Towpath Talk September 2014 - Preview

The UK’s Number ONE read for all waterways users

112 PAGES

Issue 108, October 2014

Historic boats gather at Alvecote

LIFEBOATS PARADE AT SAUL IWA PAGEANT P5

TRIP BOATS RETURN TO OLYMPIC WATERWAY P14

Seen from the Samuel Barlow pub, historic narrowboats pack Alvecote Marina for the 2014 Annual Gathering. Report on page 4. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

HAVE A GO AT STEERING A 70FT NARROWBOAT P62

Towpath Talk tops the poll in Canal & River Trust’s boater survey

NEW SERIES

By Janet Richardson

THE first results of the Canal & River Trust’s new BOAT (Boat Owners Attitude Tracker) survey are in and Towpath Talk was found to be boaters’ favourite read.

BOAT, which started in June, aims to keep the trust up-to-date with boaters’ thoughts and feelings three times a year.

Views of around 1000 randomly selected boaters will be gathered each

Restoration raffle’s £5000

P110

THE IWA’s Waterways Restoration Raffle has raised more than £5000 since it was launched in August. It aims to raise at least £10,000, with 100% of the profits going towards supporting restoration projects run by IWA corporate members, and a volunteer-led moorings improvement project on the Cheshire Ring.

Proceeds have so far exceeded £5000 due to a combination of over 2000 ticket sales and some generous donations. The raffle will be drawn on January 16, 2015, at IWA’s Head Office in Chesham.

Visit www.waterways.org.uk/raffle

520 BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

time, with invitations sent out by independent research agency BDRC Continental, which is conducting the survey on behalf of CRT. Over the next two years, it is expected that all boaters who have registered their email address with the boat licensing office will have been invited to take part.

In his September waterways press briefing, chief executive Richard Parry reported the results of a survey

P15

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into the most read waterway related publication.

In answer to the question: “Which, if any, of the following waterway (paper) publications do you read?” 70% of responders named Towpath Talk. Other publications listed were: Waterways World 45%, Canal Boat 34%, Waterways (IWA) 24%, Waterfront (CRT) 11%, other 11%, None of these 15%. Figures for online waterways forums showed visits by 27% of responders with the

Trust’s planning ahead

THE Canal & River Trust has launched a consultation about how it plans to manage essential water resources over the next 35 years.

It is keen to hear from people and businesses that enjoy the waterways to help provide guidance and practical advice on the strategy.

The deadline for people to give their views is November 4, 2014, and the full consultation including the survey and a summary, can be found at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk – click on ‘consultations’. See story on P103.

Canal World Discussion Forum heading the table with 11%.

Giving an update on CRT’s progress this year, Mr Parry reported a strong start to 2014-15 with projected expenditure of £90 million, up £7 million from 2013-14. Additional customer service works of £1.4 million have also been detailed. “We are looking to see if we can do even more,” he added.

• Continued on page 3

Riverbed is investigated

GROUND investigations have started on the Haven riverbed at Boston to determine the design of defence walls as part of the proposed £90.2 million flood barrier which will be situated downsteam of the Black Sluice Lock.

As well as reducing the risk of tidal flooding, during the boating season it will also manage water levels to create a safe and reliable inland navigation link between the Grand Sluice and Black Sluice Locks. Construction is expected to begin in 2017.

2 NEWS

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WELCOME

FINDINGS from the Canal & River Trust’s first BOAT (Boater Owner Attitude Tracker) survey were indeed good news for Towpath Talk as reported on the front page.

This is very heartening for us as we strive to produce a publication which serves and reflects the views of the whole waterway community and this does not just include boaters but supporters of the myriad canal and river societies and other towpath users throughout the British Isles.

As I write, the Scottish referendum is just one day away and we will know the outcome by the time this paper reaches you.

We go north of the border to find this month’s Towpath Treasure – the Falkirk Wheel – which had a record number of visitors in July, see pages 104 and 106.

And our Scottish correspondent Hugh Dougherty visits a ‘half-scale canal’ with all the characteristics of a full size version on page 105.

Although space prevents us from including all the event reports we have received in this edition, we have reports on pages 4 and 5 from the Alvecote Gathering and the IWA Saul Waterway Pageant and the Redhill Boat Show on page 58.

Peter Underwood had hoped to report on his return Ribble crossing but was stranded by a stoppage due to low water levels; read his report on page 103. I return to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to witness the transformation that has taken place since London 2012, see page 14, and Helen Gazeley forages online for ways to deal with a glut of blackberries – I can certainly endorse that having just made my umpteenth crumble of the season!

TOWPATH

TALK

Janet

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River police evict 17 boats in joint operation

By Polly Player

EVICTION notices were served on 17 boats moored alongside the Thames Water site on Lower Sunbury Road, Hampton (London, TW12) recently as part of a joint operation between the Met’s Marine Policing Unit and enforcement officers from Thames Water.

The bankside along that part of the Thames is owned by Thames Water, with the navigation itself managed by the Environment Agency. Unlike the vast majority of Canal & River Trust waterways where mooring is permitted along any stretch of towpath unless otherwise indicated, most of the bankside along the Thames is owned privately by the respective landowners whose properties back on to the river, accompanied by associated bank ownership or riparian rights to the land itself.

The 17 boats in question, which had been illegally moored next to the Thames Water site for some months, had as a group been the subject of numerous complaints by local residents as well as the landowners themselves, with issues such as fly tipping, noise pollution and antisocial behaviour documented since the community began to use the moorings without permission.

Local residents had complained to both the police and the local council about feeling intimidated when walking along that stretch of the river, as well as the condition and state of repair of the boats themselves, which one local resident described as “dreadful and unsightly”.

The eviction notice, which was served on the boaters by the Marine Policing Unit and local officers from Hampton’s policing team, required the boats to move on from that stretch of the river on or before Tuesday, August 19, a demand that was ultimately complied with.

Acting Sergeant Michael Somers of Hampton police team said: “This is part of an ongoing operation where the Metropolitan Police Service is assisting land owners to remove boats moored without permission. We have previously worked with councils and the Environment Agency, however, in this case, we have partnered with Thames Water.”

Coun Pamela Fleming, cabinet member for the environment at London Borough of Richmond upon Thames said: “The council supports this co-ordinated approach which should bring about the removal of illegally moored vessels on the Thames in Hampton.”

Richmond council also states that the eviction of illegally moored boats along other stretches of the river in the area is also a priority, particularly when it comes accompanied by antisocial behaviour from the residents of the boats in question.

None of the boats’ residents themselves wished to comment on the circumstances surrounding their eviction, and the 17 boats in question have all moved on to other areas of the river in smaller groups.

The late Dudley Matthews, tug driving on the Lower Avon.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Celebrating the life of ‘Mr Avon’ with new guide

THE man affectionately dubbed ‘Mr Avon’ – the late Dudley C B Matthews MBE – would have been delighted that his memorial event is being used to launch his beloved Avon Navigation Trust’s new guide. In fact he planned it.

The lifelong promoter and protector of the river left strict instructions to his son, ANT general manager Clive Matthews, to make sure the celebration of his life would also embrace the new River Avon Navigation & Visitor Guide, which helps raise muchneeded funds for the trust’s work.

‘Dud’ knew what he was doing. Clive has already had more than 100 – and rising – requests to attend the event.

The lengthening list includes ANT patron Timothy West, river users who are grateful for the work he did and representatives from national organisations including the Inland Waterways Association and the Canal & River Trust.

“It is a great comfort to know that my father was so well thought of and that his work and reputation reached so far,” says Clive, whose father passed away peacefully on August 12, aged 95.

Champion

Long-time volunteer Dud and his late wife Enid were also behind the original Trust Guides. This year’s, which includes the new feature Avon Canoe Trails, was the first he’d not been involved with.

Ever since he helped a friend build the 24ft motor cruiser Gauntlet in the 1940s, Dud had been a champion of the waterways.

He joined the IWA and the Lower Avon Navigation Trust in the 1950s and became involved in the restoration of the Lower Avon and then the Upper Avon.

Dud’s long list of achievements include being the ANT’s founder member, director, president emeritus and chairman of Reach Masters & Associates.

Tony Hales, chairman of the CRT, commented: “Dudley Matthews was a giant figure in the movement for saving our waterways for future generations. The people around the Avon owe Dudley a particular debt. His influence lives on through his work and his family. We are all thankful for, and celebrate the life of, a great and loved man.”

The October 3 Memorial and Celebration event will be held at the Wyre Mill Club, which he helped to found and where his boats were moored.

The River Avon Navigation & Visitor Guide, which includes a foreword by canal laureate Jo Bell, is available from the ANT (email office@avonnavigationtrust.org) plus local bookshops and visitor centres.

See obituary on page eight.

Inland waterways loses one of its most ferocious champions

By Bob Clarke

The late Vic Smallshire.

ONE of the most colourful characters and ferocious champions of the inland waterways, Vic Smallshire, founder and long-time chairman of the Dudley Canal Trust, died on Sunday September 14 after a long illness.

He was 69.

It was down to his drive and initiative that the former British Transport Commission’s plans to

close Dudley Tunnel and adjoining waterways were thwarted with the foundation of Dudley Canal Tunnel Preservation Society – soon to become the Dudley Canal Trust.

Under his chairmanship over many years, the trust reopened the tunnel and its associated limestone mines and caverns and created what was to become one of the Black Country’s leading industrial tourism spots with upwards of 80,000 visitors a year.

He was also closely involved with the restoration of the Welsh Highland narrow gauge railway line between Caernarfon and Porthmadog, where he made use of his skills as a surveyor on many sections of the line.

A full obituary of the activities of this remarkable man to whom the inland waterways owe so much will appear in the November edition of Towpath Talk.

Eye-catching mural grabs the attention of boaters Boaters passing through the village of Alrewas on the Trent & Mersey Canal – particularly those mooring above Bagnall Lock – have a new attraction. The towpath side abutment of the A513 (Alrewas bypass) has been decorated with a second graffiti mural as part of the village’s recent biennial arts festival.

Painting was done by village children supervised by a professional graffiti artist.

The offside was decorated two years ago with an Olympic theme.

Alrewas Arts Festival also has other canal components such as traditional painting and waterway photographic courses.

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

NEWS 3

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Manchester crime wave prompts new security measures

By Geoff Wood

THE regenerated area between the Ashton and Rochdale canals in Manchester has degenerated into a crime alley say narrowboaters who moor at the New Islington Marina at Ancoats, with boat owners warning visitors along the waterways to stay away.

The following recent incidents have alarmed boat owners: A gang of 10 teenage thugs ran amok in the marina area armed with a handgun.

The windows of one narrowboat were smashed by the gang and a man and a woman were attacked and had their mobile phones stolen.

Soon afterwards, a security man had his keys and tablet computer stolen.

By the end of one week, five bikes had been stolen and three boats had been broken into and vandalised.

Narrowboat owner Steven Gould said: “There has been a lot of anti-social behaviour at the marina and people have started calling it the Bronx. There has been verbal and physical abuse to boaters and among the gangs there has been excessive drinking and drug taking.

“As well as this, three cygnets and a male swan have been killed on the canal. The police are trying their best but they are understaffed.”

Mr Gould and other boaters are urging people not to moor up at the marina overnight as they believe it is

not safe. On his 45ft narrowboat Duchess, he told me: “We have decided to stay because this is convenient for the work my partner Fiona and myself have in Manchester. But for anyone who is moving along the canal – I would advise them to go elsewhere.”

An emergency public meeting was called by local councillor Rosa Battle following muggings and attacks on residents in the New Islington area.

She said: “For a while there has been a sense of uneasiness. We have had quite a few muggings and people hanging around in gangs.

“I have had residents getting in touch with me saying they feel intimidated.”

“In response to that we have increased patrols to ensure that we have a visible presence in the area.”

Recently a small canal boat moored at New Islington was gutted by suspected arsonists. Now Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell is seeking a meeting with senior police officers and fire chiefs after the spate of incidents around the marina.

She said: “I have been contacted by a number of residents at the marina who have been concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour. This is a shame as this is usually a peaceful place to live.”

Marina owner Urban Splash declined to comment on the recent troubles.

New hope

Historic route

There could be new hope for New Islington and its marina, however, as additional security measures are to be discussed by the council and the police following the emergency meeting with residents.

Inspector Alan Kelly of Greater Manchester Police said: “The recent incident on the New Islington Marina was an exceptional and isolated occurrence that we are treating very seriously.”

“We have a team of officers carrying out a substantial investigation. In reality though, we are actually seeing a reduction of crime and incidents on the marina year on year, with some being anti-social behaviour carried out by youths.

• Continued from page 1

Towpath Talk tops the poll in Canal & River Trust survey

Meanwhile there is controversy over plans to gate off a section of the Rochdale Canal underneath the streets of Manchester a mile away from New Islington. This area further south of Ancoats has, over a period of time, seen a spate of muggings and complaints from barge owners about lewd acts.

But there is opposition from the Open Spaces Society and the Ramblers Association. Don Lee from the OSS said: “It is a 200-year-old route that people come from miles around to walk through the centre of Manchester.

“You cannot just close it off. If there has been a spate of muggings, then surely it is down to the police to step up patrols not close it off.”

MPs told moving HS2 could save bridges

There will be a planned spend of £45 million on the winter stoppage programme with 175 projects scheduled including: Chirk Tunnel on the Llangollen Canal which will be drained for brickwork repairs; replacement of lock gates at Lime Kiln Lock on the Grand Union Canal at Leicester and at City Road Lock on the Regent’s Canal; repair works to Marple Aqueduct and replacement lock gates to Lock 2 on the Peak Forest Canal.

Following successful summer open days at the Docklands Impounding Station, Tees Barrage and Newark Dry Dock, with Sutton Weaver Bridge due to take place after we went to press, the winter programme is being put together and could include Chirk Tunnel.

Although the last year had been difficult for fund raising, CRT had grown its new in-house team which is working well, according to Mr Parry. Latest figures showed 7000 friends at August 31, up 1500 since April 1. On the volunteering front there were 61 community adoptions at August 31; an estimated 150 ‘explorers’ have worked with around 25,000 children so far this year; there are over 400 volunteer lock keepers and new welcome stations are in place at 20 key locks.

More than 2000 people responded to the Sharing Towpaths Consultation during May and recommendations for a towpath policy will be announced this autumn.

IN BRIEF All party report

THE All Party Parliamentary Group for the Waterways (APPG) has published its second report looking at the progress made by the Canal & River Trust since its creation in 2012, highlighting its achievements and recommending opportunities for the future. The report covered a range of issues, from the Government’s proposed transfer of the Environment Agency’s navigations to funding, volunteering and moorings.

The full report can be viewed at www.waterways.org.uk

Licence holders BREAKDOWN and emergency

assistance firm River Canal Rescue is continuing its support for the Canal & River Trust by producing 10,000 boat licence holders. The RCR-branded holders are issued to boaters throughout the year.

RCR MD Stephanie Horton said: “We’re keen to help waterways charities and businesses develop and grow so will contribute where we can. ” To find out more about River Canal Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

Engineering contract

THE Canal & River Trust has awarded its National Engineering & Construction Contract (NECC) to Kier MG Ltd. Starting on April 1, 2015, the six-year contract, with options to extend to a maximum of 10 years, will see around £25 million of construction works annually comprising around 100 major construction projects and more than 200 minor repair projects.

Online vote results IN OUR latest online poll at

www.towpathtalk.co.uk we asked readers whether they have noticed more boat traffic this summer.

More than half of those who responded said they hadn’t with a quarter voting yes; 15% thought it was about the same. This month we are asking for your views on the badger cull.

Bridge work delays

The draining of Chirk Tunnel for brickwork repairs will be a major project during the winter stoppage programme and could be the venue for an open day. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

The MPs of the HS2 parliamentary committee at Wood End Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal above Fradley Junction – one of their last stops of a day of visiting sites affected by the building of the new railway line. They were spoken to by Canal & River Trust engineers and officers of the local IWA Lichfield Branch about their joint submission to move the line at this point slightly westward which will avoid three major bridges across the canal, which it is also claimed, will save money. Earlier the MPs met members of the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust and local authority officers at Cappers Lane where the line will cross the Lichfield Canal restoration and the premises of Lichfield Cruising Club. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

WORK on refurbishing the swing bridge over the River Ouse at Selby forced the cancellation of some rail services to and from Hull and delays in voyages by cargo vessels, writes Geoff Wood. The latest hold ups during the £8 million project were caused when new operating systems for the bridge were being commissioned. Engineers are hoping the work will put an end to a series of problems with the bridge.

8 NETWORKING

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Lock wind boosts canal restoration funds

SOCIETY NEWS Sumba in action

MOST of us have heard of Zumba but what about SUMBA? The Shropshire Union Middlewich Branch Adopters began in April and has been giving priority to painting picnic benches, seats and totem posts and replacing damaged information signs as their condition is prominent in the public’s eye. Regular litter picks have also been held and an environmental project to plant historic Cheshire apple trees and other plants alongside and within the hedgerows is gathering strength. Suitable locations are being chosen for an initial planting project this autumn.

(Cuttings, Autumn 2014)

Showcase example

HERITAGE narrowboat Birdswood’s acquisition, refurbishment and operation has been described as a ‘showcase example’ of RDPE funding helping local businesses

by Defra minister Dan Rogerson in a letter to the Friends of Cromford Canal. It is published in full in the Friends’ new-look full colour newsletter. There is still time to see Birdswood horse-drawn this year over the weekends of October 4-5 and November 1-2. (The Portal, Summer 2014)

Lock wind

THE annual Marsworth Lock Wind proved to be a successful fundraising and publicity event again with IWA Chiltern Branch volunteers raising about £425 from helping boaters through the lock and enrolling six new IWA members. (IWA Chiltern eNews, September 2014)

Longwood gathering

FOLLOWING the announcement that the Pelsall Canal Festival would not take place next year Longwood Boat Club has decided to organise something on the corresponding weekend – June 14-15, 2015. The club, which is situated at the top of the Rushall Locks at the end of the Daw End Branch, is seeking expressions of interest so it can gauge the likely size of the event. (Boundary Post, August 2014)

Autumn cruise

BOATERS will be welcome to join the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society’s autumn cruise over the weekend of October 4-5.

The venue will be Brockmoor Junction on the Stourbridge Fens Branch and it is hoped the event will raise the profile of this quite large area of disused waterway, to make sure that we do not lose it.

It may also be a good ‘staging point’ for some on their way to the Stourbridge Open Weekend.

(Boundary Post, August 2014)

Historic working boat Plover followed by Saturn being bowhauled through the flight.

PHOTO: SNCT

THE Inland Waterways Association’s Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch held another very successful annual lock wind at Hurleston Locks in August, raising several hundred pounds towards the major canal restoration projects in the branch’s area.

Over 20 volunteers, including some members of neighbouring IWA branches and some non-members, helped almost 85 boats to transit the locks at the junction of the Llangollen and Shropshire Union canals.

A highlight of the weekend was the passage of the 108-year-old restored Shroppie fly-boat Saturn, bow hauled through the flight and preceded by her

motor, the historic working boat Plover.

Although boat movements were less than at last year’s event, perhaps due to heavy rain on the Saturday, boaters again contributed generously and both donations and sales of produce, books and the branch’s 2015 pictorial calendars raised more funds than in previous years.

“This was another great result for the canal restorations on the Montgomery and Shrewsbury & Newport canals,” said branch chairman Michael Limbrey. “We are very grateful to all who supported us so generously, and also to our enthusiastic team of volunteers, who kept smiling through rain and shine and made the whole weekend possible.”

Canal Rangers are ready to help

Renowned canalside potter mourned

THE Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Association has now launched a new ‘Rangers’ scheme to promote and improve the whole length of the canal.

Chairman, Chris Whitcombe explained: “We want to encourage visitors to the B&T to take an interest in this lovely area; our ‘volunteer rangers’ will be recognisable by displaying our logo and will be happy to answer questions about the canal.”

Supported by Canal & River Trust, the rangers will help to monitor the condition of the canal, its towpath, hedges, car parks, as well as looking out for and recording wildlife sightings.

Chris added: “Along the way they ensure litter is picked up, overhanging brambles clipped back, as well as many other smaller jobs that will keep this canal a pleasant place to visit.”

Covering the whole 14-mile length, some rangers already have their particular patch where they regularly cycle or walk the dog. So, if you would like to be involved in this venture, please contact the volunteer co-ordinator on 01278 663449 or email batca@maunsellock.co.uk

A SELF-taught ceramic artist who achieved world fame, Peter Ilsley of Whilton Locks Pottery, near Daventry, died in hospital on August 25 after a short illness, writes Tom Price.

He was 81 and leaves two sons, Jason and Mark – Mark is also a potter and lives and works on a narrowboat on the Grand Union Canal.

Coventry-born Peter became a fulltime potter in the late 60s, when he established the Draycote Pottery near Rugby, making a wide range of domestic and artistic pottery. He was also an actor and played minor roles in TV series including Philip Marlowe Private Eye, Dr Who, Basil Brush and Z-Cars.

He moved to the bottom lock at Whilton Locks in 1986 and soon became a leading figure in the community as founder chairman of the Whilton and Buckby Locks Association.

He was also chairman of the Midland Potters Association.

A proud follower of the arts and crafts movement inspired by John Ruskin and William Morris, he specialised in handthrown vases and bowls in earthenware, stoneware and porcelain.

In the 1990s he began experimenting with crystalline glazes, a long-lost technique which originated in ancient China. After hundreds of experiments he established a ground-breaking series of spectacular glazes.

His book, “Macro-Crystalline Glazes: The Challenge of Crystals,” soon become the definitive reference for crystalline potters all over the world. Its publication in 1999 led to him being in demand for exhibitions, lectures and workshops in America, Canada, Australia and throughout Europe.

The Chinese government invited him to demonstrate to a huge audience of ceramicists at Beijing University. One of his overseas pupils, Vinod Daroz, who spent several months with him at Whilton Locks, is now a leading ceramic sculptor in India.

In recent years Peter, a charismatic and convivial character who enjoyed a pint at the nearby Norton village pub, spent the winters in southern Spain, where he continued to throw and fire pots to bring in his car when he drove back to Whilton Locks.

Beside the community noticeboard supplied by the Canal & River Trust and put in place by BATCA volunteers are, from left: Max Ward (CRT) and BATCA volunteer rangers Chris Whitcombe, Sue Horrill, Pat McKeown and Steve Horne. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Tributes paid to ‘Mr Avon’ Dudley Matthews WHEN Dudley CB Matthews MBE passed away peacefully at the age of 95, tributes flooded in for the man who did so much for the Avon, its riverusers and its local communities.

‘Dud’ had dedicated over 61 years to restoring, protecting, promoting and keeping everything running smoothly in a wonderfully wide variety of ways, from getting down and dirty on repairs to marshalling the army of volunteers who are the life blood of the system.

He retired from the civil service in 1983, but would often work 40 hour weeks in just one of his volunteer roles, as tugmaster, for the Lower Avon Navigation Trust.

He received his MBE in 1998 for his services to the inland waterways cause, which never wavered. He went to to be a powerful force in new developments, including the amalgamation of the Upper and Lower Avon Navigation Trust into the Avon Navigation Trust, of which he was founder member, director and which honoured him in 2014 as President Emeritus.

Born in Stechford, Birmingham, Dud was about to start a career as a management trainee when he was called up in 1939.

He fought at Dunkirk, in the Western Desert, North Africa and Italy. He was mentioned in despatches twice, and received six campaign medals.

He met his wife Enid, who he married in 1953, while he was training to be a senior tax inspector, and she proved to be the catalyst in their immersion in the waterways world, as well as his anchor.

Dud’s family had moved to the canalside village of Penkridge and his stepfather George Matthews was also a fan of the Avon. However, the defining moment was when Dud crossed the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal on the way to see his wife to be.

He saw, to his horror, that it was dry and wrote to the Inland Waterways Association to find out why. A natural doer, he joined the IWA and then LANT, and so it began.

Dud and close friend Ron Burrowes had built the 24ft cruiser Gauntlet and converted a 38ft former RNLI lifeboat Daphne.

They became proactive members of the Severn Motor Yacht Club, and attracted the attention of Douglas Barwell. Douglas had launched his crusade to reopen the Avon between Tewkesbury and Evesham, and wondered whether Dud and his friend would like to help working on some locks.

Actually Dud’s first job as a ‘Barwell Boy’ was to repair the lock to the ladies’ loos, but he went on to put in countless hours to help restore navigation to the lovely stretch of river.

Founder member The late Dudley Matthews in his Reach Masters uniform. PHOTO SUPPLIED

When LANT was considering moving on to the restoration to Stratford, Dud powered on. He is a cast iron link between all the river’s major milestones.

He was a founder member of the

UANT that pressed on with the restoration and had already started the Wyre Mill Club with Douglas Barwell.

The club honoured its director and harbour master with the title Commodore Emeritus.

Dud and Enid managed to get some leisure time on the river, on their boats Dalreh and then Gloster Rose, which were moored at the club. But a great swathe of time was spent for the river, including the couple’s work in the Trust guides.

Dudley helped with the first production of Gateway to the Avon in 1966 and by 1971 he took over as editor, helped by Enid.

It is almost impossible to find the space to list all the good that Dud did.

As well as tugmaster and harbour master, he gathered and ran the volunteers to man the newly opened locks and he took over the chairmanship, from Douglas, of the volunteer Reach Masters, who are crucial in maintaining the river as a thoroughfare.

Dud will be sorely missed. He was a much-loved husband, father, friend and colleague. He was also a man who was dedicated to championing the cause of the Avon.

Canal & River Trust chairman Tony Hales paid this tribute: “Dudley Matthews was a giant figure in the movement for saving our waterways for future generations. The people around the Avon owe Dudley a particular debt. His influence lives on through his work and his family. We are all thankful for and celebrate the life of a great and loved man.”

The picture accompanying this obituary sums him up: a happy man in his Reach Masters uniform, with a glass of cheer outside the Wyre club he helped to found, and that ever-present mobile in his pocket, because he was always on call.

It’s a portrait that celebrates all that’s glorious about Dud and all volunteers and the enormous difference they make.

The late Peter Ilsley at his wheel.

NETWORKING 9

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Trip boat Charlie with Mike Partridge on the tiller emerges from the southern portal of Blisworth Tunnel with the guests on board. PHOTOS: STEVE DEAN

Red Wheel for Blisworth Tunnel

By Steve Dean

THIRTY years to the day since the re-opening of Blisworth Tunnel on August 22, 1984, the Transport Trust has placed a Red Wheel adjacent to the southern portal of the tunnel at Stoke Bruerne.

The tunnel was opened by the Grand Junction Canal Company in 1805 and at 2812m (3076yds or 13⁄4 miles) is the longest navigable tunnel in the UK through which narrowboats can pass.

In 1793 navvies began to dig the tunnel on its original alignment but work was abandoned in 1796 after geological problems. Earthworks can still be detected to the east of the present tunnel. In the autumn of 1979 structural faults were detected which ultimately led to the tunnel being closed in 1980 for major relining work to be carried out.

The Transport Trust is the only national charity established to promote and encourage the preservation and restoration of Britain’s unique transport heritage in all its forms. The trust’s Red Wheel scheme commemorates our rich and important legacy in the development of transport and drawing on advice from historians, industrial archaeologists and other experts the trust determines should be nationally recognised.

VIPs and invited guests were asked to arrive at the Blisworth end of the tunnel to be transported through the tunnel on trip boat Charlie, which is captained by Mike Partridge and operates daily at Stoke Bruerne. Moored at the southern portal was CRT’s historic former working boat and museum exhibit Sculptor which is operated by volunteers, and Bob Nightingale the resident blacksmith was operational in the forge.

Master blacksmith Bob Nightingale has operated the forge alongside the tunnel portal for the past three years.

The Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, David Laing and Sir William McAlpine reveal the plaque.

Canal & River Trust enterprise manager James Clifton welcomed everyone and introduced Sir William and Lady McAlpine; David Laing, the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire; Stuart Wilkinson, Transport Trust chairman, and Dr Nigel Crowe, CRT head of heritage.

Moving tributes

The speeches contained a wonderful blend of historical information, moving tributes and moments of humour. At one point David Laing asked everyone to close their eyes and imagine what it must have been like for the men who dug the tunnel more than 200 years ago and envisage the damp and cold with just candlelight to guide them.

Three men who stated they had a wonderful day out were tunnel engineers John Woods, Roy Slocombe and Colin Mackenzie who were involved in the 1980s re-lining project. They came equipped with torches so they could examine how their work looked 30 years after completion.

Thankfully they all looked happy.

Following the formalities everyone walked along the towpath to the museum green for refreshments and for the ceremonial cutting of a celebration cake. The cake was made by Sharon Getter of the neighbouring village of Yardley Gobion and depicted a Red Wheel in icing.

No visit to Stoke Bruerne is complete without a visit to the acclaimed museum, a walk along the towpath or a trip boat ride to the tunnel portal and a visit to the blacksmith’s workshop. It is well worth taking in the woodland walk and looking out for the wire animal sculptures, and now you can also view the Transport Trust’s Red Wheel.

Reliving memories of 30 years ago are tunnel engineers John Woods, Roy Slocombe and Colin Mackenzie.

54 BOAT REVIEW

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A new home in the capital

The ability to move seamlessly from one lifestyle to another appealed to the owners of Segue, reviewed for us by Phil Pickin.

LIVING afloat is the dream of many people although few of us manage to achieve it; but for one couple who recently returned to the UK after working abroad, this dream has become a reality.

Lauren and Simon, both specialist consultants in project management and control for major projects in Europe, Middle East and Africa, wanted to live close to London and felt their best option was to live afloat.

In their words: “After spending several years lugging our household to various work locations, we were looking for a small footprint that could be home for a number of years and perhaps a London base if we choose to live abroad again. The narrowboat represents a style of living that does not encourage you to accumulate and we were tired of shipping costs. Add to that the opportunity to cruise the canals and enjoy a more outdoor lifestyle than an apartment affords, despite being in the capital, and the boat becomes a ‘segue’ on many fronts”.

It transpires that it was Lauren who

insisted on a Colecraft boat because her first experience of a narrowboat was aboard a Colecraft sailaway that had been fitted out by another company and she was impressed by the comments on the quality of the hull build. She added: “This, coupled with a tour of the works, gave us the confidence that it would be a professional and top quality build.

Colecraft builds a significant number of boats and that has allowed it to develop a very experienced team – and it showed.”

Unsurprisingly, with Segue to become the couple’s home, their attention to detail was evident, but so too was their enthusiasm for the project, something Colecraft says it was only too pleased to see and to accommodate during the build of the 68ft boat.

Segue is a cruiser stern narrowboat built on a Brumagen square hull to provide extra head height within the cabin, and throughout the boat, ash has been used to line almost every wall. We say ‘almost’ because one wall in the washroom has been mirrored. As a contrast to the ash, sapele has been used,

not only on inserts such as those in the table top, but also in the parquet flooring beneath which is Airflex insulation.

As a result, the interior has interesting details, light from the pale ash and richness and contrast from the sapele.

These colours are complemented by the bright gold anodised finish on the Flushline windows and the equally complementary curtains used.

The colours used throughout make the boat feel warm, and to ensure it remains warm, a 5kW Eberspacher heating system has been fitted together with a solid fuel Squirrel stove. Although solid fuel can sometimes be seen as messy, I think it not only keeps a link with tradition but it also provides an opportunity to burn other fuels while providing a focal point within the cabin.

A Beta Marine 43bhp engine and Electrolux Travel Power provides power together with a Vetus Combi Gama inverter charger; and with this being a 68ft boat, it’s not surprising to find that it’s fitted with a Vetus 75KGF bow thruster and the lighting is LED throughout. In the washroom, a

Sapele has also been used in the parquet flooring.

The colours used throughout make the boat feel warm.

The collapsible ash table with matching diamond sapele insets and surround.

Galley worktops and splash backs are finished in slate.

The vanity unit is fitted with a Toba counter top basin on slate surface and splash back.

The interior has interesting details, light from the pale ash and richness and contrast from the sapele

The boat is built on a Brumagen square hull to provide extra head height within the cabin.

Saniflow toilet has been fitted and a mirrored bulkhead with hinged doors provides access to a cupboard with adjustable shelving. The vanity unit is fitted with a Toba counter top basin on slate surface and splash back.

As with many homes, Segue has an office which doubles as a spare room.

This provides opportunity for spare bed as well as desk, thus maximising the use of the space on offer.

Galley worktops and splash backs finished in slate are provided by Cwt y Bugail Slate Worktops company in Gwynedd, below which is fitted a Miele dishwasher and a wine cooler along with the more unusual items such as a Vitrifrigo Larder fridge, oven and storage space. In addition there is a Waeco 12v pull-out freezer. Seating in the main cabin is freestanding and meals can be eaten on the collapsible ash table with matching diamond sapele insets and surround.

The new owners said: “We cannot believe the attention to detail of the Colecraft team. During the build process they made some fantastic suggestions to improve our design and the fit-out set the highest standards. The staff addressed details we wouldn’t have thought of and their patience and quiet enthusiasm for some personalised features were always apparent. We were encouraged to be involved throughout the creation of Segue and warmly welcomed during visits or calls. We could not be happier with our lovely new home.”

Segue was launched at Napton Marine and will be moored on the outskirts of London.

SPEC SHEET Hull: Brumagen square Windows: Channel Glaze – Flushline bright gold anodized Engine: Beta Marine 43bhp with Electrolux Travel Power Bow Thruster: Vetus 75KGF Insulation: Airflex Cabin lined in ash and sapele.

Feature sapele diamond insets in doors with sapele surrounds.

Flooring: Sapele parquet.

Lighting: LED Heating: Eberspacher 5kW central heating. Solid fuel Squirrel Stove.

Power: Vetus Combi Gama inverter charger. 3 x 110 amp/hr leisure batteries + 1x 110 amp/hr starter battery.

Bedroom: Cross over double bed Washroom: Saniflow toilet, Toba counter top basin, slate surface and splash back.

Galley: Worktops and splash backs in slate. Miele dishwasher.

Final cost approx £2370 per foot including all features, delivery, boat licence and VAT. ●

Builder

Colecraft Ltd, Colecraft Building, Southam Road, Southam CV47 9QL Phone 01926 814081 Email: sales@colecraft.co.uk www.colecraft.co.uk

BOATYARD & MARINA NEWS 55

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insider

Planners give new White Mills Marina green light NORTHAMPTONSHIRE planners have given a county marina the official seal of approval.

Permission has been granted to John and Debbie Skinner of Pastures Farm, Grendon, to construct a marina attached to the River Nene, which will provide enough moorings for 141 offline berths for narrowboats and cruisers.

To be open all year round, the marina, which is to be known as White Mills Marina, is situated, along Station Road in Earls Barton, within easy access of the A45.

A modern, purpose-built building with luxury toilets and showers and communal lounge and cafe for exclusive use by boaters will be among the facilities. State of the art security systems will ensure berths are secure and wi-fi internet will be available throughout the marina.

The news has been welcomed by councillors from both Earls Barton Parish Council and the Borough Council of Wellingborough, who approved the plans.

Chairman of Earls Barton Parish Council, Martin Cahill, said: “In February 2014, Earls Barton Parish Council resolved by a majority vote to support the application to build a marina in Earls Barton. We believe that this

will bring increased levels of business and tourism to the area, which can only benefit our village. We wish Mr and Mrs Skinner well with their scheme.”

Chairman of Wellingborough council’s planning committee, Coun Malcolm Ward, said: “We welcome this facility. Back in March we unanimously offered no objection to the proposal, and indeed we informed the county council that we fully supported it and congratulated the applicant on such an exciting project. We hope that the venture will bring new business and people to the borough.”

Commenting on the development, farmer John Skinner said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been given the go ahead to develop White Mills Marina. The plans really do look terrific and once the marina is up and running it will only enhance the local surroundings. Exciting times are ahead and we are now looking forward to seeing the plans become a reality.”

Work is anticipated to start on the development in 2015; bookings are expected to be in high demand so initial enquiries can be made via the website www.whitemillsmarina.co.uk

Boat show report Holidays Products & reviews

P58 P59 P60

Food & drink What’s on Bits & Bobs

P61 P62 P64

Royal recognition for the Audlem Lass NOW in its fourth year of operation, the Audlem Lass team was proud to receive royal recognition for its creative fundraising activities which include developing the water taxi service that operates at weekends from Overwater Marina to the local canalside village of Audlem, Cheshire.

Rodney and Christine Cottrell, the driving force behind the Audlem Lass, were delighted to be

invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace hosted by the RNLI president, Prince Michael, Duke of Kent. The event was held to show recognition of the continued support and level of commitment shown by the RNLI fundraising teams all over the country.

At a further prestigious RNLI ceremony held at York Racecourse, Crewe & Nantwich Branch committee members Philip and

The Audlem Lass team with the certificate at Overwater Marina.

Rodney and Christine Cottrell at Buckingham Palace. PHOTOS SUPPLIED Penny Everall were very honoured to receive an award that highlights the appreciation for the branch’s unsurpassed fundraising efforts to help save lives at sea. These awards are only given in truly deserving cases and reflect the dedication of past and present members and volunteers who continue to pledge their support.

Following the third extremely successful Audlem RNLI Festival and attracting 1500 people and achieving £4000 for this event alone, the Audlem Lass team is extremely proud of this recognition and its certificate is now on display at Overwater Marina.

Caen Hill moorers in festive mode Marina managers Rob and Cara Hodgson-Reed with Paul Sheppard and warden John Tidy.

The site of the new White Mills Marina alongside the River Nene. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Moorers enjoying the entertainment at the Caen Hill Beer and Cider Festival. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

CAEN Hill Marina enjoyed fine weather for its beer and cider festival over the last weekend of August.

Moorers old and new got together to enjoy the beer and live entertainment from local young singers and musicians.

The beer and cider was sourced from all over the country and there was also a burger van and ice cream boat.

New venture and historic dry dock restoration a real labour of love A UNIQUE piece of Burnley’s waterway history will once again be used for painting and repairing canal boats.

The project to restore what was once an important working dock at the heart of the North West canal network to its former glory has been a real labour of love by two couples who’ve had a passion for canal boats and the canal for many years.

Semi-retired couples Les and Angela White and Brian Denison and Jane Garnett, who have a wonderful knowledge of Burnley’s working canal history, approached the council, which

owns the land, with their ideas to bring the derelict site back to life as a working dry dock for canal boat painting and repair.

Following several discussions and the development of a business plan for the new venture, the council agreed to lease the site and then the hard work began.

Also known as Birley’s Dock, the Bank Hall Dry Dock sits on the edge of the former Bank Hall Coal Pit and hadn’t been used in over 50 years. It will once again become a hub of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal system under

the business name for the new venture of Feather & Gaskell.

Les White, joint partner, Feather & Gaskell, said: “The dry dock at Bank Hall had been in a very sad state and had declined into serious disrepair over many years. The dock was actually being used as a dumping ground and was full of rubbish; you wouldn’t really have known it was there.

“After months of blood, sweat and tears, and personal financial investment, we have lovingly restored the dry dock brick by brick, cobble by cobble. We recycled cobbles and bricks from the local area, including some of the bricks from the former Barden Mill.

“We’ve had support and advice on restoring the dock from the engineers at the Canal & River Trust, who are delighted with our restoration works.

Wonderful sight

The Bank Hall Dry Dock in 1931. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

“It has been a real labour of love.

We’ve all had a passion for canal boats for many years and have our own boats. It was a wonderful sight to fill the dock for the first time and to steer in a barge to repair for the first time.”

Joint partner Brian Denison added: “With the expanding Reedley Marina close by and the rise in popularity of canal leisure boating, we saw a real opportunity. The nearest dry docks for the paint and repair of barges are a four-day sail away in either direction, Skipton and Wigan, so it would take almost two weeks to get a boat serviced.

The Feather & Gaskell team of Les and Angela White, Brian Denison and Jane Garnett inside the restored dock.

“Now we can serve the local marina and east Lancashire area in a much shorter time. We’ve already got a list of boats waiting to be serviced and painted.

“We are really proud of our achievement and feel we have created a legacy for future boat users and for Burnley.

“More work to complete the cover for all weather works and to clean up the yard area is in the pipeline as the business grows. We are now open for

business and will be looking to officially launch the site in the autumn.”

Carl West, technical manager from the Canal & River Trust, said: “The trust is delighted to see the restoration of the dry dock completed to such a high standard of workmanship. The waterways contain many gems and it is extremely satisfying to work with private investors in realising their potential. We look forward to working with Feather & Gaskell in developing the wider site to support the dry dock operations.”

104 SAFETY/TECHNICAL TIPS/ON SCOTTISH WATERS with Hugh Dougherty

Staying safe on your boat

Clive Penny of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners continues his look at the top 10 non-compliances found by examiners during the last 12 months with numbers 5-10.

5

Are battery terminals correctly insulated or protected?

All metal parts of battery terminals or connections must be insulated or protected by battery covers or terminal covers.

All battery covers or terminal covers: ● must be made of insulating material; and, ● must not allow any metal part of the terminal or connection to be exposed; and, ● must be free of signs of damage.

Deck boards, locker lids, etc, made from or lined with insulating material may only be considered as battery covers where they will not be removed for any purpose other than gaining access to the batteries.

6

Is the LPG pipework made of suitable material, adequately secure and free from damage?

LPG pipework must be made of either seamless copper tube, or stainless steel tube, or copper nickel alloy.

LPG pipes must not move under light manual force.

LPG pipes must be free of kinks, restrictions, abrasion damage or other deterioration.

A little movement at the final connection to an appliance is acceptable but any such unsecured pipe should be kept to a minimum and should generally not be more than 500mm in length.

Particular attention will be paid to the potential for abrasion damage on pipes passing through bulkheads.

7/8

The location of fuel cocks and battery isolators must be in open view or their location clearly marked.

Fuel shut-off valves or cocks, or the means to operate them and battery isolators, or the means to operate them, must ● be in open view with all removable lids, deck boards, curtains, doors etc. in place; or ● have their location clearly marked in open view.

9

Are all electrical cables supported in a safe position?

All electrical cables must be: ● located where they will not be susceptible to impact or abrasion damage; or,

● supported away from any structure or item of

equipment likely to cause impact or abrasion damage; or, ● contained in a conduit or cable tray supported away from it.

Cables passing through bulkheads or structural members must be protected against chafing damage by the use of grommets, sleeves or sealant used effectively.

Cable conduit or cable trays must be free of signs of overheating or damage.

This applies to both AC and DC cables and for cables confirmed as double-insulated cables.

Where such cables pass through bulkheads and other structural members, the outer insulation (sheathing) should be considered as adequate protection, providing the insulation is in good condition.

10

Are all fuel feed, return and on-engine hoses suitable for the fuel used and fire resistant?

Fuel feed, return and on-engine hoses must be marked, to denote both suitability for the fuel used and fire resistance, to BS EN ISO 7840 or an equivalent standard.

Hoses marked to SAE J 1527, DIN 4798 or RINA DIP/66/96 are acceptable.

The presence of armoured or other external braiding is not evidence of hose suitability or fire resistance. Such hoses must be marked as above.

Where a hose is not marked to an accepted standard but the boat owner claims suitability the examiner will need contact the BSS Office.

Fuel-hose suitability may be supported by a written declaration from the hose manufacturer or supplier or, if appropriate, from the engine manufacturer/supplier or mariniser. ● More information can be found on my website: www.canalelectrics.com or you can email me directly: clivepenny@canalelectrics.com Your local member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners can be found at www.abse.org.uk and will be happy to answer any questions you may have and assist in any way they can.

Technical tips to keep your boat ticking along AT Towpath Talk we’re always keen to help our readers in whatever way we can, so in response to requests for more technical information and maintenance tips, we’ve teamed up with breakdown and assistance firm River Canal Rescue.

We hope each month’s advisory pieces will help reduce the likelihood of a malfunction and keep your boats ticking along nicely. And if there’s a particular topic you’d like to see published, let us know and we’ll ensure it’s covered.

Check your alternator belt

Pinch the belt between your finger and thumb and push against it to check its tightness. PHOTO: RCR

An alternator drive belt (also known as a fan belt) should be checked and replaced regularly. It has two distinct shapes; a V-belt has small ridge-like teeth and usually drives the starting system, alternator and water pump, a flat belt is flat with a number of grooves encompassing it and drives the domestic alternator.

To check your belt’s tightness, pinch it between finger and thumb (approximately halfway up the longest point between the pulleys) and push against it. There should be about half an inch of play. Adjust via the tensioner bracket if too much or too little movement.

To check the condition, belt removal isn’t necessary, however it will make the task easier. If checking in situ, pinch the belt between finger and thumb and twist 90º until you can see the inside wall of the belt. If it’s shiny, cracked or has a groove, it’s ready for replacement.

The belt size is usually printed on its top side where you should also find its dimensions. A sequence of numbers such as 10x1025, 10x900, 11.5x1000, 13x1200, 1100A, 950B, 1350C, relate to width and length. For example 10x1025, 10=width in mm and 1025=length in mm. The letters A, B and C relate to width, A=10mm B=11.5mm C=13mm.

Once you’ve been shown how, it’s easy to replace a belt.

If you get the chance, ask an engineer or sign-up for one of RCRs engine maintenance courses held monthly at Alvechurch.

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Champagne launch for replica Vulcan by builder’s descendants THERE was a champagne launch for the refurbished replica of Vulcan, the world’s first ironhulled boat.

Tony and Hilary Howatt, the great-great-great grandchildren of designer and builder Thomas Wilson, sprayed it with fizz to mark its new life as a canal heritage exhibition centre and classroom at Summerlee Heritage Museum, Coatbridge.

The original iron-hulled, horse-drawn barge, built in 1819, was used to transport passengers on the Monkland Canal between Coatbridge and Glasgow, and changed the face of shipbuilding by proving that an iron-hulled vessel could stay afloat.

Vulcan was scrapped in 1873, but the replica was built in 1988 by Govan Shipbuilders and was exhibited at the Glasgow Garden Festival before coming to Summerlee. Where it was restored and craned into its present position on the museum’s section of the Monkland Canal in March 2014 to allow internal fitting out to take place.

The £300,000 restoration project involved Scottish Canals, Scottish Waterways Trust, North Lanarkshire Council, Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Sustrans and Calderbank Conservation Society.

Hilary Howatt said: “Both Tony and I were very proud to have been invited to launch the refurbished barge, the original of which changed the face of shipbuilding worldwide. Our greatgreat-great grandfather, Thomas Wilson, would have been proud to have been here, especially as

Hilary and Tony Howatt meet an appropriately dressed Pat McMahon of the Summerlee staff.

PHOTO: HUGH DOUGHERTY

Thomas Wilson’s descendants Tony and Hilary Howatt and David Wilson on board Vulcan.

PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

so many people told him that iron could never float!

He proved them wrong and the replica boat will keep his memory alive.”

The launch of the replica came on the same day that Historic Scotland announced the scheduling of the remaining sections of the Monkland Canal as a historic monument.

The interior has been fitted out as a canal heritage centre and classroom. PHOTO: HUGH DOUGHERTY

Historic lighthouse tender ship joins Britannia as ‘boatique’ hotel A FORMER lighthouse tender vessel is to be berthed alongside the Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith and converted into what the Britannia Trust describes as the UK’s first ‘boatique’ hotel in a £1 million project due for completion in 2016.

MV Windsor Castle, launched in 1963 as the last ship to be built at the Glasgow Blythswood yard, served with the Northern Lighthouse Board for 36 years as the Fingal, working out of Oban until 1993, and finishing its career with the board, servicing lighthouses and bouys, at Stromness.

It has been bought by the Britannia Trust from current owner, Tamahine Shipping, and brought to Leith from a berth on Cornwall’s River Fal, before being converted into a 25 bedroom floating hotel, and docked permanently beside the Royal Yacht.

MV Windsor Castle waiting to be moved from its berth on the River Fal for Leith. PHOTO COURTESY BRITANNIA TRUST Britannia Trust chief executive Bob Downie said: “We are delighted to have been able to acquire and conserve this historic and iconic ship. It will

enhance what we offer at Leith and I am particularly happy as, growing up in Oban, I would often see MV Fingal leaving there on lighthouse duties.”

Best ever July for Falkirk Wheel THE Falkirk Wheel broke its visitor numbers records in July, with 90,000 enjoying the world’s only rotating boat lift.

This raised the total visitor numbers since the attraction was opened in 2002 by The Queen to a staggering 5.5 million.

July’s totals were up 30% on the same month in 2013 and bosses say the opening of the nearby Kelpie giant horse head structures has helped bring visitors to the wheel as they enjoy a combined, canal day out in the Falkirk area.

A £200,000 boost for the towpath linking the structures with an improved, all-weather surface was launched at the end of July, making reaching the attractions by bike or on foot even easier. ● Towpath Treasure, P106

ON SCOTTISH WATERS with Hugh Dougherty 105

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Greenock waterway is a cut above

Water weekend for Kirkie Canal Festival AN ESTIMATED 30,000 people enjoyed the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival, which ran in ‘Scotland’s Canal Capital’ from August 18-24.

It was the biggest festival to take place in, on and around the Forth & Clyde Canal.

Boat trips were provided by the Forth & Clyde Canal Society and the Seagull Trust, while street theatre, WaterRollerz, food and drink, Zumba, Sixties bands and a funfair added to the atmosphere.

East Dunbartonshire Council leader Rhondda Geekie said: “This year’s

Living up to the title of Scotland’s Canal Capital as crowds throng Kirkintilloch.

PHOTOS: EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL AND KIRKINTILLOCH & DISTRICT CLASSIC VEHICLE CLUB

The Forth & Clyde Canal Society’s Janet Telford provided trips on the canal.

Kirkintilloch Canal Festival was bigger and better than ever and I was delighted that so many people flocked to the town centre to take part.”

Katie Hughes, Scottish Canals director of estates, added: “It went fantastically well and the ‘Canal Capital of Scotland’ is a key location in the redevelopment of the lowlands network. We recently completed eight new residential moorings at the Kirkintilloch marina, and one mooring was sold during the festival.”

Organisers say next year’s festival is already being planned, with an even bigger and better event promised under a drive for year-on-year improvement.

Commonwealth flotilla makes maritime history The cut on its way along the hillside, showing half-size ‘towpath’ and water channel. PHOTOS: HUGH DOUGHERTY

Hugh Dougherty visits a monument to waterway engineering with the characteristics of a canal.

YOU could mistake the five-and-a-halfmile waterway which runs high above the Clyde estuary linking Loch Thom with Greenock as a half-scale canal.

It comes complete with bridges, towpaths, cuttings and even water wasters, the ingenious devices which maintained canal water levels, so visitors can be forgiven for mistaking the Greenock Cut – to give this fine example of Victorian engineering its proper name – for a canal.

But this is a specialised waterway, built between 1825 and 1827 by Scots engineer, Robert Thom, using the best canal building techniques of the day, to bring fresh water to the people of growing Greenock, as well as water power for its sugar mills.

The cut was built for just over £90,000 in the money of the day. Wild, Irish canal navvies, camped up on the hills,

toiling with pickaxe and shovels, built it.

It was not built primarily for navigation but did carry dignitaries on its opening day by boat along its length. And, throughout its time as Greenock’s principal water supply, until it was replaced by a tunnel in 1971, its channel was used to transport men and materials keeping the waterway watertight.

A listed monument, the cut’s full story is told in the Clyde Muirshiel Park Greenock Cut Visitor Centre, close to Loch Thom. Displays include a bust of Robert Thom, who gave his name to the artificial loch built as a reservoir, the history of the waterway, and a plaque presented by the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2012.

Breathtaking views

Today, the cut is a popular walking and cycling route, offering breathtaking views north to Ben Lomond and Ailsa Craig to the south. Despite being close to bustling Greenock, the capital of Inverclyde, the cut snakes its way on embankments and through cuttings high in the hills, giving the illusion of being remote, and it’s not hard to imagine the navvies battling the elements as much as rocks and bog land to build the perfectly engineered survivor.

You can see the remains of small lodges with fireplaces, built to house workers in the severest weather. They lit fires and broke the ice to ensure that Greenock’s water supply didn’t freeze up. Like the water waster and bridges built to allow farmers access to mountain grazing, the lodges are built in neat stone, quarried locally, and all to the cut’s ‘house style’, insisted on by

The water waster building, built in the house style of the waterway.

Masts, masts and more masts, as the flotilla nears the Riverside Museum.

PHOTO: HUGH DOUGHERTY

Inside the water waster, excess water flows from the channel via the pipes into the bucket. When the bucket fills, it pulls a plug out of the channel wall, seen to the rear, and releases the excess water, keeping the level safe. engineer Thom to show that his work was made to last.

The Greenock Cut shouldn’t be missed if you’re in the area. It’s a wonderful example of Victorian waterway engineering at its best. And it’s like a scale-model canal, showing just how proficient waterway engineers and navvies alike had become by 1825, the very year that the first train ran from Stockton to Darlington.

That sounded the beginning of the end of the first canal age, but the Greenock Cut is still there, water running and waiting to be discovered.

Don’t miss it.

Walkers on the cut, with the Highland hills in the distance.

THE largest flotilla on the Clyde made maritime history when 250 vessels of all sizes, vintage and modern, working and leisure, made their way from Greenock to Glasgow’s Pacific Quay, as part of the Commonwealth Games celebrations.

Led by CalMac’s latest vessel – the 2013-launched, Clyde-built and diesel-electric hybrid car ferry, Lochinvar – the flotilla was organised by RYA Scotland, which pulled together the 250 craft and organised berthing facilities at Pacific Quay.

Crowds lined the banks of the river to cheer the ships, with a special salvo on their horns as the flotilla passed Glasgow’s Tall Ship, Glenlee, moored at the city’s Riverside Museum, where crowds had gathered to greet the vessels.

Investment brings home comforts to the Crinan Canal Boaters visiting the Crinan Canal, “Britain’s most beautiful shortcut”, can now enjoy all the comforts of home alongside its breathtaking scenery after the official opening of a new facilities building.

The modern, environmentally friendly block at Crinan Basin features toilets, showers, a laundry room and an outside terrace... all with full disabled access. The opening of the block marks a significant upgrade to boaters’ facilities on the popular waterway.

The £360,000 project, undertaken

by Scottish Canals and partly funded by the European Union, is an

Looking across to the sea lock from above the new facilities at Crinan.

PHOTOS: SCOTTISH CANALS

Crinan Canal waterway manager Joe Murphy, David Adams McGilp of Visit Scotland, Garry Martin and Joy Harron of Sail West – MalinWaters, and Alec Howie of Scottish Canals officially open the new facilities block. outcome of the Sail West – MalinWaters marine tourism initiative, which is designed to promote the west coast of Scotland, Northern Ireland and North West Ireland as a worldclass sailing destination.

Joe Murphy, Crinan Canal waterway manager at Scottish Canals, said: “The new facilities block is a fantastic addition to the area that will have a positive impact on both the local economy and the comfort of those who visit the waterway.”

The new block has been specifically designed to fit with the picturesque beauty of the surrounding woodlands and waterway using an innovative Sedum living roof system and Scottish larch panelling, as well as a range of low and zero carbon technologies such as LED lighting, warmth recovery systems and under floor heating.

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The Wet Web Helen Gazeley finds some tips for making the most of nature’s harvest

IT’S official. This year is very good for blackberries.

Such is their abundance that they even made it on to BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme, though inspiration in the kitchen has given out for a lot of us – blackberry and apple crumble, blackberry jam, bramble jelly, blackberry vinegar, blackberry vodka, err…what else? If you need more ideas, Creature Comforts (creaturecomforts blog.com) offers The Ultimate Blackberry Recipe Round-up, connecting 75 recipes from around the blogosphere, as well as offering a few of her own.

Out on the towpaths nature’s abundance is obvious, if only one has the knowledge to take advantage of it. Have you, for example, ever thought of using blackberry leaves? Not suitable at this time of year, in spring they make a slightly fruity tea with health-giving properties – a fact courtesy of Down To Earth Bushcraft (www.downtoearthbushcraft.com), the website of professional bushcraft instructor Will Newitt, who runs foraging courses in Dorset. The Wild Food Diary part of his website will keep you up to date with what to look out for in the hedgerows from month to month.

The Forager’s Year from Taste the Wild offers 12 recipes for foraged ingredients.

In Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, Chris and Rose Bax have run Taste the Wild (www.tastethewild.co.uk 07914 290083) since 2008, within reach of the Ripon Canal. Their blog (http://tastethewildblog.co.uk) offers plenty of simple recipes, many for highly recognisable plants. They also offer a set of 12 recipe cards to take you through the year, using ingredients such as meadowsweet, hawthorn, rose petals and rosebay willowherb.

For a trip combining foraging and narrowboating, Float by Boat (floatby boat.co.uk), run by Victoria Johnson and Kev Argent, is offering a short break in June next year, with the tutelage of John Rensten along the Shropshire Union between Audlem and Market Drayton.

John lives in London and is well known for his very popular foraging walks around London parks.

On his website (www.foragelondon.co.uk) he offers tips on sensible foraging, teaches you 50 plants in 10 minutes, and his monthly newsletter gives info on what to pick and where.

Also in London, Burgess Park is a continuously evolving space, named in 1973, but beginning its life just after the war, when a large area in the borough of Southwark was cleared of buildings and grassed over. It incorporates the route of the Grand Surrey Canal, which was finally drained in the 1970s and now offers the Wild and Edible Tree Walk from Peckham, under two canal bridges to Glengall Wharf. Visitors are positively encouraged to forage, armed with a downloadable map that marks the relevant trees, which is available from The Friends of Burgess Park (www.friendsof burgesspark.org.uk/wildlife/wild-edible).

Of course, it goes without saying that it’s possible to get things wrong, as Mark on Canal Junction’s liveaboard blog relates (www.canaljunction.com search for ‘towpath foraging’). His absolute conviction that he was picking Good King Henry crumbled completely when his mouth felt as if it

Victoria Johnson, left, will be hosting a foraging break on her narrowboat Spirited Away in 2015.

Chris and Rose Bax of Taste the Wild run courses in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire. had been set on fire: a salutary reminder to get to know your plants really well before throwing them in the pot.

Meanwhile the Canal & River Trust is hoping that you’ll send in your own favourite recipe for foraged ingredients so it can be added to the CRT site.

Email feedback@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Will Newitt of Down to Earth Bushcraft introduces groups to foraged foods in Dorset.

➔

For more information Do you have a favourite website?

Email Helen at helengazeley@aol.com

TALKBACK A boater’s nightmare on the Gloucester & Sharpness I WOULD be interested to find out from your readers if they are experiencing problems mooring on other Canal & River Trust canals as we are on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Since changing to a trust, our canal towpaths have gone from what used to be a reasonable 16 miles of waterways to what is now for boaters a nightmare.

This Saturday we left our moorings at Sharpness to find a mooring for two narrowboats and for oneand-a-half hours (six miles) we could not find anywhere to moor. As expected in the afternoon the visitor moorings were all taken but other than these moorings we were faced with overgrown banks 6ft high with reeds and weeds.

After changing to a trust we had this problem the first year when it sold off all the BWB (British Waterways Board) equipment and contracted out.

I contacted Nick Worthington and he said at the time the trust aimed to cut the visitor moorings 12

times each year and the rest of the banks six times each year. This is not being done in respect of the rest of the 16 miles of waterways; when we did eventually moor we were faced with a very narrow footpath which made visibility poor for people sitting beside the towpath. It was dangerous when bike riders came racing along the towpath narrowly missing moored boaters and walkers.

Also in the interest of health and safety, if we did have to moor in an emergency it would have been difficult finding a bank to moor to in among the reeds.

It does seem that the CRT is in some areas repairing towpaths for walkers and cyclists; what about doing something for the boater? We pay a considerable amount of licence fee each year and get little for it.

Overstaying at Skipton I HAVE been following the debates regarding overstaying at moorings. I visit Skipton a lot and therefore notice the boats that are regularly moored up on the towpath for weeks and sometimes months at a time.

They often only move 100 metres and ‘set up camp’ again. This means it can take them six months or more to move the one mile through Skipton before they return to start the process off once again. I have been monitoring one of these boats and it has been moored up on the ‘three-day visitor’ mooring at Gallows Bridge for 29 days/nights at the time of writing this email.

A few days’ overstaying can be overlooked but to stay at least a month and still counting is way past a joke.

Skipton is a very popular area for regular boaters and hire boaters; many of these visiting the area cannot get a mooring.

So when you’re paying your permanent mooring fee, think about those that get the benefits that you have in a popular area but pay nothing for the privilege.

Tony Yorke By email

Paul Cantillion By email

A good thing for the whole canal environment

I FEEL I should defend the Canal and River Trust, which seems to be coming in for a lot of criticism, mostly I suspect from those who are trying to live outside the law on our canals and resent the new mooring restrictions that are being enforced.

I love the fact, for example, that the top end of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire canal at Great Haywood junction is now free of the ‘residential boating community’ which made the place so disgusting for so long.

One can now walk along the towpath without having to contend with smoke from boats, bonfires, barbecues, and ‘recreational drugs’; dog mess and free roaming dogs; a towpath littered with old bits of wood and other boat junk. The towpath is now a delight all along this stretch and if this happens all over our network, it will be a very good thing for the whole canal environment for boaters and walkers alike.

David Ernest By email

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

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Have you seen a star-nosed mole?

Memories of the Lancaster Canal

I THINK you may find this of interest, it almost certainly is a first for boaters. About five years ago we were doing the Four Counties Ring when, one morning on the Shroppie near Brewood, I rescued a star-nosed mole which was swimming in the opposite direction. The mole was safely put ashore on the non-towpath bank.

I was able to identify the species as I had seen photographs of them when I was a child. I did comment at the time that it was the first one I had seen ‘in the flesh’.

I have just discovered that these moles are, in fact, native to Canada and North America and, according to The British Molecatcher’s Society, there is no record of any previous sightings in this country.

I WAS interested to read the letter by Ken Walsh about the Ribble Link (Talkback, Issue 107, September).

However, I do feel that the “sense of purpose” goes back further then Ken indicates.

In 1983 on May 29 we made the journey from Tarlton via the tidal rivers Douglas and Ribble to the Aquaganza at Preston Docks (marina).

We ‘buddied’ up with the late Terry Tomlinson from Lymm, who had a wider beam GRP boat; our boat Woodstock is a 40ft narrowboat The purpose of ‘buddying’ was in case either craft had a breakdown. Terry was a regular enthusiast for the journey. I think we were the only steel boat.

In 1992, on July 10, along with about 30 other craft, mainly steel boats, we were craned out at Botany Bay, Chorley, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Lea Kiln Bridge to support the Preston Guilds Rally and again to ‘broadcast’ the link.

As the rally was scheduled for early August at Haslam Park, we cruised the Lancaster Canal up to Tewitfield and Glasson Dock, having a most enjoyable time on that beautiful waterway.

On August 16, we were craned out at Lea Kiln Bridge and dropped into Preston Docks. Subsequently we cruised down the Ribble and up the Douglas and came back to our own moorings at Worsley Cruising Club.

Karim Beecham Tamworth

A jewel in the crown

WE HAVE just travelled back down the Northampton Arm to the River Nene after our summer cruise.

We have never looked forward to this transit but it’s not a matter of choice if you want to venture out on to the system when you are moored at Peterborough. We were therefore not looking forward to it to say the least.

So imagine our surprise when we found that, after years of neglect and in the two months that we had been away, a transformation had taken place. Gone was all the weed (well nearly) and the rushes had been cut back. The water levels were up and a lot of the rubbish has been removed. This made the transit so much more pleasurable than we have ever known it to be in the past.

The graffiti plague had been tackled, although in doing this a

blank canvas has been left and it is already being used.

So a big thank you to the Canal & River Trust and its workers/volunteers for giving the arm some long overdue maintenance. The first 12 locks are a jewel in the crown of the system and the view from the top is breathtaking, so please keep on top of this as it will open up the glorious River Nene, the mysterious Middle Levels and the grand Great Ouse and its tributaries to all those who have been put off by this transit in the past.

Tom Bennett nb Lottie

Editor’s note: The IWA Northampton branch also holds fortnightly work parties during which volunteers have been painting the locks as well as carrying out other tasks. See P11.

Ben Williams Bolton

A star-nosed mole – have any other boaters spotted this or any other unusual creatures in or near the waterways at any time?

Sanitary station next to kitchen I RECENTLY paid a visit to York and found there have been some changes to the sanitary station since I was last there.

The old facilities have been demolished and replaced by a swanky new restaurant; the new facilities are around the back of the restaurant right beside the kitchen. Although the door has a Watermate lock fitted, the door is left open with a sign saying ‘public toilets’.

On entering, there are two disabled facilities, with toilet, wash hand basin and soap dispenser but not a hand dryer or paper towel in sight.

Going past the toilets there is a sluice area (where, when I was there, a wheelie bin and kitchen racks were stored); the sluice is literally just a hole in the floor. It is made up of paving slabs stood upright and a concrete floor with a drain hole; there is no means of flushing the waste away.

I have no idea how this has been passed on health and safety grounds, especially being next to a restaurant kitchen and the door left open.

When I was passing through Leeds, I did go into the Canal & River Trust offices to report this and after taking all the details I was told that somebody would contact me, but that was five weeks ago and I have still not heard (at the time of writing).

Deck solution surfaced in garden centre I HAVE for some time been looking at ways of getting some fresh air into the boat while still remaining secure, then I came up with this idea of sandwiching some netting between two pieces of ply, and a photo is attached.

I have also over the last few years been looking at ways of covering the metal decking boards on the back of my boat; then one day while in a garden centre it hit me and there it was – Astroturf. It’s nice on your feet, has built-in drainage and muffles the sound of the engine. Thought it may be of some use to other boaters out there.

Rory White nb Unique

Jon Reynolds By email

A smokescreen to create the illusion of action?

The Northampton Arm – now a freeway to the River Nene and Great Ouse.

(PHOTO:TOM BENNETT)

Macclesfield Canal – many years of neglect I HAVE just returned from a trip along the Macclesfield Canal and upper Peak Forest Canal (last week in July) from Kidsgrove to Whalley Bridge and what I saw was a canal that has not had any repairs or maintenance in many decades.

On approaching the stop lock at Hall Green, you have to hold the boat in mid-channel if another boat is coming out of the lock as you can’t moor up on the bollards as the canal bank has collapsed into the canal leaving you unable to get within two metres of the bank. It is the same situation at some of the moorings at the Bosley lock flight.

The reeds on the towpath side are that overgrown they come out halfway across the canal, with large clumps of reeds floating loose ready to foul your propeller, leaving you stranded in midchannel trying to clear the weed from the weed hatch.

On the offside, the trees and bushes again come halfway across the canal, on a canal that should be wide enough for three boats to pass comfortably but

is reduced to single file in many places.

The canal narrowboat had a draft of two feet, but as the water level was down by 15cm (6in) along most of the canal, the going was very slow as we were dragging along the canal bottom.

Going through the canal bridges was very time-consuming as the low water level combined with the drag and suction of the narrowing in bridges slowed the boat to almost a stop.

The dangerous practice of not cutting grass and weeds on the canal bank leaves weeds over 2m high, making it very dangerous for crew members to jump from the boat to a towpath that can’t be seen and is very uneven and falling away into the canal.

After many decades of neglect, this canal is in very serious need of dredging along its entire length and the removal of the overgrown reeds and tree branches before it becomes impassable in the not-too-distant future.

Graham Harding By email

I HAVE just read with dismay an article about how the Canal & River Trust plans to address the mooring situation in London (News, Issue 105, July).

As far as I can see, it totally fails to consider the primary cause of the problems – complete failure to enforce current rules and guidelines. Thank goodness the proposal to reward the abusers by offering them a licence to continue the abuse has been abandoned.

I have been in a marina in the London area for the past six years but am now leaving. The reasons are several, but the primary one is that cruising in London is now a nightmare, entirely thanks to the fact that the CRT has completely lost control. Admittedly, I really only know the Little Venice and Paddington Arm areas well, where visitors are positively discouraged. The CRT has allowed the Little Venice area to deteriorate to a state where it now resembles a scrapyard with the entire visitor mooring occupied by boats that are clearly not visitors.

Let’s consider some of the key points in the CRT’s proposals: ● New visitor moorings at Broadway Market and Rembrandt Gardens.

This just means more choice for the ‘continuous moorers’. Since they coordinate their movements, this just helps them. Without enforcement it will not help visitors at all. ● Advance booking facility at Little Venice. If all the space is taken by overstayers who are not moved, how does this help anything? Why just two

boat lengths and not all the visitor moorings? ● Recognising that 14-day moorings do not meet the needs of visiting boaters.

What does this mean? I suspect the CRT’s definition of visitors is very different from mine. Is a boat that moves up and down the Paddinton Arm for months a visitor? Reducing stays to seven days will be far worse for visitors but ignores the fact that the vast majority of visitor mooring are not occupied by visitors. Boats that fail to move after 14 days are unlikely to move after seven.

Caretakers to welcome boats. What use is that when there is nowhere for them to stop. Just a polite way to tell them to go away I suppose.

Relations with the local land-based community is an interesting one. There is a problem with battery charging and generators but this is caused by people who are not on their boats to run engines or generators at civilised hours. True visitors do not cause problems and will comply with the terms of their licences.

I also note that double banking is allowed in part of Paddington Basin. Is this to fall in line with the fact that triple banking now seems to be accepted on the Little Venice visitor mooring or to compensate for the loss of moorings on the Arm which are now occupied by bookshop and coffee shop boats?

There are two major omissions from all the CRT’s wonderful (and useless) consultations; namely, how does it

propose to enforce the current rules and guidelines and how will it discourage those who believe a boat can be “the first step on the housing ladder” from abusing the waterways.

Current consultation seems to me just a smokescreen to create the illusion of action. Is this what to expect now the organisation has made great efforts to move anyone with responsibility for boats or dealing with the general public away from the waterside by moving off its boat, which is now rarely used and occupies valuable space on the Paddington Arm, and populating the prime waterside office at Little Venice with accountants and financiers.

I have some strong advice for any boater considering a visit to London – don’t. You will be extremely lucky to find even an overnight mooring, will be abused by those who have occupied visitor mooring for months and, should you stray anywhere near the limits of the guidelines, will be hounded by the CRT because you are an easy target (I was once told to move in the middle of January surrounded by two inches of ice). On a more positive note, I suggest you carry a big sign that says either that your boat is for sale or that you are waiting for a mechanic. This seems to allow you to occupy a visitor mooring for ever.

It really is time that the CRT in London took its collective head out of the sand and addressed the real issues.

Mike Garland By email

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TowpaTH TiTTeR

CONTINUING our light-hearted look at life on the cut

Just as important as the National Railway Museum

WHILE I don’t doubt the efforts the Canal & River Trust trustees have put into the trust’s formation, I am nonetheless somewhat surprised that it has seemingly ignored the fact that the National Waterways Museum – unlike the Railways Museum – remains something of a Cinderella.

I recall writing an article when The Waterways Trust was formed several years ago suggesting that the time was right for efforts to bring the Waterways Museum on to the same footing as other national museums.

But despite many fine words from The Waterways Trust – and indeed British Waterways which set it up with the blessing of the then environment secretary and deputy prime minister John Prescott – absolutely nothing was done. It was for all the world as if the trust’s senior management team was terrified of upsetting the civil service mandarins and their sidekicks by maintaining the claim that the nation’s waterways heritage was important enough to become a major governmentbacked museum.

The formation of The Waterways Trust was championed by BW’s chief executive David Fletcher and when he retired BW was in a far better financial position than when he joined – for instance the backlog of safety related maintenance work had been eliminated.

But with the arrival of the CRT there seems to be a change of emphasis in many basic areas. Boaters - whose licences form a major segment of the trust’s finances – appear to

be of less importance than, for example, towpath user groups and are frequently referred to in less than complimentary terms by senior CRT staff. I have heard more than one manager refer to boaters as “whingers”.

That change includes the fact that the museum seems to be stuttering; it certainly does not have a head of steam and within it I gather there are several factions who seem to be at loggerheads.

I would like to think that chief executive Richard Parry will pick up on this and reinvigorate the museum’s place in prime minister David Cameron’s much vaunted ‘Big Society’.

The trust seems to have forgotten that the waterways kick-started the Industrial Revolution and created the world’s first integrated bulk transport system.

And with the CRT now a charity, surely there are other funding sources available – at least that was what we were told. And even the Government said that the museum’s collection of boats and other artefacts is of national importance.

Towpath vegetation is now rampant – and seeding well

According to regular local boaters as well as visitors, the standards of maintenance on both the Staffordshire & Worcestershire and Stourbridge Canals are worse than for many years.

And I have news for the CRT’s Richard Parry... he is a VIP visitor to the Stourbridge Canal Trust’s Open Weekend on October 1819 and he could be met by some very

annoyed officials of both the trust and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society over what they describe as the “appalling condition” of both canals.

The condition of the towpaths is such that on several bends it is impossible to see oncoming boats because of excessive weed growth, and the trust’s trip boat skipper is afraid he will meet another boat head-on.

Incredibly the CRT blames its contractors for the breakdown in the mowing programme. Just like the old days when it was everyone else’s fault except BW. Sorry CRT! If you’ve got supervisors who cannot manage contractors they should not be in their job. In fact I would award them the DCM – Don’t Come Monday!

And someone has said towpath mowing should not reach the water’s edge which is not much help to boaters or other towpath users.

AUTUMN brings with it the promise of beautiful hues of red and orange trees, the first whiff of wood smoke from a squirrel (the stove, not the furry creature clutching a cigar), and the smell of peaches.

Smugly waving his arms like a windmill, dad recently set to

work polishing one side of our new fat boat, covering it in thick, peach-smelling polish (yum) and taking half an inch of paint off at the same time. Apparently polishing is supposed to protect the outside of the boat for winter, yet somehow, it seems to have defeated the object. By 2016 we’ll have a fashionable red oxide

Another contribution from Harry Arnold of Waterway Images.

They never told me what a mucky job it would be when I volunteered to be a figurehead on a Birmingham Canal Navigation Society workboat.

Still, mustn’t grumble, I could have been thrown out with the other rubbish!

And an unusual notice spotted

by Brian Jarrett on lock beams on the South Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

I’d recommend steering well clear when the rubber gloves come out – even the ducks in the marina swim away at this point.

Thankfully, all this furious scrubbing hasn’t bought the ceiling down again (don’t decide to remove your kitchen wall cupboards single-handed without making sure how the ceiling is actually held up). Our friend, engineer Dave, kindly stuck it back up for us with a strategically placed lump of wood. Next time he’ll be coming with his nail gun to add the gunnel trims. Dad’s still concerned that the nails will be too long and we’ll be able to see daylight through the sides of the boat like some archaic punch hole knitting pattern.

Fisherman’s rib would look interesting.

Soon, we’ll be waving goodbye to the cracked granite worktops in the kitchen, as Dave has his beady eyes firmly fixed on them.

He’s coming back shortly, hopefully armed with several buddies with muscles like tree trunks and exemplary ballet skills to remove them with care from our girl. What he’s going to use the tops for, I daren’t ask.

Granite can be deadly in the wrong hands, especially his.

Weighing down a boat is a dark art, and any removal of heavy

If you have a suitable photo or anecdote we can share with our readers, please send it to Towpath Talk, PO Box 43, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6JR or email: editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk And don’t forget you can also follow us on Twitter @towpathtalk and on Facebook

Do you agree or disagree with Stillwater’s comments? Send your views to Talkback (see previous page)

colour rather than blue. Still, anything’s better than pink.

Inside, I’ve discovered just how dangerous mum is with a bucket of water and diluted soap. I double-checked with the manufacturer and told them that they’ve neglected to write this under ‘health and safety’ on the sugar soap technical data sheet.

Cruising into autumn with the canalside trees taking on red and orange hues. PHOTO:AMY WHITEWICK

Is there a boat under there?

Farewell to one of the old brigade

I was deeply saddened by the news that one of the founders of the Avon Navigation Trust, Dudley Matthews, who I had known for many years, has died at the ripe old age of 95.

A veteran of Dunkirk and Normandy, he was a director of the trust, president emeritus. He was also a founder of the Wyre Mill Club and served as director, commodore emeritus and harbour master.

In a new series, former narrowboater Amy Whitewick shares extracts from her online blog charting the renovation of her newly purchased wide-beam boat.

How the other half live

This fantastic floral display was spotted by Les Heath on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal at Kensall Green.

objects (particularly in the kitchen) requires precision, thought and forward thinking, hence we have been inviting everyone within earshot to use the bathroom as soon as they feel an urge coming on. Filling up the toilet tank is one way to achieve the perfect balance.

Until you empty it and everyone falls out of bed at night and the kitchen drawers refuse to shut, of course.

Cafe society

As part research, part break from work, dad and I recently stopped off for a visit to a fat boat cafe at Bathampton. I daren’t tell our girl that this one had a bigger bow – she might get upset, especially with all the oversized jokes, owners of skinny boats throw in her direction lately. She’s a bit sensitive in that department.

The cakes in this floating cafe were enormous, coming in at a close second to the height of Caen Hill Flight. While I tackled a chocolate one with glee, I listened in on a marvellous conversation about how the torso and legs of Lycra-clad muscled men look yummy framed in the boat’s doorway (you can’t see their heads as they have to duck down first). Someone behind me piped up: ‘You can’t really describe these men as mammals

really, can you?’ Someone else cried: ‘Wouldn’t you class them as gods?’

I snorted into my ginger beer, blowing bubbles and feeling rather like a common mammal.

The ducks in the canal behind me thought it was hilarious.

Apparently the cafe was once subject to a hen party drifting by on a hire boat with ‘butlers in the buff’ on board, and there was a mass rush as the customers raced to look out of the port side, treading in ham paninis and almost tipping the boat over in the process.

In the marina where our girl is moored, the nearest we get to nudity is our neighbours taking their shoes off to go inside their boat. I don’t think I could handle anything more exciting than this. Perhaps the closest we’ll ever get is the marina manager not wearing his luminous blue braces, as he never goes anywhere without them.

I sighed into my glass of ginger beer, thinking longingly of our boat at home and looking down into the cafe interior at the Dutch barge-sized baguettes.

My, how the other half live. ● Follow Amy’s blog at http://weboughtafatboat .blogspot.com