after passing to give the impression they have actually slowed down but for how much longer before they don’t even bother to do that?

If the moorings were abolished these boats would have to use a marina or get off the canals, after all it’s not a parking lot.

The marinas would be happy (as they all seem to be complaining) CRT could increase the marina fees and make the marinas responsible for ensuring the boats have a valid licence, insurance and safety certificate, less paperwork for CRT – a win, win situation all round.

CRT seems to be spending a large fortune on the towpaths; on one occasion I noticed they were Tarmacking the towpaths or should I say making a race track for the bikers. The canals on the other hand seem to go from bad to worse.

We have a unique heritage in this country which CRT do not seem to understand or want to understand unless somebody says: Volunteers .

Barry Chapman By email

Move the Diagonal Lock project forward – plea to PM Diagonal Lock pioneer Terry Fogarty shares this letter which he recently sent to Prime Minister David Cameron: I FEEL I must bring to your attention the failings of policy so far in spite of your statements referring to the need for innovation and construction.

I am, as an engineer/artist and businessman, profoundly disappointed with the responses from those in a position to help ‘me – the country and themselves’.

To understand the massive potential of my project, I have spoken to many interested parties, including British Waterways, whose support we appreciate and Birmingham City Council whose aims we are proud to support and be involved with and my local constituency MP Caroline Spelman, whose efforts on our behalf have been most helpful.

However, those in a position to help move the project forward, namely the official government-appointed groups and minister fail miserably to do so and

unless this position is addressed then my efforts and the efforts of the above mentioned supporters of this project will be almost in vain.

In October this year I will reach my 77th birthday and am concerned that I may not live long enough to see my efforts come to fruition unless someone pulls out all the stops to create an intention of solving the country’s problems and I believe my invention goes a very long way toward doing exactly that. That the building of the Diagonal Lock will happen there is no doubt; that something as fundamentally beneficial as the Diagonal Lock will be built all over this country and the rest of the world and it would be very gratifying to me to be around to see it happen.

Terry Fogarty Managing director Fogarty Castings (Solihull) Ltd/Alternative Navigation Solutions

The Canal & River Trust’s head of enforcement Denise Yelland replies: Our latest annual survey shows that 96.1% of boats on our canals and rivers hold up-to-date licences and are therefore contributing important funds to the cost of looking after the network. Thank you to each and every one of you who continues to renew your licences on time. It enables us to save time, effort and ultimately money that can better spent on improving the waterways (which I hope you’re enjoying this summer). I should add that improvements to towpaths are often funded by third parties (for example Transport for London in the Capital). The vast majority of the money that the Trust earns and has available is spent on improvements that benefit navigation. Boats and boating are, after all, at the heart of the waterways and their appeal.

Back on to licence evasion, it is the second year running that the proportion of boats not paying is below 4% and the fourth year in a row that evasion has been below 5%. The enforcement team is working hard to reduce the evasion rate further, but it is nonetheless encouraging when you consider evasion was over 10% just over five years ago.

Whether boats are displaying their licence, or not displaying it on both sides as per their licence requirements, is another matter. Although the figures quoted are from the annual survey I can reassure you that we have a robust ongoing process to identify licence evaders each month so I am confident the figures quoted are accurate and robust. Towpath Talk readers’ sightings of unlicensed boats are always helpful and on our website you can type in any index number and it will tell you if the boat is licensed or not. If the boat is unlicensed your sighting can be logged and we will check it against our own database and followed up as necessary.

Where an unlicensed boat is someone’s home, the process of removing it is far more protracted (and you could, as many people do, argue that this is rightly so). In these instances if the case remains unresolved then it ends up in court for a Judge to decide whether a boat can be removed, given the unhappy knock-on effects for its occupants.

Last year 72 boats that had failed to obtain a licence or were in breach of other terms and conditions of their licence were removed by the Trust from our waterways.

NO ONE has a good word to say about the shambolic IWA ‘National’ at Watford.

It was about a third the size of some ‘Nationals’, the boats were very, very separate from the site and the date suited no one.

Scotland, Wales and the northern and western threequarters of England were unrepresented.

Signposting was non-existent and clearly the Metropolitan Line (the obvious public transport) hadn’t been told a year before and didn’t run from London due to engineering work.

No info at Watford Junction rail and bus stations either.

The very few people who did turn up had to hunt the hidden entrance to the National.

Alan Moody Croydon Canal Restoration Group Surrey

Hierarchical view of society IT’S that line ‘If they can’t afford a mooring then they shouldn’t be boating....’ in Stillwater’s rant against continuous cruisers (Last Word, Issue 92, June) that says all I need to know about the anonymous writer.

Such a mean spirited and narrow-minded viewpoint suggest to me someone with an extreme hierarchical view of society whereby only the wealthy and privileged can enjoy our waterways.

I sincerely hope that this scapegoating and labelling of a minority regardless of whether or not they follow the rules and pay their dues will not be taken up by the Canal & River Trust.

May more reasoned and tolerant voices guide the policies and plans of our waterways administrators.

Robin Adair York

There’s only so much a ‘friend’ can take LATE last year I made a donation to the Dutton breach.

Recently I have received four calls thanking me for my donation and asking me to become a ‘friend’ of the Canal & River Trust.

On the fourth call I protested quite strongly and was assured that people were only approached once. Am I being targeted as being a soft touch?

The only result this pestering is having will make me seriously consider making donations in the future. I am confused at who is responsible for what in CRT; would it not be helpful to publish a family tree showing clearly where people fit in this new structure and there responsibility, or is the intention that by keeping this vague no one can be held responsible?

Brian D Jarrett nb Kyle

Christmas is for everybody IN RESPONSE to Ian Lauder’s thoughts about the Christmas break (Talkback, Issue 94, August), when I arrived in a multicultural area I thought like him – Christmas was just for Christians; or, at least, for long established white residents.

Imagine my surprise when I received Christmas cards from Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish acquaintances – on average, more specifically Christian in content than what I was sent by my English friends.

In a country which could be ripped apart by ethnic tensions, we need to care for whatever brings us together. Christmas, because it means so many different things to different people, actually belongs to us all. We need to nurture it as a focal point of national unity and friendship. Let’s keep the common celebration: we all get enough holiday allocation to also enjoy those of our personal choice.

Hugh Baker By email

Don’t give a dog a bad name I’D LIKE to concur with the letter from Sarah Brittle of Lyons Boatyard (Talkback, Issue 94 August). We hired a boat many years ago, and were told the same – to avoid mooring at this part of the canal – we forgot and moored.

We had no problem at all, I think it’s a case of give a dog a bad name, just because one incident occurs, doesn’t mean it always will, and if people avoid these locations nothing will change.

Trevor Munton-Willis nb Whistler

No regard for the speed limit WHY is there not a competition for the best decorated boat on the parade before the fireworks at the Nottingham Riverside Festival?

They used to do this over 20 years ago, perhaps next year in 2015 the Lord Mayor of Nottingham could give out a prize.

Also I noticed that a lot of the people did not wear lifejackets and a few were going up and down on inflatables with no regard to the speed limit and with no lights as it was getting dark.

The lifeguards that were on duty did not seem to get them to slow down.

Dave Clark By email

110 THE LAST WORD

Old Bilge Pump

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Considerations of a consultant

Popular boaters’ destination Bradford on Avon.

An inch is a good as a mile on the Kennet & Avon

On the canal in Bath.

I HAVE now been moored on this bit of bank for 14 days; it is unrestricted therefore I am quite legal in my boating activities as a contentious cruiser. Following a good scratch, a yawn and a burst of gas I’ve let the dogs out to run along the towpath. They look after themselves, those dogs, just the four of them. Out they go fighting among themselves, no bother at all, just occasionally they play with a jogger’s ankle but that is only natural when something flashes past they want to snap at it. These people should slow down, stop running everywhere – cool it man. If they walked past, the dogs would show respect, there would be no trouble, the dogs would just watch and wait, but a flash of ankle and they snap, that’s nature isn’t it?

Had that Canal and River Trust ring me yesterday wanting to consult me on new mooring laws; that’s three times in the last three weeks. I think, I, should get a consultancy fee all this consulting that’s heavy brain work it slows you down – exhausting.

Today I must move the boat, don’t want another Patrol Notice; had to train the dogs to eat them after the last one, making the boat look untidy it was. I’ll just move it four inches that was the agreement the last time we lot got together. Kings of the water we bargees are, we have studied the law, we have, well one of our lot has, can’t be doin with all these complicated words and legal terms. Fourteen days in one spot and move on, but nowhere does it say how far you have to move and when you can return. So 4in every 14 days and return whenever you want that sounds reasonable to us.

Sorry about that, had to break-off to take a

phone call from, Head of Boating CRT, wanted to consult me on new mooring regulations in London and the South East.

All sounded quite reasonable to me – new sign here – change of number of days there – bit like moving the deckchairs on the Titanic I thought. Still I listened patiently and promised to get back to her in the next month or so.

Bona Fide journey I’m on; travelling from Bath to Bradford on Avon. All planned out according to the map and the law. I’ve kept a diary of my movements. Every 14 days move 4in even got a ruler for measurement.

Listed the location and position in the diary just to prove I’m moving: took it all from my GPS, handheld, latest model. I bought it second-hand from one of those ‘Instant Money’ places with the last of my dole. Well you have to make do and mend when times are bad. Them dole places they are getting tougher and tougher. Had I been looking for work? Of course, I had, why did they think I was travelling from Bath to Bradford on Avon. ‘Get on yer bike’ that Tebbit said. Well I’ve got on my boat, I have. In fact I spend most of my time locked in here. Just the widescreen telly for company, plus the laptop, DVD player and Blu-ray games console. Have to run the generator all the time to keep that lot going. I’ve applied for extra allowance to pay for the petrol, shocking price that petrol is, put it down as transport costs on the claim.

That was Fred with my mail he’s travelling from Bradford on Avon to Bath at 4in a fortnight. Not much in the post just a couple of consultations from CRT, I’ll have to sit down and tick all the boxes and make the odd comment, at least they pay the postage

but they don’t pay for your time when they are consulting. There they are picking my brains trying to solve a difficult problem and they don’t pay me. Way of the world that let me tell you.

Just been chopping a bit of wood, cleared that little wood across the way the other day.

Not much left there now all pretty flat. What a service I am doing clearing all this forest as I go. No danger of trees being blown down in this area, then blocking the canal. I am in line, yet again, here with CRT policy for I just volunteered to clear that wood of all its timber. No one asked me just done it off my own back. Cause, most of the CRT volunteers get fancy jackets, safety equipment and tools, it’s just another example of discrimination against us bargees. Gaw, the amount of wood you go through nowadays with this bad weather here we are end of June and I still need a fire.

A couple of emails: more consultations, spent half an hour on the old internet filling in boxes and answering questions. How often do you move your boat? If we paid you for moving your boat more than 4in would you want the money monthly or quarterly – that sort of thing. Could I give them three pounds a month – right.

Fortunately Gillian just dropped by for a bit of the old ‘how’s your father’. She likes her independence does Gillian. Doesn’t want to be committed that one. A free spirit if you know what I mean; living the dream, doing her own thing, travelling with her dogs on her boat.

Just had one of those CRT trustees along; wanted to consult on whether they were consulting too much without any action.

Might be, just might.

TowpaTh TiTTer economic with the facts

I HAVE never been impressed with either the attitude or the factual presentations of the National Bargee Travellers Association (NBTA).

An example of the Association being economic with the facts came in July when the Association issued a press release headed: “Permission granted for a Judicial Review of the CRT’s 2011 Guidance for boaters without a home mooring.”

That is simply not the case. In the High Court Lord Justice Jackson ruled that only one of the four listed items in the guidance document notes should be examined. Therefore the whole of the guidance notes are not subject to a judicial review as an earlier High Court ruling found in favour of the CRT on the other three guidance notes.

If the NBTA wish to gain any credence or respect for its views within the boating world they should be more careful in any public statement by sticking to the facts.

a nice little earner?

Chatting to a member of a Waterways Partnership (which I will not identify for fear of upsetting some thoroughly decent and committed folk) I heard that one of the members had moved out of the Partnership’s area, was no longer boating or even a member of a waterway organisation but had remained a member of the partnership.

Apparently the member’s new abode is some 60 miles away from the nearest of the partnership’s meeting venues and around 90 miles from the furthest. The CRT quite rightly pay legitimate travelling expenses and

subsistence where appropriate. But at 45p a mile for at least a 120-mile round trip that sounds like to nice little earner.

I gather that members are expected to live in the partnership area or have a good knowledge of the area and, above all, should care deeply about the inland waterways. Fine. I have no problem with that. But when someone moves away and apparently relinquishes any practical link with the waterways then that person should relinquish membership and make way for someone who would be more involved – and certainly much cheaper on the expenses front.

I think it is time the CRT publishes just how much it has paid out in expenses to the partnership members over the past 12 months.

Community and charity boats may be at risk If the CRT is not very careful, it will cause serious, if not lasting financial harm to those charities that run trip boats for the benefit of the disadvantaged or disabled people. I gather some charities running two (or more) boats are considering reducing their fleets. All this is because new licensing charges for ‘charity and community’ boats could rise in some places by as much as 60% which to my mind is quite disgraceful.

Many boat operating charities earn money by also running private charter trips which goes towards boat maintenance. But I understand the CRT has said if such a boat earns money this way then it will attract a commercial rate.

I know the CRT has to watch its finances but to financially hit organisations which care for

the less fortunate of society is unacceptable.

Only a few weeks ago a senior CRT person was reminding everyone of ‘waterways for all’.

Perhaps they should have said: “Waterways for all but only if you can afford it.”

CONTINUING our light-hearted look at life on the cut with a contribution this month from Lorraine Sutton.

Congested moorings: now the London assembly steps in The London Assembly is investigating the overcrowding of moorings and a potential clash of interest between boaters – including liveaboards – and ‘land’ residents. It is indeed interesting that the Assembly has stepped in where the CRT has appeared to be less than willing to get involved and will be equally interesting when the Assembly’s investigation is complete as to how it will approach the CRT with its findings.

There are several ‘hotspots’ one of which is the Noel Road visitor moorings close to the east end of Islington Tunnel and alongside expensive private housing.

The main bone of contention is the liveaboard boaters who have been accused of littering the towpath, causing diesel fumes by running engines, using towpath litter bins to dump household waste and burning wood and other smoky fuels.

More information is available on www.london.gov.uk/moorings ● Do you agree or disagree with Stillwater’s comments? Send your views to Talkback (see previous page).

Every picture tells a story at Pewsey Wharf on the Kennet & Avon 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 Facebook

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