Tooley’s Boatyard Trust Page

34

the top of the lock and a purpose built brick bridge, incorporating a wheelchair ramp at the tail. It is amazing that the gate planks are used more than the brick bridge as it saves a couple of minutes walk! We decided with CRT that the lock could do with a spruce up and this we duly did. The next job was for us return to Nell Bridge, but this time the length between Nell Bridge lock and Aynho lock, clearing the overgrown shrubbery along the towpath. This length although part of the canal is actually the River Cherwell and does at times suffer from floods making the length impassable. The work consisted of cutting back to the original fence line, including the overhanging tree branches and removal of the many years growth of brambles etc. Our AGM comes between writing this account and the publication of . We are expecting some major changes at Banbury Canal Partnership but more of that next time. If you want a day out in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside come and join us. You might just enjoy it so much you become a regular Please contact myself or Chairman Colin Garnham-Edge if you would like to be put on our emailing list. Remember we have an email contact address: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com We also have a Facebook page

Brian Saunders BCP Cargoes representative

Tooley’s Boatyard Trust

Here at Tooley’s, while Matt and his team have been working incredibly hard keeping the customers satisfied, the Trust’s team of volunteers have been running regular Saturday boat trips in our purpose-built boat the Dancing Duck. Particularly popular with families, these have helped us make our beloved historic boatyard much better known to more people. We’ll be starting them again next year, after Easter, so if you're interested, watch our website https://tooleysboatyardtrust.org.uk/boat-trips/ for details.

We also have an opportunity to purchase all the tools and artefacts left by the Tooley family, rescued by a far-sighted individual, and currently on loan to us. The collection includes a historic Pelapone engine which once supplied power to the boatyard - long before the National Grid! We have negotiated a sensible price of £2,000 for the over 100 items to enable us to display them in perpetuity and to demonstrate the methods and skills passed down through generations.