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Issue 107, September 2014

Thames tranquillity

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BRIDE AND GROOM IN BOAT HIJACK! P2

The approach to the picturesque Bray Lock. See feature on P16. PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Cash boost for canal dredging projects

SEVEN MILES FROM LAND P18

A £3-million package of additional investment in the waterways will improve the experience for boaters and other visitors.

Around £2 million will fund dredging projects on the Erewash Canal, Trent & Mersey and a number of sections of the North Stratford Canal.

This completes the full £7-million

FROM NARROWBOAT TO BARROW BOAT P110

will recruit 42 people to keep alive traditional techniques of canal building. Trainees will learn the arts of lime mortaring, stonemasonry and carpentry among other skills essential to maintaining and improving the network. The Waterway Heritage Skills project will see 14 trainees recruited each year with each post lasting 12 months. They will work alongside the trust’s staff across the country on projects such as the winter stoppage programme.

P19

More locations, more choice Stourport Marina Tel 01299 827 082

Racecourse Marina, Windsor

Stourport on Severn

Tel 01753 851 717

River Thames, Windsor

Thames & Kennet Marina

Walton Marina

Tel 01932 221 689

Boat sales at seven Marinas with over 150 boats for sale

www.tingdene.net

Upton Marina

Tel 01684 593 111 Upton upon Severn

Walton on Thames

Brundall Bay Marina

Tel 01189 477 770

River Thames, Caversham

Visit:

and towpaths, improving sanitary stations and mooring locations and making lock operation easier. The projects will take place between now and April 2015.

CRT chief executive Richard Parry said: “I’ve spent a lot of time listening to boaters, through my series of open meetings and elsewhere, and I know

that these are some of the things that have a real bearing on their experience of our waterways.”

This additional investment is available because the trust is anticipating that it will exceed its revenue target for the year and earn more money than originally planned.

• Continued on page 2

Keeping heritage skills alive Anniversary water festival Sharing mooring sites OVER the next three years, the Canal & River Trust CHANGES are to be made to four visitor

509 BOATS FOR SALE Starts on

dredging programme by the Canal & River Trust this year as part of its commitment to deliver £80 million of dredging over the 10 years from 2013.

In addition, just over £1 million of new money will go into a variety of other customer service improvements.

These will include further vegetation management, repairing waterway walls

Tel 01603 717 804

Pyrford Marina

Tel 01932 343 275 River Wey, Surrey

Norfolk Broads

A MAJOR waterways event is to be held on the river Nene over the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2015.

Northampton Festival of Water, which will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Northampton Arm, will be centred around the waterfront at Becket’s Park. It is being organised jointly by the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Events Team and IWA Northampton Branch, with the full support of Northampton Borough Council, the Environment Agency and the Canal & River Trust.

mooring sites in central London to help make sure the limited space is shared fairly between visiting boats and those who make the capital their home. The plan by the CRT, which is being put in place in August, was worked on with the Better Relationship Group and benefits from feedback from boaters. The sites are in Victoria Park, Broadway Market, Little Venice and Kensal Green. See story on P3.

2 NEWS

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AS I cycled to work this morning (not along a towpath!) there was a definite nip in the air and I have missed the swifts screeching over the rooftops for the last couple of weeks.

But the season has some way to go before we think about battening down the hatches for winter and the festival programme is still in full swing.

In this issue we have reports from events ranging from Audlem to Stratford, Blackburn and Burscough to Coventry and Lymm.

Peter Underwood continues his travels to the northern reaches of the Lancaster Canal on page 111 and Les Heath braves The Wash on page 18.

In contrast to last month I have been ‘down south’ to the Thames, see my feature on page 16 and to the Midlands to visit Trinity Marina, page 59. At the end of September our team will be travelling to the Parkhead Canal Festival at Dudley, look forward to seeing you there.

I am sure boaters will welcome the additional dredging projects announced by the Canal & River Trust although mooring restrictions are still rattling some cages around the network. With vacancies on several of the waterway partnerships and a new round of open boaters’ meetings coming up perhaps you will have an opportunity to make your views count.

TOWPATH

TALK

Janet

Editor Janet Richardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk Publisher Julie Brown Display advertising Nikita Leak nleak@mortons.co.uk Classified advertising Stuart Yule syule@mortons.co.uk Feature advertising Jason Carpenter jcarpenter@mortons.co.uk Editorial design Tracey Barton Divisional ad manager Sue Keily Direct sales executive John Sharratt Group production editor Tim Hartley Production manager Craig Lamb Publishing director Dan Savage Commercial director Nigel Hole Contact us General queries 01507 529529 help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk News & editorial Tel: 01507 529466 Fax: 01507 529495 editorial@towpathtalk.co.uk Advertising Tel: 01507 524004 Fax: 01507 529499 Published by Mortons Media Group Ltd, Media Centre, Morton Way, Horncastle, Lincs, LN9 6JR Tel: 01507 523456 Fax: 01507 529301 Printed by Mortons Print Ltd. Tel. 01507 523456 Next Issue – September 25, 2014

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Lancaster mooring restrictions provoke swift reaction

By Peter Underwood

THE imposition of 48-hour mooring restrictions on most of the popular moorings along the Lancaster Canal in mid-July provoked a swift reaction from boaters.

At a well-attended meeting convened with days of the signs appearing, and organised by a local boater of longstanding, Colin Grundy, there was an almost unanimous demand that the Canal & River Trust think again.

It was claimed that the 48-hour moorings destroy the relaxed nature of the Lancaster Canal and are already deterring visiting boats from returning, to the detriment of canalside businesses.

The resolution agreed by the meeting stated: “This meeting of resident and visiting boaters on the Lancaster Canal calls on the Canal and River Trust’s NW waterways manager Chantelle Seaborn to immediately reverse the imposition of 48-hour moorings on the Lancaster Canal, removing all signage and reverting to the previous situation.”

It was felt that the restrictions had been introduced without proper research or consultation, with either local or visiting boaters and they would not achieve their stated objective of ‘fairness’ as there is insufficient usable mooring space for the number of boats wanting it, so moorings will

remain first-come-first-served regardless of timing restrictions.

CRT was accused of failing to measure and establish an existing problem, therefore having no means of measuring the failure or success of the 48hour mooring experiment. It has admitted there is no prospect of enforcing a 48-hour mooring restriction and it is pointless to make rules which cannot be enforced.

The meeting urged Chantelle Seaborn to focus on the creation of many additional mooring spaces around the most popular parts of the canal, along with a programme of dredging throughout the length of the canal as this would do most to enable resident and visiting boats to enjoy the canal.

Since the resolution was sent to CRT at both regional and national level, an estimated 100 or more boaters along the canal have also posted copies to Ms Seaborn, according to Colin Grundy. Other boaters have also painted or taped over the new 48-hour mooring signs.

In the latest Towpath Mooring Management Report, CRT services manager Dean Davies stated: “Some local boaters have expressed concern at the extent of the changes and so at some of the longer mooring sites a mix of seven day and 48 hour moorings will be introduced during August, with further consultation planned on the right mix of mooring sites in the future.”

See page 62 or call 01507

529529

Newly weds hijack narrowboat!

NARROWBOAT Jonesfold was highjacked at Soulbury Top Lock on the Grand Union Canal by bride and groom Helen Jamieson-Batt and Oliver Batt following their marriage on July 25.

The happy couple stepped on to the bow of the boat – taking skipper David Jones by surprise – and travelled in style from the middle lock to the top lock where they were greeted by the wedding party.

Helen described it afterwards as a ‘truly magical moment’. She said: “The narrowboat on our wedding day was a super special event for us as we both met at sea working on the P&O Oriana cruise ship. Our wedding had a travel theme with the three key methods of transport: trains, boats and planes.

“Trains as Ollie had miniature steam locomotives, boats our time at sea and planes as Ollie has a commercial licence.

We were even drinking a bottle of Dom Perignon saved from when we met at sea 12 years ago.”

Guests had all been transported on a vintage London bus from Little Brickhill to Horwood House. Helen explained: “As we love spending summer afternoons by the three locks, we thought it would be a perfect place to stop and open the champs.

We couldn’t believe our luck that a narrowboat was coming and even more that they let us jump on the front to go through the lock!”

The happy couple in the lock.

The couple expressed their special thanks to David and Liz on board Jonesfold and presented them with a bottle of bubbly in return for the gatecrash.

• Continued from page 1

More money for dredging projects It will be targeted at specific projects across the network, identified locally from customer feedback including: • improving sanitary stations on the North West and Midlands canals, the Kennet & Avon Canal and in London • lock operation improvements on the Calder & Hebble and Huddersfield Narrow Canal • tackling more offside vegetation in the South West, London and on the Shropshire Union Canal; and, • providing better visitor moorings in Chester, Macclesfield, London, Birmingham and the East Midlands.

The plans have the support of the Trust’s independent Navigation Advisory Group – a panel of boaters from a variety of backgrounds who provide advice and feedback on issues including safety, maintenance, moorings and licensing. Boaters are invited to send any further suggestions to their local waterway team.

Group chairman Mike Carter added: “It is great to see the Trust delivering on its commitment to invest to improve those services that boaters value the most. My group has appreciated the chance to input our experience into this process.”

Additional investment • • • • • • • • •

North Stratford Canal dredging Trent & Mersey Canal dredging Erewash Canal dredging National spot dredging programme Towpath improvements including wash wall Sanitary station improvements Offside vegetation with access improvements Visitor mooring improvements Lock operation improvements

£400,000 £200,000 £500,000 £900,000 £375,000 £225,000 £225,000 £165,000 £55,000

● Richard Parry will be kicking off a new round of open boater meetings with a Facebook Q&A between 6-8pm on Tuesday, September 16.

This will be a chance for all who’ve been out and about during the summer season to have their questions answered by the man at the top. Take part on the night by heading to www.facebook.com/CanalRiverTrust

Ollie and Helen adopt the ‘Titanic’ pose on the bow of nb Jonesfold. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Canalside start to married life

By Geoff Wood

A YOUNG couple had a canalside start to married life.

After their wedding, Keith and Kerrie Melrose were whisked by Rolls Royce to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Marsden.

There Kerrie from Lindley, Huddersfield, and Keith from Edinburgh boarded the Marsden shuttle barge which took them a mile up the canal to Standedge Visitor Centre at Tunnel End. For the couple had chosen the visitor centre for the reception and as champagne corks popped, the happy couple gazed first at each other and then at the canalside scene outside.

Kerrie said: “We just wanted something a little bit different.”

Keith and Kerrie afloat on the canal.

PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

Horse rescued after boater raises the alarm

By Bob Clarke

UNABLE to stand and struggling to keep its head above water, a horse was in danger of drowning in the Birmingham Canal at Coseley when a passing boater saw its predicament and called the emergency services.

The horse was unable to move to shallower water because a chain round its neck was tethered to a stake in the canal bank and it was forced to keep swimming to keep its head above water.

An eight-man crew from the West Midlands Fire Service freed the chain and got the horse into shallower water where it could stand. They then put two slings round the horse and heaved it on to the bank – where it promptly started to graze.

The RSPCA monitored the rescue and took charge of the horse while they tried to trace its owner.

RSPCA inspector Paul Seadon said: “To tether a horse next to a canal is dangerous.

Tethering of animals is certainly not recommended.”

NEWS 3

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Pop-up consultations lead to positive changes

By Polly Player

THE Canal & River Trust has begun a rollout of improvements across London’s waterways, as a result of its new scheme of hosting pop-up consultations to gather input from local London boaters.

Beginning in mid-August, some fairly wide-reaching amendments have been made to mooring stay time rules and mooring provision at some of London’s most popular mooring sites, which will be reviewed again in November.

The core changes that have been made are as follows: Victoria Park moorings, which previously permitted a maximum of 14 days stay along the entire stretch, have now been divided half-and-half into 14day moorings and 7-day moorings respectively.

Broadway Market has been allocated an additional three mooring spaces,

Canal festival planned to coincide with battle anniversary

By Bob Clarke

TALKS are to be held in the autumn on the possibility of a major two-day canal festival on the Wyrley & Essington Canal at Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, in August next year.

The idea has come from former City Mayor Coun Phil Bateman following the success of a canal-based event in the area that attracted a number of boats, a floating market and over 1500 people.

He is now looking at a larger festival which would stretch from Bentley Bridge into Wednesfield and will be approaching the city council for support. “I’ve got a year to pull it off and I am determined to do so,” he said.

The event would coincide with the anniversary of the Battle of Wodensfield in early August. The battle in 910, thought to have been fought in Wednesfield, was seen as a key element in forging the unification of England as one kingdom.

He added: “This is about encouraging economic regeneration of canal sides, bringing in day visitors and is something that will put Wednesfield on the map.

Coun Bateman’s idea is being supported by the chairman of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society, Brenda Ward, who will be meeting him in September. She will then raise the matter with the society’s committee and see how the plans can be supported.

In May the Wyrley & Essington was a major element in the society’s explorer cruise with over 40 boats taking part.

with a 7-day maximum stay time limit.

The Little Venice visitor moorings have changed from a 14-day maximum stay time along the length of the moorings to being half 14-day and half 7-day maximum stay time spots.

Several other proposed changes, including a suggestion to reduce the permitted stay time at Kensal Green from its current 14 days, were discounted as unnecessary following feedback from local boaters as part of CRT’s pop-up meetings and survey sessions.

Specific problems

As a result of the pop-up consultations with boaters and open meetings with local land-based residents and other groups, the Trust has also had the chance to listen to the views of a wide cross-section of the community, which has highlighted some specific problems in certain areas.

The Stonebridge Lock (Lee Navigation) pop-up consultation in particular offered boaters the chance to highlight a range of problems in the locality of the lock, of which CRT was previously unaware. Fly tipping within the area, antisocial behaviour, and street prostitution around the area of the lock were all issues highlighted by local boaters as problems that make them feel potentially unsafe or vulnerable along this stretch of the navigation, something that CRT has pledged to tackle in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and local residents.

Fly-tipping was also highlighted as a problem at various other London sites including the bin compounds intended for boater usage at both Paddington and Cowley, and both boaters and land-based residents who witness fly tipping are encouraged to report this to the Trust via email to

enquiries.london@canalrivertrust.org.uk The planned programme of improved maintenance on London’s waterways by the Trust is now well underway too, with tree cutting works undertaken on the River Stort, and dredging on the Slough Arm, lower Grand Union and the Hanwell Flight on the River Brent all helping to improve the usability of the navigations.

Finally, both London-based boaters and those visiting the capital by boat are encouraged to get involved in one of the many volunteering and improvement workgroups and events that are held regularly across London to help to improve local areas and involve boaters in local community life. Litter picking, help with minor maintenance projects and many other events are held across London throughout the year; for more information, check out the ‘volunteering in London’ section of the CRT website.

South with Sergeant down the Grand Union Canal THE intrepid traveller and star of Strictly Come Dancing, John Sergeant (70) recently made a fleeting visit to Braunston Marina from where he set off on the Anglo Welsh 60ft narrowboat Golden Tarn, for the filming on the fifth of his eight-part British canal journeys being shot this summer.

The series, which will also include the Llangollen and Caledonian Canals, will be screened weekly from January 2015 at peak time on ITV at 8pm following Coronation Street.

This journey would take John Sergeant and his crew of two, plus camera crew, from Braunston to Brentford on the River Thames, a distance of 93 miles, 100 locks and two long tunnels.

John Sergeant would cover the entire length of the original Grand Junction Canal, opened in 1805.

Before departing John Sergeant was given a tour of Braunston Marina’s historic working dry docks, boat building shed and the rope shop by marina-owner Tim Coghlan, after which he signed the marina’s visitors’ book, adding the comment: “The best-working marina in Britain – many thanks.” The opening shots of the film will include the marina.

Tim said: “We were delighted to have John Sergeant onboard at the marina for a couple of hours, when he spoke to camera

IN ITS Annual Review 2013-14 the Inland Waterways Association has pledged to keep up the pressure by continuing to lobby the waterways minister and other MPs to secure the future and funding for the Environment Agency’s navigations.

The IWA says: “The failure of Government to transfer (the EA navigations) when the opportunity arose in 2013 is a major concern given the large funding cuts that the EA is now facing.

“Transferring the EA navigations to the CRT with an appropriate funding

Service area

A CANALSIDE service area for boaters is being proposed on a farm on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Coven Heath, near Wolverhampton, writes Bob Clarke. If the plans are approved, farm produce, boating supplies and fuel would be sold from the site. A picnic area and a boat servicing yard are also being proposed.

Book winners CONGRATULATIONS to five

lucky readers who each won a copy of the newly revised version of the book which triggered the revival of the canal network. Copies of Narrow Boat by Tom Rolt will go to: Helen Warr of Peterborough, Angela Sandhu of Hounslow, Nick Mauger of London, Garreth Rattew of Telford and Karen Peaurt of Northallerton.

Online vote

John Sergeant to camera as he set off from Braunston on his 93-mile, 100-lock canal journey to Brentford. PHOTO:TIM COGHLAN about his forthcoming journey at the historic marina entrance bridge and then set off for his first challenge – the six-lock Braunston Flight and the tunnel.

“He told me he was passionate about the British canals, and had shown a great interest in all that we were doing.

I am sure the series will be an excellent one and a great boost to the canals.”

Keeping up the pressure

By Bob Clarke

IN BRIEF

package is the best way forward and would be a further step towards the IWA’s long-held vision and aim for a National Waterways Conservancy which could offer a single licensing authority for all navigations.”

The review says that in this financial year the IWA income was £821,000 of which £390,000 came from membership income and £117,000 from donations and legacies. However expenditure increased to £877,000 of which £440,000 was on campaigns and restoration.

The number of work party volunteer days amounted to 1619 compared with 804 in 2012 and 390 in 2011.

An interesting point is that the average age range of canal camp volunteers shows that 27% were in the 18-25 and 64+ age groups.

Leading the association’s restoration work has been the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) and that saw 1390 volunteer days spent on canal restoration, 840 on vegetation clearance and forestry and 850 on canal improvement.

Other highlights include 1624 volunteer days spent clearing Himalayan balsam in 2013 which is continuing through 2014. And 1205 volunteer hours have been spent to date on the IWA’s HS2 campaign.

IN OUR latest online poll at www.towpathtalk.co.uk we asked readers in which region they moor their boats. Not surprisingly 42% are Midlands based, 31% in the north of England and 20% in London, the Home Counties and eastern England. The remaining 7% are split between the South West or Wales and Scotland, Ireland or overseas. This month we are asking readers whether they have noticed more boat traffic this summer.

Rescue record RECENT warm weather has

prompted high numbers of boating enthusiasts to take to the water, resulting in a record-breaking season for rescues, reports River Canal Rescue. During June and July the breakdown and assistance firm undertook an average of 140 rescues per week (peaking at 190), 17% higher than its 2013 equivalent average of 122. www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

After hours

THE Bridgewater Canal at Lymm in Cheshire is to be featured in a new Sky comedy, After Hours, writes Geoff Wood.

The Royle Family’s Craig Cash is one of the stars of the series due to be screened later this year.

4 NEWS

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Job Hutchings unveils the plaque marking the 50th anniversary of the canal’s reopening.

VIPs met at the lock for the ceremony, some coming upriver on the wide-beam passenger boat Rita Ellen and others down the canal on the CRT heritage narrowboat Swift.

Nicholas Barwell unveils the plaque marking the 40th anniversary of the Upper Avon reopening and that of the Lower Avon restoration.

Stratford lives up to all its expectations

By Harry Arnold

IT WAS always going to be the most anticipated waterway event of the year, but linking the 50th anniversary of the reopening of the southern section of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal with that of the 40th of the Upper Avon

Navigation and the annual Stratford River Festival on July 4-6 was a great success.

Nearly 140 boats gathered on the river and there were an estimated 55,000 visitors; although how you separate the usual Shakespeare-driven tourists from those attracted by the event is possibly

Michael Fox’s daughter Geraldine, CRT chief executive Richard Parry and Stratford-upon-Avon Canal Society secretary Clive Henderson.

Commemorating the journey that saved the Stratford Canal BEFORE to the main Stratford celebration, an event that was a critical turning point in the history of the restoration of the derelict section of the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal was re-enacted on the canal on Saturday, June 21, at the Wharf Tavern, Hockley Heath.

Prevention of closure hinged on the production of a toll ticket issued by the then British Transport Commission to two canoeists in March 1957, which proved that the waterway was still legally navigable when in 1958 Warwickshire County Council applied to the Department of Transport seeking an Act of Abandonment.

One of these pioneers, Michael Fox, died last year at the age of 91, but his compatriot John Pinder became a leading figure in the inland boating industry and his sons still build and service boats on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

The event – involving a group of modern canoeists setting off for Stratford-upon-Avon – was organised for the Canal & River Trust (CRT) by Len Cresswell, member of the West Midlands Waterways partnership.

Members of the Stratford-on-Avon Canal Society, the Inland Waterways

difficult, but the former certainly had a bonus spectacle.

The festival is organised under the auspices of local trade association StratForward, but the boating side and the commemoration event involved the Stratford & Warwick Waterways Trust (SWWT), the Avon Navigation Trust (ANT), the Stratfordupon-Avon Canal Society (SONACS), the Canal & River Trust (CRT) and the Inland Waterways Association (IWA), both the Warwickshire Branch and nationally.

Friday was the day of the commemoration of when Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, officially reopened the canal in 1964 and the Upper Avon in 1974, travelling on a narrowboat on both occasions; first down the canal and later upriver from a ceremony at what is now named Colin P Witter Lock.

As Stratford is one of the acting centres of the world, those of us who were there at both of these events were perhaps a little disappointed that there was not a full re-enactment featuring people playing some of the well-known personalities such as John Betjamin, Robert Aickman, David Hutchings and Crick Grundy. We hear that the organisers did have a Queen Mother lookalike but a majority thought it was in bad taste.

The centre of the anniversary was an event at Stratford Lock, preceded by the party of participating VIPs arriving aboard the CRT heritage narrowboat Swift coming down the canal and the river trip boat Rita Ellen entering from the river; recalling the passage of the narrowboats Linda and Cactus carrying the Queen Mother at the original openings.

Bringing back memories

The official guests came from many authorities and groups – too many to list here – it was an impressive attendance that did justice to the importance of the

Tavy Cleave – built by Canal Pleasurecraft at Stourport – was one of the boats at the original opening rally for the canal. PHOTOS: WATERWAYS IMAGES event. It is worth mentioning, however, that there were representatives who recalled organisations which took part in the two restorations such as the Army and prison service; bringing back memories of the ‘cons’ (as we nicknamed the prisoners) who some of us volunteers worked with.

Roger Clay of SWWT led the speeches with original recollections, followed by CRT chairman Tony Hales, who spoke about the restoration of the Stratford Canal, praising the work of David Hutchings, the volunteers and all those involved, and outlining one of David’s aims of seeing the Avon navigable through to Warwick. The main organisations involved in the event are currently conducting a feasibility study into this project.

In a somewhat confusing but happily good-natured running order, there was a warm welcome from the Mayor of Stratford, a poem by Jo Bell read by actor Timothy West and the story of the

John Pinder starts the canoeist off from Hockley Heath.

Association and the British Canoe Union took part.

John Pinder sounded the horn to officially start the canoeists off and among the paddlers were Michael Fox’s daughter Geraldine and CRT chief executive Richard Parry.

It was a fitting tribute to two men whose actions initially saved the canal and created a turning point in the history of British waterways’ restoration.

Some of the many boats moored on the River Avon at the festival.

restoration of the River Avon by ANT chairman John Tomsett. The two most significant guest speakers for this commemoration were Job Hutchings, son of David, and Nicholas Barwell, son of Douglas Barwell, leader of the Lower Avon restoration scheme. Both gave personal recollections of their dynamic fathers and then unveiled twin plaques marking the occasion.

With a touch of impromptu Shakespeare from Tim West, Prunella Scales and Roger Clay, and upbeat closing words by Tony Hales, the event concluded with guests embarking on the trip boat to hear an orchestra performing on the river. Not quite the ‘1812’ of the 1964 reopening but an atmospheric conclusion to a worthy commemoration of two significant events in waterway history.

Throughout the weekend there were display and activity stands by the basin (an exhibition of historic photographs from 1964 and 1974) and on the playing field site from all the participating societies, including one from the Waterway Recovery Group.

There were also music, craft, charity and food stalls, all making the Stratford River Festival an annual event worth attending.

The Roger Lorenz Trust – which offers places on traditional barge handling courses for young people aged 18-30 – was launched at the festival. A weekend course costs £50 including food, accommodation and training. For more information contact Stef Lorenz on 01617 070 588 or 07825 447029 or email steflorenz@btinternet.com

NEWS 5

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Historic boats join Audlem gathering

By Harry Arnold

IN A first-time variation of the one-day annual Audlem village transport festival what was the ‘historic canal boat section’ this year became a full-blown twoday boat gathering over the weekend of July 26-27.

As the boats are generally there over the weekend anyway, organisers Chris and Peter Silvester, owners of Audlem Mill shop, decided that the already popular historic boat gathering should be promoted officially over the two days.

Their confidence was fully justified in that a record number of 43 vintage working boats

packed the length of the Shropshire Union Canal from the main road bridge down beyond the bottom lock of the Audlem flight.

One regular at Audlem is the last remaining fly-boat, Saturn, operated by the Shropshire Union Fly Boat Restoration Society in partnership with the Canal & River Trust (CRT). This year she was flanked in the town pound by three loaded boats: Aquarius and Ilford with their 35 tons of coal from the Ashby Canal (Towpath Talk, Issue 105, July) and the Tench with 20 tons of hard core.

There were examples of working craft in historic liveries

The boats stretched down to below Audlem Bottom Lock.

PHOTOS:WATERWAY IMAGES

Foxcub descending Foxton Locks.

By Geoff Wood

A new role for Audlem Mill Shop?

Three loaded boats were a feature of this year’s gathering. from most companies to gain the sometimes critical approval of the dedicated enthusiast and to delight the eye – and the camera – of the casual visitor. Even ‘British Waterways’ is historical now and the pair of boats from the CRT Midlands heritage fleet were fine examples of those now past blue and yellow days.

The CRT volunteer team manning the locks again did a great job keeping up water levels in the short pounds and shepherding through passing traffic, including holidaymakers somewhat surprised but pleased at having to negotiate such a colourful spectacle.

Bicentenary re-enactment of first cruise from Crick to Foxton FOXTON Boat Services’ day boat, Foxcub, made the trip from Crick to Foxton on the Grand Union Leicester Section on Saturday, August 9.

Nothing unusual there, except that the cruise was a re-enactment of the first ever boat trip along the route after it opened in 1814.

A cavalcade of boats had been intended, but on hearing the prophecies of doom from the Met Office the other boats decided not to join in.

The cruise started at Crick, where the opening of the tunnel – the final part of the canal to be completed – was commemorated by the unveiling of a plaque by Coun Joan Kirkbride, chairman of Northamptonshire County Council.

She was assisted by Catherine Lomax, chairman of Daventry District Council and Canal & River Trust chief executive, Richard Parry.

The event took place in the presence of the honoured guest, President, the last survivor of the Fellows, Morton and Clayton steampowered fleet – in steam – and the butty Kildare.

The crew and guests were then treated to refreshments before setting off on the same trip undertaken by what contemporary reports described as ‘the great and the good’ 200 years ago.

Today’s great and good aboard were Coun Kirkbride and her consort; Coun Michael Rook, vice-chairman of Harborough District Council and his consort; Carl Bedford, a trustee of the Old Union Canals Society. Representing Foxton Inclined Plane Trust were committee member, Ann Bushby in traditional boat woman’s

Festival celebrates town’s canal history

The civic party on board Foxcub includes, from left: Coun and Mrs Mike Rook, Mike Beech, Coun Joan Kirkbride and Mr Kirkbride and Ann Bushby.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

costume, committee member Richard Pickering, and Foxton Canal Museum keeper, Mike Beech as captain and tea boy!

Contrary to predictions, the weather held and on the cruise through rural Northamptonshire and Leicestershire there was much to see of the flora and fauna on the banks and dragonflies and damselflies on the water. The VIPs were delighted to catch sight of both a kingfisher and a cormorant.

At the county border, where the fledgling River Avon flows under the canal, Foxcub stopped briefly and each councillor was presented with a certificate and a brass plaque as souvenirs of the trip. They expressed their surprise that so little about the canal and its environs had changed in 200 years.

At Bosworth Tunnel, however, things had changed. The original boat had to be legged through, and again, according to the same contemporary report, the ladies aboard swooned at the thought of being underground and required ‘the attention of the gentlemen’.

Although the cause of this is now thought to have had more to do with the ‘refreshments’ that were brought on board at Welford Junction!

No such drama unfolded on this year’s trip as Foxcub cruised through the 1166yd tunnel under diesel power and proceeded to Foxton where, assisted by one of the volunteer lock keepers, she descended the flight to complete the commemorative cruise.

If you weren’t exhausted by the walk along the boats there were still more than 300 examples of classic road vehicles to see as they assembled on Saturday and paraded on Sunday. We spoke to a newish Audlem resident who told us that they had chosen to move there, not only for the beauty of the village and the canal, but it is a community in which there is always something happening.

Who are we to argue? Since first boating through in 1961 the original atmosphere of Audlem appears to have been somehow retained; but events like the transport festival and particularly the historic boat gathering attract many new visitors and are a real credit to the hard work of the local organisers.

A TOWN that virtually forgot its canal – like so many others in Britain – is today gaining pride in the way it helped to build a modern borough.

The second annual Blackburn Canal Festival celebrated the contribution of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal on the development of Blackburn. And its history was focused particularly on the Eanam Wharf from where cargoes came and went.

Industries grew up on the banks of the canal, with mills using the water to cool the engines, the canal itself became an important artery for textiles manufactured in the town and the shape of Blackburn itself was dictated by the route taken by the canal.

Like so many canals, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Blackburn fell into decline after the First World War. But Barbara Castle’s Transport Act of 1973, sowed the seeds for new use for canals for leisure and slowly the canal at Blackburn began to come back to life.

There was certainly plenty of life at the canal festival this year.

Close by Eanam Wharf around which the event was centred, there was modern and traditional dance. Live and recorded music filled the air and there were drama performances.

There was plenty for the children as well, with face painting and a bouncy castle. Cookery displays gave a taste of Blackburn today for residents and visitors from out of town.

But for the narrowboaters it was a chance to show off their vessels which had been spruced up for the occasion. It was so hot on the festival weekend, that the boats moored in the shade beneath the roof of Eanam Wharf. The wharf which helped put Blackburn on the road to industrial prosperity in Victorian times was again hailed as a useful structure in the 21st century.

Boats sheltered beneath the wharf from the sweltering sun.

PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

6 NEWS

IN BRIEF

Volunteering project

THE Canal & River Trust has been awarded almost £350,000 to help develop better environmental and community engagement in Rochdale, Huddersfield and Birmingham. Made possible through a grant of £249,000 over three years from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and £100,000 funding from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL), the three-year project will focus on increasing the number of groups volunteering to adopt one- to two-mile stretches of canal or river through the trust’s Adopt a Canal initiative, as well as enhancing the waterways ecology.

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

Meccano-style bridge goes for award hat-trick

Award presented

THE 2014 Haven Academy Award winner – Sail 4 Cancer – was recently presented with the £5000 prize by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, chairman of the academy, at Port Hamble Marina, Southampton. The charity, set up by a group of keen sailors who had all lost a close friend or relative to cancer, scooped 85% of the public vote to win the award.

The Saturn Project is one of the finalists in the Education & Learning section.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

BOLTON’S Meccano-style bridge could make it three, having been nominated in the Arts and Interpretation category in the Canal & River Trust’s Living Waterways Awards 2014.

An inspection by the judging panel took place in June and the bridge has now been shortlisted for the finals which will take place at the Royal Armouries at Clarence Dock in Leeds on September 24.

Sponsored by Bolton Council, the bridge was designed by Liam Curtin and built by the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society over the canal at Nob End, Little Lever.

It has previously won two awards: The Best Practice Award 2013 from the Chartered

Institution of Highways and Transportation North Western Branch, and in July this year, the Duplex Award by the Galvanisers Association.

Also shortlisted in the Art & Interpretation category are Rochdale Canal Connections and the Slow Boat Project, Ikon Gallery.

Launched by the Canal & River Trust in January, and led by an independent panel of experts from the voluntary, environmental, heritage, engineering and architecture sectors, the Living Waterways Awards seek to recognise the most inspiring and exciting waterway-based improvement projects across the UK.

Other shortlisted projects

Contribution to the Built Environment: Capel Mill, Cotswold Canals; Dutton Breach, Trent & Mersey; Hayhurst Quay, Northwich; Scale Lane Bridge, Hull.

Community & Volunteering: Bottesford Beck, Scunthorpe; Building Bridges, Waterways Recovery Group; Rivertime Boat Trust, River Thames; Wilmcote Lock 40 Reconstruction, Stratford on Avon Canal; Wirral Community Narrowboat Trust Education & Learning: In a New Light, Brecon Basin; Floating Cinema, London; Saturn Project, Cheshire.

Natural Environment: Restoration of the River Irwell, Manchester; River Brent/Grand Union Canal Eel Recovery Programme Recreation & Tourism: Chesterfield Canal Trust; Rickmansworth Waterways Festival; Roving Canal Traders; Stoke Bruerne Events Restoration & Historic Environment: Horseboating Society; Relighting the Fire, Ellesmere Forge.

New footbridge

A NEW footbridge is now in place over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in the historic Weavers Triangle at Burnley, writes Geoff Wood. The area is currently the subject of a £100 million sympathetic development scheme and the bridge, which is clad in glass and steel, is designed to blend in with the rest of the project.

Cropredy winner

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr R L Pearce of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, who was the lucky winner of our May competition to win a year’s free mooring at Cropredy Marina. Thanks to everyone who entered.

The Meccano-style bridge over the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal at Nob End, Little Lever, Bolton. PHOTO: MBBCS

Campaign mounted to bring Yorkshire lock back into use THE Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is campaigning to save a section of the waterways system from becoming unnavigable.

Elvington Lock (also known as Sutton Lock) on the River Derwent in Yorkshire is currently closed to navigation following a temporary closure notice issued by the Environment Agency (EA) back in February.

This has cut off part of the system from the national network and stranded a number of boats upstream. The IWA is very concerned about the closure of this lock and wishes to see navigation up to Stamford Bridge reinstated as a matter of urgency.

The navigation committee chairman Paul Roper said: “I hope the lock will be reopened as quickly as possible and the IWA will be working hard to try and ensure this.”

The IWA has been concerned at the delay by the Environment Agency in completing a structural assessment of the top guillotine gate in the initially promised timescale, and arranged to meet agency representatives to press for action.

The EA has explained the reasons for the delay and IWA is looking forward to working with the agency to secure the longterm maintenance and availability of the guillotine gate for navigation use.

The situation at Elvington Lock is unusual, with no one authority being responsible for the whole structure. The Environmental Agency owns the top guillotine gate; the bottom mitre gates are under different ownership.

These wooden gates are becoming life-expired and require replacement soon.

The IWA wishes to see the lower lock gates at this lock

Elvington Lock – also known as Sutton – on the River Derwent.

PHOTO: IWA

replaced and is keen to work with other supportive bodies to provide both practical help and funding to replace these gates. It has no wish to reopen previous legal arguments about rights of navigation on the River Derwent.

Portal building project could start next month

By Bob Clarke

NOW that almost all funding is in place, Dudley Canal Trust is hoping to start work in October on its £3 million heritage, education and visitor centre adjoining Dudley Tunnel.

Funding has come from several sources: the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded £989,200 and the European Regional Development Fund has indicated it will be making a £1 million grant. Further donations from other trusts include £100,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation.

In addition the trust will be

using some of its own finances plus proceeds from a public donation appeal for £40,000 of which £30,000 has already been raised.

Known as The Portal, the building will stand at the northern end of the tunnel and will be connected to the Black Country Living Museum by a pedestrian swing bridge across the canal.

It will also have a large car and coach park at Todds End with direct access to and from the Birmingham-Wolverhampton New Road.

Built on two levels, the centre – The Portal – will have direct

access to the car park and a passenger lift to the passenger embarkation wharf and other exhibition areas.

It is hoped the new development will increase visitor numbers from the present 80,000 annually to 100,000.

It was the foundation of the trust – originally the Dudley Tunnel Preservation Society – that prompted the siting of the museum on adjoining land.

The suggestion of a museum came from society members after they had been offered large amounts of vintage industrial artefacts from all over the Black Country.

RYA SPOTLIGHT 7

www.towpathtalk.co.uk The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is the national body for all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RIBs and sports boats, powerboat racing, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.

Giving new life to litter!

THE figures showing the volume of litter and debris pulled from the UK’s inland waterway network are nothing short of astonishing.

There were 31 bags collected from the Hertford Union Canal by the London Canal Volunteers litter busting boat, 47 bags pulled from the Canal in Retford by the Chesterfield Canal Trust, 20 bags cleared from the towpath along the Grantham Canal, not to mention the 45 canals (and 95 beaches) tackled as part of the ‘Big Beach Clean-up’ by the Canal & River Trust with the Marine Conservation Society and Marks & Spencer.

Not only does the list run on and on, but the sheer variety of items discovered is staggering – from the predictable fridges, tyres, bottles and cans to the less predictable mopeds and a front door!

Litter has long been recognised as one of the most common causes of poor inland water quality and

From abandoned shopping trolley to graceful heron.

PHOTOS: PTOLEMY ELRINGTON – HUBCAP CREATIONS

about 60% of the litter is plastic. Plastic is not biodegradable, in other words, it may break down but it will never disappear completely, it will degrade more slowly in water than on land, and it can take up to 450 years. And apart from the fact that it is unsightly it can damage habitats, harm and kill wildlife and restrict our own use and appreciation of the canals and towpaths.

Gentle reminder

It’s always pleasing for The Green Blue – the environment project of the Royal Yachting Association and British Marine Federation – to recognise that boaters are rarely the cause of littering and this is true of both the inland and coastal environment.

The very fact that boaters choose to spend their leisure time on the water would make it illogical for them to cause any damage, but that said, a gentle reminder that even unintentional littering is to be avoided never goes amiss.

The Green Blue has been supported by The Crown Estate’s Marine Stewardship Programme for several years, enabling the team to tackle a range of issues, from minimising oil and fuel pollution to encouraging more recycling facilities in marinas.

Established in 1999, the marine stewardship programme supports research projects that underpin The Crown Estate’s knowledge of the activities it manages, as well as community initiatives that improve and enhance marine and coastal assets.

So it’s good to see that The Crown Estate has been supporting a number of projects around rivers and canals, including a ‘living walls’ project with Thames 21 looking at the biodiversity potential of river walls along the Estuary by installing and monitoring modular technology to encourage new habitat.

It has also contributed to a litter clean-up of the River Trent, Nottinghamshire driven by Terry Oliver, without doubt a man with a passion and a mission to keep our waterways in good shape.

More trolley art – this time a kingfisher.

Strange creations

There are some strange positives however that come from litter – upcycling into new creations isn’t new, but upcycling into art can be spectacular.

A great example was the Art Dredge exhibition organised by Spearfish and held in Manchester back in May. Artists Jason Heppenstall, Donna Bramall and Matt Sewell teamed up to give new life through canvasses and sculptures to a range of items pulled from the Rochdale Canal, all to raise awareness of the fragile inland environment and the senselessness of littering and fly-tipping.

Hub cap creatures created by Brighton-based Ptolemy Elrington is an equally striking venture with commissions available to purchase. Reclaimed from the sides of roads rather than rivers and canals, all grades of hub cap – from BMW and Mercedes to Ford and Volvo are transformed into creatures that we might well see in or on the water, from a dragonfly to a carp, not to mention a slight departure from hubcaps with a heron, a frog and a kingfisher made from… yes you guessed it – shopping trolleys!

● For further information on these fascinating works take a look at www.facebook.com/theartdredge and www.facebook.com/Hubcapcreatures and for more information on sustainable inland boating visit www.thegreenblue.org.uk

IN BRIEF Camera discount offer

RYA members can now take advantage of a special member’s only discount of 30% on Garmin VIRB action cameras until the end of the year. These compact, rugged and water-resistant cameras come with optional dive case.

Retailing at £269.99, the VIRB is available to RYA members at £188.99 and the VIRB Elite, retailing at £349.99 is just £244.99. Both feature High Definition (1080p HD) quality with the top of the range VIRB Elite also providing GPS data, accelerometer, altimeter and wi-fi, enabling connectivity to other products.

The lightweight VIRB action cameras can be used in your hand, mounted on your boat or mast, or attached as a headcam, and are capable of producing the ultimate action shot every time. A VIRB app also enables smartphone users to control the video recording and camera set up from their phone.

RYA members can take advantage of this offer by visiting the Garmin Members Benefit page at www.rya.org.uk to claim their special discount code.

Southampton ticket offer

MEMBERS can also take advantage of a special ticket offer for any day of the PSP Southampton Boat Show from September 12-21, including the Press Preview Day, for £12 (plus £1.75 booking fee) when buying in advance.

They will also have access to the exclusive RYA members lounge, now situated at the heart of the show in the Holiday Inn Hotel.

The RYA stand this year will be located in the large Mayflower marquee, opposite the entrance to the marina (JO66), with all the latest advice and information to help you get started or improve your boating, as well as launches, events and celebrations. To book visit the RYA members benefits page at www.rya.org.uk by midnight on September 11.

8 NETWORKING

SOCIETY NEWS

Melton’s‘watergate’

DURING recent work parties, the Melton & Oakham Waterways Society made some interesting finds. As well as two glass bottles, embossed with the makers’ names, they discovered an underwater structure which may have been a flood gate to protect boats in the cut from the River Eye. (MOWS newsletter, Summer 2014)

Mick retires THE Erewash Preservation &

Development Association’s work party organiser Mick Golds has retired after over 40 years of service. But he hasn’t hung up his boots completely and will continue as an active member helping at Langley Mill and Sandiacre Cottage. Thank-you gifts were presented to Mick by president Jim Stevenson on behalf of EP&DA. (Erewash Outlook, Summer 2014)

Picnic benches

THE Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust has been given two new six-seater picnic benches by the Gloucester & District Model Boat Club.

H&GCT is also very grateful to the model boaters for their continuing support of its members in their activities at Over Canal Basin. (The Wharfinger, Summer 2014)

On song

THE administrator of the Huddersfield Canal Society Bob Gough and his wife were on song when he was presented with a gift to mark his 25 years’ service, writes Geoff Wood.

Bob’s wife Lyubimka delighted the gathering called to celebrate 40 years of the society by entertaining members with a Bulgarian folk song.

Summer ‘15 event

AFTER much deliberation between Pelsall and Titford over the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society’s main summer event in 2015, the decision has been made to hold it at Titford over the usual weekend of May 16-17. It is hoped to make it a bigger and better gathering involving Titford Pool’s publicity and links with the local community.

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Men in boats back on the Newport Canal IT ALL started with a chance remark from an old boater in his 70s: “I miss those paddles on the Montgomery canal Dingy Dawdle, is there somewhere else we can go?”

For those who don’t know, there was a Dingy Dawdle held every year on the Montgomery Canal for 25 years until four years ago when it was replaced with a triathlon, writes Barry Witts of the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust (SNCT).

It drew waterway supporters from far and wide with all manner of canoes, rowing boats and even coracles. Each year a different length was chosen that was mostly in water but with some lowered bridges and some road crossings to portage, often the A483.

The aim was to raise awareness with good publicity, draw new people into the waterways movement and a by-product was that the year’s chosen length had a bit of a spruce up from then British Waterways.

Roll on to 2014 and, with the support of SNCT and the agreement of Telford and Wrekin Council, Natural England, the local angling clubs and Newport Town Council, July 12 found our little

The first pleasure boats on the Newport branch for 20 years. PHOTO: SNCT effort and would be much simpler with some simple wooden rollers or sliders.

The paddle down to the big pool at the end was splendid and we were soon back at the lock for another portage. The launch sites were generally easier getting in than out thanks to gravity being a good assistant on the sloping grass. When we found ourselves back at the Black Shed, saw the lateness of the hour and thought of the dense barrier of lilies, we made the wise decision to call it a day. The upstream trip can wait for another day.

It may be 20 years since there have been pleasure boats on the Newport branch. Let’s hope it’s not another 20 years until it happens again and it is hoped to expand this event next year.

Civic send-off for charity walker

West Country canal group seeks support for Somerset gem THE Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Association (BATCA) is launching a scheme to monitor the canal from Bridgwater Docks to Taunton and is seeking the support of anyone with an attachment to it.

Whether they live near it, walk or cycle it, fish, boat, canoe or commute along it or love its wildlife and beauty, BATCA would love to hear from them.

A spokesperson for the group said it is now at an exciting stage: “A steering group was formed last summer, when concerns were raised that the B&T could be at risk from financial funding cuts. While we support other canal organisations, the priority focus for BATCA is the B&T Canal to ensure it remains for future generations.

“Our aims continue to be promoting, protecting and raising funds for this beautiful stretch of canal, as well as holding social and information events. We have strong connections with the Friends of the Grand Western Canal in Devon, and are using their successful model to work by.”

BATCA already has a number of people who record wildlife sightings, litter pick, and report back any issues

By Geoff Wood

Canal volunteers constructing fishing platforms on the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal. PHOTO: BATCA good or bad, however, this canal is 14 miles long, and more volunteers would be welcome to enable it to extend the area, encompassing the whole of this waterway.

“We can find a task for anyone wishing to join us,” the spokesman added. ● Please contact: 01278 663449 or email batca@maunsellock.co.uk Information also available from Maunsel Lock Canal Centre.

Cromford Canal cruise for Chernobyl children TEN children from an area of Belarus affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster were guests of The Friends of the Cromford Canal aboard narrowboat Birdswood on Friday, August 1.

The lively group of 10- to 12-year-olds, their teacher/translator and their host

Mencap cruise

BRIDGEWATER Motor Boat Club recently took members of Mencap out for a day’s cruise along the Runcorn Arm of the Bridgewater Canal and back to the clubhouse. It was a really warm summer’s day and all found it very enjoyable.

Afterwards everyone was invited to a hot buffet and disco.

group beside the lock by the Black Shed in Newport.

Since I had helped at the Balsam bash in the morning and discovered the water lilies upstream to be almost impassable, I did not feel like navigating them a third time. The decision was therefore made to start off downstream and head west towards Edgmond.

This meant loading the boat trolleys and passing under the bridge to find a suitable launch point. We reached the place after shedding only one load, canoe wheels being a bit of a balancing act. A suitable spot was found for our septuagenarian canoeist and he gracefully slid in with barely a ripple.

Once we were all in, the paddle to Tickethouse Lock was simple, the weed being not as much of a problem as the impenetrable lilies. I was reminded that canals with moving boats tend not to choke up with weeds and lilies!

Portaging round locks is easier when you have more hands, particularly with a trained instructor such as like Mike Ward helping. The least confident paddler can be assisted from the canoe and on to the bank. Dragging the boats in and out is a fairly heavy

The party of Chernobyl children enjoying a Cromford Canal trip on board Birdswood.

PHOTO: FRIENDS OF CROMFORD CANAL

families and helpers had a great time on the boat despite heavy rain.

The children’s four-week visit is being hosted by the Bonsall and Derbyshire Dales branch of Chernobyl Children’s Life Line. This wellestablished charity has more than 130 groups nationwide which between them bring 3000 to 4000 children to the UK for health recuperation holidays every year. More than two million people – 400,000 of them children – live in areas of the Ukraine and Belarus north of Kiev that are still heavily contaminated by radioactive fallout from the 1986 reactor meltdown.

One of the main health benefits of these visits is a boost to the children’s immune systems which have been damaged by radiation.

Clean food and fresh air help reduce radiation levels in their bloodstream by up to 80%.

The experiences the children have from visiting countries such as ours can be life-changing for them and often for the host families as well. In many cases, parents can see a real change in their children’s outlook on life, personality, self-confidence and achievements at school.

● To find out more about how you could help the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line via donation, sponsorship, hosting or support, go to www.ccll.org.uk/bonsall/ or see their Facebook page Chernobyl Children Bonsall

Lockside memorial to fallen soldier

A 19-year-old soldier who died in France just 11 days before the end of the First World War now has a lockside memorial to his short life.

A bench sited at Griffin Mill Lock, Thrupp, was dedicated to the memory of Private Howard Richard Pegler on Sunday, August 3.

Pte Pegler, who was born at Thrupp, made a will on October 22, 1918, leaving all his possessions to his mother Kate before his regiment moved up to the front line as part of the South Midland Division, British 3rd Army to relieve the New Zealanders in the Battle of the Selle River.

During that battle he received wounds that led to his evacuation to the British Army Hospital at Terlincthun where he died of his wounds on October 30.

His great nephew Mark Hyam related this touching tale to four generations of the family at the lockside ceremony. Stroud District Council chairman Coun Mark Rees spoke of the strong sense of community and history in evidence before Cotswold Canals Trust chairman Jack Telling formally dedicated the bench to Pte Pegler’s memory.

The ceremony to dedicate the bench in memory of Pte Howard Pegler; his great nephew is pictured, far left, with members of the family and on the right are Jack Telling and Coun Mark Rees. Hardwick and District Royal British Legion vice-chairman and standard bearer Roger Smith is flanked by David Newman of Bussage and Eddie Tucker of Stroud. Inset, the commemorative plaque.

PHOTOS: COTSWOLD CANALS TRUST

THERE was a civic send-off for a grandmother on a 127-mile charity walk from one end of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to the other.

As reported in Towpath Talk last month, Julie O’Keefe, 52, from Chorley, Lancashire, is walking with her Jack Russell dog Kathy in memory of her late daughter Emma. She hopes to raise £50,000 through this and other charity events for a narrowboat which would take those suffering from mental health problems on days out and provide somewhere where they can relax.

She aims to call the boat Emma’s Dream in memory of her daughter Emma Winstanley who took her own life in September, 2010, at the age of 19. Emma had been suffering from depression and had been awaiting assessment for bipolar disorder.

Before the walk, Julie paid a visit to the Civic Hall, Leeds, where she chatted with the Lord Mayor Coun David Congreve, before he wished her well on her journey.

Coun Congreve said: “It was really lovely to meet Julie before her charity walk, which is in aid of a fantastic cause. Julie’s determination to complete this walk in memory of her daughter Emma is something really to be admired, and we certainly wish her the very best.”

Julie said: “Mental health is still something that is not talked about much. I am doing the walk because I think it is very important that sufferers are given the right sort of outlet like a boat.

“To raise the money, we are also planning a country and western charity night. There is a re-enactment group that is putting on a display for us and other activities are in the pipeline.”

Lancashire Mind chief executive Stewart Lucas said: “Having a safe place to go where young people can offload their worries , thoughts and concerns in a confidential environment may just be the different between one family having to go through the loss of a loved one or not. We wish Julie all the very best in her walk and success in her project.”

The Mind helpline on 0300 1233393 is open 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday for mental health information and support.

Julie O’Keefe with her Jack Russell Kathy at the start of her walk in Leeds.

PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD

NETWORKING 9

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Gary Marsland is welcomed home following his 1000 mile trip. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Gary’s ‘green’ lifestyle aboard The Merganser

By Elizabeth Rogers

THE contribution by Pewsey Environmental Action Team to a recent Wiltshire Green Open Homes event included one home with a specific difference – and one which was to be of interest to all who enjoy life on the water.

Gary Marsland was inviting visitors aboard his narrowboat The Merganser, to see just how efficiently he has organised his lifestyle when he is travelling or living on the boat to make it into a truly ‘green’ home.

Gary spends much of his time travelling on the Kennet & Avon Canal, and for the Green Open Homes event he moored The Merganser at Pewsey so that he could contribute to the local initiative in promoting a more environmentally conscious style of living.

Green Open Homes is a national programme, funded by the Government’s Department for Energy and Climate Change and organised by the Bristol-based Centre for Sustainable Energy.

Events have been taking place on a regional basis in many parts of the country. Householders volunteer to open their homes to interested visitors to demonstrate the effectiveness of the various energy-saving measures which they have adopted.

Gary describes travel on his solar-powered boat as ‘cruising on the sun’. He was able to tell his visitors about how he achieved the challenge he set himself of travelling 1000 miles entirely fossil-fuel free. He has used no coal, diesel, gas or petrol on board for the last two years.

Thousand mile challenge

He began his 1000 mile challenge in March 2012 and with breaks for the winter weather completed it in September 2013. His travels took him on waterways towards the Redditch, Coventry and Nottingham areas, together with journeys along his home water of the Kennet & Avon Canal between Reading and Bristol ‘quite a few times’.

When he bought the 30ft boat some seven or eight years ago it was fitted with a petrol outboard motor. This he changed for an electric version, which is powered by solar panels, feeding a bank of batteries. For his source of power, he fitted the three solar panels on the boat himself.

On board, all the ‘mod-cons’ are solar-powered or use non-fossil fuels. Cooking, heating and hot water is served by the use of a wood-burning stove, cooking also by the solar oven and a small electric slow-cooker, with smaller amounts of hot water by a wood-burning ‘storm’ or ‘kelly’ kettle and a small electric travel kettle. Gary himself made the singleburner ‘rocket’ stove, building it from tin cans.

“You need to cover for every eventuality,” he said.

Gary fitted the three solar panels on his roof himself.

The eventuality of not enough sun is catered for by using the slow-cooker and travel kettle via a mains inverter and the batteries. The batteries needed for any of the power for the boat do not need to be huge, he says. And there are the manual tumbling washing machine plus the solar-powered shower, and a small electric spindrier, again served by the batteries. The water for the washing machine is heated by whatever means is most practical on the day, and the whole unit can be operated by a handle. Gary has found that solar showers do need a hot day, with very little breeze, but it is a useful addition to his appliances – one available commercially, and quite easily in this country he has found.

Doing something different

Gary says that the reason for his 1000 mile trip was originally that he ‘fancied doing something different’. He had been working around the idea for a while before he realised that to be thus fossilfuel-free was viable.

And having succeeded he wanted to show other people that this is something that can be done.

A point that struck him in the planning was that by travelling by this means he was not causing the boat to discharge exhaust into the water. “That is one of the things that encouraged me to look at different ways of fuelling a boat,” he explained.

“Solar panels are becoming cheaper and cheaper, and more and more boats are installing them.

“When the sun is high I am usually cruising just on sunshine, and charging up the batteries at the same time,” he added. “This is quite possible if you are prepared to travel a little more slowly.”

Gary has found that such a lifestyle is very much to his liking. He had not intended to live on board once his long trip was completed, but he found that he enjoyed it so much that he decided to stay.

Civic party visits Cowley Lock THE Mayor and Mayoress of the London Borough of Hillingdon were recently invited to a Canal Awareness Day on the Grand Union Canal at Cowley Lock.

Sarah Green and Josie Asher of trip boat Arthur gave a short cruise with plenty of English brunch for the dignitaries.

One of the Canal & River Trust volunteer lock keepers, Brian Rockell, organised a festive look landside, while the Toll House Cafe entertained them all with afternoon tea.

All six of the weekday lock keepers were around to ease the passage of the boat and also provide a useful commentary where requested.

A good day in the sun was enjoyed on a very attractive cruising stretch of this West London canal.

For more information visit www.arthurdailytrips.com

Mayor Catherine Dann, second from right and Mayoress Rita Kilroy are pictured on board Arthur with volunteer lock keeper Brian Rockell, Josie Asher and Sarah Green of Arthur Daily Trips. PHOTO SUPPLIED

10 VOLUNTEERING

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WORK PARTY ROUNDUP WITH IWA’S STEFANIE PRESTON

More helpers join battle to control Himalayan balsam

JULY was another successful month of IWA Himalayan balsam work parties, with even more volunteers joining the campaign.

Branches that had been out in previous years reported a reduction in the numbers of plants and IWA Chiltern Branch was pleased to report the area it usually visits was free from the plant this year.

These are encouraging signs that the work of IWA volunteers alongside many other organisations is improving waterway environments.

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch held an impressive six Himalayan balsam pulls in July, teaming up with a variety of groups to cover a large stretch of the Caldon Canal and part of the Uttoxeter Canal.

With the help of Light Seekers youth group, Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, young trainees from the Churnet Valley Living Landscape’s youth engagement project, volunteers from the Churnet Valley Railway and families taking part in Support Staffordshire’s family volunteering days, Himalayan Balsam was removed from a number of areas along the Caldon Canal.

This included an evening work party near Denford where Himalayan balsam over 3m tall was growing, fun with the volunteer families at Bridge 51 and helping the trainees work towards their level 2 qualification in Work Based Environmental Conservation near the Consall Lime Kilns.

Volunteers from IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch continued the work they had begun in previous months and met at Falling Sands Viaduct on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal south of Kidderminster to continue removing Himalayan balsam up towards Round Hill Bridge. The

volunteers were very pleased to note the reduced growth of Himalayan balsam in the area around the viaduct that had been cleared by the branch the previous year.

More than a dozen people tackled the Himalayan balsam on the Shrewsbury & Newport Canal at a work party supported by IWA Shrewsbury District & North Wales Branch. The area to the east of Town Lock was cleared of Himalayan balsam, as well as some work being carried out along the banks through Victoria Park. Body harnesses were used to access the area immediately below Fishers Lock where the bank dropped away and the Himalayan balsam was hard to reach.

Dinghy dawdle

Volunteers turned their hands to a different activity in the afternoon and assisted with Shrewsbury & Newport Canal Trust’s ‘Dinghy Dawdle’. Three canoes travelled the length of the Newport Canal with participants paddling when they could and manoeuvring the boats around obstacles such as infilled locks.

IWA Lancashire & Cumbria Branch held a Himalayan balsam pulling work party in partnership with the Friends of Haslam Park and Preston City Council on the Lancaster Canal.

Fourteen one-tonne builders sacks were filled with the pulled up Himalayan balsam and emptied by the park wardens for rotting down in their yard.

Himalayan balsam was not the only invasive plant that IWA Leicestershire Branch removed from the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal at its work party. Alongside CRT, volunteers also tackled floating pennywort, a plant that grows on the surface of waterways and can clog up navigations.

Continuous cruisers and canal traders clean up on volunteer day in Walsall

By Polly Player

CONTINUOUS cruisers and roving canal traders took the opportunity at the Walsall Basin floating market event to organise a voluntary canal clean-up of the local area.

Seventeen volunteers turned out bright and early following a shout out on the continuous cruisers’ Facebook page to rope in volunteers!

The Canal & River Trust supported the event, with the loan of fluorescent vests and equipment to assist with the clean-up, and chief executive Richard Parry also attended to offer support and lend a helping hand.

The team worked around the Walsall Basin area, the Town Arm and the locks, clearing large quantities of rubbish from both the towpath and the edges of the canal itself. As well as the ubiquitous black bags filled with rubbish, the eventual haul also yielded the usual quantity of longdiscarded shopping trolleys.

Both CRT and the continuous

cruisers present were keen to hold an event within the Walsall area that would be both good for the local area, and help to generate some publicity for this rather underused part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

Many locals and visitors passed through over the course of the event, to learn about the canals, support the volunteers and find out more about how they could get involved with their local canal network. ● This clean-up was the first of a number of volunteering events being planned by continuous cruisers across the network, with the aim of concentrating on the less popular and lesser-used parts of the system. To find out how you can get involved, contact the organisers via the Continuous Cruisers Facebook page.

Strimmer competence certificate presented to Lichfield volunteer

The Light Seekers youth group at the Caldon Canal work party.

PHOTO:ALISON SMEDLEY

Eighteen volunteers met at Leicester Rowing Club and cleared Himalayan balsam from the towpath side above Freeman’s Meadow Lock and floating pennywort from the river above the weir.

IWA West Country Branch had another successful Himalayan balsam work party on the Bridgewater & Taunton Canal.

Thirteen volunteers and two CRT staff turned out and contributed 56 volunteer hours to the Himalayan Balsam campaign. Volunteers from the branch, Somerset Waterways Development Trust, and Bridgewater & Taunton Canal Association all turned out to help and a kind resident delivered refreshments by bicycle.

The final Himalayan balsam pull of

IWA’s 2014 campaign was organised

by IWA East Yorkshire Branch when a group of volunteers met at Melbourne on the Pocklington Canal and worked to remove Himalayan balsam from what is the current limit of the navigation.

Over the summer, IWA volunteers have come together with local waterway trusts and societies as well as volunteer organisations to organise 20 Himalayan balsam work parties that volunteers contributed more than 900 hours to.

With improvements to the situation already seen this year, it can be hoped that a similar trend will continue in 2015. There are still plenty of sites that need attention, so start thinking about work parties you could organise next year!

Barry Keight awarding the Certificate of Strimmer Competence to Richard Curtis.

PHOTO: MARGARET BEARDSMORE

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

Monday, September 1 and Wednesday 3

IWA Warwickshire Branch supporting Canal & River Trust Towpath Taskforce: Hatton, Grand Union Canal. Meet at CRT maintenance yard, Hatton Locks, Birmingham Road, Warwick CV35 7JL. 10am to approx 3pm. info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk

Saturday, September 6 and every Wednesday

River Gipping Trust supported by IWA Ipswich Branch: Pipps Ford (Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LJ) or Baylham Mill Lock (Mill Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8LG) River Gipping. Meet at 9am to continue clearing storm damage to Pipps Ford or carry out maintenance at Baylham Mill Lock, finish at 3.30-4pm. Martin Bird 01394 380765 restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk

Saturday, September 6

IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch: During the summer the monthly work parties will be working at various locations alongside the Shropshire Union Canal in Chester.

10am-4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Contact Mike Carter 07795 617803 mike.carter@waterways.org.uk

Saturday/Sunday, September 6/7

IWA Chelmsford Branch & Essex WRG: Regular weekend work party on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation to keep the waterway in good condition. Contact Roy Chandler by email roy.chandler@waterways.org.uk

Sunday, September 14 – Friday, September 19

IWA Manchester Branch supporting CRT and Macclesfield Canal Society: A week of concentrated activity along the offside of the Macclesfield and Upper Peak Forest canals between Bosley, Macclesfield and Whaley Bridge.

CRT will be providing a workboat, a chipper with qualified operator and all necessary tools and safety equipment so that Towpath Taskforce Macclesfield (IWA/CRT/Macclesfield Canal Society volunteer group) can tackle the offside overgrowth between Macclesfield and Whaley Bridge.

Volunteers should email secretary@macclesfieldcanal.org.uk with the day(s) they are available.

Thursday, September 18 and Saturday 20

IWA Warwickshire Branch supporting Canal & River Trust Towpath Taskforce: Kingswood Junction, Lapworth.

Meet at CRT maintenance yard, Brome Hall Lane, Lapworth, Solihull B94 5RB. 10am to approx 3pm. info.warwickshire@waterways.org.uk

Saturday, September 20

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Monthly work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. 10am to 4pm.

Meeting point to be confirmed. Bob Luscombe 07710 054848, bob.luscombe@waterways.org.uk

Sunday, September 21

Sunday, September 7

IWA Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Branch: Canal clean-up starting from Meadow Lane Lock along the Nottingham Canal into the city centre. 10am-4pm. Contact Alison Smedley, 07779 090915, email alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk

Wednesday, September 10

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

Thursday, September 11

IWA Oxfordshire Branch: Work party in to prepare for Banbury Canal Day on October 5. Volunteers to meet by Lock 29 of the Oxford Canal, Banbury, OX16 5QE at 10am.

Day to finish at 4pm but volunteers welcome to stay for just part of the day. Contact Stefanie Preston 01494 783453, email stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk

IWA Northampton Branch: Monthly work party on the Northampton Arm. Contact Geoff Wood by email Geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch: Monthly work party on the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. 10am to 3pm. Meeting place to be confirmed but will be in the Kidderminster area. David Struckett 07976 746225, david.struckett@waterways.org.uk IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust: Monthly work party on the Caldon Canal at Cheddleton. 10am-3pm.

Meet at Cheddleton Top Lock, off Cheadle Road, Cheddleton, Staffordshire ST13 7HL, for painting and vegetation clearance ahead of the 40th anniversary of the reopening of the Caldon Canal event taking place on September 28. 10am to 3pm. Alison Smedley, 07779 090915, email alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk

Continuous cruisers with Richard Parry, left, at the locks. PHOTO: GILLIE RHODES

ON A very hot July day, 10 volunteers turned out to continue the good work at the ‘Bloody Steps’ at Rugeley.

Barry Keight from the Canal & River Trust was there with his welfare van, complete with an arsenal of tools, enabling the team to make an early start on mowing and strimming the area from the steps up to the bypass bridge.

During the morning, Richard Curtis was trained with the CRT strimmer and presented with his certificate. The morning also saw painting the railings on the aqueduct over the River Trent, litter picking and Himalayan Balsam pulling; the plants had grown to nearly 2.5m in places.

There was also time for the obligatory break for tea and cake, work carrying on after lunch with all tasks finished.

Tuesday, September 23

Thursday, September 24

Friday, September 26

IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch: Work party in Congleton as part of the Congleton Station project.

Meet at the Queen’s Head Pub, Park Lane, Congleton CW12 3DE. 10am to approximately 12.30pm. Bob Luscombe 07710 054848, bob.luscombe@waterways.org.uk

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

VOLUNTEERING 11

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Reopened swingbridge paves the way for further restoration

CANAL & River Trust chief executive Richard Parry praised the work of Pocklington Canal Amenity Society volunteers when he re-opened No 8 Swingbridge on August 1.

The occasion marked a further stage in the restoration of the canal.

Originally provided as an accommodation bridge for the local farmer, and also carrying a public footpath, the swinging structure was replaced by a fixed one soon after the canal ceased to be navigable in 1932.

A new steel structure was installed by the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society in the early 1990s, but without a pintle, the bearing on which the bridge swings, as there was no immediate prospect of navigation being restored.

Richard Parry cuts the ribbon to reopen No 8 Swingbridge. PHOTO: PCAS With the help of funds donated by the Pocklington Canal Boat Club, the pintle was installed in 2013, and further works were undertaken to comply with CRT’s safety requirements.

Also present were PCAS members, CRT staff and Peter Slater of Slater Engineering, the local company that manufactured and installed the pintle.

Restoration milestone for Montgomery Canal

NORTH Shropshire MP Owen Paterson recently opened a section of the Montgomery Canal in Redwith, Shropshire, which has been filled with water for the first time in almost 80 years.

Following restoration work by volunteers, a 450m stretch of the 200-year old canal has been reconnected to the rest of the network, opening it up to boats for the first time since 1935.

Known for its outstanding natural beauty and heritage the Montgomery Canal runs for 35 miles between England and Wales. The canal is navigable from Lower Frankton to Gronwen Bridge (seven miles in England), with limited access for narrowboats on the 18 miles from Arddleen to Refail in Wales. The remaining seven miles from Refail to Newtown is still to be restored.

The six-year project led by volunteers from the Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) working with the Canal & River Trust restored a stretch of the Montgomery Canal between Redwith and Pryces Bridge. More than 45,000 concrete bricks were used by volunteers to rebuild the wash wall by hand which was then sealed with a watertight membrane.

CRT chairman Tony Hales said: “The Montgomery Canal is one of the most beautiful waterways in Britain and our aim, working with volunteers, is to restore more canals like the Montgomery so local communities can once again enjoy them and reap the benefits that they bring.”

SUCS chairman Pat Wilson added: “To see water in this section of the canal is wonderful. I am very proud of the professional work our volunteers have done to achieve this working in all weathers over the past six years. They are now preparing to work on the next section.”

Over the next two years SUCS volunteers will restore a 200m length which will include rebuilding a culvert. A further 600m will also be rebuilt subject to Heritage Lottery Funding.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson, front right, with CRT chairman Tony Hales and SUCS chairman Pat Wilson following the opening of the newly restored 450m stretch of the Montgomery Canal. PHOTO: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Sue Blocksidge and Murray Woodward of the Canal & River Trust inspect the plaque that they have just unveiled watched by Richard Sanders, left, and Nick Nicholson, right. PHOTO: IAN FLETCHER

Restored Kingswood Junction fingerpost unveiled IN 1989, in conjunction with British Waterways, IWA Warwickshire Branch installed a fingerpost at Kingswood Junction on the northern Grand Union Canal where it links to the Stratfordupon-Avon Canal.

Subsequently, spring bulbs were planted at the foot of the fingerpost in memory of Doug Smith who coordinated the installation of the signpost. Doug also created the iconic Lockmaster maps of the canals and waterways of England and Wales while living in a barrel-roofed cottage beside the lock at Dicks Lane on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal.

Over the years, the fingerpost had suffered at the hands of the weather.

In particular, the post was rotting at its base and the paint in the lettering needed renewing. IWA Warwickshire Branch members dismantled the post and concreted in a new ‘godfather’ with the help of CRT Towpath Taskforce volunteers.

IWA members repainted the post and fingers, which were then reattached to the post on site.

The 1989 plaque was re-painted together with a new one that was unveiled at a ceremony on Wednesday, July 9, exactly 25 years and 25 hours after the 1989 ceremony.

18th-century Hampshire cargo warehouse restoration celebrated AN 18th century transhipment warehouse has been restored and is now being used as a base for a passenger boat that transports thousands of visitors on the Basingstoke Canal.

Since Hampshire County Council sold it to them in 2012, volunteers from the Basingstoke Canal Society have made tremendous efforts to replace the warehouse’s rotted woodwork, rebuild part of a wall and repair the roof.

The historic warehouse was once the base for cargoes received or despatched by horse and cart which were then loaded on to

barges. Volunteers have also done some work to improve land adjoining the warehouse and recently completed a sheet-steel piled berth for their volunteer-run trip boat, John Pinkerton II. Fencing has been erected and the area is being landscaped.

The society invited Hampshire County Council chairman Coun Ken Thornber, to unveil a plaque to celebrate the completion of their restoration project.

Society chairman Philip Riley said: “We are grateful to Hampshire County Council for its support in enabling us to secure the future of the barn as an important

Hampshire County Council chairman Coun Ken Thornber (left) with Basingstoke Canal Society chairman Philip Riley following the unveiling of the plaque.

PHOTO: HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

component of the heritage of the canal and as an operating base for our boat, which contributes more than £30,000 each year to the funding of the canal.”

12 COMMUNITY BOATING

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Enjoying the freedom of the waterways

By Elizabeth Rogers

IT IS 25 years since a friend suggested to Liz Rowland the idea of a scheme that would enable seriously-ill and disabled children and adults to enjoy a relaxing trip along a waterway, aboard a purpose-built boat.

A quarter of a century later, two such boats are making journeys along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal each weekday from April to October, through The Willow Trust a charity of which Liz Rowland is the trust administrator.

Her office is in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, and the two boats are on moorings at Saul Junction, near Frampton-on-Severn.

A young guest takes the helm.

She has led the project from the outset.

The first boat was launched in 1991, and named Spirit of Freedom, which was joined two years later by Spirit of Freedom II, built to accommodate larger wheelchairs. Not long afterwards another boat which also provided this level of accommodation, the Leonard Matchan, replaced the first boat.

The equipment aboard includes electric hoists, changing facilities, a hearing-loop system for the hard of hearing and there is full wheelchair access throughout the craft.

This even extends to the bridge, where passengers can take a turn at the helm but with the security of knowing that the skipper remains in overall steering control. The crew as well as the passengers use the hydraulic lift to the bridge, so that there is no distinction between them.

Each boat has a professional skipper who remains in charge throughout the season. The trust has more than 90 volunteers who take turns to assist in different way; those who travel aboard the boat receive all the training necessary to enable them to assist the passengers and their carers. Four volunteers as well as the skipper accompany each party.

Each boat can carry 60 passengers, the

ratio of those with disabilities to carers varying with the extent of their needs.

Picnic stop

The trust refers to its passengers as its ‘guests’ for no charge is made. This has been the policy since the scheme began, and the support from donations and fundraising by members of the Friends of the Willow Trust and corporate sponsorship makes this possible, says Liz Rowland.

These guests are children from schools with special needs of many different kinds, adults with disabilities, families who may have a disabled member, and children on special holiday play-schemes.

Although the trust is Gloucestershirebased, the parties come from a much wider area, from Somerset, Herefordshire and groups which are based in Wales.

With all aboard, the boats set off on their journey along the canal, travelling usually as far as Purton. The volunteers serve them refreshments of tea, coffee or squash and biscuits, then at lunchtime there is a picnic stop. This is at a mooring where a picnic area has been created specifically to be suitable for wheelchair-users.

The guests may bring their own

One of The Willow Trust’s two boats, the Leonard Matchan. PHOTOS:WILLOW TRUST packed lunches as there may be those among them who have special dietary requirements which are best catered for by their own carers.

On the return journey there is more tea and biscuits, before the arrival back at Saul. The whole excursion gives the guests some four or five hours of enjoying the freedom of the waterways and being able to glide through countryside that those who travel by other means do not often have the chance to see. Whatever the weather they can have an enjoyable day in the covered accommodation.

Willow workshop

After the end of the season, the two skippers start on their programmes of winter maintenance and the volunteers continue their programmes of supporting fundraising.

A recent event was a concert by the Churchdown Male Voice Choir which they helped to organise.

The trust will also benefit from an appropriately entitled Willow Workshop which local craftswoman Norah Kennedy is holding at the New Brewery Arts Centre in Cirencester in the

autumn. She is donating the materials and the fees for the course she will be running, in making decorations from willow tree wands.

A very popular fundraising event is The Willow Trust Tea Cruises, held on one weekend each month during the summer. These are open to the general public and the prospect of a tea aboard said to be even superior to that served at The Ritz Hotel makes the special trips rapidly sell out.

The Friends of the Trust are thanked at their own coffee morning aboard at the end of the season. The volunteers naturally include the retired or semiretired but the trust has been pleased to have a number of younger people joining them. Enquiries about supporting can be made on 01285 651661.

At just £15 a year, membership of the Friends can make a valuable contribution to the funds of the trust and enable it to give a welcome aboard to its continuing numbers of passengers.

So much is gained from the peaceful days on the water that Liz Rowland envisaged when she chose the name of The Willow Trust – one so evocative of the ambience of the waterways.

Moving launch for school narrowboat

A SCHOOL project to fit its own narrowboat entered a new phase after its official launch at the recent Chesterfield Canal Festival.

Staff and students look on as Madeline is craned on to the low loader.

PHOTOS: ECKINGTON SCHOOL

And into the water at Staveley Town Basin.

Pleasure cruising

Meet the Trustees

This month National Community Boats Association chairman Derek Stansfield features the SCAD (Skipton and Craven Action for Disability) project.

IN A largely rural area such as Yorkshire, many people struggle with transport problems. If you also have a disability, you will know how difficult it can be.

SCAD Transport was set up to provide an efficient, safe and reasonably priced transport system for people in and around the local area who have a disability and are unable to use public transport.

The charity relies totally on the support and generosity of the public with donations, sponsorships and bequests to exist, with the occasional grant coming from outside funders. It is further supported by the five charity shops established in Skipton, Keighley, Settle and Crosshills.

After a massive fundraising effort in 1990 SCAD purchased a canal boat and named it after its founder Marjorie Charlesworth. After 13 years of wonderful service the Marjorie Charlesworth was retired from service and replaced by a new purpose-built canal boat following another massive effort of fundraising between 2002/2003.

This was named SCAD’s Endeavour and it has since given enormous pleasure to people of all ages with disability or mobility difficulties following the traditions of the Marjorie Charlesworth.

The vessel is moored on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

After two and a half years of planning and work by staff and students of Eckington School near Chesterfield, the light was at the end of the tunnel with all hands on deck to finish the boat – named Madeline after a former pupil who sadly died from an undiagnosed heart condition the year the boat came into school.

A crane arrived to lift the narrowboat on to the low loader on which she was taken to Staveley Town Basin were she was then lifted into the canal.

Madeline’s family was there to see the launch which was a very moving experience.

After the festival, Madeline was used for activities week and the students got the chance to learn how to open locks and how they work, helm the boat and they found it’s not as easy as it looks.

They also took in the wildlife that live along the canal in and out of the water.

Continuing our profile of members of the NCBA Board of Trustees with Patrick Titman.

Endeavour is available for groups of up to 12 people. at Snaygill Marina on the south side of Skipton. Full access to the vessel is provided near Skipton General Hospital with access paths and a purpose-built mooring to facilitate the easy embarkation of disabled passengers.

All the skippers and crew are fully qualified.

The vessel is 53ft long with large windows in the cabin for maximum visibility and the gallery and bathroom are specially designed for wheelchair access.

It is available for groups of up to 12 people (including up to four people in wheelchairs) for daily trips of around five hours duration. The cruising season starts at Easter through to October 31.

To service this need there are 11 skippers all of whom hold the NCBA Certificate of Community Boat Management (CCBM), as well as a further 20 volunteers who act as crew. SCAD joined the NCBA in 2005 and became an Accredited Training Centre in 2007. ● Further information can be obtained by contacting SCAD on 07156 701005 or the website at www.scad.org.uk

PATRICK is a retired civil engineer with many years’ professional experience of maritime works, of delivering training and of quality management.

His interest in canal boating is based on offshore sailing when younger and, now, on living near the Kennet & Avon canal.

He is attached to Accessible Boating on the Basingstoke Canal and works with a number of other community boating organisations, including providing boatmaster training for the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.

Patrick enjoys boating in the Midlands with the BW/CRT Historic Working Boats Project and on holidays particularly in the North of England – his birthplace.

For the trust, he managed the moderation process and now acts as scribe to keep the paperwork of regulations, syllabi and guidance notes in order and helps with development of new courses.

Taking a trip along the Chesterfield Canal.

A school spokeswoman said: “It has been well worth all the hard work seeing how everything has come together and it is now being enjoyed by the students of Eckington School.”

At weekends and during the school holidays, Madeline is being used as a trip boat by the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The school will be putting together a programme for her use during the week in the new term.

NCBA TRAINERS COURSES 2014

Three courses leading to the NCBA Trainers award have been arranged with a further date identified if these are oversubscribed. The dates and venues are: September 5-7: ABA, Basingstoke October 10-12: SCAD/Serious Fun, Skipton October 17- 19: SCAD/Serious Fun, Skipton October 31-November 2: The Wharf, Midlands (standby course should others be oversubscribed)

All courses: Times: Start at 12 noon on the first day (normally a Friday) and finish around 5pm on the last day (usually a Sunday).

Cost: £325 (includes all meals except two evening meals that are usually taken in a local hostelry).

Candidates must be sponsored by an accredited training centre, therefore the application must come though an ATC. Numbers: There is a maximum of four/five on a course and no more than two from any one project. ● Further information is available from Derek Stansfield via email derek@derekstansfield.com

NEWS EXTRA 13

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Initiatives launched to help to manage London’s waterways

By Polly Player

THE Canal & River Trust has launched a range of initiatives aimed at tackling the movement of the ever-increasing number of boats within London.

Current figures indicate that almost 3000 boats are present on CRT’s London waterways at any given time, an increase of 36% over the past five years.

Despite the significant overcrowding and competition for available moorings and facilities, this trend shows no signs of abating, with a recorded 14% increase in the number of boats in London within the last year alone. Some of the most highly trafficked areas of the city are the waterways of East London, which have seen an increase of 85% in the number of continuous cruisers based in the area since last year.

The trust’s new initiative is intended to encourage a greater range of movement by the boats that regularly traverse the city, and to make mooring availability within hotspot locations fairer for everyone.

Text messages

In order to tackle the issue of getting into contact with boaters who may not have a mailing address and are frequently on the move, CRT is launching an automated text message service to advise individual London boaters when they have reached the maximum 14-day stay time on individual towpath moorings.

The trust’s London boater liaison and enforcement team will also continue to cover the London area on the ground, speaking to boaters face to face and leaving overstaying and enforcement notices on boats when necessary.

To enable better management of boat movement and enforcement of mooring stay times on the London waterways, the trust has also recruited an additional enforcement officer, plus a new enforcement supervisor. A further vacancy for another enforcement officer is currently being advertised, in order to ensure sufficient coverage by officers on the ground.

As well as increasing the efforts of the enforcement officers and working to encourage a greater range of boat movement within the capital, the trust is also working to improve facilities for boaters within the London area and to make additional mooring sites available to boaters.

Olympic park

A new water point is being installed at the Paddington Basin moorings, and new prebookable moorings are being added in the Rembrandt Gardens area. New mooring rings will soon be installed at both Camley Street and Haggerston, pending a technical assessment and the timetabling of the required work.

Additional moorings are planned on the Lee Navigation alongside the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and the trust is actively inviting input from boaters about other potential sites for new mooring provision to be made.

Canal & River Trust’s London boater liaison manager Sorwar Ahmed says: “We’re doing all we can to manage the canals and rivers for the benefit of all – both those who make London’s waterways their home, and those who want to visit the capital. I hope these measures help to ease the pressure of boating in the capital, and give everyone a fair chance to moor up safely.”

Several injured in second collision in six weeks

By Polly Player

CITY Cruises vessel Millennium Time collided with a barge between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge on the Thames on the Thursday, July 17, injuring six people and leading to the evacuation of hundreds of passengers.

The impact, which saw the passenger boat and the barge collide head on, left the bow of the Millennium Time badly damaged, causing the passengers on board to be transferred to another boat for evacuation.

Six people received minor injuries during the collision, including whiplash as well as cuts and bruises, which were treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service. No passengers or crew were hospitalised as a result of the incident.

The Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and coastguard all attended the accident to assist with the evacuation of the passengers and to provide support to those affected by it, as well as to begin an investigation into its cause, which is not yet known.

Neither vessel was considered to be at risk of sinking, and nobody fell into the water as a result of the impact. Millennium Time was returned to

A RESOLUTION of the situation on the Oxford Canal in the Jericho area of the city where illegally moored boat dwellers have taken possession of a 100yd stretch of the waterside is still awaited pending the outcome of research into its actual ownership.

A group named the Friends of Castle Mill Stream has taken occupation, claiming that this is unregistered land.

The Canal & River Trust was originally asked to look into the matter and, if it is the owner, to seek a court order to remove the illegal moorings.

But Network Rail has now become involved as it has emerged that its predecessor was an earlier owner.

CRT spokeswoman Sarah Rudy told Towpath Talk: “We understand that the trust’s

Boaters enjoy the spectacle of the Red Arrows display at the Farnborough Air Show from their moorings on the Basingstoke Canal near the end of the runway. PHOTO: PETER HUISH

Canal & River Trust announces partnership vacancies

By Polly Player

THE Canal and River Trust is currently inviting applications for several vacancies on some of its local Waterways Partnerships boards.

CRT’s Waterways Partnerships form a key part of the steerage and governance of the trust as a whole, and are intended to give people a voice in the management and development of their local waterways.

The partnerships also provide input, guidance and local knowledge to CRT via seats on the trust’s council, with each local Waterways Partnership chairperson allocated a council seat.

CRT is keen to find both boaters and other canal enthusiasts with local knowledge across various areas to take up some of the vacancies within the local partnerships, and wishes to appoint a diverse cross-section of the community, to include people of all backgrounds who have an interest in their local canals.

Currently, the following partnership vacancies are available: ● The Central Shires Waterways Partnership: Three vacancies ● The London Waterways Partnership: Up to four vacancies

Both the Central Shires Waterways Partnership and the London Waterways Partnership are working closely with their local waterways managers to devise a strategic plan to encourage more visitors to the waterways and to get local people involved in their canals. ● The South East Waterways Partnership: Five vacancies The South East Waterways Partnership is currently developing a 10-year vision for its local waterways. This partnership is keen to recruit members who have experience in education, working with young people, community engagement or the environment, particularly candidates who live or work along the Oxford canal corridor. ● The South East (Boating) sub-group: The group is particularly keen to invite applications from continuous cruisers The South East (Boating) sub-group is an advisory group and sub-section of the main South East Waterways Partnership, which is currently engaged in reviewing the progress of the new South East visitor moorings implementation, and the development of potential new mooring locations.

● Applications for membership of any of the above partnerships can be made online via the CRT website, or by email to brenda.adams@canalrivertrust.org.uk For information about the role of the Waterways Partnerships or the available vacancies, contact Matthew Symonds, boating liaison manager, on 0303 040 4040.

Millennium Time on the Thames.

PHOTO: STEVE FRANCIS

the City Cruises’ base at Cherry Garden Pier for assessment and eventual repair.

This is the second time that City Cruises has made the news in recent months after a collision involving one of its vessels. In June another vessel, Millennium Diamond, struck one of the support columns of Tower Bridge, causing nine passengers to become injured and the boat to be evacuated.

Search is on for canalside landowner

By Elizabeth Rogers

Red alert

predecessor may have owned the land in the early 1800s, but sold it to the predecessor of Network Rail when the railways came to Oxford.

“The river had to be realigned so the railway bought up parcels of land. This is one of those parcels of land.

“Our plans indicate that the trust does not own it now, but there are no details of a sale or when it took place. We are trying to get to the bottom of this, to try to find details of a transfer, and hope to resolve the situation one way or another.

“The actual owners will then have to decide what action to take.”

Victoria Bradley, spokeswoman for Network Rail, said that it also is trying to track down the facts of the matter.

“We believe we passed the land on to somebody else in the year 2000,” she said. “Our legal team is working on the issue, but it may take a while to sort out.”

Empty office block to be converted to luxury flats

By Bob Clarke

A LARGE office complex that has been empty for five years and which overlooks a marina at the Waterfront on the Dudley Canal at Brierley Hill is to be transformed into an upmarket complex of 181 luxury apartments worth more than £20 million.

Developer Seven Capital says the seven-storey office block, close to the vast Merry Hill shopping centre, will consist of 136 one-bed flats, 37 two-beds, and eight studios including six luxury penthouse apartments.

Prices will start at £83,000 for a one-bed apartment. Already investors have bought more than 40 of the units. The project is due for completion in August next year.

Managing director Phil Carlin said: “Our plan is to turn the office block into the premier residential development of the Black Country.

“The building is perfect for residential apartments with many features such as balconies with wide views over the area.

The setting is fantastic too.

You have a canal passing by

The empty office complex at Merry Hill. PHOTO: SEVEN CAPITAL with shops nearby and great transport links.”

Fifteen years ago The Waterfront was a thriving business centre which also offered a bustling nightlife. But today many of the waterfront bars and restaurants are closed and of the district’s 650,000 square feet of office accommodation almost a third is currently vacant.

It is hoped that the

development, along with a recently launched Business Investment Zone offering a twoyear break in rates for new businesses, could revive the whole area.

It was revealed last month that four firms had enquired about relocating to be part of the new investment zone which is hoped will bring 1600 jobs to the region as well as fill up empty business space.

14 NEWS EXTRA

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Trains, boats, planes and prams at Lymm transport day A NEW event that only started last year is already making its mark on the Bridgewater Canal at Lymm in Cheshire.

Lymm Historic Transport Day, which was held this year on June 29, attracted around 7000 visitors to the picturesque

Cheshire village. A huge range of transport was exhibited, from a collection of Edwardian prams, pushed around the village by ladies in costume, to a flypast of vintage planes. There were also classic cars, motorcycles, model railways, planes and ships plus a

collection of magnificent traction engines.

But not surprisingly for a village that was in at the very start of the canal building boom, the collection of around 20 historic boats was again a centrepiece of the event.

The busy scene near Lymm Bridge where boats moored for the historic transport day.

Early arrivals on June 24 included Saturn, the Shroppie fly-boat, along with Shad and Gifford from the museum at Ellesmere Port. They were in the village early to take part in a three-day programme of schools activities called ‘We Love Our Canal’ that was set up by the transport day team.

Event director Alan Williams explained: “Having these historic boats in the village, it would have been a shame if we had missed the opportunity to use them to introduce schoolchildren to their heritage.

And with local history forming an evermore important part of

Children from Statham get a taste of the cramped condition aboard Saturn.

PHOTO:ALAN TAYLOR

the curriculum for juniors, this was a great chance to bring history to life for them and help them understand why their village looks as it does today.”

Over the three days nearly 200 children took part in cabin visits and generally learnt about life and work on the canal as well as trying their hand at canal-related activities such as rag rug making and bridge building. The sessions at the canalside community centre were led by education officer Helen Evans from the Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port who commented: “This is our second year and it has been a delight to see the

enthusiasm of the youngsters and their eagerness to learn more about their home village.”

Children from Statham Community Primary School really threw themselves into the spirit of the event when they arrived dressed for the occasion aboard Bridgewater Heritage Boat Company’s Castlefield which had collected them from near the school.

Plans are already in place for next year’s event which will be on the weekend of June 27-28 and will form the climax of the Lymm Festival. More details at www.lymmfestival.org.uk Last year’s event also proved the trigger for a new book about Lymm’s unique transport heritage. Lavishly illustrated with more than 120 images, The Wheels and the Water tells the story of a village that was in at the start of the transport revolution. It tells how transport shaped Lymm from the early days of the horse and the Bridgewater Canal via turnpike roads, the railway and the ship canal to more modern features like the M6 Thelwall Viaduct and now even the prospect of HS2 which would cross the Bridgewater Canal very near to Lymm. The book has already sold more than 1000 copies in its first six months and raised £3000 towards next year’s transport day. It is available on Amazon or via www.canalbookshop.co.uk

PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Taking a closer look at one of the narrowboats. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

Barge returns to Burscough for the first time in 50 years

Rallying round after last-minute venue change

By Colin Wareing

FOR the fourth year running the Burscough Heritage Group hosted a successful boat gathering over the weekend of June 21-22.

This was despite some boaters staying away following reports of arson attacks and some feeling aggrieved at the Canal & River Trust approved temporary moorings.

The main displays from the heritage group took place in the Grove Youth and Community Centre, near the Burscough Bridge railway station, showing the heritage of the village and its connection with the canal, which helped to spread the event out across the village.

Meanwhile, Burscough Wharf again provided a range of entertainment, and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society returned with Kennet, the restored Leeds & Liverpool short boat that received a string of visitors to visit and view its floating exhibition over the weekend.

Geoff Draper leading the heritage walk from Burscough Wharf to the top of the Rufford branch of the canal. PHOTOS: COLIN WAREING

It’s not often nowadays that you’ll see four Leeds & Liverpool old working boats in one place. The two boats on the right, Leeds & Liverpool Long boats are ex H&R Ainscough corn boats Ambush the motor boat and Viktoria the dumb boat. Leeds & Liverpool short boat Severn passes on a trip into Liverpool while in the background on the left is Kennet which has been converted into a floating exhibition of the history of the canal.

Visit Sefton and West Lancashire organised a series of heritage walks along the towpath telling the history of the canal, with one exploring the canalside pubs which proved quite popular.

For waterways enthusiasts and Burscough people the major event of the weekend was to see the old H&R Ainscough dumb barge Viktoria make a first a return to the village after 50 years. It was one of the fleet of wide-beam barges built to carry imported grain from Liverpool Docks to Ainscough’s corn mills at Burscough and Parbold.

When the transport of the grain moved to the roads in the 1960s, the fleet of boats was sold off and used for other transport jobs, and for a while Viktoria was used as a floating dry dock in Leigh.

The barge and its motor boat Ambush are now back in Burscough with a society having been established to restore the two boats back to what they would have looked like when they were in regular use along this stretch of the canal.

The other good news for the weekend was the return to use of two local trip boats which had been subject to an arson attack earlier in the year.

THE annual rally of the Federation of Bridgewater Cruising Clubs was this year hosted by Sale Cruising Club at its moorings on the Bridgewater Canal, writes Hilary Foster.

A last-minute decision had been made by the club after the arranged venue was suddenly not available, giving little time to find a new site on which to hold the rally. The only option was for it to be transferred to the grounds of the club. This involved moving several tons of earth and uprooting many mature tree stumps and levelling off the ground.

This in turn caused problems, as the clubhouse is not attached to any roadway, having to transport everything by a small chain ferry to the other side of the canal. One of the members said it was like having a role in the film of the Great Escape as everyone had to find ways of depositing all the tons of

earth which had to be moved.

Up sprung plant containers and beautiful flowerbeds, the rest had to be taken home by the members to add to their own gardens (two bags per member).

The result was stunning and provides a great place for future venues.

On one of the wettest bank holidays known to the rally, nearly 150 boats came from all along the Bridgewater Canal bringing their crews all in party mood and sure of a good weekend.

The bar was a welcome meeting point for boaters who regularly meet on this weekend every year to natter and catch up on canal gossip between Worsley and Runcorn. Entertainment was first class and occupied most of the weekend as well as games, quizzes and things to buy or try your luck on.

There were the usual dog shows and commodore’s games,

Two boats shared the Walter King Trophy, a good deed award. Both had saved members of the public who had fallen into the canal late at night and were not able to get out of the water. Adrian Marsland off Gemma Eve and Kerry Batty off Arial receive the awards. all held in the pouring rain. Boats were entered for various trophies – best decorated, trimmest craft and crew and best illuminated boat – which are taken back to the clubs to be held for 12 months until the next federation rally. This year’s theme was Brazilian Carnival.

The children standing on Cheshire Lad waiting in the pouring rain hoping to win the best decorated boat trophy. PHOTOS: DOUG WILDMAN

NEWS EXTRA 15

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Steam boats are sent to Coventry

By Malcolm Ranieri

STEAM launches and working narrowboats took part in the third Coventry Canal Gathering organised by Keith Ward over the weekend of June 21-22.

The previous two gatherings have concentrated on steam on the water, as Keith is the owner of steam driven new-build replica Braunston Canal steam tunnel tug Hasty.

On the Saturday the boats went north on the Coventry Canal from the gathering point of Swan Lane Boatyard, Coundon, Coventry, to Hawkesbury Junction, and on Sunday south to the terminus at Bishop Street Basin in the centre of Coventry.

Keith reported that on Sunday the canal water was clear and unobstructed. However, the powerful tug Hasty churned up debris by ploughing the bottom which proved troublesome to the steam launches and it will form the rearguard next year.

David More of Valley Cruisers provided refreshments and a rest room for the boat crews on the visit to the city centre basin, overlooked by the statue of the great canal engineer James Brindley. The event was also supported by the Steam Boat Association. It will be interesting to see what Keith manages to attract to the next gathering in June 2015.

The Coventry Canal was built

Steam narrowboats Adamant and Hasty in the foreground.

to transport coal from the North Warwickshire coalfields, opened in 1796 from Bishop Street Basin to Bedworth, then from Fradley Junction to join the Trent & Mersey Canal a quarter of a century later. The section from Bishop Street to Hawkesbury Junction, locally known as Sutton Stop, is 5.5 miles long and there are no locks.

Swan Lane Wharf is home to pleasure craft including nb Coventrian which is used as a floating classroom for local children as well as for special charter work.

Fourteen boats took part in the event including steam launches Genevre, owned by Chris Drake, Ursula built in its entirety and

The steam launches line up at Swan Lane Wharf. PHOTOS: MALCOLM RANIERI owned by Julian Garrett, Aurelia owned by Andrew Hopper and Chimera owned by John Winn.

These steam launches are a

Boats gathered along the Coventry Canal.

delightful way to roam the waterways, silent and easily navigable, with only the occasional hiss of steam and a chuff or two.

Steam narrowboats were: Hasty, conceived and owned by Keith Ward and crewed by Andy Roberts; Adamant, a steam canal tunnel tug built from an original 1897 Birmingham Canal Navigation Joey and owned by Phil Martino; Marquis, an original but much altered Fellows, Morton and Clayton steam narrowboat built at Saltley in 1898, motorised in 1925 and owned by James Woodcock.

Historic narrowboats: Auriga, Grand Union Canal Carrying Company 1948, then British

Waterways Board on the Trent & Mersey, now privately owned by Rick Cooper and still working for a living; Achilles, original Grand Union Canal Carrying Company and Birmingham Canal Navigation in the 1960s, much modified and owned by Andrew Hoyle; Panther, Fellows, Morton and Clayton boat built 1929, now in the ownership and crewed by the Coventry Canal Club; Baltic, originally a Birmingham Canal Navigation icebreaker c1840, in the 1970s British Waterways Board, motorised in the late 1970s, owned by Ken and Sandra.

Narrowboats: Azalea, owned

by Joe Fuller; Oberon (Simon Wain) and Orpheus (Dave Ross).

Lough Derg could benefit from National Park status

The Lower Lough Erne is one of the sites for the proposed mooring buoys. PHOTO:ALISON ALDERTON

Proposed mooring buoys for the Erne

WATERWAYS Ireland (WI) has submitted plans for 18 buoy moorings across Upper and Lower Lough Erne, writes Alison Alderton.

Consisting of a floating buoy that is permanently attached by a chain to an anchor on the lake bed, a boat may tie up to this as an alternative to mooring at a jetty or deploying an anchor. The locations have been chosen to provide safe, sheltered moorings in quiet locations and as only one boat can moor at a time, these will offer the boater a more natural experience.

It is WI’s intention to provide safe moorings at locations that will interest boaters but that will not result in a negative impact or disturbance to bird, fish or mammal species or their habitat. WI sought comments from several user groups including the Environmental Agency, Inland Fisheries and the RSPB. The selected locations are

not intended to give boaters egress to the land but to provide a safe mooring opportunity away from other waterway users while offering a more intimate connection with nature. WI has paid particular attention to the provision of safe navigation and a safe mooring in a range of water depths and wind directions and the avoidance of overhead electric wires (for craft under sail). It has also taken into account the weight of craft in designing the mooring anchors and is intending to cater for the heaviest cruisers presently on the navigation.

If planning permission is secured WI intends to proceed with laying the approved moorings, a number of which will be available for use in 2015. These will act as pilots and have their usage assessed.

If successful WI has said it will listen to boaters regarding possible future locations.

● For further information and maps showing the proposed locations go to: www. waterwaysireland.org ● More Irish news on P112

LOUGH Derg could benefit if its current status of Special Protection Area (SPA) was upgraded to that of National Park according to a local white-tailed sea eagle conservation group, writes Alison Alderton.

Chairman of the Mountshannon Eagle Group, Denis Minogue, will be encouraging the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as well as the National Parks and Wildlife Service to look at upgrading Lough Derg’s status should more sea eagles become established in East Clare.

Believing the birds need all the help they can get, he has said: “Lough Derg with its food source has been a good attraction for sea eagles; they have settled in the area and successfully raised another chick this season.”

Lough Derg has long been an important SPA for several breeding and overwintering birds. However, as white-tailed sea eagles have only recently bred at this site, the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has said it would be “premature to alter the conservation objections at this time”.

Dr Allen Mee from the Golden Eagle Trust (GET) and project manager of the white-tailed sea eagle reintroduction programme told Towpath Talk: “The 2014 chick is doing very well. Because there is only one chick in the nest it’s well fed and growing fast.

Again, along with Waterways Ireland, we have asked the boating public to avoid landing on the nest island or approaching too close to minimise disturbance.”

A white-tailed sea eagle chick.

Lough Derg could benefit from National Park status, it is claimed.

PHOTO: GOLDEN EAGLE TRUST

PHOTO:ALISON ALDERTON

The eagles have proved to be a significant boost for the area and since their arrival visitors to Mountshannon have increased.

To assist in watching the eagles in safety and comfort, a specially designed viewing shelter operated by Mountshannon Community Council, the Golden Eagle Trust and Clare County Council has recently been installed on Mountshannon Pier.

Open until the end of September this features telescopes, information and displays on the birds.

The Mountshannon chick is a sibling of the bird shot and killed

earlier this year as reported in our May issue. The deceased bird was one of two chicks to become the first Irish-bred white-tailed sea eagles in over a century.

● For more information on reintroduction programmes go to: www.goldeneagle.ie For updates on the Mountshannon eagles go to: www.mountshannoneagles.ie

16 RIVER TRIP

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Access all areas

Janet Richardson takes a river trip on one of Thames Executive Charters’ newly converted wheelchair-accessible passenger boats.

Windsor Edwardian in Boveney Lock. PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON During my visit, the Windsor Edwardian was in the capable hands of skipper Rick Pugh and Hayley Brazier.

Involved with the river for 40 years, Rick started off at Walton-on-Thames and then spent 20 years with HM Coastguard in Cumbria before returning to the Thames.

With four years’ experience under her belt, Hayley started on bar work and is training to be a skipper herself.

Rick said: “These boats are so easy to manoeuvre because of the bow and stern thrusters.”

Hayley Brazier and skipper Rick Pugh.

PART of the legacy of London 2012 was the fleet of passenger boats specially built by Colecraft at Southam to ferry visitors to the Olympic Park.

Unfortunately, the operating company Water Chariots sank three days into the Paralympics, but the boats themselves have kept afloat to see another day.

Three of the original fleet of 12 have been brought into service by Thames Executive Charters and I recently enjoyed a trip on the Thames from the company’s Bray base on the first to be converted – the Windsor Edwardian.

Managing director Adrian Allworth explained that the boats, which carried Category A status for inland canal use for 90 passengers, had to be truly accessible for everyone. A passenger lift enables disabled passengers to embark separately and there are loading options at the front and rear decks to let passengers on and off.

Built like a traditional widebeam boat, the boats were built for the shuttle service from Limehouse to Olympic Park and did not have bar or restaurant facilities. There was no superstructure so they could pass beneath the low bridges.

They can carry 780 litres of fuel so could have done the whole Olympics without refuelling. The boats were also built with sewage tanks underneath for toilet waste, have mains and DC lighting and two 11⁄2in electrical bilge pumps for the saloon and for the engine room.

Powered by a Vetus four-cylinder 80hp engine with Vetus bow and stern thrusters, they are described by Adrian as “a dream to manoeuvre”. He said: “They were very well thought out, it was a shame the service didn’t work on the day.

The iconic view of Windsor Castle from the River Thames.

On board Windsor Edwardian – the seats can be removed to create an exhibition space.

“The boats themselves were owned by a separate firm to the operating company, and in the September we wondered what to do on the Thames up here so contacted the company to see what we could do. With this one we have kept most of the boat structure the same but have taken all the interior out.”

Having successfully completed MCA (Marine & Coastguard Agency) stability trials, Windsor Edwardian is now certificated for Category B waters such as the non-tidal Thames for 50 passengers, although impending changes to the rules will allow loading of up to 60 passengers.

Exhibition space

Described by Adrian as “virtually unsinkable”, the boats have a new bulkhead and polystyrene insulation to act as positive buoyancy and insulation. The side panels are lined with 250mm thick fireproof polystyrene.

Everything on the construction of the boat is fire retardant up to the latest specification. And to help protect the environment and prevent pollution, the engines are keel cooled so the exhaust does not mix with water.

The whole of the engine room is fireproofed with non-combustible rockwall material and heat sensors will trigger an alarm if there is any problem.

The fuel tanks are located outside the engine room space and have their own bulkhead. “They really are belt and braces as far as safety and management are concerned,” Adrian continued.

“If you cut a 1ft hole in the boat, it would still be safe to manoeuvre with 50 passengers on board.”

The more enjoyable way to travel – ahead is the M4 bridge.

The Bray lock keeper at the control console, painted gold in commemoration of British medal successes in the London 2012 Olympics.

Betamarine generators provide central heating, hot water and all the services in the bar. The rear cockpit now has an enclosed roof and also acts as a passenger area.

Each boat is manned by two crew and to conform with the latest rules, life jackets are available on board for everybody as well as a 65-man life raft.

The aluminium flooring is built to take a large number of people a lot of the time, is reasonably easy to clean and really serviceable.

Adrian added that they hope to use one of the boats as an exhibition space later this year. “It is an empty box in which we can move the furniture around. The boat also gives people a cracking view of the Thames as they go down the river.”

Passenger service

Two of the three boats bought by Thames Executive Charters were in service at the time of my visit – Windsor Edwardian and Bray Edwardian – the third, Maidenhead Edwardian, was undergoing its refit.

The boats are currently used for trips from Bray to Windsor (11⁄4 hours), upstream to Clivedon (13⁄4 hours) and as far as Henley (41⁄2 hours from Bray).

At the moment passengers are mainly picked up at Windsor Leisure Centre but Adrian explained they have applied for planning permission for a pier in the centre of Windsor which would enable Thames Executive Charters to operate a public passenger service to Thames Riviera in Maidenhead and its base in Bray.

RIVER TRIP/NEWS 17

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Southern Comfort with its replica funnels lowered and The Georgian.

The Thames Executive Charters fleet includes six boats at Bray and four passenger boats in central London where they operate from Festival Pier on the South Bank.

At Bray, the larger capacity boats are The Georgian which carries 150 passengers and the replica paddle steamer Southern Comfort which carries 140.

Popular for family celebrations, outings and hen parties, Pink Champagne can access riverside hotels and restaurants or can seat up to 24 people for silver service meals and buffets from 50-60 people.

For smaller parties, Sula carries up to 12 passengers; and the classic vessels Fringilla and Larus are ideal for families or small corporate groups.

Investing in the future of the River Thames THE Environment Agency is investing nearly £1.8 million this autumn and winter as part of a programme of works to maintain and replace navigation structures on the River Thames.

The investment, which will take place between September 2014 and March 2015, is needed to maintain the River Thames as a reliable premier navigation for boaters and all visitors to enjoy safely.

From November, 11 lock sites are set to benefit from capital investment work thanks to the

Environment Agency’s investment programme.

Work will be carried out to refurbish lock gates and make structural repairs.

The agency’s waterways engineer for the River Thames, Barrie Douglass, said: “The Environment Agency has more than 1000 assets along the River Thames which we maintain and keep to good and safe working order – helping thousands of people navigate this great river with peace of mind.”

Closures:

Grafton Lock (November 3-December 19, 2014) Replacing the tail lock gates Rushey Lock (November 3-December 19) Replacing the lock riser piles and timber fenders Abingdon Lock (November 3-December 19) Inspecting and resheeting the lock gates Caversham Lock (November 3-December 19) Repairing the lock gate hollow quoins Marsh Lock (November 3-December 19) Repairing the lock gate seals Marlow Lock (January 5-February 20, 2015) Replacing the lock gates Cookham Lock (November 3-December 19) Refurbishing the lock gates and sluice gear Boulter’s Lock (November 3, 2014-January 30, 2015) Refurbishing the lock chamber and repairing the lock gates and head layby Romney Lock (November 3-December 22) Replacing the lock gates Penton Hook Lock (November 3-December 19) Refurbishing the tail lock gate pintles Sunbury New Lock (September 8-December 19) Lock chamber refurbishment and replacement lock gates

‘Old Father Thames’ reaches 160th milestone

By Elizabeth Rogers

THE sculpture Old Father Thames looks out over the river at St John’s Lock, Lechlade, as it has done since 1974, but it is much older than that – 2014 is its 160th anniversary.

It is one of many that were commissioned for the 1851 Great Exhibition and shown when the exhibition’s home, the Crystal Palace, was moved from Hyde Park to Sydenham Hill in London. This second exhibition

was opened by Queen Victoria on June 10, 1854.

In 1958 the statue was bought by H Scott Freeman, a Thames Commissioner, and moved to Trewsbury Mead in Gloucestershire where it was placed near the point regarded as the source of the River Thames.

Unfortunately the statue was vandalised and in 1974 it was moved to its present location, further downstream but still in Gloucestershire, at Lechlade.

The Edwardian Marquee – home to the Downton Experience.

At the moment the boats carry private group and coach parties, with different packages to offer such as the Downton Experience – traditional afternoon tea in the Edwardian Marquee overlooking the Thames at Bray. It is also a popular wedding venue.

On-board catering has to be pre-prepared and brought in as the boats do not have kitchen facilities on board, but can include finger buffets, canapes and champagne etc. from the company’s Bray kitchens where they prepare between 150-400 meals a day for their boats and marquee.

Adrian explained: “We have our own chefs and kitchen staff – it is easy to load everything on to the boat. It is all prepared in-house, we don’t subcontract anything. We also have our own fuel and pumpout facilities.”

Licensed to operate 24 hours a day, they also do evening trips and are looking to do a Santa Special at Christmas, although the main season is from March to October. “Anything you can think of, we can do it,” Adrian continued.

“Once we get the pier in Windsor and get a public service, people will be able to turn up and go. We hope to be running the passenger service by early next year. To offer a wheelchair accessible toilet on board is virtually unique, it is a passenger boat that works for everybody.

“We want to set up a community service as well as a public service and are keen to do educational trips. There is nothing like a bit of water to attract people.”

The Bray Studios – the setting for many British horror movies.

The Oakshott Hotel – the base for the British Olympic rowing team during the 2012 event at Eton Dorney.

The Brunel Railway Bridge carrying the Great Western Railway at Maidenhead – believed to be the widest span brick bridge.

Old Father Thames, also known as Neptune.

Because of its original likeness to Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, it is also known by that name. It had originally Neptune’s familiar trident, but that had been stolen; when it was at Lechlade this was replaced – but this time by a spade.

Other statues from the exhibition were bought and taken to different locations, many in the grounds of private houses. There are several within a few miles of Lechlade.

18 WASH CROSSING

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Seven miles from land

Les Heath achieves a trip of a lifetime across The Wash

SOME say it is on the wish list of many narrowboaters who have done just about everything. However, crossing The Wash in a boat designed for the Midlands waterways is not everyone’s cup of tea.

It was certainly on my wish list for some years until a chat with a fellow boater in Paddington Basin last year set the wheels in motion for the dream to become reality.

Heading towards the Boston Stump at the start of the journey. PHOTOS: LES HEATH

As soon as the water level was the same on both sides of Boston Great Sluice tidal lock, the gates were opened.

Passing fishing boats as we leave Boston.

Entering the featureless River Nene.

By the time we made the crossing in June there were four boats lined up for the adventure which began at 5am on a beautiful morning in Boston on the River Witham. June is the ideal time to make the trip to take advantage of the long days for the 10-hour crossing.

With everything in place our only concern was the weather and this turned out to be ideal. Any doubts and it would have been called off as has happened to narrowboats in the past.

Our pilot, who months earlier had suggested the date and the time, arrived just after 5am and made a quick inspection of the boats before we gathered round for a briefing.

Then it was off. As soon as the water level was the same on both sides of Boston Great Sluice tidal lock the gates were opened and the flotilla set off towards the sea past an array of colourful fishing boats moored on the quay.

The pilot, Daryl Hill, who knows the waters like the back of his hand, chose to travel on narrowboat Martha, while my own boat Country Rose, together with The Maple Knot and Hector followed closely behind.

Sandbanks and mudflats

Heading straight towards the rising sun we were soon clear of the long stretch of water known as The Haven which links Boston to The Wash. A clearly marked channel heading north east, which is used by sea-going ships en route to Boston, took us further out in the direction of the North Sea. An RAF bombing range in the south west corner of The Wash, together with vast expanses of sandbanks and mudflats were the two reasons why we’re unable to take a more direct route to our destination of Wisbech on the River Nene.

So further out to sea we went with the land slowly disappearing behind us. Daryl had checked the weather forecast prior to our departure and was satisfied that narrowboats could be that far from land and that we could make a successful crossing.

Spotting a cargo ship in front of us on the horizon caused some excitement and really brought it home that we really were at sea, albeit a calm sea.

We did not realise that the vessel was at anchor and

Heading down The Haven towards The Wash.

that a couple of hours later we would be passing under her bow on the way to the Nene.

A mile or two before we reached the ship we realised for the first time that we were completely out of sight of land. Hardly surprising, therefore, to see looks of astonishment on the faces of coaster’s crewmen on the bridge. The sight of four narrowboats passing on their starboard side must have been just as much a talking point for them as it was for us.

As the coaster became smaller behind us Daryl headed towards a small buoy to which he attached Martha and we rafted up together to wait for the tide.

One of the highlights for narrowboats crossing The Wash is to ‘dry out’ on the sand and have a barbecue or game of cricket while waiting for the incoming tide. Unfortunately this did not happen in our case. While waiting for our opportunity to ‘go ashore’ the wind and waves began to increase and Daryl, who has spent more than 20 years taking narrowboats over The Wash, decided it was time to move. Also, there were so many seals basking on the sands where we should have landed that it was felt right not to disturb them.

Following the twisting channel towards the mouth of the Nene it was difficult to imagine that huge cargo ships take this narrow route to wharves as far inland as Sutton Bridge and Wisbech.

As the sea slowly became a river and the waves subsided dozens of seals entertained us as, one by one, they slid down the steep muddy banks into the water.

Feelings of elation

Passing what appeared to be a giant ship unloading cargo at Sutton Bridge we began the last featureless miles of the journey along the Nene to the yacht haven at Wisbech where excellent facilities were available.

The whole adventure took around 10 hours to cover a distance of 38 miles, 20 of which were on open water. Our furthest point from land was seven miles – an awesome fact which justified our collective apprehension at the beginning of the day.

Our feelings of elation on completing the trip were difficult to describe. All four crews were still on a high as we discussed the day’s events.

Messages began coming in from our boating friends all over the country. Many were envious of our achievement and wished they had been with us while others insisted that there was no way they would have made the journey and that we must have been crazy. However, we all agreed that it was an amazing trip of a lifetime.

Leaving salt water behind the next day at the Dog in the Doublet tidal lock we went our different ways on the inland waterways and, awash with pride, were determined to encourage others to do The Wash.

Excitement for us and bewilderment for the crew of this foreign cargo ship.

All four boats rafted up waiting for the tide to turn.

Passing beneath Sutton Bridge.

Two of the four narrowboats safely moored at Wisbech Yacht Haven.

Back on non-tidal waters as the Dog in the Doublet lock closes behind us.

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insider

Holidays Products & reviews Food & drink

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What’s on Bits & Bobs

Key Diesels offers cash for parts DIESEL injection specialist Key Diesels is offering marine businesses money for old injectors, pumps or pipes. It’s pledging up to £150 per injection pump, £10 per injector and even offering cash for non-serviceable items which can be used for spares.

The firm already has the largest range of stock held by a single supplier – carrying over 1000 parts for diesel injection engines – and recently purchased all the Lister and Petter Fuel

Looking to the future at Trinity Marina Brokerage boats moored outside the office and chandlery. On the left is the polytunnel where moorers can carry out work on their boats.

THE next few months will be an exciting time at Trinity Marina with new developments in the pipeline at the Hinckley site.

These include the growth of the online chandlery www.chandlersonline.com which is already attracting many orders from further afield, including the south coast.

“We will also be looking at another part of the market which is very buoyant – wide beam boats – and making an exclusive area within the marina for them,” said Sharon Woodward, managing director of Trinity Marinas Ltd. “That will be subject to the planning process but we are also very busy because we have other businesses we are responsible for,” she told Towpath Talk.

The marina was the concept of Sharon’s father Bob Woodward who was a local motor dealer and part of the site, which was empty for a while, has now been leased to a Kia dealership which is currently undergoing refurbishment and will have a showroom hoped to ‘look like a million dollars’ once complete.

An expansion programme will also be taking place at the Premier Inn and the adjoining Brewers Fayre restaurant with its outlook over the Ashby Canal will also be getting a makeover.

“In the meantime we are promoting boat sales through our in-house brokerage and using social media and getting the brand out through the

online chandlery,” Sharon continued.

“One of our main sources of enquiry – 30% – comes from footfall and once building work is finished, next spring should be extremely positive.

“Most marinas are running about 75% occupancy and we had to look at different income streams such as developing Chandlers Online. We are also selling agents for JD Narrowboats in Shardlow and have done quite a lot of sailaways and new builds through them.”

Sharon is from a commercial background, having returned from London in 1999 to project manage the building of the marina. Having received its first boats in November 2000, the marina and restaurant opened in May 2001 and work had just finished when Foot-and-Mouth disease struck. “We had pre-sold quite a lot of moorings but people could not get here.”

But following this initial setback, the marina developed its boat sales and also servicing and repairs with two engineers on site. A covered polytunnel is also available as a workshop where moorers can do DIY repairs on their boats.

There are moorings for 114 boats in the offline marina, which are sited and charged according to length in 10ft multiples. Additionally there are around 25 linear moorings on the canal.

In the southerly direction the marina is two hours’ cruising time from the

Looking across the marina – the boats are moored according to length.

Inside the chandlery.

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Systems from Marine Engine Services and stock items for BMC engines from Calcutt Marine.

Managing director Stephanie Horton, however, said additional parts are always welcome: “A number of fuel systems are no longer in production so it’s important to build up a surplus of stock for marine businesses. Those forgotten Beta, Vetus, Isuzu, Volvo or other parts could generate extra income with very little effort.”

● Key Diesels has already had a positive response from contractors and its website at www.keydiesels.co.uk is being updated with stock items added on a daily basis. Businesses keen to swap their parts for cash can call 01283 537958 or email enquiries@keydiesels.co.uk Breakdown and emergency assistance firm River Canal Rescue acquired Key Diesels earlier this year. To find out more about River Canal Rescue visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk

First launch following companies’ boat share agreement

Sharon Woodward: Looking forward to an exciting time ahead.

PHOTOS: JANET RICHARDSON

Coventry and Oxford Canals at Marston Jabbett. Heading north the Ashby Canal is navigable up to Snarestone and the Ashby Canal Association has its sights set on reconnecting the canal with Moira where a new wharf has been constructed.

Trinity Marina is a long-standing supporter of the Association’s restoration work and has raised thousands for it from the proceeds of events and a donation from the sale of every boat.

“We have always done a lot of open days and community events,” explained Sharon. “I have been on the British Marine Federation’s Midlands committee for several years and run events in conjunction with BMF such as joint open days, committee meetings, networking and ‘on the water’ events.

We also host local fun days with free entrance to create interest and get people on site so we can promote the marina to them.

“An On the Water event earlier in the summer raised £320 for the Ashby Canal Association which was presented to Alan Cuff at the latest open day on August 9. During the two open days over 500 people got ‘on the water’ at Trinity, which we are very proud of.” ● Trinity Marinas Ltd, Wharf Farm, Coventry Road, Hinckley Tel: 01455 896820; email sales@trinitymarinas.co.uk www.chandlers-online.com www.trinitymarinas.co.uk

The fuel point near the marina entrance, beyond are the linear moorings along the Ashby Canal.

CRT chief executive Richard Parry names the shared ownership boat Aurora.

INSET: The voluptuous Aurora – as depicted on the cabin side. PHOTOS:WATERWAY IMAGES

By Harry Arnold

SYNDICATE partners in the shared ownership of the narrowboat Aurora recently had their boat officially named

by Canal & River Trust (CRT) chief executive Richard Parry at ABC Leisure’s Alvechurch base.

Expressing his good wishes for many years of successful and enjoyable cruising Mr Parry poured champagne over the boat’s bows while owners, families and friends toasted Aurora’s future.

The boat is the latest in the series built

by ABC for shared ownership all named after characters in Greek mythology, this one – if the depiction on the side is to be believed – a particularly voluptuous lady.

It is also the first new boat from ABC

which will be managed by BCBM Boat Share Ltd under the recent agreement between the two major companies on administration and support of both their shared ownership fleets.

The managing directors of both companies Ed Helps and Andrew Barton took part in the naming ceremony.

Interestingly all the members of Aurora’s owning group are experienced inland boaters.

They had a chance to talk to Richard Parry about CRT waterways – and he to listen to their opinions – over a lunch which followed the naming ceremony.

Mr Parry also ceremonially cut a cake made by one of the owning group.

Following the naming and the lunch the first of the owners sharers took the boat off on its maiden cruise on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

New maNager for BuckdeN mariNa CASTLE Marinas has appointed Kevin Ward as manager of Buckden Marina.

He celebrated by travelling 248 miles to Buckden in his narrowboat, showing his passion for the inland waterways life, and ensuring that he’d be able to devote his full attention to his new home marina by living onboard at Buckden with his partner and three children.

Kevin’s customer service and practical skills and experience are particularly relevant to the role. His work as a handover person for a large narrowboat operator in the Midlands stirred his interest in boating and led to his own purchase of a narrowboat, then he worked for 3M Plc refurbishing commercial properties.

Apart from his boat Kevin’s other passion is F1 motor racing.

● Castle Marina owns and operates five Inland Marinas on the UK’s waterways, visit www.castlemarinas.co.uk Kevin can be contacted at Buckden Marina on 01480 812660 info@buckdenmarina.co.uk

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Beautician comes on board at Mercia Marina BEAUTY THERAPIST Anna Bovey is expecting to open her new salon at Mercia Marina’s new Boardwalk development by mid-September.

Anna (23), of Hilton, South Derbyshire, is hoping Elegant Touch Beauty will be the first business to open at the new £1.7 million waterside retail, leisure and office development.

She is the latest business owner to sign up for a tenancy agreement at The Boardwalk, which will consist of six retail units, a central pub-restaurant and four first-floor offices.

As well as the pub-restaurant, which is being operated by Hillary & Scott, other tenants include flagship farm shop The Butcher, The Baker, The Ice Cream Maker; womenswear retailer Blue Water, which also has stores in Belper and Sadler Gate in Derby; and Molly & Co accessories store, a sister company of Blue Water.

Negotiations are under way for the remaining units, though expressions of interest are still welcome.

Meanwhile, finishing touches are being made to the development as Anna Bovey and the other tenants begin to fit out their units before a public grand opening event planned for the weekend of October 11-12.

Anna, who has previously run her business from a rented room at another salon, said: “When one of my clients told me about the new development at Mercia Marina, I knew it would be the perfect location for my first salon.

“I can’t think of any other beauty salon that can boast such a fantastic and tranquil waterside view.”

Anna, who offers a wide variety of treatments including massage, waxing, ‘Elemis’ facials and ‘Jessica’ manicures and pedicures, said Elegant Touch Beauty would have a “relaxing and very high quality feel” to complement Mercia Marina and the other businesses on the 74-acre site.

“Setting up my own salon is something I always intended to do,” said Anna. “But I can’t believe it’s all about to happen! I’m a little nervous but I’m also really excited at the

Anna Bovey hopes to open her salon at Mercia Marina by mid-September.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

prospect of seeing my dream become a reality. I’m also extremely grateful to my family and clients, who have all supported me since I made the decision.”

She added that she hoped to expand her business in the future, initially by employing apprentices.

Elegant Touch Beauty at Mercia Marina is set to open to the public sometime between the beginning and middle of September.

Robert Neff, general manager of Mercia Marina, Europe’s largest inland marina, said: “Elegant Touch Beauty will be a fantastic addition to the make-up of businesses that have currently signed up for our new units. We have no doubt that Anna’s salon will be a huge success.

“We also look forward to welcoming all of Anna’s clients to Mercia Marina – perhaps for the first time in many cases. I’m certain they’ll be hard-pressed to find a more perfect location for their treatments.”

In addition to the retail and office units at The Boardwalk, Mercia Marina has also received the goahead for six floating businesses operating from moored canal boats.

The waterfront development will also include an outdoor events space, a sensory garden, new nature trails and free parking areas.

The grand opening celebration on October 11-12 will include street performers, live music, activities for children, boat trips and fireworks.

Details will be announced closer to the date.

● Any businesses interested in discussing the remaining units or new commercial mooring spaces are invited to contact Mr Neff on 01283 703332 or email info@merciamarina.co.uk. Alternatively, they can contact commercial agent Paul Rushton, of Rushton Hickman Ltd, on 01283 528002 or Chris Taylor, of Salloway Property Consultants, on 01332 298000.

Nearing completion: the Boardwalk development which will officially open in October.

Green light for Newark residential moorings NEWARK & Sherwood District Council has granted planning permission for 10 more residential moorings at King’s Marina, Newark.

The secure, gated marina on the River Trent, offers suitable facilities for widebeam vessels and cruisers as well as narrowboats. It is five minutes’ walk from Newark town centre and railway station, with a direct service to London King’s Cross in an hour and a half.

Sarah Broker, BWML’s customer services manager north said: “The high level of demand we are

Gold award for Hull Marina

Pure Presley performing live at Aqueduct Marina. PHOTO SUPPLIED

A night of Pure Presley pleasure and a day of family fun CHURCH Minshull Aqueduct Marina recently held its annual charity fundraiser weekend for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf, raising around £1000 over the course of the two days, writes Bernie McCrae.

The weekend started with the annual boaters’ bash, with Mr Paul Larcombe – Pure Presley – hitting the stage as the king of rock and roll, supported by The Passionettes Motown Show. The performance included a selection of Elvis’s greatest records and attracted more than 200 people.

Marina owner, Robert Parton, said: “It was our most popular bash to date. It was a great way to kick-start our open weekend and it enabled us to raise some money for our chosen Charity; Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.”

The fun continued with the marina’s family fun day which saw the yearly event marquee filled with fundraising stalls including tombola, face painting and crafts, appealing to all ages young and old.

A ‘just for fun’ dog show, boat rides, demonstrations and boat hire stands were also there offering a fantastic opportunity for everyone to get involved. Plenty of homemade food and drink was served throughout the day by the marina’s Galley cafe and the marina was overflowing with people.

Cafe manager Coryn Lawton said: “It was a busy and enjoyable weekend. Thank you to all the visitors and staff for helping make it such a successful weekend.”

BWML introduced caravan storage to Hull Marina in 2013, on a 52 week per year basis. BWML is offering customers a free month trial at Hull Marina, if they then sign up to a 12 month contract; and the third year’s fees reduced to £100 if they sign up to a three-year contract.

BWML customer service manager Sarah Broker said: “The award is a reflection of the levels of security and contract administration for the site and we are really proud to have received this on our first inspection.

It means that caravan owners can benefit from the knowledge of the standards of the site, but also benefit from insurance premium discounts as a result.”

Millie: inside a unique vessel. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Unique narrowboat goes on sale AN unusual narrowboat is on sale at Norbury Wharf and it could suit anyone from liveaboard motorbike fans to a family with disabled members, a school or charity.

Just 15 years ago Millie was built for a disability charity at a cost of £100,000 and was launched by comedian Les Dennis.

It was designed to cater for disabled people and has seven berths as well as lots of windows.

Millie is a 70ft semi-trad boat, powered by a Lister LPW4 watercooled engine, and has a large protected front deck with a low free-board.

It has built in ramps that go from the deck to the bank to allow for

wheelchair access (or motor bikes) as well as a hydraulic lift that will lower a wheelchair in to the main cabin, through extra wide doors.

After the cabin there are two bunk beds followed by a full walkin shower and toilet compartment.

The saloon area has extra beds, a fitted galley and another specially equipped shower room.

On offer at £34,999, the boat has extra large windows throughout and includes a bow thruster, solar panels, battery management system and large bank of batteries, landline, fridge freezer, washing machine, roof lights, forward cratch cover, rear cover, and an abundance of storage.

New lock landing stage in river rescue drama THE new lock landing stage at Fairies Hill Moorings on the Aire & Calder Navigation played an important part in a recent manoverboard emergency when the crew of a boat were rescued from the river.

Staff were alerted by a helicopter hovering above and the arrival of two ambulances and fast response cars in their car park on the evening of Saturday, July 19.

By good fortune a member of staff at Fairies Hill Moorings Limited had been air crew on a police helicopter unit prior to retirement and was able to put questions to the helicopter via the paramedic and his control room.

The answers were converted into local knowledge and instructions given to two of the ambulance crews to get them nearer to the casualty at Woodnook Lock by road.

The moorings operators arranged with a berth holder who was tied up on the landing stage to power up and use his boat to convey the other paramedics and their equipment by river to the scene where fire and rescue and police officers were recovering three casualties from the river.

One casualty was flown to hospital via the West Yorkshire Air Ambulance; the others received treatment by the paramedics.

The wide, easy accessible landing stage made it possible to get the paramedics and their equipment on board quickly to gain quick access to the casualty site.

Fairies Hill Moorings are very pleased that this new facility allowed them to assist in the rescue of fellow boaters in trouble on a deep wide river. Using the old landing stage would have made this

Emergency vehicles near the lock landing stage. PHOTO SUPPLIED a dangerous task to undertake getting equipment down to the boat.

The boat owners have since returned to Fairies Hill Moorings Limited to say that the casualties were recovering and to thank them for their assistance to the emergency services.

Tank supplier shortlisted for national award

experiencing for these new residential moorings at King’s Marina is a clear indication of both their high quality, and their ideal location.”

With the mooring, customers receive one parking space, a storage box and four free pump out cards per year. ● For further information contact Greg Brown on 01636 678549, Tuesday – Saturday.

HULL Marina, owned and operated

by British Waterways Marinas Ltd (BWML), has just been awarded Gold Status by the Caravan Site Storage Owners Association (CaSSOA), the highest accolade it offers, following a recent site inspection of its caravan storage area.

The inspectors were particularly impressed by the investments made

by BWML including ground preparation, additional lighting and CCTV, as well as ensuring that bays had sufficient width to allow ease of parking. Boundary walls and access gates were already in place.

Recognising that there was a gap in supply of safe and secure caravan storage in the immediate area,

The team at Tek-Tanks. PHOTO SUPPLIED

HAMPSHIRE’S Tek-Tanks Ltd is one of 21 companies to have made the shortlist for this year’s National Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards.

The winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony on Tuesday, September 30 at WMG, University of Warwick.

Founder and managing director of Tek-Tanks Ltd, Martin Rye said: “This nomination is recognition for the excellent relationships we maintain with our customers.” The Altonbased company supplies water, waste and diesel tanks to the marina industry.

Christopher Simpson, chairman of the Manufacturing Excellence Awards Executive, added: “The work of TekTanks Ltd demonstrates the huge skills, innovation and success in UK manufacturing.

“Apart from the opportunity to win a prestigious MX Award, it is also great to see Tek-Tanks Ltd taking advantage of the free expert advice and benchmarking provided as part of the MX business improvement programme.”

64 HOLIDAYS

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HO LIDAYS BOATING

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

Busiest summer for years says boatyard IT HAS been the busiest summer for many years for the hire boat business, with many more private boaters getting out on the canal system – and doing it more often.

The boom in business for canalside firms is being attributed to a combination of a sunny spring and early summer with more optimism about the future.

Simon Jenkins, managing director at Norbury Wharf on the Shropshire Union Canal, said: “The start of the school holidays was the busiest period we have had for several years, it was like being back in the days before the banks crashed the economy.

“Weeks of sun during May and June encouraged people to book a canal holiday and I am getting reports from other hire firms across the country which confirm many of us are experiencing our busiest period for several years.

“Bookings have also benefited from the reality that we, and some others, have worked to keep our prices as affordable as possible for families.

The result is lots of school holiday bookings – and lots more children introduced to the wonders of a canal holiday.

“We are incredibly busy but there is nothing quite like the buzz of helping lots of happy people set off on a magical holiday we hope they will remember for a lifetime. A lot of the people who book with us do so because they remember a boating holiday with their parents.”

Cracker tows trip boat Countess along the Montgomery Canal. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

Take a trip back in time on the Montgomery Canal Hire boats at Norbury – busier than for many years.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

The world of private boating – in the doldrums in recent years with many boats for sale and boat owners scrimping on essential maintenance and repairs – has also taken an upward turn.

Simon added: “At the same time boat owners are spending more time cruising than they have in recent years and are sensibly investing in their boats to keep the value of a major asset as high as possible.

“It is significant that our paint dock is now booked for the whole of 2015, with the exception of one slot in August next year.”

IN THE 19th century, many thousands of horses were at work pulling cargo boats on the canals and rivers of the UK. Today, fewer than half a dozen horses are still working pulling trip boats, but Cracker is the only horse in the UK who will take you on a horsedrawn narrowboat cruise along the narrow canals of England in Shropshire.

Countess is a modern boat built in the style of a Victorian packet boat. She is 35ft long with comfortable seating both inside and out for a maximum of 12 people.

Cracker is a very powerful strawberry roan ‘pocket’ shire standing at 13.2 hands who can easily handle pulling Countess. This type of horse is thought to have been bred in the Cambrian Mountains where the small farmsteads would have needed a small shire-type horse to work the land.

Cracker in his full regalia.

Bywater Cruises offer unique public and private booking cruises on the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire where passengers can enjoy a totally relaxing cruise through natural outstanding beauty in an area which has been designated a site of special scientific interest because of its rare flora and fauna.

Step back in time aboard the narrowboat and enjoy a quiet journey with Cracker through beautiful unspoilt Shropshire.

These cruisesare without doubt among the quietest of all cruises in the world... and won’t cost the earth in carbon emissions. ● One-hour public trips run at noon, 2pm and 3.30pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Price Adults £7.50, children (under 16), OAP concession £5, family of four £20.

Private charter cruises of one hour to six hours can be booked at any time (maximum of 12 people).

Cruises run from the Canal Central Tea Rooms, Maesbury Marsh, Oswestry SY10 8JE. All cruises run subject to bookings and availability; booking is recommended.

For more details please call Bywater Cruises on 07941 429980 or visit www.bywatercruises.co.uk Twitter.com/Bywater_Holiday (Cracker) Facebook.com/BoatHorseCracker

Holiday Hire ontHe Gloucester & sHarpness canal A NEW hireboat company is offering lock-free canal holidays on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal.

Saul Boats has just started up at the Saul Junction marina led by managing director Dan Hammond. He is offering a narrowboat experience which is lock-free and easy for beginners or boaters wanting a relaxing and non-energetic holiday with lots of see. Boats are available for 3-4 day breaks or week-long holidays.

Dan said: “There is great variation along the Gloucester & Sharpness canal, you can visit places like Slimbridge wildlife centre or go up to Gloucester docks.

“We have information on our website at www.saulboats.com/local-area “My staff are fully qualified by the Royal Yachting Association to give you thorough training and peace of mind.”

The first narrowboat on hire is Riverdancer, a semi-

traditional 57ft boat with six berths.

There is one permanent double bed, one raised dinette which converts to a double and also a double converted in the lounge.

Riverdancer is fully equipped for a comfortable holiday with a separate bathroom and toilet, a small bath with overhead shower, gas central heating, hot water and a washing machine. The spacious galley includes a gas hob, gas oven and fridge-freezer.

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Glamping craze brings cool to canal network

THE term ‘glamping’ may not be in everyone’s vocabulary yet, but for twenty and thirtysomethings looking for a cool and more comfortable version of camping (a portmanteau, or combination, of the words glamorous and camping), glamping is becoming the favoured choice for UK short breaks.

From teepees to yurts, camping pods to tree houses, there are glamping options springing up everywhere. The craze has been boosted along with the popularity of music festivals. Once all dingy toilets and cheap beer, now it’s all about designer wellies and candlelit luxury. This year at

Glastonbury the Pop Up Hotel was offering luxury glamping for up to £8950 for a five-night stay in a Tenthouse Suite.

So where do the canals fit into this? TV shows such as George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces have highlighted just how luxurious the inside of a canal boat can be, and canal boats are now beginning to be seen as a cool alternative to the teepee.

Exciting developments

“When you look at the new businesses springing up to cater for younger people on the waterways there have been some exciting developments in recent years” said Mark from Wandering Duck which offers fully hosted canal boat weekends.

The business was started by Mark and Ruth Bratt in 2012. “We could see that canals were missing that cool vibe that people might get from perhaps hiring a VW campervan. We could see that with a bit of love and attention to detail we could create something that really appealed to that kind of person,” he continued. “We keep adding little touches all the time.”

Mark and Ruth are not alone in their quest to challenge the traditional views of canal boating.

Victoria Johnson (Tor) started her business, Float

By Boat, last year. She recognised that younger people have taken to glamping to escape from their fast-paced life, so she designed boating breaks around meditation and home-made vegetarian food. Tor said: “Teaming up the peace and pace of narrowboating with a retreat-like experience works beautifully. For many of our guests, it’s much needed respite from the rush of urban dwelling.”

Hosted weekend

The funky interior of a Star self-hire boat.

This new breed of canal break is not quite as extravagant as Glastonbury’s Pop Up Hotel. A hosted weekend aboard either of these will set you back around 150 quid which includes most (if not all) meals and bunk bed accommodation.

It’s not just these unique new hosted concepts appealing to younger people. Hester Cox from Star Narrowboat Holidays has re-invented the self-hire canal boat for today’s young ‘Glampers’. The funky interior is full of beautiful touches to look more like your favourite cafe than a hire boat.

Another aspect that has helps promote this type

‘Glampers’ enjoying a cool alternative to the teepee. ● Find out more about Wandering Duck at www.wanderingduck.co.uk Find out more about Float By Boat at www.floatbyboat.co.uk Find out more about Gloria from Star Narrowboats at www.starnarrowboatholidays.co.uk/

Hosts Mark and Ruth Bratt. PHOTOS SUPPLIED of break to a younger crowd is weekend hire.

Traditionally, hire boats have encouraged longer hire durations – great for the hire boat companies but it doesn’t really fit in with today’s busy young professionals wanting to make the most of their weekend.

This new wave of canal boats are experiencing huge growth in booking numbers with Wandering Duck reporting an increase of over 60% on last season.

The older generation may be a little upset that their wonderland of peace and tranquillity has been discovered by the cool and the curious, but one thing’s for sure; the rediscovery of canals can only be a good thing for the sustainability of our incredible canal network.

Hire boat operators join campaign to cut tourism VAT

AN INFLUENTIAL group representing Britain’s holiday accommodation industry has launched the Cut Tourism VAT campaign. It will lobby the

Government for the rate of VAT on tourism to be brought into line with other competing destinations within the European Union.

The United Kingdom is one of only

A cut in VAT would aid Britain’s holiday hire boat industry. PHOTO:WATERWAY IMAGES

four countries not to take advantage of an EU rule which allow governments to implement a reduced rate of VAT on tourism; which means that British families or foreign visitors pay almost three times as much VAT as on a French or German holiday and twice as much as one in Italy and Spain.

Britain is one of the most expensive places to take a holiday, rating 118 out of 140 in the World Economic Forum’s travel and tourism index.

A VAT cut from 20% to 5% would encourage British destinations – already suffering from a strong pound – to compete with similar European and American attractions.

It would initially hit Treasury revenue but a report by economic forecasters Nevin Associates says that it would cost nothing after five years and a gain of £1.9 billion after 10 years: 120,000 new jobs could also be created.

The campaign is led by Bourne Leisure Group, Merlin Entertainments Group, the British Hospitality

Association and the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions and has a steering group of 19 other major representatives of the holiday industry.

It has major implications for the marine industry, particularly for the inland waterways holiday hire boat sector where it would no doubt increase bookings and probably lead to expansion.

Managing director of ABC Leisure Group, Edward Helps, one of the biggest hire boat operators, said: “A reduction in VAT on tourism activities in Britain would enable companies such as ours to compete on a level playing field with holidays provided in other countries where tax benefits are already given to encourage this business. If the UK government backed this initiative it would make Staycations as well as inbound tourism a lot more competitive”.

Other marine industry companies are urged to join the campaign.

See www.cuttourismvat.co.uk/us/

66 PRODUCTS & REVIEWS

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

BOOKS,DVDS AND DOWNLOADS

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

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

Latest Through Time looks north

Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

canals and how they have changed and developed over the last century.

Ray is a well-known author and canal historian who has already written five other canal titles for Amberley Publishing.

Northern Canals Through Time by Ray Shill and published by Amberley in softback is priced £14.99.

ISBN: 978-1-4456-3319-0

THE latest title in Amberley’s extensive and highly successful Through Time series focuses on the Northern Canals – Lancaster, Ulverston, Carlisle and the Pennine Waterways.

Through a similar ‘then and now’ pictorial study in line with his previous titles, canal historian Ray Shill explores all aspects of the

Finding our lost canals Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

abandoned or have vanished under roads, railways and buildings, often in the Midlands.

This book includes a brief history of each of England’s lost canals, and is the first of two volumes detailing the abandoned canals of the British Isles.

Abandoned & Vanished Canals of England by Andy Wood is published by Amberley in softback priced £19.99.

ISBN: 978-1-4456-3916-1

AN INTRIGUING delve into the lost canals of England comes from the pen of Andy Wood who has a lifelong fascination with the subject.

Thousands of canals that used to criss-cross England serving industry closed from the start of the 20th century, often down to lack of trade.

Many have now been restored and reopened for leisure purposes, but others have been

The way to trouble-free boating

Reviewer: Gay Armstrong

With this book in one hand and a spanner in the other, anyone will be able to use this guide – no special tools are required and no skill is assumed and there is a difficulty rating for each task.

Simple Boat Maintenance by Pat Manley is published by Fernhurst Books in softback priced £15.

ISBN: 978-1-909911-13-0

A PAPERBACK edition of the bestselling book Simple Boat Maintenance is now available.

Already in hardback, this excellent manual breaks down the most common boat maintenance jobs into simple step-by-step instructions using very clear photographs and diagrams.

Artist at the piano ARTIST and musician Paul James has long combined his great loves of art, music and the waterways and went so far as to have a piano installed in his narrowboat.

As a result towpath walkers and boaters in the vicinity would be intrigued to hear strains of boogie-woogie reverberating from his boat and some impromptu musical parties ensued as a result.

Using the blues as a starting point for his

compositions but with many other nuances creeping in, Paul has now produced two CDs, his latest being entitled the Artist at the Piano.

He has written and performed all the music himself and is a flamboyant and versatile pianist and composer.

This excellent CD is illustrated by Paul himself – he is also a leading international animal and landscape realist painter.

The CD cover illustrated with one of Paul’s pictures.

Grit blasting for your boat at Debdale Wharf

DEBDALE Wharf marina is now offering a grit blasting and protective coating service following the recent construction of a purpose-made grit blasting bay and a rentable DIY painting bay.

This new facility complements the existing services already present which include narrowboat fabrication, fit out, boat painting and maintenance engineering.

There is also a sheltered mooring marina and a large hardstanding area with travel hoist.

The new grit-blasting bay has excellent dust extraction and a built in boat cabin protection system to enable work to be done on the boat hull without damage to the cabin or interior.

Your boat may require grit blasting if the hull has rusty patches, pitting, waste outlets with severe corrosion, rust behind the rubbing bands or maybe a survey report has recommended attention is needed to the hull which may stave off costly overplating in the future.

Before a boat is grit blasted it is washed off at an extremely high pressure to remove weeds, molluscs and any flaky paint or rust from the surface of the hull, sides and base.

It is then loaded on to a trailer and gently moved into the grit-blast bay which has been highly protected. The floor is cladded entirely in steel and also the walls up to a height of 1.5m.

The walls are covered in thick rubber for further defence.

If the boat is to have its sides and base blasted the cabin area is protected by sheeting and secured to the hull to a height discussed with the owner, either to include the gunnels or not.

Each boat needs slightly different treatment so it is up to the owners to decide where the blasting should finish. Just the hull sides and or base or just the cabin or even the whole boat, every scenario is possible.

A coarse grit is used to produce the ideal keyed surface for the next stage whether it is to be a unique molten zinc metal spray coating or a twopack epoxy coating or both.

The molten zinc metal procedure is the ultimate hull protection coating.

After the boat has been grit blasted, around 1kg of zinc coating is applied per square metre turning the entire hull into one big anode and absorbing any corrosion present.

This is better than galvanising your boat.

Scratches that expose the steel are surrounded by zinc and partially heal themselves. This treatment is also suitable for heavily pitted boats and can be an alternative to overplating if hull thicknesses are still within tolerance.

A 10-year warranty is offered by Debdale although it fully expects that it would last at least 20 years and possibly longer.

The last part of the process is a blacking top coat and here owners have a few options: bitumous paint (Rytex), vinyl tar Paint (Coflex) or two-pack epoxy (Hemple). Of the three options the Hemple two-pack epoxy also carries a 10-year warranty and Debdale has found this is the most popular option.

The coatings are sprayed on to a depth equivalent of three rollerapplied coatings. As these coatings are sprayed the finish is very smooth.

If required the stern bands are reapplied.

Often customers have their cabin blasted and two pack epoxy coated.

By removing all rust and mill scale with the blasting and applying the epoxy coating customers get an excellent anticorrosion primer that is very tough and ready for undercoats and glosses.

Many owners choose to apply the top coats themselves and rent the new DIY paint bay which is heated, light and airy. They may even go on a John Barnard painting school course first for some finer technique tips. ● For further information contact 0116 279 3034; nicky@debdalewharf.co.uk www.debdalewharf.co.uk

● Enjoy an evening with

Paul James at The Stables Theatre in Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU on Friday, October 10 at 8.45pm. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door. Contact the box office on 01908 280800, boxoffice@stables.org For more information on Paul’s fine art visit the Paul James Gallery at www.pauljamesart.com

A piano is craned on to Paul’s narrowboat. PHOTO SUPPLIED

The new grit blasting bay at Debdale Wharf. PHOTO SUPPLIED

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A COLOUR map of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, with its junctions and links – drawn in the iconic London Underground style – is being sold as a campaigning fundraiser by the IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch. Drawn by branch member Bob Fox and encapsulated in plastic; apart from the practical use, other suggestions are as a place mat or just a bit of light-hearted fun. Price is £2 each or 6 for £10, including postage. Details from branch chairman David Struckett, 01299 878461, david.struckett@waterways.org.uk

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Protect surfaces from liquid damage DESTRUCTIVE damage or corrosion caused by liquid could be a thing of the past thanks to superhydrophic technology now available in the UK. NeverWet is a liquid-repelling treatment which causes water, mud, ice and most other fluids to literally roll off protected surfaces, keeping them clean and dry.

Introduced in the US last year, it can

be applied to almost any surface and is suitable for both interior and exterior use.

NeverWet is applied via aerosol which sprays clear and dries to a flat, frosted finish which may leave a slightly chalky feel. It can also be used on fabric, leather and canvas; however, it’s not recommended for clothing or electronic devices.

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● NeverWet is available at leading DIY stores, including B&Q and Homebase. RRP £15. For more information, please visit www.rustoleumspraypaint.com/product/neverwet-2/

FOOD & DRINK 67

www.towpathtalk.co.uk

To advertise call Jason on 01507 529581

D O O F Canalside pubs & restaurants

& DRINK

First members Mr and Mrs Field receive LeeSan VIP Reward Card No.1 from Gary Sutcliffe.

to satisfy all tastes...

LeeSan launches VIP rewards card MIDLANDS based marine sanitation specialist LeeSan has launched its VIP Rewards Card.

Cardholders will receive additional discounts, special offers and gifts and will be given first call on any limited offers.

Additionally, they will be rewarded with invitations to events and be kept informed about all LeeSan developments by newsletter and email.

The card is free; to sign up visit www.leesan.com and click the link on the home page. ● 01295 770000

www.leesan.com

Stop your mugs slipping about

MP Jeremy Lefroy cuts the ribbon to open the Canalside Cafe with catering manager Brian Davis flanked by owners Chris and Wendy Barton. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Stafford MP opens Canalside Cafe ORIGINALLY conceived by yachtsmen for use when sailing in rough seas, muggi is a new and safe way to carry hot and cold drinks on deck.

Made from a lightweight but super tough polypropylene material with non-slip rubber feet, it’s designed so that it’s light and easy to carry, but also strong and secure.

Available in four colours, muggi holds your mugs, glasses or cups in four precision moulded slots and can be bought online for £9.95 at www.muggi.co.uk

New Number SUPPLIER of the Green Rhino® EnviroPad, Seddons (Plant & Engineeers) Ltd has asked us to point out that their telephone number has changed from that given in our article last month. It is now 0845 230 4864.

THE Canalside Cafe near Stafford has been officially opened by local MP Jeremy Lefroy.

More than 30 invited guests attended the event, from parish councillors and local producers to local tourism body, Destination Staffordshire.

Mr Lefroy said: “I am delighted that Chris and Wendy (Barton) are investing in this new cafe, using locally sourced produce; creating new jobs for local people and using local contractors to build what is a very attractive Canalside Cafe. I wish them every success in the future.”

The new cafe, which has created 14 new jobs, is already proving popular, with the owners announcing that it attracted more than 10,000 people in the first four weeks of trading. The cafe, which can seat 72 customers inside, plus an additional 40 people outside, has been extremely busy since it opened, serving 400 people a day. ● The Cafe and Farm Shop are open every day

from 9am. For further information contact 01889 881747 www.canalsidefarm.co.uk

Trust buys pub to attract tourist trade

THE Wilts and Berks Canal Trust has bought one of only two pubs along the length of the canal.

It aims to keep the Peterborough Arms at Dauntsey Lock operating but wants to expand the premises to include a cafe and museum.

Boat trips, bicycle and boat hire are also planned.

The pub was shut by Wadworth Brewery in April 2013 which stated it was not viable.

“We believe we can make this into a tourist destination,” said Chris Coyle, acting chairman of the canal trust. “We are also very keen for this to be a centre for the surrounding community.”

68

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WHAT’S ON IN BRIEF

Over weekend

THERE will be plenty to see at the Over Festival on the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal over the weekend of August 30-31. Heritage boat processions, boat trips and model boats will be among the attractions on the water while other activities will include live music and dancing, circus skills, craft and produce stalls and treasure hunts. There will also be a beer, cider and perry festival and tapas on the terrace.

Admission is free and the festival is on from 11am-5pm each day; the beer festival continues on the terrace from 5pm till late on the Saturday evening.

Black Country Festival UP TO 200 boats are expected

to attend the 29th annual Black Country Boating Festival, writes Bob Clarke.

The event is being held on the Dudley Canal at Bumblehole Nature Reserve, Windmill End, Netherton on September 13 and 14. The festival, which attracts up to 10,000 visitors every year has raised more than £100,000 for charities over the years.

Tapton celebration

THE second celebration weekend takes place at Tapton Lock on the Chesterfield Canal from September 20-21. Building on the success of last year’s event, Junction Arts and the Derbyshire Countryside Service are offering another two days of fantastic free activities for all the family to enjoy including art workshops, adventure activities, nature walks and performances by local bands. Local producers will include the popular Brampton Brewery. Parking is free for the event which takes place between 11am and 4pm both days. For information call the Tapton Lock visitor centre on 01629 533020.

Compiled by Janet Richardson

Stoke Bruerne goes to war again

STOKE Bruerne’s Village at War event takes place over the weekend of September 13-14.

This is the seventh successive year the Second World Warthemed canal festival has been held.

During the war the canal played an important role in transporting essential supplies from the Midlands to the London area; it is believed that part of our Gold Reserves were shipped from the Bank of England to Liverpool during the invasion scare of 1940.

Stoke Bruerne’s own NB Sculptor, moored outside the Canal Museum, was even called into service as a fire boat in London during the latter part of the war.

Organised by the Friends of The Canal Museum, the weekend kicks off on Friday evening with the fabulous Lola Lamour singing nostalgic songs of the 1940s in The Navigation pub (table booking advised on 01604 864988).

The wartime theme continues with village hall tea dances, firepower demonstrations and battles, vintage and military vehicle displays, a black market (‘get your nylons here’), re-enactments from living history groups such as the Pitsford Home Guard, Women’s Land Army, Dogs Army, Allied Assortment, UK Tank Club, Trucks, Troops and Stores, and the Tommy Atkins Society.

The canal will be full of working narrowboats, many of them decorated in full 1940s style.

More musical entertainment and 1940s glamour will be provided by George Formby (aka Paul Casper), Lola Lamour, The Swingsters and Ruzzit Buzzit, while personalities such as Churchill, King George VI and Field Marshall Montgomery will be in evidence inspecting the troops.

There will be plenty to do with air raid experiences, Marjorie Cartwright-Jones’s Make-Do-and-Mend cabaret show dispensing tips for hard-pressed housewives, vintage fashion shows, a Sunday morning Drumhead Service at the church, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will be buzzing in the skies overhead.

Saturday evening festival goers can practise the Lambeth Walk, the Palais Glide and Lindy Hop at the swing dance (tickets in advance £15pp including food).

David Blagrove, chairman of the friends, said: “The whole village joins in, even the school runs a very authentic ‘Lyons-style Nippy Tearoom’, so the wartime atmosphere and community spirit is quite authentic.”

The cost of a day ticket is £5 per person (accompanied children under 16 are free) and parking in village car parks is an extra £3, payable to the car park operator.

All surplus proceeds from the event are donated to The Friends of the Canal Museum registered charity, with other village and not-for-profit groups also benefiting. ● Full details of the Village at War Weekend and advance booking forms can be found on the website at: www.friendsofcanalmuseum.org.uk

Linocuts on show

RENOWNED artist Eric Gaskell is exhibiting his uniquely crafted collection of canal scene linocuts at the Cotswold Canals Trust visitor centre, Wallbridge Lock until Sunday, September 21. Also on display is a fascinating description of the complex process of the multiple drawings and carving required well before the final colour printing process. The visitor centre at Bell House, Wallbridge Lock, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 3JS, opens from 10am to 1pm on weekdays, on Saturdays from 10am-4pm and at any time that the green flag is flying.

Heritage walk along the Grand Union Canal

BUCKINGHAM Canal Society is holding a walk to coincide with the Heritage Open Days on Sunday, September 14, meeting at 2pm by Cosgrove Lock on the Grand Union Canal.

The walk will take in the Buckingham Arm up to the A5 giving walkers a chance to see the work that has been carried out by BCS volunteers. It then continues through Old Stratford with an opportunity to see the heritage features in this area

WHAT’S ON IN SEPTEMBER

before taking in Stony Stratford Nature Reserve.

Continuing back along the Ouse Valley Way toward the Grand Union Canal, it will go through the horse tunnel underneath the canal and up to the Iron Trunk Aqueduct which carries it across the Great Ouse, and return along the towpath

If you want your event listed in our free monthly What’s On section email your entry to jrichardson@mortons.co.uk or use the events form at www.towpathtalk.co.uk/events. As always please check with organisers on the details of the event before setting out on your journey.

September 2

Macclesfield Canal Society: The Williamson Tunnels by Claire Moorhead. Macclesfield Liberal Club, Boden Street, Macclesfield SK11 6LL, 7.30 for 7.45pm. www.macclesfieldcanal.org.uk

September 3

River Canal Rescue: Boat and engine maintenance course. Alvechurch Marina near Birmingham. For bookings and information visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk call 01785 785680 or email enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk

IWA Avon & Wiltshire: A cruise on the Waverley, the world’s last ocean-going paddle steamer.

The ship leaves Clevedon at 11am and goes up the River Severn under the two bridges, returning at 2pm. Full catering on board and easy parking in Clevedon. Tickets £21, for booking or further information contact David Chalmers on 0117 972 0423. Closing date August 28.

September 4

River Foss Society: Foss Walk 7, Sheriff Hutton to Hovingham on Centenary Way, 7.5 miles.

Contact Bob Jowett 01904 764702, bobjowett1@btopenworld.com Birmingham Canals Navigations Society: Freight by water – an underutilised resource by David Lowe. Titford Pumphouse, Engine Street, Oldbury B69 4NL, 7.30pm. Contact Phil Clayton 01902 780920.

September 6-7

St Pancras Cruising Club: Angel Canal Festival.

Pre-festival boaters’ BBQ Saturday night, Angel Canal Festival 11am-5pm, Islington. Contact cruise co-ordinator Caroline Stanger on 07956 231456, carolinestanger@hotmail.com

September 7

Golden Jubilee celebrations at Parkhead event DUDLEY Canal Trust and the Worcester-Birmingham and Droitwich Canal Society are holding their biennial Parkhead Canal Festival, Dudley, on September 27 and 28, writes Bob Clarke.

The event will be held at Parkhead Locks on the Dudley Canal and will also celebrate the fact that work will start on the trust’s £3 million heritage, education and visitor centre a few weeks later.

There will also be celebrations of the trust’s golden jubilee.

People attending will also be able to take boat trips into the tunnel and limestone mines as well as enjoying a selection of real ales, a boating skills competition plus a large display of vintage road vehicles and horse-drawn boat demonstrations.

Towpath Talk is one of the festival sponsors and staff are looking forward to meeting readers.

September 11

Worcester, Birmingham & Droitwich Canals Society: AGM followed by The Beginning of our Adventures. The Meeting Room, Alvechurch Boat Centre, Scarfield Wharf B48 7SQ, adjacent to The Weighbridge pub. Information: www.wbdcs.org.uk

Maesbury Canal Festival: Fantastic family weekend including decorated, trading and historic boats, craft stalls and demonstrations, paper wizardry, exotic zoo, children’s activities, live music and horse drawn boat trip along the recently opened length. Canal Central (SY10 8JG) on the Montgomery Canal. www.maesburycanalfestival.co.uk

Churchill inspects the troops. PHOTO: KATHRYN DODDINGTON

back to Cosgrove Lock. The whole walk is approximately five miles long.

All members and friends are welcome to take part in this walk which will be advertised in the Heritage Open Days brochure. Available parking can be found nearby to the Lock at Lock Lane, Cosgrove MK19 7JR.

● For further information contact Athina Beckett 01908 661217, athina.beckett@buckinghamcanal.org.uk.

Southampton Canal Society: The Old Days of the Society plus The History of Foxton Locks and surrounding area. Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7JZ, 7.45pm.

Visitors welcome.

Tipton Family fun

THE 2014 Tipton Canal & Community Festival will take place over the weekend of September 20-21. A family event for all ages, it will include a static narrowboat display, working boats, live entertainment, children’s rides and entertainment, charity and trade stalls, canal boat rides, crafts and arts displays, animal displays, static engines, model railway exhibition, food and real ales and much more.

For information visit the canal festival page at www.tipton communityassociation.com

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

Northern Boat Jumble: Brookfield Farm, Sproston Green, Holmes Chapel, Middlewich, Cheshire CW4 7LN (350yd from J18 M6). Open to buyers 10am. Adults £3.50, children/parking free.

Chaddock & Fox Promotions boatjumbles@yahoo.com 02392 381405/07887 771451, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross – Granary Building – Camden. Starts King’s Cross taxi rank at 2.30pm. Costs £9, £7 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0208 458 9476.

September 9

Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal Society: Speaker TBA. Garrick Theatre, Bank Street, Whitefield, Manchester (unmarked street off Church Lane opposite Morrisons), 7.30pm. All welcome. Information: www.mbbcs.org.uk IWA Middlesex Branch: River Lee to the Thames by Richard Thomas. Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2QX. Doors open 7.30pm for 8pm start. Contact Lucy at middlesex.socials@waterways.org.uk

September 13-14

September 15

Friends of Cromford Canal: A Farrier’s Life – shod ponies on the Cromford Canal by Doug Bradbury. Ironville Church Hall, 7.30pm. Bar and raffle. Admission £2, nonmembers welcome.

September 16

Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust: Roger Beck talks about the Herefordshire Nature Trust’s reserves. The Royal Oak, Much Marcle, 7.30 for 8pm start. Everyone welcome.

September 19

Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Anderton Boat Lift – a volunteer’s view, an illustrated talk by regular volunteer Ted Thompson. The Big Lock, Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9DN, 7.30 for 8pm.

IWA East Yorkshire: Amy Howson centenary by Dave Parker of the Humber Keel & Sloop Society. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4BD, 8-10pm. £2 inc refreshments.

Contact roger.bromley@ waterways.org.uk 01482 845099.

September 19-21

River Weaver Navigation Society: Winsford Regatta on the River Weaver, around the islet at the bottom end of Winsford Bottom Flash.

Narrowboat procession on Friday afternoon to be welcomed by the Mayor of Winsford. All-day music, stage, food, stalls and car park on Saturday and Sunday (main boating day). Entry fee £10. Contact Bob Osborne 01606 553433, bob.osborne @hotmail.co.uk

September 20-21

Day-Star Theatre: Roses & Castles workshop weekend at Audlem. No experience necessary, 10am-4pm each day. £75 (£25 deposit), materials, lunch and refreshments provided, bring your own item for decoration. Contact Jane Marshall on 01270 811330, jane@day-startheatre.co.uk or visit www.day-star-theatre.co.uk

September 21

IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: The Olympics, Three Mills and Bow Back Rivers.

Starts Bromley-by-Bow tube station at 2.30pm.

Costs £9, £7 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0208 458 9476.

September 23

Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: Trevor Wragg will speak on dry-stone walls. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 8pm.

Admission £2 members, £3 nonmembers.

September 24

IWA Chiltern: The Buckingham Canal – its history, heritage and future by Athina Beckett, BCS trustee and work party organiser. Little Chalfont Village Hall, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks HP8 4UD. 8pm. All welcome to attend.

Contact 01932 248178.

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Full steam ahead for Leigh Arms party

Paddle steamer opens to the public

FINAL preparations are under way at the Leigh Arms, Little Leigh, as this popular country pub gears up to host its spectacular annual Steam Party.

This regular fixture on the steam calendar will take place on the weekend of October 4-5 and everybody is welcome.

Dating back more than 40 years, this fun, family event offers free entry for all. The Steam Party will bring together a superb collection of steam engines and vintage vehicles, along with steam boats, barges and narrowboats on the nearby River Weaver.

Pub licensee Jo Higham said: “It’s a great weekend for everybody whether they are steam enthusiasts or just want to enjoy the atmosphere of the steam and smoke.

“The Steam Party is generally regarded as the last event of its type in the season so everybody makes a huge effort to have their engines, boats and vehicles looking their best.

THE Medway Queen Preservation Society is taking part in the annual ‘Heritage Open Days’ weekend. Paddle steamer Medway Queen, the visitor centre and the society’s workshops will be open to the public from Friday to Sunday, September 12-14.

Guides will be on hand to explain the history of the ship and to show progress in the restoration. There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss the work done so far, plans for the

A line-up of steam engines at the Leigh Arms. PHOTOS SUPPLIED Many exhibitors will also be wearing period costumes.”

Perfectly located for the event on the A49, and close to the famous Acton swing bridge, the colourful event attracts hundreds of visitors from across the region and beyond.

“We aim to make the party enjoyable for all, with other exhibits including intricate scale models of steam engines. We are

also expecting a beautiful bow top gypsy caravan,” added Jo. “Of course, the Leigh Arms will be open and serving Robinsons cask beer throughout the weekend.

“As fires burn in the steam boilers we will be ready to quench thirsts and tempt your tastebuds with our mouthwatering specials and traditional home-cooked food.”

● For more information contact Jo on 01606 853327

Steam boats and narrowboats on the River Weaver, near Acton Bridge.

future and how you can become part of that.

The site will be open from 11am to 4pm on all three days and tours of the ship will be arranged according to demand.

Access to some areas is dependent on the state of the restoration work but as much as possible will be open to visitors. Other attractions will include the society’s bookstall and souvenir shop, light refreshments and other temporary displays and exhibits.

● Medway Queen is berthed at Gillingham Pier, Pier Approach Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 1RX. Telephone 01634 575717 (Monday to Thursday office hours) for more details or look at www.medwayqueen.co.uk for the latest information.

Showboat singer croons his way around the network VOCALIST Gerry Goode has launched the ‘Showboat’, a cruising entertaining platform with a stage atop a narrowboat.

He has been singing for the past 40 years, entertaining at home, at sea and abroad. With music which ranges from songs made famous by Sinatra and Neil Diamond, to those of the Beatles, The Monkees and Pink Floyd and many more, the boat-top show has something for everyone.

The ‘Showboat’ is currently cruising the waterways and is available for booking throughout the summer and autumn. Forthcoming dates are: Friday, September 5 Mountsorrel WMC; Saturday, September 13 Soar Bridge Inn, Barrow-on-Soar and Friday, September 19 Meadow Farm Marina, Barrow-on-Soar.

Gerry Goode on board the newly launched ‘Showboat’. PHOTO

● To find out when the ‘Showboat’ will be in your locality, or for any information regarding booking, contact Gerry on 07967 461709, email gerrygoode@mail.com or visit www.gerry-goode.co.uk

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BITS & BOBS WE FELL in love with the mixed bowls of fruit and vegetables at an indoor farmers’ market stall in Coventry. We began our walk back to the boat laden with too many bargains including a rolled shoulder of lamb (one of the butchers there knew our dear Peter Coates of Alrewas fame so we just had to buy something impressive). Just as we began our return hike it decided to pour and for several days it decided to continue. Not to worry, we snuggled down in our cabin and enjoyed our bounty with the heater and the oven keeping the boat warm and smelling of comfort food.

Roasted shoulder of lamb becomes two different dinners because we roast a whole heap of vegetables with the lamb, serve just the roasted potatoes with slices of the roast for the first night and use the rest of the vegetables and leftover bits of lamb in Phill’s curry (recipe below) later in the week.

by Rexx & Phill

September top tip Haulage: When Phill and I first started dreaming about narrowboating as a permanent lifestyle, we had no money or way to begin; I decided to make the dream real by purchasing two Levi back-packs and four canvas sacks that featured heavy duty straps. It seemed a reasonable way to begin our fantasy because on one of our hire-boat vacations we had seen a family returning to their boat from an obvious shopping trip. They were carrying supplies in heavy canvas bags that were suspended from wooden bars. Their dog was trotting happily alongside with an unopened tin of dog food in his

mouth. Everyone, it seemed, was participating.

These days, we’ve added a folding trolley to our ensemble and it has been a life-saver (especially when we see ‘BOGOFs’; buy one get one free).

Armed with our trolley, backpacks, and sacks, we are able to really stock up when we find a major grocery store (no mean feat when out on the cut).

Speaking of haulage, we also have a foldable dolly that makes hauling the Porta Potty a lot easier if the trek to the Elsan point is a hike of any distance. But that seldom happens in the perfect world of narrowboating.

Rexx’s Roasted Shoulder of Lamb

Prep time 20 minutes, bake 1 ½ hours, serves 6-8 (Marinate lamb overnight for best flavour) Pre-step: Marinade; unroll the roast into a large casserole dish and slather with honey mustard salad dressing or HP sauce and the wine OR Mix together equal parts of HP and soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, vegetable oil, spicy mustard, and brown sugar for a traditional marinade (the cost works out to about the same).

Shoulder of Lamb ● 2kg (3-4lb rolled shoulder of lamb ● A bottle of honey/mustard salad dressing OR HP sauce to marinate ● A bottle of hearty, red wine (optl.) ● 2 cloves garlic, peel and slice ● Chinese 5-spice ● Zest of one lemon Roasted vegetables ● 1 medium potato per person ● 1 medium onion, peel/quarter ● 2 cloves garlic, papers on ● 1 med sweet potato, peel/chop ● 6 cherry tomatoes, halve ● 1 parsnip, peel/cube ● 1 medium aubergine, cube ● 1 each red/yellow bell peppers, cube ● 2 carrots, peel, rough chop ● 30ml olive oil ● Salt/pepper to taste ● Juice of one lemon

Gardening afloat Lee Senior’s topical tips for growing your own fruit and veg in the month of September THIS month is the ideal time to sow mini Winter Gem winter lettuce or a larger overwintering lettuce such as Arctic King or Winter Density in sheltered spots. They will grow steadily in mild weather for cropping in spring.

Lettuce also grows well over winter in cold frames and mini greenhouses or under cloches too, benefiting from the extra warmth and protection.

Alternatively try them in large pots outside – simply protect them from severe frost.

In September we can plant our over wintering onion sets. The varieties Radar and Electric (red skinned) are superb and will cope with winter weather without many problems.

Squashes need a long season to grow and ripen fully. Start to take some foliage off the plants to expose the fruits to the sun. This will encourage warmth for as long as possible.

Check brussel sprout plants regularly and remove any yellowing foliage.

Pick runner beans and courgettes almost every other day to prolong cropping into October.

Sweetcorn should be ready to harvest this month. Simply check for the tassels on the cobs starting to turn brown. Then pierce a kernel. If a milky sap is visible, they are ready to pick.

A gallery with a special goal

Marinade: Day before: Marinate the shoulder overnight in honey-mustard salad dressing OR HP sauce and a bath of wine.

Day of: Preheat oven to 160ºC (325ºF) Mark 2. Reserving the potatoes, cut the rest of the vegetables into 2mm (3⁄4in) cubes; place in a roasting tin, drizzle with olive oil, toss to coat, add salt and pepper, and sprinkle with lemon juice; give another toss. Pat the lamb dry, insert slivers of garlic into slits made throughout the shoulder. Rub the lamb with Chinese 5-spice and lemon zest. Set the shoulder in the nest of vegetables and roast (1½ hours) for medium rare.

Check the roast every half hour and baste with the pan juices as they form.

When you have 45 minutes left, pierce the potatoes all over, rub with butter and tuck around the inside of the roasting tin. When the lamb is done, remove the roasting tin to the hob, place the lamb on a platter and tent the roast with foil to rest and stay warm. Turn off the oven and leave the potatoes inside on the rack to also

ART galleries come in all shapes and sizes. But this one has an extra dimension – it floats.

For husband and wife team Dave and Freda Clarke have turned their narrowboat into a gallery with a special mission.

The 47ft boat built in 1983 now plies the Bridgewater Canal giving a platform to artworks produced by those who suffer from autism.

I caught up with them in Sale, Manchester, at a particular point where they moor every month as well as further along the canal in Lymm, Cheshire. I found the artwork to be of high quality. Some works are sold and this gives a small but useful income to sufferers, as well as a feeling that the quality of their work has been recognised.

By Geoff Wood

keep warm (or if they need added cooking time, leave the heat on to finish cooking while doing the next steps). Remove the vegetables from the roasting tin and set aside for use in Phill’s curry later in the week.

Pour the juices into a measuring cup. Turn on a burner under the roasting tin, add the oil, 30g of butter, stir up the bits from the bottom of the pan; stir in 45g of flour, mash in a couple of cubes of roasted sweet potato and parsnip and the pulp of one of the roasted garlic cloves. Add enough milk to the pan juices in the measuring cup to make two cups of liquid and add this to the roux; stir until the gravy thickens. To plate, cut a cross in the top of each potato, squeeze to open each up and drizzle with the gravy.

Slice the lamb and plate alongside.

Pour the rest of the gravy into the measuring cup and bring it to the table, too.

Prep time 15 minutes, cook time 20 minutes, serves 4

Couscous: ● 125g couscous ● 8 apricots, chop ● 6 dates, pit/chop ● 65g raisins, chop ● 225g butter ● 30ml oil ● 2 star anise ● Juice of 1 orange ● 480ml chicken stock (1 chicken stock cube dissolved in 480ml boiling water)

PHOTO: LEE SENIOR

Gravy: ● 30ml oil ● 30g butter ● 45g flour ● 360ml milk (add a little more if needed)

Phill’s Lamb Curry

When Mother Nature decides to rain on our parade we march to our own drummer; hunkered down inside the boat we pull out a jigsaw puzzle and put on a curry. Cooking the curry warms up the cabin, the spices in the dish warm us up when we tuck in, and the bowls of curry can all hang out on the table while we continue our puzzle piecework. Look at it this way, Rexx won’t have to climb up on the cabin-top to water the plants. We can share some quality jigsaw puzzle time. Everything just fits together in a satisfying way.

Take some of the foliage off squash plants to expose the plants to the sun.

Curry: ● 30ml oil ● 225g butter ● 125g cubed, cooked lamb per person plus 125g for the pot ● 1 knob ginger, peel/shred ● 15g Chinese 5-spice OR your favourite curry powder ● Pulp of pre-roasted garlic clove ● 125g pre-roasted veg per person plus 125g for the pot ● 1 tin chopped tomatoes ● Juice of 1 lemon ● A sprig of basil and a blob of Greek yoghurt per plate Put the kettle on to boil water for the couscous and toss in a chicken bouillon cube. While the water is coming up to a simmer, dice the apricots, dates, and raisins into a small frying pan; add the oil and butter, melt together and tip into a bowl, top with the dried couscous, mix in the broth, cover with the clingfilm and set aside to steam. To begin the curry, bring oil and butter up to

The on-board gallery. PHOTO: DAVE CLARKE

sizzle temperature in a large deepsided frying pan. Stir in the ginger and Chinese 5-spice mashed with the garlic pulp. Add the lamb and saute until the ginger is softened and the lamb is crisp (5min); add the tomatoes, simmer, turn down, and add the pre-roasted vegetables.

Heat through (5min). Salt and pepper to taste. Fork up, plate the couscous, plate in mounds and top with the curry. Sprinkle the whole works with lemon juice. Decorate with a sprig of basil. Offer yoghurt at the table for optional ‘sauce’.

Fare well.

The starting point for this enterprise was a labour of love. Dave, 68, and Freda, 69, of nearby Altrincham have a son Paul, 37, who suffers from autism as does his fiancee, Beccy Radcliffe, 41.

Both are happy sociable individuals and they produce some quite stunning artwork.

But word of Dave and Freda giving autistic people a helping hand has spread around the country. There are now 20 people contributing to the gallery and some live as far afield as London.

Partner in the Artism Afloat project is friend Brin Morris whose small narrowboat gave Dave Clarke the original idea of a floating gallery. A boat was found in mid-Cheshire but a great deal of work needed to be done and adaptions had to be made to convert the boat, now named Artism Afloat, for its present use.

Dave said: “Most people are quite surprised at the quality of the work we have on display. The artistic powers of these exhibitors are not affected by the autism.”

And the present stops along the Bridgewater Canal are only the start of the story. Dave, a retired design engineer, plans to fit solar panels to the boat so that evening exhibitions can be held.

With 1300 visitors having been welcomed aboard during the last 12 months there seems every likelihood that it will go from strength to strength.

With their special boat Artism Afloat are, from left: Dave Clarke, Beccy Ratcliffe, Freda and Paul Clarke. PHOTO: GEOFF WOOD. ● To find out more about the floating gallery artismuk@hotmail.com

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TRANSPORT BY ROAD A.B. TUCKEY BOAT TRANSPORT SERVICE A reliable personal service provided by a family business, based on 3 generations of transport experience.

Narrowboats moved up to 70ft in length and 25 tonnes in weight.

Own 35 & 70 tonne crane.

Tel 01926 812134 Fax 01926 810354

Stockton, Warwickshire Website: www.abtuckey.co.uk email: Mark@abtuckey.co.uk

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Boats for sale

CRUISER STERN for sale, 40ft, month’s license, bottom blacked last year, good condition, new boiler, ideal starter, boat lined, water tank Cole craft shell, 1500cc Thornycroft engine, also serviced last year, cratch cover to bow, illness forces reluctant sale, ready to cruise. Tel. 07968 795347. Staffs.

57FT NARROWBOAT 2004, s/s water tank, Rockwood insulation, new fire fitted with radiator and back boiler, sandbasted and 2k paint sprayed Aug 2013, Mitsubishi engine, licence till Oct 2014, BSC 2017, 2-4 berth, cassette toilet and separate shower. Tel. 07955 442552. Bucks.

ADRASTEA 60ft trad narrowboat, Kelvin J2 engine, 4 berth, £49,950. Tel. Mark on 07960 147722. Wilts.

AQUAHOLIC SEMI TRAD 50ft, 2002, sleeps 4, Isuzi engine, inverter, diesel heating, cooker, fridge, shower cassette toilet, recently repainted and blacked, new anodes, exc condition, many extras inc, much loved boat but we are upsizing, photos on request, £42,500. Tel. 07990 651896. Cheshire.

AMBER DALE 2010, 57ft, all steel doors, fore and aft, 2 sides, port holes, Barrus 45 inverter, diesel c/heating, cassette, shower, £39,000. Tel. 01452 699828. Glos.

CRUISER STERN NARROWBOAT 45ft, over plated/rebottom, new Beta 38 etc, genuine reason for reluctant sale ill health etc, wonderful condition. Tel. 07923 606564. Bucks.

BALLADORE 20ft unique all steel narrowboat, Kingfisher 6hp single cyl engine, BSC 2018, built 1976 Pete Brown, Banbury, 3 berth – cooker cassette toilet – fully re-plated 1993 – new weed hatch and further re-plating - new cooling system - hull survey - anodes and blackening 2012 – full history.

Ideal holiday boat or cheap live aboard. £10,000 ono Tel. 07929 994379.

Moored Coventry Canal, Nr Fradley jct.

BCN TUG STYLE BOAT 57ft, with cratch cover, built 2000, rebuilt Perkins engine an new PRM gearbox, unfinished project, a lot of materials to do the job included, 3 year vert, licensed until May 2015, £25,000. Tel. 07909 725742. Shrops.

BIRCHWOOD 33 Centre cockpit sleeps 6 in two cabins, aft cabin with ensuite, wheel house with usual equipment, forward cabin sleeps four, small galley c/w fridge cooker and sink, shower room with sea toilet, new 4 year certificate, twin Perkins diesel engines, 11ft 6in beam, ready to go, £15,000. 07920 232833. Notts.

BUCKINGHAM 25ft, Honda 9.9 HD outboard, BSC 2018, 4-berth, hot/cold water, shower, moored Lyme View Marina, Macclesfield canal, fees paid Dec, Canal licence end Sept. £6950 ono.

Tel. 01942 894326. Man.

BURLAND 26ft, new CoC, new licence, 4-berth, 1.5 BMC diesel, 12v TV, 1000w inverter, d/g cabin door, high quality boat, well worth a look, owner retiring from boating, moored at NCCC Club, Stockport, £5000. Tel. 01663 764838. Cheshire.

BURLAND CRUISER 27ft, 6ft 10” beam, blue/white, full BSC, licences, HD TV, stereo/CD, new foam mattress, fridge, new bilge, water pump and cooker, 240 sockets, 240 hook up, 9.9hp Mercury 4 stroke engine, well worth viewing, genuine sale, £5995 ono. Tel. 07982 818063 anytime; 07982 818063.

CABIN CRUISER 27ft x 9ft , Fjord 1991, inboard 3 cylinder diesel, 5 berth, good runner, safety to 2016, canal tax April 2015, moored Doncaster, £4250.

Tel. 07456 213196. S Yorks.

BRYMAR 24 GRP CRUISER built 1978, open plan with 4 option, 5 berth, full cooker, blown air heating, Engel fridge, has Honda diesel engine and 40 gals fuel, will have BSS Cert, lying Avon near Pershore, possible mooring available, £7500 ono. 07896 329825. Avon.

HISTORIC BUTTY BOAT Forget me not for sale or exchange considered.

Please contact me through my email myrtle74@ icloud.com or txt 07462 568364 as I am out of country. Tel. 07462 568364. Warks.

CANAL BOAT 57ft, BSC til Jun 17, licensed until Oct 2014, engine serviced March 2014, sand blasted and sprayed with 2k paint July 2013, looks really nice inside and out, unusual kitchen cassette toilet and shower, 2-4 berth, large living room, lots of storage, ideal live aboard, £33,995. Tel. 07955 442552. Bucks.

TRANSPORT BY WATER

CANAL BOAT 70ft, ex disabled cratch covers, for sale due to CRT not allowing me to relicence boat because of medical conditions, best offer around £30,000. Tel. 07765 545852. Staffs.

CORONET 32 Ocean Farer, 6-berth, 2x Volvo petrol, 160hp, BSC Mar 2017, new shelter, navigation equipment, inveter, shower, fridge, moored Sharpness, ill health sale, work in progress, hence price £9500. Tel. 01980 652908.

Wilts.

CRUISER STERN NARROWBOAT 2010, 55ft, blacked June 2014, BSS until 2018, well equipped 6 berth, Bow Thruster, c/h, shower, light ash modern interior, Isuzu 35hp with only 615 hours, professionally fitted out, lying Frouds Bridge Marina on Kennet & Avon. Tel. 08445 850704. Berks.

CRUISER STERN NARROWBOAT 59ft, 1995, new kitchen, appliances and upholstery, new professional 2k paintwork and Hull blacked 2014, new BSC, £35,000. Tel. Danny 07713 465791. Cambs.

DAWNCRAFT 22ft river and canal cruiser, 4 berth, vgc, BSS Jun 2017, newly upholstered seats and curtains, Honda outboard 7.5hp, new anodes, serviced yearly, hard standing from winter season, full canopy, exc cond, £4999. Tel. Mark 07934 418022.

Warks.

FAIRLINE MIRAGE 29ft, centre cockpit, 6 berth with single diesel engine, Volvo Penta 21B. Tel. 07780 722983.

Glos.

NARROW BOAT CRUISER STERN 35ft, built in 1976 by Faulkner Bros, 4 berth, BSC 2018, hull surveyed 2014, licensed May 2015, Engine: Lombardini, bottom re plated, moored at Tamworth, Staffs. Further photos and info at www.tamworthcrusingclub.org.uk £17,950 ono Tel. 07811 605608. Staffs.

NARROWBOAT 62ft, built 2008, semitrad reverse layout, light oak wood fitout, granite worktops, full shower, pump-out toilet, 4 berth, two private cabins, good storage, beautiful condition throughout, exc live-aboard or pleasure cruising, 40hp, 3000 watt inverter, bottom blacked Mar 2014, £57,000. Tel. Gill 07830755716. Leics.

FREEMAN 22 Mk 2, excellent condition, BSC to 2017, anti-fouled, ready to go, on hard standing, at Retford Marina, Nottinghamshire £5500. Tel. Geoff 07957 204105. Lincs.

NARROWBOAT 56ft narrowboat, built 1989 by Eastwood Engineers, Beta 43 diesel engine fitted 2008, 5kv Lister generator, solid fuel stove with back boiler, Reflex fridge, cooker, twin coil calorifier immersion heater, dry docked and blacked yearly, BSS 2017, great live aboard. Tel. 07881 658008. W Yorks.

HISTORIC NARROWBOAT 70ft BCN, restored to high standard, Lister Ha2, less than 100 hours running, solid oak floor, open plan, double bed, bath, plus trad backcabi, 11ft cratch, Squirrel stove and classic range, beautiful boat, £40,000 for quick sale Tel. 07961 579243; 01773 822205. Email: karenvanwoerden@ hotmail.co.uk Oxon.

MALLARD NARROWBOAT Fibreglass, 23ft, trailable, water ballistic, 8hp Honda, 3+1 berths, 3 burner hob and grill, s/s sink, Rinnai hot and cold shower, Shoreline fridge, porta potty trailer inc, £11,950. Tel. 01663 732989; 07773 910622. Derbys.

NORFOLK LASS COLES MORTON 45ft trad, needs a bit of decorating, been refitting, private mooring available at Shardlow. £20,000 ono. Tel. Shaun on 07454155971 for details.

Derbys.

NARROWBOAT 42ft, BSC 2017, new kitchen, new showerroom with flushing toilet, brand new cooker and fridge, never been used wood burner, BMC engine 1.8, oak flooring, 4ft fitted bed with storage underneath and new mattress, never used, moored near Leeds 10 mins from city centre. £23,000. Tel. 07443 474107. W Yorks.

NARROWBOAT 57ft, perfect liveaboard, Isuzu engine, inverter 2000, diesel heating, Morso Squirrel stove, full size shower, Thetford cassette toilet, fixed double dinette, dbl gas hob and oven, 12v fridge and freezer, fit-out in oak completed 2006, bottom blacked 2012, moored Barnoldswick, £50,000. Tel. 0792 9002563. Lancs.

TEAL 610 CLIPPER very rare, 2 berth cabin cruiser, completely refitted inside, gel coated outboard, 4-stroke, 7.5 Honda, stainless steel sink and cooker, BSC 2017, with licence till Sept, £2000. ono Tel. 01663 762935. Cheshire.

WINDOWS

NORMAN 20 CRUISER Original gel coat, anti-fouled, spare battened, new rear seat covers, anchor, porta-potti, small gas, BSS, interior lights, £3000.

Tel. 077910 34695. Cambs.

PIPER NARROWBOAT ‘Piper’ 40ft narrowboat, 2009, semi-trad, beautifully fitted out, reverse layout, many quality extras, owned from new, ill health forces reluctant sale, £45,000.

Tel. 07772 783527 . Lying Nantwich.

STOKE-ON-TRENT 60ft trad, Joshua bow and recessed panels, fitted out in ash wood, sophisticated electrics, full specification on application, price has been greatly reduced! £86,000. Tel. Roger 07855 255389. Cheshire.

SEMI-TRAD NARROWBOAT 2 beth, BMC, 1800cc engine, BSC to Sept 2017, fully equipp-ed and canopies, private build, ready to cruise, Staffs/ Cheshire border, ill health sale, £17,000. Tel. 01782 720828. Staffs.

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NationalNarrow boats W anted For C ash

0800 3895325 REPLICA DUTCH BARGE built 2009, new BSC to purchaser, professional fit out in white oak & ash, ideal live aboard with possible mooring, W Mids, near motorways and Birmingham airport.

Please no dreamers or time wasters.

Sensible Offers around £130,000. Tel. 07974 808277 for details. brucehewitt22@ yahoo.co.uk W Mids.

TRADITIONAL NARROWBOAT 57ft, 2004, just been newly sandblasted and 2k paint sprayed, BSC 2017, 2-4 berth, ideal liveaboard or cruiser, newly fitted stove with back boiler and radiators, hull blacked and new anodes August 2013, cassette toilet and separate shower. Tel. 07955 442552. Bucks.

NORMAN 20 Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke, new seats, cushions, new canopy, little used, good condition inside and outside, cooker lights etc, could deliver. £2750. Tel. 077130 39947. W Mids.

Wanted TIM TYLER BUILT SHELL and a 2013 fit-out by Cherilton Narrowboats, Shardlow marina, 4 berth, 900mm carpeted and tiled flooring in shower, c/h, Webasto heating, blue with a hint of purple and cream coach lines, Beta 38 and only 99 hrs. Tel. 07967 635665.

Derbys.

WIDEBEAM New, 11 ft by 57 ft, immaculate, red and cream coachwork, 2 separate bedrooms, secure mooring available at Reading, £89,500 ovno Tel. Brian 07881728622 or see emex.co.uk. Berks.

SEMI TRADITIONAL NARROWBOAT all mod cons including c/heating, 9 years old includes a secure mooring, 4.2 Vetus engine negotiable, £39,000. Tel. 07867 847989. Lancs.

WILDERNESS BEAVER DL Lovely condition, 4 berth, full headroom and fully upholstered heating, hot & cold water, fridge, twin batteries and 2 solar panels, 9.9 Yamaha outboard, canopies front and rear, £12,500 ono Tel. 01443 438673. Powys.

SELL OR SWOP my 61 x 6, 10 narrowboat bath shower, 7 berth, full cooker, central heating x stove, I want a wide beam?. Tel. 07806 802246.

Bucks.

ORIGINAL CHROME HAND PUMP wanted from Freeman 22, Mk 1, 1962.

Tel. 01969 622778. N Yorks.

WANTED: 9" opening port hole, Tel. 079030 10642. Stoke-on-Trent.

ACTIVE BI GUY boat owner, late 60s, GSOH, seeks congenial (preferably younger) companion(s) between July and October, cruising west and north from Braunston. Tel. 07853 345677. .

CEILLEN CRAFT .17 wanted front and top, plastic windows for Cullen Craft 17, also stern platform, gc to attract to outside boat! Tel. 07707 155419. Cheshire.

LIVE ABOARD NARROWBOAT wanted, must be built after 1995, at least 40ft long and have a headroom of 6ft 3", 1500w inverter and a pump-out toilet would be very much appreciated.

Ultimate treat: a w/machine, £23,000. max Tel. 07934 840885.

LOOKING FOR A live aboard narrowboat, it must be built after 1995, be at least 40ft long and have a headroom of 6ft 3in, a 1500W inverter and a pump-out toilet would be very much appreciated, ultimate treat: a washing machine, £23,000. max Tel. 07934 840885. London.

Selling your boat is

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LOOKING FOR A BOAT suitable for two people to live aboard with an option of rent to buy. We currently live close to the Shropshire Union near Nantwich but anything considered anywhere. Tel. Barrie North 07779 112207. Crewe.

LOOKING FOR A NARROW BOAT TO RENT I'm at a home for the next 612 months at least.Tel. 07593 265233.

B'ham.

LOOKING TO HIRE A BOAT for a while, not sure how long as I am looking to buy a live aboard next year and want to try it first. Tel. 07809 241531. N Yorks.

NARROWBOAT REQUIRED reverse layout 55ft to 59ft contemporary styled semi-trad, bow thrusters, diesel central heating and raised dinette preferred.

Up to £60,000 cash. Tel. 07801 019888. .

RECENTLY RETIRED professional couple are seeking a live aboard boat with mooring in the Oxford area for a 6 to 9 month period starting autumn 2014, Tel. 0779 8037699. Oxon.

RETIRED NATURE LOVING GENTLEMAN owns canal cruiser, would like to meet a hippy style lady, nationality and age unimportant, Tel. Tony 07717 257867. Lincs.

REVERSE LAYOUT 55ft to 59ft contemporary styled semi-trad narrowboat required, bow thrusters, diesel c/h and raised dinette preferred, up to £60,000. cash Tel. 07801 019888.

WANTED BOAT PLANS by Percy W Blandford, I want to make scale models of all the boats he has designed, can you help? The list I want Pete, Gremlin, Corrib, Siren, Foamcrest, Goblin, Curlew, Tarpon, Wensum, Cresta, SB9, Dory, Punt, Wood Nymph, Weaver, Venturer, Nomad, Woodwysk, Commodore, Lysander, also the range of canoes. Tel. 07990 778420. Staffs.

OLDER COUPLE would like to live on house boat for 12 months, need to be near Chorley, Lancs ( Leeds Liverpool canal) due to work commitments. Any chance please? Tel. Kate 01204 699984. Gtr Man.

Parts and spares

STERLING PRO BUDGET digital automatic battery charger, 12v, 10 amp, £20. Tel. 01217 842343. W Mids.

2 X 5 LITRETINS International Intertuf 16, hull blacking, £50. ono Tel. 01977 683643.Yorks.

3 BLADE PROPELLER 19 x 14 , 11⁄2" shaft, standard taper, good cond. I can send via courier at cost. £200. Tel. 07890 604121. Bucks.

FRANCIS FIREMANS SEARCHLIGHT brassed, inc stand, 3 spare bulbs, mounting bracket, vgc, £250.Tel. 07971 694114. Cambs.

Make

VICTRON INVERTER 24v/240v 1200va modified Sine wave with original instruction manual, perfect cond, just replaced by a more powerful unit make me a reasonable offer. Tel. Don 07475 725978. Northants.

BELFAST SINKS 2 x 1 with plug kit and overflow, £40; 1 without, £20; 1x Propshaft, unused, 11⁄2", 2ft long, £50; air filter housing to fit 2" inlet, £20; steel half coupling to fit 11⁄2" shaft, £20. Tel. 07989 222685. Derbys.

CONTRA FLEX EXPANSION BOTTLE 8 ltr, like new, hardly used. Tel. 0754 6016971. W Yorks.

DIESEL FUEL TANK refurbished, 1070 x 610 x 395 mm, I can resize, weld, or put on any fitting you want, as it is £50. Tel. 07890 604121. Bucks.

DORMAN 4DSM Classic and rare, 1:1 gearbox, suit engine room installation, due to be removed from 60ft narrowboat, good sounding engine requiring little attention, many spares inc heads, cranks, pistons etc, can be seen running, £3500 to inc all spares. Tel. 0121 7454266. W Mids.

GLASS UPLIFTERS with solid beech final by ring x3, brand new, still in box, 240v, £30; electric blanket, 12v still in packet, never used, 4ft bed, £20. Tel. 0777 9776508. W Yorks.

HONDA CB 750cc, various spares for K1/K2; Velocette engine 250cc, history; Vincent items, various bits, Hiller ammeter £20; Triumph panel lamp, £50; Triumph speedo, 12mph, £150; Lucas mag dyne, 1940s, £120. Tel. 0208 8944704. Middx.

MLS FUEL PURIFINER new, in box, £75; Max view Omnimax aerial withl magnetic base, £40; Binatone 2-way speakers with chargers, model 950, £25; selling due to ill health. Tel. 0151 6480153. Cheshire.

NEWAGE ENGINEERING COVENTRY 3:1 ratio, centre drop gearbox, less than 500 hours use, £450. ono; buyer collects. Tel. 07981 393834. W Berks.

ROCKER ARM SHAFT SUPPORT I am looking for a for a KD 26 Kingfisher will take whole rocker set, Tel. 07818 446284. Worcs.

RUTLAND 910 WIND GENERATOR genuine reason for sale, £100. ono Tel. Julie 07933 637239. W Mids.

SEALAND MANSFIELD pump-out spring cartridge, unwanted part from ball/shaft kit, £20 inc post. Tel. 07702 348828. Northants.

SHURFLO WATER PUMP 12v, 30psi, 2.8gpm, used but serviced and tested, can be seen operating correctly, £25.

Tel. 07811 314112. Leics.

Equipment THETFORD 365 porta potti, excellent clean condition, £45; Collection from Sheffield, N Anston or W Stockwith.Tel. 01909 550859. S Yorks.

Model

BABY BLAKE CLASSIC TOILET original porcelain bowl, good clean condition, c/w spares kit and outlet hose with valve, £200. Tel. 0113 2827449. W Yorks.

FRIDGE/FREEZER 12v Inlander RIR407W by Whirlpool, perfect working order, W495 X D580 X H845, in Tamworth/Nuneaton area, pick-up only, new. Best offer takes it! Call after 1pm only please. £408 new. Tel. 07936 412611. W Mids.

ANCHOR 1 x 10kg, 2 life jackets, 1 dehumidifier and 2 folding bikes for sale, buyer collects. 07754 756152. S Yorks.

CHEST FREEZER 12v, used for 1 week only, perfect condition, like new, sorry no photo, cost £410 will sell for £250 we couldn't return it because it was past the 28 day limit which I didn't read. No offers please it's like new. Tel. 07943 500745. Notts.

THETFORD PORTA POTTI Brand new "Cube", £35; two framed prints Black Country Canal route and Avon ring, £10 each. Tel. Liz 07920 148354.

W Mids.

WAECO COOLMATIC Compressor, top loader fridge or freezer, portable if needed, mains/12v 35 litre, 23" long, 14W/15h, extremely low power consumption, 1amp per hour, like new, cost £520, will accept £250. Tel. 01422 342128; 0777 9776508. W Yorks.

2 X BELFAST SINKS 1 with plug kit and overflow, £40; 1 without, £20; 1x Propshaft, unused, 11⁄2" 2ft long, £50; air filter housing to fit 2" inlet, £20; steel half coupling to fit 11⁄2" shaft, £20. Tel. 07989 222685. Derbys.

COMPASS COMPACT II life jacket, auto inflation, new, unused, £30. Tel. 07971 694114. Herts.

Canalia

KABOLA DIESEL STOVE with coal effect, vgc, £750 ono; buyer collects. Tel. 07981 393834. W Berks.

LOCKGATE DIESEL STOVE just taken out of 2007 boat, vgc, c/w flue roof collar and 3 part chimney, bargain, £250. Tel. 0751 804071. Derbys.

TWO DOLLY TUB PLANTERS painted, together with two painted mop buckets, £35 for all four items; also one large life ring, £10. Tel. 07950 832060. Leics.

FRANCIS SEARCHLIGHT 9”, in brass, been fully restored, sold my narrowboat, £900. Offers, tel. 07958 207675. W Mids.

Engines

30+ CANAL ACTS LAW BOOK dated with drawings by Thomas Telford, Liverpool Grand Union, Birmingham, Warwick etc, dated mid 1700/mid 1800s, offers please. Tel. 0781 3018056. W Mids.

KELVIN K3 fully restored, diesel, can be seen running by appointment, full photo restoration, £7500 ono. Tel. 07708 316065 for more details. Staffs.

FORD WATERMOTH 1300cc, inboard petrol engine, not used for approx 5 years, £100. ono Tel. 02476 341880 or 07860 682225. Warks.

HONDA 7.5 outboard engine, standard, spares or repairs, sold as seen! £65.

Tel. 07707 155419. Cheshire.

Miscellaneous FRANCIS SEARCH LIGHT 9”, been restored, all brass, £600 ono. Tel. 07958 207675. W Mids.

CAST BRASS NAME PLATES water, diesel, pump out etc, curved type, £1.50 each; rectangular type, £2 each; also self adhesive etched brass type, £2 each. Tel. 07811 314112. Leics.

Price

JOHN PLAYER CIGARETTE CARDS collectable, in original albums, x 3 1) 1839-1939 Cycling; 2) 1930s Annual Of Countryside; 3) Kings & Queens of England W D & H O Wills, Our King & Queen of 1937, £3000. each; could post, postage extra. Tel. 01422 342128. W Yorks.

FUTON SOFA BED 4ft long, wooden framed, red mattress, cost £120 6 months ago, £85. ono Tel. 01704 507842. Cheshire, Staffs.

INDESIT WASHER/DRYER in black, 2 years old, exc cond, does 7kg wash, 5kg dry, £90. Tel. 07507 196658. E Lancs.

KOZEE SLEEP MATTRESS back care supreme, 6.6 -3.3, hardly used so in very good condition, £65; two inshore blue 150N life jackets, new, still in bags, £45 each Tel. 07855 501048. Northants.

MEMORY FOAM MATTRESSES 3" thick, with removable covers for single beds, little used, cost approx £215, very good condition, accept £99. Tel. 01327 341866. Northants.

MOTORBIKE HELMET £20, black full-face 58/60cm motorbike/ scooter cruiser style helmet by Act, tan leather, 58/60cm, brand new, cost £100, accept £50. Tel. 0777 9776508.

W Yorks.

ROLLER BLIND 48" wide, never used, lilac/blue, £10; upholstery material h/duty dragon, patterned but shades of beige/cream, 54" x 78", £10; blown vinyl wallpaper, 3 rolls, half price £15. Tel. 0777 9776508. W Yorks.

ORIGINAL WATER CAN Roses and daises also barbers' pole mop, £160.

Tel. 01803 731013. Devon.

PHILLIPS MIDI HI-FI SYSTEM black, 2 speakers, twin speed turn table, twin deck tape, 3CD player, AM/FM radio, manual or remote control, instruction book, many more features, excellent order, cost £300, will accept £100. Tel. 01422 342128. W Yorks.

TUNISIAN HANDMADE RUGS 1) 75 x 31", blue/cream/white; 2) 74 x 38", cherry red/black, vgc, £50 each. Tel. 0777 9776508. W Yorks.

TWO CAPTAINS SWIVEL/TILT CHAIRS black, some wear, one needing attention, £30. Tel. 0121 3556475. Staffs.

UNDER WORKTOP FREEZER for sale 12/24 volt, very clean, cost new £500, sell for £200; remote control bluetooth CD MP3 car/boat radio, suitable for 4 speakers, not supplied, £40; 22" HD Freeview CD/DVD television, with wall mounted bracket, £80.

Tel. John 07831 500797. W Sussex.

VIDEO: WALLACE & GROMIT boxed, Limited Edition video, Grand Day Out, never used, £10; camera Praktica Z60 zoom, 35mm, not digital, brand new, still in box, never used, with free films, £30. Tel. 0777 9776508. W Yorks.

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for private readers

DERBI CROSS-CITY Trail bike, 125cc, 2009 model, 5,600 kms, vgc, 12 months’ MoT, full s/h, new chain and sprockets, £1295. Tel. 01422 342128.

W Yorks.

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110 READER’S STORY

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From narrowboat to barrow boat

Downsizing from a 35ft narrowboat to a rowing boat has not stopped Peter Cole from cruising the canals.

IN 1994, Peter Cole and his wife Rosa bought a new 35ft John Pinder narrowboat which they named Petrosa. It was based at Shalford, near Guildford, this being the nearest mooring to their Sussex home.

During the first three years they explored the River Wey and the Thames up to Lechlade, down under Tower Bridge to Limehouse Basin, the Rivers Lee and Stort, and the Regent’s Canal.

They then realised that in order to visit the rest of the canal network they would either have to move Petrosa to the middle of the country, or move house permanently to that area.

As their little village had by then grown to be one of the largest in West Sussex, they decided to move to the Banbury district, and bought a bungalow in Aynho, putting their furniture into store and visiting the Kennet & Avon Canal down to Bath, while between houses.

Altogether they enjoyed 10 years of fun, visiting most of the canals in the Midlands, and getting as far as Sharpness, Llangollen, Chester, the River Weaver and Marple Junction. Altogether they used their boat for more than 500 days, travelling well over 5000 miles and going through more than 3700 locks.

Early in 2003 they had Petrosa sandblasted down and completely repainted. That year they planned to take her up to York and Ripon, and then leave her on the Leeds & Liverpool to do that later as well.

However Rosa became ill, so she could no longer cope with the long days afloat that they had previously relished. They therefore reluctantly decided to sell Petrosa.

They had one last trip to visit Chester, which neither of them had visited before, and the Anderton Boat Lift and the River Weaver.

Wooden grain

Peter, however, could not face leaving the canals completely. At the Beale Park Boat Show, he looked at various types of dinghies. The one that impressed him the most was Greenway Marine Ltd’s Barrow Boat. Designed as a Norfolk Broads sailing dinghy, he learned that this could be provided as a clinker-built rowing boat with an attractive wooden grain.

Although only 6ft 3in long, the main feature, which gives it its name, is that it has a small

You can wheel the barrow boat along. wheel fitted in the front, thus enabling it to be easily moved on land, using the oars through special holes in the transom. It can hold two adults (if they are not too big), or an adult and two small children. He purchased the smallest available electric engine, together with a suitable battery and charger.

His next move was to buy an old Volvo estate.

This was both for Pet 2 to live in, and to convey her to any available launching place. He built a hinged ramp to make it easy to lift the boat in and out.

On first launching it seemed rather unstable compared with his previous boat, and there was one quite hairy moment when he leant backwards to grasp the metal edge at the bank, only to realise that water was coming in through one of the holes used by the oars for wheeling it about! This was because he, the motor and the battery were all at the back.

Luckily he realised the problem at once, and quickly shifted forwards, so no real harm was done.

It was then just a case of locating the battery much further forward.

His first few trips were on the Oxford Canal, and he immediately became aware of just how attractive this form of boating was. With a completely silent engine, and being low down in the water, he had a much better view of wildlife, and could hear all the birds singing.

The engine has five forward speeds plus reverse.

The fastest one is almost as quick as a narrowboat, but it uses the battery up very quickly. He soon settled on speeds three or four, which gives him about four hours’ travelling time. It was such a quiet and relaxing way to explore the canals, that he realised that he had found the perfect way for one person to enjoy boating and fishing.

The first year he had many trips on the Oxford Canal, and the Thames too, for he had obtained licences for both. Rosa enjoyed four or five trips with him, on at least two of which she took the tiller. She too was captivated by the silent passage, but sadly she died very suddenly from a heart attack.

Gel batteries

After two years Peter purchased a 5in high small gel battery to go partly under the front seat. In addition to balancing the trim of the boat, this gave him two more hours’ travelling time, greatly increasing his range, and lessening the worry of running out of battery. He started going further afield to include the Grand Union.

Wherever he went he got a lot of interest from other boaters and walkers, who were curious about this unique, quiet boat. His grandchildren are very fond of the boat too.

The next year, due to summer floods on the Thames, the flow became too strong for his tiny motor. He launched Pet 2 at Bablock Hythe, and luckily he decided to go upstream. It took well over an hour to get to Northmoor Lock, just 1.5 miles

Peter’s family on board Petrosa in Banbury.

The best ghost at Banbury Canal Day!

It just fits inside the Volvo. away. Turning round he didn’t need the engine, as the flow took him downstream faster than he had ever gone before. So he decided to restrict himself just to canals in future. At the end of that year, his main heavy battery began to wear out, so the following year he bought two slightly smaller gel batteries, each of which give him at least three hours’ travelling time, so that with the original gel one he then had up to eight hours to play with.

As the boat has a flat front, he realised four years ago that heavy headwinds were slowing him down, so he made up a detachable prow. It had to be detachable as Pet 2 only just fits inside his Volvo, but he now gets an extra half mile per battery, as she glides even more quietly through the water.

Every year, unless it was raining, he has attended the Banbury Canal Day in early October (watch out for him this year on October 5) and he has never been photographed as many times as he has been then. In 2009, when the theme was ‘Ghosts and Ghouls’, he won first prize for the best ghost.

Now on his tenth year he has completed more than 360 days out, and has covered over 1200 miles. He still enjoys his little boat just as much as ever. Most of his boating is on the Oxford Canal, but he occasionally visits the Grand Union, and sometimes the Aylesbury Arm. He is still amazed how on every trip people, mostly narrowboaters moored up, admire and ask him about his tiny boat. As far as he knows, it is the only craft of its kind on the canals, certainly on the Oxford Canal.

Lucky escape for Peter as tree falls across canal SINCE writing the article above, Peter Cole had a lucky escape when a tree fell across the South Oxford Canal near Enslow.

It happened on a stretch north of the Rock of Gibraltar pub and Enslow Marina from where a line of boats are moored past a winding hole. Two branches missed these but the bulk of the tree fell across a narrowboat at the end of the line and into the canal.

Peter said: “I had a very lucky escape; I had travelled north from Enslow and on

the way back I stopped to do a bit of fishing a couple of hundred yards before the incident. At about 3.30pm I thought about going home but luckily I decided to carry on fishing until about 4pm.

“Had I moved off earlier I might have passed by at the moment the tree fell and, with the amount and weight of branches that fell into the canal, my tiny boat and I could well have been swept to the bottom with fatal consequences.”

Peter was able to squeeze past the two fallen branches but couldn’t get any

further until men had brought up a butty from the marina to remove some of the branches. They then cut the trunk on the narrowboat roof into 3ft sections so it could be taken away. When the narrowboat had been freed, its owner moved it back out of the way and breasted up with another moored boat.

“As he backed out, I managed to slip my tiny boat out after him, but I imagine it was some time before any narrowboats could move in either direction,” Peter concluded.

Moving fallen branches from the top of the narrowboat. PHOTO: PETER COLE

RIBBLE LINK 111

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The northern reaches

KENDAL

Wellheads Lane Tunnel & Bridge Hincaster Tunnel & Horse Path

Crooklands Stable

The dry bed of the Lancaster Canal as it enters Kendal.

A6 A65 Tunnel

JUNCTION 36

North Road Bridge

Spinney Tunnel

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Tra

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A65

Cinderbarrow Tunnel

Once you have navigated the Lancaster Canal to Tewitfield, you can walk another 50 yards and see ahead of you an adventure postponed – the final 14 miles of the Lancaster that could take you and your boat into the heart of the Lake District.

Peter Underwood’s waterways adventure continues.

One of several ‘dry’ bridges on the way to Canal Head, kept in good condition by trust volunteers.

Millness Tunnel

5

A590

Map of the Northern Reaches showing where the canal needs to cross and recross the M6 on its way to Kendal.

The Trust’s trip boat Waterwitch which operates on a short section at Crooklands which is still navigable. PHOTO COURTESY LANCASTER CANAL TRUST

THE short-sighted politicians and bureaucrats of the late 1960s and the unwillingness of British Waterways of the time to rock the boat are the reason boats can’t travel to Kendal.

Until the M6 motorway was built just eight locks carried you beyond Tewitfield to the summit level of the Lancaster Canal which then wended its way over the border into Cumbria, past idyllic villages and stately homes until it arrived in the Lakeland town of Kendal, running alongside the pretty River Kent for many of the final miles.

Despite vociferous protest from many quarters, including the organisation that became the Lancaster Canal Trust, the powers that be ruled they couldn’t afford the short tunnels and crossing necessary to allow navigation.

Instead the canal was culverted under the motorway, in one place just a few yards away from a motorway tunnel made for an adjacent road. The whole canal is supplied with water by a reservoir feeder that enters the Northern Reaches in a short section that is still navigable near Crooklands on the outskirts of Kendal.

That means all but the final six miles is still in water and those eight locks at Tewitfield are in great condition, lacking only their gates.

Yet restoration is estimated to cost somewhere between £20 million and £60 million, depending on who you listen to, and most of that is due to the

STAINTON

A6070 Tewitfield Tunnel

MOST NORTHERLY POINT OF NAVIGATION ON THE ENGLISH CANAL SYSTEM

TEWITFIELD

cost of crossing and recrossing the M6 and associated major roads.

Fighting the battle

The Lancaster Canal Trust has been fighting the battle of the Northern Reaches for nearly 50 years and it has made some progress. There is a short stretch at Crooklands which was used for a national trailboat rally a few years ago and is home to the trust’s tripboat which helps bring in much needed running costs. That stretch is going to be extended by one pound this summer after Waterways Recovery Group volunteers have helped reline it.

The locks at Tewitfield have been kept in good order, minus the gates, by volunteers and much of the length between there and Crooklands that is still in water is kept as usable as possible. Even the filled-in section beyond Stainton is defended as they constantly monitor and challenge any planning proposals that threaten the route, which is currently a pleasant footpath over much of the length.

As trust vice chairman Helen Thomas, a veteran campaigner, told me, the fight has been full of ups and downs with various local authorities waxing and waning in their support for the concept of returning the boats to Kendal.

The year 2019 is the double centenary of the opening of the whole Lancaster Canal from Kendal to Preston and has become a target for the enthusiasts.

Helen said: “We have done all sorts of studies over the years and we not only have a feasibility report from respected engineers but we are even being helped by experts who worked on the motorway.

“The local councils and people in Kendal know what an asset a restored canal could be to the town, especially for tourism, but we need to access the lottery funds necessary to make the dream come true.”

High hopes

However, the enthusiasts sometimes feel the odds are stacked against them.

They have been recently joined by Keith Tassart, now works party supervisor for the trust but formerly a British Waterways employee who helped put in the stop planks at Stainton where the dry section begins.

Now a farm manager for a local landowner Keith has high hopes of hitting that 2019 target but feels the Canal & River Trust is not fully committed to the project.

His work parties were for a time banned from operating on CRT land beside the Northern Reaches after a contretemps over his efforts to dredge

Keith Tassart, works party supervisor for the trust has set himself a target of 2019 to have boats in Kendal. the section at Crooklands used by the trust trip boat, using an excavator based on an unusual floating platform.

The trust says it jumped through all CRT’s hoops, and CRT says it didn’t.

Keith said: “I think CRT thinks we’re a load of old fuddy-duddies messing about with a bit of canal that will never get opened and I think they are only interested in getting a bit of water from the feeder that enters the canal at Crooklands to the head of navigation at Tewitfield. I don’t believe there is any commitment to restoring the Northern Reaches.

“Even when they cut weeds in the section at Crooklands the CRT staff were banned from doing the whole stretch and only cut the middle section of the length downstream of the feeder.”

Stephen Bergquist, maintenance manager (North West), for CRT said: “Canal & River Trust is working with very finite resource. With many required works along the waterways, all of our financial resource is placed into management and maintenance of the existing waterways.

“As such, we are not leading on plans to restore the Northern Reaches.

However, we are working with Lancaster Canal Trust, offering guidance and expertise on many different aspects of the scheme. In addition, we have committed an investment of £5000 towards culvert surveys as part of the project.”

Despite that Keith, is an optimist and has managed to recruit more volunteers for work parties as well as getting them out throughout the winter months. He has even helped recruit a fundraising expert to the trust who he hopes will be able to work with local councils and lottery funders to grab a sufficiently large lump of money to extend the restoration substantially.

He said: “I want to see boats on the Northern Reaches, hopefully right into Kendal by the centenary. If they could do it 200 years ago I am sure that, with the right financial backing we can do the same.”

The start of the flight of eight locks that take the Lancaster up beside the M6.

PHOTOS: PETER UNDERWOOD UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED

Some question the demand to take boats up those eight locks – the top one is to be shifted to the other side of the M6 to enable boats to pass under the motorway – and into Kendal.

Weather and tide

Looking at visitor boat numbers, those are controlled by the Ribble Crossing which is open around 100 days a year and dependent on weather and tide.

Last year 216 boats crossed to the Lancaster with 210 making the return trip. Assuming the most the link can cope with is 36 a month in one direction than the maximum number of visiting boats can only rise by around another 70 to just under 300 a year – and that means the link being fully booked even in the less predictable months of the year.

Recent years have seen the number of boats based on the Lancaster grow considerably as it became opened up to the larger canal system with three substantial new marinas at Garstang, Barton Grange and Tewitfield and a planning application for another at Carnforth.

At least one landowner is optimistic about the potential for a restored Northern Reaches and has already drawn up plans for a 100-berth marina near Crooklands.

The boating demand certainly seems to be at least as substantial as for other restorations, such as the Huddersfield Narrow and the Rochdale.

The tourism potential and the boost to local economies seems unquestionable and several plans have already been proposed for shopping and residential development around a renewed canal head at Kendal that would link the town centre with the ancient castle that sits above the dry canal.

Yet the political will comes and goes and is currently severely diminished as central government cuts have left local authorities short of funds for much more essential spending, never mind canal restoration.

Trust experts clearing the offside against a background of the Lake District Drumlins. PHOTO COURTESY LANCASTER

CANAL TRUST

Volunteers profiling the canal bed at Sellet Hall bridge. PHOTO COURTESY

LANCASTER CANAL TRUST

Money is the crucial catalyst and the Northern Reaches may be one of the most attractive tourist-based restorations but it is very expensive and there are lots of other enthusiasts out there bidding for cash from the same lottery pot.

I suspect the best asset the Lancaster Canal Trust has at present is a lively 73year-old farm manager, who once helped close the Northern Reaches and is now determined to reverse the work he did nearly five decades ago. ● If you would like to see some hand-held film of the Northern Reaches, then check out Towpath Talk’s website www.towpathtalk.co.uk for videos and updates.

112 BOAT MAINTENANCE/ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton

Staying safe on your boat

A few months ago Clive Penny of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners started looking at the Top Ten Non-Compliances found by examiners during the last 12 months. Here’s numbers 2, 3, and 4.

2

Are batteries secure against excessive movement in any direction?

Batteries must not be able to move more than 10mm in any direction including upwards.

Batteries are normally secured from sideways movement by either being in a tray or a box. Vertical movement can restrained, by a strap over the top, or if a box or cradle comes to two-thirds the height of the batteries then this is deemed to fulfil this requirement.

3

Are the correct number of portable fire extinguishers provided, and do they have the correct fire ratings?

The number of fire extinguishers and the combined fire ratings required, depends on the length of your boat.

Length of vessel

Minimum Minimum number combined fire rating Under 7m (23ft) 2 10A/68B 7-11m (23-36ft) 2 13A/89B Over 11m (36ft) 3 21A/144B

4

Is the LPG system free of leaks as defined in the tightness test?

Basically this means: “Is there a gas leak?”

To test for a gas leak, your examiner will either use the bubble tester fitted in your gas locker, if you have one, or connect a manometer to a gas test point. If you do not have a bubble tester fitted then please find the test point and clear access to it prior to your examination. (I often find them hidden behind pots and pans below the kitchen sink.)

The test must show no bubbles in the bubble tester when operated for 60 seconds or no discernible pressure drop when using a manometer.

So, even the smallest of leaks will constitute a ‘non-compliance’.

Should a gas leak be detected, where is it likely to be?

Every part of a gas system on a boat is vulnerable to some degree.

Appliances like cookers and hobs may develop leaks, often on the gas taps.

Regular servicing of all appliances is recommended but sometimes the only cure is to replace the appliance.

Pipework is vulnerable at joints due to the constant vibration that is often found on boats when the engine is running.

To help prevent this, the BSS requirement is that a fixing be placed within 150mm of each side of each joint.

The requirements for gas installations on boats are different from those in a domestic property. As such ‘Gas Safe’ engineers require an additional qualification to work on LPG systems on boats. Make sure anyone you employ to work on your boat has this extra LPG Boat qualification.

LPG fixings each side of each joint.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

● More information can be found on my website: www.canalelectrics.com or you can email me directly at clivepenny@canalelectrics.com Your local member of the Association of Boat Safety Examiners can be found at www.ABSE.org and will be happy to answer any questions you may have and assist in any way they can.

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

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

Keeping your engine cool

Cooling systems are responsible for a fair amount of boaters’ stress during the summer months. When the cooling system fails your engine overheats, and if not identified and remedied quickly, can cause extensive engine damage.

Overheating is caused by a build-up of air in the marine cooling system which eventually causes the coolant flow around the system to stop.

As part of your maintenance schedule, periodically bleed the air from the system.

If your engine overheats, feel the top and bottom of the water tank; it should be hot at the top and cool at the bottom.

If it isn’t, you have an air lock. To release the air, locate and loosen the bleed screw on your skin tank.

If you don’t have one, or you have a raw water cooled system, run the engine for up to an hour with the expansion tank cap off to allow the air to escape as it travels though the cooling system. If you do attempt this, keep topping the water up as the air creeps out and do not leave the engine unattended.

If you find a leak on your cooling hose, check if the hose needs replacing as it can become hard or disfigured over time. If the hose is sound, repair the leak and top up the cooling system (bleed as above).

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Special delivery carried by heritage canal boat ONE hundred and nineteen years after she first plied her trade as a cargo boat on the Irish inland waterways, Heritage Canal Boat number 4E has been put back into service carrying a special delivery.

Leaving Tullamore Harbour on the Grand Canal back in May with an ancient Bolinder engine on its front deck, 4E and its crew has been travelling through the waterways for the past three months to reach the Waterways Ireland HQ in Enniskillen.

Early in the last century the Bolinder engine replaced the heavy horses used as the means of propulsion for trading boats. The Bolinder Company, founded in Stockholm, Sweden by brothers Karl and Jean Bolinder in 1832 first The Bolinder engine. PHOTO: HBA produced components for

Heritage canal boat 4E is back in business. PHOTO: JOE TREACY

steam engines, railways and sawmill machinery before going on to develop engines. These soon became known throughout the world for their durability and reliability making them synonymous with barge engines.

In 1911, the Grand Canal Company installed Bolinder engines into four of their trading boats and impressed by the trials ordered more. By 1914 28 horse barges had been converted and these engines remained in continuous use in the fleet until the mid-70s when the Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ), the Irish Transport System, removed the last working Bolinder from its maintenance boat.

The engine being presented on an extended loan by the Heritage Boat Association (HBA) to Waterways Ireland will be put on display in its headquarters and to salute the hundreds of boats and their crews who worked on the inland waterways over the centuries it was thought only fitting that this should be delivered by heritage canal boat.

Leaving Tullamore to travel west along the Grand Canal for the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland’s (IWAI) Canal Boat Rally at Shannon Harbour, 4E arrived carrying the Bolinder engine, as well as towing 92E. One of nine surplus barges and work boats ranging in date from 1895 to 1938 it was offered for public tender by Waterways Ireland last year. Recently raised from the depths of Tullamore Harbour by HBA chairman Joe Treacy and his team, 92E along with some of the other surplus boats were on public display during the event. On entering the Shannon Navigation 4E was joined and escorted for the remainder of the journey to Enniskillen by the HBA fleet which is touring the extensive waterways of the Erne System this summer. ● Members of the HBA are particularly interested in hearing from and meeting people whose families would have had connections with the commercial trade on the canals and rivers. For more information visit their website www.heritageboatassociation.ie and/or contact Paul Martin at paul@comma.ie

Royal Canal Greenway part of coast-to-coast pathway A ROYAL Canal Greenway will form part of a coast-to-coast pathway for cyclists and walkers.

Stretching from the Docklands in Dublin city centre all the way to the Atlantic coast in Galway this will also form part of a European Route taking in some of the world’s most captivating cities. To be known in its entirety as EuroVelo2 this could be completed in as little as five years’ time.

From Dublin the route will run alongside the Royal Canal as far as Mullingar before continuing in a south-easterly direction towards Athlone along the track of a disused railway. The route onwards to Galway is yet to be decided upon. To date three sections have been completed, the latest is a 2.5km section between Ashtown (10th Lock) and Castleknock (12th Lock) which was officially opened recently by Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar.

A further greenway stretching along the banks of the Royal Canal from its eastern end at Richmond Harbour, Clondara to Longford Town via the derelict Longford Branch Canal has been officially opened by the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Michael Ring. The 16.5km Longford Town/Clondara Greenway costing €300,000 was carried out with support from Leader through Longford Community Resources Ltd, Longford County Council, Waterways Ireland and the County Tourism Committee.

The Longford Branch Canal, which was opened in 1830 and closed in 1958, has been known as ‘the missing link’

Richmond Harbour, Clondara, is at the eastern end of a recently opened greenway via the derelict Longford Branch Canal. PHOTO:ALISON ALDERTON since the reopening of Royal Canal in 2010. It is hoped the new greenway may contribute to the feasibility study on possible restoration of the canal for which the results are due later this year. ● For more details on cycle routes in Europe including EuroVelo2 visit www.eurovelo.com

DUNROVIN – POssIble New hOme fOR lOUgh Ree lIfebOat THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) Lough Ree Lifeboat could be getting a new home.

Currently based in temporary buildings at Coosan Point, the entrance to Lough Ree’s Inner Lakes, the station was established in 2012.

Operating an Atlantic 75 B Class Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), the Eric Rowse B772, the station has been

called out on numerous occasions, proving to be a vital asset to the area.

Adjacent to Coosan Point stands the site of Dunrovin. Belonging to the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) this was envisaged to become the new headquarters and include a state-of-the-art building with meeting room and archive store.

However, costings proved too high

The birthplace of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland could include a new lifeboat station. PHOTO:ALISON ALDERTON

and following much discussion, IWAI president Carmel Meegan requested submissions from the association’s branches as to future suggestions for the site. Out of 11 submissions received eight featured the inclusion of an RNLI station.

The IWAI and the RNLI are now to jointly investigate the possibility of establishing a permanent station on part of the Dunrovin site. A new scaled-down version of the original IWAI building has not been fully ruled out and one of modest construction may still be a possibility through the site development by the RNLI. The RNLI has thanked the IWAI for its support as well as the kind and generous offer to formally investigate and assess the potential of the Dunrovin Site as a permanent lifeboat station.

The Dunrovin site which covers around one acre of woodland bordering the lakeshore also encompasses a historic Second World War Nissen hut. Erected by the association’s founder member Col Harry Rice, it is from this small building that the IWAI was formed some 60 years ago.

ON IRISH WATERS with Alison Alderton 113

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A saltwater foray

Alison Alderton ventures onto tidal waters to cross Dublin Bay. A view of the River Liffey from Grand Canal Docks.

Fishing in Dublin Bay. PHOTOS:ALISON ALDERTON IN 1800 there were proposals to link Dublin with the seaside resort and port of Dún Laoghaire by an 8km canal.

Surveyed by William Jessop, costs were high and the idea was shelved. In 1833 William Cubbit readdressed the subject proposing a lateral canal running along the shoreline of Dublin Bay. Despite being a cheaper solution, with the arrival of the railways this was soon dismissed. To reach Dún Laoghaire by boat today involves a salt water foray and as more boaters embark on the Green & Silver route, Ireland’s first waterway loop, many are now taking time out when reaching Dublin to explore what lies beyond the canal’s lock gates.

Whether entering Dublin from the Grand or Royal Canal, boaters need to liaise with Waterways Ireland to access the tidal River Liffey as this is only possible at certain states of the tide.

It was a warm summer’s day when my barge and crew undertook the journey; leaving the safe confines of the Grand Canal Docks and motoring downstream, the city skyline created a spectacular backdrop as we passed the O2 Arena and The Wheel, the retired lightship, Kittiwake and beneath the East Link Bridge to Poolbeg Marina, in the heart of the working docks. We had booked a berth here opposite the cruise

ship moorings and when we arrived Azura was in port.

From Poolbeg there are no tidal restrictions when entering the sea, making it the ideal location for coastal explorations. We chose to depart early on a beautifully calm morning informing Dublin’s harbour master of our intentions by VHF radio. With the all clear to depart, the Liffey carried us past busy cargo and container docks, the twin-towers of the power station which act as a well-known landmark for boaters and towards the open sea.

We raced alongside the Isle of Man fast-cat for all of a few seconds before being left standing in a bubbling wash of foam. Fishermen threw us waves as we passed Poolbeg Lighthouse perched at the end of the protective South Bull Wall and emerged into the wide expanse of Dublin Bay. Dwarfed by ferries and cargo ships we followed the marked channel to buoy number four before turning southwest and heading towards Dún Laoghaire.

Once clear of the marked channel, we were able to fish for mackerel and try to spot the resident pod of dolphins.

Unfortunately we never did see them but smacks of jellyfish and flocks of diving gannets kept us entertained as did the amazing views of the Dublin Mountains. With calm weather, we decided to make the most of our time in

Yachts in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. the bay heading south along the coast passing Sandy Cove and on towards Sorrento Point.

Exciting diversion

Finally, with an increasing breeze, we turned towards the safety of Dún Laoghaire, which is accessible at all times.

Approaching we were surrounded by a flotilla of youngsters in sailing dinghies. Surprised at seeing a barge on the sea they had come to investigate and with a hail of questions excitedly escorted us into the harbour.

We were allocated a mooring in the huge marina which has more than 800 berths. Those for visitors are situated on the outside pontoons close to the fishing harbour. The comings and goings of the fleet and the inquisitive resident seals make it entertaining, though it’s quite a walk to reach the main facilities and dry land where access in and out is by fingerprint recognition.

Dún Laoghaire harbour was designed

by Scottish engineer John Rennie and constructed using local stone from Dalkey Quarry between 1817 and 1842.

Considered to be one of the finest artificial harbours in the world, it is easy to see why. It is vast, home to several prestigious yacht clubs and with the sun shining and the harbour busy it exudes a Mediterranean ambience.

There is a pleasant walk along the

Poolbeg lighthouse. seafront to Sandy Cove where the Martello Tower houses a museum dedicated to James Joyce. This, along with the nearby Forty Foot bathing place, feature in his much-praised book Ulysses.

The small town of Dalkey with its castle and heritage centre is also worth visiting, while the Dalkey Quarry can be reached by taking ‘The Metals’ a walkway following the original line of a funicular railway system used for transporting the quarried stone to the harbour.

While it may take a little effort to reach, with the correct type of craft, suitable weather conditions and some navigational research this Dublin Bay port makes an exciting diversion for boaters visiting Dublin via the inland waterways.

Fisherman and seal in Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

➔ Usefulinformation Dún Laoghaire lies on the south shore of Dublin Bay about 12km from the city centre.

From 1821 to 1920 it was known as Kingstown

Navigation issues: It is vital that all inland waterway boaters contact their insurance company before embarking on any coastal exploration as certain terms and conditions may apply.

Dublin Port An information booklet entitled Dublin Bay Guidance Notes for Leisure Craft can be downloaded in pdf form from the Information Centre section on the following website: www.dublinport.ie

Moored opposite cruise ship Azura.

For details on navigating Dublin Bay try Imray’s Irish Sea Pilot by David Rainsbury

Dún Laoghaire Harbour’s west well.

Dún Laoghaire Marina www.dlmarina.com Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company www.dlharbour.ie Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) Dublin Branch www.dublin.iwai.ie Poolbeg Marina www.poolbegmarina.ie Waterways Ireland www.waterwaysireland.org

Passing container ships on the tidal Liffey.

Martello Tower and Forty Foot bathing place.

For more general information on what to see and do in Dún Laoghaire try: www.dun-laoghaire.com

114 TOWPATH TREASURES

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The Graham Palmer stone One of the canal heroes Words: PHILLIPPA GREENWOOD Images: MARTINE O’CALLAGHAN

The Montgomery Canal is a haven for nature.

Approaching Graham Palmer Lock.

OVER 200 years ago the unknown navvy was sent scrambling across every corner of Britain to cut thousands of miles of ditches out of the land with his humble shovel.

His ditches were filled with water and hailed as the masterworks of great engineers.

That era of Canal Mania paid no homage to the nameless navvy.

His job was servile and uncouth, a mere tool for the mighty Empire that employed him (for a pittance).

Around 200 years later, Graham Palmer (who died tragically young in 1988) redefined the status of digging dirt from the ground, when he became the father of the modern day navvy. He took up the baton of helping restore some of the UK’s lost and decaying canals under the flag of the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG).

The roots of the WRG gathered momentum in 1969 on the Big Dig Weekend, when around 300 people cleared a section of the Montgomery Canal through Welshpool. Graham Palmer saw the need to coordinate willing volunteers into the most worthwhile restoration projects – and formed the WRG in 1970.

WRG evolved and made the job description of a modern day navvy sound like occupational fun.

Graham Palmer’s work didn’t end when he died – the WRG remains dedicated to the tasks ahead. The famous red T-shirts of WRG became the attentiongrabbing colour behind the setting up of Inland Waterways Association (IWA) festival sites.

And anyone can join in and go on one of their famous working camps, affectionately known as a ‘dirty weekend’. A good time is guaranteed, as well as the sense

The Graham Palmer Stone. of achievement from the new skills a volunteer gains from mucking in with a team.

One of the WRG’s largest restoration projects has been the rebuilding of the four Frankton Locks and three Aston Locks on the Montgomery Canal, and most recently it helped in the restoration and reopening in 2012 of the Droitwich Canals.

On the 40th anniversary of the Big Dig Weekend, a memorial stone was erected on the Montgomery Canal (to replace a former stone). The success of WRG lies in the chiselled face of Graham Palmer on an unshielded stone. Passers-by can share a moment in the company of a canal hero – with a soundtrack of water trickling into the lock, as if to herald his achievements and the movement he founded.

Graham is immortalised on the beautiful canal that carves its way through Wales. His chiselled stone face is worn, but never looks weary as he watches over his lock (named after him).

Almost symbolically, his memorial stone is destined to decay, just as the canals he loved did – and there’s a peacefulness that surrounds this uplifting spot on the Monty, as if Graham Palmer earned his place in the timeline of Britain’s canals and he fits here. A canal lined with oaks and old buildings curling into the landscape mingles with the sweetest smells of Wales for pure joy. The oaks ask you to linger and the canal rolling into the hills ahead calls you onwards. Thanks to the help of people like Graham Palmer, you have the choice.

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The Towpath Angler

Our monthly look at the angling scene

Welsh Frankton Locks at the start of the Montgomery Canal.

Adapted extract from Britain’s Canals, A National Treasure in 100 Must-See Objects by Phillippa Greenwood and Martine O’Callaghan – published by Coolcanals July 2012.

A WRG bricklaying demonstration at an IWA national festival.

www.coolcanals.com

FACT FILE Waterway Recovery Group The Waterway Recovery Group was originally formed as an independent body, but now operates as a division of the Inland Waterways Association. They are always looking for new volunteers, and there are many ways to get involved – helping out at canal restoration camps and ‘dirty weekends’, digging, building locks, or even being the canal camp cook... www.waterways.org.uk/wrg/ or www.wrg.org.uk Inland Waterways Association The Inland Waterways Association is a registered charity, founded in 1946, which advocates the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways for public benefit. www.waterways.org.uk Friends of the Montgomery Canal ‘Aiming for the full Monty’ Formed by the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust to provide information and involvement for people living in the canal corridor, the group also organises many fundraising events including the Montgomery Canal Triathlon. www.montgomerycanal.me.uk/mwrt .html

Location Near Lower Frankton The stone stands alongside Graham Palmer Lock, just beyond bridge 71 OS Grid ref: SJ366309 Canal: Montgomery Canal How to get there By train Nearest train station is Gobowen National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950 By bus Traveline Cymru 0871 2002233 By car Roadside and in a small car park near bridge 71 On foot The Montgomery Canal’s towpath is deservedly popular with both walkers and cyclists. Both the Severn Way and the Offa’s Dyke Path follow the canal towpath further south near Welshpool.

By boat Nearest boat hire: ABC Boat Hire Blackwater Meadow Marina, Ellesmere on Llangollen Canal.

Holiday boat hire. 03303 330590 www.abcboathire.com Maestermyn, Welsh Lady Cruisers & Mid Wales Narrowboats Whittington on Llangollen Canal

near Frankton Junction. Holiday boat hire. 01691 662424 www.maestermyn.co.uk Tillerman Boats, Blackwater Meadow Marina, Ellesmere on Llangollen Canal.

Holiday boat hire. 01395 443545 www.tillermanboats.co.uk Boat Trips: Bywater Horsedrawn Cruises Maesbury Marsh.

Short horsedrawn cruises along a restored section of the Montgomery Canal. T:07941 429980 www.bywatercruises.co.uk Moorings There are plenty of visitor moorings available along the Llangollen Canal near Frankton Junction and along the Montgomery Canal on a short section of the Weston Branch near Graham Palmer Lock Local Tourist info Ellesmere Tourist Info www.ellesmere.info Shropshire Tourism www.shropshiretourism.co.uk Canal & River Trust/Glandwr Cymru Use the Canal & River Trust website to find specific local information. www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

JULY saw me at a number of key meetings. Firstly there was a joint meeting of Canal & River Trust’s Environment and Angling Advisory Groups. The work of each group is often so closely connected it is vital that we are on the same page wherever possible and can combine our respective strengths as appropriate.

The venue was the Tees Barrage. It is a very impressive structure in its own right but when you see all the facilities around it – canoe slalom courses, parks etc. – it is something quite special. We saw a number of seals in the river which at the right time of year line up to ambush the salmon as they make their annual run up the river.

The following week I chaired the Angling Advisory Group meeting where we were delighted to be joined by chief executive Richard Parry. The primary business was a presentation and discussion on the recently conducted survey of angling clubs. It had clearly been a very worthwhile exercise enabling CRT staff and ourselves to better understand the club’s perceptions of CRT in general.

Views were quite wide ranging but it was very obvious that there is absolute respect for the Angling and Fisheries team but it was acknowledged that the team size was too small to cover the country and so should be increased.

As a natural progression from the survey we went on to discuss angling and fishery action plans. There was a version of these produced in every waterway many years ago but they never got off the ground. It is likely that these new plans will also be developed and implemented by the waterways again. However, in order for them to succeed it was the unanimous view of the group that a member of the angling and fisheries team and local angling clubs should be involved from the outset. This will ensure that the plans have credibility.

The following day saw me at the CRT AGM in Birmingham. It was a really good meeting involving presentations from chairman, Tony Hales and Richard Parry. Both gave not only a resume of things to date but also a useful insight as to where we were going in the future.

The afternoon session featured four volunteers – each spoke about what they did, their reasons for becoming a volunteer and what they see as key priorities going forward. This was then opened up to the audience and once again I was really impressed by the enthusiasm for success across the

David Kent

whole waterway community. I extolled the virtues of angling club bailiffs and their potential value in many ways, not least in intelligence gathering.

Best line

At meetings I am still frequently asked by the boating representatives which is the best line to take along a canal to ensure minimum disturbance to anglers. Anglers will fish wherever they find the fish in their swim but generally the safest line to take is straight down the middle – in the deepest part of the canal. However, in my experience, provided bankside visibility is good so everyone can see each other in reasonable time there should never be a real problem.

The pilot Canal Championship to be run by CRT in conjunction with Angling Trust in September draws ever closer.

Ticket sales so far suggest it could well be a sell-out. Certainly at the events I attend the interest in this new competition and, in particular, the fact that it is to be a pairs event, has been very encouraging. There is great interest in the Junior event which will be run alongside the main Pairs Championship. If you and a colleague are keen to try your hand there is still plenty of time to apply for your tickets from the Angling Trust Competitions department at Nottingham.

Not heard much detail from my contacts around the canals recently other than following our prolonged period of sunny weather weed is proving rather a problem. It is difficult therefore to suggest where to go for a bit of sport. However, while the weather remains as it is I guess a short evening session may well prove the most productive.

My own form in matches fluctuates dramatically, although I have had a couple of brown envelopes recently.

Even so I must try harder.

Good luck.

Steve lands Blythe Waters record catch in Stillwater Championship qualifier

SIZZLING temperatures did not stop angler Steve Ringer breaking the Blythe Waters record with a total catch of 27 carp totalling 87.320kg to head the leader board at the second July qualifier for the Angling Trust and Canal & River Trust Stillwater Championship.

He goes forward to the grand final at the Solihull venue on September 20

with Barry Bush, Aiden Mansfield and Carl Barnfield.

Earlier in the month, conditions were also hot and still at Boddington Reservoir where 32 anglers fished the qualifier. Winner of the A Section Steve Openshaw had already qualified, so runner-up James Hipkiss progressed along with Graham Dashwood, Paul Cooke and Nigel Franklin.

Cotswold fishery wins national award BUSHYLEAZE Trout Fishery in Gloucestershire won this year’s Alan Faulkner Memorial Award – a national award presented by the Wheelyboat Trust recognising efforts to support the needs of disabled anglers across the UK. This is the twelfth year of the awards, and also coincides with The Wheelyboat Trust’s 30th anniversary.

The award was presented at this year’s CLA Game Fair at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire by guest of honour Lord de Mauley, the Parliamentary Under

Secretary for Natural Environment and Science. The prize was a 4hp outboard motor provided by the award’s sponsor, Suzuki GB. Bushyleaze Trout Fishery bought its first Wheelyboat 10 years ago after holding a celebrity fishing day to raise the necessary funds, and with grants from The Sports Council, the Environment Agency and others. The boat is free to use on the 22-acre springfed lake and the fishery offers disabled access from the car park right the way to the boat launch pad.

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The Wet Web Sorting the wood from the trees, Helen Gazeley finds a material that’s hardier than oak and could play a part in maintaining canal structures.

ANYONE following the progress of Crossrail knows there’s an iconic building in the making at Canary Wharf station. You’ll probably also know that its distinctive lattice-work roof is made of glulam.

Glulam – glued laminated timber – is one of several types of engineered wood that are becoming better known in this country. That this hasn’t happened before is, the website (www.glulam.co.uk) suggests, because unlike many European countries, we are not surrounded by vast forests of softwood, wondering how to make the most of them. Glulam seems particularly employed for pillars and beams, but a range of other woods have been proving their usefulness in the water.

The recently unveiled Go Boat terminal and the solar-powered vessels themselves in Copenhagen Harbour are clad in Kebony, softwood that’s impregnated with a mixture based on furfuryl alcohol. The alcohol polymer binds to the wood, lengthening its life as much as nine times, and the fact that it’s a waste product in sugar manufacture gives Kebony (kebony.com/en) particularly green credentials.

While engineered wood doesn’t come cheap, there are advantages. An environmental plus is that they use softwoods in plentiful supply and generally come in standard widths, wasting less material than the scarcer tropical hardwoods with which they compete. It swells and contracts much less, so paints and varnishes stay put for longer, and doesn’t need to be treated with wood preservative, reducing maintenance costs.

Accsys Technologies, which employs acetylation to produce Accoya (www.accoya.com), mainly from radiata pine, offers an impressive amount of research, downloadable from its website. In durability classification, Accoya is in Class 1, with

a 60-year above-ground service life estimate from the Building Research Establishment.

Perhaps the most arresting research, though, is the canal-lining test that has run in the Netherlands since 1995, using Accoya and a nonmodified softwood. These conditions, as we know, are particularly punishing for timber because of the combination of air, water and microbes in the soil; yet after 16 years Accoya was found to be virtually untouched, while the softwood was considerably worse for wear.

Recent correspondence in Towpath Talk (Talkback, Issue 104, June) pointed out the waste of water pouring through leaky lock gates. Might Accoya be an answer? “It’s stronger than oak,” said Justin Peckham, sales manager at Accsys, “and more stable.”

Accsys has already spotted the potential on Britain’s canals. “It’s difficult to find the right person to talk to,” added Justin. “We spoke to British Waterways a few years ago and the inclination is to use oak.”

As the wet/dry/wet condition of lock gates makes the usual construction swell and contract, resulting in leaks, Julian can imagine an oak-framed lock gate with Accoya’s dimensionally stable boards and panelling saving considerably on maintenance. The acetylation process has been proved to reduce movement in the wood by 75% or more, while the treatment makes the wood much less attractive to microbes and insects. BS8417 (guidance on wood treatment) indicates a durability of 30 years in a canalside situation for Class 1 wood, comparing favourably with the average life of an oak gate at 25 years or so.

For more information on engineered woods, The Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA) offers limited access to its articles to nonmembers after free registration (www.trada.co.uk).

The Moses Bridge, built using Accoya, at the Fort de Roovere, Halsteren, Netherlands.

The Kebony treehouse at Hampton Court Flower Show this year. PHOTO: HELEN GAZELEY

Accoya wood in place in a canal near junctions of the N301 and N305 Nijkerk-Zeewolde, Zuiderzeeland, Netherlands.

➔

For more information Do you have a favourite website?

Email Helen at helengazeley@aol.com

Kebony-clad Go Boat terminal at Copenhagen Harbour.

TALKBACK A poem of remembrance MY WIFE and I were moored on the Macclesfield Canal in our narrowboat Aurthora and I was moved to write this poem after seeing a small display of First World War artefacts donated by local families at a nearby garden fete we visited at Wincle in Cheshire.

It was in memory of those hundreds of thousands of young men from both sides of that terrible conflict who did not survive, and whose dreams, ambitions and potential was never achieved. I thought that you may like to share my thoughts with your readers during this centenary year.

We left with cheers my mates and I from around our neighbourhood.

It would be all over for Christmas, we were led to understand.

We were all jovial, laughing and cheerful, waving to the crowd as we kept in step behind the big brass band.

But that was not to be in that ground of twisted rusting wire.

The smoke and shells and screams of broken men, lying in that knee deep mire.

Their scattered limbs and crimson blood, lost forever below that thick brown mud.

The rain the rats the sodden clothes, the forlorn look, the grey ashen face, In their short young lives what had they ever done so wrong, to deserve this God-forsaken place?

There was a crash, a blinding flash. My end was swift. And as I began to rise.

I left below me those shattered men and all their helpless cries. Gas! Gas! Gas! A telegram was duly sent, which my parents they did receive, the message was quite brief, it simply read.

We are sorry to inform you but your three sons are missing, believed dead.

Those few lines brought a mother so much pain and filled her eyes with tears.

The passing of time did not heal those scars it was still the same after many, many, years.

I meet many souls from many lands as I pass above these now green fields that once were so barren and so bare.

Below I see a multitude of poppies, one for every soul that left his broken body there.

They too are looking for their friends, there’s Pierre and Fritz, Chuck and Guy They too ask the same as I. Why! Oh Why! Oh Why! And above that hell on earth the place they called the Somme.

I am still searching for my Uncle Stan, my cousin Jack, and my two brothers Bob and Tom.

R W Hughes nb Aurthora

Tops for cool cats

Boatyard bouquet

Re the picture of a cat in a Towpath Talk box (Last Word, Issue 106, August), I have attached a photo of my cat Perry on the top of my boat at Cowley on the Grand Union Canal resting on his favourite paper. Obviously the Towpath Talk!

I WOULD like to mention the very good service I recently received from Red Bull Boatyard at Kidsgrove, near the Poole aqueduct.

My boat’s rudder became loose on the shaft, and the boat was hauled out, repaired and put back into the water within an hour, and I was very pleasantly surprised at the low cost incurred.

Ian Bidmead By email

Richard Petter By email

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TALKBACK

Your chance to write to us on any Towpath topic:

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

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When a boat’s surfaces have been cleaned to a high standard using the Silky cleaning range, the valet and polish products bring out the shine which is then sealed for the season with the unique polymer technology of Silky Protect.

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Canals are not a playground for asinine behaviour

HAVING just returned from an extended period on the Anglian waterways, the benefits of the canal system were quick to recognise, but unfortunately so were some of the established drawbacks.

It’s a busy time, most boaters at least acknowledge a wave, but a significant number don’t even pass a glance, and it’s hit and miss these days whether boats with large crews are going to bother to come and help at a lock until it is ‘theirs’.

The approach to the Buckby Locks was blocked for nearly 100 yards by selfish boaters who couldn’t be bothered to get a mooring hook out, or in the case of the boat next to the lock, had stopped for ice creams.

However, worst of all were the errant hirers. Now don’t get me wrong, until 18 months ago I was a serial hirer, and very happy to be so.

Hire boats make up a significant and important part of the canal population, but their use by certain groups for stag or hen nights, or other landmark celebrations as some sort of excuse for drunkenness and irresponsibility has to be halted.

We had set Buckby third lock and were entering when a lad appeared at the top gates and proceeded to open the paddle with the bottom gates wide open. After sorting that out we noticed the hire boat he had come from had about three dozen beer cans lining the roof. The next lock had been left wide open with paddles up. A couple of hours later

we were moored up for the night, and the same boat passed us with, to my astonishment, a head bobbing along in the water some yards behind, with the remainder of his body attached to the stern line.

They disappeared round the corner toward the Braunston tunnel. The mind boggles! I don’t need to comment further about the significant dangers involved, but your article by Rachel Andrews (RYA Spotlight, Issue 106, August) should be message enough to all of us that canal boating has many inherent dangers, even to the experienced.

The canals are no more a playground for asinine behaviour than are the highways. In my view no lead hirer should be under 25, all hirers should take a simple but searching online multi-choice test (and pass it) before being allowed to hire, groups larger than four should be carefully vetted by the hire company, and hirers should be more culpable in the event of damage to third parties. There are a lot of highly valuable and cared-for boats out there, and they should be protected from irresponsible idiots.

As is usual in this country, we all sit and wait until somebody is killed or seriously injured before shutting the door after the horse has bolted, and then over reacting. Would the powers that be please step in now to try to sort this.

Mike Witt nb Rhapsody

Boaters need protection in Manchester

Speedy response to emergency call

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Susan Mimmack (Talkback, Issue 106, August) re foul conditions on the Manchester Nine or the Rochdale Nine as it is commonly known.

We recently stayed in Castlefields and I was appalled at the state of the rubbish piled up, the weeds and general disrepair – so sad when it is so close to other places that are beautifully kept.

We were told various reasons as to why it is like that whether those reasons are true or not we don’t know. It is sad that Manchester City Council does not seem to deem it worthy of keeping nice. Many people use the bridges and if they were painted nicely, the rubbish taken away and the weeds kept down it would change the whole ambience of the place. We saw so many people enjoying the area but who were let down by the look of the place.

From there we then spent three weeks on the Rochdale Canal.

From Littleborough to Sowerby Bridge it is gorgeous and the countryside so beautiful but from Manchester through Rochdale the canal is disgusting and is treated as little more than a rubbish heap by the locals. We saw foam mattresses floating in it, street signs and a plethora of the usual rubbish. We managed to ‘pick up’ a duvet and later the duvet cover on our prop. It is so sad as great effort has gone into making nice parks and benches but the people living there obviously do not appreciate it. On our way back the foam mattresses had been joined by a three-piece suite and two armchairs.

In the Manchester suburbs we encountered eight youths hanging around one lock. We were very nervous but thankfully had no problems and then near Piccadilly three drunks proved to be harmless but still not a nice sight to see at 11am. I cannot comprehend as to why people think it is fine to junk stuff into canals but I do think that the Rochdale Council along with the Manchester council, the police and the CRT should be able to work out some way of cleaning up the canal, monitoring it and making it safer.

We know of many people who won’t consider doing the Rochdale because of the rubbish, the drug users, the drunks and the kids who hassle them. We have at several times left our moorings at 4.30am in order to avoid potential problems.

Something needs to be done. Boaters are vulnerable and if villages, towns and cities want the canals to be a part of their lives, to bring in revenue and to enhance their part of the country, then the canals need some help especially in some areas such as Manchester and the Rochdale Canal.

I JUST wanted to say thank you to the Canal & River Trust.

Earlier this week as we entered this lock, the gate gave way leaving us unable to move. I called the CRT emergency number at 4pm. Within 15 minutes a member of their team was with us and they eventually got us clear at 6.30pm.

So a big thank you to them!

Lynette Mills By email

Newark should be more boater friendly AT THE time of writing we are on nb Anam Cara travelling up the Trent from Keadby to Torksey then on to Cromwell and finally Newark. After a long couple of days on the tidal Trent with lots of fresh water we arrived at Newark at 5pm and managed to moor up on half a pontoon boat length at the water point.

In the morning I went out to look for the Elsan point and rubbish disposal. I found some very fancy waterways offices and had to ring a bell for access, as it was only open 10am-noon. I was astounded to find out there was no longer an Elsan point or rubbish disposal either there or at Town Lock.

I think that in a town such as Newark, there should be a least a couple of boaters’ basic needs; ie water, Elsan and rubbish facilities.

I cannot understand why the Canal & River Trust is not making areas such as this more boater friendly.

When we are travelling we shop in local shops, eat in local cafes and restaurants, drink in bars, this would all help the local economy and tourist trade in Newark.

We were told the nearest Elsan point upstream was Gunthorpe, some 13 miles and three locks away!

Pat and Barry Mumby nb Anam Cara

Keith Wand By email

Keith’s narrowboat in the lock before help arrived from the Canal & River Trust. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Strim right to the edge I HAVE again become quite concerned this summer about the state of most of the canal banks around the country.

The Canal & River Trust is constantly complaining about people overstaying on visitor moorings while instructing the companies that maintain the banks not to strim to the edge in places that would be suitable to moor up.

I was recently travelling along the Macclesfield Canal near Bollington when my engine began to overheat. I had to travel for several miles before I could pull in for it to cool down, fortunately no permanent damage occurred, but it could quite easily have. I came upon a young man strimming the towpath about a metre in from the bank. I asked why he wasn’t strimming to the edge and he told me they are told not to.

Surely if liveaboards could moor up out of the way of holiday makers this would ease the demand for visitor moorings and allow people to move around the system much more easily. If there are workers out strimming the towpath it would make sense to tidy up the bank and provide more places to lay up for a few days. If there isn’t a campaign for this there surely should be.

Doug Wild By email

When the boat came in THERE were two interesting articles in Towpath Talk (Issue 104, June 2014), the first referenced the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs (AWCC) and the second was an account of crossing the Ribble Link.

In 1985 or thereabouts I became the South East representative of the AWCC and several meetings were held at the Dunstable and District Boat Club. Among the attendees were Bill Heap who has sadly since passed away and Ian Sutherland, representing Hinkley Boat Club at the time, but now the owner of Puffer Parts at Riddlesden, Keighley.

Not many people are aware but Bill and Ian were the voices behind the possibility of creating the Ribble Link by canalising the Savick Brook in discussions going back to the early Nineties.

In order to give publicity to this project, members of the AWCC, primarily in clubs in the North West, arranged a campaign cruise from Tarleton in June 2001 – waved off by the now-famous Harry our dependable lock keeper and pilot.

This crossing made by about a dozen boats was marshalled by rescue boats and arrangements had been made for us to sail straight into Preston Dock. We all made a mental note of where the Savick Brook entered the River Ribble in preparation for the big opening event the following year (June 2002).

We were all safely tied up in Preston Dock and

were issued with T-shirts emblazoned with Ribble Link Campaign Cruise 2001. We arrange for around 30 of us to cross to the other side of the dock for breakfast at Morrisons supermarket. This establishment is complete with a lighthouse on its forecourt so it appealed to our nautical tastes.

Some of the participants with a trace of pirate blood in their veins rowed across the dock in a boat they had acquired. We entered Morrisons and an alarmed supervisor shouted: “A boat’s come in!”

Before ending up on the Aylesbury Arm with my boat Lawford in 1983 I had had a mooring at the bottom of my garden adjacent to the Mersey Motor Boat Club, Lydiate, on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

In 1975 I was aware that the Lancaster Canal was across the water when moored on many occasions at the top of the Rufford Arm at Burscough. Every Easter the Mersey Motor Boat Club held a joint rally with the Douglas Valley Cruising Club and I smile when I recall these events were attended by members with restored and refitted clinker-built lifeboats from the large commercial shipping fleets about to be abandoned in Liverpool Docks.

Additionally some craft were created from floating pontoons acquired at auctions from the MoD. Frustrated by the fact that the Lancaster Canal would probably always be cut off from the national network I hired a Freeman centre-cockpit cruiser Treasured Moments from Kenneth Preston Cruisers in 1976 from a base which is now Moonsbridge

Marina. At that time the Lancaster Canal was populated by 98% GRP cruisers – the remainder being I would estimate to be around 10 steel narrowboats at two hire bases. They were berthed at the Jolly Roger boat yard – now Pendle Marine and at Arline Cruisers in Preston basin.

While musing over my breakfast in Morrisons I decided that I would pre-empt what may be a massive increase in demand on a limited amount of mooring spaces on the Lancaster Canal after 2002. The following event will no doubt astound many a modern boater financially shackled by commercial companies and waterway authorities.

Being familiar with the sparse facilities along the canal I returned by car to Catforth two weeks after the campaign cruise. I knocked on the door at Intack Farm, Roots Lane and spoke to Mr Allan Leach. I had spotted a 50ft-long berth on a rickety jetty alongside his pasture. We walked down the field and I asked him if in 12 months’ time I could have a permanent linear mooring. He said: “Certainly. Give me a tenner and I will reserve it for you.”

Sure enough after the bells and whistles – and the firework display in Preston Dock proclaiming the opening of the link in June 2002 I met Allan in his field and he welcomed my arrival which lasted eight years before I returned south to the newly opened Yelvertoft Marina on the Leicester section of the Grand Union Canal. This trip south was far

quicker than the trip in 1983 when I moved with my job with BT from Leeds to London and took the boat from Gargrave. The Blisworth Tunnel was closed for four years so it took three weeks – a route via the Oxford Canal, the River Thames and up the GU at Brentford Dock on to the Aylesbury Arm to a farm mooring at College Road, Aston Clinton.

As your article highlights engine overheating is not uncommon especially when travelling to the mouth of the Savick Brook. The flow of the River Ribble increases as the power of the incoming tide reduces – it tends to help you at the Asland Lamp but its influence continually decreases. If the rainfall has been heavy around the Trough of Bowland – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, one MUST visit while on the Lancaster – flow rates can be erratic.

An accompanying boat on one occasion overheated and the hydraulic propulsion fluid also became hot and the boat’s propulsion was lost completely. Luckily this was when a large rescue boat was accompanying us and he got towed into Preston Dock. An important point to remember is when one enters the Savick Brook do not cut the corner – there is a submerged mud/silt bank on your left.

Happy boating. Enjoy.

Ken Walsh Nb Pumpkin

118 THE LAST WORD

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TowPaTh TITTER

Probe into CRT should be deep and meaningful

THE announcement that the All Party Parliamentary Waterways Group will be leading an inquiry into the Canal & River Trust to evaluate progress thus far and its future plans has been widely welcomed. I just hope the inquiry will not be conned by sweet talk from certain CRT individuals and that the inquiry team will dig deep with searching questions. How I wish I was a member of that team.

I was glad to learn that the inquiry chairman will be Sir Tony Baldry MP, a former and most effective Waterways Minister and someone who will not be messed around.

One thing the Inland Waterways Association will rightly home in on – and I hope the CRT will back it – is the enormous foul-up

by Defra in not backing the transfer of the Environment Agency Navigations when the CRT was founded. As a result EA navigation users are facing steep rises in licence costs while the agency itself is cutting costs which will impact on the future wellbeing of the navigations. Furthermore it is doubtful if the CRT will ever reach its full potential without those navigations – an opinion frequently expressed by the IWA. Apart from the future of the EA navigations forming one of the subjects to be examined, other topics to be examined will include funding (including the use of volunteers), CRT’s response to recent flooding, mooring problems and CRT’s relationship with the wider waterways community.

It is encouraging that a wide spread of witnesses including some heavyweights such as the Waterways Minister Dan Rogerson (it will be interesting to hear how much he has picked up in his short time as Minister, Tony Hales and Richard Parry (CRT), and Paul Leinster (EA chief executive). It will be interesting to hear his views on why the Agency just ignored the foundation of the CRT. And as one witness will be the IWA’s national chairman, Les Etheridge, I and doubtless many others will be looking to him to forcefully promote the expertise of the IWA which has steadfastly maintained its belief in the future of the waterways.

Is this the thin end of the wedge?

The announcement that the EA is looking to work in partnership with local and national development bodies to continue the regeneration of Lydney Docks and develop a self-sufficient facility frankly fills me with more than a little suspicion.

The EA is bleating that ‘as a publicly funded body’ it feels unable to develop the docks as a commercial operation and is looking to transfer its interest in the site to a suitable person or body who will take on the statutory responsibility for maintaining and developing the docks.

This is just the sort of thing that the CRT could have sorted out

had Defra (and the EA) not been so stupid as not to transfer the waters to the CRT. I hope this is something that the IWA chairman Les Etheridge will seize on when giving evidence to the Parliamentary Group inquiry.

But if, as now seems likely, the docks finish up in private ownership what guarantee is there that the historic complex will not be turned into some hideous theme park. Is this not the thin end of the wedge?

CONTINUING our light-hearted look at life on the cut.

Ken Walsh of nb Pumpkin snapped this on a recent trip on the Manchester Ship Canal from Salford Quays to the Pier Head, Liverpool, as the Mersey ferry slowly descended Mode Wheel locks.

Another contribution spotted at the Crick Boat Show by Harry Arnold of Waterway Images.

Three years on...

With the CRT now in its third year, what has been the users’ perception of the trust’s performance thus far? Users (and waterway business people) I have spoken to are mainly of the view that nothing of real note has changed from the BW days which is completely contrary to the fine PR words being churned out from Milton Keynes.

I can but hope that chief executive Richard Parry who deserves the highest praise for his immense travelling round the system has come across the less than complimentary words which have been uttered by many enthusiasts on the impact the CRT hasn’t made.

I was told by one CRT senior figure that there were several things in the pipeline but which are still under wraps. That being the case one can understand when the trust is described is just as secretive as was BW and questions arise. Certainly there have been instances where consultations haven’t taken place or have merely received lip service.

Equally it can be understood when waterway veterans go on record describing the trust as ‘BW Mk 4’. It’s no use the trustees, executives or managers jumping up and down. But several of them cannot see that the problem is one of their own making.

The old BW arrogance still exists in some parts. So is the contempt for boaters held by some senior CRT staff – including one or two supervisory staff on the bank – which is really worrying.

And what about the much vaunted Waterway Partnerships? One or two seem to be getting their acts together but the majority are becoming regarded by users as talking shops manned by professional committee types.

In fairness it must be stated that the partnerships are purely advisory. Fair enough but when you get a waterway manager classing anything he regards as contentious, he rules it as operational and freezes the partnership out.

The trust has still a long way to go to receive total respect from users.

Isn’t this taking health and safety too far?

Albert, where did the view go?

Jo and Stuart Wooldridge of wemoveanynarrowboat.com were amused by this sign at Trent Lock on the River Trent.

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

Do you agree or disagree with Stillwater’s comments?

Send your views to Talkback (see previous page)

Who says the Canal & River Trust doesn’t have a sense of humour!

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