The Butty Spring 2026 edition

The

Butty

SPRING 2026

75 years of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Find out more about our plans to celebrate

Character of the cut In this edition we meet newly appointed VP Elaine Kirby

Queen Elizabeth II Lock Alison Cannon delves into the history of lock 43

In this edition Capturing the canal

3 Welcome

7

Who's who and contact information

4–5 News Find out more about what's been happening along the length of the canal

Character of the cut

6 Notice of AGM

10

Taking place on Saturday 6 June at 11 am

Nature’s Engineers: Beavers Find out more from CRT’s ecologist

8–9 75 years of KACT - a brief history Find out more about the history of our canal

11–14 Anniversary celebrations across the navigation

Queen Elizabeth II Lock

15

Find out more about plans for the 75th anniversary

16–20 Branch updates Find out what our branches have been up to over the last six months

22–23

From beer to boats

21

Joy of lunch Hear more from Tania Christie on her experience of our members lunch

24–27 Memories of the K&A

CRT update

A taster of the book we have planned full of reminiscences by those who made the canal what it is today.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 2

Welcome

Who's who The warm weather approaches and we can see the preparations for much of our 75th anniversary celebrations are coming together. Our theme has been to celebrate our past successes, recognise our present achievements and look forward to our future triumphs. As you will probably know by now our centre piece is the celebratory cruise that celebrates achieving the restoration in 1990 and the efforts of those who campaigned, lobbied and worked to re-open the navigation.

The first cruise along the newly-restored canal was made by Tim West and Prunella Scales, both vice presidents now sadly gone. They were both a huge help in publicising and fund raising at a vital time. At each stop on this year’s journey the local branch has arranged an event where folk can enjoy the day and see where we are going and see where they can help. As the banner says “What We Did”. “What We Do”. “What We’re Planning”, and “How You Can Help Us”. I hope you can join us for some of our activities to see it for yourself.

We have had exciting times; we have a great organisation and we have tremendous plans for the future. This is all done and is achieved by our volunteers and, as our President has declared, fuelled by cake!

We have had a great start to the year with the Members Lunch followed swiftly with confirmation of the long-term lease for our Headquarters building in Devizes, and the start of our sixth trip boat in Bath.

Our AGM this year will be on the 6th June and will be at the Devizes Wharf building to coincide with the KA75 event.

Have a great summer and come and enjoy the fun!

GSP Graham Puddephatt Chair

Get in touch 01380 721279 admin@katrust.org.uk • thebutty@katrust.org.uk @Kennet and Avon Canal Trust @kennetandavoncanaltrust

K&A Canal Trust, Devizes Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1EB

The Trust is a registered charity, No. CC209206, and a company limited by guarantee registered in England, No. 726331 Spring 2026

President: Rob Dean CMG Vice presidents: Rt Hon Lord Benyon Bill Fisher David Lamb Michael Corfield Michael Goodenough Terry Kemp David Copley Elaine Kirby Trust council: Graham Puddephatt, Chair chair@katrust.org.uk Jerry Dixon, Hon. Treasurer fd@katrust.org.uk Graham Snook Mike Bailey, H&S Ali Cannon, Safeguarding Robert Dunton Terry Mundy Paul Hanson Michael Corish Dee Nix Office: Helen Flavin finance@katrust.org.uk Phoebe Restorick admin@katrust.org.uk katrust.org.uk | 3

News Four new Boatmasters for the Trust As many members will know, our four large trip boats (large meaning more than 12 passengers) are regulated by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Every time they go out, they must be under the command of a professionally qualified boatmaster. The Trust has around 30 volunteer boatmaster but several retire each year and we always need new candidates.

This year, we were fortunate to have 4 students to

It was hard work but the four of them formed a

undertake what is a pretty arduous course. Students

team and were ready when the dreaded examiner

need to be excellent at handling the boat. They also

from the MCA turned up on the 23 March. He had

need a thorough knowledge of the complex rules that

studied their Training Record Books and their

must be followed. Add to that, they need to be

certificates for First Aid, Fire & Water Safety courses.

practised and competent in managing any emergency

But he still put them through their paces with a

and making good use of their crew: you have a lot to learn, practice and perfect.

Our four students came from the Barbara McLellan and the Kenavon Venture. They were all experienced crew but had lots to learn about being a boatmaster.

Christine, Jane, Don and Richard embarked on their

detailed oral exam followed by a trip on the water with the inevitable emergency exercises. They were happy to be well prepared. As our ex-military student described it, ‘train hard and fight easy’. And they all won the fight with the examiner who was impressed with their skills.

training in November on a course led by Rob Dean, supported by Graham Snook and other boat trainers.

They worked hard both in the warmth of the classroom and in the cold and rain aboard. It’s been a wet winter and wasn’t the ideal time to be learning how to rescue someone from the canal.

John Smith We have just learned of the death of John Smith, one of the longest serving volunteers on the Rose. A great

The students all felt a sense of achievement, and a

character, he held strong views and was not afraid to

fair bit of relief. The course had been demanding but

express them.

one of them said, “the Trust provided a very

There were always three ways of doing anything on the boat: the wrong way, the right way and John

comprehensive, broad ranging training course”.

Convincing the MCA earned them all a licence, but

Smith's way. He cared deeply for the canal and

the course ensured they were all well prepared to

especially for Rose of Hungerford.

look after our valuable passengers and crew on the

He was a frequent and very competent helm, but would turn his hand to anything that needed doing. He will be very sorely missed.

Spring 2026

canal.

Trustees congratulated the students and thanked them for their hard work. katrust.org.uk | 4

News Cranes in need of some TLC We have been asked if it would be possible to bring

The Newbury Wharf Crane This sits on the banks of the Kennet and Avon

two notable Heritage Cranes back to a refurbished

Canal in Newbury and serves as a historical reminder

and smart appearance again.

of the area’s past as a busy canal trade hub. The crane is a notable feature, near the Stone Building

Burbage Crane A wooden crane has been at the Burbage wharf on

meeting space for the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and the Tea Shop at the Wharf. This is located behind

the side of the Canal for almost 200 years. It has

the new library, car park and opposite Victoria Park. It

become a landmark for people driving by on the

is believed to have been an old GWR crane that

Marlborough - Salisbury Road, for passengers on

replaced an original during the restoration of the

trains on the GWR line and for boats on the canal.

The crane was

waterways.

reinstalled by

noted as needing refurbishment. West berks have taken it down for

the Trust, and

While the crane is an iconic feature, it has been

the president

refurbishment

David Bruce re-

work to be done

presented it to

with a plan to

the waterway

reinstall and to

in 2012. It is believed that much of the steelworks are

complete some

from the original crane. Since the pandemic the old

work to the wharf

regular maintenance team has drifted away. We have

area and the edge

re-established a team and have begun planning to

pilling. The work is

take on the care once again.

expected to be

If you would like to be part of the team of volunteers

completed by the

who will refurbish the crane, please get in touch.

Save The Somerset Arms The campaign aims to protect a historic pub at the

end of April.

Recognising achievements on the K&A This year, two awards will be presented. The

heart of Semington. More than just a building, the

John Gould Award, established in 1997 with a

Somerset Arms has long served as a gathering place

trophy donated by British Waterways, recognises

for friends, neighbours, and travellers. Local residents

individuals or groups who have undertaken

are uniting to secure its future by restoring it as a

noteworthy deeds for the canal. A new KA75

thriving, community-owned pub that supports local

Award marks the Trust’s 75th anniversary and

jobs and fosters connection.

honours long-term contributions made over several

Saving the pub needs your support, from pledging interest to spreading the word. Every name and

years.

Nominations for both awards are submitted

donation brings this cherished venue one step closer

through the Trust’s branches, with final decisions

to revival.

made by the Chairman on advice from the

Visit savethesomersetarms.co.uk to learn more, sign

Trustees. The awards will be announced and

up for updates, and discover how you can help keep

presented at the Trust’s AGM on 6th June,

this vital part of village life for generations to come.

celebrating excellence and dedication.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 5

Notice of AGM Saturday 6 June, 11am

The 2026 AGM will be held in the Devizes Wharf building and by zoom.

All are welcome, although only KACT Members may

On the search for volunteers!

The AGM is also a great opportunity to hear about the working of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, and hopefully get inspired to get involved.

We are always on the lookout for new volunteers whether this is supporting one of our branch activities or the work of the overall Trust.

vote. It would be helpful to know in advance how many people to expect, so please email admin@katrust.org.uk saying whether you intend to join in person or by zoom,

by Saturday 30th May. Proxy notices should be returned by the same date and will be available on the Trust website nearer the time, along with the accounts, agenda and minutes of the last meeting. This will be followed (in the afternoon) by the Devizes KA75 celebrations.

Nature’s Engineers: Beavers The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) has been

So far there has only been one confirmed sighting on

returning to parts of the UK after being absent for

the Kennet & Avon Canal. A beaver was seen at

hundreds of years. Beavers are sometimes called

Bradford‑on‑Avon last summer for a couple of weeks and

ecosystem engineers because they naturally reshape

was likely a youngster moving out to find its own patch.

the places where they live. By felling trees, digging

There has been no sign of tree felling along the canal,

burrows and creating ponds, they can increase

and it is very unlikely that beavers would try to dam it.

biodiversity and help slow and clean water. Along more

Beavers build dams only where they need to create a

managed waterways like our canals and rivers, these

deeper pond, usually about a metre deep, to feed safely.

same behaviours sometimes need a bit of oversight so

They are entirely vegetarian (they don’t eat fish) and

that wildlife and infrastructure can coexist.

favour willow and poplar trees, as well as the softer plants

Reintroducing beavers is supposed to be done

like rushes and reeds that grow along canal edges.

through a licence from Natural England. This process

If you spot signs of beavers while out on the network,

makes sure that landowners and organisations like the

such as felled trees or branches with neat paired tooth

Trust are involved and that plans are in place to avoid

marks, please record them using the Mammal Society’s

problems. In recent years though, a few people have

Mammal Mapper App (https://mammal.org.uk/mammal-

been releasing beavers without permission, often

mapper-app) and let the Trust know by sending a

called ‘beaver bombers’. This has led to small wild

message to Customer Enquiries FAO: Laura Mulholland.

populations establishing themselves before proper consultation can take place.

Beavers have been living on the River Avon near Bath and around Frome for some time, and these groups were officially allowed to stay. Since then, beavers seem to be spreading naturally through Wiltshire and towards West Berkshire.

Spring 2026

A tree felled by beavers (*not* on the canal!) katrust.org.uk | 6

Character of the Cut Elaine Kirby

Elaine has been supporting KACT for over 20 years and has been our Archivist for around 10 years. She has recently and reluctantly decided to step down from this role and the Trustees have asked that she becomes a Vice President which she has happily accepted. When asked for her history with the Trust this is what she said: When we moved the archive to the then British We retired to Wiltshire in 2002 and sailed our newly-

Waterways depot at the top of Caen Hill, the biggest

built narrowboat Sunseeker No2 from Tamworth to

benefit was space to spread out. Research became a lot

Devizes Marina, its first mooring, later that year. We

easier. The archive was asked for help by the likes of the

had shared a boat for some years and also twice hired

BBC, ITV and other film and television companies.

on the K&A before. We first became Trust members in

Technical questions from just about everywhere,

2003.

universities and other canal societies including some in

For five years my husband was on Trust Council as

Europe. Keeping our copyright and intellectual property

Marketing and Membership Director, later

rights became an interesting challenge and making sure

instrumental in getting a group together to retrieve and

the Trust gets a credit for film input.

restore an historic BW work boat, Avon Vale, originally

Over the years we’ve regularly given a helping hand to

intended to be part of the Trust’s ongoing canal work.

CRT especially when they first moved their archive from

This was turned down by the then chair.

Gloucester to Ellesmere Port. Over the years I’ve put

We also joined Devizes Boat Club. Another

together three or four talks and spoken to groups along

member, Pete Jordan, twisted my arm to volunteer in

and away from the canal. I’ve worked with other canal

the shop which I did on a Wednesday afternoon.

museums both in the UK and in Europe. Although we

When our now King came to celebrate the full

have very little personal information it’s great when we

completion of the canal, our boat (as it was brand new

can pinpoint a relative’s job or area of canal worked.

and sparkling) was used to provide power - a very

My two compatriots did not return after Covid so I

interesting day! My other early introduction to the

carried on regardless. It’s a wonderful pastime if you like

variety of volunteering opportunities for the Trust was

puzzle solving and to read and discover old/new

helping to man (woman) the Trust stand at the Beale

information good or bad about the canal or the Trust. I

Park IWA waterways gathering.

created eight leaflets about various parts of the canal.

Over those years I met many of the original Trust

Now infirmity and age have caught up with me

members whose names appear again and again in

(expletive deleted) so sadly I must retire with many

early Trust history - all interesting and wonderful

thanks to the wonderful Trust members past and present

individuals.

I have met over the years.

I gradually became more and more interested in the museum, and when Warren Berry became Curator, he needed extra help so I left the shop and, with some

When asked about archive favourites...

I like the wonderful photographs of the canal pre and

wonderful help from The Wiltshire and Swindon

post restoration. Plus the 1763 edition of A Treatise on

History Centre, gained a super lot of education in the

Inland Navigation. The illustrations at the back are

workings of museums and archives.

brilliant - very Heath Robinson.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 7

75 years of KACT - a brief history In December 1948, Robert Aickman, of the Inland

and ladders, embankment strengthening, and, in the

Waterways Association, made the surprising claim that

section between Bradford-on-Avon and Bath, lining the

the Kennet and Avon had already “been restored”, and

bed of the canal with concrete.

had a “hopeful future.”

Alas, his optimism was misplaced. The canal did

The works were completed in 2003, and the Trust concentrated on running cafes, trip boats, the Museum,

indeed have a brief resurgence in the late ‘40s, mainly

and Crofton Pumping Station (also, for a while,

due to people like John Gould and John Knill, but their

Claverton Pumping Station). In 2011 the canal finally

efforts came to an abrupt end in 1950 when several locks

gained “cruiseway” status and the responsibility for

were shut “temporarily”, pending repairs which never

maintenance was passed to British Waterways. The

happened. In 1951 the canal was officially closed to

following year BW morphed into CRT.

through navigation.

At this point, members of the IWA who lived in Newbury decided a separate organisation was called for, to campaign solely for the K&A. And so, on 11th August 1951, the Kennet & Avon Canal Association was born.

With the restoration complete, KACT had to find a new role for itself. Our “Articles of Association” now state that our purpose (summarised) is to: a) promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the canal and its associated watercourses, towpaths, structures and buildings; b) educate people about the canal and its structures c) protect and conserve objects, sites and buildings of archaeological, architectural, engineering or historic interest associated with the canal; d) promote and facilitate recreational use of the canal by a wide section of the community in order to improve conditions of life for the public We do this by maintaining and promoting our fleet of

For the first decade, the focus was on lobbying to keep

boats and the buildings we look after. In 2010 we ran

the canal open. The 22,000-signature petition to the

just three boats (Barbara Mclellan, the Rose of

Queen in 1956 was carried along the length of the canal

Hungerford, and Jubilee); now we have six trip boats,

from Bristol and then on to Westminster, and succeeded

the four wheelchair-accessible Bruce Boats, and our

in allaying the immediate threat of closure.

youth boat Lady Hilda. We continue to look at ways to

In 1962, the K&A Canal Association became a Trust to

develop these - the Rose’s toilet was upgraded last year

enable us better to fundraise and to focus on restoration.

to be more accessible, and Bruce Boat Diana has been

Work began slowly at first, but gathered momentum in

converted to hybrid propulsion. We are investigating the

the ’70s until the canal was reopened by Queen Elizabeth

possibility of a brand new electric widebeam trip boat to

II in 1990. The first boaters to make the journey along the

replace one of our larger passenger boats.

restored canal from Bath to Reading were Timothy West and Prunella Scales, filmed for HTV. Parts of the canal were still in poor condition, and we were lucky that no breach or serious infrastructure occurred in those early years. The Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £25 million in the mid ‘90s enabled us to bring the canal up to modern standards, with lock moorings Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 8

75 years of KACT - a brief history At Crofton, trials of greener fuels continue and

Now, with CRT funding stretched and more boaters

development of various different buildings is ongoing.

than ever using our canal, we have again taken up a

The confirmation of the 125-year lease (at a peppercorn

campaigning role to make sure the canal stays open, and

rent) of the Devizes wharf building enables us to consider

to support CRT in its upkeep of it wherever we can.

making greater use of this, which for decades has been

The Trust continues to be run almost entirely by

the HQ of the Trust, and of moving the Archive into a

volunteers – over 400 of them at last count. You can be

room alongside the Museum.

sure they will do everything they can to keep the Trust and the canal - flourishing for the next 75 years and more. .

And at Great Bedwyn, plans are afoot for a reception centre and accessible toilet at the wharf, so hirers of the wheelchair-accessible boats have somewhere to wait while our volunteers get the boats ready for them.

Rob Dunton’s drawing of the proposed wharf building for Bruce Boats at Great Bedwyn

The Kennet & Avon Canal “We need to restore this derelict canal”

Till eventually in nineteen ninety

Said a gallant bunch of men

The canal was finally mended

“Repair the locks and bridges

And the Queen was invited to come along

Then boats can use it again.”

And declare the project ended.

So, the Canal Trust was formed

So we all need to express our thanks

Over seventy years ago

To those wonderful volunteers

And gangs of volunteers

Who patiently restored this canal

Came forward to start the show.

Over those many years.

It wasn’t going to be easy

Because without their dedication

It was going to take some years

And the challenges they won

There would be plenty of ups and downs

We would not have this marvellous place

Lots of laughs, and lots of tears!

To be enjoyed by everyone!

They spent their weekends and holidays

Charlie East

With their spades, barrows and rakes But the one thing that kept them going Was, there was always plenty of cakes!

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 9

Queen Elizabeth II Lock (Lock 43) For 180 years, lock 43 was simply the second lock

Journeys. But they did not pass through Lock 43 – their

down near the top of Caen Hill, part of the flight of 29

boat had to be craned out and lifted round so the Queen

locks outside Devizes, and no different from any

could be the first in. A plinth was built, to display the new

other. These locks were the last part of the canal to be

plaque naming the lock in her honour. The Rose of

completed in 1810. They were illuminated by gas

Hungerford was brought to Devizes – by road, to avoid

lights to allow night-time traffic from 1829 and

the embarrassment of getting stuck due to low water. On

numerous boats passed through at the height of the

the day itself, divers entered the lock to check for

canal’s prosperity. They were known by boaters as

unexploded bombs.

“the Thick ’Uns”.

Then the Queen arrived. And I know that some

After the canal was closed in 1950, and the water

readers of this magazine were there, and will remember

dried up and lock gates fell into disrepair, volunteers

all sorts of details from the day, and I do not presume to

from KACT, notably from the Youth Division, devoted

have anything to add to that. So I will simply quote from

many hours to restoring them to their former glory.

the enthusiastic report in the Western Daily Press:

And so it was, on 8th August 1990, that Lock 43 was surrounded by a large crowd of people and a flotilla of brightly-decorated boats awaiting the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II.

“The Queen stood in the bow of the canal boat flanked on either side by Mr David Ingman, chairman of British Waterways, and Admiral Sir William O’Brien, chairman of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. Those waiting below couldn’t see the Queen board the Rose of Hungerford as it waited in Lock 44. It was probably better that way…

Just a few inches, at first, they cranked up the paddles, and then a little more, taking it gently. No point rushing things. The bubbling turbulence in the pound picked up and a stream of escaping duckweed marked the flow as life, quite literally, began to rush through a once-severed artery. And then the first crack appeared between the gates as they were eased ponderously open, and the Queen emerged into the bright sunshine, smiling and clutching the deck of the boat. All at once, there was cheering, hooting of a dozen horns from Gongoozler, Avalon Erlegh, Excalibur and the other boats moored in the pound, bedecked with flowers, and the roar of the Hercules aircraft overhead. The Queen was delighted.

Sir William O’Brien wondered whether the opening ceremony in 1810 could have been anything like as joyous.”

The preparations had been going on for some time.

So what is in store for Lock 43 in 2026? Well, we are

The first boat in forty years to travel all the way from

hoping for another crowd of people to take part in a

Bath to Reading made its way eastwards, with

record-breaking attempt to carry 12 different people

Timothy West and Prunella Scales on board. They

through every lock. Come along on 7th June, and, if you

were making a programme for HTV to be shown later

are lucky, you may be able to ride through Lock 43.

in the year, a forerunner of their later Great Canal

– Alison Cannon

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 10

Plans for the anniversary trip Follow our progress We’ve been thinking: how can we bring the 75th anniversary cruise to as many people as possible, championing our goals, celebrating our waterway, and honouring the Trust’s history but without the constraints of geography?

We’re considering many options – from simple social media takeovers, through to GPS tracking and live streaming like the 2015 BBC Four programme All Aboard! The Canal Trip. Keep your eyes and ears open for developments!

In the meantime, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and check out the website for up-to-date info:

katrust.org.uk/ka75 Central to our celebrations is Bruce Boat Hannah transformed into a travelling display room, showcasing the work of the Trust past, present and future. She will travel the length of the canal crewed by representatives of all our Branches, taking part in local celebrations at each stop - see following pages and our website for details of these.

As Hannah travels between events, on some days

Take part at Caen Hill: On Sunday 7th June, Hannah will travel down the locks at Caen Hill. We should love as many people as possible to take part in this and aim to carry a different twelve passengers through every lock, up to 348 people!

Keep an eye on Facebook and the website for details of how to take part, or turn up on the day to watch the fun!

she will carry passengers - school and community groups, Trust members and volunteers, VIP guests.

To publicise the Trust as widely as possible, schools local to the canal are taking part in a colouring competition - a beautiful picture specially designed by canal artist Dru Marland, and sponsored

by London Street Brasserie in Reading. And all over the country, members of Guiding and Scouting are taking part in a special KA75 Challenge to earn the KA75 badge, which you will also see proudly displayed on the sleeve of all our volunteers this year.

Members’ Days Would you like to take part in Hannah’s historic

Key dates 4th June: Festivities at The Barge Inn, Honeystreet 6th June: Grand celebration event at Devizes 7th June: Caen Hill event (see above)

journey? We have two days reserved exclusively for

11th June: Send-off from Bristol Floating Harbour

KACT Members: 9th June Avoncliff to Bath, and

14th June: 50s themed fair at Bradford-on-Avon

22nd June Great Bedwyn to Hungerford. Both have

20th June: Crofton Beam Engines in steam

train stations at both ends for easy access.

21st June: Midsummer Fete at Great Bedwyn

Email: KA75@katrust.org.uk to reserve a place!

27th June: Grand Arrival at Reading Waterfest

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 11

Celebrations across the navigation Devizes Our plans are coming together for 6th June 2026

Newbury We look forward to the KACT 75 visit of Hannah over

when we will present our KA75 community event

the summer and will be taking the Jubilee down to

extravaganza on the wharf at Devizes. An afternoon

Reading Water Festival giving the crew an opportunity to

of fun and frolic to include live music, tombola and a

see different parts of the Kennet and Avon on a

raffle. Community stalls will be displaying and selling

longer trip (it takes

their wares, with tea and cake upstairs in the Rennie

2 days to get to

Room, Fantasy radio will do a live broadcast through

Reading!). We will

the afternoon, and Devizes Jubilee Morris will perform

be there for the

along with other live music groups.

arrival of Hannah

Our lovely neighbours from White Horse boats are

and will then run

letting us use one of their boats to give the public

passenger trips

“taster” trips on the canal. Devizes Mayor and local

during the Festival.

MP have agreed to open the event

Bath and Bristol The KA75 celebrations will see Hannah arrive in our

Hanham Lock continues to be adopted by KACT and

section of the canal and then going on to Bristol

we shall have planted the flowers ready to make it look

Harbour, before turning around and setting off from

special when Hannah arrives. We shall spend the rest

Bristol to do the full length of the canal to Reading.

of the day going to Bristol Avon Sailing Club (Saltford),

Hannah will arrive in our section on Tuesday 9 June

who have kindly said that we can moor at their pontoon.

and will then travel fairly quickly over two days to

Our journey up the River Avon will be helped by repairs

reach Bristol on Wednesday evening, where we shall

that CRT is doing to Swinford Lock 3 (leaks so much it

meet other boaters to celebrate being in the harbour.

is impossible to fill) and Kelston Lock 5 (damaged by

We should like to thank Bristol Harbour for waiving our fee and being so encouraging about KA75. There

fire last year). Repairs are happening as I write!

We shall arrive in Bath on Friday for trips on the river

will be a boat trip for Bristol councillors on the

and then go up the lock flight to Bathampton. On the

Thursday morning before our formal departure out of

morning of Saturday 13 June Hannah will be moored in

floating harbour and up the River Avon. Bristol

Bathampton for passers-by to visit while we also have

Harbour has responsibility for the river all the way to

trips on Sir John Knill. In the afternoon both boats will

Hanham (Lock 1) where we shall meet CRT

travel in convoy to Bradford and the two branches will

volunteers.

meet up for a barbecue.

Bruce Boats We are delighted that our boat Hannah has been

the start of the cruise, and will welcome all who crewed

chosen to travel the length of the canal, linking the

on the cruise to a wharf picnic at the end.

various celebrations together. This means that we

Our big event though is on Sunday 21st June, 2-4.30pm.

have several excuses for a celebration at Great

All are welcome to the Midsummer Fete: music, craft

Bedwyn: when she leaves, when she passes through

stalls, tombola, children’s activities, face painting,

on her way to Reading, and when she returns. We are

refreshments, mini boat trips on our electric boat Diana.

delighted to be joined by representatives from CRT at

And come and see the displays on Hannah of course!

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 12

Celebrations across the navigation Hungerford We will be celebrating 75 years of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust by inviting the public to visit Hannah, the Bruce Branch widebeam, when she calls at Hungerford. The Mayor, the town council, the Hungerford Historical Association and the Constable and Trustees of the Town and Manor of Hungerford will be joining us on the Rose for a short trip down the canal with drinks, canapes and a chance to work a lock. We hope to take the opportunity to remind them of the Rose’s considerable contribution to the local economy, as well as giving them an insight into the history of the canal and its restoration.

Celebrating the reopening of the canal in 1990, with the Bellman and Constable of the Town and Manor

It will be good to remember with gratitude and admiration the heroic work of the thousands of people who restored the canal and gave us such a wonderful amenity. We were privileged to have a passenger on the Rose last season who had worked on restoring locks in the Caen flight at Devizes. Bob Alderman, a stalwart volunteer for many years, reminisced on video about his work and adventures during the restoration,

The canal in 1950

Crofton We are very much looking forward to the 75th celebrations and will host Hannah on her journey along the Kennet and Avon Canal twice.

Crofton will have an exhibition about the K&A Trust to

the link for his talk: https://vimeo.com/387955857 keep our engines in fine fettle. This is also an open day for members of the public to visit, have a tour of Crofton and explore Hannah while she is docked with us.

We will have a display embracing our past work in resurrecting the canal, our current activities and plans

mirror the exhibition that will be displayed on Hannah.

for the future. Our main celebration will be a weekend of

This will be installed in our side boiler house as soon as

steaming while Hannah returns to us on 20th of June.

the exhibition boards are available and will be on

Visitors will be able to visit Hannah where she is

display all summer so that all our visitors will have a

moored up at Crofton. Meet some of our many

chance to find out more about the K&A Trust. Our

volunteers that host visitors. From the canal side you

volunteers will be pleased to talk to visitors about, not

can cross the lock and walk to Wilton Windmill. The

just the history of the Trust but, also its current and

windmill exists because of the canal, which displaced

future roles in protecting and promoting the canal for the

several water mills when it was built.

enjoyment and education of all our visitors to Crofton our engine, Georgian buildings and chimney.

We will have both our engines working over the weekend and we will have a rolling presentation about

Hannah will dock with us the first time on Tuesday the

Crofton’s role in the final layout of the canal, Crofton’s

2nd of June for a brief stop for her guests to have time

history and how we intend to keep Crofton as a living

to visit Crofton. This is a working day for Crofton, so we

museum steaming into the future when coal may no

will not be in steam but rather going about our standard

longer be available.

maintenance routines. It will give our visitors a flavour of the breadth and complexity of work that is needed to Spring 2026

Our Smithy Tea Room will be open and visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful views. katrust.org.uk | 13

Celebrations across the navigation Reading

Bradford on Avon

Our big summertime activity is Reading Waterfest th

Here in Bradford on Avon, we are celebrating 75

on June 27 - this is the grand entrance for Hannah

years of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust by stepping

our celebration boat that sets out a month before to

back in time to the 1950s! The Trust’s boat Hannah will

re-enact the Timothy West and Prunella Scales

be making a ceremonial progression from Bristol to

Canal Journey of 1990. We will have music and

Reading, transiting the full length of the canal. She will

stalls from canal organisations and plenty to see and

be in Bradford on Sunday June 14th, so from 10.30 am

hear. As is traditional, Waterfest will end with the

to 5 pm we are running a community event from the

Duck Race. If folk would like to come along and help

Bradford on Avon wharf.

you will be more than welcome.

We are offering free 1 hour boat trips throughout the day (donations welcome). There will be dancing, live music and boating craft displays, as well as a children's activities table. A BBQ and refreshments are available from the Canal Trust Cafe. And enthusiastic bakers have the chance to win a boat trip by entering our cake competition. Challenge yourself to create a 1950s or boat-themed Victoria Sponge - details and £3 entry tickets at Canal Trust Cafe.

Hannah will be staying in town for a week to give some trips for community groups and folk who would benefit from the wheelchair access (get in touch if this is of interest).

Hannah will be heading home and, as one last stop, we will be at The Aldermaston Tea Room to have an evening with our Members and Volunteers.

There will be hot food, drink, music and lots of things to see and talk about.

Speak to your local branch!

Bath and Bristol – Edmund Cannon, bathandbristol@katrust.org.uk Bradford on Avon – Peter Hughes, bradford.chairman@katrust.org.uk Devizes – Ann Snook, devizes.chair@katrust.org.uk Crofton – Dee Nix, crofton.chair@katrust.org.uk Bruce Boats – Ali Cannon, aecannon@yahoo.com Hungerford – Ceri Hanlon, cargoceri@yahoo.com.sg Newbury – Mike Corish, newbury.chairman@katrust.org.uk Reading – Graham Puddephatt, chair.reading@katrust.org.uk Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 14

From Beer to Boats Visitors to Bruce Boats often ask “Why Bruce - is it something to do with the Bruce tunnel?”

It’s not, of course. The tunnel was named after Thomas Bruce, Earl of Ailesbury, through whose land the tunnel was built. The boats are named after David Bruce, whose vision and enthusiasm founded the Bruce Trust in the late 1980s.

David’s story is a remarkable one, and he tells it in his own words in a new book: The Firkin Saga (Right Book Press, 2025) It turns out that, not only is he a talented brewer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, but he also writes extremely well.

For anyone who wants to find out more about the man behind accessible canal boating on the K&A, this is an essential read.

Having fallen into brewing almost by accident – the choice between working in a brewery or a petrol station was a no-brainer for an 18 year old! – he went on to set up the highly successful chain of Firkin pubs, overcoming opposition and incredulity to form his own unique brand and leading the way in a new generation of pubs brewing their own beer.

Most of the book is about his story as a serial

There is just one chapter about the Bruce Boats. Yet, unlike the Firkin brand which was discontinued in 2001, the boats which carry his name have a strong future

entrepreneur, with “Lessons and Learnings” at the end

ahead of them. For the 35,000 disabled, disadvantaged,

of each chapter. But far from being a dry text book,

elderly people and their families and friends who have

David’s exuberant character shines through,

enjoyed time on the canal since Rebecca was launched

complemented by the delightful cartoons of Ken Pyne.

in 1990, David Bruce is the person who made it possible.

You can read about the bank manager who caused

The Firkin Saga, David Bruce (Right Book Press 2025):

a beery flood on the opening night of the first Firkin

ISBN 978-1-915483-96-6 (paperback) /

pub, the parrot who ate several hundred pounds worth

978-1-915483-97-3 (hardback). Also available as an

of bank notes, and the panic caused by beetroot juice

audio book and an e-book.

in a red beer for Comic Relief.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 15

Branch updates Reading Branch – Simon Barrable We move Matilda Too up to Southcote Mill during

for the majority of his life. He now specialises in photographs of historic boats. In December we had a

October each year so that she is not marooned in

Christmas drink together, and in January we watched a

Reading if the river rises and the dreaded red boards

very interesting film of the journey Prunella Scales and

are deployed. We run our trips for the last few weeks

Tomothy West took from Bath to Reading when the

of October from the Cunning Man at Burghfield

canal reopened. This is, of course, the journey we are

culminating with themed trips for Hallowe’en. In 2024

repeating as part of the KA75 celebrations.

our Hallowe’en trips from there had been very popular;

In February we had a very interesting presentation

unfortunately this year the weather was wet and cold

from Laura Mulholland the CRT Environment Officer

and we had very few customers.

talking about Water Voles, Otters and other wildlife along

We started winter maintenance when the rain

the canal. She also told us that you can occasionally see

stopped at the end of January, and plan to have her

Beavers!! In February we heard from Roger Carsdale

ready to start offering trips at Easter.

from the Basingstoke Canal Society telling us about their

Throughout the winter we have monthly branch

canal and plans for the future.

meetings at the Cunning Man and the presentations are also streamed through Zoom for those who can not attend in person.

In November we had a presentation from Kev Maslin who has been taking photographs of boats and canals

Newbury Branch – Mike Corish As I write, the season has not yet commenced, with no trips operated since the end of October. Current

a busy start to the season for our volunteers once conditions permit.

In addition, five beer tasting trips have been confirmed

plans are to begin operating Jubilee on 11 April.

in partnership with Delphic Brewery. Following strong

However, the river flow remains high and may require

demand last year, these Friday evening events are

a short delay to the season starting later in April.

expected to be popular again.

Significant improvement works have been completed

Recruitment at the January Volunteer Fair have been

along the wharf over the winter. The previously failing

successful, with new crew members signed up. Induction

retaining wall and shuttering on the Southern bank of

sessions will run as soon as river conditions allow,

the Kennet in the centre of Newbury have been fully

enabling volunteers to safely get involved.

stabilised by West Berkshire Council (WBC) and new

Finally, when the season is over we plan for some

shuttering installed using a piling machine. We also

major internal refurbishment of the Jubilee, so it should

now have a new surface on the wharf that should

look great for 2027.

result in a safe surface for passengers and crew. The KACT Wharf sign has been reinstated, and the replacement of the old crane will follow once restoration is complete.

Over the Winter 2026/2027 WBC are expected to repeat the shuttering task for the Northern bank alongside Victoria Park.

The bookings systems are open and Public and Charter bookings are now increasing, and we expect Spring 2026

KACT Wharf sign back in place katrust.org.uk | 16

Branch updates Hungerford Branch – Tony Grewal

Bruce Branch – Ali Cannon

Improving weather, lighter evenings and increasing

What goes on behind the scenes to maintain the

wildlife sightings remind us that the public trip season

country’s largest fleet of wheelchair-accessible holiday

for the Rose is about to begin – something to really lift

hire canal boats? The answer is a dedicated band of

the spirits after a wet and dismal winter.

volunteers turning out in all weathers (correction for this

We now have to have an annual out of water inspection. The trip to Newbury dry dock was relatively uneventful, although one lock was leaking so badly that it could not be completely filled and required considerable effort to open the gates; another lock was under repair, but CRT rendezvoused with us to take us through. Despite her advanced years, the Rose passed both her in water and dry dock inspections – well done Dave, Chris and others who have helped to keep her seaworthy and safe.

EST this year proved challenging; the main exercises involved the skipper going overboard, acting as a reminder to the helm that they take over under such circumstances and an emergency evacuation for a possible engine room fire. It has been realised that simply watching the use of a defibrillator does not give sufficient training. All volunteers will be required to actually use the training defibrillator.

MCA, in their wisdom, decided that the toilet bilge needed a pump and an alarm, despite the bilge having been dry for 43 years! Duly fitted and another system to go wrong and scare the pants off everyone.

The season started with the traditional Mothers’ Day

year: in endless rain!) to mend, maintain and improve the boats over the winter. And doughnuts. Lots of them!

This year has been particularly busy. Investigations on Rebecca revealed serious water ingress around the skylights and the lift to the front deck, resulting in the need for extensive rebuilding once the woodwork had dried out, and new flooring. With new mattresses and seat coverings as well, she almost looks like a new boat.

Hannah has also had a facelift: leaky windows taken out and resealed, and the frames spruced up in gold. One of our volunteers spent many hours making blackout curtains, and we have also introduced more privacy curtains to separate the different sleeping areas.

Hannah is the boat chosen to represent the Trust in the KA75 celebrations in June, so she needs to be in tip top condition.

In November, we appointed Ruth to take charge of bookings. She has done an amazing job getting on top of everything, and it’s looking as if we’re on for a busy season. Bookings continue to increase year on year.

Youth group bookings for Lady Hilda, and summer holiday bookings on the widebeams, have filled up really quickly. We are already taking bookings for 2027.

I started this report by stating that we are country’s

trips, which were enjoyed by all, and which produced

largest fleet of wheelchair-accessible holiday hire boats.

some very appreciative comments on TripAdvisor. The

Although this has been true since Diana became the

Rose’s volunteers remain very proud of our position as

fourth Bruce Boat in the 1990s, we were struck recently

the number one attraction in Hungerford.

to discover how many other accessible boats have ceased trading over the past fifteen years (see map), and the three that remain are able to offer fewer facilities and sleep at most seven people. At Bruce Boats, we have boats sleeping up to 12, and can supply mobile hoists, perching stools, shower chairs, loo seat raisers, even steering by a joystick and an electrically operated hospital bed on Rebecca, all for no extra charge. For many of our hirers, Bruce Boats is the only option left for a holiday on a canal. It is humbling and a great privilege to be part of that.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 17

Branch updates Crofton Branch – Dee Nix As we run into the steaming season, which starts on

Work is currently being undertaken to repair an area of horizontal brickwork above the North Wall of the

the 5th of April, Easter Sunday, we have been looking

building. Much of this work has been completed and the

back at this winter and all the work we have undertaken

water on the walls has much reduced. Leakage from the

to keep Crofton open and welcoming to our visitors.

launder basin does not seem to be an issue (so far),

There are some essential works that happen every

although this was an early concern. Painting of the West

year at Crofton. The most critical of all is the Boiler,

wall with lime wash has commenced to brighten the

which is inspected in the autumn for damage and

room but staining in the walls is seeping through the

decay, and in March the annual steam test. For this test

paint. More coats of lime may help.

the boiler is lit, the engines driven and a test is made to

The Smithy Tea Room has had more refurbishment,

make sure the safety valve on the boiler will lift. This is

this time to the outside, including the barge boards,

always accompanied by plenty of steam and a great

guttering and works to the boundary wall, which have all

deal of noise! The boiler passed both inspections and

been successfully completed.

has a clean bill of health for another year.

The engines have been “detarped” i.e. had their protective coating of grease removed from all surfaces that are prone to corrosion over the winter months. Both

Lots of grounds maintenance has been carried out despite the weather and the hedges are ready for spring and the nesting season.

We have had a significant increase in visitors over the

engines ran during the steam test last week, although

winter. This is largely due to a change in policy where

number 2 engine was not as smooth as would have

we welcome visitors during workdays and provide

been liked. Number 1 engine is the mature, let’s just get

personal guides. We publicise this on our web site and

on with the job engine (1812 vintage) and Number 2 is

in local publications. The last two working Saturdays

the tricky adolescent (1846) vintage. This seems to

both attracted over 40 visitors.

have always the case.

The weather was extremely unkind to Crofton and the guttering and sofit boards on the Engine house were

Most of our visitors leave a donation and many promise to return for a steaming. Volunteers also enjoy the opportunity to talk about their work.

damaged in high winds. These have been successfully repaired, re-seated and painted. This work was completed at a height of 4 stories over several weeks and thanks to our volunteers who have a very good heads for heights.

Crofton used to have two Lancashire boilers; one was condemned and removed during the restoration process. This left a large space which housed Crofton’s café for several years. Unfortunately, Covid and several other factors led to the demise of the café, and although we now have a very nice tea room this is in our restored black smith’s shop.

It was decided to remove cladding from the walls,

A previous volunteer visited us on the 18th of March to

firstly to make sure they were sound and secondly to

see the steam trial. He donated this beautiful little

show more of the original Georgian fabric of this room.

engine. It is hoped we will be able to build a proper

As the cladding ws removed it was clear that there was

display area for our smallest engines so that they can be

a significant amount of water coming through the walls.

run on compressed air and enjoyed by all.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 18

Branch updates Devizes Branch – Graham Snook The coming of “Spring” has heralded the start of

Bath and Bristol Branch – Edmund Cannon Since the last Butty, Bath & Bristol Branch has been

another busy season for us on the Kenavon Venture.

busy working on our new trip boat, “Sir John Knill”

After a full “Spring” clean, KV was made ready for our

based at Bathampton. Indeed our last report left

first official trips of the new season. Two were laid on for

readers on a bit of a cliff-hanger as we were still

Mother’s Day with cream teas provided and a gift for

negotiating the purchase and licensing of the boat,

Mums and Grandmas. All passengers (on good

which we finally achieved in the New Year.

authority) were very pleased and delighted with the care and attention they received.

Before and after the Mother’s Day trips KV has been an integral part of the training for four potential Boatmasters from Barbara Mclellan and Kenavon Venture: we are pleased to say all four passed the MCA test. A challenging time not only for BM trainees but Rob Dean the Trusts principle trainer!

Recruitment of volunteer crew has been very successful. A total of twenty people have been involved with training or crewing the boat so far, many of whom are new to KACT or even new to boating.

Throughout April we shall be continuing training, including ESTs, and finalising details of our trips,

We have also held several well attended Essential Safety Training sessions. All signed up crews are now ready for the season.

The Wharf building reception area has been repaired and painted after the recent flood. Our grateful thanks go to our trusty volunteer Richard for his plastering and painting skills. Now it doesn’t look like a bomb site, we can welcome visitors in for teas and coffees as well as a visit to the museum.

In the months ahead charter trips, music and quiz

which will start in May. We have also had a successful litter picking day, combining litter picking on both the towpath and using the boat to collect rubbish in the canal or on the off side.

KACT maintains a good relationship with the local CRT volunteers and we particularly wish to thank them for cutting back the vegetation in the Bathampton area so that SJK can navigate easily.

SJK has an air draft of over 8 feet, much higher than most boats on the canal, so removing branches to 9 feet has been very helpful.

nights as well as private bookings are already filling the

KACT has also finalised a grant towards CRT

diary and along with our regular public trips indicate that

volunteers helping them to equip a workshop in our

we are in for a very busy and very rewarding summer.

area. The paddle gear on many west end K&A is showing signs of significant wear making them difficult to operate. The wear initiates in the gear wheel axle bearings and leads to wearing of the gear wheels themselves: these cannot be easily repaired and replacement is expensive at around £300-£400 per set. Engineers working on locks at the east end of the K&A have developed an inexpensive modification to the lock gearboxes that involves fitting roller bearings and greatly improves supportability and should greatly extend the life of the gear wheels.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 19

Branch updates Bradford on Avon Branch – Pete Hughes 2025 was a busy year for Barbara McLellan. We ran

now regularly going east to Hilperton, as well as west on the popular and scenic Avoncliff Aqueduct run. We

a total of 124 public trips, of which 53 were lucrative

always have a Wednesday trip, but we’re doing

charters. 2725 people have enjoyed the K&A in the

alternating Saturdays and Sundays with a view to

lovely scenery of the Avon Valley around Bradford.

capturing a different market of passengers, and enabling

Our Santa trips were popular, especially the

an alternative group of volunteers to join us on the

Traditional Christmas trips that we ran for the benefit

changing days. We’re also trying something quite

of passengers old enough to enjoy a complementary

different on Bank Holiday Mondays. We run a shorter,

glass of sherry. We had an accordion-playing

cheaper trip eastbound; wait at the wharf, then run

musician, and Santa himself made a guest

another short and cheap trip westbound. The hope is

appearance and handed each person a traditional

that we will catch the casual walk-on type of customer;

Christmas stocking, packed with traditional treats.

those who would enjoy a canal trip but don’t want to spend a lot of money or commit to a full 2½ hour trip.

We’re also developing our hospitality offering on the trips we run, with Canal Trust Café catering. We’re selling seating by the table group rather than per passenger, and serving bottomless tea and coffee at the table as a part of the deal. We learned about the power of this model from doing the Jane Austen trips, and our first 2026 outing, Mother’s Day, went down beautifully. It was worth a fortune in publicity to see the envious eyes looking into Barb from the towpath, as we sailed past

At the end of the season, Lesley Hooper stood down from all of her rôles other than that of skipper. Over

with people enjoying afternoon tea from the traditional 3tier cake stand.

the years, most of the political and practical tasks associated with the running of the branch and the boat had fallen into Lesley’s purview. At a handover meeting attended by a good number of people who have been involved in Barb-World in more than a strictly crewing capacity, we were somewhat overwhelmed by the scale of tasks that she had been undertaking in addition to skippering 50+ trips.

Other than this, Barb has undergone another

We are hugely grateful for her contribution over the

worthwhile session of TLC in the dry dock at Hilperton,

years. A group of crew members worked to rationalise

and passed her MCA inspection with no issues found

all of the tasks that Lesley had been doing, and break

that couldn’t be fixed with a word processor. Charter

them up into manageable volunteer-sized chunks.

bookings are looking healthy; we’ve got a new skipper

At a well-attended crew meeting, a revitalised committee was elected, headed by Pete Hughes. All of the rôles were taken on by willing volunteers, and

on our books, and a number of new volunteers in training.

The Canal Trust Café continues under the same

we’ve been working hard ever since to grow into those

management, and has established a fine reputation as a

rôles, fulfil our responsibilities and establish our

good value, high quality place to enjoy a meal or a drink

signature on the coming season.

whilst watching the world go by on the traffic-free wharf.

We’ve changed our trip schedules a little bit: we are Spring 2026

All’s looking well for the 2026 season. katrust.org.uk | 20

CRT update (Eastern end) It’s been a cautious start to the New Year, with

Due to river conditions it’s always tricky to plan works in

water levels continuing to drop. I for one welcome the

the stoppage season as well as negotiating with the

early spring growth and the splash of iridescent green

Environment Agency over flood defence consent.

we are seeing on our ecologically diverse super-

Our volunteers have been working relentlessly

highway. My team have spotted otters at multiple

throughout the winter, targeting offside vegetation with

locations with even tentative reports of beavers in two

teams out twice a week. Our volunteer brickwork team

spots! One to keep an eye on me thinks!

have been repairing heal grips and minor brickwork issues. Our planned preventative maintenance team (PPM) have been out twice a week also oiling gearing, trimming vegetation around locks and checking cill markers, and of course our operations team have undertaken the dirty work. Clearing fly tipped waste and managing water control and by-weir clearance as well as repairs.

Lastly, I thank you all for your support. If you want to get involved and help manage one of the most diverse

However, we are still plagued with some early asset

navigations in England then let me know. We are always

related issues as we move into the later part of April.

welcoming passionate advocates of our waterways and

Burghfield lock remains inoperable, with contractor

discover a group of people that share the greatest

work to reinstate the bottom gate starting imminently.

enthusiasm, camaraderie and interest in history,

The lock has not been used in anger since the end of

ecology, architecture, and of course boating. – Rob

last season, and the resident wagtail has made use of

Coles

this quiet period and built a nest on the ‘undamaged’ gate. We’ve told her to get a move on; she promises to be out the way before contractors start work!

There have been a number of locks that have not been used in some time where we are seeing issues.

Garston lock just upstream of Burghfield also is closed. We are unable to equal the pressure in the lock and suspect a faulty cill and dried out gates.

Benham lock also requires attention. Opening the

New handmade oak lock gates have been fitted at

navigation has become the regional priority, we are

Hamstead Lock near Newbury, built at our workshop by

doing all we can to facilitate the works using specialist

specialist carpenters. The same is due at Heale’s Lock,

diver support, operations team and of course our

east of Thatcham, but swollen water levels mean this

skilled volunteers.

work is now planned for later in the year.

On a positive note, Ham lock, Hampstead lock and

Repairs have been made to lock gates at Brunsdon

Brunsden lock all have new gates fitted. Our

Lock (near Kintbury) and at Woolhampton Lock, while at

construction team had an awful job sealing the dam at

the historic Caen Hill Lock Flight near Devizes, essential

Ham lock before Christmas which meant the works

work to repair the paddles has been completed at Marsh

over-ran: however, all completed.

Lane Lock 27. – Phil Groom

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 21

The Joy of Lunch Tania Christie

What a joy it is to walk along the canal!

Birdsong wraps around me like a warm coat.

Bulrushes and willows rustle and whisper, sharing their innermost secrets. Sugar-puff clouds glide in and over the water. Sunlight multiplies in rippling reflections. Coots dive and moorhens hide. Guardian swans circle toward me whilst v-shaped geese in their mighty flight slice the sky in half with their dinosaur cries.

I let the breeze ruffle my hair. But my eyes are drawn to the graceful boats that adorn the water like pearls on a royal necklace. They give the swans a run

And when you finally walk on along the towpath, you’re not quite sure what year we’re in.

You walk on along the towpath still waving them goodbye while they vanish into the green in front of your very own eyes, and if you are not careful you might forget which way’s the sky.

for their money with their ruby reds and topaz greens, *

with their story-telling names that make one stop, ponder and chuckle.

What a joy it is to walk along the canal! I walk and feel the past beneath my feet. The barges, the horses, the coarse voices… the heaving and shoving, the rolling and throwing, the wealth, the growing of towns with their music and mysteries.

I walk along the towpath of history: 216 years of it to be precise. The Kennet and Avon Canal with its 87 miles navigable path from Reading to Bristol takes the spotlight. I don’t just walk; I walk a lot. From Reading to Theale. From Theale to Thatcham. From Thatcham to Newbury. From Newbury to Hungerford. From Hungerford to Great Bedwyn (Mmm … the post office village bakery!) From Crofton to Devizes. You guessed it: I am a Rambler. I might as well come clean. Confess.

In my defence, I don’t just walk; I stop and watch the boats go by. I stop and often help boats in and out of locks and do so with a fresh sense of wonder every time. Indeed, one may be close to losing one’s very sense of time watching the boats dive and rise, then glide through kind and giant wooden gates, like ethereal spaceships opening new portals to the universe. On their happy way they fly...

Spring 2026

The phone rings one bright and frosty afternoon: it’s Peter, my friend and fellow Rambler. He doesn’t just ramble. He is a Ramblers’ rambler: “Would you like to join me on the KACT lunch on Saturday?”

“Erm…” “I am a sponsor member you see, and I can take a ‘plus one’.”

“Erm…” “I just thought it was a good cause, you know? Mine is only a small contribution but…”

“Yes, I watched hours of snail-paced footage of narrow boat programs during Covid,” I say in one breath trying to make myself worthy of the invitation, “and totally fell in love with the lifestyle, the people, the boatyards, their launderettes and disposal units, the rust repair techniques, cooking on board, the seasons, mooring tribulations, and…”

“Great, I will send you the menu!”.

“I am a follower of Country House Gent and love Travels by Narrowboat!”

Peter is an engineer. Short, swift. So I didn’t mention my earlier adoration of Rosie and Jim. *

katrust.org.uk | 22

The Joy of Lunch

Saturday soon arrived. The building, perched on the

headquarters for many years, but the lease means that

edge of the beautiful town of Devizes, oozed with

we can put in place plans to develop it further by

industrial heritage: after all, the Devizes Wharf was a

merging the Museum and Archives”.

thriving hub before the advent of railways, sporting

We were stunned. What luck! To have had a personal

seven wharves in the 19th century. It looked like

audience with one of only 3 keynote speakers, the other

private lodgings with its pretty green window frames

one being Rob Dean, the Trust’s President. Rob praised

and doors and its narrow, twisted staircase leading up

the Trust on its 75th anniversary and detailed the plans

to a long, thin, wooden-floored veranda, so we circled

for KA75.

the whole building first to make sure before we plucked up the courage to climb up.

Ali Cannon, trustee and organiser, greeted us with

Applause preceded the eagerly anticipated curries and lasagnes prepared by Annie’s Catering and served by the fabulous volunteers Carolyn Calder, Graham and

open arms and wasn’t one bit fazed by our unusual

Ann Snook, and Sharmain Washbourne. We tucked in,

stories.

approved and appreciated the bounty before us

Drinks in hand, we checked out the little museum…

accompanied by a room full of sounds of delight and the

definitely worth another look later, we said as we sat

clinking of cutlery. The two ladies at the end of our table

down alongside 50 other guests, keen to tuck into our

were volunteer boat drivers, I was in awe to discover. I

lasagne when it should appear. To our surprise, the

had been wondering, as one does when presented with

gentleman opposite us had never been on a narrow

a display of new faces.

boat either and was also a supportive enthusiast. Next

Now whilst I started off feeling like a bit of an imposter,

to him, a bearded (of course!) self-respecting

after a chat and a hearty lunch, and a whole load of new

gentleman introduced himself to us as Graham. He

fun knowledge into the inner workings of the Trust, two

wore hunter’s green clothes and with inimitable

hours later I left feeling like a small cog in a big

eloquence, he introduced us to the delights of inside

machinery that powered an entire ecosystem. I wanted

knowledge narrow boating and volunteering with the

to remain part of it!

Trust. We talked about the etymology of his rare

I saw for the first time the love and work that holds up

surname Puddephatt, dating from 1600s, which may

the beauty I enjoy on my walks.

have meant a butcher who specialised in puddings.

And so here I am. I want to go out and speak to you all,

Once Ali opened the event with her welcoming

to learn more about life on the canal. But most of all, I

speech and smile, who gets called up front for a

promised myself I must experience the 45-minute leisure

presentation? None other than our friend, Mr

cruise on Matilda, the KACT Narrowboat journey from

Puddephatt, the Chair of Trustees! “We are delighted

Star Lane Wharf in Reading, which Graham spoke so

to inform you that we secured a 125 lease on the

passionately about.

building from Wiltshire Council. It has been the Trust’s

Spring 2026

What a joy it is to boat along the canal!

katrust.org.uk | 23

Memories of the K&A Coming soon...

Chris Poulter – Bradford-on-Avon Branch A book of reminiscences from

One of the best crew events we had was to celebrate

those who made the canal

the Battle of Trafalgar, because there were quite a few

what it is today. Here are

militaries amongst the crew. There must have been four

some extracts, and thank you

or five Royal Navy Wrens and about the same number of

to all who contributed! We

RAF of various branches. We transformed the wharf tea

hope to have copies ready to

room after it had closed and laid out a table for about 20

sell at the KA75 celebrations

people. It looked absolutely super: a proper mess

in June.

dinner! We had drinks on the boat alongside to start

Colin & Sue Emmett – Bath & Bristol Branch

with, a cold starter to keep things simple, then a roast beef dinner provided by Dick from the Lock Inn next door, and then puddings. Everyone had a lot of rum and a very jolly evening was had by all, with lots of speeches. And then the next day we had to turn it all back into the tea room again!

Photo: Tony Wadley

Half way through the afternoon we would break for tea. Someone would go down to collect Mrs. Butcher – ‘Ma Butcher’, as she was known – who lived in a little gas-lit terraced house where the Travelodge now is, at the bottom of the locks. She would make a huge – army size! - thermos of tea, and a volunteer would drive down in a car to collect her and her tea

newspapers and we would store them until we had

and her cakes. This was an important fixture every

several tons of newspapers that we could sell for

working party day.

cash. The company we sold to was very strict about

* We were always in need of money: the Bath and

what could be included – definitely no magazines or anything with staples in.

Bristol Branch felt a bit like the Cinderella of the Canal Trust. It seemed as if there was much high profile activity at the Reading end, and at Devizes there were a lot of high-up army people with money and connections, but we had to just get on and do what we could. In the days before recycling lorries and charity shops, we made good money by collecting newspaper and running jumble sales. We used to collect from the large houses in Horseshoe Walk – the Telegraph and the Times were good fat Spring 2026

Photo: Tony Wadley

katrust.org.uk | 24

Memories of the K&A Alec Hitchcock – Hungerford Branch On another annual training day on the Rose of

Tony Gorham – Bruce Branch

Hungerford we were doing an emergency exercise on

In 1990 I took out Rebecca for a week’s holiday with

the wharf by Hungerford Bridge. The scenario was that

8 crew and 4 volunteers, including me as skipper. The

the helmsman was supposed to have fallen off the back

canal was different then. We didn’t have our safe

of the boat and had a heart attack! We got him up the

landings and moorings at each lock. We got off the

bank a little way and while one crew member had to

boat on the frequently overgrown tow path going down

pretend to call the emergency services, others

the canal. Then the return journey going up was more

pretended to give first aid. A pedestrian crossing the

treacherous: clamber off the bow and up the muddy

bridge looked down and, believing it was a real

grass bank to get to the lock gates. Equally precarious

emergency, really did call the emergency services, and

getting back on the boat. For all this, it was when it all

suddenly several police officers came running down the

started for me, and since that time I have volunteered

bank to see what was going on! We explained the

with the trust and eventually, after that very successful,

situation, pointing out our signs which said ‘Crew

first holiday, I trained to be a volunteer skipper. That

training in progress!’ So after letting the other services

first holiday set the scene for many more fantastic

know all was well they left us! We display the notice

holidays. I am pleased to say I am still volunteering.

really clearly now.

Margaret Clowes – Newbury Branch At that time the limit of Navigation was between

David Copley - Reading Branch In the early 1970s Reading Branch members held a

Greenham Lock and Crofton, which had been

working party to remove the large number of shopping

“unlocked” with great ceremony the previous August,

trolleys which had been pushed into the Kennet in

although unfortunately due to a variety of problems,

Reading town centre. Tesco had a large supermarket in

navigation was restricted to Froxfield Bottom lock. We

a nearby shopping centre. Paid parking was available

found there were also several idiosyncrasies to

here. County Lock was a 5 minutes walk away and

contend with – firstly the 7ft. “temporary” bridge from

parking on nearby streets was free. Few shoppers

the Wharf to the Recreation Ground only a few inches

returned their trolleys and they made a nice splash

above the cabin roof, Newbury Lock, with its clough

when local kids pushed them in.

ground paddles and fast current as the river came in at

The working party had ropes with a metal grapnel

the tail and through Town bridge, together with the

hook on the end. Throw one in and see what you catch.

lack of suitable landing stages at the bottom of most

A bit like fishing but with a greater chance of success.

locks! A normal BWB windlass made hard work on

We soon found a problem. Not in finding trolleys but in

most paddles, but Bill Fisher fashioned a unique

finding enough space to store them. We stopped

diamond-shaped, long-handled one which was easier.

counting at well over 150.

One Clean Up Day my wife, our teenage daughter and I were using a grapnel near the Huntley and Palmer biscuit factory and HQ. Our daughter slung her hook (literally). “I’ve caught something Dad”.

It was a very old wooden-bodied wheelchair. She took another throw. Another success. She pulled it in. It looked a bit unusual. We removed the weed to find a very old wooden artificial human leg complete with attachments to secure it.

“Can we go somewhere else Dad?”

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 25

Memories of the K&A Alison Colbourne – K&A Handbell Ringers With the success of raising money to put towards

John Revell – Devizes Branch The next year, 1991, I took my boat along the

the canal’s restoration funds in our first year, we

newly restored canal from Reading to Bristol. Use of

continued to visit more pubs in the surrounding areas

the Caen Hill locks at Devizes was very restricted

the next Christmas. George Colbourne and Mike and

because of problems with water supply but I was

Margaret Lee joined us. At one pub we had to make a

lucky to be allowed to descend part of the flight with

quick exit through the back door because a fight broke

another narrow boat after the annual general meeting

out! We wore canal themed sweatshirts designed by

of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust.

Margaret, a talented artist. She also painted our table

As I locked down I noticed an elderly man and his

top music stands and sign board with the colourful

wife looking very intently at my progress. I invited

roses as seen on traditional canal narrowboats.

them on board and offered him the tiller. He steered

Over the years the team grew to around 13

the boat straight as a die into the locks so I thought

members, playing up to eighty eight bells. We were then playing ‘off the table’ style with a very varied

he must have done some boating at some stage.

We talked a bit and after a while I discovered that

programme of music, entertaining members of various

this modest, unassuming man was John Gould, who I

clubs, social events, and residential homes throughout

knew had done as much as anyone to keep alive the

the year.

dream of a restored Kennet and Avon Canal. I asked

At one venue, Vivienne’s explanation that ‘all the money we raised was going straight into the canal,’

him when he had last done the flight. The answer was 1947.

brought a light-hearted reaction.

Ian Broom – Crofton Branch The first job I was involved with was cleaning out the

volunteered or “was volunteered” to go down the pump

condenser tank on the No.1 engine. This was one of

rising main on a rope ladder to see what the problem

the places that Wilmott had thought fit to dose with oil.

was. He reported back that all the rings of the valve

Thick black stuff. It took days of scraping to get the tank

were gummed up with thick black oil.

clean. It also took some effort to get clean afterwards.

Overalls were banned from the washing machine and had to be boiled in a big pan. I even found that I still had

It took us three working weekends to get the valves out, cleaned up and put back.

Black oil was to strike for a third and last time when

traces of oil on me at work on the Monday morning. I

we saw that there was a film of oil on the water in the

was transferring smudges of oil from my elbow to some

leat head. It was decided to spread straw on the surface

drawings.

of the water to prevent any contamination. Geoff’s

Black oil struck again when we first tried to steam the

girlfriend, Janet, was helping with this when she fell in.

No.1 engine. The pump would not pick up water. I don’t

Geoff rushed, not to save his beloved, but to grab a

know if Geoff Wallis, one of our apprentices,

camera to record the scene.

Spring 2026

katrust.org.uk | 26

Memories of the K&A Photographs from Bill Fisher’s collection

Dredging at Bulls Lock

Volunteers at work on Bulls Lock

K&A Horseboat

Father Christmas on the canal

Jan 1956 edition Spring 2026

Lock 104 and Southcote Mill katrust.org.uk | 27

How you can support the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

Visit the canal Bring your friends Share this magazine with others Make a donation Remember us in your will Join up as a volunteer Become a member

Help us keep the canal open for the next 75 years - and more

Spring 2026