Towpath Talk March 2025 issue **FREE TO READ**

Shimmeringinsunlight

ThelowsunhighlightsAtherstone’sGradeII-listedderelictBritanniaMill,locallyknownastheHatFactory,asnarrowboat Clara passestowards Atherstone TopLockontheCoventryCanal.Partoftheformerhat-makingpremises,whichhasbeenclosedsince1999,collapsedduringStorm DarraghinDecember,resultinginthelocalcouncilbeingpetitionedby residentstodemolishthe Warwickshiremill. PHOTO:GRAHAMNUTTALL

‘CanalscanbeatheartofUKclimateaction’

ANEW report produced by the Canal &RiverTrustaims to showhow vital theUK’s waterway network canbeas the Governmenttries to tackle climate change.

The 30-page ClimateAdaptation Report spells outhow important canalsand waterwaysare andhow they canbepartofactionagainst problems such as storms,flooding and

drought, whichhavebadlyaffected areasoftheUK.

It highlights howthe 2000 miles of canals andwaterways,and 84 reservoirs, acrossEnglandand Wales have adaptedfromtheiroriginal rolesand cannow become avital infrastructureasthecountrydeals with climatechangethreats.

The report alsoclaimsthe charity

Grandfarewellforoctogenarianskipper

THE Friends of Cromford Canal said farewell to 83-year-old skipper Mike Kelley, who piloted the society’s trip boat, Birdswood, for the last time but revealed he would continue to help the society as a volunteer Mr Kelley said the boat had become a reality after many years of hard work by members, who raised money and worked on the vessel. Mr Kelley was honoured by society members for his dedication to the work of the organisation

willneed anextra£15million ayear to combat global warming.

RichardParry,chiefexecutiveof Canal&RiverTrust, said: “Ourhistoric canalnetwork fulfils arange ofuses farbeyondwhat wasanticipated when the canals were first dugbyhand.

Many peopledon’t realise that these man-madewaterways carryout so many importantfunctionsandneed

Treeplantedinhonourofnaturewriter

AwalnuttreefromthehomeofauthorRoger DeakinhasbeenplantedatJohn’sWater,onthe banksoftheRiverBure,attheBlickingEstate inNorfolk.

The renownedwriterfeaturedJohn’sWater inhisbook Waterlog–ASwimmer’sJourney ThroughBritain,whichbecame aword-ofmouthbestsellerwhenitwasfirstpublishedin 1999andisnowseenas aclassicinthegenre ofnaturewriting.

constantcareand maintenance to keepthemopenandavailable to all. Linkingtownsandcitiesacross thecountryandonthedoorstepof millionsof people,itisimportantfor canals to be part ofthe Government’s national climatechangereporting framework.”

Host of events at Erewash Canal

THE EREWASH Canal Preservation and Development Association has a packed calendar of events In March there’s a members’ social night at Sandiacre Lock Cottages and in June members will be attending the Kelvin Owners Club at Langley Mill Boat Yard During September the group will be at the Clock Warehouse, Shardlow as part of a historic transport gathering. The association will also be taking part in national Heritage Open Days to showcase its work

Welcome to the March edition of TowpathTalk

As we head towardsanother season, the challengesand opportunities facing the UK’swaterways remain at the forefrontofdiscussion. Thismonth,two keystories highlightthe urgent need forboth government recognition and financial supporttoensurethe future of ourcanals and rivers

The CRT’snewly publishedClimate Adaptation Report makesastrongcase forthe role of our2000-mile network in tackling climatechange. From flood mitigation to waterstorage, canals provide crucial environmental benefits that extend far beyond their original purpose. Butwithextreme weather events increasing,CRT warns that an additional £15million ayearis needed to protectand maintain this vital infrastructure.

At the same time,Fund Britain’s Waterwayshas gathered 50,000 signatures callingfor areviewof canalfunding. The campaigners’ argumentisclear:a relativelysmall investmentnow could prevent significantdeterioration, protect businesses, and safeguardthe £7.6 billion contribution that waterways make to theUKeconomy.Witha spendingreview on the horizon, their campaign sends apowerful message Together,thesestories emphasise the importance of investinginour waterwaystosecureastable futurefor all who rely on them.Let’s advocatefor the futureofour belovedwaterways —not just as historicalrelicsbut as dynamic infrastructures Enjoythe edition.

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Next issue –Thursday,March 20

‘Canals can be at heart of UK climate action’

•Continuedfrompage1

RichardParry,chief

executiveofCanal

& RiverTrust,continued: “Thechallenge of keepingthis network resilientand safe in the face of rising climate impact will require ongoinginvestment butitwilldeliver many times morebenefit to societyaswecollectively facethisunprecedented challenge.”

Thereport, which hasbeensubmitted to the Government, states that the canal networkwas themost importantinfrastructure projectofits day, making the Industrial Revolution possible.It says:“Alegacyof that pioneeringengineering, today’snavigable canals continue to be repurposed and are at the heartofmany communities,providing arange of economic, social and environmental benefits on the doorstep of around 10 million people.

“The places around canals have alsochanged beyond recognitionand continuetobea focus for developmentand regeneration, making the canalnetwork an enabler forgrowth. Meanwhile, the canals themselves are vital conduitsfor critical nationalinfrastructure including pipes and cables forthe UK’s energy, telecommunications and watersupplynetworks.”

TheClimateAdaptation Report provides evidence into howclimatechange affects the canalnetwork andits associated

structures and habitats, nowand in the future. It shares the top12biggest risks,includingflooding, drought, subsidence, structural damage and ecological degradation, anddescribes howthe Canal& RiverTrust managesthem, illustrated by case studies In helpingtomitigate the impacts of climate change,the report shows howthe canal networkcould deliver more watertoareas that will experience significantwater deficit in the yearstocome and, duringstorms, how canals could move flash floodsawaytoreduce risk to neighbouring properties.Intowns and cities canals maymitigate urbanheatisland effects, lowering temperatures and improvingquality of life,while the canal network protects many households, businessesand national infrastructuresuchas electricitysubstations, transport and schools Extremeweatherhas cost the charitymillions in the last year and it has launchedafundraising campaign to help it tackle

The Canal &River Trust has produced areport which highlights the importance of the waterway network it manages and how it can help combat climate change.

stormand flood damage whichhas topped £10 million.

Mr Parry, whoisto leavethe CRTthis year, continued: “The recent storms and floodsshow just howvulnerable canals,and surrounding communities, canbe, and howvital it is to keep them safe.Our charityiscalling on thepublic to help us respondtothisthreatand make avital contribution towardsmaintainingthe canalnetwork,ensuring people cancontinueto useand enjoythe canals forgenerations to come.”

Thecharity’s core activities aretoprotect, operateand manage the canalnetwork in Englandand Walesfor navigation, accessalong the towpaths,and to providerecreationand other leisureactivities

Beyond this,the canal network also provides essentialservices for others, including:

Watertransfer and supply: sustainable watertransfersthrough partnerships with water companies,securing drinkingwater needsand otherwater dependent services,while reducing the UK’sneedfor new reservoirstobe constructed

Agriculturalsupport: the canalnetwork provides surpluswater to farmers, aidingdrought resilience and securing watersupplies that are essentialfor sustaining agriculture.

Flood mitigation andrelief: an adaptable resource to mitigate extreme weatherimpacts and divert wateraway from heavilyaffected areas.

Heating andcooling: low-carbonheatingand coolingofbuildings and other infrastructure, such as data centres

Firefighting: the emergencyservices use

Fixing waterways will cost

AN ORGANISATION representing waterway businesses hasgathered 50,000 signatures on apetition calling for areview of funding forthe canaland rivernetwork

Fund Britain’sWaterways (FBW) believesit wouldtakemillions not billions to maintainand restorethe network to agood standard.

Theorganisation, whichhas 145 membersincludingthe Association of WaterwaysCruisingClubs,British Marine,The Inland Waterways Association, The National Association of Boat Ownersand The RoyalYachting Association, alreadyhas the backingof 50,000 members of the public FBWwas respondingtoanHM Treasury requestfor representations to the SpendingReview 2025.

In astatement,itsaid: “Government spendingneeds to be carefullytargetedto achieve best value.Thereturn achieved

waterfromthe canal network through agreed abstraction licences or directuse in emergency situations

Gr ow th an d regeneration: attractive settings for sustainable urbanliving, active travel and urbancoolinginour cities

Thereportalso highlights various schemes CRTis involved in whichhelp with drinkingwater or agriculture. Forexample, its Llangollen Canal in Cheshireisvital in the movement of water for330,000 people in Nantwich andithelps a largevegetable grower in Yorkshirewith waterfor irrigation.

In the last twoyears CRThas spentmillions repairinglock, canal bank and culvertdamage following heavyrain. It hasalsoremoved invasive weedswhichhave allowedother species to thrive, especiallyin SitesofSpecial Scientific Interest.

The charityhas ateam on duty 24/7 to tackle issues thrown up by climatechange, such as flooding, downed trees andcollapsedbanks It alsoillustrates howits maintenance and repair strategy hasprotected schools, businesses, properties, railwaysand hundreds of thousands of people from harm

To read the Climate Adaptation Report click here:www.canalrivertrust. org.uk/our-cause/threatsto -o ur -w at er wa ys / climate-change

‘millions not billions’, says FBW

from asmall additional investmentin waterwaysmakes it money exceedingly well spent.

“Weare already seeing the waterways deterioratingand businesses suffering, andthe rate of deterioration is increasing becauseofthe impact of extreme weather events caused by climatechange. If underinvestment continues this will become worse untila tippingpoint is reachedand waterwayshavetobeclosed,wasting the benefits as well as themillions of hoursofvolunteer time and millions of pounds of publicmoneythathave gone into the currentnetwork.”

FBW’saim in respondingistoreinforce thewidelyacknowledgedbenefits that inland waterwaysprovide,toexplain the need forincreased government funding, andtorequest an urgent review of inland waterway funding.

It stressed the financial importance

of the waterway business, claimingit contributed around £7.6 billion to the UK economyand supportedaround 340,000 jobs directlyand indirectly.

“FBW recognises the poor stateofthe country’sfinancial position.Yet to fund ourinlandwaterways properly would cost asmall (ingovernmentterms) investmentmeasuredinmillions not billions of pounds.Inreturnthe country will continuetoobtain billions of pounds of benefits for health,economic andenvironmental benefits,muchof the benefits in lesswell-offareas.”

Theorganisation hasput three demands to the Chancellor,Rachel Reeves.Ithas demandedthat:

The importance of Britain’sinland waterwaysasauniquenational asset and part of thenationalinfrastructureis recognised;

The deterioration in condition that is already happeningisacknowledged;

and areview of governmentfunding for allBritain’sinland waterwaysbe carriedout as amatterofurgency, with theaim of definingasustainable fundingsolutionwhichwill enable thecurrent benefits of ourcanals and rivers to be maintainedand enhanced forfuturegenerations

Mike Wills,chair of FBW, said: “FBW welcomesthe opportunitytomakea representation to HM Treasury.Itis becomingeverclearer that without urgent actionthe inland waterway network will be in seriousjeopardy.

“Already in 2025 twocanals have been closed by seriouscollapsesof embankmentsfollowing sustained heavyrainfall, resultinginthe need for complex,lengthyand expensiverepairs. If the condition of waterwayscontinues to deteriorate, waterwayswill ultimately have to be closed,businesseswill be harmed andcommunities placed at risk.”

Howclimate change affects our canal network. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Bridgewater boaters released from breach site

BOATERStrapped by the BridgewaterCanal breach have been released from their moorings

Many liveaboardboaters and ownersofleisurecraft found their vessels marooned after the December31breach of thecanal, whichresulted in waterdrainingout of 1.9 miles of the canaleithersideof the breach at Little Bollington, near Dunham Massey Owner of the canal, the Peel Group, hasinstalled temporarydamsatWoodhouse Underbridge,Dunham andat Little Bollington, and waterhas nowrefilledthe affectedareas

The company warned boaters to leavetheir vesselswhile the operation wasunder way.

In astatement, Peter Parkinson, directorof the BridgewaterCanal Company, said: “The areasofcanal that are currentlydewatered,including the moorings at Ye OldNo. 3, will naturallystarttoslowly refill.

“A controlledsyphoningwill commence and be supervised throughout the dayby BridgewaterCanal Company operatives.Pleasenotethat this operation will onlybecarried out duringdaylighthours

“While we believe anyrisk duringthe controlledrefilling and refloatingislow,westrongly

recommend that boatersvacate their craft during this operation andremain vigilantuntil the worksare completed.”

Refillingwas due to take two weeks, and afteremergency stoplogs– installed to stop a complete draining of the canal –wereremoved, boaterswould be allowedtoleave Meanwhile,CheshireEast Council warnedthe public to avoid the area due to health risksfromcontamination caused by flooding. In astatement, the council said: “Thecouncil and partner agencies areassessing the environmental, infrastructure, business and economic impacts

of theeventssothatactionplans canbedeveloped

“Wehavebeenadvised by the EnvironmentAgencyofpossible contaminationfollowing the collapse of the canal.

“Flood waterand sediment from the canalhas spilledover into the neighbouring area and theremay be sedimentfromthe bedofthe canalonthe towpath andlocal footpaths.Thepublic should avoid theseareas –accesstothe area of the canal in the immediate area hasbeen closed.This includes the closure of anumberofpublic footpaths

“Signage is in place to advise of theseclosures and advising people to stay clearofthe site.”

Influential parliamentarygroup gets anew look

By LucyWood

The All-Party ParliamentaryGroup for Waterways (APPG)’s new chairman is settling into his role.

THEgroup,whichchampions the revitalisationand restoration of the UK’s navigable (and previously navigable) waterways, hostedits inaugural meeting in Parliament in November.Anew chair and officerswereelected Bill Esterson MP was appointedasits newchair, WendyMortonMPasvicechair, andUma Kumaranand Lord German as co-chairs. Amongthe officersofthe group areanumberofnewly elected MPs, as well as some longstandingwaterwaysupporters Mr Esterson said at the time of his appointment: “It is not just boaterswho make useofour waterways. Canals andriversare avaluable resource for leisure,active travel, industry, energy,and

even in the case of the Leeds& LiverpoolCanal as asourcefor waterborne districtheating.

“The tranquillityoftime spentbythe water, along with the wildlife that thrives around cleanwaterways, is trulysomethingtobe cherished andenhanced.

“All theseinterests can coexist, and Ilookforward to chairingthisinfluential All-Party Groupand highlighting, both in Parliament and beyond,the importance of waterwaystoour nation’s economyand environment.”

TheAPPG’spurpose is to unlock the environmental, social, economic,and cultural potentialofthe UK’srivers

and canals by boosting localeconomies,promoting sustainabilityand connecting people to nature.TheInland WaterwaysAssociation provides thesecretariatfor the group.

Charlie Norman, the IWA’sdirectorofcampaigns and public affairs, said: “IWA warmly welcomes Mr Esterson’sappointment. It is clearthathereallygrasps the importance,value and relevance of the UK’s inland waterwaysand the need for adequate funding.

“Welookforward to workingboth with him and an almostentirelynew slate of members over thecourse of this parliament.”

Riverbank repairs to reduceflood risk at Louth Canal

By LucyWood

THEEnvironment Agencyhas given advance notice of work being undertaken to maintain areasof theriverbank at LouthCanal,in Lincolnshire, to mitigatefloodrisk. Advisory signs have been posted alongthe path of thecanal adjacent to theRiverhead in theGeorgianmarket town,the location of both commercial and residential properties, down to theLouth Tilting Gate

areflooddefences, helpingprevent the riverover-topping when riverlevelsrise in aflood.

“Ifwedonot coppice andgrasscut, the riverwill gradually wash away the defence the banksprovide Treeswill topple over,damaging defences,and causingblockages downstream.”

It comesafter heavyrainfall in early Januarysaw flood alerts issued for the

“C oppic in g and grass-cutting ensures the root systemsstabilisethe banks. These banks

Theyread: “Weare workingtoreduce flood risk in yourlocal area.Wereduce flood risk by constructing andmaintaining flood defences, providingflood warning and advice, and respondingto flood incidents.Here, we aremaintaining flood defencesby coppicing willows along the river embankment.

area as waterlevels in the RiverLud and Waithe Beck rose; about100 properties in the wider county fell victim to flooding. Aweir notfar from LouthTiltingLock brokeawayand some bank erosion took place.The entirely volunteer-runLouth NavigationTrust, whichexiststoraise awarenessofand enhance the Louth Navigationcanal corridor,said the EnvironmentAgency wasaware

Members of theAll-Party Parliamentary Group for Waterways at itsinaugural meeting in Parliament.From left areRuthJones MP (Newport West), Wendy Morton MP (Aldridge and Brownhills), Bill Esterson MP (Sefton Central), LordGerman and Adam Thompson MP (Erewash). PHOTO: IWA

Thebreached weir on Louth Canal,near Louth TiltingLock. PHOTO: LUCYWOOD

Advisory notices havebeen erected alonga section of Louth Canal. PHOTO: LUCYWOOD

Boats left high and dryby the Bridgewater Canal breachhavefinally been refloated and allowed to leave the area ifthey wish. PHOTO: TAYLOR’S ABOARD

The Peel Group, whichowns the Bridgewater Canal Company,was abletoinstall temporary dams and refillthe canal. PHOTO: TAYLOR’S ABOARD

Unlocking the secretsofthe Caen Hill flight

THECanal &River Trustoffered the public auniqueopportunity

to go behind the scenes and descend into one of the drained lock chambers on the historic Caen Hill Lock Flight where importantrepairsare being carriedout

Thefree-to-accessevent took place at Lock 40 on the Wiltshireflight on February8 wherethe trustshowcased the vital conservation work needed to keep the ScheduledAncient Monumentonthe Kennet & Avon Canalinworking order

The lock is oneoftwo on the lock flightwhichhas been undergoingimportant

maintenance over the winter Becausethe waterhad been drainedsothatrepairscan takeplace,the trustoffered the publicthe unique opportunitytogodownintothe two-centuries-old structureto seeinside the brickchamber Specialists from the trustare repairingthe bottom gatesas part of the trust’sannualwinter maintenanceprogramme

Visitors metCRT expertson site to discover moreabout the work and, as well as beingable to go down into thelock, enjoy aguidedwalk of Caen Hill, and could takepartinorienteering atJubilee Woodland,aswell

as participateineducational activities and games for children, and step aboard Admiral,the trust’snarrowboatand welcome station.

With thousands of bridges, locks, aqueducts,tunnels and embankmentsthatdateback centuries,itisamassive task to keep theKennet&Avon and national canalnetwork in workingorder for boats, for localcommunities,and forthe benefitofwildlife.Theyearround effortinvolves the trust’s passionate teamofspecialists aidedbythousands of dedicated volunteers,donorsand partners

AnnaFinn, community

Visitors take Sheffieldcanaltotheirhearts

LOVE wasinthe air as Sheffield and TinsleyCanal welcomed visitorsoverValentine’s weekend as part of aspecial open day.

TinsleyMarinaopenedits gates on February15aspartof aCanal &River Trustinitiative to showdifferentwayscanals canbeenjoyed

From arts and heritage to canoeingand walks, arange of free family-friendlyactivities for all ages wasonoffer,kindly supportedbyplayers of the People’s Postcode Lottery funding.

George Baines,youth and communityengagement co-ordinator at Canal& River Trust, organised the event and urgedpeople to visit their waterwaysatany time.Hesaid: “Sheffield &TinsleyCanal is a wonderfulplace to be,taking you from citytocountry Wildlife and greeneryline the

towpathand thearea’srich steel heritage is everywhere alongthe canal, alongside contemporaryartwork and colourful murals

“Researchtells us thatour canals andriversare among the mostimportantplacesto visit to improveyourhealth, well-beingand giveour mood aboost.With spring around the corner,it’sagreat time of year to help people to reconnect to this hiddengem andshowcase theworkwedotolookafter our historicwaterways and keep them open andalive.”

As part of the initiative, the public canviewthe newmajor artworkbyBritishartistAlex Chinneckthatcelebratesthe history of Tinsley, Sheffield’s historic waterwaysand industrialheritage. The LoopingBoatissituatedjusta few minutes’walk from Tinsley Marina and takes the formofa

developmentand attractions manageratCanal &River Trust, said: “Weare delighted to offer thepublic theunique opportunitytogodownintoone of the locksonthe famous Caen Hill Lock Flight.Designedby famedengineer John Rennie, it is one of the longest continuous flightoflocks in the countryand one of the SevenWondersofthe Waterways.

“It’sreallyimportantthatthe trustcarries outthis essential maintenance to ourhistoric canalnetwork,and this free open dayisanopportunity for people to seeour working industrial heritage up closeand to discovermorefromthe teams involved in howtheykeepthis importantpartofthe nation’s historyflowing.”

The trust’scanals date back to the first days of the Industrial Revolution. They were the first transportnetwork of the industrial ageand arestill used and navigatedbyboats as they have been forhundredsofyears

Greening the River Welland

By Lucy Wood

Riverside enhancements in Spalding, Lincolnshire, areofficially complete as part of aproject showcasing the power of arts and heritage collaboration.

SPALDING Reconnected, whichbeganin2022,isnearing completion this month.Coir roll sand floatingislands have nowbeeninstalledalongthe riverbank by High Bridge in thetown, plantedwith plants includingyellowflag iris and purple loosestrife to brighten up the area in spring and summer as well as provide food and refuge for fish,birds and invertebrates.

Spalding’spicturesque riverside following public feedback,broughttogether the arts,environmental education, riverside improvement, heritage and wayfinding initiatives to reconnect theriver with the historic town centre.

13-metre-longcanal boat that performs agravity-defying loop-the-loop on the water.

Alsoonoffer were arts and crafts activities including creating your owncanal scene andmakingyourown duck food.Visitorswerealsoable to seemorethan200 yearsof livinghistory and seefirst-hand the trust’sworktorepairand restoreour canals thiswinter. They could alsowalk to TinsleyLock12(about1.5 miles alongthe towpath) to see workstakingplace at the last lock before thecanal enters the RiverDon. Repairsundertaken while the lock chamber is emptyofwater include replacingboth upstreamand downstream lock gates,the lock ladders and brickwork repairstothe chamberwall. Therewas alsoacanoeing tastersession and awell-being walk alongthe canaltowpath

Over thepastthree years, theteambehindSpalding Reconnected worked closelywith localpeopleat heritage workshops,free arts activities andduring volunteeringopportunities to deliveroutputs including aseriesofliving willow artworks,anenvironmental education programme with localschools (theEels in the Classroominitiative), floatingeco-systems andwildflowerplanting, enhancedwaymarkers and theSpaldingHeritage Strategy,which envisions the futureofheritageinthe town over the next10years

Theproject,whichhad particular emphasis on

It wasdevelopedand delivered by South Holland District Council, Heritage Lincolnshire,Transported, East Mercia Rivers Trustand Landmark, with expertise from LincolnshireCounty Council,withsupport from The National LotteryHeritage Fund and NationalLottery playersvia a£250,000 award.

PatriciaOliveiraAntunes, Welland projectmanager at EastMerciaRiversTrust,said:

“It’sbeenfantastic to be apart of theSpaldingReconnected project, celebratingthe River Welland, an importantnatural andhistoricalasset of thetown.

“Weworkedwithlocal schoolchildren to teachthem aboutthe European eel, a fascinatingand critically endangeredspecies whichis closelyintertwinedwith the heritage of theregion.

As part of Spalding Reconnected,anElver Release Day was held with the East Mercia Rivers Trust, as part of the Eels in the Classroom initiative. Overthe course of four weeks, schoolchildren in Spaldingnurtured the young elvers to then reintroduce the endangered eelsback into the Welland PHOTO: EAST MERCIA RIVERS TRUST

“The riverchannel improvements will offer refugeand food resources forwildlife alonganartificial part of theriverbank,greening the area.Thesefeatures, along with wildflowerpatches plantedbykind volunteers, arecomplementednicelyby new riverwalk artwork.”

To mark the end of the scheme,atourofthe riverwalk washeldonFebruary8,which includedtalksand live music. Katy-Jayne Lintott, project manager(conservation andheritage)for Heritage Lincolnshire, said: “It’sbeen fantastic to supportthis transformational projectfor Spalding, celebratingthe town’s unique history and heritage.Thecollaborative and creativeapproach taken by projectpartners andlocal people hasbeeninspiring andistestamenttowhat can be achieved when nature,arts andheritage initiatives come together.”

Visitors to the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal saw the new artwork by British artistAlex Chinneck. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

The open day allowed visitorsto appreciate some of the area’sindustrial history during acanal open day in February. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Improvements have beenmadetogreen up the River Welland in Spalding. PHOTO: HERITAGE LINCOLNSHIRE

An aerial image of thestunning Caen Hill Lock Flight. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Caen Hill Lock FlightLock40winterworks

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Charity begins vital canal repairs in Loughborough

THE Canal&River Trusthas startedworktorepair apopular stretch of canalrunningthrough theheart of Loughboroughin Leicestershire. As part of its ongoingefforts to protectthe nation’swaterways the charity is rebuilding asection of canal wall andtowpath runningunder Little Moor Lane

Theproject will involve rebuildinga15-metresection of failingcanal wall, complete with anew concretefoundation to ensurethat the repairsremain strong and resilient. The towpath surface on the affected section will then be reinstated, enabling people to once moreget outand exploretheir localcanal.

In order to fullyassessthe damage to the wall, whichis ordinarilysubmergedinwater, the canalwill be drainedinthe affected area with temporary dams putinplace.Onceexposed, the wall canbefullyassessedby specialistteams beforethe repair work is carriedout

Thecanal is popularwith boatersaswellaswalkers, cyclists and joggers usingitas aroute into and outofthe town centre, so the trustistaking actiontoensurethat it remains

safe and accessible forall

Alan Leather,partnerships andfunding managerfor the Canal& RiverTrust,said: “With moreboats on the waterthan at the heightofthe Industrial Revolution, and ourtowpaths morepopular than ever,it’s imperativethatwecarry out workslikethistoprotect our historicwaterways

“Built morethan200 years ago, ourhistoricwaterways need constantcareand, as acharity, ourexpertteams and dedicated volunteersare workingall year round to keep ourcanalsalive.

We’rereallygratefulthatTown Deal fundingishelpingwiththe project,enabling us to make sure the canalissafe,accessible and protectedfor boatersand the localcommunity.”

Worksstartedatthe endof Januaryand areexpectedtolast for around 12 weeks. The project hasreceived acontributionfrom the UK Governmentthrough the LoughboroughTownDeal, with the trustfundingthe remainder It’s part of the charity’s continuing efforts to protect Leicestershire’shistoric waterwayssotheycan continue to be enjoyed by people,whether

they’reonthe waterorusing the towpath. This winter the tTrust’s specialistteams have been bravingthe elements to replace lock gates at Ratcliffe Lock at Ratcliffe-on-Soar and Whetstone LaneLock, south of Leicester.

Martin TraynorOBE, Loughborough Town Deal chair, said:“I’mpleased to see furtherimprovementsand extrainvestmentfor thecanal in Loughborough as part of the Canal&River Trustproject which hasreceivedfunding through Loughborough Town Deal.

“Itisimportantthatthe canal towpathisatboth thehighest standard andaccessible for residents and boaterswho usethe stretchofwater for both pleasureand commuting and this work is ensuring that continues.”

The charityisalsoabout to replace lock gatesatBirstall Lock,north of Leicester, as well as repairingvehicle damage to a nearby bridge.With the ageing canals increasingly vulnerable to climatechangethrough more frequentand severe storms and flooding, thetrust’s efforts this winter will help to ensurethey aremoreresilientfor the future

Canal society’sboatrallyreturnsfor 2025

By Lucy Wood

The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Society (SWCS) is returning forthe third year to The Bratch Locks for its Annual Rally of Boats.

THE rallyisa celebration of the heritage of the society and the Staffordshireand WorcestershireCanal and is takingplace thisyearon August 30 and 31. The Bratch is abeautifulexample of industrialheritage, with the Bratch Locksand Bratch PumpingStationsitting side by side in thepeaceful Wombourne countryside

The navigation fell into disuse during the 1950s and through thetirelessefforts of alegion of volunteers, the SWCS

wasbornand the canalwas restored.Almost75years later, the46-mile routehas GreenFlag accreditation, is adesignated conservation area,and is acknowledgedasone of the prettiestcanals in theUK.

While the canalisstill going strong,the SWCS haswarned of howthe Canal&River Trust is facingcutstoits grants from theGovernmentand has urgedpeople to pledgetheir supporttothe continuous maintenancethe CRT providessothat“everyone –boaters, walkersand cyclists alike –can continuetoenjoy this waterside environment.”

Admission is free to the rally, whichwill takeplace between

Nextstop, Borneo!

By Lucy Wood

An intrepid group of schoolfriends braved one of the UK’s longest tunnelstoraise funds for aoncein-a-lifetime triptoBorneo.

THE adventurous pupils from HonleyHigh School, in the Holme Valley, West Yorkshire, took on navigating the cold,murky waters of StandedgeTunnel. Locatedinthe heartofthe Pennines,the 200-year-old tunnel is one of the longest and deepestinthe UK,stretchingmore than three miles.

In early February, the groupand twoteachers paddledthrough its dark,waterlogged interior, contending with freezing temperatures and unpredictableweather,not to mentionthe structure’slow ceilings and narrow passageways.

The 10 pupils –Julian Thompson, Daisy Patterson, MistyBoothroyd, JacksonNewton, BillyWaddington, Isla Fitzpatrick, Ellie Reilly, Finn Reilly,Harry Whiteheadand Sophie Brown–alongside teachersMissNashand Miss Hall passed an ambitious anddemanding test of endurance and teamwork

“Itisacaseofmission accomplishedfor Honley High’s CanoeWinterChallenge,”said Charlotte Thompson, Julian’s mum.

“Theyset off in freezing conditions,battled through watercurtains,and even took an unexpecteddip,but theymadeit.

10amand5pmeachday.Visitors canattend the SWCS stalltofind outmoreabout the societyand thehistory of thenavigation, seehistoricworking boatsand speakwiththeir custodians, visitBratchLocks and seehow theywork, speakwith CRTstaff and volunteersand meet the many canalsocieties who are championingtheir canals and heritage,keepingthem alivefor future generations. There is also theopportunitytotakea walk alongthe towpathpastall the moored boatsand seeBumble Hole Lock,visit floatingtraders, and stay refreshedatthe food stalls,bar and other facilities on offer

Formoreinformation, visit www.swcanalsociety.co.uk

Left: Boats linethe towpath at the Annual Rally of Boats, as visitors enjoyedthe two-day event in 2024.

“Thechallenge wasn’t without drama–650 feet belowRedbrookReservoir,one canoecapsized, plungingtwo paddlersintothe icywater.But in true Honleyspirit,theywereswiftlyrescued,back in their boat,and paddlingagain within minutes With 30 minutes left to go,the teamspressed on, soaked to the skin butdetermined to finish

“Then, themomentthey’dbeenfightingfor came –arrivingatMarsden’stunnelend to thesound of huge crowds cheering them on. Family, friends,and supporters linedthe canal, celebratingtheirincredible achievement.

“They didsowell. Iloved the whole eventand howeveryonecametosee thematthe end. The atmospherewas electric.”

The challenge wasa fundraiser for the pupils’ trip to BorneoinJulynextyear. Theyare joining 15 others to learnabout Borneo’s incredible ecosystems,engagewithlocal communities, andtakepartinenvironmental conservation efforts.Manyhavebeenworking withintheir localareas andorganisingeventstoraise the required funds,and the canoechallenge wasa final push to reachtheir targets

Theparticipants of Honley High’sCanoe Winter Challengeget readytonavigate the cold, murky waters of Standedge Tunnel.The challengewas afundraiser for atrip to Borneo PHOTO: CANOEING4BORNEO

Caring: (from left): MartinTraynor (Loughborough Town Deal), RichardErwin Jones (Canal &River Trust), Alan Leather(Canal& River Trust). PHOTO: SUPPLIED

PHOTO: STEVE HUSSELBEE

Set sail this year on a very special steamship p

By Lucy Wood

One of the UK’s premier historic steamships celebrates adoubleanniversarythis year– its 122nd birthday and10th year backinservice after being saved from the scrapyard and restored to working order

THE Daniel Adamson,aunique combination of Edwardian tugboatand ArtDecopassenger ferry,sails back on to the North West rivers and canals this spring fora varietyofcruises aimedatall ages and pockets

Destinations and voyages rangefromLiverpoolcitycentre docks, acrossthe ocean-like expanseofthe RiverMersey, through lush greenCheshire countryside on the Weaver Navigation, and to the worldfamous AndertonBoatLift.

The main 2025 season launches with one of threelengthy signaturetrips,TheCross River Job, departingonMay 2from thevessel’swintermaintenance berthinSandonDock, Liverpool, to Vittoria Dock,Birkenhead. It includes toursofboth dock systems and the RiverMersey.

The trip’s name referstothe pre-container erawhen large freighters would discharge cargoinLiverpooland then, shepherdedbytugs often overnight, would move acrossto finish unloadinginBirkenhead.

In contrast, the nextday,May 3, The CheshireSheaf cruisewill seethe vessel,affectionately known as ‘TheDanny’,steam from Birkenhead to its summer berthatSuttonWeaver, near

Frodsham.Again, thetripname is ahistoricreference,this time to the grain barges whichran from Birkenhead’slarge mills to Frodsham mill.

This year’s programme alsotakes in the steamboat’s old operatingareaalong the ManchesterShip Canalwhenit doubledboth as toptugboat and directors’inspection vessel, with trips to both Mode WheelLock, nearSalford,and to Latchford Locks, near Warrington.

Itswelcome appearance in Liverpool’sAlbertDockwill featureoccasionallyin 2025, but public demand means much of thesailing schedule focuses on theRiver Weaver,via the best of Cheshire’scountryside, with many trips includingthe AndertonBoatLift Back by popularrequestis the thirdofthe signaturetrips, theLittleLeigh SteamParty –a wonderful heritage trip on October4fromLiverpool’s CanningDock, all theway up to ActonBridgeonthe RiverWeaver wherethe steamboatwill meet up with dozens of fellowhistoric boatsand steam-driven traction engines for theend-of-season steamparty on October20.

The season alsofeaturesMeet theBrewercruises celebrating

locallyproduced beer courtesy of HUSH BrewingCo, of Northwich, aimed at notonlyrealale fans, butalsothosewho simply enjoy afine pint. Theseare takingplace on May16, June 25, July 18, twice on August 11, and October18.

As well as hosting private celebrations,corporate and communityeventswhileitis moored at TheRoyal Albert Dock or its berthatSutton Weaver Swingbridge, the Daniel Adamson is available for one-hour familytrips,costing£5 for children and £10 for adults, on May5,July6,August31and October5

Andrea Ward,directorofthe Daniel AdamsonPreservation Society, said: “Thereissomething for everyone with our2025 cruises.Wehavetried to offer cruises to suit alltastesand pockets

“This year’s offer hasbeen achieved againstthe tough background of increasingcosts, acrossfuel, maintenance and insurance, and facingintothe mandatory10-yearboiler inspection and vessel refit nextwinter.

“Itiscrucial for us to have a very successful season in 2025 to allowthe lavish care and

Feed the birds… but with the right food

By LucyWood

NORTHEastLincolnshire-based James (Jim) Elliott, knownasthe CanoeRiver Cleaner,regularly takestohis localwaterways in acanoe to clearlitterand fly-tipping, conduct wildlife surveysand more, all the while promotingthe well-being benefitsofbeing outdoors.

Amongthe environmental issues he highlights, he campaignsheavilyabout usingnutritionallyrich alternatives to breadtofeed birds and wildfowl.This hasincludedplacing QR code plaques at feedingspots around wherehelives to provideinformation about thecorrect diets.

“Ifwe’re goingtosupplementtheirfood, we should at leastmakesureit’shealthy,”hesaid.

attention the old lady deserves to ensureshe gracefullysails on into the 2030s and beyond

“Weare callingoneveryone who lovesheritage,maritime history,the locallandscape –or just wantstoadifferentkind of dayout –tosupport this fantastic little ship,whichhas survived beyond all odds and is rooted in the NorthWest. It’s acaseofuse it or loseit!”

All revenuefromthe cruises goes towardsthe ongoing maintenance andrunningcosts of the vessel, as well as subsidising the familyand education programmes.The Daniel Adamson Preservation Society is avolunteer-run,not-for-profit charitywhichbought1903-built Daniel Adamson for £1 to save the vessel from the scrapman and succeededinrestoring it to full operational condition.

As well as publiccruises,it opens to the publicwhen static for tours, talks, familyactivity days,music events and more, and alsoruns aprogrammeof learningactivities for children and youngpeople

Cruises arenow available to book online at www.thedanny. co.uk/events

The Daniel Adamson wasbuilt in 1903 in Birkenheadonthe banks of the Mersey for the London North-westernRailwayCompany subsidiary,the ShropshireUnion Railway & Canal Co,asthe Ralph Brocklebank. Originallyintended to carry passengers and tow large barges of cargo between theowners’ terminus docks at Ellesmere Portand Liverpool, theship was sold to the Manchester Ship Canal Co in 1920 and was used extensively to assist large ships navigatethe Manchester ShipCanal The tug tenderwas extensively refitted as thecanal’s inspection launch in the 1930s andfitted with luxurious Art Deco saloons to entertain the great and the good. Eventually,the vesselwas retired

in late 1984,and after 16 yearsatthe then EllesmerePort Boat Museumwas bought for £1 while facing an uncertain future by agroup of enthusiasts Its historic significance is recognised nationally,asitisthe last operationalMerseybuilt steam vessel in the country and is the maritime equivalent of alisted building, listed both in the National Historic Ships Register and as one of the elite National Historic Fleet. After many hours of volunteer time and grants from theNational LotteryHeritage fund, the ship returned to passengercarrying serviceand this Septemberwill mark thevessel’s10th seasoninpublic service, ahead of an extensive 10-year overhaul.

operly Bread n’t ll them, but w it right thing to do Food about

“Inplaces wherethere’sverylittle naturalfooddue to concrete-sidedponds,for example,birds rely on what we givethem. That’swhy it’s vital that we feed them properly.Bread won’t kill them,but we all know it’s not the rightthingto do.Food isn’t just abou fillingthem up; nutrition is keytohealthand development.

“Themessage seems to be sinkingin. I’m seeing abig decrease in the amountofpeople usingbread as the primary food,whichisgreat to see.

Jim’s QR code

Jim’sQRcode plaques at feeding sites in his local area provide information aboutthe correct types of food.

Atinybit of breadgiven to ourwildfowlwho have an abundanceofnatural food isn’ta massive issue. Thatsaid, on our ornamental ponds with littletonomarginal vegetation in whichtoforage, it’s vitalthatwegivethemcorrect food as we arethe onlysource.

“With just alittle bit moreeffort,wecan giveour birds nutritious food with good fats to help them through thewinter. We knowwhattofeedour songbirdsinour gardens,sothisshould directlytranslate to ourducks, swans and geese. If the weather allows,it’salwaysbetter forbrittle beakstofeedthem in the water, and not on concrete. Thank youtoeveryone who takesthe time to make theright choices forour beautiful birds.”

Ahead of WorldWetlandDay in early February,Jim and agroup of volunteershelped clearvegetation to stop scrubencroachingonreedbedsinasmall area of wetland in centralGrimsby.Tofind outmoreabout the Canoe RiverCleaner,visit www.thecanoerivercleaner.co.uk

The Daniel Adamson at Anderton Boat Lift. PHOTO: DANIEL ADAMSON PRESERVATION SOCIETY

PHOTO: THECANOE RIVER CLEANER

JimElliott, the CanoeRiver Cleaner PHOTO: THE CANOE RIVER CLEANER

OneofJim’scampaignsfocuseson encouragingpeople to feed birds andwildfowl with nutritious food rather than bread.

PHOTO: THE CANOE RIVER CLEANER

The steam-powered vessel celebrates adoubleanniversary this year with avariety of cruises on offer.

PHOTO: DANIEL ADAMSON PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Buildingbridges on the DroitwichCanals…

REMOVING and installingcanal footbridgesisnot an easy task. So,when contractor Griffiths wastaskedwithreplacingtwo old bridgesonthe Droitwich Canals,the team knew it would requirelarge-scale,unusual liftingoperationsonthe water.

With thisinmind, the company turnedtomarine engineeringand maintenance experts The Rothen Groupto carryout theworks

Flowingthrough the spatown of the same name,the Droitwich Canals arethickly linedwith trees andhedges, providingagreen havenfor localwalkers. Reopened in 2011, thecanals– consisting of theDroitwich BargeCanal andDroitwich Junction Canal –havealsobecomea thriving cruisingringfor boaterslooking to navigate thepicturesque Mid-WorcestershireRing.

The route’scontinueduse as apeaceful retreatand boating artery means continuous upkeep is required to keep it in goodcondition. Thisextends to twocommonlyusedwooden footbridgesspanningthe waterway at King George Playing Fields andLittle Hill Court, with each measuring18metres In January2024, it wasdecided both bridgeswould be removed and replaced, with contractor Griffiths selected to carryout the project.

Taking down the timber

Both footbridgesweighed seventonnesand were hard to dismantle conventionally, meaningthe workswould be difficult and requirecomplex liftingoperations.Inaddition, therewas no land accessfor the largelifting equipmentneeded due to housingdevelopments beingbuilt in recentyears and proximitytothe localparks

Thomas Roberts, site manager at Griffiths,said: “Froma civil engineeringperspective, dismantlingand replacing bridgesisundoubtedly difficult andrequiresa lot of planning. When that bridge is over abody of water, thedifficultyfactor multiplies further –bothneeded to be stripped down,replaced and lifted into place on thecanal itself,soweknew specialist equipmentand knowledgewould be needed to carrythisout.”

Facedwith this challenge, Griffiths engagedthe services of marine engineering specialists

The Rothen Group, due to its portfolio of plantand equipment Specifically, the company was able to provide a26ft crane pontoon, allowing worksto be carriedout on the waterby constructionmachinery.

Capable of lifting2tat12m,the platformcould alsobeadapted to narrow and wide beam waterways, suitingthe awkwardto-access circumstances of each bridge’s location. Crucially, the pontoonhas jack legs,creating astable workingplatformwhile both projects were carriedout

“Dismantling the old bridges proved difficult from ahealthand-safetyperspective, as it quicklybecame apparent that the old wood hadrotted,” said IanRothen, founder ofThe Rothen Group. “Yet we were able

Hedgerowboosts biodiversity along MontgomeryCanaltowpath

WO RK to improvewildliferich hedgerow runningalongthe MontgomeryCanal is underway by Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal&River Trust in Wales Theinitiativeis part of thePutting Down Roots project thankstofunding from the LocalPlaces for Nature Fund. Vo lun te er s have been undertakinghedgelayingalong thecanal towpathbetween Newtownand WelshpoolatBrithdirand Belan. Acenturiesold countryside technique formaintaining biodiversity-friendlyhedgerows,layinghedges will improvebiodiversity and benefit the migration of wildlife alongthe canal.

the LocalPlaces for Nature Fund which is agrant scheme intendedtorestore and enhance nature on people’s doorsteps “Aspartofthe projectour volunteers andcontractors have been making these improvements to the hedgerow alongthe canal, allowing wildlife to move between urbanand rural environmentsand,in doingso, giving residentsthe opportunityto experience nature closetohome

to meet thischallenge,using scaffold towers mountedonthe pontoonand extraharnessesoff the crane to carryout the first stageofthe works.”

Help from the hopper

All disassembledand discarded materials from the bridgeswere loadedontoa70fthistoric carrying boat to be disposed of off-site. This hopper was then crucial to the nextpartof the project, carryingthe new bridgestowheretheywould be lifted and fixed in position via thepontoon-based crane. New rampswerealsoput in placeas part of these works, followed by the installationofhandrails –alsofromthe pontoon. In total,the projecttook11weeks to complete, with both bridge installationstakingjusttwo days each despitetheirscale

“While The Rothen Groupis known for itstraditional bridge lifts,the sheersizeofthese bridgesmade them some of the biggestwehad ever erected,” said Ian. “Our largestboatis 21 metres,soconsideringthe bridgeswere18metres long, the whole projectwas very tight. However, we drew on ouryears of experience to ensurethe complex projectwas completed without ahitch.”

Thomas Robertsadded: “The assistance of The Rothen Group wasinvaluable to the successful completion of this project. Ian andthe team were extremely helpful throughoutdespitethe complexities this particular projectpresented.Whether they were known aboutbeforehand, or –inthe case of therotting wood on theoriginalbridges –encounteredoverthis project’s lifetime, The Rothen Groupwere able to adaptand provide asuite of comprehensivesolutions. I would gladlyengagewith them again on projects of thistype.”

Wherethereare gaps in thehedgerow, the volunteershavebeenplantingnew sections of hedgesothatthe canalforms an unbroken linearhabitatprovidingfoodand shelter for insects,birds andmammals.

JennySpelling, ecologist at GlandŵrCymru, said: “The projectfocuses on Welshpool andNewtown whichare connected by the Montgomery Canaland whichprovidesa wonderful green-bluecorridor between thetwo places.Our charity’sworkispartof

“Asa charitywe’re grateful forthe support from the LocalPlaces forNatureFund in helping to supportour volunteersinthe skills needed to maintain thesehedgerows and to help supportwildlife along the canal. Research shows that beingbywater andinnaturemakes you healthier and happier,and this work will make the canalbetterfor people and wildlife on this stretchofthe MontgomeryCanal.”

Workingalongsidelocal contractor Handpowered,the volunteershavebeen trained to carryout the habitat hedgerow improvementwork. Theyhavealsobeen plantingawildflowerseedmix of localplants alongthe base of the hedgerow to further improvespecies diversity

Volunteers bravefreezing weather for canal restoration project

HARDYvolunteersfrom theShropshireUnion Canal Society braved freezing temperatures to ensure Montgomery Canalrestoration work stayed on course Theymanaged to continue their work at Crickheath despitefrozenground preventingthem from hedge plantingand managedto cleara sizeable stretchof vegetation as part of the restoration plan.

TomFulda, restoration projectmanager,said: “With temperatures down to -7C overnight, ‘bonfire management’was apopular activity.

“Clearance is thefirststep in restoration and, lookingto the (not toodistant) future, scruband morethan2000 sizeable saplings were cleared

from 170 metres of channel west of SchoolhouseBridge.

“Aidedbythe desiretokeep warm,the fellingratewas relentless.Therewereheroic efforts by relays of volunteers to haul thematerialalongthe towpathtothe bonfire site and forotherstokeepupwith feedingthe materialontothe fire. No one felt the cold!” Work at thesiteis progressingrapidly, and the groupexpects to relocate from the Crickheath compound to acompound site by SchoolhouseBridgelater this year.Apart from channel clearance,further preparation activitytookplace in the form of improvingaccesstothis compound forlargerdelivery vehicles. Therampfrom the road wassubstantially improved by wideningand

reducingthe gradient. Back towardsthe Crickheath end of the site, work to profile thechannel continued.Due to the prevailingground conditions andtopography, the channel forthis projectislinedin some areasand unlinedin others.Afurther 80 metres of channel, in addition to the areascompleted last year, requires liningand profiling thechannelinthisareawas started. Once the thick crust of frozen ground wasbroken through this proved relatively straightforward.

Just beforeChristmas,the stop planks at Crickheath Bridge were crackedopen allowing the waterlevel in Phase1AbyCrickheathWharf to equalisewiththe navigable waterway at Crickheath Basin.

Canal &RiverTrust volunteers hedgelayingonthe Montgomery Canal. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Shropshire UnionCanal Society volunteersbraved freezingcold January weather to continue restoration and clearance work on the Montgomery CanalatCrickheath PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Disassembly of one of the oldbridges under way PHOTO:SUPPLIED

The new bridge is transported in by boat. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The newsection is carefully loweredinto place. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Waterways APPG holds first working meeting

THE WaterwaysAll-Party ParliamentaryGroup (APPG) held its first workingmeetinginparliamentonJanuary 21, chaired by Lord German. The usual chair,Labour MP for Sefton CentralBill Esterson, wascalledtothe chamberminutes beforethe meetingstarted.

The APPG noted with deep sadnessthe recent deathofBaronessJenny Randerson, whohad been due to attend. Herlongstandingsupportfor,and love of,the waterwayshas been appreciated.

The groupdiscussed concerns over thegrowing crisis facingthe UK’sinland waterwaysnetwork, citingrecentbreaches on the Bridgewaterand Huddersfield Canals as evidence of worsening infrastructure decline

Membersemphasisedthat despite the significant economic,socialand environmental benefitsof the waterwaysand the tirelesscontributions of volunteers, chronic underfundingisleading to increasedstructural failures,posingboth safety risks and financialburdens

Discussion focusedon thecritical need to safeguardthe network’s future.Thegroup also outlinedkey priorities for the comingyear, includingenvironmental management, flood defence and sustainable freightsolutions

The BridgewaterCanal breach wascited as a starkreminder of the financial and operational

Annual BCN Clean-Up

THE next annual BCNClean Up is takingplace on March 15-16 and will be targetingthe Tipton areasofthe Oldand NewMain Lines.Every year the eventaims to recovermore than 20 tonnes of wastefrom the wateraswell as clearing rubbish from towpaths.

challengesposed by ageinginfrastructure.

The fragmentedownership of the network and the responsibilities of privatenavigation authorities in maintaininginfrastructurewerealsodiscussed

The APPG committed to progressingdiscussions on climateresilience and waterway funding, with plans to bringthe issuetoaWestminsterHall debate to driveparliamentaryawarenessand action.

As secretariat, theInland WaterwaysAssociation (IWA) hopes thenow 24-strong groupwill unlock the environmental, social, economic and cultural potentialofthe UK’s rivers andcanals by boosting localeconomies,promoting sustainabilityand connectingpeople to nature

Uma Kumaran MP,Wendy Morton MP,Baroness Llin Golding. Not pictured but present:Sir Gavin Williamson MP. PHOTO: SUSIE MATHER

Organised by Waterway Recovery Group, IWAbranches in the West Midlands,Canal &River Trustaswell as Birmingham CanalNavigations Societyand Coombeswood CanalTrust,the annual effort will help keep the less wellused partsofthe BCNand BlackCountry networkfrom gettingchoked up with rubbish

The BCNare used by many,not just forboatingbut forwalking,

cycling, fishingand canoeing. This rubbish looksunsightly, is adangertowildlife,causes pollutionand candamage boatsand injure waterway users. Participants will spend twodays grapplingwith debris including bikes, tyres, wheelbarrows, safes and of course,shoppingtrolleys The eventisagreat opportunity for everyone includinglocal residentstoget involved,go alongand getdirty.

IWAsupports campaigntoprotect canal route

THE IWAhas lodged an objectionto redevelopmentplans in Swindon, fearinga ‘serious setback’ to canalrestoration aims

The restoration of the Wilts&Berks Canalisan ambitious 70-mile projecttorecreateacrosscountrynavigation network. ButIWA believes plansfor the town’s derelict Oasisleisurecentre in their currentformcould hamper the canal projectand hascalledonplannerstoreject proposals by regeneration specialistSeven Capital.

The revival scheme forthe iconic leisure centrewould also involvethe buildingofupto 710 newhomes in the Wiltshiretowntofund the redevelopment

An IWAspokesman said:“Thereismuchgood work beingdone in Swindon, so this planning proposal is particularly disappointingand sufficiently seriousthatIWA hasobjectedtothe plans forthe redevelopmentofthe Oasissite. This site is just north of Swindon Stationwherethe North Wilts Canalisplannedtoberestoredtolinkupto theThames and Severn Canalroute at Cricklade

“Asthe national campaigningbodypromoting restoration of thewaterways network,IWA supports thevital work whichthe Wilts &Berks CanalTrust, whichisanIWA corporatemember, is doing.

“The plans for the Oasissiteignorethe needs for reserved routingfor the re-establishmentof the canalthrough this part of Swindon. Permitting this developmentasproposedwould preclude through restorationfor severalgenerations, therebydenyingthe residents of Swindon multiple advantages that arestoredWilts &Berks Canal wouldbring them.Itwould also be aserious setbacktoplans to reconnect Swindon to the rest of the national waterwaysnetwork.”

The Wilts&Berks CanalTrust hasbeenmaking greatprogressonseveral fronts,withbacking from partner organisations and help from the IWA’sWaterways Recovery Group.

Objectingtothe proposal, IWAhas written: “Weurgethe planningcommitteetorejectthese applications until modified(in acomparatively

minor degree)topermit the eventual rebuildingof thecanal throughthisarea. We understand that the developers have been awareofthisopportunityfor over adecade butseemtohaveignored theneeds of arestoredWilts &Berks Canalinthe detail of their plans.Itisthereforefor the planningauthority to protectthisroute.Thecurrent plansshouldbe rejected until they incorporateaneffectivefuture routefor arestoredcanal.”

Openedin1810, alongwiththe NorthWilts Canalin1819, the Wilts &Berks Canalwas formally abandonedbyAct of Parliament in 1914 It hasalwaysbeenknown by the shortenedform of thecountynames to reflect thewording in the original ActofParliament.

After abandonment,ownershipofthe canal wasreturnedtoadjacentlandownersand local authorities, andsomesectionsofthe canalwere sold. The main line routeofthe canalruns from Abingdon on theThames to Semington on the Kennet &AvonCanal; therewerebranches at Calne,Chippenham, Longcotand Wantage, and theNorth WiltsCanal runs from Swindon to Cricklade

Newsections of canalinSwindon arebeing built by developersaspartofcouncil planning conditions.IWA says it is well established that canals canbeanexcellentfeature in new developments givingthe community walking and wheelingroutes; potentialfor watersports, beingadjacenttoa leisurecentre, andhelping nature recovery by creatinga blue-greencorridor for wildlife.IWA hopes that the council will seize this opportunitynot just becauseitwill enable Swindon to be well connected by wateragain but alsobecause of the benefits to localpeople and their physical and mental health

IWA’sspokesman added: “This case shows the importance of vigilance by localpeople and organisations.Waterwaysupportersare encouraged to report anysuchthreats to restoration to their localIWA Branch, IWA’sChesham office or therelevant localrestoration society.”

2025 Annual Restoration Conference –bookings nowopen

JOINTLYorganised by the Inland WaterwaysAssociation and Canal&River Trust, the 2025 Annual Restoration Conference is takingplace on April26atthe National WaterwaysMuseumin EllesmerePort, Cheshire. This year’s conference will focusonthe challenges of deliveringsustainable restorations from different viewpointsfeaturing alineup of senior experienced speakers Presentations and seminarswill include the Grand Union Canal transfer projectand wider implications of watertransferfor

restoration; youth engagementin restoration will be looked at through adeepdiveonthe Duke of Edinburgh’sAward Scheme.A strong focuswill be given to the restoration for the future, andwhat sustainable plansand designs will need to consider goingforward while alsoensuringacommitment to heritage preservation. With itscollections and archives focusedonBritain’s inland waterways, including canalboats,traditional artefacts and historicalphotos,the National WaterwaysMuseumwill providea unique andexciting

Work Parties

March 2and 18

Northampton Branch

Work parties areusually held oneweekday andone Sunday amonth, along the Northampton Arm. The tasks usually include vegetation clearance, weeding, litter picking and painting at locks. ContactGeoffWood:geoff wood@waterways.org.uk March7 and21-10.30am to 2.30pm Burslem Port Regularworkparty on the Burslem Arm of theTrent & MerseyCanal,runinpartnership by IWANorth Staffordshire&

South CheshireBranch &the Burslem PortTrust. Meet at LukeStreet,Burslem Alltoolsandequipmentwill be provided. Volunteers are advised to wear old clothes, stoutshoes and to bring waterproofs in case of rain and apacked lunch if staying allday

Please contact Dave Broome beforeattending: 07974

location, with the chance to visit the Island Warehouse, the Power Hall and the blacksmith’s forge whereironworkfor the canaland its boatswas made The conferenceisavaluable chance for those involved in waterway restorationtoexperience newinsightsintothe important topics facing restorations today. Delegateswillhavetheopportunity to network,and attend in-depth sessions and workshops ledby experts acrossthe field. The conference will runfrom 9.30am with an optional tour of the museum in the afternoon

are also advisable.

Thegroup: pictured (from left)are:Lord Michael German, AbtisamMohamedMP,

Characters of the Cut

Andyand Katrina Taylor, of AJ Fenders, seetheir handiwork on thebig screen

By Alice Elgie

WHEN husband andwifeteamAndyand Katrina Taylor,ofAJFenders, were askedtomakeall the fendersand rope work for the filmWicked, released in Decemberlastyear, it wasquite the surprise!

Andysays: “When theyrangusand explained what theyrequired,wewereblown away.We didn’t knowthe name of the filmstraightaway, onlythatitcontainedboats,and with 86 fenders ordered in total and onlythe twoofustomake them,weknuckleddownand worked extremely hard to fulfil the order on time.”

Achieve it theydid, even thoughitmeant closingdowntheir websiteand delayingother orders,but when theyweresenta previewand sawtheir rope work on the ‘queen’s boat’itmade it allworth it

“Inthe film itself you canonlybrieflysee them in thefirstpartbut we believe thefendersfor the Munchkin boatswereapparently paintedpink and blue and all the fendersweremadewith natural jute rope for this reason –tobe painted.”

The artistryintheir rope work is clear, which is no doubt whytheywerechosen for the job. “Thefilm companygot in touchfor thesimple reason that we make fendersusing natural ropesand refrainfromusing cheapblack split polypropylene.”

This commitmenttomakingfendersinthe traditional wayisatthe heartofthe work Andyand Katrinadoand theyhavepridedthemselves on the qualityof this workmanship sincetheybegan making fendersin2016 when, havingsemi-retired on to anarrowboat, Andydecidedtostart making side fendersasahobby.

“I startedmakingfendersbecause Ilikeworking with my hands,and seeingthe end product was incredible to me,knowing Ihad made such a qualityitem. Of course,the semi-retirement went outofthe windowasIsoonendedupmakingall typesoffenders!”

Friends encouraged him to make them for sale and at first he focusedonhis localareabut it seems word gotout quickly and it wasn’t long beforehewas making fendersfull-time.“In the first lockdownwehad in 2020 Idecided to quit my joband make fendersfor aliving.”

Andy is predominantlyself-taught,learning his trade watchingYouTube videos by well-respected fender makerPhil English.Overthe yearsit seems the couple have createda perfectworking relationship with Katrinapreparing andcutting inner ropes, splicing,makingsoft slidingshackles

and re-chaining. Andyfinds fender-making can geta bitrepetitivesotoget into theright mindset, he approaches each dayinaparticular waysothat he canrelax into the activity.

“I setupinthe morningwith the mindset of making acertainamountfor stock, unlessIhave specificorders. Oneday Iwill make theropeinner cores,the nextIwill be hitchingthem with the type of rope customersrequire. Idrink greentea and listen to Greatest Hits radio,working from around 7.30am to 4pm.”

The couple originally continuallycruised and sold from their boat beforetakingamooring with aworkshop on the RiverTrent.However,after 11 yearsafloat,theyhavesince movedbacktodry land andnow sell theirfendersonline andatfestivals

“Our preference is alwaystosell at festivals as you have that one-to-one with thecustomer.”

Andy and Katrina, who have been together sincethe ageof13, both have fond memories of their decade afloat,though “wewereattracted to boatinglongbeforewemoved on to aboataswe hadgrown up by canals.Weusedtoswiminthem and spendthe sixweeks holidays in andaround them.” So when Andyhad aserious motorbike accident, which left him very lucky to be alive, the

couple decidedtochangetheirlifecompletely and it seemedanobvious choice to sell up andmove on to the water.

“Weenjoyed the freedom of mooringup anywhereand gettingout the barbecue or just sittingand admiringthe wildlife.Thepeace,quiet andslowpaceoflife waswonderful, as well as meetingsome very lovely people.”

With thepopularityoftheirfenders,itseems they’ll still have plenty of opportunity to enjoythe waterwaysand community– when they’renot in demand on film sets of course!

Facebook: @ajfenders Instagram: @ajfenders Website: www.ajfenders.com

Alice Elgie is awriter who splits time betweenanarrowboatonthe waterways of England and acottageinFrance. She shares words about this life on her blog: slowintotheseasons.substack.com

Essential reservoir repairs will cost £6 million

WINTERrepairscosting£6milliontoWilstone Reservoir in Hertfordshirehavestarted. The work,whichinvolves strengthening embankments,will take15months and will seethe levelofthe reservoirlowered by half ametre. It supplies watertothe Grand Union Canalwhichwillcontinue; however, some accesstothe area will be prohibited.

The Canal& RiverTrust said the work involved installingtwo thousand11-metrelongsteel sheet piles into the reservoir’stwo 200-year-old embankmentsfor 1350 metres

Groundworkshavebegun and the pilingwill startinMay.Thereservoir covers 119 acres and holdsenoughwater for 300,000 Olympic swimmingpools

RosDaniels,the Canal& RiverTrust’s London &South Eastdirector, said: “Wilstone Reservoir provides an importantplace for waterstorage to feed the GrandUnion Canaland hasalsobecomea popularsite for angling, walkingand bird watching.

“This winter we’ll begin aprogramme of essentialmaintenanceworktostrengthen the reservoir’s embankments,securingitfor the future.Theseare statutorysafety works required under the Reservoir Act.

“Tominimisedisruption, the reservoir won’t be drainedduringthe works, butthe waterlevel will be loweredby0.5 metres belowcapacity.Thereservoir will continue to supply watertothe canal, andthe water levelinthe reservoir will slowly reduce throughout the summer, as usual. Our engineeringproject team will useland-based equipmenttocarry outthe worksand, to minimisedisruption, will include asilent pilingmachine

“Unfortunately,the nature of the work will mean that the reservoir’sfootpaths and car park will need to be temporarilyclosed, as well as some localroads for shortperiods of time.Itwon’tbepossible to fish at the reservoir during the main construction elementofthe worksfromMay 2025 to March2026.

“The reservoir is an importantwildlife site and we’ll be making anumberofhabitat improvements to thereedbeds, as well as replacingnine small and medium-sized trees whichunfortunately will have to be removed in ordertocarry outthe works. We’ll alsohave to coppice asection of hedgerow.”

Wilstone Reservoirispartofthe Tring ReservoirsNatureReserve Site of Special ScientificInterest(SSSI). Originallybuilt to supplywater to theGrand UnionCanal, the reservoirsare nowalsoone of thebest birdwatchingspots in southern England The four individual reservoirs in the Tring ReservoirsNatureReserve areStartop’s End, Marsworth, Tringford and Wilstone The Herts&Middlesex Wildlife Trustleases andmanages the TringReservoirsand the Canal&River Trustmaintains operational responsibilities Built in 1802 to supplywater to the Wendover Armofthe Grand UnionCanal, Wilstone Reservoir is the largestofthe four reservoirsat119 acres (48hectares). It is up to 18 feet (5.5 metres) deep and hasthe capacity to hold over one million mega litres of water, the equivalentofmorethan300,000 Olympicsizedswimmingpools.Thereservoir hastwo 5m-wideembankments stretching fora total of 1350 metres andranging in height from twotoeight metres.

To find outmoreabout theplans forWilstoneReservoir,goto: ww w. ca na lr iv er tr us t. or g. uk / wilstone-reservoir-works

Andy and Katrina Taylor of AJ Fenders. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Anice example of afront fender on a narrowboat.

The side fenders on this narrowboat have protected it well.

Thislarger fenderhas been made in the shape of an anchor. Fenders areavailable in awide variety of colours, shapes and sizes.

Can you‘spring’ into action to aid canalwildlife?

ACALLhas gone outfor volunteers to join aspringcampaigntohelp wildlife alongBritain’swaterways.TheCanal &River Trustsaysthereare great opportunities for millions of people to help endangeredspecies

With spring around the corner,the charityispreparing the ground forthe year ahead and is callingonvolunteers to help the many much-lovedand endangeredspecies that rely on the historiccanal network that connects countryside with townsand cities

It is hoping to attractsomeofthe nine million people in England and Wales who livewithin a10-minute walk of a waterway

The appeal, championedbypresenter and TV personality, Ranvir Singh, emphasises the vitalrolevolunteers need to play in sustainingthese centuries-old routes for boatsand the vital spaces theyprovide for both wildlife and people

Shesaid: “The Canal&River Trust caresfor an amazing2000-mile network of navigable canals across England and Wales.Thesepreciousplaces,with their narrowboatsand history, areat the heartofnumerouscommunities, bringingnatureand free-to-access greenspace to the doorsteps ofmillions. We’resayingthat nature and your canal need you and arecallingonpeopleto make adifference by volunteeringto do somethinglocal towardsa global priority.

“Thesewaterways provideahome for some of the nation’smostvulnerable and characterful species.They connect cities and town to ruralcountryside, farmland and forests,givingwildlife achancetoexpandfromplace to place and allowing floraand faunato flourish in nature-depletedareas.If youlovenatureand you’rethinking abouthow youcan make adifference in allseasons,comealong and find out moreatone of the Canal& RiverTrust’s welcome sessions.”

Lastyearmorethan4500 people volunteered at the Canal&River Trust, contributingnearly740,000 hoursand helpingtomaintain habitat forotters, watervoles, kingfishers andherons as well as the ducks, fish, insects and invertebratesthatare acommon sight acrossthe canalnetwork

With speciesdecline andbiodiversity alwaysnearthe topofthe news agenda, people have the chance to make abig difference in their localareas,with volunteer opportunities to create new wildlife habitats,removeinvasive weeds, clearup damagingplastic wasteand help the Canal&River Trustsafeguard theseimportant and historicallyrichplaces

Nine millionpeople in Englandand Waleslivewithin a10-minutewalk of the Canal& RiverTrust’s waterways, butmanydon’t realisethatthe locks, bridges, aqueducts andtowpaths, together with the habitatfor wildlife,

arelookedafter by acharity.TheCanal &River Trustissayingthat canals canbe afirstportofcall for people wantingto help nature on their doorstep

Volunteersmakeahugedifference, supportingthe Canal&River Trustto achieve more. Forthosewho want to get involved,a series of volunteerwelcome sessions andtrainingwillberunning in February, with volunteers able to get on the ground within weeksand ahost of seasonal roles available throughout the year

The call forvolunteerscomes as the Canal&River Trusthas runawinterlongfundraising campaign to raise mu ch -ne ed ed donations to help its 250-year-old canalnetwork stay resilientto the storms and

intenseseasonalweather broughtabout by climatechange. Thiswinter, Storms Bert and Darraghhavealready caused costly damage,bringingdownhundreds of treesacrossthe canalnetwork,while Januaryhas seen sections of towpath washedawayinthe north andflooding in the EastMidlands Christine Mellor,headofvolunteering at Canal&River Trust, said:“Volunteers contributed nearly three-quartersofa millionhours to ourcanalslastyear, making amassive difference to the work we areable to carryout.While volunteering on thecanalsisthriving,

thetaskofkeepingour navigable networkopenand aliveismounting. Battered by storms andfloods and eroded over time,our canals arein greatneed of support. With volunteers’ support, donatingtheir time, knowledge,and skills,weare better able to turn the tide andkeepour canals available forlocal communities and for wildlife.Ifyou areinterested, make 2025 the year youdosomethingfor nature and foryourlocal community.” Forfurther information and to find outhow best to getinvolved visit: www. canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer

Oxford City Council starts work on eco-moorings project

By PhilPickin

WORK hasbegun to install electric infrastructurefor boatswith the aimofreducing airpollutionalong Oxford’s waterways. Thecouncil, in conjunction with theCanal &River Trust, wasawarded £193,000 by the Governmentas part of the annual AirQuality Grantwith the aim of installing what have been termed as ‘eco-moorings’ on the Aristotle Lane visitormoorings.

The projectwillsee three eco-mooringbollardsbeing installedtoprovide visiting boaterswithelectricalpower andofferanalternative to the useofdiesel engines,generators and wood burnersfor their energy requirements.This new projectbuilds upon the council’s existingAir Quality Action Plan to improveair quality in the city.

helpingtoprotect them and theirneighboursfromharmful air pollution.”

Theeco-moorings will consistofthree electric pillars, each containing twosockets, whichwillenableuptosix visitingboaters to plug into and connect to the grid forenergy

estimates that half of them are visitingboaters.Thecouncil went on to saythat“there arelimited locations across the county whereelectrical powerisavailable for boaters –especiallyfor short-stay moorings and that without accesstoelectricity, boaters areoften forcedtorun diesel engines to charge up their batteries and to burn wood or coal to heat their houseboats, both of whichhavebeenproven to be harmfultohuman health.”

The sockets will have arange of capacities,with five16-amp sockets and one 32-amp socket, the latter of whichwill supportthe chargingofelectric propulsion boats. The hope is that all of thesockets will have the capabilitytobecome 32-ampinthe future,but this will be basedondemand when fullyupand running.

It is estimated that thereare around 200 boaterslivingon the rivers and canals around Oxford, andthe council

Coun AnnaRailton, deputy leader and cabinet memberfor Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council,said: “I am excited that we will be startingtoinstall theeco-mooringsinearly 2025.

We know that many boaters have no other choice butto usewood-burningand diesel generatorstokeepwarm. This projectwill allowustoexplore howwecan provide essential infrastructuretosupport boatersintransitioningto cleanerforms of heating,

RosDaniels,directorfor London &South East, Canal &River Trust, added: “Air pollution is somethingthat affects everyone of us,and we allhavea role to play in its reduction. Many boaters areveryeco-conscious,and thesemooringscan give an alternativetodiesel or solid fuel sources whilestill being available to thosewho do not yethaveamains connection.”

The council says the Oxford eco-moorings projectbuilds upon other successful projects in Islington and Camden and that lessons learnedfromthe projectwillhelp inform the futuremanagementofOxford’s canal–subjecttofunding

During the installation work,there maybetemporary diversionsinplace on the towpathbetween Aristotle Lane and Walton Well Road, subjecttoweather conditions.

Thelocation of the neweco-moorings. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Canal &River Trust is calling for some of the nine million people who livenear awaterway to help wildlife by volunteering PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Canalchampion Ranvir Singhis joining the Canal &River Trust in calling for volunteers. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Waverley on boardwith Railway 200 celebrations

By Hugh Dougherty

PS WAVERLEY,the world’s last sea-goingpaddlesteamer, is backingRailway 200, the nationalcelebration of the200th anniversary of the openingof the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.Carrying the year-longcelebration event’slogoonits website and publications,Waverley Excursions Ltdisreminding passengers that the ship was built in 1947 by the London & NorthEastern Railway,and is everyincharailway boat.

“Weare part of the celebrations,” said general manager, Paul Semple.“Waverley is as much part of railway heritageasitisofmaritime history,and it’s doublyapt to be part of Railway200, as we’realso markingour 50th anniversary of the boat in preservation. As part of Railway 200, we’rereminding passengers that we’reoffering sailings to connect with heritage lines,includingthe Brecon Mountain Railway,the Isle of WightSteamRailway,the West SomersetRailway, Lynton & Barnstaple,Dartmouth Steam

Railway andthe SwanageSteam Railway.You’ll findthe detailsin ourtimetables.”

Meanwhile,areview of the 2024 sailingseasonhas shown it to have been oneofthe most successful to date,with 159,572 passengers carriedover125 operatingdays, and bringing in total revenues of just over £4.8m,whencateringand sales areincluded. Oneofthe highlights wassailingalongside PS KingswearCastle on the RiverDart, offeringsteam fans andvisitorstothe area the unique chance to ride on a steamrailway,the Dartmouth SteamRailway,and on two paddle steamersonone day. Fuel and crew costs accounted for £1.4 million, but, after payingall other bills, enough wasgenerated to ensure that the paddler canundergo its winter maintenance and annual dry-dockingtobe fit to sail againonMay 16 from her Glasgow berth. Winter refit work hasincludedinstallingnew burnersonthe vessel’s boilers at acostof£300,000, laying200

metres of replacementwooden decking, repairingthe outer walls of the passengershelter andrepurposingthe former lowerdiningsaloonascrew and storagequarters Paul Semple said: “Wewillbe offeringnew destinationsand callingatnew piersthroughout the 2025 season,and we’re delightedtoreceivelocal authority supportinthe shape of Medway Councilwhichis rebuilding RochesterPier with alanding platformsowecan call there. We alsoplantooffer sailings from Belfastfor the first time.Thekey to continuingto attractpassengersto Waverley in her 50th year in preservation is to offer aquality experience, and, crucially, to keep the timetable fresh with new events and destinations.Full details of oursailings on the Clyde, to theWestern Isles,onthe North Coast of Wales, the South Coast, Isle of Wightand the Thames, areonour website, www. waverelyexcursions.co.uk and we’ll be delightedtowelcome you aboard.”

Twin steam paddle poweronthe Dart.PS Waverley and PS Kingswear Castle meet in September of 2024. PHOTO: WAVERLEY EXCURSIONS LTD

Sparks fly as work goes on to killrust on the passenger shelter PHOTO: HUGH DOUGHERTY

Museum Focus:Celebrating therich history of theThames

Nicola Lisleexploresthe story of the Thamesatthe National Maritime Museum in Greenwich,from its royalconnections to its industrial heyday

AMARITIME museum mightnot seem the obvious choice for anyone interested in Britain’s inland waterways, butthe National Maritime Museum is not just aboutour seafaringpast. There is also a focusonthe Thames in London –its pageantry, its industries,its architecture andits people –and how it is inextricably linked to ourmaritime heritage Foundedin1934 andhousedinparts of the former RoyalHospital School, the National Maritime Museum –its name suggestedbyauthor RudyardKipling–was officially opened by George VI on April27, 1937. At itsheart wasacollection of maritime prints,drawingsand paintingsacquired by Scottish shipowner and maritimescholar James Caird(1864-1954), whoalsobankrolledthe conversion of the buildings

Since then the museum hasexpandedinboth size and scope, its displaysvividlycapturing the roles played by both riverand seainLondon’spast and present.

The mosteye-catchingexhibit is themagnificent royalbarge built for Frederick, Prince of Wales (1707-51), the eldestson of George II, in 1731-32. Inspired by the Thames wherries,the 63ft4in barge wasdesignedbyarchitectand artistWilliam Kent, who alsodesignedthe livery of the 21 oarsmen and bargemaster, and built by localshipwright John Hall. Thisluxurious,elaborately decorated vessel wasa statementofPrince Frederick’sroyal status and his reputation as afashion icon and patron of the arts

The royalbarge waslaunchedonJuly8,1732 to carryPrince Frederick, QueenCaroline and her fivedaughters from ChelseatoSomersetHouse It remainedinuse after Frederick’sdeath in 1751, making its final appearance in October1849 when Prince Albertattended theopening of the London Coal Exchange

In 1951, King George VI placedthe bargeonloan to the National Maritime Museum,and it is now includedonthe National Historic Fleetregister. Prince Frederickcertainlywasn’tthe first memberofthe royalfamilytoenjoy parading on the Thames,and the museum displaysemphasise the river’srole as astage forroyal pageantryaswell as civicoccasions –fromcelebrationstomourning –the splendour of whichdemonstrated to the world the nation’swealth and industrialmight.

Thereare paintingsondisplay that capture this mood –fromEngland’s Prideand Gloryby Thomas Davidson (1894), whichglorifies Nelson’s heroismafter the Battle of Trafalgar, to The Royal Yacht Britannia arrivingatGreenwich by Norman Wilkinson (1954), acelebration of what wasthen the new royalyacht.

In theMaritime LondonGallery, you candiscoverhow the river’slinkstothe sea enabledthe cityto prosper, expandinginto Britain’s largestport that sustainedarange of maritime andother industries. Oil paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries illustrate London’simportance as aship-building centre, including theconstructionofa warship at RotherhithebyJohnCleveleythe Elder, and William Parrott’sdepiction of Brunel’s Great Eastern at Millwall in 1858.

theriver,fromthe ceremonial to the commercial. Avisit to the National Maritime Museum is an opportunitytoimmerseyourself in the splendour that is London’sriver:its history,its character andits significance in ournation’sriver andmaritime history And then go and explorethe rest of Greenwich! National

Thereisalsoaspotlightonthe Thames watermen and lightermen, whokept passengers andcargoes movingacrossthe riveruntil theconstruction of new bridgesand encloseddocks from the 1820s onwardsrendered their services redundant. In their heyday,the watermen alsoenjoyed races and regattas on the Thames,the mostfamous of whichisthe annual Doggett’sCoatand Badgerace, established in 1715.

Awell-packed display case features arange of watermen memorabilia, including Doggett’srace badges,licence badges,a porcelainfigure of a waterman, models of aceremonial bargeand a waterman’sskiff.

Another section celebrates thearchitecturethat hasdeveloped alongthe banksofthe Thames, from palaces and bridgestodocks anddockside buildings,all reflecting the changing character of

Visitor information:

Where: National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF Open: 10am-5pm daily

Admission: Free

Getting there: Frequent train and bus services to Greenwich, or via river with Thames Clippers. Full details on website. Note: Due to current roof renovations, some partsofthe museum areclosed until summer2025. Seethe websitefor details and updates: www.rmg.co.uk

Maritime Museumexterior. PHOTO: SUPPLIED ©NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM,LONDON Prince Frederick’sbarge, originally built in 1732 forFrederick, Prince of Wales. This vesselwas also used by successive British monarchs until

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Atripbackintime

Jonathan Mosse’smonthly view of theinlandwaterways takes anostalgic turn...

ON THEfaceofit, this account does not followinthe wake of many of my recentpieces, documentingthe exploits of significantinland waterways people…ordoesit?

Jason’sTrip is anarrowboat runningpublic trips from Browning’sPool, at Little Venice, alongthe Regent’s Canalto Camden Market:two lock-free miles through Regent’s Park and London Zoo, passingStJohn’s Wood and PrimroseHill.

However, hear skipper Joeor majordomo Sara talkingabout the boat and you’dbeforgiven forthinkingthatitwas aliving, breathing(even thinking) person that wasthe subjectofthe discourse!First and foremost, this is aloveaffair of many years’ standing, a totalcommitment, dedication andunconditional surrender. On asecondary note,it’sa passengercarryingvesselplyingabusywaterwaythrough this north-western sector of central London.

it is nothardtovisualisepast canalsideindustry, servicedas it wasbyboats very similarto the one we arenow cruising the waterway in.

Firsttocome aliveisthe reason behind the name of Bridge 9–BlowUpBridge–and its instantaneousdemisewhen acargo of gunpowder exploded beneathit. Incongruity is emphasised betweenthe bustle of OxfordStreet, just a20-minute walk away and Regent’s Park and the canal, home to foxes, fish, moorhens,coots and generally teemingwithwildlife

Inevitablycontrasts aredrawn betweenthisnativewildlife and the moreexotic inhabitants of thezoo as we travel through and Sara is clearlyaufait with the intimatedetails of all the latest residents!

specialsignificance for me.Agedabout 10 yearsold, Iwas takentoLondon by my grandparentswho, eagertogivemea good time,tookmeon Jason’s Trip to the zooand then to achildren’sshowata theatre afterwards.

Isupposethatitisnot altogether surprising that morethan60years on Ihaveabsolutelyno recollectionofthe theatreor, indeed,whatthe show actually was. However, Iclearly remember the canal and the boat trip anditismorethanpossible that this formedthe beginnings of my love affair with Britain’sinlandwaterways…althoughI wouldhave no inkling then that they would come to provide me with the best part of aliving!

Sara’s abilitytobring the canaland the area we arenavigatingtolife is quiteextraordinary Visitors to London, especiallythosefrombeyond ourshores and thereforeunfamiliar with our extensivewaterways network,are skilfullydrawn into their unique existence throughacombination of historyand adetailedaccount of the area we are passingthrough,all broughttolife by Sara’s vivid descriptivepowers.

Farfromtalking down to people,she informs, educates and enriches the experienceinequal measure, establishinganenviable rapportwith thoseaboard, havingfirstfirmly butpolitelylaid down the ground rules of her engagementwith them,largely revolvingaround electronicdevices anddistractingand intrusivechatter!

The navigation in the far-off days of canalmania is broughtalivethrough her narrativeprowess and

At ourjourney’send, the old Gilbey’s gin factory gets an honourable mention, as does thelarge timber yard subsequently replaced by the plethora of eateries that have nowbecome the backbone of touristCamden.

In existencesince 1951, this is notthe first vessel to operatethe servicewhich Imustconfesshas a

The return journeyfromCamden Lock to Little Venice–one I’ve done in my ownnarrowboat and, morerecently, aboard restored 1937 wooden tar boat Spey –isone that neverceases to excite andmostmemorable is thesound of Spey’ssingle cylinderBolinder echoing off the wallsofMaida Vale Tunnel. Memories incised by Jason’sTrip on this cruiseare of the consummate skill of skipper Joeand the sheer dedicated professionalismofSara.

Howmanytimes she must have given that commentary, sincejoining Jason’sTrip some 23 yearsago,lie waybeyond countbut it remains as freshandbeguilingasever,asmoreandmorepeople aredrawn into that magic worldencapsulated withinthe inlandwaterways of Britain.

Trip boatsare apopular commercialsectorof the inland waterways, onethat helps to broaden the canals’appealand sell their commercial and leisurepotential to awider section of the public Jason’sTrip is no exception: now118 yearsold andapproaching75years in continuous trip-boat operation, her devotiontodutydoes, however, set her somewhatapart!

Jason’sTrip mooring up in Browning’sPool,Little Venice. PHOTOS: JONATHAN MOSSE

Afew people join the returntrip to Little Venice.

Similar boards havestood here, or hereabouts, since1951.

Saraand Joeawaiting the next departure.

Jason’sTrip is atraditional,working narrowboatofcomposite construction.

Jason’sTrip about to departLittle Venice.

Arrival in Camden. Passing acolourful background.

Memories photocompetition winnersannounced

CANALholiday businessFoxhangerswas thrilled to announce thewinners of itshighlyanticipated Memories photocompetition. In therun up to the competition the hirefirm wasinundated with an arrayofstunningentries,eachcapturing the essence and beauty of canalholidays.

Firstprize went to ReelinginHoliday Memories by EstellaRich, who won£1500 to spend on afuture Foxhangers canalholiday.Estella’sphoto perfectly showcases amomentofqualityfamily timeaboard the Arctic Fox,emphasising thefamily-friendly natureofcanal holidays.

Second place went to Majestic Landing-AHeron’s CommandingPresence,byHannaJury,who wonthe runner-up £500 prize This breathtaking photoofa heron elegantly landingonthe canalboat Foxglacier beautifullycapturesthe harmonious blendofwildlife and the tranquil canalenvironment.

Third placewas snappedupbythe stunning composition, Elegance on the Water, by Vicky Hlisnikowski, who wonthe £250 prize. Vicky’s elegant shot of the FlyingFox approachingBath’s iconic architecture highlights the majestic presence of boatsagainstthe backdrop of thehistoriccity.

Otherfinalists

Youcanfindthefullarticleandmoreinformation about all the winners here: www.foxhangers. co.uk/photo-competition-winners

IWACanalwayCavalcade 2025

IWACanalwayCavalcadereturnstoLondon’s Little Venice on Saturday, May3,for thefull Early MayBank Holiday weekend. Eachyear the best of life on the waterwaysinLondon and its communityiscelebrated at IWA Canalway Cavalcade

There’s somethingfor everyone at this vibrantcanal festivalinthe heartofLondon’s waterways. Whethervisiting by boat or on foot,it’sasplendid dayout foryou andyour family. Soak up the atmospheresurrounded by colourful craft of all shapes and sizes, alongside amultitude of unique stalls,a real ale barand deliciousfoods for all appetites. Eclectic livemusic around the site,special boatingactivities likethe legendaryilluminated

procession andkids’entertainmentfor allages will fillhours with fun. You’ll alsofind amazing artfromlocal schoolsondisplay,and plenty of opportunities to getinvolvedatIWA Canalway Cavalcade.Event organisersare currentlylooking for volunteers to join them –could youbeone?

Contact

For moreinformation contact emma. greenall@waterways.org.uk; for boat booking enquiries contact Mike Moore on mike.moore@waterways.org.uk or 07545 546865. Emailcavalcade.trade@ waterways.org.uk for trader enquiries

UK boatingbreaks gettop marks from holidaymakers

NEWresearchreveals that 87% of people who took aquintessentiallyBritish holiday on the nation’shistoric navigable canals and rivers would definitelyrecommend it to others. Of the domestic holidaymakers andthosefrom all over theglobewho were questioned, an impressive 92% felt theirholiday wasvalue for moneyand overall satisfaction with the experience wasat93%, with 80% very satisfied.

The research wasled by Canal &River Trust, the charitythat caresfor 2000 milesofcanals and rivers acrossEngland and Wales,ahistoricnetwork which hosts more than 1000 holiday hireboats and 283 dayboats for hire.

HaleyHadley, of Drifters Waterway Holidays, welcomed the results:“Travellingat

lessthanfourmilesper hour through peaceful countryside, past canalside pubs,sleepy villages and vibrant waterside townsand cities,canal boat holidaysare often described as ‘the fastest waytoslowdown’

“Every year around 450,000 people enjoy holidayingon Britain’s canalnetwork,and with tuitionincluded in our hirefees, around afifth of hirersare new.We’re delighted to seethat the majority of our holidaymakers would recommend theexperience to others, andtheyfeeltheir holiday is value formoney.”

MatthewSymonds,headof boatingand customer serviceat Canal& RiverTrust,said: “Our unique British canals arestill navigated by boatsjustasthey were hundredsofyears ago. Today, people recognisethat

spending timeonthe wateris atonic for mind andbody. Boatingholidaysare away people canstepbackintime and connect with natureand ournation’slivingheritage. It’s fantastictosee that people find them so rewarding.

“Boating holidays alsomake an importantcontribution to thelocal economy, with our2024 Hire Boat Survey revealing71% of canalboat holidaymakers uselocal shops, pubs or cafes dailyand 18% of hireboaters travelledfrom outside the UK to experience boatingonour waterways.”

To find outmoreabout bookingwith DriftersWaterway Holidaysvisit drifters.co.uk and for moreinformation about boatingholidaysand the work of theCanal &River Trust visit canalrivertrust.org.uk

WHAT’S ON IN MARCH

If you want your eventlisted in ourfree monthlyWhat’sOnsectionemail your entrytoeditorial@towpathtalk.co.uk or usethe events form at www.towpathtalk.co.uk/events

Please check withorganisers whether the eventisgoing ahead before setting out on your journey

From Feb 24-April 15

StaffordRiverwayLinkartefacts exhibition: Thedisplay of artefacts unearthedbyStafford Riverway Link volunteersat the BaswichSiteisatCannock Library, Manor Avenue,Cannock, StaffordshireWS11 1AA.

March 2

IWATowpath WalksSociety: RegentsCanal:Mile End, Limehouse. Meet Mile Endat 2.30pm. Normal charge £20; concessions, students and accompaniedchildren 16 and over £15; 8-15 £5; under 8s free Priorbooking recommended, contactLondonWalks:0207 624 3978 or email: london@ walks.com

March 6

Tatenhill andthe Trent& Mersey Canal: Thisisa3¾mile circularwalk.Meet10.30am for a10.45 startinthe carparkof The HorseshoeInn, Main Steet, Tatenhill, Burton on TrentDE13 9SD. ContactClive Walker on clive.walker@waterways org.uk or just turn up on the day. Non-members welcome

March 9

IWATowpath WalksSociety: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross–GranarySquare–Camden. Meet King’s Cross(meet by Taxi sign, next to Pret aManger) at 2.30pm. Normal charge £20; concessions, students and accompanied children 16 and over £15; 8-15

£5; under8sfree. Prior booking recommended, contact London Walks: 0207 624 3978 or email: london@walks.com

March 11

IWANorthampton branch social meeting: John Pomfret –AGM &Waterways Quiz 7.30pm.Conference Room,1st Floor, The Boat InnPH, Stoke Bruerne, NN12 7SB. Carparking and moorings areavailable,and the meetingroomisaccessible by ramp andstairlift. All meetings areonthe second Tuesdayofthe month

March 14

IWANorth Staffordshire& South Cheshire:AGM,Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club,PostLane,Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, ST99DU.7.45pm. Non-IWAmembers very welcome, admission free,donations to waterwayscauseswelcomed.

March 16

IWATowpath WalksSociety: Grosvenor Canal&Battersea PowerStation. Meet Victoria (WiltonStreetexit, opposite Apollo Victoria Theatre) at 2.30pm.Normalcharge£20; concessions,students and accompaniedchildren 16 and over £15; 8-15 £5; under 8s free

Prior booking recommended, contactLondon Walks: 0207 624 3978 or email: london@walks.com IWAChester&MerseyBranch: AGM– followedbyatalk by RogerButler on alight-hearted

‘canal honeymoon’,ahilarious romantic voyage to Llangollen, followedbytriparound theWest Midlands ring. 7.45pm. Holiday Inn, LowerMerseyStreet, EllesmerePort, CH65 2AL

March 21

The NightSky over Tixall Wide & The Planets in 3D:Anillustrated talk by Paul Fellows,from theCambridge Astronomical Society.7.15pmfor a7.30 start, Darwin Hall, Heathcot Place, Lichfield, WS13 6RQ. Non-memberswelcome.

March 22

Northern Canals Associations: Hosted by theFriends of the Cromford Canalatthe New HorizonChurch, LangleyMill, NG16 3RZ– TheCromford CanalRestoration andthe BeggarleeExtension. Forfurther information and bookingplease contactIvanCane at northern. canals2021@btinternet.com

March 23

IWATowpath WalksSociety: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross–GranarySquare –StPancras Meet King’s Cross(meet by Taxi sign,nexttoPretaManger) at 2.30pm. Normal charge £20; concessions, students and accompaniedchildren 16 and over £15; 8-15 £5; under8sfree. Priorbooking recommended, contactLondonWalks:0207 624 3978 or email: london@ walks.com

Eleganceonthe Water,byVicky Hlisnikowski, won thirdplace in theFoxhangers competition.

Majestic Landing -A Heron’sCommanding Presence, by Hanna Jury, was in second place.

Reeling in Holiday Memories by Estella Rich wonfirst place in the competition.

Braunston’sruddermystery

By TimCoghlan

THEwaterside settingofthe RedWheel Plaque, awardedin2024 to BraunstonMarinabythe National Transport Trustin2024, hasbeenenhanced as a historiccanal transport hubbythe placing beneath it of an old iron workingboatrudder

Itsorigins remain somethingofamystery but varioussuggestions have been made sincethe rudder wasdiscoveredinthe early1990s halfburied amongold dredgings onthe northernside of the OxfordCanal Puddle Banks– just beyond BraunstonTurntowards Napton Turn Locallegend haditthatthe rudder came off the motor Elstree. Butthisisnot so as the historyof the Elstree –the onlyworking boat ofthatname in canalhistory –i documented. It wasbuilt as am in 1935 by Harland &Wolff Ltdo NorthWoolwich, with asteering mechanism integral to its counter, and not outboard of its stern.The Elstree is scheduledtoattend this year’s BraunstonHistoric Narrowboat Rally– so those who hold that belief of its longlostrudder will be able to seethe erroroftheir ways for themselves!

– the only working narrowboat of that name canal history – is d. was built a mot & Wolff d of North Woolwich, a steering error of their ways er was that the might have been used in t s and pe men 1920s build

Another theory wasthatthe rudder mighthavebeenusedint variousand at times exotic experi in the late 1920s-early 1930s, to bu d motorised narrowboatsincorporatingthe new diesel and semi-diesel engines,ortoconvert horsedrawnbutties to motors. The exotic Gamecock of the late 1920s,builtbyNurserBrothersatBraunston forcementcarriersCharles Nelson &CoofStockton on the Grand Union Canal, is an example of those experiments that were carried out.

Dredging hoppers

Research by canalboathistorian Pete Harrison hasled him to conclude the rudder wasprobably no more than of thetypeusedonnarrowbeam dredginghoppersfromthe 1930s onwards,which were built in largenumbers by severalfabricators includingBritish Waterways.

Theywould have been similar to that on the widebeam horsedrawnbarge seen here in the late1930s photograph of the Grand UnionCanal CarryingCompany’s Bulls Bridge depot. Thathorsedrawnbarge hadanoutboardrudderoperatedbya detachable tiller.(The photograph hadonce been in the ownership of Leslie Morton, theGUCCC’s general manageratBullsBridgeatthattime, andlater with the

newly foundedWillow Wren yard at Braunston Bottom Lock.)

Theconfusion with the Elstree wasthat its original counter wasreplacedin December1973 by the new operatorsofthe former WillowWren yard and the old one was unceremoniously dumpedonthe Puddle Bankstip,which containednot only dredgings butparts of

The of

setting

– enhanced the addition of the boat

from the

The Red Wheel Plaque tells the story

Wheel tells story

The Elstree in its workingdays.Les Lapworth aged about18in about 1959. He was workingthe boat for British Waterways on his own, after hisfather and family had left canal carrying.Les is seen on the lockbelow Cowroast TopLock. Ahead is hisfriend John Best, with the pair of them workingtheir motors together. On Les’s hatch is the transistorradio he latergavetoAlice, whom he was courting, “cos she ‘adnoluxuries”. PHOTO: ALICE LAPWORTH COLLECTION

andoned boats. The c s recovered me s later Roger Fuller, who ned the a working ldon l.

andonedboats.Thecounter srecovered some yearslater RogerFuller,who at that time he Elstree andoperateditas awor ng boat on the Caldon Canal. By the time we rescuedthe hopper rudder,the former Elstree counterhad longleft the PuddleBanks Somehowour rudder must have comeloose –maybe when the dredgerwas overfilledand simply turned over in heavywindand rain in the very exposedlocation of the Puddle Banks, when it could have been blown againstasloping embankment. Assumingthe rudder stockwas poorlysecured it could have just fallen off andbeen tooheavy to recover. As ahazardtonavigation, it must subsequentlyhavebeendredged outbya floatingdiggerand dumpedwiththe other canal dredgings.Atthattime thefutureofthe canals looked pretty bleak, andnoone wouldhavethought of recovering it

In theearly 1990s,the rudderwas spottedbyone of BraunstonMarina’sthen-staff,Charlie Gamble

No one claimed it and British Waterwayswere happyfor us to remove it.SoCharlie mustered a team of heaviesand aformer workingnarrowboat with an open holdtocollect it in.They managed to digitupand bringittothe marina,whereit wascleanedupand paintedinits presentbright

colours. Twostrongmen were comfortablyable to lift it when required in thisoperationbut in deep water, thismay not have been possible

Local

tradition

The cleaned-up rudderwas originallyplacedonthe other side of the formerengine workshop to where it nowis. According to localtradition, whichIheard in my earlydaysatBraunstonMarina, that workshop wasbuilt by the Women’sLand Army in the Second WorldWar.Itwas finishedwitharoofoverhanging the canalarm to keep boatsand workersdry when workingoutside

Alsointhe original workshop installation wasan overhead electric hoistfor liftingengines in and out of engine holds and moving them into theworkshop to be worked on and then putback. (Some 80 years on andthe hoistisprobablystill in workingorder It hasbeenout of commission for severalyears but wasstill in workingorder when Iarrived in 1988.)

The new RedPlaque Awardinspiredthe rudder’s move to its presentand hopefullypermanent location. It immediatelyfaces the old GUCCC/WillowWren

1930s mobile craneon-rails,whichwas originallyattheir Bulls Bridge yard in Southall and is alsoseen(centre) in that 1930s Bulls Bridge photograph

Right: The restored mobile crane at Braunston Marina, with the former engine workshop partlyvisible, which is held to have been built by the Women’sLand

With theclosureofnearlyall BW’s canalcarryingin 1963,and thesurvivingcarryingtrade beingtaken on by WillowWren, thecrane wasdisassembledand takenbynarrowboattoWillowWren’snew reduced headquarters at BraunstonBottomLock. Afterthe closureofWillowWren, in aboutthe 1970s,the crane wasthendumpedinthe yard behind the Willow Wren workshop.Itwas laterrescued by Braunston Marina in 1993 and movedtowhatishopefullyits new permanenthome,where it wasrestored.

Alsonearthe rudder is the 1834 Horseley Ironworksbridge, the first mass-producediron bridge in theworld.And nowmooredacrossthe canalfromthe workshop–whennot attending canalfestivals –isthe butty Raymond,the last wooden narrowboat ever built forthe canals.This took place in 1958 in the buildingshedonthe other side of theformer engine workshop

The rudder nowforms part of BraunstonMarina’s rich canal-transport heritage,well recognised by that RedWheel Plaque award. Butwhether the salvaged rudder’strueoriginswill ever be established remains to be seen.

The

of BraunstonMarina’sRed Wheel Plaque –enhanced by the additionofthe old iron working boat rudder rescued

Puddle Banks dredgings tip. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN

Braunston Marina’s Red

rudder

TIM COGHLAN

The GUCCC depot at Bulls Bridge, Southall in the late 1930s.Ahorsedrawnwidebeam dredger barge is seen on thecanal, which would havebeen very similar to the narrow ones seen on the Midlands canals. Thehoist of the mobile crane later moved to Braunston is seen to the right of the large fuel tank. PHOTO: TIM COGHLANCOLLECTION

One of akind: The first motor boat to be constructedbyNurser Brothers at Braunston Wharf in the 1920s. It had wheel steering, and the living accommodation was forwardofthe engine room. PHOTO: WMONK

The Elstree on the CaldonCanal in 1998 followingits majorrestoration by Peteand Chris Sawyer –the sign writing wasstill to be finished. Chris commented: “The back end was obviously new –not arivet in sight.” The cabinhad been lowered by aprevious owner,Roger Fuller,tobeable to work on the Caldon Canal with its lowbridges seen here. PHOTO: CHRIS SAWYER

Army during the Second World War. PHOTO: TIM COGHLAN

Thiswinter, our 2,000mile networkof250-year-oldcanals facesaperfectstorm of extreme weather, rising repair costsand shrinkinggovernment support. Last winter alone, eightstorms in three months cost £10 millioninemergency repairs. Ourteams arestretched to thelimit as morestormshit this season.

We urgently need your donation now, so thatwecan be ready to reactwhen thenext emergency happens. With your support, we can carryout vitalrepairs,aswell as restore canals andmakethemmoreresilient to extremeweather in future.

DryDock, dryland… liquid refreshment!

It was an example of agreen scheme ahead of its time. Morethan 30 yearsafterleaving the water, DryDock is continuing toserve apurpose on land. Sally Cliffordvisits the Leedsvenue.

The repurposingofanold bargeonlandwas a calculated risk butthe vessel wasfortunate enough to fall into experiencedhands.

While YorkshireDesignGroup wasusedto repurposingold buildings,the sheerlogistics of craningthe heavyweightbarge BWBLambda, commissionedby BWBwhichtransported mainly timber, sand and gravel on the Aire &Calder and Rivers Humber,Ouseand Trent, wasariskthe company waspreparedtotake… and so the barge became abar Paul Ellison, the company’s managingdirector, explains it washis father-in-law PeterConnolly’s vision when settingthe company up to transform some of the warehouses and industrialbuildingsin the backwaters of Leedscitycentrethatled to his eventual acquisition of twobarges.

Oneofthe company’s initial projects was transformingaformer grain warehouse, latterly awholesale food warehouse, into the canalside designstudio in Leedswherethe companyisbased at 46 The Calls

Paul explains the location broughttheminto contactwithpeoplelivingand workingonboats

This ledtoYorkshire Design Groupacquiring the twobarges, that hadbecome surplus to requirements,inthe earlyNineties

The companywas already successful in breathing new life into oldbuildings.Applyingits triedand-testedmethodtoapair of old barges wasa challenge it wasmorethanpreparedtotakeon.

During an erawhen consciousnessaround carbon footprints and recyclingwasn’t as prolific as it is now, thishas proved to be agreen scheme ahead of itstime and one whichthe company, quite rightly, is proudtohavebeenpartof. Oneofthe barges is nowa floatingoffice space closetothe company’s base,while the other continues to serve apurpose–albeit on dryland!

AccordingtoPaul, the boat wascommissioned by BWBand built to the maximumdimension for the Aire &Caldercanal locks. It waslaunchedas BWBLambda

“Asabig old rustic boat it would not have been converted into anyresidential useand would have endeduponthe scrapheap,”saysPaul.

He explains the original consideration to use the bargefor afloatingrestaurantprovedtobe

problematic but, having previously setuparestaurant, Paul’s father-in-law knew people in the industry, leadingtothe idea for the bargetobecome abar

“Itwas that sort of idea–wherecan we useitifwe can’tuse it on water? Thatcombinedwith looking around thecityand talkingtothe council about plotsofland that weren’t effectivelybeingused,” explains Paul.

The site theysettledonwas agrassed area in WoodhouseLane closetowhat wasthen Leeds Metropolitan University,now LeedsBeckett

“Itwas aforgotten plot of land. Thatishow the ideawas hatched,” says Paul.

Planningpermission wasput in place andsome elements of the prefabrication, andfirstfixworks, were carriedout while the boat wasonwater.The greatest challengeduringthe projectwas puttingin place the logistics of movingthe bargefromcanal to land –and that wasafter craningthe boat out of the water!

“Wehad some advice aboutitbut it wasn’t guaranteed in anyway.Wecould have been left with twohalves of aboat. It wasstrappedupand everythingwentaccording to plan. It wasslowlylifted

outofthe waterinchbyinch. It held structurally and swungontothe lowloader,” recalls Paul He explains aspecial route, with policeescort, wasdevised to enable the lengthy cargo’snavigation through thecity.

“Ithad to take quite aspecial routethrough the city– it almostwentout of the cityand back in. The directroute wasn’t an option becauseofthe limitations of gettingaround bends and buildings,” says Paul.

Once on site thebarge wascranedontothe concretebasecreated forits arrival, anditiswhere DryDock hascontinued to tradeasa bareversince The venueisnow ownedbythe Stonegate Group and continuestobea successful,and certainly unique,socialscene in thecity.

In 1995 DryDock wonthe Publican’sBestPub Design Award. “Itisa very greenproject of its time that the structurewas reused.That is what our businessdoes. We reusebuildings with character, andone of the modern-day interpretations of that is it is quite alow-carbonapproach to development.

“Weare proudofitand so many people arefond of it,” says Paul.

Up and away: BWB Lambda iscraned out of the water in Leeds city centre. PHOTO: YORKSHIRE DESIGN GROUP

Onthe move: The barge is accompanied by police escort as it travels through Leeds. PHOTO: YORKSHIRE DESIGN GROUP

New home: The barge is craned into position on dryland. PHOTO: YORKSHIRE DESIGN GROUP

Anchored: BWBLambda transported timber,sandand gravel along the Aire&Calder andthe Rivers Humber,Ouse andTrent. PHOTO: SALLY CLIFFORD

Servinga new purpose: renamed as Dry Dock, the bargethat becameabar offers a thriving social scene. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

Award-winning:inside DryDock, Leeds. PHOTO: ANDREW MCGREGOR (INSTAGRAM: @LOST.NOMAD)

StaffordBoat Club offers somethinggfor everyyone

More than one million volunteer hours have shaped Stafford BoatClub into the vibrant community it is today.Sixty years after its launch, theclub is urging thenext wave of enthusiastic individuals to step forward.

NESTLEDonthe picturesque

Staffordshire &WorcestershireCanal near Bridge 96, Stafford Boat Club (SBC)issteeped in history,community spirit and friendship.Theland,oncea clay mine andHazlestrine brickworks, hasbeentransformedbydedicated volunteersintoaboatinghaven

The club’s storybegan morethan60 yearsago in 1964, when its inaugural meetingwas held aboard anarrowboat aptlynamed NewHope.The club soon needed apermanenthome and approached StaffordBorough Council to usethe derelict Hazlestrine Canal Arm, finallyacquiringitinthe late 1970s

From there, SBCwentfromstrength to strength.Members and volunteers have poured theirtime and energy into

constructingmoorings, workshops,a wetdockand variousfirst-class facilities to supportboating. Perchedonthe hill abovethe armisthe clubhouse, ahub for social events,meetings and community gatherings

The original clubhouse, awooden hut, served the club well until it wasreplaced by the currentbuildingin1990, built entirelybymembers

It isn’t just its inspiring history that makesthe club aspecial place on the canal. It has, and continues to be, focusedonbeingpartofboth the canal boat and localcommunity. The club is hosttoascout groupand supports regularmeetings of associategroups likeStaffordRiverwayLink,Royal Yacht Association, CoastalCruisingClubs,

caravantours and localfishermen.

Over the past year,the club hashosted everythingfromfirstbirthday parties to Sixties-themedcabaretsand charity comedy nights.While many activities have adaptedtoonline formats, the club’s vision remains rooted in bringing people together

Volunteersare at theheart of Stafford Boat Club,dedicatingtheir time and skills to maintainingand improvingthe site.Itisnot unusualto seechildren, parentsand grandparents chipping in on volunteer days.Recent enhancements include upgrades to the boaters’ facilities,suchasincreased waterstorage capacityfor the slipway pressure washer system and full central heatingfor thewet dock,turning it into a

Hydrogen fuel cell domesticpower for boats

GREENER solutions area subjectthat TowpathTalk reports on frequently and somethingweliketo update ourreaders on,asand when theopportunities arise. Hydrogen fuel cells areone of the keycomponentsin that discussion and liveaboard boater, Neil Trevithick,has supplieduswithan independentreview oftheHyArkhydrogen cell system

“After 12 yearsonthe waterinLondon, autumn means anumberofthings.Theend of summer marksthe end of all ourelectricity beingsuppliedbysolar panels.A theoretical 750W of solarpower reduces to atrickle, perhaps50W.

“The fridge must be turned off andturned into acupboard.Theinbuilt cold boxwith milk, butter etcsitting on the steelbase-plateunder the floor is fine as longasit stayscold outside. Battery performance dipsintoself-destruct mode.Graduallythe nightmareoflow light levels andwarm, drizzlyrainmeans twohours of our43hpBeta diesel runningjusttokeepthe batteries healthyand the lights on.Walkalong anytowpath in London and therewill always be boatstiedupwiththeirengines running

“Until now; just twoboats in aLondon region containingatleast 4000boats have theHyArk system.Ahydrogen-poweredfuel cell on our roof generates200W of electricityasrequired to keep the batteries topped up,night and day.

“You lie in bedinthe dark with thebatteries beingcharged,noengine,nogenerator,no fumes,nounseenpollution. Like the best digital equipment, the installation does absolutely

nothing apparent to thesenses.No smell, no smoke, no sound.

“Onlysomeone entirelyreliant on solarand a knackereddiesel engine will appreciate the wonder of nighttime charging. Of neverworrying ab ou tt he batteries running down.Ofthe lights staying bright.Ofworking late at nightonthe plugged-in computerwith no warnings of limited time left.Ofhaving the inverter on whenevernecessary.Ofnot constantlycalculatingpower consumption.

‘Game changer’ is an overused phrasebut apthere. IfeelIcan seethe future.It’s‘green’ hydrogen

“Fully electric cars suddenly seem ared herring. Ahydrogenfuel cell powering a much smaller battery, hybrid with braking generation andpurebattery forsmall distances is ano-brainer.Anelectric motor on the boat, rather than anydieselatall,issuddenly within striking distance

“Noemissions,nosound –yourown mini powerstation to travel, to powerany kind of mobile life,totakeyou off-grid alongwith yourintegratedsolar.Thereisnoneedfor any ICE (internal combustion engine). Suddenly thewhole worldofnoise andmovingbelts/ pulleys/filters/pumps/etcisredundant.

“Thereare onlytwo of thesesystems for boatsinexistence.But the hydrogen in bottles is there, the toolingfor the system Ihaveisup andrunning. The costwill go down once there is take-up in volume.”

year-round narrowboat paintshop

Membersoperate thesefacilities,leaving the user to decide to do DIY or contracted assistance of thejob in hand. The club’s commitmentistomaintain continuous improvementinfacilities whichbenefits members and visitingboaters

Allfacilities areavailable forbooking by membersand non-members via StaffordBCTradingLimited,making StaffordBoatClub aresourcefor the wider canalboatcommunity RichardBrockhouseofSBC said: “Whether you’reseeking anew hobby, somewheretoenjoy apintwith friends, aplace to paintyourboator undertakerepairs,StaffordBoatClub hassomethingfor everyone.”

“Our club hasalwaysbeenknown for its friendlinessand inclusivity,”he added. “It’snot just aboutboating; it’s aboutpeoplecomingtogether, sharingand learningskills,and creating memories. As we celebrate 60 years, it’s moreimportantthanever to bringinthe nextgeneration. They’ll carrythislegacyforward andensure the club remainsa specialplace for decades to come.”

StaffordBoatClubislooking to ensurethe nextgenerationofboaters andcommunity memberscan enjoy everythingtheyhavetooffer. The site thrives on skills from diverse areas, including legalexpertise,accounting, electrical work,plumbing, gardening, mechanics and catering If youare interested,visit theclub’s websiteand getintouch: www.staffordboatclub.co.uk

Left: Aboatundergoing blacking at StaffordBoatClub. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

TheHyArk hydrogen cellsystem fitted to the narrowboat of liveaboardboater,Neil Trevithick.

The fabulous clubhouseatStaffordBoat Club. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

The mooringareaatthe club PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Anger over plans to charge River Clyde boaters

AMEMBER of the Scottish Parliament haslaunchedapetition against plans to charge boaterstouse waterways around the RiverClyde Clydeport, whichfunctions as the harbourauthority for450 square miles of waterway in andaround the RiverClyde and its estuary, is owned by the Peel PortsGroup,whichplans to impose an annual feefromApril on all leisurecraft operatingonits waterways. These include Loch Fyne givingaccesstothe Crinan Canal.

NowStuartMcMillan,MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde and convenor of the Scottish CrossParty Groupfor Recreational Boatingand Marine Tourism,has setupapublic petition and hopes this will make moreboaters awareofPeelPorts’ plans and heap further pressure on the port authoritytoreconsider.He hasalsosentanopenlettertoJim McSporran, port director at Peel Ports, citingconcernsthatcharginga fee will restrict freedom to sail in Scottish waters and have anegativeimpact upon marine tourism

‘Water’ wonderful waytobeat the misery of Blue Monday!

FREE activitiesbeside London’scanals did their bit to blow away the Blue Monday gloom

Stuartsaid: “Tobefrank,the sector views theideaofa conservancyfee as a‘cash grab’byPeelPorts.They feel that the rationale for introducingthis charge does not stand up to scrutiny.

“This hascreated aperception amongboatingorganisationsthatPeel Portsistreatingthem with contempt, furtheringthe angerfeltabout these proposals.This isn’tjustabout boaters in Scotland, this is aboutpeople who sail from otherparts of theUK, or even Europe,toenjoy the Clyde. There is huge concernthatthisfee will put them off doingso.”

Thechargewill applytoboats betweensix metresand 24 metres in length within the Clydejurisdiction northofIrvine andwill applyto permanentberths and visitors. The charge proposed is £120 perannum and £90 for summer

Peel Portshas on occasion described the proposed charge as a conservation feeand, when pressed, suggestedthat it could be used for the salvageofwrecksand the like.

However, gettingany further detail

hasproveddifficult as the grouphas twicedeclinedtoattendthe Scottish CrossParty Groupfor Recreational Boatingand Marine Tourism to provide an explanation and engage further with the boatingpublic and their representatives such as IWA, RYA Scotland and British Marine

Notonlydoblue watersailingclubs operateinand around the Clyde, but it is also afocus forsome of the best coastal sailinginthe UK,with regular visitorsfromother partsofBritain and from the Continent. As such it is asignificant contributor to Scotland’s touristincome andthereisastrong feelingthatimposinga charge will operatenegativelyinthisarea.

Another worryrelates to the potentialfor aprogressive increase in chargesifaconservancyfee is implemented. The proposed feewill inevitablynot remain the same in the comingyears,objectors fear Stuart’spetition canbe viewed at:www.change.org/p/ pe el-por ts-clydepor t-shouldabandon-conservancy-fee-plans

As morethantwo million Londoners livelessthanone kilometrefroma waterway,the Canal&River Trust organised some fun events at King’s Crossand Southall to brighten the mood broughtonbyBlue Monday.And areportbyscientistsatKing’sCollege, London hasbackedupthe ideathat spending time by the watercan be good foryourwell-being.

Walksled by trainedtrust volunteers gave anew perspectiveonLondon’s centuries-old waterwaysincluding theRegent’s Canal, while on the new Southall WellbeingWay in West London, free boat tripsonthe GrandUnion Canal were offered in conjunctionwith local housingproviderPeabody

Canal& RiverTrust community engagementmanager EashaniHaria said:“Studieshaveshown thewellbeingbenefitsofspending time by our waterways, andgettingoutsideatthis timeofyearevenfor ashort walk by the canalcan give yourmoodaboost

“Weweredelighted to offer these free activities on Blue Monday.I hope that people feel inspiredtoget outof the houseand enjoy gettingcloser to nature on ourcharity’s waterways, not just in the depthsofwinterbut in every season.”

Blue Monday is traditionallyseenas the mostmiserable date on thecalendar, due to thepost-Christmasblues,gloomy weatherand bills that arrive beforethe Januarypay date.This year it fell on January20.

The CRTsaid: “Eveninthe coldest

months,the capital’s canals areteeming with life aboveand belowthe water, while towpaths offer visitors atraffic-free way to getactiveonfootorontwo wheels.”

The study, producedbyresearchers at King’s College London, Nomad Projects and J& Lparticipants,noticed an increaseinmental well-beingfor up to 24 hourswhenvisitingour canals and rivers.This association wasstronger comparedtotime spentatoutside green spaces, such as parksand fields, where therewas no presence of water.

It alsoshowedanincreasedsense of safety andsocialinclusion wasalso expressed as aresult of time spentatour wonderful blueand greenspaces

Andrea Mechelli, professorofearly intervention in mentalhealth at King’s College,saidtheseresults come down to the unique mix of land, waterand wildlife that ourwaterways offer

He said: “Canals and rivers contain notonlywater butalsoanabundance of treesand plants,which meanstheir capacity to improvementalwell-being is likelytobedue to themultiple benefitsassociatedwithboth green and blue spaces.

“Canalsand rivers also provide homes to arange of wildlife,and we knowfrom other research that thereisa positive association betweenencountering wildlife and mentalwell-being.

“Taken collectively,these findings provide an evidencebasefor what we intuitivelythoughtabout waterand well-beingand supportthe proposal that visits to canals and rivers could become part of social prescribing schemes, playinga role in supporting mental health.”

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Atug heading out to sea.

PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE

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Ourboatyardfacilities arelocated canal side, on the main lineoutside the Distillery

Prime mooring’s in the centre of Birmingham’Canalsystem. Securesite, with all services available,and easy access to the lively cityofBirmingham. Just a2 minuet walk,tothe fantastic nightlifeofRestaurants,clubs and bars, Placesofinterest, theInternationalConvention Centre,also knownasthe ICC, off the famousboardstreet,inBirmingham, the new library, the Cresenttheatre, TheIkon galleryfor art, all just ashort walk away,3-4 minutes,

Allpublicservices areavailablefromthe streets outside and youcan jump on the tram fromBoard street.Wolverhampton,or to newstreet.The choiceisyours.

Mooring in sherborne wharf, is quiet and peaceful,with long term residents,who have establisheda life here in theMarine. We areanestablished Company, who have been hereinBirmingham forover30yrs,friendly neighbourswho get together and enjoy summerevenings on the towpathsocialising,sharing the evening sun and adrink, responsibly,

Service’sare based on the main line outside the round house and DistilleryPub,with a small chandlery, coal,diesel, Gasand pumpout availabe on adaily basis,please note pump outs arenot allowedafter 11.30am, thefacilities aresmall but can supply you with whatyou need

We have no onsite parking,however parking canbefound,torentwith in the access to the siteand around the Marina privately Boat services,wehaveadry dock that can be hired,for blacking,surveys,ormechanical work required.Wehavethe contactfor boatsurveys’gas inspections and repairs shouldthey be required.

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• •Dogsrun free in designatedareas

• •Watch the changing seasons,the wildlife and the animals on the farm

• •Enjoythe completepeace,freedom and tranquillityofbeing in the countryside

• •Accesssome greatlock free cruising forday trips,weekend or longer voyages

• •Easyaccess to motorwaynetwork, buses and trains

• •Onsitelaundry,Hairdressers

• •Members benefit with adiscountatour popular Restaurant

It goes without saying....

• •A secureplacetomoor your boat,and park your car

• •Luxurious showers,communal areas, pump out andfuel etc.

• •Freeunlimited WIFI

• •Electricityand water connections

• •Pump-out,fuel,coal,wood and gasavailable

South Stratford Canal Please watchthe progress www.hillfarmmarina.co.uk emailinfo@hillfarmmarina.co.uk or call

Over 100 tillerpins in stockvisit www.tillerpins.co.uk www.miracleleisureproducts.co.uk e: sales@miracleleisureproducts.co.uk Telephone: 01902 686569 or Dawn 07909 086868

•Iver (Slough Arm) and Northolt (Paddington arm)

•Secure sites with private parking

•Delivery of gas,solid fuel and diesel directtoyour boat

•Electricity, water,elsan and pumpout

•Showers and laundry

•Chandlery

•Mechanical, electrical, and carpentry work undertaken

•Craning,grit blasting and blacking

•Two part epoxy hull treatment

•Fuel polishing service

sales@high-line.co.uk 01753 651496 www.high-line.co.uk

FOR SELLERS

•Free moorings

•Sales location with establishedfootfall

•Open 6days /week

•Trade Plates for unlicensed craft

•Pre sales preparation and repairs

FOR BUYERS

•Free guidance and advice

•Comprehensive handover

•Secure clients bank account

•ABYAqualified brokerage staff

•Industry standard documentation

PRIVATE BUYER’S SERVICE

•Ifyou are buying privately,wecan offer the following services:

•Advice on allaspects of purchase

•Provision of documentation

•Secure Clients bank account

•Bespoke service –asmuch or as little as you want, priced accordingly

kb@vcmarine.co.uk 01753 652502/ 07860 480079 www.vcmarine.co.uk

ROPE AND FENDERS

Traditionalboatyard,withtraditionalvalues

ACleverBag

Ourbasic painting packageincludes:

•Free‘no obligation’quotationsand recommendations to meet your requirements.

•Planningand scheduling to fit inwith your prior arrangements (where possible).

•Traditional painting ‘with abrush’ofcompletecabin and down to the ‘top guardiron’.

Extrasthatcan be added to the package:

•Baremetallingofgrittedareas.

•(Re)grittingofcabintopandgunwhales.

•Graining/scumbling.

•Diamondsandgeometricalpatterns.

•Topbend/returnplatedecoration

•Traditionalcanalart(RosesandCastles).

•Signwriting

•Hatchandslidedecoration.

•Varnishing.

•Mouse’sears/teddybearonrearbulkhead

•Paintingofcounterbands.

Hempsted Historic Dry Dock

Canal &River Trust chief executive RichardParry to stand down

CANAL&River Trustchiefexecutive

RichardParry is to stand down from his £226,880 role thissummerafter 12 yearsinthe post

Mr Parryjoined the trustin2013, ayearafter its creation, and hasled it through its critical formativeyears to become an establishedand wellsupportednational charity.

He said: “Ithas been an honour to lead the trustthrough such akey period,working to build asustainable futurefor ourhistoriccanal network, increasing thenumberofpeople benefiting from it andwider appreciation of its valuetothe nation

“I have lovedworking with such committedcolleagues and arising number of amazingvolunteers whotogether deliverthe ongoing care that the 250-year-old canal infrastructuredemands –and making so many friends among thosewho useour canals and share ourpassion forthem

“After 12 yearsit is the righttime formetohand over to anew chief executivetoleadthe trustonthe nextstage of its journey, alongside ourchair,David OrrCBE,who took up his post twoyears ago. My departure this summer will fit intoa cycleofsuccession, so that David and the new chief executive

canlooktothe longer-term future, includingstrengtheningthe trust’s partnership with Government with over four yearsofthe current parliamentarytermtorun.

“Thereisahugeamountofwork for the trustto do over the coming months and Iwill be focusing all my effortsondeliveringour priorities until Ihand over laterthis summer.”

David Orradded: “Richard has made afantasticcontribution, establishing thetrust as amuchadmirednationalcharity. He has ledthe organisation through many challengesand chalked up many achievements over the past 12 years. He hasbeendedicated to thenational treasure that is ourcanal network, venturingacrossthe countrytobea visible,engagingleader

“Weface many morechallengesin the yearsahead, and the boardand I will be lookingtorecruit asuccessor of thecalibre needed to follow on from Richard, to takethe trustforward on the nextphase in ourjourney, to grasp the wonderful opportunities we have to useour canals to supportmanyof ournationalprioritiesand improve thelives of millions of people.”

Arecruitmentprocessfor the trust’snextchief executivewill get under wayshortly.

Surge in calls for help from boaters in trouble

RIVER Canal Rescue has seen calls for help surge in the last year The organisation said it responded to 171 major incidents in 2024; emergency situations involving submerged, partially sunken or grounded craft, plus salvage work, a figure 41% higher than the 121 incidents in 2023

There were also 3485 general callouts for electrical, fuel and engine issues, flat batteries, overheating and gear box failures – a 4% increase from 3335 a year earlier

Stephanie Horton, managing director, said: “It’s always prudent to give your boat a thorough check over before cruising, and carry some spares Some preparation can make a big difference to the success of your journey and may prevent you becoming one of our statistics We’re also always on hand to answer any queries and give advice, so just get in touch”

She added that many of the

Gas leak fear prompts fire risk warning to boaters

BOAT owners whose vessel is fitted with certain Morco water heaters have been warned not to use them and disconnect them from the gas supply after fears they could cause a fire

Thecompanyhasissued the warning to anyone whose boat is fitted with Morco Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPG openflued water heaters, sold between 2018 and 2023 They must stop using the water heaters immediately and disconnect them from the gas supply

callouts were in the summer months for unsecured weed hatches/seal issues and boats getting stuck on lock cills

RCR engineers responded to 86% of callouts; 14% were handled by approved contractors, and its canalcontractingserviceorganised 521 visits to undertake a variety of work, including plumbing and electrical installations, gearbox replacements, inverter, solar installations and general engine maintenance

In addition, 592 engine inspections were booked in, nearly 15% up from 2023; 437 of these were combined inspections with services.

RCR subsidiary, Key Diesels, whose team fits and supplies new and refurbished engines nationwide, sold 45 new and used engines direct to customers – a 200% uplift from the previous year – worked on 18 customers’ engines and refurbished/provided 21 gearboxes

A Morco spokesperson said: “If you have one of these gas water heaters installed, including those that have had the previous safety upgrade, please contact us immediately so we can discuss the next steps Please do not attempt to check or test the appliance yourself”

The Boat Safety Scheme is reinforcing the message The importance for boat owners is linked to the nature of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), which is generally heavier than air If LPG leaks from an appliance, it flows down as strong-smelling but invisible gas to the lower parts of the boat where it can be trapped and pool, creating an explosive gas cloud that could be ignited by any type of spark or naked flame

If anyone smells gas, which has a concentrated stenching agent added to

Various models are affected: Morco Primo 6 (MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPG open-flued water heaters, sold between 2018 and 2023

aid detection, they should turn off the gas supply at the cylinder and open all windows, hatches and doors as they evacuate the vessel The boat shouldn’t be re-boarded until the smell has gone completely

independent investigations and tests, but the root cause of the issue has yet to be identified Any water heaters upgraded in a campaign earlier this year are also caught by the warning; they should not be used

and should have the gas supply isolated Anyone with concerns about their Morco LPG open-flued water heater should go to the Morco website to check if their appliance is on the list It includes a guide on how to find the model number and serial number, Morco’s guide

If you have any queries in relation to this safety upgrade, contact Morco directly on 01482 325456 or at gaswater heaters@morcoproducts co uk

The serial number and model details can be found on the appliance spec plate.

Users of certain Morco gas water heaters have been warned not to use them after fears they could cause fires PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Holiday hire season castsoff gently

THE 2025 holiday hire outlookisoffto asteady startasshort breaks and vacations on wateratEasterand Septemberhavedriven earlybookings. Hire businessesreportthere aresome bright spots in tradebut arehoping the traditional summer holidaybookingswill seeaboost in the coming weeks. However, theyare concerned that arisein costs will mean prices mayhavetoincrease in the future, potentially hittingbookings.

Sara Thwaites, marketingdirectorof

Norfolk-basedBarnes

Brinkcraft,said: “So far it hasnot been a runawaysuccessbut it is not all doom and gloom.

“Inmyexperience when the sunshines we reallynoticean increaseininterest andwhen people seewhatthe Norfolk Broads canoffer,they reallyloveit.”

MrsThwaitessaid they have seen healthy bookings for Easter and September, andalsofor shortbreaks. Families with slightly older children, aged 9-14 years, aredrivinga lot

of bookings,she said, as arepeople who don’t want to holidaywith children so arewaiting untilSeptember fora holiday.

In addition,with many baseslessthan threehours by train from London,many hirers areleaving the capitalfor aholiday that provides thebestof both worlds,engaging with nature and having amobile base with all the home comforts

Around 50% of Barnes bookersare repeat customers, andthe company finds that many new

clients areparticularly interested in nature and countryside Barnes hasnot increasedits prices overallbut said arise in costsmay force boatingfirmstohike fees in the future. The combination of arise in National Insurance, fuel,navigationfees andthe change in inheritance tax may force some boating businessestopass on thecosttotheir customers.

“Some operatorsnoted the bookings that were cominginnow were mainly forearly season, whichisgood, butthe moreexpensivepeak weeksare slower than ever to book.

“Theoverall weeks bookedof19is, of course,anaverage and one or twosmaller or popularlylocated yardshad achieved asignificantlyhigher averagethanthat.”

Tony Howes, of theBritish Hire Boat Federation,said thecurrent outlook amongmembers waspessimistic and no operatorswere expectingtoimprove on last year’s figures Mr Howessaid:

Proposals invited for Totally Thames 2025

Helen Gaze ey

For this year’s Totally Thames 2025, taking place throughout September, Thames Festival Trust is inviting proposals of events, performances, visual and digital art-forms, or films The trust is interested in hearing from artists, communities, river interest organisations and businesses Suggestions must have a heritage, community, environmental and river activity bent, with a focus on the Thames, waterways or sustainability Seed funding is available and all

participants can receive help with marketing, networking and venue location Applications close in the morning of March 10

Find out more on the Totally Thames website: www t

artistic-programme/totally-thames

CANAL & River Trust chief executive

Richard Parry will stand down in the summer after 12 years in the post PHOTO: CRT

What’snext for marinas?

Marinashavecome along way from thetraditional image of aboatyard. They nowoffer an everexpanding range of products and services, and manyare developing into holiday destinations. PhilPickin looks at afew thatare diversifying their offerings to boaters and visitors alike.

FOLLOWING last month’s articlein whichwelookedatsuper brokerages, we thought we’d alsohavea look at what the futuremight holdfor marinasin general. If,aswas suggestedlastmonth, brokerages aretobecome aone-stop shop for awide rangeofboatbuyingand

upkeepservices, the marinasinwhich theyare locatedare alsolikelytoexpand the rangeofservicestheyoffer.

To illustrate, youonlyneedtolook at York Marina in Naburn village,four miles south of the cityofYork, which incorporates a300-berthmarina, boat hire, boat lifting andassociatedservices, boat sales,achandlery, acaravan site and an RYAschool. These servicesare in addition to The Waterfront Cafe and, morerecently, the floatinglodges.

OwnersPam and Phil Bleakleytook over the marina in 2006 and have worked hard to update andimprove thefacilities and services on offer.Theiraim hasbeen to create oneofthe most pleasurable inland boatingenvironmentsinthe country. These developments have been carriedout with aview to alsoreduce the business’s carbon footprint. To do this a new solararray hasbeeninstalledonthe main office roof.Asaresult,the couple saythat, on average, their offices and cafe arenow 55% solarpowered over the course of the year

York Marina isn’t theonlymarinato

have been lookingtowiden their range of servicestobring in boat boating and non-boating customers. Aqueduct Marina in Cheshireestablished acaravan site adjacenttothe marina moorings afew yearsago andlastyearaddedglamping alongside dayboathireand arange of additionalservices forthe boating co mm un it y, including the abilitytobuy HVOfuel. The marina hasalso looked to reduce its CO2emissions and installedEV charginginits car park as part of this exercise.

This year will seethe rangeof services on offer expand further with the addition of improved facilities for those stayinginthe glamping tents

and the additionof29lodgeswhich, it is hoped, will be on offer in time for the summer season. Marketingofthesenew facilities nowcomes under the banner of Marina Retreats and is promoted via its ownwebsite,wheredetails canbe found relatingtoeventssuchasarchery, bushcraft and even axethrowing! Further evidence of thepush to broaden the appeal of the marina as adestination can be seen with the addition of adog wash –an obvious attempttoattract dogowners to consider the marina for abreak

With boat shows attractinglarge numbersofvisitors, the conceptof holdinglocal events is one that anumber of marina locationshavedeveloped over thepastfew years. With many of the majornationaleventsbeing locatedin thesouth of thecountry,local events at a morenortherly location have significant benefits. Aqueduct hasa longtradition of holdingopendayswith the aim of attractingnew customers, andthis year,the company organised brokerage open days duringFebruary. The aimof theseisprimarily to promotethe boats forsale,but the events alsoprovide

an opportunity to promotebrokerage servicesinthe hope of attracting vendorstosell theirboats for them.A moretraditional boat show-style event will be held in July,and aselection of exhibitors will be invitedtoparticipate. AstonMarinainStaffordshireis anothermarinathathas looked to diversifyoverthe past fewyears with theadditionofa restaurant,facilities forconferences andeventsaswellas beingabletohostweddingsinthe roomsavailable.Thisareacan also double up as an entertainmentvenue, andmorerecently, therehas been a public consultation on the buildingofa hotel on land at the marina site.Aston’s owners wouldalsoseemtobeputting in considerable effortwhenitcomes to theenvironmental impact of their business.Asa result theyare currently lookingatthe installation of ageothermal vertical borehole in addition to water energy bladetechnology. Although thesedevelopments mightnot be seen as diversification, theydemonstrate the continuedgrowthofthe marina business. With so much developmentwithin themarinasector, it’s notsurprisingthat an increasing number of them arebeing absorbed into corporategroups,and it is easy to seethe attractionofsuchmoves as the benefitsofscale canput up a strong economic argument. Butthe part played by independent, andoften family run, marinascannot be overlooked.And from the look of things,theycould well be leadingthe waywhenitcomes to businessdiversification.

Formoredetailsonservicesonoffer at themarinas mentioned, visit: www.aqueductmarina.co.uk www.yorkmarina.co.uk www.astonmarina.co.uk

Holiday hire business adds fifth electric ‘hybrid’boattofleet

BARNESBrinkcraft is setto launchits fifth electric boat whichwill be available for holidaysthis summer.

Thecompany,based in Wroxham, Norfolk,has joined other hirersindeveloping electric boats, butsaysitisthe onlyboathireyardrunning electric holiday hireboats in the Broads National Park.The latest model, thePrelude,can last aday and ahalf on afull charge with adiesel engine as back-up

MarketingdirectorSara Thwaitessaid: “Weare really pleasedwithit, they arereally nice

“WehavefourPreludesin thefleetand thefifthinbuild now. We arecommitted to buildingelectricboats because we know we must master this

technology now, as diesel engine production will endshortly.

“I believeweare the onlyhire boat yard runningelectricboats in the Broads National Park, although many (includingus) have electric dayboats.”

The boatshavealightweight lithium batterypackwhich produces 50kW, which is enough to powerthe boat and all the equipmentonboard

The batterycan be charged viaonshorepower or viathe boat’s diesel generator.In addition, solarpanels canboost the battery.

MrsBarnes added: “Weadd a diesel auxiliarybecause the infrastructureisnot yetthereto supportelectric all thetime,so

we effectivelyoffer the boating equivalentofahybridcar

“TheBroads Authorityplans to add moreelectricpoints when it cantoits moorings

“All Barnes Brinkcraft hire boats, including non-electric ones,haveshorepower hookupstouse electricity when available.It’sastandard featurefor almostall Norfolk Broads hireboats now. So electric points areavailable at all the hireboatyards and most marinas.”

The marketing directorsaid the boatsare “significantly moreexpensive” to build due to the dual engines,addingthat costshad startedtocome down as production increased.

As part of amovetomore sustainable boatingholidays, Barnes alsohas sewage holding

tanks whichare pumped outat the boatyard and ahull which is designedtoreduce wash.The companyisalsodeveloping technology to remove theneed for gasonits boats. Electric boatsare nothing new; they date back to the19th century andenjoyed ahealthy market until the growth of oil engines sawthem die outinthe 1930s.Therewas aresurgence in the1980s when Rupert Latham from Wroxhamdevelopedan electric launch.

Nowwithconcerns over climatechangeand the price of fuel, many companies are developing electric boatsof all types–for hireand living aboard

Marinas have come along way from just offering moorings to boat owners. PHOTOS: PHIL PICKIN

Local boatshows arejust some of the events being organised at marina sites.

Norfolk boat hire business Barnes Brinkcraftis about to launch its fifth electric hireboat. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

The Prelude features ahi-spec interior and an electric battery whichcan last 36 hours with adieselengineasback-up. The latest boat will be available for hirethis summer

All Barnes Brinkcraft hire boats, includingnon-electric ones, haveshore powerhookupstouse electricity when available

No.39 – as seen at SIBS

Lastyear’sSouthampton International Boat Showsaw a narrowboatnamed No.39 on display forthe first time. On a cold and grey Januaryday,Phil Pickin went to AqueductMarina in Cheshire to get acloser look.

OVER the last few years, we’velookedat anumber of narrowboatsbuilt by KnightsNarrowboats of Cheshire,and over that time,the business has gainedareputation for buildinghigh-qualityand well-specifiedboats,betheybespoke or stock. Internallyand externally, theboats arefinished to ahighstandard, and No.39 is no different. Finished in bright redwith tintedbondedglass windows, the modern look of the boat no doubt helped No.39 to attract many of thevisitorstothe boat show No.39 is builtusing ashell produced by Cauldon Boatswith apopular squarecruiser stern design that provides alot of outdoorspace with plenty of seating. This offsets the lack of accesstothe foredeck and the resultantlossofseating normallyfound at the bow. From this area,steps lead down into the

galley, whichisfitted with Howden’skitchen units belowmarble-effect worktops.Given the worktops’ blackand white colour scheme,the useofblack for things likethe Scudo mixertap,three-burner hob and the fridge andwashingmachine workswell. Kickboardlightinghelps to featurethe impressive engineered oakfloor, with oakalsousedinthe trim throughout the boat

Alarge dinette will provide theownerswith plenty of space to sit, and, as youmight expect,this area will convert into an additional double berth. A featurependant lighthangs over the tableand side hatches provide more lightintothis area of the boat. Butwhenitcomes to naturallight,the featureof the livingareaprovidesthisinspades.Above this sectionof No.39 is ahuge, triple-glazedskylight that,evenonanovercastday in January, provides loads of light. With much of the upper wall and ceilingareacladinwhite-paintedoak panelling, the interior isn’tdark. Although suppliedempty, the livingspace is fittedwithalarge wall-mounted TV and display unitand aRefleksdiesel stove, the latter of whichissomethingofa feature.

As youmoveforward in the boat you come to a walkthrough washroomfitted with averystylish showercubicle fittedwithasquareblack shower head and associated plumbingand fittings.A matching tapisfitted with thewashbasin,over whichisfitted an illuminated round mirror.

Maximumuse hasbeenmadeofthe space,with astorage unitbehind the door to the saloon and a largelockerbeneaththe wash basin. Forwardofthe washroomisthe main bedroom, whichisfitted with what is described as a‘boat king-size’ bed. What makesthis room is the lighting, with hidden lights behind thecentreroofpanel and belowthe gunwale lightingmakingthis room very impressive.Round portholes areonbothsides of the room and asmall squarewindowinthe endwall provides viewsout over thebow.Ifneeded, acouple of adjustable readinglightshavealsobeenprovided. Belowthe largebed is an equally largeamountof storagespace,easilyaccessible viatwo doorsbelow the endofthe bed. Afour-drawer lockerand two largewardrobes should providethe newowners with allthe storagetheymight need in this room

With No.39 beingastock boat, it is available at the time of writing(late January), so if anyone is interested,itwould be worthcheckingtosee if it is still beingofferedfor sale on the brokeragesection of the Aqueduct Marina website. If youare in the market to buyanew boat,Iwould suggestthatthis rather uniquenarrowboatisworth lookingat. As with all of Knights’ boats, the company provides an ideal startingpointfromwhich to personalise theinteriortoyourtastes. And best of all, youdon’t have to wait –that’sassuming it is still forsale by the time to read this!

Boat spec

Boat length: 60ft.

Hull/shell: Cauldon Boats.

Style: Squarecruiser/extended for cabin. Engineand gearbox: Vetus 42hp, PRM 150.

Bowthruster: Vetus 75Kgf. Heating: Webasto 5kW,Refleks diesel stove.

Electrical: Victron Cerbo-GXcontrolpanel –integratedwater anddieselgauges and electrical management,2x425-Watt panels with VictronMPPT controller, Victron3.0kW MultiPlus Inverter-Charger,4x125Ah AGM domestic batteries.

Fit-out: Oak panelling withsolid out framing and trim. Engineered oak floor Windows: Caldwellssingle-glazed40% tint bonded glass,triple-glazed skylight.

Price: £175,000; includes12months’ mooring at Aqueduct Marina.

Boatbuilder: Knights Narrowboats, Units 4-5 Aqueduct Marina, Nantwich, Cheshire CW56DX. Contact: Tel: 07825 817444. Email: knightsnarrowboats@gmail.comWeb:www knightsnarrowboats.com

No.39 on its home mooring; 40% tinted glass windows provide alot of privacy. PHOTOS: PHILPICKIN

Large seatingareahelped by the squarestern.

An impressive interior with lots of space on the galleyworktops.

Thelight throws some interesting patternsabove the dinette. The triple-glazed skylight is huge.

Maximum use has been made of allthe space on offer

An impressive master bedroom.

Youcan see the extra light the skylight provides, while the Refleks stove also provides afocal point in the living area.

Cruise Moor, payless!

AGROUP of marinaswhichhas joinedforces is offeringcustomersa special‘free week’ mooringdeal.

Boaterswho commit to aone-yearannual mooringcontract at anyofthe sixCruiseMoor marinasare noweligible for afreeweekat each of theparticipatinglocations

The marinascurrently participatinginthe CruiseMoorscheme areAqueduct (Middlewich Branchofthe ShropshireUnion), Fenny(South OxfordCanal), DunchurchPools (NorthOxford Canal),Droitwich Spa(Droitwich Junction Canal), Overwater(ShropshireUnion Canal) and White Mills (River Nene).

Janet Maughan from OverwaterMarinasaid:

“All of us at ourindividual marinasare fortunate enough to have aloyal customer base and we all wanted to showour appreciation by offeringthem areallygooddealthrough theCruiseMoorscheme

“Byofferingour boatersone free week at each of the participatingmarinas hopefullyitwill encourage them to getout and aboutand explore the waterways network. What is particularly exciting is as more independentmarinas hear aboutusand join the scheme the moreour boaterswillbenefit by having an increasednumberofmarinas to visitfor free “Family-run businessescontinuallygothe extra mile to provide boaterswith theverybestfacilities

and services and this is just another example of how much we value ourcustomers. The addedbonus,of course,isthatboaters takingadvantage of the Cruise Moor scheme will knowthattheywill receivethe personal serviceand care that they alreadyenjoy when theyvisit oneofthe participatingmarinas.”

The CruiseMoorscheme system is very straightforward.Boaters who areonanannual contract whichispaid forasone annual

paymentsimplypickupa Cruise Moor card from their hostmarina’soffice, checkavailabilitywith themarinatheywanttostayonand then aquick confirmationbetweenmarinas will secure up to one free week’s visitormooring.

At the end of last year family-ownedmarina FennyMarinajoinedthe Cruise Moor scheme and moreindependent marinasare expected to sign up in 2025.

TheWilderfamily,whoowntheplace,haveanattitudetothecampsite thatbefitstheirsurname.Grazedbycowsinsomepartsandcutjustonce ortwiceayearforhay,themeadowsareotherwiseleftlongandwildin summer.Afewfootpathshavebeenconscientiouslymowninbetween pitchestohelpguideyouaroundthefieldsandovertoanotherlakeattached tothecanalthat’sawildlifehotspotandagoodplacetowatchforherons.

Pennine Cruisers of Skipton

Boaters who commit to aone-year annualmooringcontract at anyofthe Cruise Moor marinasare noweligible for afreeweek at each of the participatingmarinas. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Topeight canalboatholidays for spring

BRITAIN’Sbeautiful inland waterways areagreat place to visitinspring, when the countryside is burstingintonew life, with blossomonthe hedges and trees, birdsbusyrearing theiryoung,lambs playinginthe fields and bluebells in waterside woodlands

Driftersoffers the choice of more than 500 boatsfrom40bases across England, Scotland and Wales and haspublishedaguide to thetop eight spring canalboatholidaysfor 2025…

Travel along the peaceful Ashby Canal to Shakerstone

On aweek’sholiday from Drifters’ Braunstonbaseonthe Grand Union CanalinNorthamptonshire, boaters canexplorethe beautiful Ashby Canal. With no locks, andmile upon mileof countryside to enjoy,this peaceful 22-mile-longwaterwaypassesthe historictownofMarketBosworth and the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field. Asix-mile stretchofthe Ashby CanalfromSnarestone to Carlton Bridge is designated aSiteofSpecial Scientific Interest (SSSI) forits aquatic plants and dragonflies,makingitone of the best canals to spot wildlife

The journeytoShakerstone and back travels 95 miles,passesthrough eight locks(four each way) andtakes around 37 hours.

Explore the ancient woods at Skipton Castle

On ashortbreak from Drifters’ narrowboat hirebaseatSilsden on the Leeds& LiverpoolCanal in West Yorkshire, boaterscan travel to the historicNorth Yorkshiretownof Skipton, with its medievalfortressand ancientwoods to explore. Skipton’s 900-year-oldcastle is one of the mostcompleteand best-preserved medievalcastles in England and its extensivewoodlands arehometoat least18species of treesand hundreds of flowering plants,including wild orchids and bluebells.Thejourney to Skipton andbacktakes around sevenhours,travelling13miles with no locks

Glide through theBrecon

Beacons

Isolated from the main canal network,the beautifulMonmouth &Brecon Canalrunsthrough the Brecon Beacons National Park and offerscanal boat holidaymakers incredible mountain viewsand long wooded sections full of the sound of woodland birds.Ona shortbreak from Drifters’baseatGoytreWharf,near Abergavenny, boaterscan cruiselockfree to Llangynidr and back,passing theLionInn at Govilonand theBridge EndHotel at Llangattock.

Heartwarming chicken

By Kevin Thomas

BATTENED down in the boat on acold night, one of my favourite meals is what Irefer to as Bren’sheartwarming chicken. It’s asimple dish,economical and easy to prepare. Aboveall elsethough, it is filling, spicyand extremelytasty

During the colder months we opt for thischickendish at

leastonce aweek, and although it is invariably served as ourevening meal, it could just as easily be enjoyed as a midday meal.

After youhave prepared the chicken pieces and addedchilli flakes,red peppers andslicedchillies, placethemwith the choppedonionsand garlic in an oven dish, addthe entiretin of plum tomatoesand then coverwith tinfoil. Becauseofthe juice inthe tomatoes and the naturalfat in the chickenportions there is no need to add olive oilorwater.

Placethe covered dish in theoven andcookfor one hour at 180C (350F). Thereafter,remove the tinfoilcover and cook fora further40minutes at the same settings At the end of the oven cookingprocess, placethe greens in amicrowavable container,add adash of waterand then microwavefor three minutes. All that then remains is to servethis flavoursome meal for 2-4 people with arice of your choice.Aglass (ortwo)ofwine makes it even more enjoyable!

Driftthrough theprehistoric Vale of Pewsey to Hungerford

On aweek’sbreak from Drifters’base on the Kennet &AvonCanal at Devizes, boaterscan cruise to Hungerford.The journeythere and back takes around 40 hours, travelling54miles through 106 locks(53 each way) to reachthe historic town of Hungerford.Along theway, boaterstravelupthe spectacular flight of 29 locksatCaenHill, one of the Seven Wondersofthe Waterways. The route then passes through the beautifulVale of Pewsey,closetoprehistoricAvebury andalongthe edge of the ancient SavernakeForest. Once at Hungerford, narrowboat holidaymakers enjoy eatinginachoice of pubs andcafes and browsing in the town’s numerous antique shops

Cruise through the Staffordshire countryside to Brewood

From Drifters’ boat yard at Gailey on the Staffordshire& Worcestershire Canal, it takes around fivehours to reachthe historicvillageofBrewood, with itshalf-timbered cottages and Georgian houses.The13-mile journey, whichpassesthrough just one lock, takesboaters throughbeautiful stretches of Shropshirecountryside andpassesthe waterside Anchor Inn at CrossGreen. On reachingBrewood,

there’sachoiceofpubs,restaurants and tearooms to dine at, including the canalside Bridge Inn. The journey to Brewoodisperfect forarelaxing weekend away.

Float across ‘The Streamin the Sky’

From Drifters’ base at Chirkonthe Llangollen CanalinNorth Wales,the EisteddfodtownofLlangollen on the edge of the Berwyn Mountains canbereached on ashort break, with the UNESCOWorld Heritage PontcysyllteAqueduct to travel across alongthe way. On reaching Llangollen, boaterscan enjoy visiting the town’s independentshops, pubs andrestaurants,aswellasits steam railway andHorseshoe Falls

Navigate to Bowling and back

On a10-day,11-day or two-week breakfromFalkirk, narrowboat holidaymakers cantravelalongthe Forth& ClydeCanal,following the ClydeEstuary allthe waydowntothe old shipbuildingvillageofBowling in West Dunbartonshire. The route hasarichmix of industryold and new, as well as stunningviews of the Clydeand relics of theshipbuilding era. Alongthe way, boaterswill pass through Auchinstarry, the site of a Romanfort, andKirkintilloch,which datestothe 13th century. The journey to Bowling and back travels 58 miles,

passingthrough 48 locksand takes around 32 cruisinghours.Thejourney from Lock 27 to BowlingSea Lock must be booked in advance andmustbe completed in one go.This takeseight hoursand you’ll need to book the return journeytoo

Visit the old mill town of Hebden Bridge

From Drifters’ base at Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire, canalboat holidaymakers cantravelalongthe leafy Calder &Hebble Navigation through the Calder Valleytothe old milltownofHebdenBridge, nestled in aforkinthe hills.Climbingthrough woods, fields and small stone towns, thejourney therecoversseven miles, passes through 10 locksand takes around five-and-a-half hours… perfect forashortbreak.OnceatHebden, boaterscan enjoy avariety of shops, cafes,restaurants and pubs,aswell as stunning countryside walkswith woods, cragsand the Calderrunning alongside

For moreinformationabout Drifters boating holidays call 0344 984 0322 or visit: www drifters.co.uk For information about visiting the canals go to: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Left: Theovendish beforebeing covered with tinfoil. Thebabysweetcornand the greens will be microwaved for three minutes just prior to serving.

Youwill need fourdecent-size chicken legs, as shown after the chilli flakeshave been added.

All the ingredients needed for the recipe described in the article.

Above: Sliced onion,chillies, garlic andred peppers on the cutting board.

Themain dish after removal from the oven, and ready to be served.

Time to brush up on your paintwork skills

By Ben Sutcliffe-Davies

IT’S not longtill spring nowand then hopefullywewillhavea fantastic summer outonthe water.

Spring is agreat time to getthose pressing jobs done on the boat. One jobthat many ownersundertakeasa DIY projectisthe external paintingof the narrowboat/widebeam topsides and cabin shell. This can, in the shortterm, reallybrightenupavesseland make a massiveinstantdifference.However, if not done properly,itcan causea number of long-termissues thatcan cascade into further multipleproblems and, in some cases, mayreducethe value of your vessel considerably When surveyingvessels Iregularly findissuesafter ownershavegot up one morningwith acan of paintand just startedpaintingthe topsides with absolutely no preparation. While initiallythe jobcan look just thesame, in time thecoatings will failand cantrap waterinareas around fittings,causing significant corrosion.

It’sall in the preparation

Here areafew tips for making the joblastwell. No matter what youplan to paint, in everycasepreparation is essential. My fatherhad agreat motto, “hurry slowly”; in other words, when paintingdoitwellbut don’trush it Setachievable targets in asensible timescale forthatday

Obviously,cleaningdownthe existing paintcoatings is abasic taskalongwith the appropriatekeyingofthe surfaces by sanding, etc; this step is essential.

Deciding if the existingcoating has suitable adhesion and is okay to overpaintcan be alittle harder butthereare cluestolookfor.Iscorrosion breaking through the existing coating? Look around deck fittings,etc:isitflaking?

This could be from when previously paintedwithout proper preparation undertaken and thenthe coatingwill virtuallyjustpeeloff.

If it’s a“yes“ to either of these questions, then youmay need to be realistic andproperlystrip back to the bare metal. At that point, it’s essential

that the metal is spotlesslyclean and well-primed. Anypreparation is more importantthanwhatbrand of product coatingyou buy, so takeyourtime

Most professional painters would remove as many fittings as possible and make sure the surfaces under them are cleanand corrosion-free;thatwould include the fittedwindow frames,dome vents, fender eyes etc. Thereare good reasons for this. Items likewindows are mostlymade from differingmaterials and will, if the sealantisnot maintained, allowcorrosion under the returns.The fastenings in time will also starttofailso regularreplacementatthe same time is quiteagood move

The aboveprinciple is thesame for dome vents, chimneystacks etc. This,for amateur maintenance,isnot alwayseasy and needstobeweighedup. So look for the startofcorrosion, workingout from under fittings beforerepainting. If there areindications of corrosion then they should be removedand deep cleaned; look for anythinning or holesdeveloping in the platingand, if necessary,get them repaired beforecontinuingand ensure everythingisappropriately primed. If

youaren’tfeelingconfidentand the surfaces around thefittings look okay then youmay be able to usea goodqualitymasking tape around the fittings Formostownerspaintingoutside is neverideal, and pickinga good week of weather for preparation andrepaintingin the UK canbea bitofa game of Russian roulette!I’veoften trieda guideline of watchingthe weatherforecastafew days beforeand onlystart paintingwhen it’s obviousthe humidityinthe air is low, thereisnochance of rain andthe airis warm and obviously the surface is dry. Nowthat mayall sound very obvious but come late Apriltoearly Mayitwould mean starting preparationearly andnot painting outside until about10am… andthen make sure youstopbefore2pm,assurfaces will starttocooland attractevening dew. Choice of paintisobviously important butthe qualityofmostcompanies’ products is very good thesedays, especiallywith the ISOspecifications that theyhavetocomplywith.All companies have clearstep-by-step methods of coatingand advice on use and correct methods of safelyusing theproduct.Application with aroller

is much quickerthana brushbut it is importantthat the thickness of the paint is correct.Ifusing abrush,anold tip has been to usea brushyou feel confident in usingand one that hasalready been broken-in(used before)sohopefully all theloose hairsare gone

Again, when surveyingI’veseencraft that have been paintedand the coating is so thin it’s really patchy,likewisetoo much paintcan alsoruin afinish with massiveamounts of paintruns. Most professionals will sprayrather than brush, andthatisn’t really goingtohappen outside unlessyou areverytalentedand have gotstill air, butI’veseensome very good hand-paintedfinishesachievedby yardsand DIYbygood laying-off of the final finish.Inmostcases that wouldbe by brushing from gunwaletothe topof theside shellinone stroke.Ifpainting the toerail sidesdon’t forgettoadd some sort of non-slip finish;silver sand or crushed walnut both work well.

Paintingthe topsides, if done well, should last around fiveyears.Ifbasic preparationisn’t done,Ican assure you that you’ll be lucky to getittolasta year in ourchangeable weather!

Paint system failing around windows that werenot removed beforepainting is very common.

Explore the waterways with newregional guides

ANEW customised guide will make it easier to plan aday by the canalorriver thisyear.

Thenew Places to VisitGuides areaseries of new regional online hubs containingmaps, information aboutvisitor facilitiesand free activities.

The guides, createdby the Canal&River Trust, will help people getthe most outofvisitingmore than 100 differentsites acrossthe charity’shistoric navigable canalnetwork.

From hidden gems and ruralretreats to UNESCOWorld Heritage sites, iconic lock flights and museums,thereare numerous places to visit for greatfamilydaysout

NickyLister, of the Canal&River Trust, said: “Our extensivenetwork of navigable canals and rivers provides free-to-visit outdooropenspaces,and the chance to connectwith natureand ourpast. Every year,millionsofpeople visit ourwaterways to be active, relaxand to enjoy the scenic landscapesour canals offer in both urban and ruralareas

“Our visitordestinations providefreeand low-cost family-friendlydaysout by thewater,and thechance to have some fabulous waterside experiences Even in townsand cities, people canspotavarietyof birds,animals,insects and plants alongour canals and rivers.And from locks and bridgestotunnels andaqueducts,there are thousands of historic structures to marvel at “Wewanttoencourage morepeople to visit our canals,rivers, reservoirs and dockssotheycan experiencethe physical and mental healthand well-beingbenefits they provide,and find out moreabout the work of ourcharity to care for the nation’sworld-famous historicnetwork.”

Lastyearmorethan 10 million people visited thecharity’s 2000-mile network of canals and rivers to enjoy walking, cycling, running, boat trips, fishing, wildlifespotting, feedingducks,watching boats go through locks, paddleboarding, visiting amuseum, enjoyingfood

and drink at acanal side cafe or pub, andmarvelling at some of theworld’s finest examples of working industrial heritage Canals providevital

greencorridors for wildlife and habitats for nature to thrive,including304 conservation sitesand 68 SitesofSpecial Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

The network is home to 2700 heritagestructures, 304 conservationareas, four WorldHeritageSites and46scheduled ancient monuments

Over the past fiveyears, hundreds of miles of the Canal&River Trust’s towpaths have been upgradedand 737 miles of thenetwork have now

been awardedGreen Flag Status,the internationally recognised standardfor managinggreat outdoor public spaces

Thetrust caresfor morethan15,000 historic objects and 76 national historicships, andlast year 98,000 visits were made to the charity’s museums at Gloucester Do ck s, Na tion al WaterwaysMuseum EllesmerePortand the CanalMuseum at Stoke Bruerne.

More than 143,000 peopleexperiencedthe trust’svisitor centres at AndertonBoatLift, StandedgeTunnel,Diglis Island and Trevor Basinin 2023/24.

TheCanal &River Trust’seight newregional Places to VisitGuides coverLondon, South East,South West,West Midlands,EastMidlands, NorthWest, Yorkshireand theNorth East,and Wales. The guides areavailable to download from the Canal &River Trustwebsite or pickupatCanal &River Trustvisitor centres from March1

Aseverelack of preparation will devalue your craft when paint starts to peeloff! PHOTOS: BEN SUTCLIFFE-DAVIES

Fradley Junction,one of themanybeautiful places that mayfeature in the new guides. HOTO: ROGER KIDD -CCBY-SA 2.0

Painted less than sixmonths ago and corrosion broke through wheredamp ropes wereleftonthe cabin shell.

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HARE 57ft traditional with aBoatmans cabin, built by Jonathan Wilson in 1992, professionally repainted in 2023, BMC engine in engine room, layout: stern, boatmans cabin, engine room, bathroom, bedroom, galley, saloon, doors to the bow Tel. 07818 804771. Email. boatsales@bosworthmarina. co.uk

LAMPREY 1991, 48’6” beam 6’10” draft 2’ max, traditionalstyle narrowboat by RWDavis &Sons, boatman’s cabin withstove, engine room with JD3 tug engine, bathroom, atwo bench dinner,galley with storages on both sides and oak worktops wood stove,£55,000 Tel. 07769 707594. Email.graham@ countycommunications. co.uk

KERRY LEIGH 52ft narrowboat,cruiser stern, 6berth, all season cruising/ liveaboard, fixed double bed, shower, pump out toilet, full size cooker, fridge, 240V inverter and shore power, solid fuel stove; diesel CH, built1984, Creighton Boats, Lister Petter diesel engine, much loved and cared for, used mainly as liveaboard since 2001, Oundle Marina £49,000 Tel. 07970 803092. Email.jifirm@hotmail.com

GENTLEMANS Steam

Launch ‘Homage’,boat + trailer, 16ft, lots of new fittings, all set up for your outboard (electric or petrol), call for more info/photos, £2950 Tel.07794 579184. Email. dicksonrsa@ gmail.com

MINUTES MATTER, prestigious bespoke 57ft

Cruiser Sternbuilt by XR&D Boatbuilders in 2017 &fitted out by ownerstoahigh standard in 2019, £119,950 Tel. 07818 804771. Email. boatsales@bosworthmarina. co.uk

NARROWBOAT fully electric 43’ TraditionalStern 2019 build, 5years old, fully off grid! Made by Three BZ Boat Builders, spray foam insulation, Esse Ironheart stove, 990l stainlesswater tank, 8kW electric engine w/ panels and batts Dec21. VictronMultiplus II GX for mainsand shore charging Blacked 22.BSS 23 £66,800 Tel. 07717 474456. Email. rob@kin.coop

and oven Webasto diesel heating wood stove, Vetus macerating toilet thermostatic shower sink canaline 38hp enginereblacked June 2024, plus boat surveyand new RCD, £88,950 Tel.07762 446822. Wolverhampton. Email. richardsheath68@ gmail.com

NARROWBOAT Collingwood 60’ cruiser stern narrowboat, high spec 2019built benefiting from bow thruster solar panels 3KW inverter 240V fridgeand freezer microwave3 gas burner hob

NARROWBOAT Amanda II, 42ft steel narrowboat, tug stylewithGardner 4LK engine, P.R.M 160 gearbox, twin prop ‘sleipner’7HP Bow Thruster, traditional boatsmancabin, toilet, shower, handbasin, recent survey, £26,500Tel.07860 166810.

NORMAN 18, Conquest, newish Tohatsu engine, diesel heater, solarpanels, original gelcoat,ingood condition,new cockpit cover, rear cabinmodel, £4500 ono Tel. 07887 622170.

NARROWBOAT 38ft, built 1990 by JTCMarine Engineering, 1.5 BMCwater cooled diesel engine, BSS certificate until June 2027, 240V and 12V electric, 2ring gashob,messagefor more information, £25,000 Tel. 07800 915356. RetfordEmail. sue20buchan@hotmail.co.uk

Parts For Sale

KABOTA 3cylinder Marine diesel engine complete, good runner, all other parts available, ie starter motor, alternator, hosesetc,£950 Tel. Kelvin 07989045412. Shropshire UnionCanal.

GAS locker steel box for cruiser or narrowboat, takes 4.5kg Calor gas bottle for BSS regs etc, steel,fixto outside of the craft so as to ensure leakage of gas escape’s into atmosphere, welded edges,comes with empty Calorgas 4.5kggas bottle to demonstrate the use and function, cost £25 cannot ship as too heavy. Other assortment of ropes various odd sizes for cruiser or narrow boat, use in locks or general mooring,job lot £25, collection Tel. 07791 034695. Huntingdon. PRM gearbox,150, £150. British Seagull outboard long shaft, silver century, £75. Wallas paraffin hob, spares or repair, £215 Tel. 07548 704319. Email. martinchaplin150@email.com Wanted

NARROWBOAT wanted 45 to 55 foot in length semi traditional preferredbut Iam open minded will consider a boat in need of work/finishing must have agood hull and engine,pleasecontact with details Tel. 07944 276227. Email. bob.wood49@ btinternet.com

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FáilteIrelandlaunches new tourismdevelopment plan

FÁILTE IRELANDhavelauncheda newtourism developmentplanwith afocus on waterways.

The UpperShannon, Shannon-Erne,and Border Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) aims to create anddevelopasustainable tourism destination acrossthis part of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands by extendingthe tourism season and spreading business acrossall partsof the region over the nextfive years.

Developedinconsultationwithkey stakeholders includingCavan County Council, LeitrimCounty Council, Roscommon County Council, Waterways Ireland, the three County LocalDevelopment Companies,local tourism businesses, and localcommunities,the five-yearplanidentifies keyinitiatives designed to raiseawarenessofthe destination, increase the length of stay in the area,expand the range and qualityofvisitor experiences,strengthen the value of tourism to localcommunities and protectthe quality,character and distinctivenessofthe localenvironment, heritage and culture.

This includes positioningthe BearaBreifne Way as an internationally

recognised way-markedwalkingtrail, leveraging keydestination assets such as the RiverShannon andCuilcaghLakelands UNESCOGeopark, and maximisingopportunitiespresented by the NationalFamineMuseumandtheNationalFamine Waytoconnect businesses and communities with the diaspora market It will build on anumberofexistingdestination developmentprojectsthatare bringing local experiences to life,includingthe National Famine Museum at StrokestownPark, the Shannon Pot DiscoveryCentre, and ongoingworkatLough Key

IRISHnavigations

ha ve be en si gn if ic an tl y impacted by the recentStorm Éowyn whichhas resulted in restricted accessto towpaths.greenways, blueways and navigationacrossthe island of Ireland. WaterwaysIreland (WI) released marine notices, before,during and after the storm, keepingboaters and the general public up to date with developments While substantial branch and storm debris hasnow been removed, WI has stated in Marine Notice No 07 of 2025 that the inspection, assessmentand clean-up efforts are ongoingand will continue forsome time.Patience is requestedasthey work to restorefull

accessibility. Ex te ns iv e numbersoftrees have fallen in and/or alongside theRoyal Canaland the Royal CanalGreenway from Clondrato Ferns Lock;the Barrow Blueway from Lowtownto Athy; the Barrow WayfromAthytoSt Mullins;the Grand Canaland the Grand CanalGreenway from Rahanto Lowtown; and the Movanagher Canal on theLower Bann

All of thesesections of navigation, greenway and bluewayare closed until furthernotice. Other siteswhich have experienced stormdamage and areawaiting assessment and clearance operations include the Shannon Na vi ga tion,

Forest and ActivityPark

The DEDP takesaregenerativeapproach to tourism ensuringthe communityand place are at thecentreofthe tourismmodel,collectively workingtowards deliveringanet positivebenefit forall stakeholders– Visitor, Industry,Community and theEnvironment–where possible. It will alsodeliver on the opportunities identified in the Shannon Tourism Masterplan and implement recommendations from the recentlypublished FeasibilityStudy for the SustainableDevelopment and Greeningofthe Cruise Hire Sector

Speaking at thelaunch, FáilteIreland CEO, Paul Kellysaid: “This five-yearDestination and ExperienceDevelopment Plan is an exciting developmentframework that captures the distinctivethemesofthe UpperShannon, Shannon-Erneand Border area, andoutlines keyinitiatives whichwill help unlock the tourism potentialofthisregion.

“FáilteIreland is committed to andfocused on thesustainable developmentoftourism across thecountry,whichisavital economic driver and source of employment, particularly in rural areas. The implementation of thisplanhas the potentialtosignificantlyincreasethe domestic andinternational appeal of Leitrim,Cavan and NorthRoscommon, and grow the visitor economy to create sustainable,high-qualityjobs in the sector that will servetosupport andstrengthen localcommunities.”

Read the full UpperShannon, ShannonErne,and Border Destination and Experience DevelopmentPlanat: www.failteireland.ie/upper-shannon-erneborder-area.aspx

Watersports Inclusion Games 2025

IRISHSailinghas announcedthat the2025Watersports Inclusion Games will be held at the Malahide YachtClub,Co. Dublin on July 5/6.

Sh annon-E rne Waterway andLough Erne In thesame marine notice,WI Ireland alsonotes that it hasreceived reportsofdamage to vessels and ownersare advised to checktheir boats at the earliestand safestopportunity. WI alsoasks that anydamagetoWI property is reported –this includes anyfallen trees blockingtowpaths or anydamageto navigational makers –inaneffort to help itsoperation teams prioritiserepairs. At the time of goingtopress, TheShannonErne Waterway is currentlyclosed due to fallen trees and poweroutages whichare affecting the lock gates.

TheWatersportsInclusionGames, nowinits seventhyear, is an awardwinningmulti-watersportsevents for all abilities/disabilities from the physical, intellectual, sensoryand learningspectrums,and for those who experience barriersaccessing mainstreamsport

It is aptthatthe games arebeing held at Malahide YachtClub as committee memberSeanWalsh was instrumentalinthefirstco-ordinated disabledproject in 1981. Knownas the ChallengerTrimaranProject, this introducedwheelchair users to sailingand developed into an extremelysuccessfulprogramme of inclusivesailing. The games will takeplace on the

shelteredwatersofthe Malahide Estuary, formedbythe Broadmeadow River, making areturntosalt water following the very successful games held on inland waters at the Ramor WatersportsClub on Ramor Lough in Co Cavanduring2024. Participants will have theopportunity to trya wide rangeofwatersports such as sailing, paddling, canoeing, paddle-boarding, wake-boarding, water-skiing, powerboatingand more.

TheWatersports Inclusion Games, whichhavegrown in popularity over the years, offer people with disabilitiesand their familiesanopportunityto experience sports whichtheymay not knoware accessible to themin aspace whereeveryone feels valued and empoweredtothrive.

The gamesare free of charge forall participants and organised by Irish Sailinginassociationwith Canoeing Ireland andother sportingbodies. The eventisfunded by the Sport IrelandDormant Accounts Sports Inclusion Fund.

Discovermoreat: www.sailing.ie/ watersportsinclusiongames

Invasive species summaryreveals Japanese knotweed most recordedplant

THE NationalBiodiversity Data Centre has stated in its mostrecentnewsletterthat3499 records of invasive speciesweresubmitted through itscitizen science portal last year and that the mostrecordedinvasiveplant species wasJapaneseknotweed (Fallopia japonica). Japanese knotweed,once apopular garden plant, wasfirstrecordedinthe wild in 1902. It growstoa height of threemetresand canspread rapidly, covering more than 1.5metresa month. It cancause structural damage,block drains and waterwaysincreasingthe risk of floodingand reduces biodiversity,dominatingnativeplants andresulting in it beingacause of greatconcern

The public areasked to be vigilant forinvasive species throughout 2025 and report anyfindings to the National Invasive SpeciesDatabaseand, as JapaneseKnotweed frequently favours waterwaysand damp environments,boaters maybebestplacedtoassistwithongoing recordingofthis invasive species ContributingtotheNationalInvasiveSpecies database helpstoprovideacentralised source of up-to-dateinformationofthe distribution of invasivesinIreland. The data canbeused to trigger rapid responsetoremove or contain invasive species. It alsohelps gain abetter understandingofthe status andthreatposed by that speciesand of the actionrequired to manage it at national,regionaland locallevels. Find outmoreat: www.biodiversityireland.ie

Titanic Belfast celebrates Chinese New Year

CELEBRATINGthe Year of theSnake, TitanicBelfastofficiallylaunchedits ChineseNew Year festivitieswith afree eventfor visitors andinvited guests

The leading touristattraction hosted an arrayofentertainmentincluding a traditional Lion Danceperformedby ArtsEkta,FaceChangingOpera performed by theConfuciousInstitute anda calligraphydemonstration providedbythe Chinese Consulate.

Alantern displaythrough theGrand Atrium wasalsounveiled alongwith anew pop-up exhibition that wasfreetoview by thepublic untilFebruary12. Entitled ChineseConnections, theexhibition honoured theeight Chinese passengers who travelledaboardRMSTitanic. FormoreonTitanic Belfast’sChinese NewYearcelebrationsgotowww titanicbelfast.com

FáilteIreland’snew tourism development plan focuses on waterways. PHOTO: FÁILTE IRELAND

Japanese knotweed. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Titanic Belfast’sCEO, JudithOwens MBE (centre)pictured alongside Chinese Consul General, Li Nan (left), Dr Howard Hastings OBE (right), Titanic Belfast boardmember and performers from the Confucious Institute. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Experience sailing at the WatersportsInclusion Games PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Storm damage on LoughAllen Canal between Drumleague to Battlebridge. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The aftermath of Storm Éowyn

Spring musings

By Kevin Thomas

ATTIMESmythinsouthernhemisphere blood makessurvivinganorthern hemispherewintera mission.More than anything it’s theshort days and drizzlycold that gettome. The winter that’s just passed seemedparticularly wettome. And it’s notmyimagination becauseI have overheardmutterings from farmers.

My winter weather barometer of howwet it hasbeenwas influencedby my regularearly morningwalksfrom Caen Hill Marina,east, along theK&A towpath. Periodically, it includes the Caen Hill Flight,although becauseIam nowinmyeighthdecade of lifeIwalk slowly,stoppingfrequently, camerain hand. This year,however,and more often than not,because of rain squalls I’ve left my cameraonboard Sabi Star Rather than enjoyingthe birdlifealong the cut, Ispent my time keepingan eyeout for the numerouspuddlesand muddypatches

Usually, Ibumpintotwo of my marina colleagues,Adrianand Drew Everymorning, they’reout walking their dogs,rain or shine.When we meet up,westopand chat. Thiswinterour towpathchatsinvariablytookplace in drizzle,and while we stood whinging aboutthe weather,their dogs,Lunaand

mid-March Ilookforwardtohearing

Noddy, looked on. Accusingly.Asifthe rain wasour fault

Meteorological spring starts on March1,but I’mtoldspring‘starts proper’when we move the clocks forward.Atthat point, I’malsoeagerly lookingforward to hearingthe first melodious song of ablackbird. Last year Iheard the first one on March16; he soundedextremelyhappy,and in tandem with the longerdaylighthours it gave me awarmand fuzzyfeeling. Much of the vegetation bordering the canalisstill drab andgrey although some of it is showingsigns of energised sapflow.Therehas been boat movementtoo,albeit limited.

Earlier in the month,Isaw three boats headedeast, towardsthe Caen Hill Flight.Mooredboats alongthe cut affordthe oddsplash of colour against this still-drab background. It’ll soon change,asthe season progresses,and the vegetation greens up As things stand, thenoisiestbirds I’ve heardalongthe cutthusfar are rooksarguingonhighwhile lazily loungingaround near their untidy nests.Inthe marina,the amorous residentswanpair have progressed beyond wooing,and arealready nest buildingand, in between, determinedly chasingthe Canada geese. Afemale mallardhas been testingaflower box

Gardening afloat

By Lee Senior

MARCH is an incrediblyexcitingtime in nature. Youcan almosthearbuds gently breaking as theland awakes

atop Sabi Star as apossiblenesting site, her suiter watchingwith concern from the safety of thewater.Theubiquitous herons arewell-represented andstand alongthe canalinseeminglydeep contemplation, although alwaysready to clobberany unwary fishorrodent, or day-old ducklings.A favouritemeal.

Despitethe inclementweather,I have periodicallycarried my camera in adry-bag,which allows me to take afew photos.BackinJanuary, my New Year promise to myself wasI’d attempt to take aphotoevery dayofthe year Unfortunately,what Ithoughtwas a noble ideahas already come unstuck, butsowhat… I’ll hopefully make up for it as theyeargoeson.

from its enforcedwinterdormancy. Thistimeofyearisa time of promise and anticipationand Ifor one wouldn’t have it anyother way!

Daffodilsare the starsofthe show at ground levelontowpaths and gardens up and down theland. Oftenfound on grassverges, sometimesclose to locksand former lock keepers’ houses,theyvisually enhance ourcanal experience Daffodils areaidedand abetted by ground level favourites such as crocus andthe wonderful blue-purple carpet formingdwarf muscari(grapehyacinth). Meanwhile,deciduous woodlands don’t yethavetheir full leafcanopy.This allows anybulbs to struttheir stuff at ground level beforethe treestakeover. There areplenty of excitingjobs to do in the garden in March. It is the startofthe seed sowing season for both flowers andvegetables

Unheated greenhouses canbe used for seed germination for many seeds. However, heat lovers such as tomatoes,cucumbers and aubergines need morereliable heat. This canbeprovidedbyheat mats,heatedpropagators or even a windowsill near aradiator!

Half-hardy and hardybedding plants canbesownnow as canperennial favourites such as aquilegia, delphinium and lavender.All save moneywhen grownfromseed.

Thekey at this time of year is beingable to provide frost protection. It is onlyworth seed sowing in Marchand Aprilifyou canprotect againstany damaging sub-zero temperatures.Frost-free greenhouse heaters, or covering seedlings with fleeceorlayersof cardboardornewspaper,can be effective.Orconsider bringing them into yourhome temporarily.

Aplayonbirds

variously as banker,training consultant, groundskeeper and comedy promoter.After afew hours cruising each day Ken enjoys creating these frivolous cartoons ‘A Play onBirds’. See moreonInstagram: @play_on_birds

Llangollen

KEN Norman has been acontinuous cruiser on NB Dædalus since December 2021. He has worked

Determinedly chasing the Canadageese.

By

the melodious song of the blackbird. PHOTOS: KEVINTHOMAS At this time last year,the first few boats from the FoxhangersHireBoatfleet wentout

Moored boats alongthe cutafforded the odd splash of colour against adrab background,yet to green up

Callfor legal protection of theClyde and other Scottish rivers

Apetitionhas been raisedwithScottishGovernment to ‘Grant Scottish rivers,including the RiverClyde,the legal right of personhood’. Cicely Oliver reports…

THE petition, createdbyProfessor LouiseWelsh and architectJude Barber,asks Scottish Parliamenttourge the Scottish Governmenttoadopt the UniversalDeclarationonthe Rights of Rivers,appointanaturedirectortoact as guardian of theRiver Clydeand consider whether an alternativemechanism should be establishedtoact for the rights of the river, humanand non-human inhabitants,and societyatlarge

TheUniversal Declarationwas developed in 2017,providingaframework of sixminimum rights includingthe rights to be free from pollution and to maintain nativebiodiversity.Thedeclaration has been successfully used in NewZealand and Bangladesh to protectrivers. Closer to home LewesDistrict Council, in 2023, committedtoexplorethe application of theRightsofNaturetothe RiverOuse which, like many waterways, is under pressure from pollution,development and climatechange. The petition canbe found on Scottish Government website and, at the time of writing, wasstill open forsignatures

Meanwhile the long-runningstory of GovanGravingDocks continues

The A-listed Graving(dry) Dockswere builtbetween 1869 and1898. At the timeofconstruction, drydocks nos 1and 3werethe deepestinBritain andwereusedtorepair and refit hundredsofships until theyclosed in 1988. Property developersBishop LochDevelopments (Scotland) Ltd, part of NewCityVision Group(NCV) hasowned the docksand surrounding land for more than 20 years. NCVwas refused planningconsenttobuild high rise flats on the docksin2018. Adecision on the currentplanning application, for morethan300 private flats,isdue in the spring.

Newsfromacross thecanals

AS THE towpathupgrade takes place at Edinburgh Quay on the Union Canal, Scottish Canals and its contractors areworking with TradstocksScottish Stone to conservethe stonesetts (cobblestones) reclaimedfromthe towpathfor reuse.

Aproject likethis provides opportunitiestoreduce embedded carbon (the emissions from extracting rawmaterials and processing them into buildingproducts) and reduces waste. The settswill be reused in the Crinan Canal conservation area,whererepair work will be completed on the dummylockand landscapingand accessibilityimproved after the majorproject to replace thegates at lock 15, Crinan SeaLock.

The proposed work at Crinan Basin hasbeenscaledbackafter feedback from localcommunities clearlyshowed

Fort Augustus Winter Works

Winter worksatFortAugustusonthe Caledonian started, in spiteofthe snow and sub-zero temperatures in early January. Existinglockgatecills in the fivelocks of the Fort Augustus flightwill be replacedwithanew designofsteel cill whichhavealongerlife-expectancy andwillimprove watermanagement throughoutthe flight. Alsoonthe Caledonian, the installation of selfservice diesel fuel pumpshas been approved.This is atrial projectand, if successful, will informprogressacross the rest of the network

Fish rescue at Falkirk

Murals on the Forth &Clyde

LONG beforethe civil engineer John Smeaton first surveyed aroute for the Forth&Clyde Canalacrosscentral Scotland in 1763, the RomanEmperor AntoninusPius ordered thebuilding of theAntonine Wall to protectthe northwest frontier of the Roman Empire betweenBo’ness and the Forth of Firthand Kilpatrick on the Clyde.

Todaythe Antonine Wall is a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site and thereare many placeswherevisitors cansee remainsofthe wall (it wasn’t awall, rather ahighturfmound with adeepditch to the northand aroadtothe south)together with sitesofsome of the 17 or so forts constructed alongthe wall andeven theremains of abathhouse

The Antonine Wall andthe Forth& ClydeCanal followeachotherquite closelyastheycross the central belt of Scotland and it’s easy to reachthe line of thewallfromvarious points alongthe canal. As well as the survivingsections of the wall, visitors

canenjoy aseriesoffive murals, createdaspartofthe Rediscovering the Antonine Wall project. Eachmural wasdesignedand paintedbyadifferentartistand workingwithlocal groups and schoolsinspiredthe designs. They’relocated at MelfortParkin Clydebank,Lambhill Stables and AuchinstarryMarinaonthe canal, andinKirkintilloch andBo’ness. The projecthas createdother new attractions,including sculptures,Roman-themed play parksand replicadistance stones. Aquickonlinesearchwillfind lots of information, including rediscoveringtheantoninewall.org whereyou’ll finddetailsofthe attractions,including an excellent mapshowing the routeofthe Antonine Wall and thecanal from coasttocoast,illustrated by people livingalongthe wall todaywith the locations of the Romanforts and structures alongthe canal.

thevalue of theoriginalcharacter of thebasin.All of Scotland’s canals (apart from theMonklandCanal)are ScheduledAncient Monumentswith the northern end of the Crinan having additional regulatory protection as a conservation area which, in Scotland, means‘areasofspecial architectural or historic interest,the characteror appearance of whichitisdesirable to preserve or enhance’.

UK’smostscenic

canal award

TheCaledonianCanal hasbeen awardedthe title of the UK’s most scenic canalaccording to research from Roam &Roost CanalBoatHolidays. The UK’scanals were ranked accordingto the number of votesfor canalphotos on awebsite featuringsceniclocations acrossthe UK.Aswell as claiming1st place,Scotland and its 141-mile canal networkfared well againstthe 5,000 oddmilesofcanal in England and Wales,withthe Crinanclaiming4th , the Union 26th and the Forth& Clyde 30th place

On the Lowland canals,the Falkirk Wheelbasin wasemptiedaspartofthe wheel’sannual winter MoT. The basin is drainedeachyearfor inspection and repair andstarts with afish rescue.As the waterlevel in the basindrops,the trappedfish areremovedbyelectrofishing –electricityispassedthrough the water, temporarilystunningthe fish so that theycan be captured.Thefish arechecked and released into adjacent sectionsofthe canals.This processis alsocarried outinthe tunneland upper basinatthe topofthe wheel, and takes around three days.AccordingtoForth Consulting, the organisation carrying outthe fish rescue,the number of fish captured hasbeenincreasing since 2020. In recentyears,some 3330 fish have been rescued. Species include perch, roach, pike andeel,fromvery small to very largespecimens

Lock gate replacement Work hasstartedonlockgate replacementonthe FalkirkFlight on the Forth& ClydeCanal. The first

phasewillsee alockbywashinstalled at lock 16 to provide improved control of waterflow downstream.Thereare longstretches betweensome of the canal’slocks,with four miles between Lock 16 and Lock 17, Underwood Lock, upstream. The summitpound runs for 16 miles betweenLock21atMaryhill andlock20atWynfordwhere abywash is alsobeing installed.

Thecanals didn’t escape the ravagesofStorm Éowyn with many treesdowninand around the canal andevenanentirepolytunnelin the Union Canaltwo miles east of Linlithgow! Scottish Canals temporarilysuspendednavigation on the Forth& Clydeand Union while fallen treesand debris were beingremoved.

Aview on the Clyde, looking west from the tidal weir

PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE

Artist Kirsty Whitendesignedthe Clydebank mural, in Melfort Park, using alist of flowers, fruits andvegetables thatare known to havebeen grown alongthe AntonineWall. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE

Work starting on the Forth Augustus lock flight, showing the scale of these enormous locks PHOTO:SCOTTISH CANALS

Conservedsetts from the UnionCanal towpath will be reusedat Crinan. PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

Fish rescue taking place in the drained basin at the Falkirk Wheel. PHOTO: SCOTTISH CANALS

Apeaceful mooringatGreenbankonthe Union Canal. PHOTO: JONATHAN MOSSE

Days OutSowerbyBridge

Our series is dedicated to showcasing unique days out near special canals. Whether you’reinto gongoozling (watching boating activities), leisurely towpath walks, wildlife spotting, boattrips or even retailtherapy,our canalsystem has something foreveryone. Thismonth, we’re shiningthe spotlight on Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire,which has close links to thewaterways.It’sa market town that has plentytooffer visitors.

By SallyClifford

IN RELATION to some surrounding areasSowerby Bridge could be asmaller sibling. Just afew miles away from the famous carpet and confectionerytown of Halifax,Sowerby Bridge is one of four historictownships,the othersNorland, Skircoat and Warley,nestledagainst hillsides whereviews of rurallandscapes stretch as far as the eyecan see.

Dating back to Medieval times, the developmentofthe town andits surroundings progressed with vigour due to its waterside location. The Rivers Calder and Ryburn helped to power thesmall millsand factoriesthat once contributed to the localtextile economy.

The waterway,the joiningofthe Aire and Calder and Rochdale Canals at SowerbyBridgein1774 and thearrival

of the Lancashireand YorkshireRailway in 1841 made buoyantthe cotton, cloth and carpet production and contributed to the developingdyeingindustry. Engineering, flour millingand wood workingwereamong theother industries at one time thrivingand providingemploymentwithin the area wherethe landmarksofsome of thoseimportanttrades live on.On WharfStreetthe 115ft high ch imne y marksthe location of the Gr ade II listed Carl ime contributing to the town woollen and wo rs te production.

Bu ilt ar ou nd 1850, the

worstedmill hassince been converted into apartments. Flankingthe town is the rather more elaboratelybuilt Wainhouse Tower. The 253ft-highstructure wasoriginally commissionedbylocal landowner,John Edward Wainhouse, whosefamilyhad operated adyeworksnearby. Designed as an observatory-chimney, with a viewingbalcony,itwas constructed between1871 and 1875. Aseries of celebrations aredue to commemorate the tower’s150th anniversary this year Despitenever beingusedfor its original purpose, the eye-catching structurehas become oneofBritain’s finest follies with its viewinggallery offeringpanoramic views to those who takeonthe 369 steps.For more information, and openingtimes,email wainhouse.tower@calderdale.gov.uk

In the tower’sshadow, alongstretches of waterwhere rawwool, cloth,coal and lime were once carried on barges, ducks,swans andother wildlife share this tranquil spacewith the narrowboats and trip boatscruisingalongthe canal at aserene pace.Prominentlyplacedin its canalside position, the 15th-century Grade II-listedNavigation Innprovides the perfectrefreshmentstoptothose passingthrough Constructedin1996, Tuel Lane Lock on the Rochdale CanalinSowerby Bridge is understood to be the UK’s deepestcanal lock at 19.5ft.Itreplaced twoVictorian locksaspartofa restoration of the canal. Arranged around thewharf,one of the mostwell-preservedcanal basins in the country, 200-year-old buildings have been repurposed into athriving social scenewitha coffeeshop, pub, restaurants, hair salon, gymand offices

Independentshops, bars and restaurantsoffering tastyfaretotempt all palatescan alsobefound around the town.TheNew Roxy Cafe BarVenue in WharfStreetservesasareminder of its picturehouse past.Openedinthe 1920s,the 800-seater cinema became abingo hall in the earlySixties until its transformationintoacafe barand venue. Communityisverymuchatthe heartofSowerby Bridge and the longheld tradition of rushbearing, when rushes were laid over church floors as awintercovering, is celebrated everyyearinthe annual Rushbearing Festival. Held in September, theevent continues atradition whichbegan in the 18th century when some northern counties woulddress the cartsused to clearout the old and rotten rushes from thechurcheswithflowers, ribbons andsilver trinkets. This end-of-summer tradition made wayfor acommunity

Awarm and friendly welcome awaitsvisitorstoSowerby Bridge. PHOTO:SALLYCLIFFORD

The landmark chimney at Carlton Mill in Wharf Street, Sowerby Bridge. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

Water powerplayedanintegral partinthe textile industry thatonce thrived in SowerbyBridge andsurroundingareas PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

TheGrade II-listed former town hall,latterly used as abankin SowerbyBridge. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

The iconicChristChurch in SowerbyBridge whichparticipates in the annual Rushbearing Festival. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

SowerbyBridge’s former picturehouse,now acafe, bar andvenue PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

spirited celebration and procession whichisstill celebrated by local churches,communitygroups,pubs and businessesinSowerby Bridge todaywith arushcartprocession, dancingand music.

Fire and Waterisanother fine example of an initiativepromoting communityspirit within the area

Basedwithin SowerbyBridge’sold firestation, this centrefor arts and cultureprovidesactivities,events and workshops

Thedevelopmentofa new SowerbyBridgeSquareonthe site of the old market buildingaims to improvepedestrianfacilitiesand provide an events space.This project, expected to be completed thisyear, is part of the A58/A672Corridor ImprovementProgramme (CIP), a programme of work worthover£5m and delivered in partnership with West YorkshireCombinedAuthority.

While thereisplenty goingon within thetown, cyclingand walking routes beckon visitorstoexplore SowerbyBridge’ssurroundings,and with the Pennines andwonderful waterwaysthe area offersthe perfect Days Outdestination.

FACT FILE:

Another WorldAdventure: www.anotherworldadventure.co.uk

Eureka! National Children’s Museum: www.eureka.org.uk

PieceHall, Halifax: www.thepiecehall.co.uk

Calderdale IndustrialMuseum: www.calderdaleindustrial.co.uk

Events on T’ Hill: www.eventsonthehill.co.uk

Shibden Hall Museum: www.museums.calderdale gov.uk

Apple Tree FarmAlpacaWalks: www.appletreefarmalpacas.com

Halifax Bierkeller: www.thebierkeller.com/halifax

Creative with Nature: www.creativewithnature.co.uk

Galactic Golf: www.galacticgolf.co.uk

Westgate Arcade: www.westgatearcade.co.uk

The Towpath Angler

Our monthly look at the angling scene

By DavidKent

LAST week Iwas browsing through some of my articles from previous winters andcertainly, when talkingabout the weather,itseems thereisactuallyvery little change.Ten yearsago Iwas talking aboutrivershavingbeenout of their banksfor weeksatatime and last year Istatedthatwehad just seen the 10th namedstorm of the winter As Iwrite this article there is aninth namedstorm in this winter imminent. These quiteextreme climatic events impact us all in differentwaysand, without adoubt,will continue to do so.Itgoes without sayingthat much moreneeds to be done aboutfloodprevention measures acrossthe UK,includingsignificantly better maintenance of ourwatercourses, the lack of whichisall toooften cited as the keyreasonfor the devastatingflooding that we allsee and suffer.

Homes and businesseshavebeen flooded multiple times,including those of so many who rely on the waterwaysfor their livelihoods, be it boating, angling or hospitality.Ofcourse, amassive hike in governmentfunding is required to improvethis dreadful situation. Personally,Ibelievethis is nowmore of anecessity than certainother things successivegovernments have seen as a priority over theyears

Whilewaiting forthe powers that be to up the ante,manybusinesses, clubs and the like need to recognisethatthere aremeasuresthattheycan undertake too. My ownangling society, like many other similar organisations,isworking its socksofftotry to minimisethe impact of floodingonmembers.One of our stillwater fisheries suffers badly; so much so that it hashad to be closed for fishing for morethan100 days in each of the last twoyears.Despitetwo full yearsof trying to persuade thevarious agencies that this is totallyunsustainable,very little hasbeenofferedbyway of advice or directhelp.Asaresult,wehavechanged tackand arecurrently implementinga varietyofmeasureswhich, hopefully, will futureproofthe fisheryand allowsome fishingtocontinuethroughout the year Iampleased to saythat the dialogue with many of theCanal &River Trust’s angling clubs is developingprettywell. Onlinemeetings have highlightedthe problems andfrustrations butalso proven that,evenallowingfor afew specific pinch points,the same issues occuracrossthe whole network.What hasbecome clearisthat generallymore people seem to be ‘buyingin’ to the ‘share thespace’concept.This is certainly encouragingand Isincerelyhopewill

eventuallybecome the norm.That said, though,ithas even more clearly highlightedthose whohaveabsolutely no intention of concedingwhat theysee as theirdivine righttoexclusivity. It would appear many more anglers than normal have been taking awinter breakthisyear. Only last weekendI met an old friend who hasalwaysbeena true stalwart, goingfishing at leastonce everyweekofthe year no matter what theconditions.However,justlikemyself, he hadonlybeenout three times since thebeginning of December duetothe combination of poorweather and poor fishing. He actuallybelieveshehas lost his ‘mojo’ for the time being. Little by wayofresults hascome my waysince Christmasbut,once again, it seems the Shroppie continues to deliver the goods; producing‘double figure’ winningweights alongwith respectable backingweights for much of its length By contrast,a friend fisheda matchon the Leeds/Liverpooltwo weeksago and came third with just 1lb4oz.Ithas to be said that, in spiteofthe often-adverse conditions andpoorfishing, some of thesecanal contestsare attracting really goodsupport.

As stated,Ihavebeenout just three times sincethe startofDecember. While each matchhas been difficult,Ihave actuallyquiteenjoyed myself.Ihave caught fish each time and with abit more thoughtcould possiblyhavecollected at leastone brownenvelope. What became clearinthe mostrecenttwo events was that anyamountoffeedhad atruly negative effect. With just twoexceptions, all of my bites came from areaswhereI hadnot fedatall.FromwhatI hear this is pretty much parfor thecourseatpresent Alot of the fishcaughtseemtofallfor the ‘dobbing’ method,i.e.the hook bait is presentedatdifferentpointsinthe swim with no feed beingintroduced. It is truly amazingjusthow many fishthis method canproduce sometimes.Itisdefinitely wortha try, no matter whereyou choose to fish!

Good luckand tightlines

Walsall Canalclean-up fund tops £26,000

ACROWDFUNDER campaign to help restorethe poisoned Walsall Canalfollowing achemical spillage hastopped £26,000.

The Canal&River Trustappeal, whichhas nowbeenclosed, will be used to supportwildlife recovery work,includingthe possible reintroduction of watervoles which mayhavebeendestroyed by the leak

There is still no date for thecanal –whichhas been closed at that section since August –toreopento boatersand other users.

Anochrome Ltdwas identified as the source of thespill of 4000 litres of sodiumcyanide into the waternorth of OckerHill to the Wyrley and Essington Canal. Thecompany,which offersspecialistsurface coatings, describes itself on its websiteas

“asaresponsive, quality-conscious and environmentallyaware organisation”

The EnvironmentAgency, which is investigatingthe incident, said: “Weare undertakingathorough investigation into theserious chemical spill incidentinWalsall andour enquiries areproceeding. Pollution of this kind is unacceptable and the impact on wildlife and the environmentcan be severe

“Weare unable to providefurther commentincaseitprejudices any future legalproceedings.”

Asection of towpathhas reopened alongside the canalbut the public have been warnedagainstgoing in the water, lettingtheir dogs in the waterorfishing in thearea.

It is feared the damage to wildlife and ecosystems could takemonths or even yearstofully recover.

Ascenic view from Lock 1atSowerby Bridge. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

Sowerby Bridge boasts one of the most well-preserved canal basins in the country PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

Atrip boat travels through Sowerby Bridge alongthe RochdaleCanal. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

One of Britain’sfinest follies, The Wainhouse Tower. PHOTO:SALLYCLIFFORD

TheWet Web

By Helen Gazeley

THROUGHOUT 2025, youcan expect plenty of activities,performances,exhibitions andeventsto be takingplace in Bradford, this year’s UK Cityof Culture.

Will anyfeature the BradfordCanal? It seems so, even though Bradfordnow hasnorealcanal to speak of.But,ofcourse, it once did… the three-and-a-halfmile branchofthe Leedsand Liverpoolran from Shipleyright into thecentreofthe cityand played a majorrole in the area’s industrialrevolution.

Adetailedhistory,full of the charactersinvolved, canbefound in John Allison’shistory on the Bradfordand AntiquarianSociety’swebsite:www. bradfordhistorical.org.uk/canal.html –itnarrates in detail the transformation of the pretty,rural,

18-century town into “the thriving, butsmoky, grimyand over-crowded, worstedopolis of the 19th century”. Worsted, of course,isthe spun yarn that broughtprosperitytothe region.

The canalwas dogged by watersupplyproblems resultinginpollution and disease,withclosure in 1866 after acholeraoutbreak(it reopenedin1874 and finallyclosed in 1922) and it’s well worth watchingdocumentary videomaker MichaelDe Greasley’s engaging15-minuteexploration of the “stinking hell-hole”toget aflavourofwhatitwas like:www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh5E_jZOGy8

Aplantorebuildthe canalwas mooted 21 yearsago as asolution to regeneratingthe city. It wasambitious, with sixmarinas,businesspark, 1700 new homes and awaterbus. The plan wasn’t considered feasible, notleast becauseitwould have involved building

alot of new canalina slightly different place from before,because of howmuchthe original hadbeenbuilt over and infilled.

Foraphotographic guide alongthe route of the canal, showing the routewherethe canalstill exists and whereitdoesn’t,visit the Pennine Waterways we bs it e: www. penninewaterways co.uk/bradford

So,surelytherewill be events this year connected with such a pivotal elementinthe city’sdevelopment? There will be some,but

Volunteers at City Park in Bradfordcelebratingthe launchofBradford2025 UK City of CultureinSeptember lastyear.Bradford2025 takes place throughout Bradforddistrict, which covers 141squaremilesacrossWestYorkshire.Itwill featureperformances, exhibitions, events and activities inspired by the city’scultureand heritage.

HUMPHREYS/PAMEDIA ASSIGNMENTS

details have not yetbeenreleased.Among them, and available from April, Bradford on Foot will be acollection of themedwalks and toursaround thecity. You’ll be able to download or pickupa papercopy, as well as join specialguided walks: bradford2025.co.uk/event/bradford-on-foot

The Canal& RiverTrust is alsorunningLet’s Walk the BradfordCanal, athree-mile explorationofthe industrial landscape.Some datesare already sold out, so if you’re interested youshould booka place while youcan. Find tickets at:www.eventbrite.co.uk

However, thereare plenty of non-canalrelated events to tempta visit,includinga three-day contemporary-classical musicfestival, the Turner PrizeatCartwrightHall ArtGallery, theatre performances in historicvenues,aneclectic filmprogramme and outdoorart exhibition. For

More power to your espresso

IWASustainableBoating Group member Jonathan Mosse continues hisoff-grid boatingseries.

REGULAR readerswill recall that an HVO-fired Dickinson Adriatic cookstovetakes care of the bulk of my winter energy demands,leaving fractionallyoverakilowatt,onaverage, to be sucked from the sunonadaily basisfor acomfortable existence.

Litinlate-Octoberand extinguished in April, up hereinScotland,that leaves sevenmonths of the year when cooking, hotwater and thegeneral bits and bobs of life rely totallyonsolar power. To make mostefficientuse of theleccy generatedand stored Ihave found that,justaswith toolsingeneral, it is best to have adevice targetedat each culinarytaskundertaken.

Forstove-top cookingingeneral an induction hobreplacesthe Dickinson, while usuallya halogen oven is my go-tofor mostbaking tasks.Ridiculously cheaptobuy,and economical to run, in common with induction hobs the overall power draw is lowbecause both devices areconstantlyturningon and off to maintain asteady temperature.

Airfryersand slow cookersboth have their place butworkundertaken by the Consumer Association hasshown,

somewhat surprisingly, that theyare notalwaysthe outright winnersinthe economystakes

An electric kettle and atoaster areobvious companions in awellequipped galleybut best not to go for a3kW machine as youcould well be left with little or no surplus powerfrom atypical invertor when making that breakfastcuppa!

Forreasons inspired by healthy living, it must be literallydecades since Ilastboiledavegetable,soa

steamerholds pride of place,given its cheappurchaseprice,low power consumption andversatility, cooking not onlyvegetables butriceand fish as well –usually simultaneouslyifa threetray model!

Yes, Idoconfesstoa coffeemachine, whichisbynomeans the mostenergyefficientway to make abrew, butnow and againone just hastopander to one’s indulgences!

Together with finding that my laptop would runoffaUSB Coutlet,myother twosignificantrecentdiscoveries are that some electric shaversare USB Acompatible and that thereistobe hadanelectric pan, with twopower settings of just 700W and 1500W! It canhappilyboil waterand sautéonthe lowersetting, making it highlyportable, even beyond the confines of aboat. The higher settingspeedseverything up,althoughtemperature is ultimately regulatedto200C

Most forms of electricallypowered entertainmentare,ofcourse, available in 12v DC and 230v AC configurations

anyone who’s nevervisited,this is an opportunity to discoverBradford’sLittleGermany (wheremany TV andfilm productions have been filmedamong theneoclassicalwarehousesofimmigrantwool merchants), thelovelyListerPark(votedBritain’s Best Park in 2006),BradfordIndustrialMuseum, the NationalScience andMedia Museum,the Darley Street Market (which opens this spring), and the restored tunnels of Sunbridge Wells, filledwith bars,pubs andstreetfoodstalls

BeingdesignatedEuropeanCityofCulture in 2008 provideda huge boosttoLiverpool’s fortunes.Let’s hopethis UK designation hasa similar effectonBradfordin2025. To keep up with details of events as they’rereleased,signup to thenewsletteronthe Bradford 2025 website: www.bradford2025.co.uk

butaswith all electrical equipmentyou choose for aboat, read the specification labels carefully to seewhatwattage they draw.For agiven device therecan be asurprisingvariation betweentwo examples that ultimately do the same thing:one is simply moreefficient than the other

So,before partingwithyourhardearnedcash,alsotakeintoaccount just howmuchelectricityyou have to play with.Tiedsimplytoaninverter, it could easily be as little as 3kW (orless in realityasthis equatesto2.5kVA) and in cookingmodeyou could easily be pulling1.5kW throughanair fryeror induction hob,for instance This is whereanewer,more sophisticated device comesintoits own: one with the abilitytopower sharewith agenerator or landline once its internal capacityisusedup. It goes without sayingthatultimately sustainability on aboatisabout total dependence on theelectricityyou have generated or abiofuel that you have purchased. With this in mind, the

timemight have come to replace older electrical devices (suchasinverters) with moreup-to-dateexamples Something that could easily escape yourpower audit –the addingupof yourboat’stotal electrical demand in ordertospecify supply, whether that be batterycapacity, inverter size or generatoroutput –isthe power consumedbyaninternet router.I struggle foradecentsignalonmy mooringsoIdeployaprettypowerful device connected to an antennae and, to my absolutesurprise, it actually consumes 0.4kW daily!

Last –but by no meansleast –isthat oldchestnut, the fridge.Whether to spend aquite astronomical sumona super-efficient12/24v model or simply invest in amoderndomestic230v AC example? Much hasbeenspokenon the subject, both forand against, but my recordeddata(accumulated over a year) demonstrates that even thebest domestic models consume around twice as much whencomparing like forlike.

PHOTO: OWEN

From July to September,Mike Kenny’s stage adaptation of The Railway Children, first launched in 2008, has special treatment for Bradford2025, beginningwith asteam ride along thehistoric railway wherethe much-loved film was shot, to aperformance in apurposebuiltauditorium in Oxenhope’sengine shed. PHOTO:KARL ANDRE

Awinter breakfast without an inverter PHOTOS: JONATHAN MOSSE

It’simpossible to havetoo many 12v DC power outlets. Just make surethat the wiring gauge isuptoit.

A900W microwave will consume at least1400W of electricity

Apassageintime

There’smore to tunnels than meets theeye on our canal network. John Souter continues his series exploringthe wonders of ourextensiverange of canal tunnels.

TO FACILITATEthe efficientworking of the canalnetwork,about 42 miles of tunnels were constructedinEngland and Wales,ofwhichabout half arestill open. Thisismorethanthe combinedlength of

all other canaltunnels in the worldand doesn’t include the extraapproximately 47 miles of underground canalatWorsley as part of the BridgewaterCanal. As well as 583 locks, 2963 bridgesand

337 aqueducts thereare also55tunnels, ranginginlengthfromjust25yards to more than threemiles,alongthe 2000plus milesofour inland waterways. Let’s takealookatthismonth’s offering…

CROMFORD CANAL

Butterley tunnel: 3063yd/2801m, now closed.

In 1794 this wasthe thirdlongest tunnel on the waterway network after the Sappertonand Dudley tunnels.Theoriginal length wasactually2966 yardsbut it hadtobelengthenedwhen arailway wasbuilt over part of it.Ironicallythe engineer responsible for the railway construction work was JosiahJessop, the sonof the renowned canalbuilder William Jessop! Interestingly the railway and canalwere alsointerlinked in that,to protectthe rail line above the tunnel, steelrings made from old rail trackwereused to reinforce the tunnel.

Unfortunately in 1790 fundingfor theconstruction projectran outand the contractorswalked off site and refusedtoreturnuntil newfundinghad been arranged.Although partly as aconsequence of this the construction work went over budget,the canalitself wasasuccess, carrying coal from the East Midlands coalfields to,amongothers, thenow notableArkwright’s mills at Cromford.Aspartof the construction process33 shaftsweresunk75yd/68m apartsupportedbya dewateringusing asteampoweredengine In 1804 rulesdictatedthat passagewas to be strictly one-way and limited to certaintimeswithpassage throughthe east portal being from 5am-6am, 1pm-2pm

and 9pm-10pm and passage through the west portal allowedfrom1am-2am, 9am-10am and 5pm-6pm Passage wasnot to exceed three hoursmaximum andthe fine for breaching thisrule wasahefty40 shillings,the equivalent of an eye-watering £250 in 2024, and, if necessary, the offender wasalsomade to reverseall the wayback down the tunnel!

Construction of the tunnel includedanunderground wharfabout 60yd/55m long beingbuilt 880yd/805m inside from the west portal Oneofthe vertical shafts from the tunnelwentdirectly up to the ButterleyCarrPit abovetobeusedtotransport coal from the mining operation down to the tunnel to be loadedontowaiting

boats. As part of this process ‘tram boxes’ were used which could be loadeddirectly from tram to boat to then be subsequentlytransshipped elsewhere, e.g. to the nearby Derbycanal. The boxeswere initiallyloadedand unloaded by acounterbalanced waterbucketbut laterthis operationwas done by means of asteam winding engine. Part of the tunnel and theunderground wharf wasdeclaredascheduled monumentin2013.

In 1889 subsidence in the tunnel caused aclosure which, although shortlived, resulted in the lossofmany customers and this,together with competition from the emergingrailway network, signalledthe end of viable commercialtrade on thecanal.

In 1900 there wasa

Your chancetowrite to us on anytowpath topic: Towpath Talk,POBox 99, Horncastle, LincsLN9 6LZ or email editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk

Cathedral of the Canals

My wife andI areavid readersof TowpathTalk andspotted an error description to aphotograph in issue232, page 12. Yourefer to All Saints Church,Braunston, as being known as the Cathedral of the Peak;itisactuallyknown as the

Cathedral of the Canals St John the BaptistChurch, Tideswell is the one known as Cathedralofthe Peak Maybecorrect this in the next issue?

Regards Cris Anglish

PeppercornPacific

Here is aview of new-build recently overhauledA1Peppercorn Pacific No.60163 Tornado haulingthe Nene ValleyRailwaypublic train

seriouscollapse inside the tunnel and in 1904 agovernment-funded survey wasdone by RudolphdeSalis (a director of Fellows, Morton and Clayton) whichwas not at all positive in its findings Thiswas then followed by another collapse in 1907 andanother government-funded report which, also beingnegative, ended anyhopes of repair at this time and thetunnel neverreopened. ARoyal Commission in 1909also declared repairstobe commerciallyunviable.

In 1944 all commercial trafficon the canalendedbut theFriends of Cromford Canaldohavethe aimof one dayfullyrestoring the canaland hopefully this tunnel with it

from WansfordtoPeterborough, with thenarrowboatmooringsat Wansfordinthe foreground. Regards Robin Jones

GRAND UNION CANAL

Braunstontunnel: 2042yd/1867m, completed in 1796, no towpath. Construction was problematic and hindered by quicksand whichmeant abrick lininghad to be providedthrough its entirelength.With a tunnelwidth of 16ft 6in andneedingtobe linedwith three layers of bricks,this added considerably to the total cost of construction. At the time when asteam tugwas beingusedto haul boatsthrough it wasnot unusual for a trainofupto20boats to be pulledthrough at atime

Amistakeindirection

duringconstruction ledtoaslightS-bend along its length which made early throughnavigation awkward. The tunnel width also caused longqueues when wide boats preventednarrowones from passinginside Boatsover7ft beam still need permission to travel through the tunnel and have to give 48 hoursadvance notice and be readyto make passagethrough on the daybooked (Monday to Friday only) at 8am Forsomecurious reason only the westernportalofthe tunnel is Grade II listed and described as the ‘entrance’tothe tunnel, even though the tunnelclearly hastwo entrances!

One boat exitingthe west portal of Braunston Tunnel,while another waits for it to pass. PHOTO: MERTBIOL -CC0 1.0

The needfor speed…

Water power plays an important part inGrahamand Diane Sykes’ pleasurable pastimes.Sally Clifford findsout more…

IT IS the extreme of steamthat separates Graham and Diane Sykes’ water-related pastimes.When theyaren’tcruisingthe canals in their 48ft narrowboat Dock of the Bay –fondlyreferred to by Graham as a floating‘cosycottage’–they’reabsorbed in high-speed straight-line motorsport.

It wasGraham’spassion for motorbikes whichbroughtthe adrenaline-pumpingpastimeintotheir lives and introducedGrahamtohis profession in the process.

“At16Iwas runningasupercharged bikeonnitromethane fuel and Iwas

beingbeatenall the time by engineers. Thatishow Igot into engineering, by wantingtoimprove and make parts. Before youknowit, youare making parts for other people,” says Graham Graham’s knowledge and expertise, honedthrough yearsofbuilding bikes,led him to setupGrahamSykes Performance Engineering. He is also involved with Wyvern Precision EngineeringCo, predominantlybuilding specialistmachinesand partsfor the food industry

The inventor wasalready making greatstrides in straightline motorsport.Heand Diane aremembers of Straightliners, amotorsport eventorganisation, with their home trackbeingMelbourne Raceway near York.The previous build features his self-designedand engineered V8-engined‘The Syko’and earned him the Britishland speed recordfor athreewheeledvehicle

‘Force of Nature’was a responsetoanambition to create a‘rocket’ powered motorcyclefor drag racing, record-breaking and showcasingatexhibitions and events

“I alwayswantedtobuild a rocket bike.Nobodywill say‘I have one, come andrideit’ so IthoughtIwould build one,” says Graham

“I looked at the options of what we could useand decided to go down the steamroute becauseithasn’t reallybeenfullydeveloped.”

Afterfindingamanufacturer to create asuitable pressure vessel forthe steamrocketbike, four yearsofpressuretesting followedinwhathas been a lengthyprocess.

“It’srocketscience…but I’mnot arocketscientist, so you surround yourselfwiththe rightpeopleand make the rightdecisions,” says Graham

Although he designed and built the award-winningbike, he says he couldn’t have doneitwithout the inputand supportofothers.

“Weare nowthe world’sfastest acceleratingmotorcycleand thefastest steam-poweredvehicle ever,” says Diane.

“Wehavebuilt it with safetyfirst, we don’t cutcorners.”

Forits trackdebut,the bikeran with a smallerpressurevessel. “I hadn’t ridden arocketbikebeforeand we needed to seehow it handled,”saysGraham.

“Itstartedslowand hasbuilt up over the last four years.”

With its body in carbon fibre, the lightweightthree-metre-longbikeis hub-centresteered with amonocoque

chassis. It uses super-heated pressurisedwater released through de Lavalnozzles transformingittosteam to propel the bikeforwards. Currently, this exquisite, precision engineered, steam-poweredmachine hasachieved ajaw-dropping 185mph,using 88 litres of waterinthe process.

“But we areexperimentingall the time.Wehavegot to the pointnow wherewedon’t want to accelerateany quickeraswehavegot to tune it to humancapabilities, we want to make it have the same amount of power butfor longer.Nextyearwith alarger pressure vessel, we hopetoincrease thisduration to go faster andlonger,” explainsGraham.

When theyaren’t attendingraces and motorsporteventsaround Europe, the couple,fromNorth Yorkshire, are cruising alongthe canalnetwork

GroundhogDay,but on thewaterways…

NABO general secretary Peter Braybrook comments on some more topicalissues.

IT HAS been hard to startthis article this month,asitfeels likeweare stuckona cycleof repetition. Therewas anew namedstorm to report on, storm Éowyn, with much the same effect as previous storms.Trees have come down acrossthe navigationand thenavigation

authorities have mobilised teams of vegetation managers to deal with thematgreat expense Ihavepreviously congratulated the navigation authorities on their prompt attentionto theseobstructions.The‘Better Boating’ commitment of Canal &River Trustputsa greater emphasis onthe timely removal of obstructions and hindrances to navigation so each NABO Council member hasbeen allocateda section ofthe CRT’s system to keep trackofthe stoppagenoticestosee if this actuallyhappens

Drone footageofbreach

The breach on the Bridgwater Canalisalsobeingwatched with greatinterest. Social media is full of useful updatesand alsodrone footageofthe ongoingworkto seal off the breach and rewater the canal. Coffer dams are nowinplace andthe northern section is back to alevel where the boatsare nowbackafloat and canleave the area if they so desire. Waterisnow being syphonedoverthe dams to refill the southern section so that the boat canberefloatedheretoo

Thislengthy processmight have been achievedbythe time you read this. Afterthis, the longand expensiveproject of repairing the breach cancommence It hasbeeninterestingto read some of thereports and magazinearticles from 1971 when the canalbreached in much thesame place.I noticedthatinthatinstance central government came up

There

River Trent Strategy-planning

NABOhasattendedaRiverTrent Strategy-planningmeeting.The intention is thedevelopment of aWater Space studywhich appraises the contribution of theRiver Trentand surrounding area to the localeconomy, health and well-being, wildlife and the environmentbytaking acollaborativeapproach to

is no doubt that thetidal Trentmust be considered an alternativelink between thenortherncanals andthe southernwaterways.

with some moneytopay for the repair.I wonder whether anyone in government has considered puttingarequest to thetreasuryfor this one Meanwhile boatersare busy scratchingtheir heads for away round the problem.Thereisno doubt that the tidal Trentmust be considered an alternative link betweenthe northern canals and thesouthern waterways.

ensureall stakeholdershelp define the scopeofthe study, with theintention of including the wholeofthe navigable watercourse. We arelooking forward to contributingand findingout what is in store for this waterway in theshort and longterm. Of course,our interest is in maintainingthe navigation and havingmanned locksfor everydaylighttide on the tidalTrent.

Travellingatatop speedof4mphisa starkcontrasttothe eye-wateringspeeds Graham achieves on twowheels “Narrowboatinghas nothingtodo with speed,”saysGraham, relaxing in the comfortable confinesoftheir spacious four-berth boat builtin1999 by Triton Boats, Eccles,and featuring all the traditionaltrimmings. Youcould saytheir naturaldrawto waterwas in the stars. Both areZodiac watersigns:GrahamisCancer and Diane is Pisces.Diane wasalready an experienced boater,but it wasa narrowboat holiday with friendsthat ledthem to invest “Graham’sauntinCanadapassed away and left hima smallamountof money. At the end of the week,hesaid ‘I know what Iamgoingtodowith that money–we’ll buyaboat’,” recalls Diane Theywereintroducedtothe boat while Graham wasworking in Worcester.

“When we sawthe boat it hadall the criteria we wanted –wooden interior, stove, hatch, etc, it tickedall theboxes,” says Graham

NowbackinYorkshire, and conscious of the longcommute, they searched fora marina closetohome andsettledatSouth Pennine Boat Club, Mirfield, whereGraham’sengineering skills arecalleduponand Diane is the editor of the club’s award-winning Handspikemagazine

“I couldn’t imaginelife without the boat, and youneedextremesinyourlife Ithink youneed to frighten yourself at leastonce aday!” smiles Graham

At the meeting, it wasstated that toomanyvisitingcraft areunprepared, even to the extent of not havingadequate communications (VHF radio) andlife jackets!Thereare other issues to be considered,suchas theprovision of safe moorings to provide safe havens in the eventofextreme weathersuch as that whichwehaverecently experienced.

Money,money,money…

Returning to the matter of money,whichliesatthe root of everythingatthe moment, Fund Britain’sWaterways continues its preparations for thethirdcampaigncruise to WestminsterthisMay Hopefully, therewillbea flotilla of boatsleaving Doncasterto make the journeysouth with boatsjoiningand leavingthe flotillaenroute.Therewill be events to publicisethe need for centralfundingonthe route down,particularly at various cruisingclubs associated with the AWCC.Theflotilla will arrive at theHousesof Parliamentonthe Thames via the IWACanalwayCavalcade at

Little Veniceatthe beginning of May. The FBWCampaign Cruise will alsocross The Wash to Boston to continue campaigningonthe eastern side of the country.

Boat Licence Review Commission

The CRTBoatLicence Review Commission hashad its first meetingand ratifiedthe terms of reference that were published in November.Thecommission hasalsopublished anotetothe boardhighlightingthatitwill be establishingits owncontext for the review keepinginmind all thecharitable objectives of the trust. The notealsoindicates that thecommissionwill considerawide rangeofissues and awiderange of stakeholders will be askedtoprovidedata and opinion to informthe commission and assist in its task.Theenforcementprocess will form apartofthis, not the whole.NABOwill be invitedin duecoursetogivemembers’ input. This commission is to conclude itsprogramme with recommendationsin September.

On board:Diane andGrahamwith Dockofthe Bay at South Pennine Boat Club in Mirfield PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD

Steaming ahead: record-breaking ‘Force of Nature.’ PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY GRAHAM SYKES

On song: Dockofthe Bay was apparently named aftera previous owner’s favourite song. PHOTO: SALLYCLIFFORD