Towpath Talk - January 2015 - FULL

FREE

The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

Issue 111, January 2015

104 PAGES Season’s greetings to all our readers ELECTRIC VAN TRIAL HELPS CUT CARBON FOOTPRINT P6

A wintry morning besides the winding hole near Wychnor Church on the Trent & Mersey Canal in Staffordshire. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

MEET THREE FAMILIES WHO’VE CHOSEN A BOATING LIFESTYLE P12

Major tourism award win for holiday boat operators

BOATER BEWARE! COMMON CONS ON THE CUT P58

BRINGING THE VINTAGE TO THE NARROWBOAT

A CANAL holiday has been named Tourism Experience of the Year at the Manchester Tourism awards and will now go forward to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2015.

Wandering Duck offers multi-day

P95

382 BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

P17

canal boat tours aboard its 69ft narrowboat, for individuals and groups, to experience the canals between Manchester and the Peak District and the beautiful Cheshire countryside of the Macclesfield Canal.

Two-night ‘adventure’ and ‘escape’

Canalside industrial estate plan CRT’s Simon Salem to retire

BROADS toll payers will benefit from the smallest increase in the authority’s history following the approval of a 1.7% rise as recommended by the Navigation Committee. Committee chairman David Broad said: “We are enhancing our network of free public moorings, other facilities and infrastructure, improving dredging and ensuring our assets are updated.” With no regular Government funding for navigation this improvement and maintenance can only be funded from tolls. Last year’s arrangement to allow the boat hire industry to make staged payments or be awarded a 2% discount if they pay in full on or before April 1 is to continue.

PLANS for a £20 million development along the Grand Union Canal in Birmingham have been unveiled by the Canal & River Trust. Wharfdale Park in Tyseley will provide high specification build-to-suit warehouse and manufacturing units ranging from 20,000sq ft to a maximum of 150,000sq ft on a leasehold basis. Demolition to clear the site, which has outline planning consent, is expected to start in early 2015 after remaining tenants have been relocated within the Tyseley area. Prospective occupiers of Wharfdale Park may be eligible for grant assistance and Birmingham City Council will provide guidance on funding availability and eligibility criteria.

More locations, more choice Tel 01299 827 082 Stourport on Severn

Tel 01753 851 717 River Thames, Windsor

Upton Marina Walton Marina Tel 01932 221 689

Tel 01684 593 111 Upton upon Severn

Walton on Thames

Thames & Kennet Marina

Brundall Bay Marina

Tel 01189 477 770

Tel 01603 717 804

River Thames, Caversham

Pyrford Marina

Boat sales at seven Marinas with over 150 boats for sale

Visit:

Wandering Duck’s owner-operators Mark and Ruth receive the award from Nick Brooks-Sykes, Marketing Manchester’s director of tourism, left Simon O’Donnell, head of key accounts at MediaCo which sponsored the award for Tourism Experience of the Year. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Small rise in tolls is approved

Stourport Marina Racecourse Marina, Windsor

tours are hosted by owner-operators Mark Bratt and Ruth Seneviratne-Bratt, who take care of narrowboat Rakiraki and do all the cooking as well as showing guests how to steer the boat and work the locks.

• Continued on page 2

www.tingdene.net

Tel 01932 343 275 River Wey, Surrey

Norfolk Broads

AFTER more than 26 years’ service, Simon Salem, marketing and fundraising director for the Canal & River Trust, has decided to retire in June 2015. He joined British Waterways as marketing development manager in 1988, having previously worked at London Underground, and rose to become a director. He played a significant role in helping to create, launch and establish CRT and set up its fundraising and volunteering teams. Simon, who is completing a psychology degree, plans to carry out further academic study, continue his voluntary work for the Samaritans and fulfil a lifetime’s ambition to travel the world by train.

2 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WELCOME

Don’t miss out! Get 12 copies delivered to your home for less than 84p a copy

AS I write, it’s one of the coldest mornings of the winter so far with the threat of snow in more northerly parts later in the week.

By the time you read this, 2015 will almost be upon us and I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all our readers a happy and prosperous new year.

Thoughts will be turning to cruising and holiday plans for next season and there have been reports of up to a 50% increase in bookings for 2015, see the report from the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators AGM on Page 57.

As you will have seen on the front page, there has also been good news for Wandering Duck in the Manchester Tourism awards. And celebrating too is the AngloWelsh Eynsham boat hire base which was named ‘Best on the River’ at a Hoseasons gala award ceremony, more on that next month.

But in the meantime, we have what are usually the coolest of the winter months to contend with and we bring you some winter cruising tips from Norbury Wharf on page 56.

If you have a coal stove, Polly Player shares some advice on avoiding the pitfalls of buying low quality fuel, on page 50, and tackles some other cons for boaters to beware of on page 58.

The stoppage season is in full swing and we have reports on the West Stockwith, Marple and Thornes Lock open days on page 4 and the work parties and volunteers continue apace on pages 10 and 11. And don’t forget to check out What’s New on page 51 where there is plenty of reading matter featured to keep you occupied during the dark evenings.

Keep safe and snug

TOWPATH

TALK

Janet

Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Julie Brown Display advertising Nikita Leak nleak@mortons.co.uk Classified advertising Stuart Yule syule@mortons.co.uk Feature advertising Jason Carpenter jcarpenter@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Barton Divisional ad manager Sue Keily Direct sales executive John Sharratt Group production editor Tim Hartley Production manager Craig Lamb Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole 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 – January 22, 2015

Independent publisher since 1885 Conditions Editorial is accepted subject to availability of space, and editorial policy on content and insertion cannot be guaranteed. The publishers retain the right to edit material submitted. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy through accurate and clear copy, but the publishers cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions.

Independently proven pick up: 34,450 copies

See page 13 or call 01507

529529

Old Turn has a new look

By Peter Underwood

On one side are the office blocks of big banks and upmarket restaurants of Brindley Place, along with the Sea Life Centre, and on the other the International Conference Centre with the NIA on the third side of the triangle.

The impressive refurbishment makes the Barclaycard Arena by far the most eye-catching, especially at night, when it is brightly lit with impressive displays using everything from neon to the latest lasers and LED displays.

It was launched at the start of December with two nights of Michael Buble playing to capacity 14,000 strong crowds at the start of the UK leg of his current world tour.

The Old Turn was originally the split between the two original termini of the Main Line in Birmingham with boats dividing at Old Turn Junction to access wharfs at Newhall Street, or via Broad Street Tunnel to Gas Street Basin and Paradise Wharf.

It’s safe to say the old boatmen would not recognise the area these days and would scratch their heads at the arena’s soaring design and what goes on inside its walls.

BIRMINGHAM’s Old Turn Junction, where the Main Line Canal meets the Birmingham & Fazeley, has a distinctly new look with the launch of the revamped and rebranded National Indoor Arena, now officially the Barclaycard Arena The grey mass of the venue has brooded over the Old Turn, also known as the Deep Cuttings Junction, since 1991.

However, anyone who hasn’t visited the city by canal recently will now see something very much livelier after a £26 million redevelopment of the canalside face of the building to create an entirely new glass façade which houses bars, restaurants and other hospitality areas.

In canal terms, the junction, with its small island formed by an air vent for the railway tunnels running beneath the area, and which was once an industrial hub with metal works, breweries and timber yards, has been the modern core of Birmingham for the past 25 years.

The Barclaycard Arena is one of the busiest large scale indoor sporting and entertainment venues in Europe. Since opening as the National Indoor Arena in 1991, it has staged over 30 different large scale sports events and an extensive variety of entertainment and music – everything from the Eurovision Song Contest to Disney on Ice and Strictly Come Dancing to Motörhead.

It is owned by the NEC Group (Barclays has bought the naming rights for five years) and was the largest indoor arena in the UK when it was built.

The revamp includes creating a showpiece entrance from the canalside, which was not quite complete for the launch night, three sky needle light sculptures and the new, glazed façade fronting the canal.

Sparks flying as restoration appeal for canal boat Keppel hits its cash target ETRURIA Boat Group is celebrating as work starts on the Keppel, the historic canal narrowboat it is restoring to use for education and other community activities along the canals of the Potteries.

Sparks are flying as the rusted sections of the 55-year-old hull are cut out ready to be replaced at Roger Fuller Boatbuilding, Lime Kiln Basin at Stone.

In August, the volunteer group based at Etruria launched its appeal to raise the final £10,000 of the £16,000 project to complete the work to save and restore Keppel, the last of the working canal boats which brought potters’ materials to Stoke along the Trent & Mersey canal from Runcorn and took back coal from Sideaways colliery to Seddon’s Salt Works at Middlewich.

After restoration, the group will use Keppel as a floating classroom, teaching schoolchildren about canals with the Canal & River Trust Explorers education programme and providing community craft resources around north Staffordshire.

In June, a mystery donor gave the Etruria Boat Group a challenge to

match £5000, pound for pound, to achieve the appeal total.

Donations have come in from members of the group, individuals and friends from as far afield as Australia, and also the Trent & Mersey Canal Society generously paid into the appeal.

Two members of the group, Andrew Watts and Elisabeth Beswick-Watts, whose wedding was featured in Towpath Talk’s October edition, asked their guests to give donations to the appeal and raised over £2500.

Local firms The Canal & River Trust hosted the appeal, providing a web page for donors to use and also handling the administration. The Prince’s Regeneration Trust also gave advice to help set the appeal going.

Local firms have helped in the project, Center-Line Curtains of Longport with boat covers, Colorwerx of Stoke with paint and Dean Signs and Graphics of Burslem with signwriting. A retired local vehicle finisher, who wishes to remain anonymous, will paint the cabin sides. Keppel is on the register of National Historic Ships-

UK, which has given grants to help in the preparation of the project.

Andrew Watts, chairman of the Etruria Boat Group, says: “We are going to be very busy getting Keppel ready for the spring and her relaunch at Easter. The boat group is very grateful to all the people, businesses and organisations who have helped in the appeal and will do so much for the boat to get her restored. Thank you to our mystery donor, without whom this would not be possible. We have a lot of hard work still to do.”

Work is now well under way at the Stone boatyard putting in a new bottom and footings. The two boats, Lindsay and Keppel, will be relaunched at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port at Easter in 2015.

Members of the Etruria Boat Group will be working alongside professional staff to get everything finished in time. After this, Keppel will start giving schoolchildren their introduction to the heritage of the canals of north Staffordshire, and will appear at Etruria, Middleport Pottery, Hanley Park and elsewhere to show the canal traditions to new generations of people in the region.

The new glass façade of the Barclaycard Arena on the day of the launch, with (inset) abseiling window cleaners putting the finishing touches. PHOTOS:PETER UNDERWOOD

UPDATED EDITION OF THE BOATER’S HANDBOOK THE Canal & River Trust has updated the Boater’s Handbook, first published in 2002, writes Harry Arnold.

It is for boat owners and holiday hirers and contains lots of getting started tips as well as important information about how to boat safely.

Changes to the content are mainly to detail and emphasis. Information about navigating rivers has been strengthened, particularly relating to navigating in strong stream conditions. Some additional diagrams have also been added to make things as clear as possible.

The CRT highlights key safety messages under headings such as avoiding slips and trips, don’t get crushed, watch out for fire and fumes, not rocking the boat and remembering your life jacket.

CRT marketing director Simon Salem said: “The Boater’s Handbook is an incredibly useful resource for any boater, from novices to old hands alike. It contains a wealth of information about how to boat safely, as well as all the basics that can seem quite mystifying to new boaters.”

Every boater has been sent a copy to their home address during November and hire boat operators have also received it.

If any boater has not updated the CRT on a change of address, they should call customer services on 0303 040 4040 or email customer.services@canalrivertrust.org.uk to ensure they receive their copy A downloadable copy of the handbook, and a video setting out key information, can be found in the boating section at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

• Continued from page 1

Holiday boat operators win major tourism award Mark said: “We invite guests to come on their own and join in with likeminded adventurers, or to travel as a group of friends on our unique canal boat experience. We are really pleased to be running the only tour of this kind, introducing people from all over to the unique world of the UK’s canals.”

Up to eight guests can be accommodated on the boat with its two showers and plenty of room for socialising. Day trips and longer or special interest tours are also available,

as are opportunities to canoe and walk – or to simply relax with a drink from the boat’s honesty bar while the Wandering Duck team show you the hidden gems of the inland waterways.

Wandering Duck is a member of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators, the association within the British Marine Federation that sets professional standards, enabling passenger navigation and safe guarding the inland waterways.

Guests enjoy steering Wandering Duck’s canal boat, with owner and host Ruth Seneviratne-Bratt, left, on hand to guide them.

NEWS 3

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Man and dog die in canal boat fire

By Bob Naylor

A BOATER and his dog died in an early morning fire aboard a boat on the Kennet & Avon Canal in November.

The wide-beam boat, Rum Lady, moored at Hilperton Marsh Farm near Trowbridge, was burning fiercely when it was spotted shortly before 7.30am on November 25 by a man walking his dog on the towpath.

Firefighters, including the county specialist water rescue team, were quickly on the scene and the man was brought ashore but Jason ‘Badger’ Philips, 42, was declared dead at the scene. It was later discovered that the boater’s dog, Charlie, had also died in the blaze.

Most of the damage visible from the outside of the boat is in the area of the

solid fuel stove and a fire service spokesman said that the investigation would focus on that.

Sixty boaters have died in the past 20 years as a result of a boat fire or carbon monoxide poisoning and Wiltshire Fire Service says many of those were caused by problems with solid fuel stoves and flue pipes.

The need for a working smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector — and the need for escape routes that can be opened easily from inside the boat were stressed by Boat Safety Scheme manager, Graham Watts who said: “Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can cause unconsciousness, especially in the tight confines of boat cabin. Being able to escape in seconds could make a big difference to surviving a boat fire.”

APCO in talks over Tideway hireboat ban

By Harry Arnold

FOLLOWING a minor incident involving a holiday narrowboat, the Port of London Authority (PLA) has decided that these hire craft are classified as ‘commercial’ and subsequently banned them from the Thames Tideway.

Holiday hire narrowboats have always made the short Tideway passage between the Grand Union Canal at Brentford and the Environment Agency’s (EA) non-tidal Thames navigation and sometimes the longer voyage down to the Regent’s Canal at Limehouse.

The PLA now insists that such craft must comply with the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) which lays down construction and operational standards for hire vessels operating on MCA categorised waters (i.e. those ‘not proceeding to sea’).

This is usually applied to charter craft and requires all commercial vessels operating within the geographical boundaries to have a suitably qualified skipper aboard.

There are many other regulations involved, such as freeboard which narrowboats cannot comply with.

The irony is that because of the right of public navigation that allows you to take any sort of privately owned craft on the River Thames, subject to the correct licensing tolls, other narrowboats in this category but of the same construction can cruise the Tideway at will.

Discussions are currently in hand between representatives of the PLA and those of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) and technical officers of the British Marine Federation (BMF) to see if some sort of compromise solution can be reached.

IN BRIEF Magna Carta pageant EVENTS to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta will include a pageant on the River Thames over the weekend of June 13-14, 2015. A flotilla of boats, likely to be led by Royal Row Barge Gloriana, is expected to travel downstream from Bisham Abbey near Marlow to Wraysbury, close to Runnymede, where the treaty was signed and authenticated by the Great Seal on June 15, 1215, when English barons assembled at Runnymede to challenge the authority of King John. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is organising the event in partnership with Thames Alive and Runnymede Borough Council.

Crick show dates THE 16th Crick Boat Show & Waterways Festival will be held at Crick Marina from May 23-25, 2015.

Over 250 exhibitors are expected with up to 50 new canal boats on show as well as the usual seminars.

Tickets to the event are now on sale, and mooring and camping is also available. The Crick Boat Show 2015 will be open from 10am until 6pm every day except Monday, May 25, when it closes at 5pm.

For more information visit www.crickboatshow.com, call 01283 742977 or visit the Crick Boat Show page on Facebook.

Private narrowboats are okay on the Thames Tideway, but not holiday craft.

Candles in the water

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Work starts on historic Birmingham site Firefighters tackle the blaze which claimed the life of a man and his dog.

By Harry Arnold

PHOTO: BOB NAYLOR:WATERMARX

Help for boaters facing hardship this winter WITH colder weather starting to take a grip, Workplace Matters (WM) has launched a Waterways Hardship fund for boaters.

As part of a range of initiatives to better help boaters in difficulty, the Canal & River Trust signed a Memorandum of Understanding with WM in June 2014.

Operating mainly in the South East, the Waterways Chaplaincy, part of WM, offers help regardless of faith or gender to those in need.

If you’ve been given a winter fuel allowance that you would like to use to help boaters who find themselves facing hardship this winter, there’s a quick and easy way to do it. Just visit the dedicated https://my.give.net/Hardshipfund to help those in need.

A donation will help other boaters in a variety of ways:

G £10 will buy a warm coat or pair of warm boots for an elderly person G £15 can get a bag of solid fuel G £25 could supply a replacement gas bottle for a couple who have just had a baby living on an inadequately heated boat G £40 can cover a call out fee to repair/restore heating for an elderly boater with arthritis G £140 will buy a one month emergency winter mooring (17m boat) for a boater in need G A very generous £300 donation can recondition a multi-fuel stove for a terminally ill gentleman.

Any size donation will be very gratefully received. If you are a UK taxpayer, please confirm that you would like to reclaim Gift Aid on your donation. This will add 25p to every £1 you give.

RENOVATION work has started on the Fiddle & Bone Pub and adjacent Roundhouse site in Ladywood, on the main line of the BCN in central Birmingham.

The pub closed some time ago but has now been taken over by established Birmingham boatyard Sherborne Wharf. Both the pub and Roundhouse arches will be sympathetically restored and refurbished and the exterior canal wall lowered with railings at the current height to open up the view from the canalside.

There will be a new building with boatyard services, including diesel, gas, coal, pump-out and elsan disposal. Showers, laundry and a chandlery will be housed in the arches of the Roundhouse.

When this has been completed and the Fiddle & Bone pub reopened for food and drink – hopefully in early 2015 – Sherborne Wharf will also move its offices and existing passenger boat business here from the nearby Oozells

Work starts at Birmingham’s Fiddle & Bone pub site. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES Street Loop. It will however retain its private moorings on the Loop. The existing site is likely to be redeveloped by the Canal & River Trust (CRT).

The National Trust and CRT are working together to explore future uses of the 1870s horseshoe-shaped Grade II* listed Roundhouse. They are consulting with others, such as Birmingham City Council, on the possibility of redeveloping the building as an urban outdoor hub from which activities can be based and more about Birmingham’s heritage can be discovered.

A RIVER twinkled with more than 700 candles as a poignant remembrance of local people who had died, writes Geoff Wood. The candles were released into the River Ouse at York in a 30th anniversary event organised by St Leonard’s Hospice. Supporters watched from the river bank and each candle was sponsored as a gift to the hospice.

Hospice event fundraiser Judy Wilson said: “There was a huge number of people watching and it was a beautiful spectacle to see the candles in the river.”

Pennywort under attack

THE Canal & River Trust has been tackling an outbreak of Floating Pennywort on sections of the River Stort between Bishop’s Stortford and Harlow. The plant, which can cause flooding and kill off native plants and fish, is capable of growing up to 20cm in a day and is able to double its weight in as little as three days. Unlike Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed, it will continue to grow during the winter months unless there is a hard frost.

4 NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Visitors see £100k lock repair work

By Harry Arnold

PERHAPS the most spectacular to date of the current programme of Canal & River Trust (CRT) public open days – certainly in lock chamber dimensions – was that held at West Stockwith Lock on Sunday, November 23.

West Stockwith is four miles below Gainsborough on the tidal section of the River Trent navigation and the lock is the

In addition to new top gates, the main work was to cut recesses for new safety ladders.

entrance to the Chesterfield Canal which runs for 45 miles to that town; some of which is in the process of restoration.

Although the rest of the Chesterfield Canal is of narrow dimensions, West Stockwith Lock was built wide to admit craft of the dimensions of the original Lower Trent Keels – 72ft long by 17ft 6in beam – with a chamber depth of 21ft; so it is quite a spectacular space when it’s empty.

The basin above was a small port in its own right but also a transhipment point from the wide river boats to the narrow beam ‘Cuckoos’ of the canal, although the latter did also trade on the Trent. It is now a pleasure craft mooring and the historic buildings are used for maintenance, the HQ of the West Stockwith Yacht Club and a cafe.

It has to be said that West Stockwith is fairly remote from main centres of population, but despite this the event attracted hundreds of visitors to descend into the drained chamber and view work of the inner construction of the lock. One of these was again CRT chief executive Richard Parry who didn’t miss a single open day last year.

The lock chamber was quite elaborately fitted with temporary staircases and walkways so that visitors could view the work from all levels, including right down on the bottom invert, and also

Visitors could view the work in West Stockwith Lock’s spacious chamber from all levels. PHOTOS:WATERWAY IMAGES talk to CRT staff at convenient vantage points where work was in hand.

More than £100,000 has been spent in these vital repairs to the lock, including the replacement of the top pair of lock gates, which weigh 3.5 tonnes and were last changed in 1987. Apart from some smaller repairs to the chamber, the other main job was to put in new safety ladders.

The old ladders no longer comply with current standards and new wider recesses have been cut out of the lock sides and brick lined, to accommodate a new type within a wider space which allows lock users to grip the sides rather than the rungs.

A CRT ‘Friends’ recruiting and fundraising team was on site to talk about the wider work of the trust and volunteers of the Chesterfield Canal Trust had their display stand – one of the most professional of any waterway group – to promote the rest of the canal and the ongoing restoration work.

Work took slightly longer as a new pin and cup arrangement to one of the top gates – not foreseen in the planning – had to be installed. Also the sheer volume of silt – washed in by the Trent at each locking – was much more than expected and so took longer to remove.

However, the lock was reopened on Friday, December 5.

Hundreds get an unusual view of Marple lock flight MORE than 700 visitors went to the Peak Forest Canal on Sunday, November 30, to catch a unique glimpse of two incredible canal structures.

The Canal & River Trust opened up Lock 2 on the Marple lock flight after draining it for maintenance, giving a rare insight into the inner workings of this iconic waterway structure.

Visitors were also treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the repair work at the neighbouring three-arch aqueduct which is 315ft long and the highest of its kind in England.

During the event, visitors of all ages took the opportunity to venture 20ft deep into the bottom of the 75ft long lock chamber and walk along the

drained lock bed where they spoke to maintenance specialists about canal maintenance.

Conservation work has included repairs to the solid oak lock gates which have been heavily used by boats over the last 20 years or so, as well as sealing leaks in the lock’s 200year-old brickwork.

David Baldacchino, waterway manager for the Canal & River Trust said: “People commented that they’ve passed the locks before but what was really impressive was to walk down inside them, get a close up look at the construction and learn interesting facts from our teams about how they carry out this work. We hope this will inspire many more people to get involved and help support their local waterway.”

Open day at Thornes Lock AN ESTIMATED 700 visitors flocked to the Calder & Hebble Navigation on Sunday, November 16, to take in seldom seen views of the incredible canal structure.

The Canal & River Trust opened up Thornes Lock in Wakefield to the public after draining it for maintenance, giving an insight into the inner workings of this important waterway structure.

During the event, visitors of all ages took the opportunity to venture into the bottom of the lock chamber and walk along the drained lock bed. The open day came as part of the Canal & River Trust’s £45 million spend on essential repair and restoration works to our canals and rivers.

Over £100,000 in vital repairs to the lock are being invested including the replacement of both sets of lock gates which were last changed in 1987. The lock itself is 22m long, nearly 6m wide and 5.6m deep and the new gates weigh between 3-4 tonnes each.

Teams of experts across the country will be working on around 100 locks across the country until March, for the benefit of the 33,000 boats and 10 million towpath visitors that visit them each year.

To learn how you can support the Canal & River Trust or for more information about the Restoration & Repairs and open day programme go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Following tree management works, two of the three arches of the aqueduct can now be seen.

One of the guided tours 20ft down into Lock 2 of the Marple Flight.

PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Chesterfield Canal Trust volunteers promoted the rest of the canal and the restoration work with their very professional display stand.

Visitors take a closer look inside Thornes Lock.

Walking along the towpath to see the flight drained for maintenance.

PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

NEWS 5

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Grant boost for Lapal restoration project THE Lapal Canal Trust is celebrating the award of a £5000 grant from the Headley Trust.

This will be used to fund the cost of planning permission for the next stage of canal restoration in Selly Oak Park.

Work has finally started on the first stage in Battery Park as part of the Land Securities/ Sainsbury’s development. The Lapal Canal Trust is now busy with the second stage in Selly Oak Park and expects to have the Inland Waterways Association’s Waterways Recovery Group working on site next summer once planning permission is in place.

Lapal Canal Trust chairman, Dr Peter Best, said: “We are delighted that the work of the trust has been recognised by the Headley Trust and the grant will help to fund the next stage.

“We would also like to express thanks for the excellent support we have received from the Canal & River Trust, Birmingham City Council and the three local canal societies, Birmingham Canal Navigations Society, the Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society and the Coombeswood Canal Trust, also active in developing the western end of the Canal in Halesowen.”

Grants boost for Sankey lock improvements

By Harry Arnold

REFURBISHMENT of the entrance lock to the currently short navigable section of the Sankey Canal from the tidal River Mersey at Spike Island, Widnes, will take place shortly.

Funding of £32,250 has been obtained in a grant from WREN Environmental, the landfill tax community group, to Halton Borough Council, in partnership with the Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCARS).

The money will cover the cost of refurbishing the lock gates, cills and ground paddles plus the removal of silt from the chamber and around the lock entrance.

The Spike Island section of the canal is currently used as

moorings for seagoing craft but is popular with visitors and – with another grant from Ineos Chlor, and Mersey Forest for £11,424 – four new interpretation panels illustrating the history and former industry of the area have been installed.

Work has started on the huge new Mersey Gateway Bridge, which will span the Mersey and both the Manchester Ship and Sankey canals, bypassing the current Runcorn-Widnes road bridge.

As part of the project, builders Merseylink will build a new swing bridge giving access to more of the Sankey Canal. The present fixed bridge replaced an original swinging

railway bridge.

The next bridge, Carterhouse, will also be replaced and an HLF bid is being prepared to fully reopen the length of canal from Spike Island to Fidlers Ferry, near Warrington, where there is another older entrance lock from the Mersey which has been restored for some years. Halton and Warrington borough councils have committed funds to the project if the bid is successful.

Work on the installation of a new electrically operated lift bridge to replace the one currently providing access across the canal at Fidlers Ferry is due to start. Grant money for this comes from the Coastal Communities Fund.

A view from Harborne Lane of one of the oldest canal bridges in Birmingham. PHOTOS: LAPAL CANAL TRUST The Lapal Canal forms part of the Dudley No 2 Canal opened in 1798, mainly to carry coal from Dudley to London. The link was closed in 1917 following the collapse of the Lapal Tunnel and competition from the railways.

When reopened, the Lapal Canal will be a significant tourist attraction and complete what will be a popular circular route around Birmingham. Restoration will create many jobs and be an important amenity for walkers, cyclists, fishermen and boaters.

G The Lapal Canal Trust was established in 1990 to promote and actively work towards the restoration of the Lapal Canal from Selly Oak to Halesowen. www.lapal.org

The beautiful towpath along Selly Oak Park.

One of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts, the Headley Trust supports a wide range of projects from arts and heritage to education, health and social welfare in the UK and overseas. www.sfct.org.uk

Road bridge over canal gets a wallpaper makeover to celebrate community spirit A ROAD bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Blackburn is believed to be the UK’s first canal bridge to receive a wallpaper makeover.

Local wallpaper manufacturer Graham & Brown is just one of several local companies in the area which have adopted a stretch of waterway. Its premises on Stanley Street straddle the canal and when thinking of ways to spruce up the area, papering the bridge seemed an obvious choice.

It commissioned London designer and illustrator Lizzie Mary Cullen to create a giant Blackburn canalscape which is on permanent display in the company’s foyer. This was turned into wallpaper and now adorns the underside of Sour Milk Hall Bridge (No. 104, Harwood Street).

Ian Brown, a director at Graham & Brown, said: “Graham and Brown is a business rooted in the Blackburn community. A town with a proud past, the canal is a legacy of the times of the Industrial Revolution. Today it not only can tell the story of how Blackburn developed but also create a linear parkland through our town to be enjoyed by all. With the use of art, design and QR codes, our ambition is to restore its value to the wider community.

“To decorate the bridge was a natural step. As a business we

Ian Brown, Graham & Brown director, left, and Matt Taylor, Canal & River Trust volunteer co-ordinator, at Blackburn’s wallpapered canal bridge. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST are inspired by creative design and the bridge supplied us with a large blank canvas to work on. From feedback we have received from passers-by, the project has added to the beauty of this waterway and many more projects are planned for the future.”

Matt Taylor, a volunteer coordinator with the Canal & River Trust, is responsible for galvanising Blackburn’s community canal revival. He works with both organisations and individuals on a wide variety of projects.

For example, Graham & Brown’s staff and friends regularly organise work parties

to keep their adopted towpath spick and span. And they have been joined by other Blackburnbased businesses B&Q, Asda and New Ground whose staff, customers and clients volunteer their services to keep the town centre canal tidy and litter-free.

The trust is also working on a new Blackburn canal heritage trail and has just launched a virtual tour of Daisyfield Mill, accessed on mobile iPhones and android devices from a QR code.

At Eanam Wharf, Dance and Performing Arts Centre staff have adopted their local canal and brought in new visitors to the city by promoting canal festivals and heritage weekends.

The entrance lock to the Sankey Canal from the tidal Mersey at Spike Island, Widnes is to be refurbished.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

6 NEWS

IN BRIEF

Capability Brown 300 THE search is on for canal and riverside Capability Brown sites for the 300th anniversary celebrations of the legendary landscape designer in 2016. Heritage Lottery Fund and an influential partnership plan to spread the understanding and enjoyment of his genius to a much wider audience and the national CB300 committee are supporting the idea of waterway links to CB sites and CB300 activities. If you would like to contribute to this project by finding sites close to waterways in your locality, or in places that you know, please contact Jim Shead at js@jimshead.com and visit www.capabilitybrown.org

Gold Anchor scheme THE Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA), a group association of the British Marine Federation (BMF), has signed an agreement with the Marina Industries Association (MIA) to harmonise the TYHA and MIA Gold Anchor Schemes. One worldwide scheme delivered by the two organisations will ensure that accredited marinas and those aspiring to accreditation receive the full support they need to improve facility and customer service standards and that they are appropriately accredited for their achievement.

Waterfront offices sold SHIPLEY office development The Waterfront has been sold to an overseas investor for £5.95 million. The traditional mill-style building, which is situated on the banks of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal close to the Salts Mill World Heritage Site, has achieved full occupation following recent occupier expansions. Vendor GMI Developments will retain ownership of the adjoining site between The Waterfront building and Salts Mill.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Model boats help predict flood danger

By Elizabeth Rogers

IN PAST times the survey of flood waters in rivers could involve four or five people spending a full day on just one site, collecting data to enable flood warnings to be issued to local communities.

But now the Environment Agency has the means of sailing through these data-collection exercises much more rapidly. Just two people are required for surveys of up to six sites in a single day, with the data collection being carried out by boat – model acoustic radio-controlled boats.

These ARC-boats have been developed by HR Wallingford, an independent engineering and environmental hydraulics organisation at Wallingford in Oxfordshire. It provides practical solutions to complex water-related challenges for an international market of clients.

The Environment Agency has now a fleet of 30 of these boats, with at least one in each of its area offices in England and Wales.

HR Wallingford has recently celebrated the manufacture of its 50th boat. Others are in use by water authorities overseas including Canada, New Zealand, France, Germany, Azerbaijan and Ireland.

This 50th boat is to be used in Shropshire, to measure flows in the

Welcome centre bid BRITISH Land was successful with its tender for new permanent trade moorings in Paddington Basin and Little Venice Pool. Its “creative and competitive” bid is for two moorings: an independent coffee boat and a floating ‘welcome centre’ to give more information about the canals to people visiting the area.

An ARC boat being used to gauge flood levels.

River Severn and at the Severn/Vyrnwy confluence, with the data collected used to improve flood-warning models.

The boats can carry a variety of instrumentation, including Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs), sub-bottom profilers and echosounders. They collect river, reservoir and estuarine data such as flow rates, depth and suspended sediment concentrations.

Calculating river flow

HR Wallingford and the Environment Agency worked in partnership to ensure that the boat met the needs of end-users.

The V-shaped hull was designed by naval architects to give optimal manoeuvrability and minimal air entrainment to ensure that the data collected is of the highest quality.

The boat can be equipped with GPS and has the potential to carry multiprobe systems, further broadening its potential applications.

For ease of transport, the bow can be quickly detached from the main hull reducing the 2m full length to a size that, in two parts, can be transported in an average-sized car – so no need for a trailer or specialist vehicle.

The boats are battery powered, the batteries having a life of up to five hours, depending on use.

Rob Davies is the Environment Agency’s hydrometry and telemetry officer in Shropshire, where the 50th boat is being deployed.

He said: “We use the ARC-boats to measure the speed and depth of the water to enable us to calculate the river flow. These measurements are really important as they give us the data we need to give more accurate and quicker flood warnings. This boat will be used to map and measure the whole of the River Severn for the first time.

HR Wallingford’s Keith Powell, right, hands over the 50th boat to, from left, the Environment Agency’s Nick Everard and Rob Davies. PHOTOS SUPPLIED. “These boats allow us to easily and safely reach places where humans can’t, such as under bridges or during high-flows or flood. The data we collect helps us to monitor flows in the river which in turn helps our flood and water teams assess what action is required; for example, to determine where defences may be required.”

Safety benefit Nick Everard, a technical adviser in the hydrometry and telemetry team, said the boats have delivered real operational efficiency for the agency. “The boat is extremely easy to set up and operate, so we can now survey more sites in less time,” he added.

An important benefit is the improved safety for Environment Agency personnel, eliminating the need to go on the river, access bridge or work in other potentially hazardous locations.

Their survey work can be carried

out from the safety of the river bank.

Other benefits are the achievement of significant costsavings, and a less-limited range of sites for survey.

The ARC-boat also has applications in the reservoirs sector, with its instrumentation able to produce accurate depth measurement, 3D maps of the entire water-body and accurate water-volume.

Dr Keith Powell, director of HR Wallingford, described the delivery of ARC-boat number 50 as an important milestone. “Handing it over to the Environment Agency is particularly satisfying, as the agency staff played an important role in its development,” he said.

“They are using the boats to map more of our rivers and in greater detail than was previously possible, and the data they collect will improve the accuracy of flood warnings. We are pleased to be able to support this important work.”

Sonic buster zaps nuisance Wiltshire algae A SUN-powered sonic algal buster has been installed to help rid a Wiltshire waterway of troublesome algae.

The Canal & River Trust introduced the new contraption into Wilton Water near Crofton.

The solar powered device works by sending out sonic sound waves into the water to burst algal cells. This prevents a green carpet from taking over the reservoir, stopping sunlight from getting to the animals and plants that rely on it below the waterline.

CRT environment manager Oda Dijksterhuis said: “Wilton Water is a vital reservoir, both because of the water it

provides to keep the Kennet & Avon Canal working and the wildlife it supports.”

The charity’s team of environmental specialists and volunteers have been carrying out the work, which should support local wildlife such as dragonflies, water boatmen and backswimmers, water birds such as kingfishers and swans and fish like pike, roach and perch.

Wilton Water lies just off the canal below the historic Crofton Steam Pumps and provides a crucial supply of water to the canal so that boats can continue to navigate eastwards, all the way to Reading.

The trust also carried out

Environmental scientist Rob Coles with the device at Wilton Water. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST improvement work to a series of floating reed islands at Wilton Water during the summer.

Electric vans help cut CRT carbon footprint TWO carbon-friendly electric vans, introduced as an experiment into the Canal & River Trust’s vehicle fleet based at Liverpool Docks, have been hailed a “great success”.

During the six-month trial, the Peugeot vans saved 1.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions contributing to the charity’s recent award of the Carbon Trust Standard.

CRT’s five-year goal of reducing its carbon footprint by a quarter by 2015 has been achieved a year early thanks to a range of measures.

The scheme will now be extended to other sites starting Canal & River Trust electrical technician Peter Cole plugs the electric van into a charging point at the Canal & River Trust depot near Brunswick Dock. PHOTO: CRT

with Gloucester Docks and it is hoped to replace 20% of the fleet over the next five years.

Financial controller Ian Jarvis said: “According to staff who use the vans on a daily basis, they are reliable and far more versatile than people might expect. They can cover about 80-90 miles before they need recharging which, for many waterway tasks, is perfectly adequate.”

Electrical technician Peter Cole added: “For short journeys it’s ideal but we’ve also had the confidence to drive it on a return trip to the waterway office in Wigan about 25 miles away.”

G The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company that helps organisations reduce their carbon emissions and become more resource efficient. www.carbontrust.com/standard.

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.

Busy behind the scenes Tony Roome, chairman of the RYA Inland Navigation Panel, urges boaters to become part of the community by joining one of its representative bodies.

I’VE recently attended meetings of RYA’s Cruising and Government Affairs Committee, its Inland Navigation Panel, with the Canal & River Trust, Environment Agency, Port of London Authority, North Walsham & Dilham Canal Trust and made a presentation to the Stafford Boat Club.

Issues I’ve covered include red diesel, alcohol and boating, canal restorations, environmental topics (including a presentation from the joint RYA and BMF initiative, The Green Blue), along with mooring strategies and various offshore cruising matters, and the list goes on.

I often wonder if people on our canals and rivers are aware of just how much work goes on behind the scenes in order to make their boating activities possible and, hopefully, enjoyable – free of overly intrusive regulation and bureaucratic interference.

Staff in the RYA’s Cruising and Legal Affairs department are dedicated to ensuring that you are as free as possible to use your boats on our inland waters. They are directly backed by upwards of 20 volunteers who keep in regular touch with issues in their area, maintain contact with boaters, navigation and planning authorities and try and identify the good and the bad of

everyday boating so that we can feed into the consultative processes of all the navigation authorities (and there are 40 odd of them in England and Wales).

We work alongside colleagues from a host of other organisations, each addressing their own special interests within the waterways framework, from angling to residential boats, from canal restoration to trading boats.

All in all, there are a lot of people out there who are giving up their time to make sure you can take your boat out on the waterways in a safe environment and at a reasonable cost. If you’re not a member of one of the representative bodies on the canals, then you should think about joining up. All the work comes at a price, and the more members we have, the more effective we are in negotiating with the authorities. So, please do think about it – and join the body which best represents your interests… become part of the community.

Key safety advice

As we move into the winter and the maintenance period for both navigations and many boats begins, it’s also a good time to review the RYA’s key messages for your own safety when boating, and decide

IN BRIEF Freight guide launched A NEW shippers’ guide Making use of water freight was launched recently by the Freight Transport Association during the FTA Freight

by Water event held in Wakefield that explored opportunities in the north of England. The document provides a basic introduction and is aimed at shippers of goods who might be considering water freight as a part of their supply chain solution. www.freightbywater.fta.co.uk

Boat show sponsor deal THE 2015 London Boat Show has agreed a title sponsorship deal with Forex trading company, CWM FX. It will become known as the CWM FX London Boat Show. Show MD Murray Ellis described it as fantastic news for the show and the marine industry as a whole, signifying the importance of the world-class event. The 2015 CWM FX London Boat Show takes place at ExCeL London from January 9-18, 2015. www.londonboatshow.com

Canoe launch point opens A NEW canoe launch point which improves access to historic Norwich from the water has been opened at Carey’s Meadow, a pocket of countryside in Thorpe St Andrew. It has been built by the Broads Authority to enable canoeists to join the river close to the city and paddle up either into the heart of Norwich or down the River Yare towards Whitlingham Country Park and beyond.

Wigan Pier marina plan what equipment you need to maintain, renovate or get serviced before next year.

Stuart Carruthers, cruising manager at the RYA, highlights just a few top seasonal tips: “If you’re not going to be afloat over the coming months, it’s advisable to ‘winterise’ your boat.

Emptying the domestic water system will avoid problems with freezing pipes – and don’t forget to leave cupboard and fridge doors open to allow air to circulate.

“If your boat water tank has an inspection hatch, now is also a good time to have a cleanout or repaint.

When everything is drained, and cleaned, leave the taps open and connect up the pipework again to avoid incurring problems next spring when you fill up before you remember to connect the pipes!”

G Find more information at www.rya.org.uk

A CANAL basin and marina at Wigan Pier are proposals being considered by Wigan Council, writes Geoff Wood. The scheme being planned by the local authority would be made possible by the demolition of a former nightclub and other buildings which would open up the area once again. Deputy leader of Wigan Council, Coun David Molyneux, said: “We have been working very hard behind the scenes to transform the whole of the Wigan Pier area.”

Landscaping around the pier would make the area more attractive for canal users.

8 NETWORKING

SOCIETY NEWS More lock queues ahead BOATERS are more likely to face queues at the Grindley Brook staircase locks on the Llangollen Canal in the afternoon, according to a joint survey carried out by the IWA and Shropshire Union Canal Society during the first three weeks of the summer holidays.

The 454 boats averaged 21 a day.

The worst 13 delays – the longest being two hours 43 minutes – were all on a Wednesday afternoon, with half of those affected being hirers.

It was concluded that the survey did not show an overwhelming justification for opposing new marinas purely on congestion grounds. (Cuttings, Winter 2014)

Next generation

THE Worcester, Birmingham & Droitwich Canal Society is co-hosting the Next Generation Waterway Sector Conference with the Canal & River Trust at The Bond, Birmingham, on Saturday, March 21, 2015, from 9.30am-4pm.

Canal societies, trusts, boat clubs and IWA branches are invited to take part in brainstorming sessions and discussions about how to attract young people to succeed the ‘old guard’.

Contact WBDCS chairman David Wheeler 01527 833359, david@eurotexsales.com

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Friends of Cromford Canal adopt waterway THE Friends of Cromford Canal group has joined the Canal & River Trust’s ‘adopt a canal’ initiative and is hoping to bring the canal back to its former glory with the help of the local community.

Originally formed in 2002, FCC has adopted the section between Codnor Park Reservoir and the Railway Bridge (bridge 9) which includes three locks, three bridges and the towpath.

At a hands-on level, the CRT will work with the group to understand what needs to be done, whether it’s to record and improve wildlife habitats, maintain towpaths, fundraise, run educational events or help combat anti-social behaviour.

John Barker, group leader, said: “We’re a small yet dedicated group but we have big ambitions. We’d love more people to join us from the local community and help us restore this amazing canal back to its glory days. We’re starting with small things like litter picking, getting rid of dog mess and cutting back overgrown vegetation from the towpath to make it more enjoyable for people to visit.

“We’re hoping to get more people

interested in visiting and supporting their local canal which brings so many benefits to people. It’s a relaxing place to visit and the history and ecology it offers is incredible so it’s sad for us to see it abandoned. I think it would be incredible to say that we played a small part in restoring this canal but we can’t do it alone.”

While the CRT still owns part of the canal, the whole of the Cromford Canal, except for a half-mile stretch at the southern end, was officially abandoned in 1944. Following this, most of the southern section of the canal was filled in through to the north of Butterley and was mostly left untouched. It slowly but surely became weeded over and hidden by undergrowth.

Communities across England & Wales are invited to adopt mile-long lengths of canal or river and help transform some of the trust’s 2000 miles of waterways.

Over 70 groups have now joined the scheme in a bid to improve canals and rivers up and down the country and the Friends of Cromford Canal is inviting others in the local community to join in its long term aim of seeing the canal fully back in water.

Black Country theme THERE will be a Black Country theme to the Russell Newbery Engine Owners & Enthusiasts Club’s rally from July 16-19, 2015, at the Titford Pump House.

To help boaters acclimatise is the first instalment of an introduction to the local language, including such words as bamfoozle (puzzle, bemuse or confuse) and bostin (very good indeed). (RNR Newsletter, Autumn 2014)

Cash for towpath trail LICHFIELD & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust has been awarded £2000 after receiving 23.8% of the vote, the second most popular, for four local bids competing for funding from the Lloyds Bank Community Fund.

The grant will be used for further improvements to the Heritage Towpath Trail. www.lhcrt.org.uk

G Those interested in joining in should contact group leader John Barker on 01773 760358 or email j.barker5@sky.com Full details about Waterway Adoptions can be found at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer

Are you up for the BCNS Challenge?

Waterside park plan LOUTH Navigation Trust is working with the re-formed Lincolnshire Groundwork Trust to investigate the possibility of creating a waterside community park and improve waterside facilities.

It is also trying to trace the Abandonment Act of the navigation in a bid to ascertain ownership of the lock structures and prevent further damage by flood waters.

The towpath has also been resurfaced near the head of navigation. (Eagre, November 2014)

Wayne Ball, volunteer co-ordinator for Canal & River Trust East Midlands, presenting the adoption certificate to John Barker of the Friends of Cromford Canal. Far right is John Boucher, also of the FCC. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Some of the children who enjoyed a canal trip as part of their Victorian Britain project. PHOTO: LANCASTER CANAL TRUST

Youngsters enjoy trip on ‘black and white’ canal SCHOOLCHILDREN from St Mark’s School, Natland, recently had an enjoyable trip on the Lancaster Canal Trust trip boat Waterwitch as part of a project on Victorian Britain.

Sailing to Stainton accompanied by their teacher, the 11-years-olds were kept busy by the trust’s flora and fauna expert, Mrs Jane Sims, and asked many questions about the canal. Kept busy taking photographs, the pupils were asked to identify everything they found.

Jane, a retired teacher, remarked afterwards how interested they all were, asking intelligent questions.

Even such commonplace things as

waterlily leaves were examined and explained.

Their head teacher and a further team of pupils took over the boat at Stainton landing stage, and Jane had more interested young people on their return to Crooklands.

Teacher Laura Hardaker thanked the crew, who included boat operations manager Alan Mather, for turning out on such a wet day. She said the children had a great time and really enjoyed themselves.

The explanation of the ‘Black and White’ name given to the canal, which carried coal north and limestone south, provoked much interest.

A permanent legacy for the community FOLLOWING the very successful Campaign Festival in Chester Basin in June, the Chester & Merseyside Branch of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has donated £1000 to the Chester Canal Heritage Trust (CCHT) to use for a local waterway project.

CCHT chairman John Herson said: “The trustees have decided to use the grant to provide an information board on the Dee Branch to partner those we have already erected along the main canal in Chester.”

Work has already started on the design of the board and it is hoped that it will be in place in the New Year.

He added: “This will emphasise the fascinating history of this part of the waterway system and also its role as the vital link in our joint vision for Chester’s waterways.

IWA’s contribution will be acknowledged on the structure.”

Although badged as the IWA National Campaign Rally, CCHT members were very involved in the organisation of the event and their local contacts enabled them to raise significant funds, supporting the entertainment and other activities.

BOATERS are invited to enter the 2015 BCNS Challenge over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24.

The event, which will start at 8am on the Saturday and finish at 2pm on the Sunday, is open to everyone with a boat licensed for use on Canal & River Trust waters. Historic working boats and pairs are especially welcome.

Boats may start at any point on the BCN but should finish at this year’s designated finish point – Bradley Canal workshop, Bradley Arm (Bradley Lane, Bilston, West Midlands WV14 8DW).

Participants may navigate for as long as they like during the 30-hour period up to a maximum of 24 hours.

The winner will be the entry which amasses the greatest number of points during the challenge.

Bonus points will be awarded for

navigating lesser-used waterways and points will be awarded for correctly answered questions at certain places.

Photographic evidence will be required to score points at designated locations All entries will receive a commemorative plaque and the winning entry will also receive a shield.

The results will be announced shortly after the event with presentations taking place at the BCNS Bonfire Rally There will be an entry fee of £17 per boat which includes a commemorative plaque and a year’s membership of the BCNS for team leaders who have not previously been members of the society.

Entries close on Monday, May 19.

Contract Roy Kenn 01922 428644, bcnschallenge@gmail.com or visit www.bcnsociety.co.uk

Training day for volunteer lock keepers BEST practice training for volunteer lock keepers and a recruitment day were held recently at Audlem.

It was a fantastic success with no fewer than 18 people attending along with several new recruits.

The purpose of the day was to also update the skills existing and long-serving volunteer lock keepers, refresh assessments and share best practice. Some of the volunteers and staff talked through incidents which they had assisted in sorting out or had prevented by their actions. They also looked at safety improvements and customer satisfaction.

Volunteer task leader Dek Owen gives a demonstration on best practice. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Marina owner receives life membership award THE Narrow Boat Trust has awarded life membership to Alvecote Marina owner Malcolm Burge for his support of its historic boats Nuneaton and Brighton.

They have been moored at the marina John Herson receives the cheque from IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch chairman Peter Bolt. PHOTO SUPPLIED IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch chairman, Peter Bolt, said: “We were delighted to work with the CCHT members during the build-up to the festival and their contribution ensured the success of the event. It is only right, therefore, that we make this donation, and an interpretation board reminding visitors of the role that the old port played in Chester’s waterways history will be a permanent legacy for the community.”

Malcolm Burge, right, receives the award from Graham Scothern. PHOTO SUPPLIED

for several years during which time the marina team have helped the members of the trust to maintain the boats so that they can keep to their plans to deliver coal and attend rallies.

It has been particularly difficult in 2014 as the engine had to be removed from Nuneaton and be rebuilt. The marina let the boats moor in a convenient place to allow work to be carried out.

For his help, dry humour and understanding, the trust awarded Malcolm honorary life membership at a presentation by chairman Graham Scothern.

Graham said: “We rely on our members to keep the boats up to standard but to have such a superb mooring with people around us who appreciate historic boats makes life so much easier.”

NETWORKING 9

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Penny standing next to the tree boat this year. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Characters of the cut Noah Price meets the couple whose ‘adopted’ boat took on a life of its own.

MOORED in a spot along the Grand Union Canal, near Buckby Locks, is a curious little boat made out of glass fibre, which has an unbelievable cluster of black alder trees growing out of it.

The ‘tree boat’ is owned by Tom and Penny Price who live only a few steps away from the boat in an old canalside cottage where they have lived for 40 years.

Over the years, the sight of people stopping to look at the boat has become so familiar to Tom and Penny that they can predict the typical reaction of the onlooker; firstly, they notice something unusual about the way the trees appear to be ‘floating’ in the canal and how they move when a boat goes past them. The inquisitive onlooker is then urged to pull back some of the branches and, when they do, they are surprised to see the hull of the boat underneath the foliage. Then they stand back in amazement and ask themselves: “How did those trees grow out of the boat?”

When Tom and Penny first saw the boat, 30 years ago, it did not look so much like a boat but a ‘floating shell’ which appeared to have been abandoned and left to drift aimlessly along the canal. It soon became a nuisance to passing boaters as it kept on getting in their way. But once the boat was close enough to the side of the canal for Tom and Penny to reach out for it, they decided to tie it up and ‘keep it out of harm’s way’ until someone came forward to claim it back.

Years went by and no one came to claim it back.

So Tom and Penny claimed it as their own and enjoyed taking it out on the occasional punting trip along the local stretch of the canal. And throughout the 1980s and early 90s, Penny’s eldest brother, Barry, would regularly come over from his home in Leamington Spa and spend a few happy hours fishing off the boat. It was when he started to complain about how the boat had become difficult to sit on because of all the saplings growing on it, that Tom and Penny realised that the boat was something a bit out of the ordinary.

Grew and grew

The part of the canal where the boat is situated is bordered by a row of black alder trees. Penny believes that the seeds from these alder trees were “carried over into the boat by wind dispersal or birds and they settled into the mud and water – which the boat had collected over time – and the roots penetrated through the brittle glass fibre of the hull, into the canal and then they just naturally grew and grew.”

Barry ‘at his happiest’ fishing off the tree boat.

The trees grew to around 20ft high with some of the trunks measuring up to nearly 60in in diameter. According to the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, the black alder ‘is able to thrive where other trees would find it too wet, because its roots are able to utilise atmospheric nitrogen and build up the fertility of the surrounding soil’. It is a fact like this that would surely have qualified the environment of the tree boat as being more than capable of guaranteeing the flourishing and longevity of the trees but at one time a local tree surgeon was sceptical, saying that the trees would ‘not last much longer’.

The tree boat’s future was to be threatened again when the trees were cut down by the British Waterways. It had been reported that the trees had become so top-heavy that they had caused the boat to topple over on its side and block the towpath.

Tom and Penny were devastated; they thought that the trees on the tree boat would never grow again. But they did grow back and more so than ever before.

During the spring and the summer, the trees become so dense and vibrant with leaves that they could be mistaken as being just a natural part of the landscape; a clump of trees sprouting out from the bank. Tom has said, many times over the years, that the tree boat is worthy of being considered as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’. For Penny the boat has a special and more personal importance.

Her brother Barry was a member of the Rosicrucian Fellowship and when he passed away in 1998, Penny and her family had to decide what to do with the ashes. Penny got in contact with the Rosicrucians and they advised her to ‘scatter the ashes somewhere in the open air where they could be set free’. The tree boat seemed to be the ideal place and Penny’s sisters and her other brother agreed.

Tom and Penny could never have predicted that the ‘floating shell’ they saw all those years ago, and fondly called The Titanic would have grown such an unsinkable character and life of its own.

SCHOOLGIRL’STOWPATHWALK FOR CHILDREN IN NEED AN 11-year-old girl decided to go for a walk to raise money for charity and just kept going, writes Geoff Wood.

Jessica Willock from Hyde in Greater Manchester set off from nearby Ashton-underLyne and with her parents, for

safety’s sake, walked the entire 20 mile length of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

She crossed the Pennines at Saddleworth and kept going until she reached the finishing point in Huddersfield town centre.

Now Jessica’s efforts have raised £130 for Children in Need.

Mum Deryn said: “We are really chuffed for her. It was something she really wanted to do in her last year at primary school.”

10 VOLUNTEERING

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WORK PARTY ROUNDUP WITH IWA’S STEFANIE PRESTON

Rain doesn’t hinder Wolverley volunteers

New location for joint work party LEEK Tunnel, on the Leek Arm of the Caldon Canal, was the new location for the joint IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust work party on Thursday, November 13.

Despite it being a rainy week, the day stayed dry with some rain later on. The group was also fortunate that although it was very windy on top of the tunnel the paths down to the canal on either side were nicely sheltered from the worst of the winds.

By the end of the day the volunteers had cleared all overhanging vegetation from the route, which takes the towpath over the tunnel, as well as having cleared grass and weeds from a section of cobbled towpath by the west portal of the tunnel.

Some litter picking was also carried out.

The work party at Leek Tunnel on the Caldon Canal.

PHOTO:ALISON SMEDLEY

A week of work parties battle through awful weather to lay new towpath LOCAL volunteers helped IWA Lichfield Branch to lay a complete new towpath in Rugeley during the week of November 10-14.

The Canal & River Trust provided the equipment and materials.

The new towpath runs between Brindley Bank Aqueduct on the Trent & Mersey Canal, as far as the Rugeley

Bypass Bridge on the Canal, a distance of 200m. This area is part of a popular circular walk for Rugeley residents, but had previously became very muddy during the winter months.

A total of 27 volunteers put in 340 hours labour, sometimes in appalling wet weather. Some came for the week, several for a day or two, others fitted in

Restoring the Shardlow crane THE wharf crane by Steven’s warehouse in Shardlow, on the Trent & Mersey Canal, was donated to the village when the company closed in the late 1970s.

By 2007 the wooden jib was in poor condition due to rot and was removed by a Trent & Mersey Canal Society work party, with the intention of making a new jib.

Nothing had happened by 2011, and while having some ex-British Waterways stop planks cut into smaller planks with a large band saw by Charles Gregory Ltd in Tansley, John Baylis asked if they could also cut a new jib to the original pattern.

Charles Gregory Ltd could do the job at a reasonable cost and it was agreed that WRG East Midlands would take over the project. The new 21ft jib was cut from a piece of larch and tapered to octagonal shape before seasoning and sanding, prior to being finally tanalised.

The jib was delivered to Shardlow, where the original cast iron ends were fitted and the whole given several coats of white paint. Meanwhile the base had been cleaned down and several large new bolts made to

Some of the volunteers at Shardlow Crane. PHOTO SUPPLIED the original dimensions.

On October 24, the jib was delivered to the site on working narrowboat Bath and erected into position by the Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association work party, which is based at Langley Mill. With other IWA and Shardlow Heritage Group members a total of 14 volunteers helped with the work.

The work cost almost £600 and was funded by a donation from Trent & Mersey Canal Society and other local donors.

Branching out twice for big tidy up VOLUNTEERS with IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch were at Tower Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal for its regular work party on Saturday, November 1. The group was kept busy and cleared weeds and vegetation from the Turnover Bridge and around the Graving Lock, as well as taking time to plant spring bulbs at Northgate Locks. Work parties have proved a huge success for the branch and it again squeezed in an extra date (Saturday November 8), when volunteers completed a much needed litter pick at Cow Lane Bridge.

hours between paid work or babysitting, but everyone worked extremely hard to get the task finished.

The new towpath has now been lined, and one layer of aggregate has been laid and compacted. The final layer will be installed in early spring, when hopefully the weather is better.

More than 80 volunteers help at Warwick clean-up DESPITE the damp conditions, more than 80 volunteers turned out to clean the stretch of the Grand Union Canal between Emscote Road and Wedgenock Lane, Warwick on November 2.

Organised by IWA Warwickshire Branch, with the active support of the Canal & River Trust, the event saw many tons of abandoned ironmongery dragged from the canal using grappling hooks.

The predominant items retrieved from the canal were bicycles and shopping trolleys, but also dragged out were three motorcycles, lengths of carpet, electronic equipment, and a safe.

For those wanting a less strenuous task, litter pickers and black bags were supplied.

The recent strimming of the vegetation adjoining the towpath had exposed numerous plastic bottles and cans. These were gathered up and loaded on to the hopper boat driven by Steve Lambert, CRT volunteer leader.

IWA Warwickshire Branch thanked students from Warwick University; army cadets, who had travelled from Stourport; plus local residents and families who gave their assistance to IWA branch members.

Collecting rubbish from the Grand Union Canal.

G The next IWA-organised canal cleanup will be in Leamington Old Town on March 1, 2015. If you would like to help or would like details of other similar events please email info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk

Volunteers unearth a safe in the Regent’s Canal. had fun, and through their hard work made a real difference to the waterway environment. It is hoped that more waterway events will take place in London next year.

If you would be interested in helping to organise these please contact IWA’s branch campaign assistant, Stefanie Preston at stefanie.preston@ waterways.org.uk.

the odd bits of litter found, alongside several groups of cans in places, which were inevitable being so near to urban areas. The proximity of the River Stour is also of interest, although clearing the two sites of accumulated rubbish seen in mid-stream was not attempted.

The condition of the interesting Wolverley Court lock is mechanically fine, but the paintwork is almost nonexistent. Its rather isolated position has probably been the reason behind both its near original state and the neglect of surface protection that it so badly needs! Definitely a project for next year!

A year of progress on the Cheshire Locks PROGRESS has been made on the Cheshire Locks on the Trent & Mersey Canal thanks to the volunteers that helped at a number of IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch work parties. Whatever the weather, they have turned up to carry on the work enhancing and improving the appearance of the Cheshire Lock flight.

Challenges have been faced due to a combination of weather-related problems, navigation issues in the Malkins Bank area during August, and work party leader availability. While little can be done about the weather or, indeed, unforeseen canal navigation issues, the branch is pleased to

announce that Andrew Hellyar-Brook has offered to take on the role of Cheshire locks work party leader.

Over the past two years, the work party volunteers on the Cheshire Locks have made a significant impact to the appearance of the look of Rode Heath, Church Lawton, and latterly Malkins Bank, as well as improving the canal area around Wheelock Wharf and Wardle Lock.

A small amount of work remains at Malkins Bank and then the branch plans to start work in 2105 on a new part of the Cheshire Lock flight.

Andy will send out more information in due course.

FORTHCOMINGWORK PARTY EVENTS Anyone intending to attend one of these events for the first time should contact the organisers beforehand and wear suitable clothing and footwear. If staying all day take a packed lunch unless other arrangement indicated.

Saturday, January 3 IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: Monthly work party at various locations alongside the Shropshire Union Canal in the Chester area. 10am-4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Mike Carter 07795 617803, mike.carter@waterways.org.uk

Saturday, January 3 and Wednesdays 7, 14, 21 and 28 IWA Ipswich Branch supporting River Gipping Trust: Pipps Ford (Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LJ) or Baylham Mill Lock (Mill Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LG) River Gipping. Meet at 9am to continue clearing storm damage to Pipps Ford or carry out maintenance at Baylham Mill Lock, finish at 3.30-4pm. Contact Martin Bird 01394 380765, restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk

Praise for group which ventured to the bottom of Regent’s Canal IWA London Region volunteers took the chance to participate in a canal clean-up in the de-watered Regent’s Canal on Saturday, November 22.

The Canal & River Trust has recently drained a mile of the canal, close to Limehouse Basin, to carry out major works.

IWA was able to collaborate with CRT and organise a work party to make the most of the improved access to the canalbed that enabled volunteers to more easily locate and remove rubbish that is often hidden under water.

Around 30 volunteers from the London area, some from as far afield as Chelmsford, came together and managed to clear two sites close to Commercial Road Lock. Navigating sticky mud and uneven ground the group found and removed various items, including a safe, a motorbike, numerous tyres and a suitcase, that could potentially make navigation of the canal difficult for boaters.

Throughout the day the volunteers were visited by various members of CRT staff, including chief executive Richard Parry and the CRT media team which was working with London Live.

Members of the public also stopped for a chat and to praise the excellent work that the volunteers had achieved.

This was a great opportunity for those involved, who all

FIVE intrepid members turned up for IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch’s regular monthly work party on November 12, in spite of forecasts of rain that put the painting of lock gates off the agenda.

Helpers still managed to spend a couple of hours litter picking – five full bags were collected, with plans for the cans to be recycled – and found time to inspect the next lock to be worked on.

This delightful stretch of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, between the two Wolverley locks, is almost pristine in condition, with only

Tuesday, January 6 IWA Northampton Branch: Monthly work party on the Northampton Arm. Contact Geoff Wood by email Geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk

Thursday, January 8 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust. New monthly work party on the Uttoxeter Canal, 10am-3pm. Vegetation clearance at Bridge 70, Crumpwood. No parking available at site so please meet at 9.30am at Denstone Village Hall, College Road, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HR for a lift, or meet on site at Bridge 70 at 10am, having made your own way on foot.

Contact Steve Wood, 07976 805858, steve.wood@waterways.org.uk

Lock. Meet at the car park of The Lock Inn, Wolverley Road, Kidderminster DY10 3RN, before heading down to Wolverley Lock.

Contact David Struckett 07976 746225, david.struckett@waterways.org.uk

Thursday, January 15 IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Monthly work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal, 10am to 4pm. Painting and vegetation clearance. Meeting point to be confirmed. Contact: Andy HellyarBrook 07926 204206, andy.hellyarbrook@waterways.org.uk (Note change from alternating third Tuesdays and Saturdays – the Cheshire Locks work parties will now take place on the third Thursday each month).

Saturday, January 17 IWA Manchester Branch: Monthly work party at a venue to be confirmed in the Greater Manchester area, 10am-4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. Contact secretary@manchesteriwa.co.uk or phone 07710 554602

Friday, January 23

Wednesday, January 14

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch: Work party in Congleton as part of the Congleton Station project, 10am to 12.30pm (approx). Work will include vegetation clearance and litter picking to help improve the environment around Congleton Railway Station, the Macclesfield Canal Towpath and Hightown. Meet at the Queen’s Head Pub, Park Lane, Congleton CW12 3DE. Contact Bob Luscombe 07710 054848, bob.luscombe@waterways.org.uk

IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch: Monthly work party on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, 10am-3pm.

Tasks to include painting, tidying and vegetation clearance at Wolverley

IWA Northampton Branch: Monthly work party on the Northampton Arm. Contact Geoff Wood by email Geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk

Sunday, January 25

For further information on any of these events contact: Alison Smedley, IWA branch campaign officer (07779 090915 or email alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk) or Stefanie Preston, IWA branch campaign assistant (01494 783453 or email stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk). Information can also be found on IWA’s website: www.waterways.org.uk

VOLUNTEERING 11

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Bonfire bash reunion on the Chesterfield Canal MORE than 100 Waterway Recovery Group volunteers from all over the country joined the 40th Anniversary Big Bonfire Bash Reunion held recently on the Chesterfield Canal.

Some worked at Staveley, but the bulk of them did major scrub clearance and tree felling at Norbriggs, Renishaw and Spinkhill.

Housing, feeding and looking after this number of people had been months in the planning. They stayed at the Killamarsh Leisure Centre.

Lots of equipment, such as chainsaws, brush cutters, bow saws, chippers, Tirfors, mowers and rakes, plus portable toilets, had to be provided.

On the Friday and Saturday, the weather was foul, but they carried on regardless and thankfully it brightened up on the Sunday. As one would expect, there were lots of bonfires to burn all the brush although much of the bigger timber was taken away in exchange for donations to the Chesterfield Canal Trust.

The better weather on Sunday brought out lots of walkers and cyclists because this section of the canal is on the Trans-Pennine Trail. Many stopped to talk to the volunteers or to view the trust’s publicity trailer. All were delighted that this work was being done. The Chesterfield Canal is much loved by many local people who can’t wait to see it fully restored.

One of the work areas is currently doomed to be right in the path of the new HS2 railway for 800m.

The trust has been campaigning for changes in the route and is awaiting a decision due to be delivered some time in 2015.

Trust spokesman Rod Auton said: “This camp is a clear message that the Chesterfield Canal Trust will carry on regardless of threatened setbacks. The full restoration of the canal is a long-term project that has already overcome many obstacles at first

WRG volunteers working round one of the many bonfires lit to burn the brush. PHOTO: CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST

thought to be insurmountable. We know that we have massive public support and we are not going away.”

Tim Lewis of the London Canal Museum, and a WRG volunteer, presented Kath Auton of the trust with four boxes of canal books. Some will be kept in the trust’s archives, others will be sold to raise funds for further restoration. In addition, John Foley of WRG North-West was selling books and presented the trust with £67.

At the end, all that was left were some smouldering bonfires and, most importantly, a cleared towpath and canal bed.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust thanked the Waterway Recovery Group, Derbyshire County Council, the staff and management of Killamarsh Leisure Centre, Craig Fielding plus Amber Jenkins and George Rogers who did all of the organisation.

Apple trees planted as part of ‘towpath gardens’ scheme CANAL & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry recently visited Aqueduct Marina to launch SUMBA’s Cheshire Towpath Gardens project.

Aqueduct director Robert Parton presented a cheque to SUMBA to sponsor the purchase of two historic Cheshire apple trees, a Bee Beech and

Canal & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry planting a native Cheshire apple tree watched by SUMBA adopters. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Minshull Crab, both local varieties of cooking apples.

Mr Parry planted the trees by the towpath adjacent to the 48-hour moorings opposite Aqueduct Marina helped by Glenn Young, CRT volunteer co-ordinator. Ten SUMBA volunteers then completed the first of the towpath gardens by planting five more apple trees, 200 daffodil bulbs and hedging whips to repair and extend the hedgerow.

SUMBA plans to plant further towpath gardens at various locations along its 5.5-mile adopted length of the Middlewich Branch from Barbridge Junction to Morris Bridge 15 at Church Minshull.

The project will include planting native spring flowers and bulbs, species of Cheshire’s 33 historic apple trees, other local fruit trees, fruit bushes, insect-attracting shrubs and hedging whips to extend and repair the hedgerows.

SUMBA’s Cheshire Towpath Gardens will provide flowering colour in the spring and fresh fruit in the summer for the benefit of all canal users.

G For more details about SUMBA and its volunteering opportunities, email: sumbacanal@gmail.com

Promoting the therapeutic benefits of the canal network A PROJECT has been set up by the Canal & River Trust in East Lancashire to reach out to people who have yet to discover the therapeutic benefits of the region’s canal system.

The Brightwork Project is funded by the Big Lottery Fund – Reaching Communities programme and seeks to connect as many people as possible to the varied opportunities along the canal and river network in their local area.

It is aimed at: G Volunteers who want to help maintain the canal network, relax and reconnect with themselves and the environment.

G Volunteers seeking a training opportunity which may improve their job prospects.

G People in recovery from mental ill health, substance misuse issues or just struggling to cope with the stresses and strains of everyday life and who are seeking the restorative benefits of outdoor spaces.

Project officer Andy Wild said:

“The Brightwork Project will reach out to those who have yet to discover the benefits of living close to this readily accessible waterways treasure. I will work closely with local residents and community groups to develop volunteering and training opportunities which will improve lives and increase individual job prospects, while improving the environmental amenity of the canal corridor through the Blackburn, Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle districts.

“The new project will also forge partnerships with local health and well-being services to demonstrate the benefits of outdoor spaces and activities, broadly known as ecotherapy, in aiding individual recovery.”

A steering group of representatives of local organisations is currently being set up and will drive the project forward.

Brightwork project officer Andy Wild with volunteers clearing overgrown vegetation from alongside the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST The project will organise a series of Towpath Taskforces for volunteers where they will be involved in activities such as keeping the towpath clean, vegetation management and general maintenance. A series of Ebb and Flow events will also be held to promote the work of the Canal & River Trust and encourage people to get involved.

G To find out more about the project, contact Andy Wild, Brightwork Project Officer on 07717 480777 or email andy.wild@canalrivertrust.org.uk

12 COMMUNITY BOATING

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

A sponsor for Ernest Thomas II

THE South Staffordshire Narrow Boat Co Ltd owns the Ernest Thomas II narrowboat which has been in operation for the past 28 years and is based at Castlecroft on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, writes Joyce Cowern.

It is operated by unpaid volunteers, at minimal cost, for the benefit of the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged groups, offering them the experience of ‘a walk in the countryside’ in the comfort of a narrowboat.

In 2013, the company was awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, and now proudly sports two crowns on the boat, one either side.

This section of the Staffs & Worcs Canal provides winding points at Giggetty Bridge, Bratch Locks, Dimmingsdale, Wightwick, Aldersley and Autherley Junctions and Coven, thus enabling trips to range between four or seven hours, and provides a choice for passengers and their carers.

Last July, staff at Sainsbury’s Wombourne store learnt that unpaid volunteers, who are senior citizens, give up their time and expertise to run and maintain the Ernest Thomas II. Winter maintenance photographs show the members who extended the wharf, mixed concrete and laid over 100 slabs.

This so impressed an assembly of Sainsbury’s staff that they felt that they would like to support the volunteers for 12 months, make a contribution to keep the boat in good order and help maintain their aims.

The volunteers who help look after the South Staffordshire narrowboat include, rear from left, Kim Willcox, John Bosworth and Terry Haddon; and in front, Frank Cowern and Bill Dunn.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Hence, they have been offered a table in the store on which to leave used books. The idea is that shoppers choose a book of their choice and leave a donation to the cause.

Donations of books arrive from eclectic personal libraries and include cake icing, cross-stitch, craft, the history of railways, the Pony Club, adventure and history books, Mills & Boon and mysteries. You name it and the shoppers in the supermarket soon clear the table and the collection tin becomes that little bit heavier by the day.

The store has also added a new notice board on which to display photographs of certain hire groups (all with their permission) enjoying their trips.

The photographs in turn, highlight the good care that is available for the vulnerable in the community.

The Pirate Castle Derek Stansfield, director of training for the National Community Boats Association (NCBA), was recently running a refresher course for NCBA Trainers on the Regent’s Canal, which took them past a place called Pirate Castle. He was intrigued to know more and fortunately among those attending was Andrew Carpenter from Pirate Castle who has contributed the following article.

YOU may have been boating along the Regent’s Canal in London one fine day, heading towards the top lock at Camden, when suddenly a castle hoved into view.

Like all other castles, it has turrets, towers and castellations crowned with a fluttering flag, often surmounted by a silent seagull. Unlike most other castles however, this one is not a ruin, and is also full of live pirates. Yes, that’s right, that was a skull and crossbones you saw.

Although we are always after loot, we never demand it with menaces, but we may occasionally look at you in a funny way and have even been known to say ARRRRRR! very loudly from time to time. Even our plans for a portcullis to drop down across the canal were called in on grounds of health and safety. Spoilsports.

I doubt if our founder, the Viscount St Davids, would

have encountered the same concerns in 1966 when, tired of the rowing boat he kept at the bottom of his nearby garden being regularly ‘borrowed’, he decided to start a canoeing and rowing club for the local young people.

He gathered together a motley collection of old kayaks and rowing boats, set out his rules and began to offer boating sessions on the water. These proved to be very popular and numbers attending quickly increased, leading to the necessity to get more boats to meet the demand.

Being an ex-navy man, the good viscount was keen on order and discipline and his set of rules was there to follow. Any transgressors were swiftly met with punishment, ranging from not being allowed on the water to having to clean the toilets of the then recently acquired exRegent’s Canal barge Rosedale, which was by now acting as the clubhouse moored between two wooden piles outside the old Gilbeys Gin factory wharf.

The Prince of Wales at the helm of nb Pirate Prince in June 1982.

Sun on its test voyage.

The Sun comes out THE Beverley Barge Preservation vessel Sun recently emerged from the tarpaulin covering it and entered service with the society taking groups of up to 12 people on trips on the upper River Hull/Driffield Navigation.

Originally a British Waterways mud hopper built in 1960 by Campling’s of Goole, the vessel was part of the Heritage Fleet donated to societies after withdrawal from auction in 2007.

Following a period when the vessel was repaired and rebottomed but not converted, conversion work started in earnest in July 2013 when

Inside the Sun. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Mobile Marine Services of Alexandra Dock in Hull supplied a steel superstructure for the barge. Windows were installed the next month with steady progress made by the volunteer workforce during the following months.

Donations of seating and tables were made by East Yorkshire Motor Services and Northern Rail respectively, and financial support was received from Beverley Town Council and Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust. By Easter 2014 the vessel made a test trip with the society members who have carried out the work and the vessel entered full service in June 2014.

Trips lasting about six hours have taken passengers from Beverley to Hempholme (Stuncheon Hill) Lock on the River Hull and return.

The society also had its restored Humber Barge Syntan open to the public on Sundays during the summer and is seeking recognition by the RYA as a training centre.

G For further information visit www.syntanbarge.org.uk

In the early days, the canal barge Rosedale acted as the clubhouse, moored between two wooden piles outside the old Gilbeys Gin factory wharf. PHOTOS SUPPLIED Through his tireless efforts at fundraising and by calling on the help of his friends, colleagues and acquaintances to form a Pirate Club committee, eventually enough money was raised to build the Pirate Castle itself, which opened in 1977.

This allowed the Pirate Club to offer indoor activities during the winter months, a hall for hire and functions and an office.

Following on from this, the Pirate Castle gained its first purpose-built residential narrowboat, Pirate Princess.

Named and launched by the Prince of Wales in 1982 and skippered by future Castle manager of 25 years, Giles Higgitt, it enabled club members to get hands-on boating experience exploring the canal and river systems surrounding the capital and beyond, a service

it performed admirably until its replacement in 2011.

Narrowboat Pirate Viscount joined in 1995 acting as a day boat to further enhance community boating operations, a role that it still carries out.

Today the Pirate Castle has a further extension to enable full wheelchair access to the building and runs two community boats, Pirate Prince – a wide beam boat with full disabled access – and narrowboat Pirate Viscount.

It also still runs the ever popular canoe and kayaking sessions and a wide range of other land and water based activities and training throughout the year. If you’re passing why not give the Pirate Castle a wave? We promise not to commandeer your boat. Honest!

Pirate Viscount heads towards St Pancras lock.

Meet the trustees Paul Unwin joined the NCBA Trustee’s Board in March of this year and he was invited to introduce himself through these pages. Here is Paul’s unedited response: AS a dashing and handsome (I hope that I’m selling this to you) 23-year-old with no sense and very little money (nothing’s changed), I first got interested in the delights of drinking contaminated water.

I managed to do this on a regular basis because I took up the sport of waterskiing on the River Trent at East Marnham and numerous other venues around the country including Windermere and Saundersfoot in Wales.

I purchased my first Sims Super V boat in 1979 and continued with a variety of different craft for about five years, changing boats on a couple of occasions and ending up with a Broom Scorpio with a very powerful Volvo Penta inboard engine.

With the advent of marriage and children, obviously things in life had to

alter, so the boat had to go as the wife wouldn’t.

In 1995, because of an article on a television programme, the other half booked our first canal boat holiday on the Four Counties Ring.

This type of holiday, although expensive, was extremely enjoyable. More importantly, the time spent with the kids without the aid of the Xbox and television actually made it a family time.

As my interest in the canals developed, I became involved with The Chesterfield Canal Trust working as a volunteer on its trip boats, originally on the Norwood Packet in Worksop and now with the John Varley at its base in Chesterfield.

I’m also a volunteer skipper and trainer at the Baldwin Trust in Leicestershire.

I work for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue as an instructor/examiner on a

wide variety of specialist equipment and vehicles, and because of this I became interested in fire safety on boats and water rescue. Due to this, I thought some formal training in boat handling would be beneficial.

In 2007 I booked on a CCBM course with Swinton Lock Activity Centre and spent the weekend travelling up and down the South Yorkshire Navigation.

I then became a trainer for the Chesterfield Canal Trust in 2009 after attending a course at the Hillingdon Narrowboat Association.

Things have certainly moved on since then as I am now a senior trainer for the NCBA and also a trustee.

It makes you wonder sometimes how I find the time, but the people that you meet from other organisations along the way make it worthwhile.

After a lot of hard work by

the trustees over the last few years, they have now updated and developed and tested all the training courses run for the NCBA, which I believe puts us ahead of the game with regard to training for inland waterways.

So what is the most valuable information have I gained from all of this development? Well if you do fall in, even though the rivers and canals are cleaner than they used to be, avoid drinking it at all costs – beer tastes better.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

13

14 FAMILIES AFLOAT

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Families afloat: Raising children as liveaboards Polly Player speaks to three liveaboard families to find out more about raising children on the water, how they came to their decision to do so and what challenges, if any, they have faced along the way.

THE proportion of liveaboards on the UK’s inland waterways makes up a small but significant demographic of boaters and within that group is an even smaller sub-set: Families raising children afloat.

Understandably, many boaters make the difficult decision to move back on to land when they plan to start a family, but others weigh up the odds and choose to remain onboard and raise their children as liveaboard boaters from the get-go, or to move back onboard when their children get a little older.

I’ve spoken to three liveaboard families to find out more about raising children on the water, how they came to their decision to do so, and what challenges, if any, they have faced along the way.

Katrina and Alan with their baby Callan whose place of birth is registered as the Coventry Canal.

pattern takes them across county boundaries, they have not been able to get a full-time health visitor assigned to them.

Other problems have arisen along the way too, with Katrina mentioning the lack of availability of supplies such as baby milk and nappies in many canal-side shops, as well as the rather unreliable nature of public transport.

Added to this, when the family registered to vote in the May elections last year, they were subsequently questioned by the police under caution for suspected electoral fraud, as there was some question over whether or not the family spent enough time living within their voting area to be truly eligible to vote. Fortunately, the issue was resolved, but this understandably caused a lot of stress and worry.

While Katrina and Alan would ultimately like to have the option to move on to land at some point in Callan’s life, at the moment they consider themselves to be priced out of the local housing market. Also being self-employed without a current land address, they have found getting a mortgage to be virtually impossible.

However, the family is also very clear on the benefits of raising Callan afloat, including the close proximity of nature (Callan is currently obsessed with swans) and the fact that he is learning from a very early age about water and energy efficiency and its practical applications.

Family one: Katrina Slomczynski (31) Alan Baxter (40) and Callan Baxter (11 months) Katrina and Alan have lived aboard for 18 months now, and were cruising around the Warwickshire ring when Katrina fell pregnant. When they found out that they were expecting, they did consider looking into buying a landbased home, but as most of their savings were tied up in the boat and also having the additional challenges of being selfemployed, chose to remain on the boat that they own outright.

Callan was born close to midnight on January 6, 2014, with his arrival heralded by Katrina’s waters breaking while they were part way up the Atherstone flight on their way to Lichfield. Callan’s birth certificate reflects this under the ‘residence at time of birth’ section, being given as “The Painted Lady Narrowboat, King’s Head Pound, Coventry Canal”. Apparently, getting the registrar to accept this address posed something of a challenge, as this was the first time that the office had dealt with a genuine travelling family.

Today, Katrina, Alan and Callan remain as continuous cruisers, partially because of the challenges of finding an affordable, formal residential mooring in the Nuneaton/Bedworth area, and are actively lobbying the council to look into establishing some permanent, family-friendly moorings in the area.

The transient nature of continuous cruising means the family has ran into some difficulties gaining access to the necessary healthcare required for a young family, and as their cruising

Family two: The Cauldwells.

Dan (34) Vikki (33) Lily-Mae (4) and Daisy (19 months) Dan, Vikki and family have been living aboard for only three weeks at the time of writing, although they were by no means new to boats and boating. Dan has spent his entire life around boats, and as a family, the Cauldwells have been instrumental in restoring various historic craft, including being part way through their current project to convert BCN1645 into a floating workshop.

The family bought a pair of former hotel boats, Oak and Ash, to use as their home, and moved aboard in November 2014. Dan also mentions that the combined square footage of their two boats is greater than they previously had in their land-based house. The Cauldwell family is based on a permanent mooring at Billing Aquadrome Marina. Before living afloat, the family lived on land in Milton Keynes, and were regular attendees at all manner of boating events throughout the year, with Lily-Mae and later, little Daisy in tow.

Dan and Vikki decided to move aboard with their daughters both because of the entire family’s love of boats and the boating lifestyle, and in order to take the opportunity to become debt and mortgage free at a young age, leaving them with more funds to invest in their daughters’ futures.

The family spoke to the local council before the move to ensure that they would not run into any difficulties

Daisy has slept through the night since they moved aboard.

Vikki and Dan with daughters Lily-Mae and Daisy.

Lily-Mae outside their new home.

The Cauldwell’s boats Ash and Oak are former hotel boats.

registering the girls in schools, and chose to moor at Billing Aquadrome because of the family-friendly facilities on site.

Already very familiar with the canals before moving aboard full time, Dan and Vikki said that part of their decision to move aboard was down to the welcoming and accepting nature of the canal community. The girls are loving life afloat so far. Daisy has begun sleeping through the night since they moved aboard, which she never really managed in the house, and the girls love their own cabins and dedicated playroom.

Lily-Mae was counting down the number of sleeps left before moving afloat with great excitement, and while Dan and Vikki were concerned at first about whether or not she really understood that the boats were now their permanent home and that they would not be returning to the house, they are now confident that she understands their new living situation, and the whole family has taken to life afloat very cheerfully.

Family three: The Adlems.

Rob (38) Charlotte (28) and ‘The Bump’ The Adlems are expecting their first child in March 2015, and until he or she makes their debut into the world, is currently referred to as the ‘Pop-up Pirate’. Robin and Charlotte have lived aboard full time for eight years, and moved aboard in the full knowledge that they planned to start a family one day, with all of the challenges that would bring.

Once they found out that Charlotte was expecting, she and Rob, of course, discussed whether or not moving back on to land would be the more sensible option, but ultimately reached the conclusion that they would miss the cut too much. They feel that the community nature of the canals is the perfect environment in which to raise a child, and that boat life is a lot of fun and the ideal experience for their kids to benefit from as well.

While Rob and Charlotte are very clear that remaining on the boat was a personal decision rather than a financial one, they also mention that it would be

Liveaboard boaters Charlotte and Rob are expecting their first child in March. logistically impossible to be able to find a house or flat of an equivalent size in London for the same sort of money that living afloat coats them.

Both Rob and Charlotte were brought up in the countryside, and feel that retaining a close connection to nature is important to them. Living afloat in the capital provides the best of both worlds for the family, with easy access to the city on the one hand, but the countryside right outside their windows as well.

Rob says: “We want our kids to grow up with a full and adventurous life.

Childhood is short and we want our kid/s to experience all of the things that make childhood so special. Grazed knees, tree climbing and messing about on boats, Swallows and Amazons forever.

“We have discussed safety a lot and of course it’s a worry to have kids near water, however, there are risks everywhere, we just need to be responsible parents like all of the other parents we know.”

When they found out that they were expecting, Rob and Charlotte moved from their leisure mooring to a private residential mooring on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal. This provides them with many of the advantages of a land-based address, such as being able to register with local services.

Looking to the future, Rob and Charlotte are aware that space could become an issue as their family grows, particularly as they are now beginning to realise just how much stuff babies need, but they feel that boating life can offer their children a more connected way of living than is possible on land.

Boating life forces you to have to think a little more about fulfilling your needs on an ongoing basis, and relying on more of a community effort.

They are also aware that for children, being ‘different’ can be difficult, and are concerned that in the future their child, or children, might potentially be singled out for being raised in an alternative lifestyle. However, as Rob says, these are the concerns of every parent, and the opportunities that they feel are provided by life on the cut far outstrips any potential concerns.

The challenges of raising a family afloat Raising a young family while living aboard does not come without its challenges, and all three of the families that I spoke to were very aware that it is likely to pose additional difficulties over and above those they might face on land. Katrina and Alan’s difficulties in gaining access to a complete healthcare package for their family is one such problem, as is access to affordable, family suitable moorings.

Continuously cruising with young children poses additional challenges over and above raising a family with a designated home mooring, although Katrina and Alan are by no means the only family afloat making a continuously cruising lifestyle work out for them. Katrina says that bridge/road access and the quality of the towpaths in some areas makes life challenging when it comes to choosing moorings that are accessible and safe for Callan, and that cyclists and even motorbikes on the towpaths can be menacing and potentially dangerous.

However, one thing that all three of the families I spoke to have in common is their view that the canal community itself is an excellent environment in which to raise a family, and that their children are, or will, be learning valuable lessons throughout their childhood as a result of living afloat, which they would not be exposed to on land.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

15

16

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

From rockstar to narrowboat mover For Mike Banks the path to a wonderful new career has been quite a journey Smashing pumpkins to spreadsheets WHEN I left my original home in the Lake District in my 20s (with my best friend and a van full of amps and guitars) back in the late 80s, all I wanted was to be able to live and travel and meet lovely, friendly people.

Attempting to be a rock star seemed to be the best way of doing this – our slightly daft, but admirable, plan at the time – and a quarter of a century later I have eventually arrived at the lifestyle I have always been looking for.

We came quite close back then, our little rock band Scorpio Rising being signed to Sire Records by Seymour Stein, who signed Madonna and The Ramones, and several years of fantastic adventures on tours and features in NME (New Musical Express) etc. We played at Reading Festival, The Marquee and Finsbury Park Festival and on stages with Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Blur, and lots of other wellknown bands of the time in the early 90s.

These things are inevitably short lived, and eventually I had to concede that I’d have to join the normal/real world. Having a little family meant I had to find a way of earning a living and I fumbled my way, like lots of musicians, through lots of jobs.

These included bin man, painter

and decorator, telesales workhorse, con man’s straight man (unwittingly), rally navigator, dodgy internet startups, eventually almost accidentally (having had a brilliant idea and sending an email to a VC investor without any actual expectation anything would actually happen) ending up as a founder of the internet advertising company I worked for in London, as business development director!

Jumping ship Although earning a good salary in the end, my boss hated me and I felt incredibly unappreciated, even though I made them nearly a million pounds in dividends one year. I always felt that something was seriously missing and eventually when my dad died and left me a

little bit of cash, I couldn’t stand it any more and took the plunge and left my job in search of a better and happier way of living.

I tried living in Holland, Brighton and many other places, then suddenly remembered a very clear dream I had when I was on tour in the band van years and years ago where (in the dream) I lived on a narrowboat, moored under some trees and I thought “I wonder how much it costs to really do that!”.

I found the Apollo Duck website, and there, bizarrely, at the top of the page was the boat from my dream (although blue rather than green), moored under trees as if waiting for me..!

Two weeks later, I had spent the last of my dad’s legacy and was hard at work installing plumbing, ripping out damp floors, puzzling about inverters and stern gland packing, buying insulation in huge sheets from Wickes, wheelbarrowing DIY stuff and tools along muddy towpaths, and shivering to death trying to get to sleep surrounded by tools and offcuts with snow on the roof... under the trees on the Stort.

Beans to boat mover

Mike in his rockstar days.

A few weeks later and we were out on the Lee at Stanstead Abbotts, living off our slightly dodgy leisure batteries, but managing to survive quite well and meeting the kind of friendly people everyone should know!

At this point I was totally out of cash and living day to day on beans on toast irresponsibly

(probably), steadfastly ignoring approaches from internet tech agencies trying to entice me back into the dreaded coal face/rat race.

Luckily one of my kind new friends (Welsh Steve – Southern Region Carriers, coal gas and diesel supplies, King’s CrossHertford) suggested that perhaps I should think about being a boat mover (as I love the slightly random way a narrowboat steers and works).

He explained that many people don’t have the time to move their boats around the country to where they want them to be, and I started to think: “This sounds wonderful.

It’s got to be possible”!

Two weeks later I had started the business, spending a massive £100 in total to get it going. I built my website for free, having seen an ad on TV for Wix free sites, got a £75 free trial from Google, £25 free ads from Facebook and spent three whole days collecting email addresses of brokerages, marinas etc from publications such as Towpath Talk and Canalworld. Two weeks passed without even a call or an email, and I had actually given up and was wondering what to do as I was virtually out of both beans and toast.

Then, both in the same day, I got my first enquiries from my little site www.narrowboat skipper.com and from then I have been really busy with boat moves on the River Wye, Thames, Lee, Stort and the K+A, Grand Union, Coventry Canal, Oxford Canal, Trent &

Narrowboat mover Mike Banks loves being his own boss.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Mersey, Llangollen, Macclesfield Canal, Leeds & Liverpool, Bridgewater… suffice to say my collection of Nicholson’s guides has grown very quickly!

The lovely thing about the job (obviously, the joy of being my own boss, exploring the network, meeting new people, mastering boat handling in all conditions and waterways, the stunning scenery and simple life, being in the open air, all goes without saying) is the wonderful testimonials my clients offer without me asking – what a joy to do work I love, and to be genuinely appreciated.

I even enjoy the challenge of trying to find alternative routes around the many Canal & River Trust stoppages for clients, as (typically for me) I discovered quickly that I had started the business at the very worst time in the year.

So, if any Towpath Talk readers would like help with moving their boat to anywhere on the UK network from someone who genuinely loves and appreciates boats, takes great care to keep them safe and deliver them on time, loves the waterways, and every single aspect of his work, please give me a call!

G Contact Mike Banks on 07732 392632 narrowboatskipper@outlook.com www.narrowboatskipper.com

Are a customer’s expectations too great?

River Canal Rescue managing director Stephanie Horton explains what is and isn’t covered by its membership fees.

SINCE its launch in January 2001 and up until September 2014, breakdown and assistance firm River Canal Rescue has come to the aid of more than 26,000 inland waterways users.

Prior to its formation, those in need of assistance would have had to rely on marinas, boatyards, local suppliers and ‘DIY mechanics’, who often claimed to have more knowledge than they did, or simply try to identify and resolve the problem themselves in order to continue with their journey.

While many boat owners still prefer this option, around 20% opt for RCR membership.

RCR’s ethos is to provide peace of mind for callers who, no matter what or where their situation, receive help from engineers with unrivalled breakdown repair knowledge and experience.

Over the years, customer demand has prompted the firm to extend its breakdown and assistance service to include Replacement Parts Cover, courses, an online chandlery and servicing. A separate division, Canal Contracting, was launched in 2013 providing services that fall outside the remit of membership cover, such as domestic plumbing, electrical work and maintenance.

With engineers and support

staff endeavouring to provide outstanding service, the firm has built an enviable reputation, particularly for fairness and cost effectiveness. This however, says managing director Stephanie Horton, can lead to confusion over what is and isn’t covered by membership fees.

In order to avoid further misunderstandings and address any misconceptions, Stephanie is keen to outline areas where customers are often unclear – leading to great expectations: All parts are covered under Replacement Parts Cover.

Parts not listed in the membership book such as fan belts and filters are not covered. Similarly, if a leak is caused through wear and tear or a part fails due to water ingress, it is classed as a gradual decline and not ‘sudden unforeseen failure’, which is covered.

Bilge pumps and tunnel lights are covered. These do not affect the engine operation and therefore are not classed as a breakdown. We’re happy to assist, but this would be a chargeable visit.

I’m covered if I have an accident, hit something underwater or sink.

Accidental damage due to a third party, underwater obstruction or hitting something is not covered by membership. It is not a

breakdown and should be covered by your insurance policy. RCR is usually the first on site and will always try to assist and advise (our Canal Contracting team works with all major insurance companies to make the claims and repair process as easy as possible).

Everything on the boat’s covered. Membership doesn’t cover anything outside the engine and propulsion system. If the fridge stops working, the lights fail, the shower fails to flow or the domestic water pump won’t turn off, Canal Contracting can assist, but there will be a charge.

Can you change my domestic batteries? It isn’t covered under your RCR membership, but we can help, via Canal Contracting.

All labour costs are covered.

RCR covers up to two hours to attend and rectify a breakdown.

Additional time or return visits are chargeable along with parts unless the repair is covered by Replacement Parts Cover; 85% of all callouts are fixable within the two-hour labour period.

I’m covered for a tow back to my home mooring. We offer two hours’ towing when a vessel cannot be repaired in-situ, taking it to a safe haven such as a mooring, marina or boatyard.

Towing takes time and in 80% of cases we’re able to use an outboard motor to move the vessel. If the owner wishes to go further afield, going beyond the two-hour towing time, charges will be made. And where a tug is used, the boat owner can be liable for the cost of the tug’s return journey.

Why does a diagnosis take time? As there are a number of potential causes to every problem, we have to identify it through a process of elimination.

It’s always best to start with the simplest and least costly element and then work through the system. Sometimes there can be a whole host of issues, which are only identified once one has been solved.

RCR should carry engine spares. There are more than 600 different engines on our system and although most craft have the same base engine, the majority will have different marinised parts and different installations and/or modifications, making it impossible to carry all without a HGV. We carry the majority of common parts and have access to national distributors, but they tend to be contactable between 9 and 5 – so not always immediately available when an emergency arises.

Parts should be available the same day. The majority of replacement parts claims are completed the same/following day. However, where parts are not easily available, we endeavour to deliver and fit them as soon as possible. If parts are obsolete or a custom installation we have to source alternatives and modify them which can take time.

You’ll have the right parts when you arrive. Although we hold engine details for a vessel, often we find the engine we’re asked to help with is different to the information we hold or the parts are standard but modified.

During servicing we try to ensure the right parts are carried by the engineers, but if this isn’t the case, we’ll endeavour to rectify as soon as possible.

Why aren’t I receiving several daily updates re when the engineer’s returning? Staff dedicated to providing this service are likely to be communicating with several boaters at the same time. In order to avoid staff making calls where they don’t have any real information to give – which can be irritating for the customer – we’d rather wait and call when there’s something tangible to share. Before we make that call we’re liaising with parts suppliers, engineers, and couriers.

While you’re here can you sort out this additional problem on my boat? Our engineers will always try to assist, but with other jobs to attend to they often have to concentrate on the most pressing matter that is covered by your RCR membership.

Why can’t an engineer visit in the middle of the night?

Engineers are on standby for emergencies – i.ee when a boat or person is in danger. Health and safety guidelines restrict call-outs if the boat isn’t easily accessible and the breakdown isn’t urgent. For example, we’d ask a person calling for help with a flat battery to wait until the morning, as the boat would have to run its engine for four hours to recharge its battery and failing light makes it very difficult to check electrical issues. Asking

The fan belt on the left is showing wear and tear, while on the right is a new replacement. PHOTO: RCR an engineer to take risks late at night on unlit slippery towpaths can only be justified in a real emergency.

Before joining RCR we used to spend so much on engine maintenance, but now there’s no need to service or maintain our vessel.

Regular engine servicing and boat maintenance is not only good practice, but also it’s a condition of membership.

RCR cover is for emergencies and not boat maintenance.

Stephanie continues: “We’d love to be able to provide the additional services required by our members free of charge, but as a business this wouldn’t be feasible. Keeping costs as competitive as possible and exceeding customer expectations is very important to us, but so too is managing expectations and hence why the scenarios are listed.”

G To find out more about RCR visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 17

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH

To book your advertising call Nikita on 01507 529582

18 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 19

20 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 21

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

H ARE EFI FIE ELD LD M A R IN A Brid ge 180, G ra n d Un io n Ca n a l, Ha refield UB9 6PD Tel: 01895 822036 Fa x: 01895 825729

Facilities include:-

C handlery C rane (m ax 3 tons) Slipw ays (up to 65ft) C overed w et dock W ater and electric points

-

D iesel Pum p out B oat sales/brokerage Engine inboard/ outboard repairs - G as and coal

250 secure,non residentialruralm ooringsin secluded countryside setting 5 m insfrom M 25/M 40.

O ne dayscruising from the Tham es.

22 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 23

24 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 25

26 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 27

28 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 29

30 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 31

32 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 33

34 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 35

36 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 37

38 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 39

40 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 41

42 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 43

44 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 45

46 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 47

48

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Need a Surveyor or Boat Safety Examiner?

N a r ro w b o a t Su r veyo r

IAIN JO N ES

& Bo a tSa f ety E xa m in er

M icha elCla r ke

• N o trave llin g Charg e s -Allare as co ve re d N o rtham pto n b as e d

0 1 60 4 85 8 868 0 7944 85 6 35 1

Surveyor Surveyor Surveyor

in fo@ n orthern sta rm a rin e.co.u k w w w .n orthern sta rm a rin e.co.u k

M cN eil M a rin e S U R V E Y IN G

W ood G R P & Steel Cra ft P re P u rcha se Su rveys Su rveysforIn su ra n ce D a m a g e/D efectR eports Va lu a tion setc.

A rea s covered: A LL

01 554 833233 w w w .m cn eilm a rin e.com

M arine Surveys and BSS Exam inations

Burton O n Trent M obile:07860 119476 Em ail:jones.iain@ virgin.net W ebsite: w w w .jonesm arinesurveys.co.uk Areas covered:5,6,9

Boat Safety Examiner Boat Safety

Dip.S.C. SurAM IM a rEST AREAS CO VERED: 6, 10 • A Frie n d ly an d Pro fe s s io n alSe rvice • Fu lly Q u alifie d & In s u re d • Ultras o n ic Pre -pu rchas e & Hu llCo n d itio n Su rve ys • Fre e Bo atSafe ty Ce rtificate w ith e ve ry fu lls u rve y

N IG IG EL EL CA RTO N B SS

Com pletely independent.

G ood rates and a friendly service.

A reas covered:

5,6,7,8,9,10

Call: 07989 388109 Em ail:

nigel.carton@ btinternet.com

M IK E S H AW BSS Tel:

07913 388524 em ail:

m ikeshaw @ live.co.uk A re a s Cove re d :

2, 5, 6, 9

BOATYARD & MARINA NEWS 49

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

insider

Boat Electrics What’s new What’s on

P50 P51 P55

Holidays Bits & Bobs Boater Beware

P57 P58 P58

Hat-trick of awards for White Bear Marina BRITISH Waterways Marina Ltd’s (BWML) White Bear Marina, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Adlington, near Chorley, has been highly commended in the Industrial & Commercial category of the Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition 2014.

This is the third time the marina has won the award, having previously received the accolade in 2010 and 2013.

Judges reported: “The surrounds and gardens of the permanent moorings were attractive and all of the site facilities were spotless. The cafe was neat and the planters and hanging baskets added to the welcoming appearance. The bins and gas storage areas were carefully screened so that they didn’t detract from the tidy car park.”

Marina manager Barnaby Hayward said: “The award is a strong reflection of the hard work that has gone into making this a very well presented marina. I am extremely proud for White Bear to have been highly commended in what is an extremely competitive category with some excellent site entries.”

The Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition is organised by Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Tourism Partnership.

Just some of the items in the physical chandlery at Norbury that will now be in its online shop.

Bosworth Marina welcomes boaters The facilities building nears completion.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

New residential moorings coming to Galgate Marina

Thousands of items in new internet chandlery NORBURY Wharf is already popular among boaters on eBay where it offers lots of items from its well-stocked chandlery, but the New Year will see its online presence expand many times over.

Its new internet shop will be up and running, with no less than 20,000 lines of chandlery to choose from.

Manager David Ray said: “We realised some time ago that we needed to offer an online service together with our shop here along the Shropshire Union Canal.

“Although our chandlery is popular with local and passing boaters, we couldn’t stock the amazing range of products we do without online sales. They enable us to provide one of the best stocked chandlers on the canal system.”

He continued: “Although we will continue to operate our very popular eBay shop, we are swiftly outgrowing it and our free-standing e-shop will make it easier for people to find what they need and order it and for us to respond quickly and get it off to them, wherever they are.

“We aim to make the new internet shop the go-to place for all things to do with narrowboats, and we believe our expertise in owning, maintaining and running all sorts of canal craft, from the historic to the modern, will mean we will usually be able to find and offer exactly what boaters need.”

The new shop will be up and running in January and you can find it at: www.norburywharfltd.co.uk

INVESTMENT work at Galgate Marina near Lancaster, has added seven new residential moorings due for completion in December 2014.

They can cater for narrowboats or widebeams and come with full residential use approval for customers’ complete peace of mind.

Managing director of marina owner British Waterways Marina Ltd (BWML) Jeff Whyatt commented: “Our business will only succeed if we listen to what our customers and potential customers want, and residential moorings continues to be high on the list.”

The picturesque location of Galgate with easy cruising along the lockless Lancaster Canal, together with excellent transport and road links, make it an especially popular choice for a residential mooring.

BWML received strong expressions of interest in these seven moorings which will take the number of residential moorings at Galgate Marina up to 26, available for 2015. Jetties & Moorings, a specialist contractor based in nearby Cartmel, carried out the works.

During the past year BWML has established 537 residential moorings across 15 of its marinas, all with full planning permission for occupants with berth prices from £2850 per annum.

With over 300 moorings already occupied, and a further 100 reserved in advance of planning obligations being completed, demand for BWML’s residential moorings is growing fast, partly due to the quality of services and facilities, but primarily because, with planning permission already in place, customers have greater security and less to sort out for themselves.

WORK on the new Bosworth Marina on the Ashby Canal near Atherstone has been progressing well during the autumn and there are already 60 boats on its moorings.

Builders, Keller Construction, completed the facilities building and Outlook Landscaping has been finishing off the roads, paths and paved area.

Plans for the compensation pond to help protect the Site of Special Scientific

Interest along the Ashby Canal are now under review with English Nature, the Canal and River Trust and Leicestershire County Council and revised drawings are being prepared.

The marina is now able to offer coal and Elsan liquid and can order other items in for boaters.

Berths are still available and enquiries are welcome.

G Contact manager Chris Hubbard on 07711 211446, assistant manager Jane Hubbard on 07711 211227 or Helen Trivett on 07775 688552.

Email helen@bosworth-marina.co.uk www.bosworth-marina.co.uk

Boats lined up along Shenton jetty. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Follow the boat fitting work on Facebook THERE’S a chance to see work in progress if you visit the Facebook page of Willow Ridge Boatfitting Ltd which was featured on this page last month.

Directors Matthew Hutchinson and Richard

Hancock and their team at Hillmorton Wharf have taken on the winter work for the BCBM Shared Ownership fleet and have private work booked in until August.

Willow Ridge Boatfitting Ltd is offering

Willow Ridge’s boatyard and workshop at Hillmorton Wharf. PHOTO SUPPLIED

everything under one roof from full repairs, blacking and repairs to full fit outs, galley and bathroom refurbishments and refits, welding, plumbing, servicing and a breakdown service with membership.

G Willow Ridge Boatfitting Ltd, Hillmorton Wharf CV214HW. Contact: 01788 578383/07539 738005 (Matthew)/07976 692633 (Richard) willowridgeboatfitting@yahoo.com

50 PRODUCTS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Beware of low-quality coal when stocking up for the winter!

Polly Player gives some timely tips about the pitfalls of buying fuel that’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

WHEN you buy your winter coal from one of the various coal boats that serve the network or well-respected canalside chandleries and stockists, you are highly unlikely to get ripped off or fall foul of any of the various tricks that some unscrupulous resellers and merchants are sometimes apt to attempt.

However, with the sheer range of options available when it comes to sourcing your winter coal supply, including bulk deliveries from online firms and smaller private resellers away from the canal, it pays to be aware of the warning signs. If you have spotted a coal deal that seems to be underpriced or simply too good to be true, it probably is; but you may not be aware of just how many different ways there are to pull a swift one when it comes to adulterating coal!

I spoke to a well-known coal boater this month about some of the scams and tricks that unscrupulous merchants may use to increase their profit margins at the expense of their end clients, and what I learned surprised me.

clean and hot, and is a relatively ‘pure’ fuel; assuming that you are buying the real thing. However, as Supertherm’s appearance was originally that of simple round cobbles, it was not difficult in practice for any number of cheaper, lower grade fuels to be bagged and substituted for Supertherm, and sold as such to its end users.

Burnwell, for instance, is a low grade, semi-smokeless fuel from the economy end of the scale, which is not authorised for use in smoke-controlled areas, and is the fuel most commonly substituted for Supertherm by those with their eye on the bottom line and not their client’s satisfaction. The poor performance that then results from burning this bait-andswitch ‘Supertherm’ is commonly blamed on ‘a bad batch’ or other intangibles.

Common smokeless fuel scams and tricks

Supertherm Supertherm is a high-grade branded smokeless coal, which is authorised for use in smoke-controlled areas. It burns

Genuine Supertherm nuggets have an indent mark.

How can you avoid the scam?

Supertherm’s genuine manufacturers soon cottoned on to the fact that the product was commonly being substituted with cheaper alternatives, and in order to counteract this, introduced an indent mark onto the genuine product’s nuggets in order to avoid counterfeiting. If the indent is not present, it is not Supertherm, and don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise!

A basic toolkit for boaters Howard Williams is a marine and land electrician with many years’ experience of boat electrics and is the managing director of Boatelec Ltd. In this new series he will deal with an aspect of boat electrics each month.

I THOUGHT it would be good to start by looking at a basic tool kit for boat electrics. This is intended to enable the DIY boater to carry out routine maintenance and fix faults on the 12-volt system. It is not intended for mains use. This can be kept in with your other tools or in a separate small toolbox. Remember to keep it somewhere easy to find in the dark!

Electrician’s screwdrivers as shown in the photo are best. The insulated handle and blade makes short circuits across the batteries or elsewhere much less likely. The more expensive yellow and orange ones intended for professional

How can you avoid the scam?

Burnwell has a gritty feel to it.

Supertherm is also very hard and almost shiny in appearance, while Burnwell has a gritty feel to it.

The other sign, of course, is the price: if you are being offered Supertherm at well below the rate that anyone else sells it for, the chances are it is something else. Genuine merchants cannot afford to sell the genuine product with a nonexistent or minimal mark-up, so if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Finally, you can tell whether or not you are burning genuine Supertherm by its behaviour; Supertherm is smokeless, Burnwell is not.

Excel Excel is a mid-grade smokeless fuel that is very popular with boaters, being slightly less refined than Supertherm, and with a slightly lower price tag. Excel is also authorised for use in smokecontrolled areas. As with most other smokeless fuels, Excel looks pretty much like any other bag of nuggets, and in particular, looks a lot like a couple of fuels that go under other names, including Excel Glow and Stoveglow.

The bait-and-switch game here is virtually identical to the

Smokeless fuel basics

The modern production of smokeless coal has opened the field up for all sorts of interesting chemistry tricks, as smokeless coal nuggets are uniform in size and appearance, providing the opportunity to adulterate or copy the recipe. Smokeless fuel is comprised of a mixture of coal, tar, cement and aggregate, converted to powder form and then compressed into the uniform nuggets that we all recognise.

While each different brand of smokeless coal is, of course, slightly different in its makeup, alterations to these four core ingredients are where the smokeless coal-based scams tend to arise.

Supertherm/Burnwell scam. Excel Glow and Stoveglow are considered to be near the bottom of the quality ladder of processed fuels, and the nuggets found within any one bag are generally incredibly variable, so that the fuel’s behaviour is also variable and unpredictable, ranging from burning fast and hot to being virtually impossible to light or keep going.

Excel Glow and Stoveglow, like Burnwell, are not authorised for use in smoke-controlled areas.

electricians are good if you can afford them. You will find that many electrical wholesalers and DIY shops sell cheaper, similar looking, ranges which are okay for DIY use. Avoid sets, just get the ones you need.

I have never found small ‘terminal’ screwdrivers very useful. For most applications on a boat you are better with a flat blade screwdriver with a shaft about 100mm long and a tip about 4mm. This is a very useful size.

I would also suggest a bigger flat blade with a 6mm tip and a Pozidrive no2 tip which is often needed to open up panelling etc. Pozidrive no1, Phillips tip and stubbies could also be added, but these are the basics.

Excel looks pretty much like any other bag of nuggets.

Along with screwdrivers, side cutters are used all the time by electricians for cutting and, with care to avoid damaging the cable, for stripping insulation. The ones shown with the black grips are Bahco and are my personal favourite, but are probably too expensive for DIY use. Get the best you can afford and go for ones with plenty of insulation to avoid sparks.

I have also shown a pair made by ‘nws’ with round blades in the jaws for stripping and also two dies for occasional crimping of terminals.

Crimping and terminals are a subject which I will cover in more depth in the future.

I would not normally recommend using adjustable spanners, but for this type of toolkit, and if used carefully, the stubby type shown is very good. They fit a wide variety of nuts and bolts and avoid keeping several spanners. The one shown is made by Hi Tech and has a completely insulated grip which avoids the risk of short circuits, particularly when working on batteries.

Various ‘multi tools’ and engineers’ pliers could be included, but the ones I would always have are snipe nosed or radio pliers as shown. These are great for holding cables and terminals in confined spaces, putting small nuts on to bolts

Unlike Supertherm and Burnwell, Excel and the cheaper alternatives appear virtually identical in the bag, but the cheaper alternatives are slightly more gritty and crumbly, and more likely to have broken nuggets in the bag. Again, if the price is ringing alarm bells with you, this is usually a good indicator too.

While it is relatively uncommon to find other fuels such as Excel Glow substituted outright for Excel, and bagged as such, some merchants will play on the similarity of the names, and attempt to convince buyers that the two fuels are identical or very similar.

Coke People who need a hot-burning coal usually choose anthracite or pet-coke, and the first scam here involves adulterating the bag with the addition of lower-grade fuels to make the weight up.

The second scam is carried out at source, where the nuggets are produced; the coke itself is diluted with hardcore and other worthless waste such as rubble, in order to make up the weight, while minimising the use of the genuine fuel.

How can you avoid the scam?

Lower-grade fuels interspersed with what should be pure coke tend to look shiny and clump/melt together when burnt. The bagged product will also be less brittle and have sharper edges than genuine pet-coke or anthracite.

Coke that has been diluted at source with rubble and hardcore will tend to produce emptier bags when filled and weighed, as the addition of all that rubbish makes up the weight without totally filling the bag in the way that you would normally expect.

and a large number of other tasks.

Care should be taken with the long jaws which can easily short between terminals.

A head torch is always worthwhile leaving hands free and making it possible to see in difficult areas as well as in poor light.

A piece of connector block and some tape as well as a couple of metres of cable (about boat lighting cable diameter) should always be in there. Tape is fraught with difficulty these days as they are changing the PVC. Try and get tape that feels flexible, vinyl-like, sticky and stretchy. Avoid the papery feeling stuff which won’t stretch and doesn’t stick well.

Finally, a selection of fuses of the correct type for your boat.

Remember that those on the engine or around the batteries for bilge pumps or solar panels may well be different types.

A multimeter, is highly desirable and I will cover these next month. If you are uncertain what type to buy, I suggest you wait until then!

TOP RIGHT: A basic toolkit for the DIY boater. This is intended for 12-volt use only. PHOTOS SUPPLIED BOTTOM RIGHT|: An example of screwdriver tips.

Nuggets can be incredibly variable.

The weight trick Manufacturers and merchants best avoided will also sometimes soak their coal in water before they bag it, in order to reach the bagged weight using less product. The coal itself will look and feel soaking wet, and of course, be very smoky when you first burn it.

It is important to note that bagged coal is, of course, rarely kept under cover, and with the winter weather being what it is, coal that has been in the hold of a coal boat for a few days will soon get wet too!

One simple way to tell if you have fallen foul of the added water scam or if your coal has simply got wet in transit, is to weigh it. Correctly bagged coal will weigh more than the label weight when wet, while deliberately water-soaked coal will still weigh in at the bag’s label weight.

Support your local coal boats and boating businesses Unscrupulous manufacturers, merchants and resellers may be prone to pulling these tricks on the unsuspecting, but merchants and sellers that rely solely or mainly on the boating trade for their income are highly unlikely to shoot themselves in the foot by trying to rip their regular clients off.

Coal boaters and canal side merchants themselves are only too aware of the tricks sometimes plied by others in the trade, and of course, this directly affects their own business and bottom line too when they are undercut by chancers and scam-merchants.

If you support your local coal boats and other boating businesses when it comes to sourcing your winter coal, and take their informed advice on what fuels are best for you, you are unlikely to fall foul of any of the common scams that some other merchants and sellers may attempt in their bid to make a quick buck.

PRODUCTS & REVIEWS 51

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

IWAI and the Waterways of Ireland THE Inland Waterways Association was formed in Great Britain in 1946 and in the same year writer L T C Rolt embarked on a circular journey along the Shannon, the Grand and Royal Canals, writes Alison Alderton.

It was a time when Ireland’s waterways were in decline and Rolt later published a colourful portrayal of the trip in his book Green and Silver.

The formation of this association along with Rolt’s book and proposals to replace the Shannon’s lift bridges with fixed spans, limiting craft plying its waters inspired and prompted the formation of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI).

The first official meeting of the IWAI in 1954 attracted some 200 like-minded people who had the foresight to come together with the shared aims of promoting traffic on the rivers and canals, opposing any obstructions and campaigning for the conservation and preservation of working navigations.

It became a great social leveller binding together some unlikely characters sharing a common cause such as founder Harry Rice, a retired British Army colonel and Sean McBride, a dedicated Republican.

Today the IWAI boasts a membership of around 3500 who carry on the work of their predecessors. The commitment of each and every member has resulted in the achievement of many great feats and overcome many challenges which have ensured that boats can still enjoy free access on the inland waterways from Limerick to Beleek and further afield.

In celebration of the

WHAT’S NEW

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

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

Canal volunteer turns author

Author Brian Cassells with contributor Alison Alderton. PHOTO: ROGER

THEY may be tough and hard-working, but the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s volunteer work party has hidden depths.

Roy Stringer has been on the work party for many years, doing a variety of hard manual work such as mixing and barrowing concrete to help build walls and locks. He owns, and is licensed to use, a chainsaw with which he has helped to clear vast amounts of scrub along the canal.

HARRINGTON

Association’s 60-year history a new book entitled IWAI and the Waterways of Ireland has been launched at events in Athlone, Dublin and Lisburn. Written and compiled by author and past president of the IWAI Brain Cassells OBE, this has been two years in the creating and contains contributions from IWAI members including Alison Alderton, Ruth Delany and Dick Warner. These reveal fascinating and personal reminisces of the buildings, events, people and waterways which have shaped the IWAI and which if not recorded would eventually be lost in the mists of time.

Giving a detailed insight, this book contains sections on the Association’s most prominent figures, the waterways of Ireland, the individual IWAI branches, its rallies and achievements made over the years. Enhanced by hundreds of photographs it is a lavish publication which can be dipped into time and time again and is a must have for anyone with an interest in Ireland’s wonderful inland waterways.

IWAI and the Waterways of Ireland, published by Cottage Publications is priced at €15 or £12 + P&P and is available through the IWAI bookshop: www.shop.iwai.ie

A stylish bag for your laptop Reviewer: Jason Carpenter

I STILL remember the day when, if you wanted to take your computer with you, it pretty much meant hiring a couple of removal vans to help you transport it. Thankfully, technology has advanced so much now that those days are long gone and we are now able to carry them with us wherever we like and thankfully, there are better ways to do this than using a plastic bag from a discount store...

The be.ez LE Reporter is a sleek and stylish bag designed for MacBook Pro 13in and 15in and Macbook Air 11in. Although I don’t have a Macbook of any shape and size, I do have a 15in laptop and found that there was plenty of space to slide in the laptop with all the leads that accompany it thanks to the two slip pockets on the inside.

A Velcro flap secures your laptop in place and a zipped pocket on the front gives you fast access to documents, books or even the latest copy of Towpath Talk! There is also a pocket on the back which will allow for a small device like a mobile phone or a book.

Not only will the bag keep everything secure, it has a PVC surface and is extremely comfortable thanks to the nylon strap with shoulder pad.

Priced £59.50; available from Amazon.co.uk

And this one’s waterproof Reviewer: Jason Carpenter

IF A one-strap laptop bag doesn’t take your fancy then check out the LE Bag Pro. Again, this is available in two sizes to be compatible with 13in and 15-17in computers and features a plethora of pockets and secret compartments to keep your laptop safe and your other items secure.

You can really tell that there has been a lot of time spent on the development of the LE Pro as it features little ideas that you wouldn’t normally associate with a bag, such as a soft lining on one of the pockets which is designed specifically to dampen the sounds of your keys when they jingle around.

It is little touches like this and the attention to detail that sets apart the LE pro from most laptop bags and is really worth a look. Not only is it enjoyable and comfortable to carry on your shoulders it features another detail that will appeal to us living in the UK and enjoying the waterways… it’s got a raincover!

Priced £90; available from amazon.co.uk

Roy Stringer at work on the Staveley Town Lock. PHOTO: CHESTERFIELD CANAL TRUST

However, when he gets home and changes out of his working gear, he is transformed into a veritable wordsmith. He has penned several books, the latest of which is called Ruffled Feathers.

When ‘Queasy’ Morgan, a shady nightclub owner, tries to put the screws on an old people’s home, he gets a lot more than he bargained for. Helped by Charlie and Tiny, two of his henchmen with misgivings, the residents retaliate.

But Morgan’s problems don’t end there. When his parrot falls ill – he blames the residents – he’s forced to travel overland to the central African republic of Madoqualand for a cure. En route he almost causes a diplomatic incident in Paris, risks a charge of indecent exposure in Turkey and struggles with a water phobia. To cap it all, an over-sexed wildlife ranger gets the hots for the poor man when he arrives at her isolated ranger station.

Zany and fast moving, Ruffled Feathers presents an alternative snapshot of residential care in the 21st century. But will Morgan return home safely? And what does his parrot think about it all?

Meanwhile, Roy can be seen every Sunday, come rain or shine, at Staveley Basin helping to build the new Staveley Town Lock.

Ruffled Feathers, is available in paperback from Amazon or Lulu.com for £8.99, and as a Kindle download at £1.99.

Must-read guide if you’re heading for the French canals Reviewer: Harry Arnold

THE FACT that Through the French Canals has run to a 13th edition is a recommendation in itself. Since it was initially researched and compiled by the late expert on Continental waterways, Phillip Bristow, in 1970 there has literally been a flood of publications on the French rivers and canals; many of which he also wrote. Some bigger and more lavishly illustrated, some more detailed as guides to individual waterways.

Although you may wish to have one of these for a more intimate look at a navigation, this is the basic standard work that I wouldn’t want to be without; either on the bookshelf for planning a cruise or as a handy-sized instant guide and reference work on the boat or travelling generally in France.

With the death of Phillip Bristow, David Jefferson has kept up his work researching and documenting the changes in each subsequent edition. As he says there have been many changes in both traffic – commercial and pleasure – and particularly in regulations. In its fact-packed 320 pages this book covers virtually all you need to know.

I particularly like the grouping and division of the system into routes and areas. As the title implies it is designed to get you successfully ‘through’ the network, from and to specific destinations. Each route is clearly defined and laid out with the facts on coloured panels and on accompanying maps.

There is a whole comprehensive need-to-know section for the skipper, covering the usual cruising and navigation instructions

such as that on the right type of boat, using locks, bridge and tunnels dimensions and so on. But also lots on being there and living within France, such as a handy vocabulary of shopping and weather forecasting terminology, the cost of living, location of navigation authority offices, public holidays, weights and measures, car hire and getting your mail while abroad.

Even pets are covered: How to get them to and from France and their health while they are there.

Would you know what to do if your dog got a tapeworm? Well this book has the details. And for the wine lover, this new edition lists the local regional varieties. After all, what else do you go to France for? And the quality of the photographs alone will tempt many to take their boat to the location illustrated.

Altogether a great standard work of its type: Not only for those cruising in France but also as a handy guide for visitors by other forms of transport to seek out the delights of the country’s waterways.

Through the French Canals, 13th Edition, by David Jefferson (softback) is published by Adlard Coles Nautical (Bloomsbury Publishing Plc) at £19.99.

ISBN: 978-1-4729-0038-8

A rescue story – the Hereford & Gloucester Canal Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

THE last 35 years have been a time of transformation for the Hereford & Gloucester Canal.

This waterway running through some of the most beautiful countryside in England was described in the late 1970s as being more ‘lost in obscurity’ than any other.

It is now the subject of a leading canal restoration project by the Hereford and Gloucester Canal Trust, and the story of the canal’s history and this ambitious project are told in this fascinating and richly illustrated book.

Rescued from Obscurity by Richard Skeet is published by the trust in softback and is priced £10.

Copies are available from H&GCT chairman Janet Moult jmoult@tiscali.co.uk or via the H&GCT website www.h-g-canal.org.uk with £2 added for post and packing.

ISBN: 978-0-9929441-0-0

Showing the way – the River Avon Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

AN excellent navigation and visitor guide to the River Avon from Tewkesbury to Stratfordupon-Avon comes from the Avon Navigation Trust.

This second edition of The River Avon Visitor and Navigation Guide includes a foreword by canal laureate Jo Bell, in which she describes the Avon as ‘a good-looking charmer with a hundred stories to tell’.

Comprehensive but concise and attractive and userfriendly, the guide is in hardy softback.

Contact the Avon Navigation Trust at office@avonnavigationtrust.org or visit www.avonnavigationtrust.org ISBN: 978-0-9564156-8-4

A journey down the Wisbech Canal A NEW local history book A Pictorial Journey down the Wisbech Canal is a comprehensive record of the canal with many maps and illustrations displaying the history of Fenland water courses.

It includes the digging of the Wisbech Canal, transportation, filling the canal, the Wisbech to Upwell Tram and the Well Stream.

The book features many locations in and around West Norfolk including rare images of Wisbech, Elm, Emneth and Outwell.

The Wisbech Canal featured in the area from 1797 to 1971, its working life ended in 1922.

The author William Smith is a retired site service support engineer who started researching Fenland waterways around 45

years ago. It is his fourth local history book.

His last book, Discovering Upwell, was awarded a certificate of merit by the Cambridgeshire Association for Local History.

A Pictorial Journey down the Wisbech Canal is available from Wisbech Museum and many post offices in the area or online from www.carrillson.co.uk

52 TOWPATH TRADER

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TOWPATH TRADER 53

54 WHAT’S ON

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WHAT’S ON 55

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

Compiled by Janet Richardson

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

Coombeswood open weekend is set to return in 2015 THE Coombeswood Canal Trust’s Open Weekend is returning in 2015 after its absence in 2014.

To be held over the weekend Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10, the event is free to the public.

It provides an opportunity to visit Hawne Basin, learn about the work of the trust in promoting the use of the

Dudley Number 2 Canal and to have a day out for the whole family to enjoy.

Over the weekend, a real ale bar and refreshments will be available as well as craft stalls, waterways society displays,

G All enquiries to Jon Jones, c/o Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, telephone 01215 501355, email coombeswood@btconnect.com

Maintenance courses

A celebration held at Welshpool in 2009 to commemorate the Big Dig. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Making Waves along the Montgomery Canal in 2015 THE programme has been announced for Making Waves, an ambitious series of events next year to bring life to the Montgomery Canal in Wales.

From March to July, Making Waves events will highlight aspects of the canal, with activities on the canal, on the towpath and alongside the canal, culminating in a festival weekend on July 4-5, the Welsh Waterways Festival.

Events will be organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, the Heulwen Trust, the Llimeys (the Friends of Llanymynech Limeworks) and Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre.

For the first time, 2015 will see the boats of the Heulwen Trust run regular public trips, with joint ticketing giving discounted admission to Powis Castle and the Welshpool & Llanfair Railway.

Special weekends will be given over to canoes and coracles, including relay races in coracles.

The Welsh Waterway Festival weekend will see visiting boats of different shapes and sizes coming to the canal, powered by outboard motor, steam or electricity.

Michael Limbrey, chairman of Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, said: “Making Waves has been put together by a team of local canal supporters with the help of Welshpool Town Council and the Canal & River Trust.

“The Montgomery Canal is a unique part of our

national waterway network. Developed 200 years ago to benefit the borders of Montgomeryshire and Shropshire, the canal helped the agricultural and industrial development of Welshpool and Newtown, surviving as ‘a branch line’ until the 1930s.

“The 12-mile section of the canal centred on Welshpool is open to navigation and the Canal & River Trust has been helping us to ensure that it is in a good state for visiting boats next year.

Our festival on July 4-5 will be at the wharf in the centre of town opened by the Prince of Wales some years ago. This will be an ideal place to show the town a canal alive with boats, celebrating its heritage, as a foretaste of what will come when mid-Wales is linked to canal towns across England and Wales.”

G Making Waves is supported by the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust, the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, and the Inland Waterways Association’s Shrewsbury, District & North Wales branch.

Details of Making Waves events will be announced on the website MakingWaves2015.co.uk and can be followed on Twitter @MakingWaves2015

RIVER Canal Rescue has announced dates for its 2015 boat and engine maintenance courses.

Run monthly from January to August at Alvechurch Marina near Birmingham, topics covered include: diesel engines, transmissions, boat plumbing, boat electrics, lay-up and refit procedures.

The courses combine theory with practical demonstrations and participation and are ideal for owners keen to learn more about basic boat engine maintenance and electric systems.

A two-day weekend course costs £100 run by Keith Duffy (ex RCR engineer) and Howard Williams (electrical specialist).

Maintenance course dates: January 17-18, January 24-25 (tailored for London liveaboards), February 14-15, March 1415, April 11-12, May 16-17, July 11-12 and August 8-9.

Electrics course dates: February 21-22, April 18-19, June 13-14 and August 22-23.

Additional courses can be run to meet demand either at Alvechurch Marina or a boat clubhouse. www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/courses/boat-enginemaintenance/ email enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk or call 01785 785680.

Start the year at the London Boat Show BEGIN your own journey of discovery at the 2015 London Boat Show from January 9-18 at ExCel, where boats and new products will be on display as well as talks, seminars and the chance to

various activities, games and a trip boat running up to and into Gosty Hill Tunnel. In addition to this it is hoped that there will be birds of prey on display and boat horses towing the trust’s butty boat Malus.

meet boating personalities.

Adult tickets start at £15 in advance, with two children aged 15 and under going free with every adult ticket. For ticket information visit www.londonboatshow.com

Free open day at National Waterways THE National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port is hosting a free open day on Saturday, January 24, from 10am to 4pm.

Led by friendly staff and volunteers, a behind-thescenes tour will start at the historic boatyard and end in the national archives. It will be interesting for all ages.

See what’s below the water line AN OPEN day is being held by the Canal & River Trust on Saturday, January 24, at Lock 4 on the Grand Union Canal at Braunston where new lock gates are being fitted.

There will be a chance to descend steps to take a look at the historic brickwork and view the lock from a different perspective between 10am and 4pm.

Parking will be available at the Admiral Nelson Pub, Dark Lane, Daventry, Braunston NN11 7HJ, which is right next to the lock.

56 WHAT’S ON/NEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Traditional tales come to Puppet Barge

The ghost of Christmas present.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

SEASONAL favourite A Christmas Carol is this year’s festive offering on board the Puppet Theatre Barge.

It runs until Sunday, January 11, with performances on Saturdays and Sundays and daily from Monday to Friday, December 22-26, and December 29 to January 2, all at 3pm.

Dickens’ well-loved story features the mean old miser, Scrooge, who is visited by the Christmas ghosts and transformed into a jovial, generous old man.

Presented with marionettes

WHAT’S ON IN JANUARY

and shadow puppets, special effects and dramatic lighting, this is an exciting and magical experience for the festive season.

And another traditional tale, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf Who Tried To Eat Her, opens on Saturday, January 17.

Specially commissioned by the Puppet Theatre Barge, prizewinning writer Deborah Jones retells the popular story of Little Red Riding Hood with poetic beauty, humour and a new twist to the tale.

Red Riding Hood and the Wolf

Who Tried To Eat Her is presented with original music, and effects and is an enchanting show for both adults and children down to three years of age.

There will be performances

every Saturday at 11am and 3pm and every Sunday at 3pm until Sunday, March 15.

During half-term week from Monday to Friday, February 16-20, there will be shows daily at 3pm.

G Described as “one of London’s more elusive treasures”, the Puppet Theatre Barge is moored at Little Venice, Blomfield Road, London W9 2PF (Warwick Avenue tube station). It is an established 55-seat theatre with all modern facilities.

Tickets: Adults £12, children £8.50, concessions £10, no booking fee. Contact the box office on 0207 249 6876 or online at www.puppetbarge.com

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.

January 1

January 13

January 18

IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross – Granary Square – St Pancras. Starts King’s Cross taxi rank at 2pm.

Costs £9, £7 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 02084 589476.

IWA Chester and Merseyside: Journeys ‘over the water’ – the Mersey ferries and their destinations by Ken Pye, managing director of Discover Liverpool. Tom Rolt Conference Centre, National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port CH65 4FW. 7.45pm. Bar and coffee-making facilities available.

IWA Middlesex: Crofton Beam Engines by Jon Willis. Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2QX. Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start. Contact Lucy at middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk

IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: Islington – Hoxton. Starts Angel tube station at 2.30pm. Costs £9, £7 student/concs.

Contact Roger Wilkinson 02084 589476.

January 4 IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: Little Venice – Camden. Starts Warwick Avenue tube station at 2.30pm. Costs £9, £7 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 02084 589476.

January 6

January 16

Worcester, Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society: Illustrated talk by Connie Swann of the Milestones Society. The Meeting Room, Alvechurch Boat Centre, Scarfield Wharf B48 7SQ, adjacent to The Weighbridge pub.

Information: www.wbdcs.org.uk

Boat Museum Society: Ellesmere Port docks – how they changed between 1795 and 2015 by Cath Turpin. Rolt Conference Centre at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FW, 7.30pm. Bar, everyone welcome.

Trent & Mersey Canal Society: CRT: Manchester and Pennine – Winter maintenance, waterway manager David Baldacchino will give an update. The Big Lock, Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9DN, 7.45 for 8pm.

IWA East Yorkshire: Aqueducts – the wonder of the waterways by Paul Waddington. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4BD, 8-10pm. £2 inc. refreshments. Contact roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk 01482 845099.

January 8 Birmingham Canal Navigations Society: Care on the Cut, Sister Mary and Boaters’ Health, Della Sadler-Moore. Titford Pumphouse, Engine Street, Oldbury B69 4NL, 7.30pm. Contact Phil Clayton 01902 780920.

Macclesfield Canal Society: The restoration of Bugsworth Basin by Ian Edgar.

Macclesfield Liberal Club, Boden Street, Macclesfield SK11 6LL, 7.30 for 7.45pm. www.macclesfieldcanal.org.uk Southampton Canal Society: Members’ annual waterways photographic evening and competition.

Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ, 7.45pm. Visitors welcome. Contact 02380 675312, www.sotoncs.org.uk

He’s behind you! Red Riding Hood and the Wolf.

January 17 Weedon Art Group: Fun with charcoal, suitable for all levels of experience. Scout Hut, New Street, Weedon. £15. Contact Libby Hart 01327 341816, weedonart@btinternet.com

January 19 IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcester: Stratford Canal, 50th anniversary of restoration

by Clive Henderson. Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise, Halesowen, West Midlands B62 8AW, 7.15 for 7.30pm.

Contact Chris Osborn 01299 832593, jcosborn@btinternet.com

January 21 IWA Lichfield: Curious cuts, illustrated talk by Phillip Clayton on some of the odder aspects of canals in the UK and abroad. Martin Heath Hall, Christchurch Lane (off Walsall Road), Lichfield WS13 8AY, 7.15 for 7.30pm.

January 22 IWA Chester & Merseyside waterway walks: Little Neston. Starting at the Lady Hamilton, Henley Road, Little Neston CH64 0SG, this walk of about 4.3 miles follows the marshy shoreline of the River Dee and passes the renowned Ness Gardens. OS Explorer 266. Map reference 295.

Starts 10.15am, open to non-members. Lunch can be booked on morning.

January 25 IWA Avon & Wiltshire: Annual Sunday lunch at the Bristol Golf Club, Blackhorse Hill, Almondsbury, Bristol BS10 7TP (close to M5 Jct17 on the A4055). 12.30 for 1pm. Threecourse lunch with tea/coffee £21, members of

other branches very welcome. For bookings contact Geoff Harman 01179 623812, harman@lampeter99.plus.com

January 26 IWA Milton Keynes: The Jubilee River Pageant by participant Kathryn Dodington. Milton Keynes Village Pavilion, Worrelle Avenue, Middleton, Milton Keynes MK10 9AD (accessed off Tongwell Street V11), 7.45pm.

January 27 Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: Sustrans talk

by Stuart Dare. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 8pm. Admission £2 members, £3 non-members.

January 28 IWA Chiltern: The Canal du Midi, Gillian and Peter Bolt talk about a recent cruise and the history of the canal built to link the Atlantic and the Med. Little Chalfont Village Hall, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks HP8 4UD. 8pm. All welcome to attend. Contact 01932 248178.

January 31 Buckingham Canal Society: AGM and social evening with guest speaker Richard Parry.

Buckingham Community Centre, Cornwalls Meadow, Buckingham MK18 1RP, 7.15pm.

Cheese, wine and light refreshments available.

Contact Athina Beckett, 01908 661217, athina.beckett@buckinghamcanal.org.uk Weedon Art Group: Pen and wash, a variety of techniques. Scout Hut, New Street, Weedon. £15. Contact Libby Hart 01327 341816, weedonart@btinternet.com

Wonderful winter – but it demands respect from boaters WINTER boating can be a wonderful experience, gliding through a landscape of skeletal trees, highlighted by a low, pale sun, with frost sparkling on every blade of grass.

Even the light crunch of thin ice breaking under your bow can become a hypnotic accompaniment to your journey; but there is a narrow line between enjoyment and becoming a hazard to yourself and others.

Simon Jenkins, managing director of Norbury Wharf Ltd and a boater with decades of experience, said: “If the canal does become iced over it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are stuck, unless it’s that thick you can’t break it, but if you can break the ice there are other issues to consider.

“You should certainly be mindful of other boats that are moored up; the noise of breaking ice inside a boat sounds horrible and a large sheet of ice being pushed horizontally into another boat may cause damage to fragile GRP and wooden craft.

“Also remember that if you have to go around bends then you will struggle, as a narrowboat tends to go in a straight line when breaking ice.”

He says winter cruising can be some of the best cruising to be done, the canal system can be very quiet indeed and the scenery takes on a totally different appearance, but Simon warns there are several dangers the winter boater needs to take into account.

He said: “Steel boats can be

A winter towpath is a different, if charming, environment

very slippery indeed and even the most experienced boater can come unstuck; always make sure you have a good footing and hand hold when moving around boats.

“I am speaking from experience here; I lost my footing on a gunwale in the winter, luckily I had a good grip on the hand rail but I still managed to end up with a leg in the canal and a soggy foot! When moving around locks be extra careful and again when crossing lock gates make sure you have a good grip on the rail; falling in the water in the winter can be even more life threatening than at other times.

“Do not take anything for granted in the winter. Keep topping up the water tank at every opportunity as you never know when the next drop in temperatures will freeze the water points. Keep a good stock of coal, diesel and gas, not all boatyards are open all year around, and if you end up being iced in then you will want to be self-sufficient.

“It make sense to always make sure there is antifreeze in the engine and it is a good idea to have the batteries checked too; they will take much more of a pounding in the winter months, the long nights and the cold weather will certainly show any weaknesses in their performance.

“When cruising take your mooring ropes off and pop them inside in the warm, this helps keep them from freezing; it’s really difficult to tie up a frozen rope.

“If you need to venture down the weed-hatch, put a kettle of boiling water in there first. This is really good at keeping the top of the water warm for a while when you have your hands down there (obviously check the temperature after putting the water in to make sure it doesn’t scald you). It won’t make all of the water warm but it does help.

“And watch out for them pesky leaves, they can be a real nightmare. I suggest that after every bridge you just go from forward to reverse and back into forward gear; don’t rev the engine in reverse, you just want to stop the rotation of the propeller for a split second so that the leaves can drop off, and away you go again with your speed unimpeded. Leaves will not only slow you down, but they make your engine work harder and ultimately cost you more in fuel too.”

Winterising tips

For those not convinced of the joys of winter cruising there is the task of winterising your boat to ensure it comes to no harm in the cold weather.

If you have an electric hook-up it’s easy, says Simon.

Icebreaking with one of Norbury’s day boats. PHOTOS SUPPLIED “You can leave radiators on the frost setting in the areas that are vulnerable to frost damage, this is common practice on seagoing boats that have electric hook-ups.”

If you moor off-grid there is a list of tasks to protect against the elements. Simon explains: “Firstly the engine must have antifreeze, there is not a recommended amount to add, basically the more that there is in the system the lower the freezing point. We tend to protect our hire fleet down to minus 20º.

“Make sure that the batteries have clean tops and covering the batteries is also a good idea.

“There are two ways you can treat the domestic water system, the first is drain the water tank down, disconnect the water pump and blow any remaining water out of the water system. It is also important to disconnect the hot water cylinder and get the water out of that, and if you have a gas water boiler then that

too needs to be drained down.

“Secondly, there are products on the market that are antifreeze that you add to the domestic water system so that it does not need to be drained down. These are specifically designed for this purpose and also have antibacterial agents so it cleans the system too. Once the spring comes you just flush the water out with clean water so there is no need to put everything back together. We have used these products in the past and have had excellent results.

“The central heating system also needs to be protected with antifreeze, this is the same as the engine with respect to the amount required. Lastly, but not least, put some antifreeze down the waste outlets, and where there is a shower drain pump fitted, that too needs to be protected with some antifreeze.

“Then isolate the boat in your normal manner and lock it up for the winter.”

57

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOATING

HO LIDAYS Canal breaks and river cruising in the UK, Ireland and Europe

An experience not to be missed in 2015 WITH a base at the historic location of Runnymede, French Brothers Ltd is looking forward to the 2015 season as it will mark the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.

Group organisers should not miss the opportunity to join a year of celebrations by taking a themed boat trip.

With important Magna Carta sites lying on both sides of the Thames, visitors will get to see them from the comfort of their seat on the upper deck.

Trips include lunch and tea cruises as well as combined trips with the nearby Savill Garden and vintage cruises on a 100year-old steam boat, as well as a trip to Windsor.

Sites include the Magna Carta memorial, John F Kennedy and Air Forces memorials, Runnymede, Ankerwycke Priory,

Lucy Fisher was built for the Warner Brothers’ film about Tarzan.

Ankerwycke Yew and Magna Carta Island.

For school visits, a short trip on the Lucy Fisher – a paddle steamer built for the Warner Brothers’ film about Tarzan – is suggested. Lasting 45 minutes, children see all of the Magna

Carta sights and with a special commentary fun is combined with learning.

Charters are also available to participate in the special Magna Carta river pageant taking place on June 13-14, when a flotilla of boats will cruise the Thames.

G French Brothers can be contacted on 01753 827345 or visit www.frenchbrothers.co.uk

Hire company trials smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

By Harry Arnold

MAJOR hire boat operator ABC Leisure Group Limited (ABC) has been working with Aico – a market leader in high-quality smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms – in an extensive trial of the latter’s products onboard its boats.

Aico supplied 50 standalone battery CO alarms and 50 standalone battery optical smoke alarms for the trial, to see if they were suitable for use on board narrowboats.

Both the standalone battery CO alarms and the standalone optical battery smoke alarms

An Aico CO alarm fitted in a narrowboat. PHOTO SUPPLIED

used in this study have been designed with sealed-in lithium batteries, overcoming the problem of battery removal.

They meet European standards and have a 10-year life.

The battery unit is not only tamperproof but being lithium (rather than standard AA) cannot be used to replace batteries in other devices.

The standalone battery CO alarms from Aico have a proven CO sensor, which is precalibrated and tested in CO gas to ensure accuracy. It is approved to BS EN 50291-2:2010 standard, making it suitable for use in recreational units, including caravans and boats.

Aico also provided practical advice to ABC on where to site the units, as this is an important consideration in the prevention of false alarms and is one of the

key factors in the boat industry that has deterred operators from their general usage.

During the 12-month trial of the Aico products, there have been no false alarms or reported problems, making the trial a success.

ABC is impressed with the results, and marketing and sales director, Haley Hadley, said: “We feel these are important safety devices but the previous alarms we tried had a large number of false alarms. We are very happy with the new alarms.”

Aico says that having a CO alarm in a narrowboat is essential as they are often powered by diesel, have wood-burning stoves, gas burners or other combustible fuel appliances; all potential sources of CO.

G More information from Aico on www.aico.co.uk ABC is supplying the alarms from www.abcwebchandler.com with free delivery.

APCO holds successful AGM weekend in Warwick MEMBERS of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) and guests gathered for the association’s AGM and autumn conference in midNovember at Warwick.

The event was held in the room at the historic Warwick Arms Hotel where public meetings were held in the 18th century to launch proposals for both the Warwick & Birmingham and Warwick & Napton canals – an appropriate location for looking back to Britain’s canal history and looking forward to the future use of our waterways.

At the formal part of AGM the current chairman, Tim Parker, retired after three years at the head of the association during which he has had to deal with the transfer of the British Waterways’ network to the Canal & River Trust (CRT).

Summarising his time in office, Tim said: “We have survived a major recession, with a decline in holiday bookings and boatbuilding, the number of hire boats at its lowest since 1992 and problems over moorings, plus droughts and floods. But – with reports of an up to 50% increase in bookings for 2015 – we are hopefully looking at an upturn and a secure future for APCO members.”

Ann Davies of Napton Narrowboats was then unanimously elected as the new APCO chairman; a position that she has held in the past.

The 83 APCO members and guests participated in a full day of very informative talks and discussions on many current matters affecting the boating industry and the waterways. Keynote lead speaker was CRT chief executive, Richard Parry, who gave an update on the work of the trust; in particular that affecting boat operation.

Officers of the British Marine Federation (BMF) and APCO gave presentations on technical matters such as changes to the Boat Safety Scheme, hire boats on the Thames Tideway and the new Hire Boat Handover & Boatyard Accreditation Scheme.

CRT regional engineer, Sally Boddy – who hosted APCO members on a visit to works on the Sutton Weaver Swing Bridge at last year’s AGM – returned to detail the completed project and outline current CRT engineering inspection procedures. This included a somewhat amusing but effective demonstration of how the swing bridge operates involving two plastic buckets.

After lunch, Katie Lawrence of Hoseasons gave an enlightening presentation on current UK holiday statistics and trends, particularly those affecting the boat hire industry. A discussion covering a wide range of subjects – particularly on how to attract a younger age group to waterways holidays – followed.

Retiring APCO chairman, Tim Parker, with new chairman, Ann Davies, and keynote speaker CRT chief executive, Richard Parry.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Closing the AGM the new chairman, Ann Davies, summarised the most successful day and – referring to co-operation with CRT – said: “Many APCO members work with their local CRT Partnership. I know that this also entails many additional meetings but we do this as volunteers for the benefit of all. During my chairmanship I hope to push forward the new Quality Accredited Boatyard scheme, just as APCO piloted the original hire boat handover. I thank everyone for their time, effort, and continued support to ensure the success of our industry.”

On the previous evening, member companies of The Hotel Boat division of APCO held their own group meeting to review and discuss progress and developments in this specialist section of the waterways holiday industry.

After an evening dinner at the hotel, on the following morning APCO members travelled to Birmingham for a boat trip hosted by Sherborne Wharf Ltd and the CRT around the Icknield Port Loop of the BCN to view the forthcoming major development around this arm and the adjacent Edgbaston Reservoir; also the renovation of the Fiddle & Bone pub and the Round House site by Sherborne Wharf.

The APCO AGM was sponsored by GJW Insurance, Anglo Welsh, Hoseasons, Waterways Holidays and the Canal & River Trust.

58

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BITS & BOBS GREETINGS! Here, I provide the recipe for the bang up New Year’s Eve dock-party that everyone still talks about in our marina. As it happened each boater had a great piece of equipment to lend to the festivities or a ‘mother of invention’ idea to overcome challenges. Suddenly, ‘hey presto’, an army surplus tent appeared at the back of the marina. Boater ingenuity kicked in and, before we knew it, the burn barrel had been repurposed and set up as a heater. A collection of outdoor tables and chairs was assembled from all of the participating boaters.

Everyone promised to bring a spare lantern, a contribution to the drinks collection, and their best, family potluck recipe. We started the party with some music and ended it with the display of the city’s fireworks on view in the Nottingham sky. Many of the elements of this recipe were born out of the ingenuity and circumstances of the day. While that same accidental party could not be duplicated today as many of the participants have moved away, we keep their spirit of fun and friendship in our hearts and lift a glass of champers to them when we see those Nottingham fireworks light up the sky.

by Rexx & Phill

January top tip New Year’s resolutions often involve cleaning the heater more often.

Cleaning our drip diesel heater once a month keeps it humming along nicely and results in more efficient heat distribution in our cabin and our radiators. I spread an apron of newspapers around the heater base and keep a bin nearby for the damp, sooty kitchen towels that contain soot residue from a final internal wipe.

I scrape the cylinder bottom and rub the sides with a steel brush. Wipe down. Restart with a firestarter cube which aids clean-burning (now, there’s an oxymoron).

Since it is winter and very cold when the heater is shut down for cooling and cleaning, Rexx makes sure that she has a Sunday roast going in the oven; that heats up the cabin nicely and provides dinner for the heroic fire tender, me.

Phill’s Spicy Beef Meatballs (Double the recipe for a potluck) Prep time 30 minutes, cook time 60 minutes, makes 36 or so I have a real love affair with meatballs especially at holiday time. They are great budget stretchers and can appear as appetisers with dipping sauces and cocktail sticks or for a New Year’s crowd pleaser (such as when the gang is setting up tents and tables for an outdoor shindig) they can be added to a nest of pasta (Phill’s Spicy Beef Meatballs) or a bed of rice (Rexx’s Hawaiian Chicken Nuggets). Baked, steamed, or fried I’ve never met a meatball I didn’t like. For the busy holidays these two recipes are great, one baked, one simmered. Really busy? Buy a bag of frozen meatballs and cook them in a knock-out, store-bought sauce.

G G G G G G G G G G G G G

500g beef mince 2 large, spicy, sausages stripped from their casings 85g breadcrumbs 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp grated onion 1 tsp sugar 1 tbsp Italian spices 8 tbsp apple sauce 1 tsp salt/pepper to taste 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 large jars (6 cups) Marinara sauce 2 pkts linguine

Preheat the oven to 180oC (350oF) Mark 4. Line a baking sheet(s) with oven-proof paper. For potlucks I use linguine because the narrow noodles are easier to spoon out than round spaghetti or wide, flat noodles. In a large bowl, using your hands, mix the mince and sausage together, then, blend in the rest of the ingredients. Form the mixture into small balls the size of a walnut. Heat the oil in a deep-sided frying pan or to make life easier, two deep-sided frying pans each with two tablespoons of oil. Fry the meatballs turning frequently and carefully (sliding a spatula under them to release from the pan and turning them with a pair of

tongs). As they brown, remove the meatballs to the baking sheet(s). Bake for one hour. During the last 15min put the water on for the linguine and cook the pasta according to the instructions on the packet. Remember to salt the water to give the pasta some attitude. During the last 5min of pasta attitude adjustment put the marinara sauce on to heat.

For an hors d’oeuvre tip the meatballs into the sauce and simmer (15min) remove from the sauce to a platter and have cocktail sticks at the ready. For a main dish (like our marina potluck) drain the pasta, return to the hot pan, fold in a pat of butter, stir in a cup of the meatball sauce to coat, and cover. Leave the saucy meatballs in their hot pan and cover as well. Set out a pair of tongs for the pasta and a ladle for the saucy meatballs and let everyone construct their own ‘nests’. If you’ve got it, grate some parmesan cheese and have it available too.

(Double the recipe for a potluck) Prep time 30 minutes, cook time 30 minutes, makes 30 or so Chicken Nuggets G 500g chicken or turkey mince G ½ tsp salt G ¼ tsp ground ginger G 150g breadcrumbs G 1 egg, whisked G 4tbsp apricot chutney G 4 slices bacon G 2 tbsp vegetable oil

Using your hands, combine the nugget ingredients up to bacon, form into walnut-sized balls and set aside on a tray. Fry the bacon in a deep frying pan, remove, and reserve. Add the oil to the bacon grease; stir to combine and lift the bits off of the bottom of the pan. Brown the chicken nuggets on all sides, while they are browning, clean the tray and cover it with kitchen towelling. As the nuggets brown, remove them to the tray. Put the rice on

Common cons that catch out unsuspecting boaters

By Polly Player

NONE of us like to miss a good bargain, and of course, there are few things more galling than paying more for something than we need to! One thing that is most definitely more galling than paying through the nose, however, is being ripped off.

While this is thankfully rare on the canals when buying from those who specialise in serving the boating trade and rely upon their repeat customers for their income, there are still several common cons and examples of sharp practice doing the rounds when it comes to our regular essential supplies, which can still catch the unsuspecting boater unawares.

I have spoken to a couple of canalside chandleries and roving coal boaters to find out more about some of the most common rip-offs perpetrated by competitors seeking to undercut their trade, which will hopefully save you from falling foul of such schemes.

Two Elsan blue tricks

Hawaiian Chicken Nuggets

Hawaiian Sauce G 1 + 1 tbsp butter G 1 tin pineapple, juice reserved G 2 bell peppers, red, yellow, or green G Topped, tailed, seeded, julienne G 1 bottle of Chilli sauce G 170g Basmati rice

Boater beware:

Elsan blue or one of the alternative generic products sold for use in the holding tank of cassettes and some pump-out toilets is usually bought off the shelf in sealed containers. However, in some retailers it is possible to buy blue ‘on tap’ which is decanted into containers on the spot and charged by volume. This offers unscrupulous retailers the opportunity to water down their product, skimming up to a third off the top of the sold volume and replacing it with simple tap water. This of course dilutes the product, meaning that you need to use more to keep nasty niffs at bay and negating any price saving!

You can tell if a retailer that sells decanted blue is watering down the product by looking for a separation of the product within the container. Most containers sold for the purpose have a clear viewing line along the length of the bottle, and if water has been added to the blue, once it has settled, the water will sit on top of the product in a clearly visible scummy line.

Added to this, while there are many perfectly suitable blue products available to buy other than the branded Elsan variety, there is another product that is sometimes substituted for Elsan blue and other boat/caravan-suitable equivalents, again, often to be found for sale on tap.

This blue product is the one that is produced specifically for Portaloos and aeroplane toilets, and while it ticks all of the boxes in terms of neutralising smells and treating the contents of the tank prior to disposal, it is much stronger, and this is not really a good thing when it comes to boat toilets! This alternative blue is much higher in formaldehyde and other

chemicals than blue that is designed for cassette toilets, and over time, can literally dissolve the plastic and rubber fittings of your toilet.

This version of blue is usually significantly cheaper than boat/caravan blue, and due to being industrial strength, tends to smell incredibly strong.

The stove glass cleaner trick Most of us accept that the glass in the door of our stoves soon smokes up and becomes opaque, and that we either have to learn to live with this or spend a reasonable amount of time each week cleaning off the glass. Many of us like to see the glowing coals of the fire, however, and so some unscrupulous sellers have found a way to cash in on this by selling a simple product that you can mock up for yourself for well south of a quid!

If you spot an apparent miracle stove cleaning sponge offered for sale that looks a lot like a dish sponge with a scrubbing surface and smells vaguely of vinegar, the chances are that it is exactly what it seems to be: A dish sponge with a scrubbing surface, impregnated with vinegar, and possibly a little sugar soap too.

Make your own up for around 10p per sponge, and save your hard-earned cash!

The oil-absorbent mats trick Many of us like to keep a supply of oilabsorbent mats to hand, in order to clean up any spills and assist with oil changes.

Other popular alternatives include nappies, and puppy training pads, both of which do the job just as well as branded oil absorbent mats, for a much lower price!

Some retailers sell puppy training pads for just this purpose, which is fine, but less so if they are branded as special oil absorbent mats, and have a price tag to match! Puppy training pads consist of an absorbent layer backed with waterproof blue plastic, and have a pattern of paw prints on them; these can be bought in most £1 shops and other discount retailers, working out at around 20p per item.

Don’t pay more than you need to for something you can stock up on during your next trip to town!

Puppy training pads can be used to mop up spills and help with oil changes.

PHOTO:WAG.COM

Work starts on new Windermere steamboat museum

By Harry Arnold

to boil. Add a pat of butter/oil to the pan, toss in the bell pepper strips and pineapple chunks; sauté until just golden (5min). Mix the reserved pineapple juice and the chilli sauce together and stir into the pan; add back the meatballs, turn to coat with the sauce and simmer (10min) until everything is cooked through and well blended.

The rice should be cooked about the same time as the meatballs finish cooking. Cover, and bring both pans to the potluck with a ladle for each. (The hot pans keep everything warm just that bit longer). These nuggets are also great cocktail fare for New Year’s munchies. Just plate the meatballs in mounds, with the cocktail sticks at the ready and put a bowl of the chilli sauce nearby for dipping. Fare well.

WORK has at last started on the reopening of the popular Steamboat Museum near Bowness on Lake Windermere which has been closed for some time.

Owner Lakeland Arts has commenced enabling works to prepare the old site and the next stage will be to appoint a main contractor and start construction of the new museum.

Boats displayed at the original Windermere Steamboat Museum.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Lakeland Arts is working with architecture studio Carmody Groarke, Arup engineers and Real Studios exhibition designers to develop not only a new world-class museum but a whole new venue.

It says it is planning something quite extraordinary to create an inspiring, engaging and enjoyable experience to appeal to everyone from the local community and tourists, to specialists and school children.

Lakeland Arts also says that Windermere Jetty will combine the unique collection of historic vessels, a stunning lakeside position, competitionwinning design and interpretation and working conservation workshop with public access to the lake shore and one of the most beautiful locations in England.

The museum will have a new name and will reopen as ‘Windermere Jetty, Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories’. A date has yet to be announced.

TOWPATH TRADER 59

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES

To book your advertising call Stuart on 01507 529455

60 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 61

62 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 63

64 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 65

66 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 67

68 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 69

70 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 71

72 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 73

74 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 75

76 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 77

78 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 79

80 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 81

82 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 83

84 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 85

86 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT SALES 87

88 BOAT SALES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

CLASSIFIED 89

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOAT BUILDER

BOAT SAFETY

CANOPIES

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Canvasman - see some examples of our work on our main advert page 37 01943 851444 www.canvasman.co.uk CA532550L

AUTO ELECTRIC SUPPLIES

STA F F O R D SH IR E CA N O P IES B e spo ke c a no pie s fo r na rro w bo a ts a nd c ru ise rs, inc lu d ing c ra tc h c o ve rs,pra m ho o d s a nd to nne a u .

C a llTim or Lisa on 07761 432092 w w w .sta ffordshireca nopies.co.u k

Everything you need for Wiring, Rewiring and Maintaining your Boat Cable, Switchgear, Fuseboxes etc. Free 100 page Catalogue available or buy Online!

Tel: 01584 819552 Fax: 01584 819355

www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk

BOAT SHARE

BOAT HANDLING COURSE

C H ES H IRE C AT T RAIN IN G

RYA In la n d W a terw a ys O ne ortw o da y cou rses Helm s m a n Co u rs es f o ra ll -ou rboa toryou rs S P EC I A L L A D I ES ’ DAYS

N ervou s, N ovice, N o problem forou rpa tient, friendly la dy instru ctor G iftV o uc hers av ailable

Ca ll us:07867 7901 95 em a il: inf o @ ches hireca ttra ining.co .uk

w w w .ch esh ireca ttra in in g.co .u k W e a re b a sed a t Overw a ter M a rin a ,Au d lem ,Ch esh ire

BOAT PAINTERS

Looking

ELECTRICIAN

to buy or sell a boat share?

Visit our website www.boats2share.com for further details or call us on 01270 760 799 and find out today what Boats2Share.com can do for you.

BOATS 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. Ring 07971305880 / 07742260961 BO531905L

ENGINES

N A R R O W B O A T S/ C R UISE R S W A N T E D www.m o veyo u rb o a t.co .u k

Try the narrowboat painting specialists on the North Oxford Canal

Online Boat Painting Quotes

A ny age,any condition, unfinished projectsetc.

W ILL CO LLECT For m ore details call N igelon 07989 388109

CANALIA

nigel.carton@ btinternet.com

www.oxonboatpainting.co.uk Tel 07977 504766 Enter promotional code TT001 for discount

EQUIPMENT COMMUNICATIONS

GENERATORS

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

edgetechnology.co.uk Call : 01270 509 296

LPG

CANOPIES

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 AU532301L

COURSES

(

Petrol

FFRREEEE

Quote: ‘Towpath’ when ordering for a free Service kit

90 CLASSIFIED

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

EQUIPMENT

INSURANCE

FENDERS

GEARBOXES

HEATING

GIFTS

DIESEL FIRED HEATING ENGINEER Eberspacher, Webasto, Mikuni & Diesel Stove Installation, Service and Repair • Quality work at competitive rates • MIDLANDS AND NORTH WEST

Ed Shiers 07922 163072 www.fc-marine.co.uk ed@fc-marine.co.uk

GRAPHICS

INSULATION FOAM SPRAYING AND INJECTING. UK's number one spray foam company. 30 years experience. Call Brian on 08007 313497/07971 200559. Email Brian@cosyhomeuk.co.uk CO527224L

CLASSIFIED 91

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

MOBILE MARINE ENGINEER

MAIL FORWARDING MOORINGS

MOBILE MARINE ENGINEER

JOINERY

F a s t, R elia b le M o b ile S er vice F o r A L L Y o u r B o a tin g N eed s 15 years’experience,fully qualified, a service you can rely on FEEL FREE TO CALL TO DISCUSS AN Y N EEDS YOU M AY HAVE 0 7 9 6 20 240 9 2

s c o tts tea m 17@ ya h o o .c o .uk w w w .s o a rm ec h a n ic a ls ervic es .c o .uk

92 CLASSIFIED

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

MOORINGS

SERVICES

SITUATIONS VACANT

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FOR TRADITIONAL PROBLEMS-restoration and marinising, casting, machining and fabrication of one off parts to order. Gardner factory approved. Over 60 years of combined experience. Tel 01327 700219 www.vintagediesels.co.uk VI521741L

STORAGE

A45 SELF STORAGE 8ft, 10ft and 20ft secure lock up units available for short/long term let

BRONTE BOAT REPAIR SERVICES From a wiring fault to a full engine/gearbox recondition we have a fully qualified engineer in the respective field.

• Heating systems • Generators • Bow thrusters • Gearboxes (hydraulic/mechanical) • Outboard motors • Wiring faults (including inverters) • Engines (modern/traditional) • Mobile welding services

www.A45selfstorage.co.uk Stephenson Close, Daventry NN11 8RF T:01327 877130 E:A45@icmgerson.com

TRANSPORT Specialists in moving narrowboats up to 70 ft

We are based in Hebden Bridge & Todmorden and provide our services around Lancashire Yorkshire and Greater Manchester areas.

Insurance approved (covering all aspects of work)

So if you require any of our services here or just need a little more information on the services we provide, then why not email or give us a call!

01706 815103

SERVICES

RELIABLE: if we say we will be there at 4am you can count on it.

No additional charges for weekends Crane also available in Manchester area

FREE QUOTE, CONTACT US TODAY:

Info@SaltransPC.co.uk 07710 444857 • 0161 212 2833

TRANSPORT BY WATER

Lovelyrural setting inthe heartofthe Chilterns O nly ten m inutes fro m m a inline sta tio n a nd the M 1 a nd M 2 5

M a rin a w ith resid en tia l a n d n on -resid en tia l m oorin g s, la un d ry a n d show erb lock Covered d ry d ock f orb oa tsup to 72f tx 14f t 40tcra n e perm a n en tly on site cra n in g b oa tsf orsurvey, on oroff tra n sport, f orha rd -sta n d in g a n d repa irs.

A ll steel w ork un d erta ken -b oa tb uild in g , over-pla tin g , stretchin g , f a b rica tion Hull pa in tin g -g ritb la stin g w ith epoxy or sta n d a rd b itum en system Superstructure pa in tin g a n d sig n w ritin g Da y Boa tHire Boa tSa les Slipw a y Cha n d lery Pum p-out Ga s, Diesel, Solid Fuel En g in e Repa irs W ood w ork Plum b in g Ga sIn sta lla tion sa n d Repa irs Electrica l In sta lla tion sa n d Repa irs

M id d x & H ertsBoa tServices, W in kw ell,Bou rn e En d ,H ertsH P 1 2R Z

01 4 4 2 8729 85

CLASSIFIED 93

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TRANSPORT BY WATER

TRANSPORT BY ROAD A.B. TUCKEY BOAT TRANSPORT SERVICE A reliable personal service provided by a family business, based on 3 generations of transport experience.

Narrowboats moved up to 70ft in length and 25 tonnes in weight.

Own 35 & 70 tonne crane.

Tel 01926 812134 Fax 01926 810354

Stockton, Warwickshire Website: www.abtuckey.co.uk email: Mark@abtuckey.co.uk

WINDOWS Channelglaze Ltd: See our main advertisement on page 27. Tel: 0121 706 5777 CH525662L

UPHOLSTERY

94 READER ADVERTS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

READERADVERTS Boats for sale

BIG NORTHWICH MOTOR FLAMINGO Lister HA2 extensively overhauled, rebottomed, all steel work completed, cabin fit-out requires finishing, traditional BMC with Epping, central and underfloor heating supplied

by Kabola E7 & Much Wenlock, Bompani cooker, domestic fridge, twin hot water tanks and immersion heater, £58,000. Tel. 07747 895627. Warks.

BIRCHWOOD CRUISER 1985, 27ft, twin diesel, Ford marine engine, £9500. Tel. 01823 325712. Somerset.

BURLAND 26ft, new CoC, new licence, 4-berth, 1.5 BMC diesel, 12v TV, 1000w inverter, d/g cabin door, owner retiring, moored at NCCC High Lane, Cheshire, £5000. Tel. 01663 764838. Cheshire.

EX BCN restoration project, early 1900’s 60ft Gardner, 4 cyl, recent boat safety, lying South Staffs, £20,000. Tel. 07809 686839. Staffs.

43FT SPRINGER NARROWBOAT 1989, Thornycroft diesel engine, hull survey 2008, BSC till Aug 2018, moored on Lancaster canal, £7500 ono. Tel. 07749 714344. Lancs.

CANAL BOAT SHELL semitrad, all steel, brand new, built by Soar Valley boat builders at start of 2014, inc doors, windows, engine, exc starter project, £26,000. Tel. 01299 269700.

B'ham.

See coupon on page 93 for details

Parts and spares

MORWENNA 33ft/10mt all steel yacht, Bermudian cutter, fully rigged and ready to sail, great opportunity to get a mooring in Limehouse basin marina in central London, very comfortable yacht for cruising or pied de terre, very comfortable, in the heart of London with the ability for bluewater sailing, secure mooring close to DLR, main Limehouse stations and riverboat services, 4 berths in two cabins. Tel. 07831 800470.

London.

OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE a Sea Otter 26 with 2 other partners, aluminium and maintenance free, built 1997 and owned by partnership since 2007, £9666 for one third share + running costs of £90 per month. 01707 695351. Herts.

SEAMASTER 21 wide beam with Volvo Penta diesel 2 berth, in last 4 year its been refitted, new hood, propeller, cutles bearing, 12v fridge, 2 ring cooker with oven and grill bottom painted with 2 pack, BS 24/5/2016. Tel. 0208 5800277.

Middx.

NARROWBOAT 35ft long for sale c/w compliance, vgc, £10,000 ono. Tel. 0121 5371871. B’ham.

TRADITIONAL STYLE NARROWBOAT 2004, 57ft, Liverpool boat builders, licence until Oct 2015, winter mooring inc, 24 berth, Mitsubishi engine (heats water), PRM 260 gearbox, diesel tank holds 150 ltr, water tank is s/s and holds 500 litres, newly fitted brand new Villager stove and back boiler with heating system (Nov 2013), new inverter fitted Sept 2013, power w/machine, Thelford cassette toilet, sep shower. New World cooker, Lec fridge, Oak wood interior, BSC Jun 17, hull last blacked and out of water 2013 Aug, where the boat was sandblasted, newly painted with 2k paint, new anodes attached to hull, engine serviced Mar 14.

Tel. 07955 442552. Bucks.

IT’S A TEAL 20ft, very rare, sadly reduced, BSC 2017, Honda outboard, 2-berth on hard standing, NCCC Warfe, High Lane, Cheshire, priced at £800 as seen. Tel. 01663 762935 after 6pm. Cheshire.

LIVERPOOL TRAD 55ft, 2006, Beta 38hp engine 2010, Webasco diesel boiler and radiators, Squirrel Morso stove, 3000kw pure Sinewave inverter, Bosch w/machine, 12v fridge /freezer, self pump-out fitted for waste tank, BSC 2018, £47,000 ovno, lying at Seend Cleeve K&A, Wilts. Tel. 07971 567785.

Wilts.

Selling your boat is FREE for private readers of Towpath talk

THE ADVENTURA 4 years health and safety, 3 berth, full cooker, 12v fridge/freezer, full electrics, battery management system, modern toilet, 2 seater sofa, 1.5 Isuzu engine, cruiser stern and pram hood, £13,000 ono. Tel. 07514 254620.

Merseyside.

NORMAN 20 exc cond, perfect starter, ready to use. Length: 20ft. Beam: 7ft. Year: 1982, 30hp Honda 4-stroke engine, elec start, v reliable, sleeps 2, new canopy, anti-fouled, BSC Sept 2015, 2 ring gas cooker, chemical toilet, moored at Sandford Lock. Tel. 07941 489533. Chelmsford, Essex.

LIVERPOOL CRUISER BOATS Built 1991, one owner, all amenities including solar panels, washing machine, front and back covers, £25,000. Tel. 07801 495606. Lancs.

SEMI-TRAD NARROWBOAT unfinished project, 59ft, painted spay formed battened out, wired, Beta 38 new engine, gearbox PRM mechanical type 120D2 built by J. D. Narrowboats, 6 windows, 4 port holes, front doors cut-out for winds, back door with hatch, two side doors with hatches, the boat is on dry land, never been in water, never been used, £23,000 ono Tel. 07711 116868; 01142 342815. Yorks.

SEMI TRAD NARROWBOAT 45ft, Builder Bourne Boat Company, 2009, only 350 hours on clock, exc cond, £43,000. Tel. 07979 102927. W Yorks.

S.I.P. MEDUSA T1000 generator, used twice, £130. Tel. 01530 414002. Leics.

CROWTHER PROPELLER 18 x 12 r/h for 11⁄4” shaft with 1:12 taper, some surface marks but good undamaged profile, £200 ono. Tel. 07811 314112. Leics.

STOVE CHIMNEY PIPE 1500mm x 100mm x 3mm, 2 years old. Tel. 077210 39763.

Notts.

3 X BOAT WINDOWS 21” x 36” for aperture approx 917 x 532mm, anodised, single glazed, toughened glass, top hopper closes tightly against gasket, hidden fixings, fitted for only 3 years, £300 for the 3 windows, buyer collects. Tel. 0798 8097869. W Yorks.

DIESEL FUEL TANK refurbished and clean inside, pressure tested, made to fit under cruiser stern deck. Tel. 07890 604121. Bucks.

TRIANGULAR TILTING solar panel brackets, s/s with fixings to panel and boat, sold in pairs, laser cut high quality, 190mm high. 07894 856275. Derbys.

BMC 1.5 DIESEL fuel pump, (cav), £450; Tiller 3ft brass and wood, £30; port hole (2), brass, 141⁄2", £60; Portaloo porta-potti 365, £30; gas oven, as new, £40.

Tel. 07527 726047. Shrops.

Engines GARDNER 3LW ENGINE injector pump, rebuilt, runs well, dry stored long term, £4995. Tel. 07929 574367. Staffs.

ECOFAN REPLACEMENT MOTOR 800 802 solder terminals, original motors, £13 nc post to uk. PayPal, cheque or bank transfer Tel. Martin 07894 856275. Derbys.

GARDNER 1L2 diesel engine, fully rebuilt with engine, bed and drive pulleys for use as a generator, would also make excellent boat engine, full photo record of work from start to finish, this is a beautiful example of a rare slow running engine and an absolute show unit. 01254 202341. Lancs.

Equipment

SHARE FOR SALE in 2003 Dutch barge, 17m x 4m, Private Owners Assoc, 3 weeks cruising per year, moored in Auxerre, France, fully equipped to cater for 6, £8500. Tel. 07773 636219.

York.

DUTCH BARGE 50ft, 3" x 10ft 03", new BSC to 2018, reblacked (three coats Bitumen), new anodes, interior needs refurbishing. Mooring available.

Photos on request via mobile.

Tel. 07804 504769; 02033 717735. London.

MV DAWNLIGHT prototype model boat, built by Tom Gorman, quality fixtures & fittings, very well kitted out, as new, only sailed twice for testing, in presentation case, all proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support, reduced price £400. Tel. 01142 510515. S Yorks.

NORMAN GRP CRUISER 23ft, Honda 15hp o/board, just serviced, recently out of water, painted and anti-fouled, refurbished inside and out, new carpets, curtains, new canopy (£1000) BSS to Sept 2017, licensed to June 2015, moored at Fazeley, fees paid till end of May 15, nice little boat, £4995. Tel. 01827 767485; 07946 664749.

Staffs.

FOUR CONTAINERS for sale, £30 each ono. Tel. 07563 188944. Staffs.

HURTH GEARBOX HBW502P with backplate and drive plate, CBR & D22B8, £250; bell housing for BMC 1.5, £50. Tel. 07780 722541. Derbys.

LISTER SR3 with hydraulic gearbox and reduction box, good condition, can be seen running, £2000; Hurth gearbox 2:1 with backplate, £150 Tel. 07780 722541. Derbys.

WINDOWS FOR NARROWBOATS 5 rectangular 36" x 21", 4 port holes 173⁄4" dia, 2 side hatch units 271⁄2" x 61⁄2", gold finish, good condition, £250. Tel. 07735 292590. N Somerset.

BRITISH WATERWAYS BOOKLETS: Blue Cruising, c 1970s, (1) Llangollen Canal, (2) Oxford Canal, (11) Macclesfield Canal, (12) T&M Canal (P1), 913) T&M Canal, near mint condition, Offers. Tel. 07908 935231 afternoon/eves. Cheshire.

COMBINATION MICROWAVE Caple integrated, oven/grill, 600mm x 385mm, almost new, cost £200, sell for £75. Tel. 07769 665772. Leics.

HAMLET HARDY 4kw multifuel stove, exc cond, £180; also s/s chimney (Little Chimney Co) excellent condition, £90; will consider reduction if bought together. Droitwich Spa Marina.

Buyer collects. Tel. 07974 329668. W Mids.

COMPASS LIFE JACKETS Two self inflating, never been deployed, £40 the pair plus postage. Tel. 07762 649990.

Cheshire.

DANFORTH ANCHOR 14kg folding, off narrowboat, never used, £60 ono. Tel. 01949 843572. Notts.

DAWOO 17" FLAT SCREEN TV with stand, working order, buyer collects, £20 each ono; buyer collects.Tel. 01926 810757.

Warks.

HONDA GENERATOR 2EUI LPG, excellent condition, £700.

Tel. 07565 938745. Warks.

HORSE FLAME WINDSOR multi-fuel stove, 7kw stove with a 4kw back boiler, pump, thermostat, header tank and flu included, £300 ono; buyer collects.

Tel. 01926 810757. Warks.

JABSCO MACERATOR TOILET electric, 12 mths' old, little used, £195. Tel. 07974 903330.

Staffs.

JCB 850w 2-stroke inverter generator, excellent working order, new plugs, filter, oil etc, £85 ono; h/duty chest waders, used only once, £30 ono; Lucas 110amp dual purpose battery, as new, used on one occasion only, part no. LX31 MF, (receipt dated 19/07/14), £60. Tel. 01827 767485; 07946 664749. Staffs.

JCB 2-STROKE 850w inverter generator, used only for light work on my boat, jigsaw, sander, drill etc, totally reliable, £90. ono Tel. 07946 664749; 01827 767485. Staffs.

MORCO F11E LPG water heater with roof cowl, brand new and still boxed; Arrow EVM, LPG, log effect stove, top or rear outlet if required, brand new and still wrapped, half original price, will secure both items (heater and stove). Tel. 01254 202341.

Lancs.

NARROWBOAT ROOF BOX new, 4ft x 3ft, good quality build, can deliver. Tel. 01773 607049 for details. Derbys.

SATELLITE BOX full working order, buyer collects, £20. Tel. 01926 810757. Warks.

Miscellaneous

TWO COMFORTABLE ARMCHAIRS clean, purpose built for boats, convert easily to single beds with storage under seats, £60 the pair. Tel. 07885 348047 eves. Warks.

ALDE COMPACT 3000 boiler c/w programmer and flue, £300. ono; buyer collects. Tel. 01926 810757. Warks.

BUBBLE DIESEL STOVE with back boiler, in clean condition, ready to go, £125. ono; buyer collects. Tel. John on 07443 461607. Essex.

WATERCRAFT MAGAZINES: 1-100, exc cond, £100. Tel. Pete 07837 849806. Northants.

BED SETTEE 6 matching drawers, black leather look, click clack, £75 for both; 4 aluminium windows, top hoppers, 91 1/2 cm x 46cm, £15 each;Villager multifuel fire, needs spares and glass, fuel pipe inc, £120 ono. Tel. 07932 763736. Staffs.

LED CONVERSION of old flouresent lights, simply post your old lights and I will post them back converted to LEDs, £25 for twin tube, £30 triple tubes includes return post. Tel. 07894 856275 for details ask for Martin. Derbys.

MULTI-FUEL BURNER Aga top loader can heat water too, just needs fitting 2ft high, 1ft width box, shaped. Tel. 01263 587988.

London.

REDRING TUBULAR HEATER 4ft long, 220w, ideal anti-frost protection for cabin/large engine room? £20. could post plus cost Tel. 07974 947420. W Mids.

TOSHIBA DVD PLAYER 240v working order, buyer collects, £10. Tel. 01926 810757. Warks.

TWO ARMCHAIRS, clean and comfortable, custom made for boats, convert easily to single beds with storage under the seats, £60 the pair. Tel. 07885 348047 eves. Warwick, Warks.

VAX VACUUM CLEANER like new, (blue), wrong item bought, cost £80 from Tesco 4 months ago, will sell for £35; also a juicer which cost £59.99, a few months ago, hardly used, a good brand make (SHEF), will sell for £25.

Tel. 07943 500745. Notts.

Wanted

RENTING A BOAT TO LIVE ON, OR HIRING OUT YOUR OWN BOAT? Our important message to both groups is to do careful homework first and not to either hire out your boat or rent a boat that isn’t properly licensed for this use.

Please visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/boating/ a-boat-of-your-own to avoid any difficulties with the legal and safety issues involved.

NARROWBOAT WANTED part fitted, unfinished project etc, minimum 40ft, with good hull.

Tel. 0790 6019299. Norfolk.

NARROWBOAT WANTED Anybody willing to rent out their narrow boat for 3-4 months next summer to retired ex-boaters with 15 years experience. Now living in Spain, we have no pets.

Tel. 00 346 67285576. Spain.

NATURE LOVING GENTLEMAN retired, own canal cruiser, would like to meet a nice genuine lady, age unimportant, I like going to car boots and I am interested in Entomology. Tel. Douglas 07717 257867. Lincs.

WANTED FORD MODEL A or B4 cylinder engine produced in the 1930s-40s, often used for Marine adaptions, war time pumps, generators and lorries, Tel. 01189 810874. Berks.

WANTED: LIVEABOARD NARROWBOAT and female crew, good condition, retired, adventurous male seeking female companion for fun times, also need modern boat up to 57ft.

Tel. 07462 000003. S Humbs. www.camperlove.com

READER’S BOAT 95

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Bringing the vintage to the boat A postcard of a horse-drawn boat was the inspiration for the eye-catching images either side of a restored narrowboat, Janet Richardson finds out more.

THE original artwork on its sides not only celebrates the restoration of a narrowboat formerly bound for the scrapyard but also symbolises the history of canal boats and their cargoes.

It is helping to launch the career of the owner’s nephew, recently graduated graphic artist Jason Billman, who used his airbrush techniques to create atmospheric images aimed at sparking the imagination of the beholder.

The project came about after ill health scuppered plans by Mike Neale and his partner Mary of Coalville, Leicestershire, to buy their own historic narrowboat.

A former driving instructor and international trucker, his world fell apart when he suffered a stroke following a routine operation and he has since had two more strokes.

He told me: “I would dearly love a vintage boat but I can’t afford one now I am not able to work so I thought I would try and bring the vintage to the boat.”

Having sold their home, Mike and Mary were living in a small caravan when they had the chance to buy the boat in question, built in 1988 by Wilson’s, for scrap value from Hillmorton Wharf Marina.

At 70ft, the traditional-style narrowboat formerly known as It’s Us is believed to have been one of the first 70ft boats built by Wilson’s. Bought by Mike two years ago, it has been a work in progress ever since.

Before leaving Hillmorton, the old bathroom fittings comprising two Porta-potties and a hip bath were replaced with a shower, basin and toilet, the electrics were updated and a Barrus Shire engine was fitted.

“We got the boat and left Hillmorton just after Boxing Day and took 12 weeks to get here,” Mike continued. What should have been a four day trip to their home mooring at MGM Narrowboats

The trench scene created for the exhibition at Holkham Hall. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The horse-drawn boat with the church tower in the background. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED Jason Billman at work with the airbrush.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Graphic artist Jason Billman preparing to apply one of his designs to the side panel. PHOTO SUPPLIED off the River Soar at Thurmaston, Leicester, was delayed by a landslip on the Grand Union Canal near Foxton.

Although they have changed the boat’s name to Gemaleir – a compilation of Mike and Mary’s parents’ names George, Mary, Les and Iris – they have kept it as original as possible.

This includes the wood, which they worked on with sugar soap, and the windows. “We tried to keep as much as we could rather than rip it out and start again. We added a new cooker and water heater, replaced one of the stoves, refurbished the Squirrel stove and built a new bulkhead but everything else is original. We have put a lot of time and effort into the boat to make it nice.”

Having been sandblasted and painted

by MGM Boats and fitted with a new cratch cover by DB Boat Covers, the next step was to create Gemaleir’s distinctive livery and this is where Jason came in.

Based in Norfolk, where he graduated in the summer with a BA in illustration from the Norwich University of the Arts, he completed the signwriting before designing the artwork bringing together photographic images to tell a different part of the story on either side of the boat.

Inspiration has come from sources including the former coal pit at Old Whitwick near Coalville – scene of a mining disaster in 1898 – factory chimneys, a cotton mill, church tower, historic boats and working horses.

Having created the designs, it took Jason six days to apply them to the boat’s side panels using airbrush art.

Although this is the first boat he has painted using this technique, his other work includes a motorcycle tank, portraits, murals and replicas of a tank and battlefield trench scene for a First World War centenary exhibition at Holkham Hall in Norfolk.

Jason used a similar picture of a boat horse as a starting point. He said: “My uncle thought the image was charming, but he wanted the era to be set in the golden age of long boats, so it was from here I started my research and development for the two images.”

A cotton mill, factory chimneys and the pit head, add atmosphere to this picture of a working boat.

Mike said: “Jason has created a beautiful image which we wanted to share. We are hoping that people will use their imagination of what the pictures are about and visualise the historical background. For instance where have they been, where are they going, what is in the sacks?

“We thought about this seriously, not just because we wanted the wow effect.

We are trying to portray the past to the present through the two images that are on the boat. This is why we had a horsedrawn boat one side which is where canal transport started to the propulsion on the other side which is where we are at today.”

Mike continued: “They also break up the boat because it is so long; we tried to split it up so it looks smaller than 70ft.”

He explained they had been looking for a boat with a 60ft maximum length but due to their circumstances when this boat became available they took it on.

The new cratch cover.

Mike and Mary, with their dogs ‘captain’ Bertie and ‘cabin crew’ Lola, have been boating for seven years, starting with hire boats. “Our first trip was down to Banbury from Hillmorton; that is when we got the bug. We only had the boat for a week and turned round in the basin there to come back.

We took it from there really.

“We moved on to shared ownership but that did not work for us so we sold our share and started to look round to buy a boat. When I became ill it forced our hands but we have not regretted it by any means,” Mike added.

“We were hoping to do the Cheshire Ring this year but we had the boat painted so the summer went from underneath us. We are very proud with what we have achieved in the small time we have had the boat and very grateful to all the people who have helped us along the way including Mark Fenton

The new basin in the bathroom which used to just have a hipbath and two Porta-potties.

and Martin Parsons at MGM Boats for the painting they have done, Alan ‘the contortionist’ welder for his work in hard-to-reach places and the side hatches and David Beaton at DB Covers who has made a superb job of the cratch cover and went the extra mile for us.

“We are now putting the finishing touches to the boat and hope to get started on the cut with her this next year.

We are also hoping to visit one or two rallies if people could let us know where they are.”

‘Cabin crew’ Lola finds a comfortable seat.

The galley with the refurbished Squirrel stove.

Gemaleir will be ready to take to the cut in the spring.

G Jason can also supply designs by post including vinyl lettering, stencils, anything to do with art, airbrushing, canvas painting and portraits.

Visit www.jbillman.co.uk www.mgmboats.co.uk www.dbboatcovers.co.uk

This dramatic owl picture is another of Jason’s artworks.

96 BOAT SAFETY/ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton

Staying safe on your boat This month Clive Penny of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners looks at carbon monoxide and what can be done to minimise the risks to yourself and crew with advice from the Boat Safety Scheme.

EACH year boaters die or are made seriously ill from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Boats are built to keep water out, but this also makes them good containers for gases and fumes.

When carbon-based appliances and engine fuels, such as gas, LPG, coal, wood, paraffin, oil, petrol and diesel, don’t burn completely, CO is produced.

CO build-up in the cabin can occur with one or a mix of these factors: G with faulty, badly maintained or misused appliances G exhaust fumes from a boat’s engine or generator G escaped flue gases from solid fuel stoves G blocked ventilation or short supply of air – fuels need the right amount of oxygen to burn safely.

The Boat Safety Scheme and CoGDEM have produced a booklet that can be downloaded in PDF format from the ‘Stay Safe’ section of the Boat Safety Scheme website.

Copies are also available to organisations by contacting the Boat Safety Scheme.

Tips to keep you alive

G Install fuel burning appliances properly.

G Maintain appliances and engines routinely.

G Use the equipment correctly.

G Don’t allow engine fumes into the cabin space.

G Deal with problems immediately.

G Don’t allow bodged repairs and maintenance.

G Install a CO alarm.

G Test the alarm routinely.

G Never remove the batteries.

G Know the signs of CO poisoning and how to react.

This article is just an overview of some of the advice available on the boat safety scheme website: www.boatsafetyscheme.org

G 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.

CoGDEM. Council of Gas Detection and Environmental Monitoring www.cogdem.org.uk

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Asian clam found in Longford INVASIVE aquatic species the Asian clam has been discovered in the River Shannon at the ‘hot water’ stretch in Lanesborough, Co Longford.

On discovery, downstream of the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) power plant at the top of Lough Ree, Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) deployed a rapid response team to erect signs in the location prohibiting angling on this popular fishery.

Like the Zebra mussel, the Asian clam has the ability to become highly invasive in a short period of time and at high densities can alter the food web and compete with native mussel species. The Asian clam has already invaded the River Barrow in Carlow, where it is reported to have caused significant damage.

Amanda Mooney, director for the Shannon River Basin District of IFI, stated: “It is a tremendous shock to discover that this aggressive alien invasive species is present and established in this popular fishery. IFI is responding to this serious development and anglers and other

water users are encouraged to report any sighting of this or other invasive species to us.”

IFI has met with key stakeholder groups and will be working closely with a number of agencies to try to prevent any further spread. Several agencies including, ESB, Waterways Ireland, Roscommon and Longford County Councils among others have expressed their interest in committing funding to aid preventative measures.

Following a detailed scientific survey IFI has revealed that the population of Asian clams has already reached a stage where complete removal is not feasible.

Intensive intervention including dredging will seriously impact the abundance and spawning potential of the population of Asian clams and it is therefore recommended

by IFI that every endeavour is made to kill or remove as many clams as possible from the hot water stretch of river and from the navigation cut at the entrance to Lough Ree. These proposed actions are currently being considered by the relevant

WATERWAYS Ireland has developed an online navigation guide for the Lower Bann for use on computers, tablets and mobile phones.

In a major step change in the presentation of navigation guides for Ireland’s Inland Waterways, Waterways Ireland has, in consultation with user groups, developed, tested and now launched, pilot online navigation guides, designed to provide a convenient alternative to printed navigation guides.

The online guide to navigation has been developed internally within Waterways Ireland using ArcGIS online.

This interactive web mapping application details navigation

Bob Naylor reports on a fire safety exercise which was followed by a real life scenario just a few weeks later, tragically without a happy ending. See story on P3.

An extract from the digital guide to the Lower Bann.

PHOTO:WATERWAYS IRELAND

Looking for views on heritage and wildlife

Having evacuated the trip boat, firefighters tend to a casualty during the simulated exercise.

PHOTO: BOB NAYLOR:WATERMARX

“This stretch of water is a high risk area and we have had a number of boat fires over the years. We do a lot of community safety work with the boating community to try and prevent such incidents from happening but we need to be sure that, should the worst happen, we are as prepared as we can be to deal with it.”

The K&A Canal Trust director of boats, Graham Day, added: “We operate four passenger boats along the canal and we have to be certain that our emergency plans will work if a fire breaks out. We are very grateful to all the services for supporting this training event so enthusiastically.”

agencies and statutory regulatory bodies.

The fishery, which reopened to anglers during November 2014, remains under strict bio-security conditions.

Four disinfection units funded by ESB have been installed along with signage explaining how water users can disinfect efficiently.

Due to the continued presence of the Asian clam the use of keep nets in the area is prohibited for the foreseeable future.

G Inland Fisheries Ireland www.fisheriesireland.ie

Digital navigation guide piloted by Waterways Ireland

Simulated boat fire tests K&A Canal emergency plans THIRTY passengers were helped off the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust’s trip boat Kenavon Venture recently while smoke from a simulated kitchen fire bellowed across the canal and towpath.

Firefighters from Calne and Devizes arrived at Horton, east of Devizes, within minutes of the call and helped passengers get to safety while the ambulance service was there to deal with casualties.

On this occasion most passengers walked off the boat although one was carried off feet first. With all the passengers and crew off the boat, firefighters in breathing apparatus went on board to tackle the blaze.

After the rescue Devizes Fire Station manager Darren Nixon said: “The trust was keen to test its emergency plans in a realistic way and it was an ideal opportunity for us to build on our firefighters’ understanding of the challenges involved with incidents on the canal.

The Asian clam can compete with native mussel species. PHOTO: INLAND FISHERIES IRELAND

WATERWAYS Ireland is sounding out interested parties, groups and individuals before starting to develop a heritage and biodiversity plan for the waterways in its care.

The survey will close on January 12, 2015, and the public can take part in a number of ways.

A survey can be completed online or downloaded at http://bit.ly/1xLhYb0 and returned to Waterways Ireland, Scarriff, Co Clare, or by visiting a Waterways Ireland office at either Sligo Rd, Enniskillen; Ashtowngate, Navan Rd, Dublin; Drewsborough, Scarriff, Co Clare or Old Dublin Rd, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim and completing a survey there. It should take less than 10 minutes.

Completed questionnaires should be posted to Heritage & Biodiversity Plan Consultation, Waterways Ireland, Dock Road, Drewsborough, Scarriff, Co. Clare.

features such as locks, moorings, weirs, navigation markers and other facilities along the waterway.

These data layers are then overlaid using ArcGIS online web maps. GPS surveys or digitising onscreen using Ordnance Survey Maps have been used to capture the location of features.

The application enables the public to pan around the map, identify features, print maps, switch between base mapping and satellite view and switch on and off layers.

Waterways Ireland will update the maps on an ongoing basis so that the latest navigational information is always available online. Ongoing feedback is welcomed from users to keep the mapping information accurate.

With both the Lower Bann and the Erne System Navigation Guides presently available online, Waterways Ireland is commencing work with user groups on the Shannon and will subsequently cover the remaining waterways.

The Lower Bann Guide is complete and can be viewed on a PC, tablet or smartphone. The maps are available for free on www.waterwaysireland.org by choosing the waterway and then selected the map tab.

In the initial pilot period, broadband access or a Wi-Fi link will be required to use the online navigation guides for the Lower Bann and Erne Systems. Progress is being made on an offline/cached version which will be made available as soon as possible.

It is also planned that the next phase of the online navigation guides will have additional layers of information for waterway and waterside recreational and tourism activity which the user can turn on and off.

In this transition period Waterways Ireland continues to offer a paper product to Waterway users. A comprehensive navigation guide for the Erne System, Shannon-Erne Waterway and Shannon Navigation is for sale at www.shopwaterwaysireland.org for €15/£12.60 and the Lower Bann Guide is also available.

Lakeland Treasures app now available on Android THE free Lakeland Treasures app is now available from the Play Store on Android. Launched in spring 2014 as an iPhone app by Waterways Ireland, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland & the Midlands Regional Authority, the new Android app aims to open up the fun of Lakeland Treasures to a whole new set of people.

Lakeland Treasures is a photo treasure hunt and guide. It is a family fun way to explore 10 of the Midlands’ best known heritage attractions including the world renowned Clonmacnoise, Athlone Castle, Strokestown House, Emo Court & Ardagh Heritage Village.

The Lakeland Treasures app includes over 100 heritage attractions across the region and can be used all year round.

Start anywhere in the Lakelands and the app will take you to the nearest attractions. With clues,

The Lakeland Treasures app is free to download. hints, and a secret to be revealed at the end, it is billed as being fun for all the family, young and old.

The guide section gives the family just enough information on the key heritage features and their beauty to enhance their visit to the Lakelands. The app links to places to eat, stay, and other attractions by closest proximity,

ensuring you and the family are never without fun, entertainment or hospitality even without Wi-Fi cover.

Lakeland Treasures is free to download from the Apple app store and Android Play Store. Follow on Twitter @lakeland treasures, Facebook or watch a video of how it all works on YouTube.

ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton 97

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Walking Watery Ways A canalside path for walkers and cyclists.

➔ Formoreinformation onwatersidewalks visitthefollowing:

Walking at Lough Neagh. PHOTO: LOUGH NEAGH PARTNERSHIP

In the Slieve Bloom mountains.

Alison Alderton explores some walks through the Emerald Isle’s stunning countryside.

AFTER all the over-indulgence during the festive season, heading off for a pleasant walk is likely to be in the forefront of most people’s minds. Not only do the Irish waterways provide

A bird-watching hide at Oxford Island. PHOTO: LOUGH NEAGH

some beautiful cruising grounds, they also offer access to many miles of uninterrupted walks through some stunning countryside, all of which can be enjoyed any time of year.

Serious walkers may wish to consider longer distance paths and Ireland’s canals offer some of the best national waymarked trails. The Grand Canal Way, runs for 117km along the entire length of the canal’s main line from Dublin to Shannon Harbour where it joins the Shannon Navigation. It is well maintained, signposted and offers ample opportunities for diversions allowing loops of varying sizes to be created.

Accessing the shore by dinghy.

The Royal Canal Way stretches for 144km from Dublin to Clondara and is currently being upgraded in part to form a Greenway, a multi-use route catering for cyclists and walkers alike. Those on the water really have the best of both worlds, being able to easily hop on and off their vessel to enjoy a stroll at any point or by mooring where other hinterland trails converge or cross the waterway.

Generally, walks along river navigations cross more rugged terrain but some of these are now being developed into more user friendly pathways. The Barrow Way is a 114km route along a mixture of surviving towpath, tracks and riverside roads, following the course of the picturesque River Barrow from Lowtown in County Kildare to the village of St. Mullins in County Carlow. Waterways Ireland recently revealed plans to adapt the existing grassy track of the towpath with a more durable hard surface which have been met with a mixed reaction.

Many believe this may harm the natural environment of the River

Barrow and are currently campaigning to keep the grassy pathways intact.

For something more strenuous, head for the mountains where there are walks along babbling brooks, infant rivers and streams. The Slieve Bloom mountains sit close to the geographical centre of Ireland and along with the Massif Central in France are the oldest mountains in Europe.

There are plenty of waymarked trails all colour-coded to reflect their relative level of ease. One of the most popular is the Silver River Eco Trail; an easy 7km route taking in some of the finest rock exposures to be found in the region, it follows the course of the Silver River which after joining the River Brosna feeds the mighty River Shannon.

Encircling Lough Neagh, the 190km Loughshore Trail also known as Route 94 of The National Cycle Network consists of country lanes over mainly flat terrain and incorporates 25 major sites of interest including nature reserves, marinas and archaeological features. On the southern shores of the lake is Oxford Island (www.oxfordisland.com) which, following artificial lowering of the lake in the 1850s is now a peninsula. Also a national nature

Fáilte Ireland Walking Site www.discoverireland.ie/walking Irish Trails www.irishtrails.ie Lough Neagh www.discoverloughneagh.com Walk Northern Ireland www.walkni.com Way Marked Ways of Ireland www.walkireland.ie National Parks & Wildlife Service www.npws.ie Waterways Ireland www.waterwaysireland.org

The Grand Canal Way – a national waymarked trail. PHOTOS:ALISON ALDERTON UNLESS OTHERWISE reserve, this is a haven for wintering wildfowl such as whooper swans and has four miles of footpaths, five birdwatching hides as well as woodlands, ponds and wildflower meadows.

Country parks offer excellent walking opportunities and many of these are accessible directly from the water. Some even have their own harbours and moorings such as the Lough Key Forest Park on the Boyle Waters, the Portumna Forest Park on the banks of the Shannon’s largest lake Lough Derg, and the Castle Archdale Country Park on Lower Lough Erne. For the more adventurous boater wishing to combine a cruise with a walk offering an insight into the country’s historical heritage, try mooring on the isolated pontoon off Warren Point on Lough Ree and taking a dinghy ashore to access the lost township of Rindoon where there are two looped trails.

A lakeside walk at Warren Point.

Considered to be one of the finest archaeological sites in Ireland, it is littered with ruins all of which have been untouched since being abandoned some 500 years ago and include a church, hospital and the enormous hulk of Rindoon Castle.

As well as the inland waterways, there are miles of unspoilt coastline with cliff paths and coastal trails resulting in the walker being spoilt for choice on this beautiful island of contrasts.

Finally a word of caution – while appealing, walking along any water frontage should be undertaken with care particularly during the winter period, slippery surfaces combined with icy water can result in accidents, being vigilant is paramount.

Shannon Blueway is the first of its kind CREATED by bundling together a number of recreational activities available as a single or multiple visitor experience, the newly launched Shannon Blueway is the first of its kind in Ireland.

Minister Heather Humphreys TD along with actor and producer Carrie Crowley recently joined more than 300 walkers and paddlers at Acres Lake where Waterways Ireland (WI) has developed and built a canoe trail from Drumshanbo through Battlebridge and Leitrim Village to Carrick-on-Shannon as well as developing a series of looped walks adjacent to the Lough Allen Canal.

On opening the new amenity, the minister said: “The Shannon Blueway has the potential to have a very positive impact on employment and the regional economy.

“With the market for off-road adventure tourism growing here in Ireland and internationally, Leitrim is in a prime position to benefit from this trend.”

WI chief executive Dawn Livingstone said that partnership was the key to delivering the Shannon Blueway and said: “Waterways Ireland has invested significantly in creating world beating facilities and services on the Shannon Navigation.

“Through our partnership with the National Trails Office, Canoeing Ireland, Leitrim Tourism and Leitrim County Council an outstanding multiactivity product has been built in the Shannon Blueway.”

The wider Shannon Blueway of which the Drumshanbo to Carrick-onShannon section is part, is at the heart

Minister Heather Humphreys TD and WI chief executive Dawn Livingstone at Acres Lake. PHOTOS:WATERWAYS IRELAND of access to 100km of paddling area, six looped walks, two long distance walks and three heritage trails.

It will ultimately provide access to 14 towns each within an hour’s paddling time and offer a wide range of affordable pursuits in a safe family friendly environment. Options exist for

Paddlers on the Shannon Blueway. combining canoeing, cruising, cycling or walking activities over varying lengths of time to create a flexible customised tourist potential to suit each individual or group.

Future extensions are planned westwards through Lough Key to Boyle, east to connect with the Shannon-Erne Waterway and south down the Shannon towards Roosky.

98 TOWPATH TREASURES

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Crinan Lighthouse A beacon for Scotland’s shortest cut Words: PHILLIPPA GREENWOOD Images: MARTINE O’CALLAGHAN

THE tranquil world of inland waterways doesn’t need the hysterical beacons of lighthouses – except when a canal connects to the sea.

The little lighthouse that sits at the entrance to the Crinan Canal is a symbol of the menacing water that lies beyond the safety of this man-made cut.

The Crinan Canal was built between 1794 and 1809 with the

Clyde Puffer Vic 32 in Crinan Basin.

work of James Watt, John Rennie and Thomas Telford. It links Ardrishaig to Crinan, providing a safe, short water route that avoids the savage seas around the Mull of Kintyre. Before the canal was built, Scotland’s jagged west coast had a vicious history, and even the Vikings preferred to drag their ships over land.

Now the Crinan Canal is

described as “the world’s most beautiful shortcut”, and who wouldn’t travel miles out of their way to see it?

The whole canal is a Scheduled Ancient Monument with its 15 locks and nine miles of pure pleasure. Everyone who visits is treated to a sublime experience of Scottish proportions; and walkers, cyclists and boaters enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

On this canal, Clyde Puffers have a special place in the hearts of boat spotters. They were little vessels designed to fit the Forth & Clyde and Crinan Canals, delivering coal to the west coast and carrying whisky and other produce back to Glasgow. There are only a few Puffers that have survived and two of them, Auld Reekie and Vic 32, can sometimes be seen at Crinan Basin.

Crinan teeters on the wildest edge of Scotland, with white yachts, historic cottages and a lighthouse that completes an idyllic picture. The unassuming

The view towards Crinan from Dunardry Locks.

Heading out of Crinan harbour. lighthouse was built in 1851, only reaches 6m high and is unsung in comparison to the real champions that famously battle with the highest dramas of the North Sea and the Atlantic.

There is no public access to the

inside, which has been used as a storeroom in recent years, but the site is open and a white or green light (depending on direction) dutifully flashes every three seconds. An external iron ladder climbs to a vantage point and, from the ground, the hexagonal tower with its redpainted band makes the perfect scene. In the best summer weather it’s tricky to visit without tripping over artists’ easels or camera tripods hankering for the best angles; and whatever the weather, the structure stands with attitude.

TOWPATH TREASURES/ANGLING 99

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

The Towpath Angler Our monthly look at the angling scene NOTHING is more frustrating than visiting a website searching for information only to find, after drilling down half a dozen levels, that you still have not reached the bit you set out to find.

Remedying this problem has been a priority for the fisheries and angling team at the Canal & River Trust. Very shortly access to that part of the website will be almost instant.

In addition two additional features are being developed. One sets out a very basic approach to canal angling leaving out all the very technical information which will be of use at a later date. The other deals with fish welfare, giving good advice on how to handle fish etc.

Both of these items were discussed at the CRT’s National Angling Advisory Group’s November meeting. Once again, there was a full agenda including a presentation on fish passage and a discussion about the revised fish rescue policy. The group also looked at the response to the trust’s Water Resources Strategy. Clearly it is of immense importance that fisheries and angling have the opportunity to comment on activities such as dredging, water abstraction and water transfer all of which can have a potentially devastating effect on a fishery. It was made clear that anglers need to be aware and become more involved with the Water Framework Directive.

The final item at NAAG was an update on the Fishery and Angling Action Plans which will be drawn up for each Waterway unit.

Clearly it cannot be a one size fits all approach because of the great diversity across the waterways. However, some of the core objectives will feature in each plan.

Leading the charge with the pilot plan is the North East Waterway. I have been privileged to have been asked to participate in the early stages of this project and, indeed, was asked to say a few words at the N E Partnership’s annual public meeting last week. It is absolutely great to see the buy-in from everyone there and I feel sure it will deliver some first class outcomes.

Crinan Basin and coffee shop.

Match venues 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 Boating and walking along the Crinan Canal.

FACT FILE Crinan Canal The entire Crinan Canal is listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument with Historic Scotland.

The area around the end of the canal is a great vantage point for views out over Loch Crinan. Up to 3000 boats a year use the Crinan Canal so there’s plenty of interest for the gongoozler. Opportunities to get on the water include chartering a yacht or going kayaking or canoeing.

Beavers Beavers have been released in the area around the Crinan Canal as part of a scheme to reintroduce the beaver to Scotland. The Moine Mhor (‘great moss’) Natural Nature Reserve, one of Europe’s rarest wildlife habitats, can be seen alongside the canal near Bellanoch. www.scottishbeavers.org.uk Scotland’s National Nature Reserves www.nnr-scotland.org.uk

Location Crinan OS Grid ref: NR788944 Canal: Crinan Canal How to get there By train Nearest train stations are Oban and Glasgow National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 Scotrail 0330 303 0111 www.scotrail.com By bus Traveline Scotland T: 0871 2002233 By car Large car park On foot or bicycle The entire nine mile length of the canal forms part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 78.

By boat Nearest boat hire: Sailaway Scotland, Largs.

Yacht charter. 0845 528 1011 www.sailawayscotland.co.uk Scottish Yacht Charters, Craobh Haven. Yacht charter.

07739 739044 www.scottishyachtcharters.co.uk St Hilda Sea Adventures, near Dunoon. Yacht charter.

07745 550988 www.sthildaseaadventures.co.uk Moorings There are visitor moorings available along the Crinan Canal and in Crinan Harbour Local tourist info Visit Scotland www.visitscotland.com Scottish Canals Visit the Scottish Canals website to find specific local information about the canals and the holiday cottage at Seaview Cottage, Crinan www.scottishcanals.co.uk

Talking of pilots, following the success of the inaugural CRT/AT Canal Pairs event on the Shropshire Union near Market Drayton in September the venues and dates for the 2015 event are more or less in place now. A qualifier will be staged in each waterway

David Kent

from where the five top pairs will go on to fish a grand final. This format will not only allow for top anglers to show their mettle but also provide a great opportunity for club anglers to have a crack on their local canal.

Full details will be out before Christmas.

The AT/CRT Stillwater Championship format will remain pretty well unchanged in 2015 again with the top anglers in each qualifier going forward to the Grand Final at CRT’s Blythe Waters fishery.

As for the present, I understand the Aire & Calder in Yorkshire is still fishing really well.

Several anglers tell me that decent nets of roach are common. There is a similar story from the Kennet & Avon. Again I am hearing of some tremendous catch reports.

A couple of weeks ago I attended a further restocking of my local Erewash Canal.

The CRT Fisheries team had carried out a rescue and were able to divert in excess of 2000lb weight of prime fish to three sites on the canal. Two years on from the pollution things are starting to look a bit more promising. More anglers are giving it a go and I hear of an odd report that someone has had a dozen small fish or so along with a better bream. One or two of the large carp which managed to avoid the worst of the pollution have also been seen. I am, at last, beginning to get encouraged.

My own match results continue to fluctuate. I have picked up one win and another brown envelope in recent weeks but still nothing like my usual autumn form.

Never mind there is still time to finish the year on a high.

Good luck and have a great Christmas.

Famous English chalk stream to be refreshed AFTER years of lobbying against excessive water abstraction from the Upper Kennet, angling and conservation groups – backed by local MP Richard Benyon – have welcomed an announcement from Thames Water for a new £25 million drinking water pipeline.

The line will significantly reduce the amount of water taken every day from the famous Wiltshire and Berkshire chalk stream.

The proposed pipeline will link Swindon homes to Farmoor reservoir in Oxfordshire, which takes its water from the River Thames rather than the Kennet.

Plans have been submitted to Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council with work hoping to start by May 2015.

Martin Salter, national campaigns coordinator for the Angling Trust has

The Upper Kennet near Marlborough in the 2012 winter drought. PHOTO: JOHN SUTTON, CLEARWATER PHOTOGRAPHY

fished the Kennet since childhood. He said: “The Kennet is an iconic English chalk stream which, as a fishery, has suffered from the double whammy of the reopening of the Kennet & Avon Canal, causing the silting up the gravel spawning areas, and low summer flows resulting from over abstraction. The Angling Trust has been calling for the Axford pipeline to be built to restore the flows to the upper river which can only be a good thing for fish and other wildlife in the river as a whole.”

The Angling Trust, the Environment Agency and Action for the River Kennet (ARK) have long claimed that water removed at Axford and Ogbourne treatment works, and not returned to the Kennet, has had a detrimental impact on the river, which is listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is one of England’s best known chalk stream fisheries.

The new 18.2km pipe will carry water to south Swindon and means that the water company will significantly reduce the amount of water it currently takes from the Upper Kennet, one of only 200 chalk streams left in the world and home to species like water voles and brown trout, and specimen sized grayling, roach and dace. The new Axford abstraction licence will be reduced from 13.1 million litres per day (Ml/d) to 6 Ml/d at times when the flow in the Kennet is low.

100 WET WEB

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

The Wet Web

Helen Gazeley digs out plenty of advice for growing your own produce.

WHILE the Government tells us economic recovery is under way, the need to cut our outgoings is still foremost for many.

While few will go as far as the residents of Garden Barge Square, Southwark, where even fruit trees flourish, growing one’s own food can make quite a difference and it’s not too early to think about it.

Just how possible is production onboard, though? This is a question answered on Venetian Marina’s blog, which gives helpful advice on pots and what will grow well (www.venetianmarina.co.uk/ narrowboat-blog/2014/04).

A narrowboat at the Mersey Festival last year shows that even a small container will give a useful supply of herbs and lettuce leaves.

Starting small is a good idea for the inexperienced and Alice Griffin’s articles for Permaculture magazine (www.perma culture.co.uk), describing her progress from growing a few radishes to producing her own weed-based fertiliser, offer inspiration. Low Impact Life Onboard reminds us to shift ballast when necessary, to compensate for large soil-filled containers (www.lilo.org.uk/ handbook/growingfood). The comments on these articles are well worth mining for tips from other narrowboaters.

Container growing does have its own particular challenges (feeding and watering among them) and Mark Ridsdell Smith runs Vertical Veg (www.vertical veg.org.uk), a social enterprise dedicated to supporting this niche area of gardening. He offers a regular newsletter and some very useful videos such as Eight Best Herbs for Containers, where you’ll learn about repotting and best picking methods. In fact, if you’d like a bit more of a structured approach, he runs the Vertical Veg Club, a veg growing community with its own Facebook page, exclusive videos, fact sheets and live online sessions, costing from a very reasonable £3 per month (www.theverticalvegclub.com).

Herbs are an obvious candidate

for growing, and a good way to save money on those tiny supermarket packets. The seed company Thompson and Morgan (www.thompson-morgan.com) offers a large number of detailed how-to articles, including How to Grow Herbs and also a useful downloadable pdf: Fruit Vegetables and Herbs for Containers (www.thompsonm o r ga n . c o m / p l a nt s- f o rcontainers).

Speaking of supermarket packets, expensive salad bags can easily become a thing of the past with regular sowings of green leaves, and the variety available is far greater than you’ll find on the shelves. For inspiration, Michele Chapman’s Vegplotting blog offers the 52Week Salad Challenge, in which she has lots of information on her experiments in growing saladings throughout the year (vegplotting.blogspot.co.uk), as well as contributions from other gardeners.

If starting from scratch seems just a bit daunting, seed companies now offer plenty of kits to make things easier while you gain experience. Pot Toppers from Mr Fothergill’s (www.mrfothergills.co.uk) are seed mats that you place in the top of a pot and cover lightly with compost, removing the worry of correct spacing. They come in a several varieties, including mixed salad leaves, chives and basil. The company’s Garden Time range includes GroBox Gardens in salad and herb selections, where you plant the

Garden Barge Square, Tower Bridge Moorings, Southwark, opens to the public on Open Squares Weekend in June.

Pot Toppers seed mats remove the need to worry about spacing seeds correctly. box directly into the top of a pot, and attractive windowsill kits in galvanised containers for growing strawberries. Full instructions are included and sowing could start next month.

If you’re eager to get started straight away, then it has to be done indoors. Johnson’s offers a sturdy microgreen growing tray which comes with basil, coriander and rocket, and the company has a range of microgreen seeds to choose from to replenish your stock.

The Grobox plants straight into a pot and all you have to do is water.

Galvanised planters for strawberries come complete with seeds and compost.

➔ Formoreinformation The microgreens growing tray can be reused with a fresh supply of seed.

Do you have a favourite website?

Email Helen at helengazeley@aol.com

Society appeal for help with boat purchase GRANTHAM Canal Society has put out an urgent appeal for help in funding the purchase of weed cutter boat Osberton.

When a rare opportunity presented itself to the society to buy the boat for around £9000, members had to move quickly to secure it, as the timescale was extremely short. It is now appealing for funds to cover this very worthwhile and necessary purchase.

Currently there is a pressing need for weed cutting on the canal, particularly following a long spell of warm weather causing the weed and reeds to become very invasive.

If you can help Grantham Canal Society in this endeavour, particularly if you journey along the towpath or live or work adjacent to the canal, then please visit www.granthamcanal.org – all donations gratefully received, whether large or small.

Weed cutter boat Osberton following its delivery to the Grantham Canal Society. PHOTO SUPPLIED

TALKBACK Respecting the rights of other canal users WHILE I agree that there seems to be a decline in courtesy on the canals, I disagree with some of the other comments (Talkback, Issue 110, December).

Firstly, that there should be some sort of restriction to travelling at night. We have often needed to do so when trading, as do other working boats, such as traders and coal delivery boats. As for a boat passing with no tunnel lamp (there is no such thing as a headlamp on a narrowboat) it is entirely possible that the steerer did not want to inconvenience moored boats by shining a light in their windows. As long as one can see to navigate there is no need to use a bright tunnel light.

Secondly, not everyone wishes to ‘interact’ at locks. I normally do but I respect the right of others to keep to themselves if they wish.

Thirdly to suggest that the canal system should be left to the ‘majority of serious boaters’ is, in my opinion, extremely arrogant. Although we now have a mooring, my wife and I have spent many years travelling and trading on the canals and we continue to live aboard. We consider ourselves serious boaters and neither of us would suggest for one moment that we should receive any preferential treatment in the form of restricting the movement of other boats at any time, day or night.

To go back to my original comment agreeing that some of the courtesy is disappearing from the canals, I would suggest that some of Lynne Smyth-Pigot’s attitudes are an example of some of this discourtesy.

Tom McManus nb Mona Lisa

101

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

TALKBACK

Your chance to write to us on any Towpath topic:

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

★ Silky Star Letter ★ TOWPATH TALK has joined forces with Silky Marine Products to celebrate the great letters and pictures we receive from our readers with a star prize each month.

The lucky winner will receive a tub of Silky Cream Cleaner, Silky Deep Cleaner Ready to Use and Silky RX Enzyme Toilet Odour and Waste Reducer, worth a total value of more than £25 from the new range of Silky Marine Care and Maintenance products.

Silky Marine Products are specifically formulated to work in sequence to remove dirt and residue specific to the boating environment, and include the widely regarded classic Silky Cream Cleaner.

When a boat’s surfaces have been cleaned to a high standard using the Silky cleaning range, the valet and polish products bring out the shine, which is then sealed for the season with the unique polymer technology of Silky Protect.

Available to the public through www.silkyproducts.com and selected retail outlets, Silky Products have been manufactured in Slaithwaite near Huddersfield for more than 40 years.

Pulling no punches about composting loos NEVER let it be said that Towpath Talk shies away from delicate subjects. In November (Issue 109) we were treated to a disarmingly frank article on the arcane subject of composting toilets. A little too much information, perhaps? Well, let’s say it pulled no punches.

Wading straight in so to speak, I was fascinated to read that the, er, products of our natural functions had to be separated ‘at source’ in order for the blessed thing to work at all. An ingenious system of chutes saw to this. I know, the mind boggles.

Moving swiftly on, it was revealed that blokes, against all natural inclinations and habits, need to urinate while seated.

Advantage: goodbye to sprinkle stains on the floor. Unclosed lids?

No change there, I’d imagine. It’s just another lifelong habit of ours.

I was relieved (sorry) to learn that flushing was not required. Adding water, although you may strongly yearn to do it, completely upsets the applecart, apparently.

It was alarming, to say the least, to learn that it takes up to six months for a fully composted residue to be ready to be disposed of and requires two containers to be rotated. What do you say to people when they ask what that

funny-looking box squatting on your deck is all about? “Oh, I keep my coal in it” or “Shove off, nosy”.

The truth would be too horrible to admit.

It was comforting to know that urine is classed as grey water (really? Should you ring the doc?) and the CRT looks sternly on people who consign it to the canal.

Indeed, it has expressly forbidden it. The CRT does like forbidding things, doesn’t it?

Somehow, images of summer days come into mind with cattle dreamily peeing into the canal.

Thoughtless creatures. Oh, and all waterfowl seem to be exempt from prosecution.

The price of these systems seems high, but when you balance this against the ever-increasing cost of pump-outs and sanitary stations that are as rare as hens’ teeth, then it doesn’t seem that bad. You are also entering a new religion with an ever-increasing number of converts.

The important question of smell was raised, as well it ought to be. If the toilet is maintained as directed, there will be no smells or flies buzzing around your boat.

Brian Walklet nb Thalia

Where is your favourite mooring?

Thanks to Ken Churchill for sending us this atmospheric photograph of his favourite winter mooring besides Chirk Aqueduct and Viaduct. Send us your pictures and we will feature one each month.

Don’t assume a defect has been reported BOATERS complain that ‘this lock gear has been defective weeks / months / more than a year’. However, when I report the defect I am told that it is not listed as defective. Is it possible that boaters are failing to report lock defects?

Example: On a Friday, three boat crews said they would report a defective lock paddle on Widcombe Flight Lock 13, Kennet & Avon Canal. The following Monday morning, when the lock-keeper was repairing the detached windlass spindle, I commented on how quick the Canal & River Trust managed to get him to do the repair. It turned out that the defect had not been reported to CRT. Why are there historic lock gear defects on some waterways when defects on other waterways are repaired the same day?

Another example: Thursday, May 15, 2014. At 10.30am I moored behind six narrowboats at Chalmondsey Lock, Middlewich Branch; the towpath top paddle was out of use – detached, jammed and leaking.

CRT staff from Chester arrived, ‘stanked off’ Chalmondsey Lock, replaced the broken paddle and the navigation was reopened, all within one hour the same morning.

CRT waterway managers declare that long term defects do not exist. I disagree.

In July 2014, I submitted a list of Wigan Flight defective lock gear, see below. Waterways manager Chantelle Seaborn’s response was: “Expect a complete response in March 2015 after the Winter Stoppage programme has been completed.” This decision ignores routine defects which ought to be carried out under the waterways manager’s maintenance budget.

Indeed this decision is in ignorance of this year’s policy change made by CEO Richard Parry: “Maintenance and Winter Stoppage are independent of each other.” One of many informed changes Mr Parry has introduced.

Boaters, in your interest, don’t assume a defect has been reported – it probably hasn’t. Don’t promise to report a defect – do so and ask CRT Customer Services to inform you that the defect is done. Otherwise at a later date the same defect might delay your cruising.

Wigan flight list of defects July 2014: Top Lock 65 ground paddle gear padlocked and out of use more than two years. * Lock 68 ground paddle detached.

Lock 76 ground paddle detached.

Lock 77 ground paddle detached.

Lock 83 no windlass spindle. * Bottom Lock 85 handcuff gear U/S *From my diary, August 6, 2012 Continuous Cruiser Ken Churchill nb ANT

Why hasn’t the Graham Palmer stone been replaced?

READING Brian Holt’s comment (Talkback, Issue 110, December), I could remind you that in October 2005 TPT printed: “Vandals have defaced the commemorative stone marking and naming the Graham Palmer Lock on the Montgomery Canal over this summer, despite the fact it is in a remote Welsh countryside location.”

A short history of Graham followed, mentioning the fact that Graham’s ashes were buried under the stone and that “Both the stone and the carving were donated by the Bath Stone Co. and it has suffered from weathering; the relatively soft stone has also made the vandals’ job somewhat easier.”

What followed was an appeal for people to send donations to Ray Carter at IWA’s head office stating that any surplus funds would go to WRG and that a new stone would be sourced and carved during the winter.

I was incensed by what had happened (we had known GKP for many years – since the 1960s in fact), so I sent £500 and instructed IWA that if more was needed to complete the task to let me know. I never received a reply, or a thank you, I chased IWA and after a few ‘exchanges’, in May 2007(!) I did receive an acknowledgement of my donation. Now, seven years after that, we still have no idea of what is going on.

In 1982 Graham wrote in Navvies about WRG achievements with waterway restorations as opposed to those who shout about things yet do nothing: “by demonstrating our belief... we are doing all we can, short of open warfare, to demand a share of the decisions with those that shape the world and the country we live in.”

It is time shoving those responsibility clipboards back and forth comes to an end and Graham’s memorial is replaced as a fitting tribute to a great and irreplaceable man.

Rosemary Carden By email

Government will contest EU red diesel case AFTER reading several reports in the press (including Towpath Talk) about the European Union’s concerns over our use of red diesel, I spoke to the MP for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher about it. I have had replies from both Mr Pincher and HM Revenue and Customs and enclose a copy of both (see below).

Keith Murphy nb Kastaway

Christopher Pincher, MP: I am writing to let you know I have received a reply from HM Revenue & Customs regarding the use of red diesel on narrowboats. HMRC confirms that “there has been no change to the UK legislation relating to the use of red diesel on narrowboats” and it suggests that your concerns may relate to a press release issued by the European Commission which states that the commission has referred the UK to the European Union’s Court of Justice for not properly applying the rules of the use of red diesel.

However, the Government believes it has broken no rules nor made no legislative change.

Ian Stewart, Director, HMRC: First I would like to confirm that there has been no change in UK legislation relating to the use of red diesel on narrowboats.

Mr Murphy’s concern appears to relate to a press release issued by the European Commission, which states that the commission has decided to refer the UK to the European Union’s Court of Justice for not properly applying the rules on the use of red diesel.

However, the UK’s position is that we comply fully with the requirements of the directive and, therefore, we will contest this case.

Ian Stewart, Director, HMRC

Work is being done on Macclesfield Canal I WAS sorry to read Dave Chamberlain’s problems with the Macclesfield Canal (Talkback, Issue 109, November). My wife and I cruised this canal in late October and early November, and can inform Dave that we saw three Canal & River Trust gangs cutting back vegetation on both the offside and towpath side of the canal (well done CRT, keep it up, there are more lengths to be done).

There were also a number of lengths which had been marked for work, which appeared to us to

be either vegetation cutback or bank repairs.

The Macclesfield has long been known as a shallow canal and there are many places that would make lovely mooring spots if only one could get alongside. So yes, dredging is needed, as is removal of saplings on the towpath bank.

Work is being done and I hope that people won’t be put off visiting this very attractive canal.

Peter McLaren By email

Strangers came to the rescue I WOULD like to express my gratitude to two fellow boaters, complete strangers who came to my rescue in August on the River Severn.

We had moored overnight on the Severn next to Shanty Bay, they kindly invited us to moor next to them as we were having difficulty finding a mooring.

In the early hours my partner was taken ill, so much so that he needed hospital treatment.

I knocked on nb Shanty Bay’s

window needing help (5am! not a good time to wake anyone).

Dale came out, calmed me down, called for an ambulance giving instructions as to where we were. Dale and Kath looked after our boat while we were at hospital and were waiting for us on our return some hours later.

Such wonderful people, Dale and Kath, your actions restored my faith in humanity.

Sandra and Mike nb Countess

It’s the cleaning up that matters I’M NOT surprised ‘Fed Up’ withheld their name when complaining about people using shovels to remove dog mess on the towpath!

(Talkback, Issue 110, December). Has it not occurred to this person that the two alternatives are: 1 Leaving it for anyone to step in or 2 Putting a degradable substance into a non-degradable plastic bag.

Sadly I no longer have a dog to share towpath walks with, but when I did, I carried a shovel to clean up after my dog, and often used it to clear up dog mess left by others who hadn’t bothered. We still carry a shovel on the boat, and have used it several times when mooring up to clean the grass in the area we are using. The problem is people not cleaning up, not the method they use to do it.

Dee Humphreys By email

Stage managed programmes don’t give a true reflection HAVING read a copy of Towpath Talk which featured an article by Bob Clarke regarding a new ITV series to be presented by John Sergeant (News, Issue 107, September), I have to ask the question: “Why do these programmes always use actors?”

We’ve already had a series about the canals starring Timothy West and Prunella Scales and now it’s John Sergeant’s turn. Why can’t

they use ‘proper’ people? People who live on narrowboats and cruise the canals all year rather than for two weeks each summer; people who single-handedly tackle a flight of locks and swing bridges. These ‘stage managed’ programmes do not give a true reflection of what living on the canals is all about.

Jon Reynolds nb Borderline

102 NEWS/THE LAST WORD

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Conflict between boaters and land-based residents in Camden comes to the fore once more

By Polly Player

THE significant degree of overcrowding on the waterways of London is bound to lead to some conflict between boaters and land-based residents on occasion, and certain stretches of London’s canals have become something of a pinchpoint for hostilities over the last 18 months in particular.

The Regent’s Canal in the King’s Cross area is one such spot, with a significant amount of housing present right alongside the canal for much of its length, as well as of course being one of the main arteries of the London waterways network that sees a significant amount of boating traffic pass along it over the course of the year.

Residents of land-based housing in the area have complained several times about noise from engines and

generators, smoke from solid fuel stoves and even antisocial behaviour perpetrated by boaters moored in the area, as well as a lack of movement on the canal in general.

Camden area residents and members of the Friends of Regent’s Canal have called on the Canal & River Trust several times to restrict the number of boats navigating London on a continual basis, and also to better monitor and enforce mooring stay times within the Camden area. Measures introduced by CRT in 2014 to enforce mooring stay times within the area and look into providing additional moorings are now well under way.

However, this is not enough for some residents, who feel that the number of moored boats in the area in general should be reduced, and that the standard rules on the running of

TOWPATH TITTER

In some cases, outright hostility between boaters and local residents has ensued, with the perceived problems in the King’s Cross area having been highlighted in the local newspaper, the Camden New Journal, in both October and November of 2014.

Residents of Treaty Street, a residential road adjacent to the Regent’s Canal, have petitioned CRT to limit moored boats in the area to single file only between Caledonian Road and York Way, stating: “We and our children are being choked with diesel and wood fumes, unable to open our windows

and have to put up with engine noise at all times of the day and night.”

William McLennan, writing in the Camden New Journal in October, stated that “Boaters are allowed to spend up to two weeks tied-up at spots along the canal and some spend all year moving around London to avoid paying for a permanent mooring.”

While nobody can fail to appreciate the rights and comfort needs of landbased residents in the capital, however, it is undeniable that boaters in London, just as in any other area of the UK, have the right to use the navigable parts of canal network within the parameters of the existing rules. This of course includes the right to moor up in permitted locations, and to be able to generate power and keep warm. With mooring space at a premium all across the capital and in some areas, breasting

up or even triple mooring being the norm, the loss or restriction of any existing mooring provision is sure to place even greater pressure on the already overstretched London boating community.

Overcrowding on the canals of London is an undeniable problem, but one that shows no signs of resolving itself, and this poses a clear issue for both land based residents, and boaters themselves. However, when the negative views of certain land-based residents are entrenched enough to run so far as referring to continuous cruising as the deliberate avoidance of paying for a mooring, and little account taken of the need for liveaboard boaters to be able to access mooring spaces and generate heat and power, it is hard to see how a resolution that is acceptable to all parties can be reached.

Derick Starmer of nb Lady Jane took this picture of his son Steve on board nb Teggs Nose on the Ashby Canal.

And thanks to Eddie Barford of the Mersey Motor Boat Club for his latest snap.

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

Look, no hands!

This eagle-eyed narrowboat is keeping a close eye on its owner’s motorbike at Burlaston on the Trent & Mersey Canal.

engines and generators and the use of solid fuel stoves when moored up do not go far enough to ensure their quality of life in terms of noise and smoke pollution.

Outright hostility

CONTINUING our light-hearted look at life on the cut with another contribution from Harry Arnold of Waterway Images.

RIGHT: We are assured that visitors to The Mug Tug in Barton Marina are not normally subjected to this.

The curious case In this month’s extracts from her online blog,Amy Whitewick finds there are still things just waiting to be discovered.

WE DON’T worry about the winter weather on our boat. Mum can tie a boat up with hurricane force knots that take half an hour to undo before casting ashore (there’s no way we’re letting go of our girl in high winds), so for the Canal & River Trust to send

a boaters guide in the post was an interesting gift, to say the least.

Just before Christmas we received this marvellous pamphlet which describes every applicable knot under the sun, plus an interesting story about a man, a curry, and a fire. No, it doesn’t turn out the way you might think.

I’m too embarrassed to ask our boaty neighbours if they got one too, in case they roar with laughter at us and roll around on the floor. Perhaps CRT thinks our knots really are dangerous. Or that we might have an urge to block all of our air vents with biscuits. Or invite our guests to stand on one side of the boat doing the conga. Either way, it’s a useful reminder to not go and have a curry while leaving the boat unattended.

Murder mystery

The bow fender is currently too high above the water. PHOTO:AMY WHITEWICK

Although our boat has been with us for four months, we’re still discovering new things every time we open a cupboard door. This time, dad lifted up the double bed support to inspect the poo tank below and was confronted by a suitcase.

Intrigued, he pulled it out and unzipped it slowly.

Did it contain money, perhaps? I watch too many episodes of NCIS and indulge in far too much Sherlock than is healthy, so my first thought was – ‘what if there’s a body?’

Dad continued to unzip, shaking slightly from the suspense.

To his horror, inside the suitcase was yet another suitcase. He unzipped the Russian doll-style secondary receptacle with caution, only to find a photo of a grinning man. No money. No terrifying contents. No ransom note. Just a photo of a happy someone who obviously looked pleased at the thought of being such an anticlimax. Even Sherlock and Watson would have been stumped with this case (pun intended).

Disappointed, dad wandered off in search of afternoon tea and mum smiled at him from the bow: “I know how much you don’t like blueberry muffins, so I gave yours to the swan.” The swan paddling by gulped, a cake-shaped lump in its throat, which slowly travelled towards its arse.

There was no chance of getting the muffin back after that.

Swearing blind

The disappointment didn’t end there for dad. The newly fitted roller window blinds were having a little tension troubles with their springs and refused to automatically roll up after spending their first chilly night on our girl. Amusingly, after a fiddle with a metal rod and a plastic pin, we got one of the blinds to work upside down. Instead of automatically closing, it automatically opened. I didn’t think this was even possible, and spent half the morning playing with the novelty, until I realised we had wound the spring up the wrong way. There was nothing resembling instructions in

And don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter @towpathtalk and on Facebook

the immediate locality, so it became a situation of the blind leading the blind and lots of swearing until, eventually, we twigged it. Now the blinds zip up to the top of the window so fast, you have to be careful of wearing loose clothing next to them. Ties are enormous fun – I can’t wait to invite an estate agent over for a cup of tea.

All of our blinds are custom printed with photos on, and for the bathroom I’ve opted for something a little wilder and have designed my own fabric with Arctic Terns all over it facing in opposite directions to one another. Dad’s eyes went in the middle when he saw them, and he clutched his head, claiming he had a funny ‘tern’.

Tension trouble

Our bow fender has also been playing a somewhat confusing game as of late. Being too high up on the nose of our girl, it not only sees to make her look snobbish, it also misses every opportunity to protect her delicate undercarriage from bumps and scrapes (don’t tell CRT if you see any missing sections of towpath). Hence dad and I trundled off to Victoria and Spencer’s Boatyard to find some chain to lower it. Victoria has suggested tensioners, which, in theory, you’re meant to have two of. Dad scratched his head, confused. I can’t wait to watch him fit them. It’ll be like watching DIY SOS. G Read Amy’s blog at http://weboughtafatboat.blogspot.com

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

103

104

www.towpathtalk.co.uk