Traceyand TimClarke have calledonwaterways bodiesand town planners to putequalaccess for everyone at the topof their agendas.
Canal cyanidespillage
WEST Midlandscanal waterhad to be tested for sodium cyanideafter atoxic spillage.Walsall Council wasalerted aboutthe spillageintothe canalatPleck.Peoplewereadvised against eating fish caughtfromthe canaland to avoidthe canaland towpathsfrom Walsalllockflight to thelockflights at Rushall/RydersGreenand PerryBarr. Sodium cyanideexposure cancause headaches, nausea, dizziness,confusion,loss ofconsciousnessand can resultin death.
Erewash Borough Council hasgiven theformalgo-ahead to replaceanageing structuredatingback to 1913 withthenew steelbridgetolinkthe
centreofLongEaton to the town’s West Park. Whilethebridgeitself isfullyaccessible,the AWAhasexpressedits disappointmentthatthe needsofpeoplewhofind steps difficulthavenot beentakenintoaccount
£1.8mtowpathupgradeplan
APROPOSALfor towpathupgradesalongthe Leeds& LiverpoolCanal hasbeenunderthe spotlightduringan online publicconsultation.The schemeisexpected to costabout£1.8million.Itinvolves wideningthe towpath wherepossible,improvingits surface,addingnew signs andremovingany unnecessaryaccessbarriers. Whiletheopportunity to give onlinefeedback has closed,information abouttheprojectanddetailsof theproposalsareonthe Canal&RiverTrustwebsite: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/kildwick-silsden
inthedesign–but Tim andTracey have vowedto turnthisinto proactivity and apositivemessage forthefuture.
Tracey told Towpath Talk:“Equalaccessfor everybodysimplymust be putatthe topof everyagenda. It ishigh timethatevery new build, refurbishment orimprovementworks wascompulsorilyfully accessible.”
NewSheffieldCanalartwork
Agiant loop-de-loop steelnarrowboatartwork is beingbuilt,measuring 13mlongand6mhigh,that incorporatessignwriting andtraditional canalboat colourstocelebrate thehistory of Tinsley, Sheffield’s historic waterwaysandindustrialheritage. Thisisthefirst artworkonwater by Britishartist Alex Chinneck.Itwillbeinstalledmid-September and positionedbetweenlocks4 and 5ofSheffield& TinsleyCanal,enablingthe work to be viewed from180 degreesbypassing narrowboatsandfromthe towpath.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
WELCOMEtothe
Septemberedition of TowpathTalk.
THISmonth’s coverstory resonated withmefor many reasons,the keyone beingofapersonalnature.
It wasn’tuntilthe ageof58thatmy cousin,Anthony Wright from Whitby, became abilateralamputee. Notlong afterthat,hestarteddoingsome seriouschallengestoraisemoney for kidsinwheelchairs.
Oneofhis earlychallengeswas to pushhimself,unassisted,fromLand’s EndtoJohn O’Groats.Thehazardsof travellingbyroadina wheelchair soon became apparent,andhe swiftlytook to usingthe canalpathsthat weaveup anddown theUK –this wasarevelation forhimandgreatlyassistedhis journey.
Theuseofthesepathsprompted hisnextchallenge,tonavigate himselfalongthe Scottish Canalsin his purpose-built boat.Startingat the Union CanalinEdinburgh, travelling alongtheCrinan Canal,up through thelochs, andfinishinginInverness.
It wasduringthesevarious challengesthedifficultiesofaccess fordisabledpeople would become acutelyobvious to Anthony,despite hisdistinct ‘can do’attitude.
AWAfounderTraceyhas avalid pointwhenshe suggeststhat the AWA wouldideally know aboutproposals forbridges,accessroutesorother improvements to oraround canals and rivers,atthe very beginning, enabling them to campaign forfullaccessibility to be builtinfromthe outset.
Campaignerscall forbetter canal accessfor people withdisabilities
•Continuedfrompage1
FounderdirectorTraceycontinued:“We have learnedthatweneedtofind away to ‘getin’longbefore anyfutureplans elsewhereget to this stage. We at theAWA feel that, ideally,we need to knowabout anyproposalsfor bridges, accessroutes orotherimprovementworks to,fromor around ourbelovedcanalsandrivers, at theverybeginning. Thiswouldenable us to campaign for full accessibility to be builtinfromthe outset.
“Wewill be redoublingourefforts to encourageall waterwaysauthorities to setandachieve good accessibility standardsand to make sure that accessibleisthedefault standard,not anoptionalconsideration.
“Weare currentlypreparing for atrip to an Environment Agencysite, at its invitation,tobegin talksabout making theirmooringsitesmore accessible. We areveryexcited andencouraged by this and look forwardtodevelopinga workingrelationship withtheEAand, ongoing, withtheother waterways authoritiestoo.”
Thenew structureonthe Erewash Canalwill replacetheoldBroadStreet bridge,whichwas builtsolow that towpathusers currentlyriskbanging theirheadsonit.Thestructurewill be demolishedafter Erewash’s planning committeegaveofficialpermission for its replacementatameetinginJune.
TimandTracey,who have been marriedfor37 years, travelledwiththeir twoassistancedogs to Long Eatonto
representthe AWAatthe meeting. Tracey spokeabout theneedsofthosewhofind stepsdifficult, includingpeople with disabilities,parents with pushchairs, and cyclistswhoareunabletomove their machines up or down steps.
Shecontinued:“We totallyagree that ancientheritage isanimportant assetthatweallenjoy and appreciate. However, that heritagesimplyhas to give waytoprogress. Indeed,some ‘evolution’ofthe canalsystemhas alreadyhappened. The towpaths areno longerusedbyhorses, boatsnowhave engines,and mooringsites have been
installedwhere therewould originally have been clearpassage fortowropes.
“This evolutionmustcontinue by allowing foralittle adaptationinplaces to make it enjoyablefor everybody equally. We arenot asking fora massive rebuildor redesignoftheentire system; just tweaks that will make amassive difference –thingslikeinstallinga ramp insteadofsteps at accesspoints, clearance of vegetation and clutter, widening of gates andgaps, theremoval of barriersandimproved surfaces.”
Erewash councillorsheard that the existingbridgehas alimited lifespanand
that it wasbuilt so lowthattowpath users risk bangingtheirheadsastheypass. The approved planalsoincludesa waterside terrace featuringtiered seating overlookingthe canal. Pontoonsonthe waterfront will allowkayaksand other smallcraft to launched, andspace has been setasideforcommunity events.
Construction is settobecompleted by early2026after Long Eatonwas awarded almost £25 millionof GovernmentTown Deal funding.
THEtrust whichmanages most oftheUK’sinland waterwayshas published the full resultsofits Boater Census first conducted in2022,which highlightstheissues and challengesfacedbyitinerant liveaboardboaters.
Theseinclude such difficultiesasaccessing employment, education, healthcareand basicservices due to not havinga fixed postal addressandcompliance with the Canaland RiverTrust’s policyonenforcementofthe British WaterwaysAct 1995.
NBTAresponse
In response, theNational Bargee Travellers’Association hassaidthenow unstated requirementtotravela minimum rangeof20-plus milesinevery licence year,and theopaque waythat thisand othertravel requirementsare communicated andenforced, isunlawful, andhas described the policy as ‘draconian, punitiveandopaque’.
policyagainstboaters without ahomemooring. The statistics in the report providea compellingcaseforthe CRTto revise itsenforcement policy with aview to reducingthese challenges.
“The inhumane and non-transparent waythatCRT enforcestheact,andthenow hidden internal benchmarkof a20-mile range, goes beyond what the lawrequiresofus.
“TheCRT shouldconfine itsenforcementactivities to ensuringboaters complywith the14-daylimit.This would enableitinerantboatdwellers to better maintaintheir access to work,educationfortheir children,healthcareandother services.This would benefit the CRT, as easieraccess to longterm work will improvethe financial statusofliveaboard boatersandthus reducelicence feedebttothetrust.
to make thescheme accessible to people withno fixed address, as well asmeetings with Governmentofficials that ledtoboaters with residential homemoorings receivingthe grantbeforeCRT even began lobbying.”
Whattheboaterssay
To illustratetheassociation’s position, it spoketo boaterswho feelnegatively impacted by theCRT’srange requirement. They did not wish to givetheirnames.
CRTconsidersthem not to have compliedwiththelaw.”
Another case study highlightedanurse who chosetoselltheir boat and move in with afriend to keep their job, aftertheirlicence renewalwas restricted to six monthsbecause they didnot travelfurtherthan cycling distance (about sevenmiles) away fromtheirplaceofwork.
Highlighting challenges
gaps intheirprovision.
Independentpublishersince1885
Conditions:Editorialisacceptedsubjectto
TheNBTA claimsthe British WaterwaysAct 1995does not seta minimum range ordistance to determine complianceanddoesnot specifyanyparticular pattern oftravel;it sets alimit of14 days inanyone placeand statesthe boat must alwaysbe used ‘bonafidefor navigation’.
Chair PamelaSmith said:
“The report completely ignorestheissues caused by its punitive enforcement
“The report isalso completely silent aboutthe roleoftheNBTA inlobbying thegovernmentoveralong period to provide theEnergy Bills SupportScheme to both itinerantliveaboardboaters and boaterswith residential homemoorings. Thisincluded alongmeeting in person with thedeputydirectorgeneral in theDepartmentofBusiness, Energy and IndustrialStrategy (asit wasthen) to discuss how
“‘C’ is apensioner who hashad regularmedical appointmentsand no transportoptions apartfrom their boat andabus pass,” thecasestudy reads. “They canonlyget abus to these appointmentsfrom certain places.Multiple six-month licences have been imposed becausealthough they travelledarange of more than 20 milesoverthe most recent12-monthlicence, they overstayed duetoillness, and made multiple visits to the placeswheretheycatch thebus.C feels aggrieved that they have beentreated unfairly,whentheyhad valid reasonsfortheir journeys andwhenother boaterswith similarcruising patterns hadtheir licences renewed. Cdoesnotunderstandwhy
The Boater Census isthefirst that theCRT hasconducted. It wascompiledin2022,and in May2023areportwitha quantitativesummaryofthe results waspublished. This new report sets outthe results of aqualitativeanalysis of thecommentsrespondents submittedinresponseto open-textquestions.
ACRT spokesperson told TowpathTalk:“The Boater Census highlightsthe challengesfacedbyliveaboard boaters, and we need the organisations whichprovide the services to addressthe
More information
“Wemustconsider everyone on ourwaterways and manage the finitespace fairly.Boaters who want to stay in aspecific areapayfor amooring for that benefit. We askthatboaters who decide theydonot needa mooringare on agenuine journey, not stayingformore than 14 days in oneplace and not remaininginasmall area.Withoutthis guidance, popularareasarelikelyto be overwhelmed– we are already seeing thisin some locations.
“Wedoa lotof work to supportthose who are struggling. We currently have morethan800 equality adjustmentcases,wherewe agreechanges to cruising patterns,aswellasthousands ofshort-term overstays each year forthosewho areexperiencingmedical or mechanicalproblems. Please,ifyou arestruggling or knowavulnerable boater, getintouch.”
Read the CRT’sreportat www.tinyurl.com/CRTcensus and the accompanyingissuesandchallenges reportat www.tinyurl.com/CRTcensusissues Formoreinformation aboutthe National Bargee Travellers Association, visitwww.bargee-traveller.org.uk TheNationalBargeeTravellers’ Association, which representsthousands of itinerant UK boat dwellers,calls forendtotheCanal and River Trust’s current enforcement policy.
The canalcharity expressed itsdelightattheaccreditationin thefaceof significantchallenges, includingextensivedamagefrom successive storms andfloods that impacted the250-year-old network last winter.
CRTchiefexecutiveRichard Parrysaid: “Our canals span 2000milesaround Englandand WalesandGreenFlags have been awardedthelengthandbreadth ofthenetwork,demonstrating thebenefitsthese historic navigable waterwayscontinue to bringtothe21stcentury.
“Theyofferfree,accessible greenspace to millionsofpeople acrossthecountry, providevital
homesfor wildlife,and support the nation’snaturerecovery, as wellas beingnavigated,as theyhavebeenforcenturies,by thousandsof boats.
“TheseGreen Flagsare testamenttoourcolleaguesand volunteerswho work hard to keep ourcanals cleanand welcoming placesforcommunitiesand visitors. Caring for a250-yearold canalnetwork is achallenge, with ourageingwaterways vulnerable to changingweather patterns, dailywearand tear,and perennialproblemslikelitter andencroachingvegetation.
“Weareredoublingour efforts to keep canalsalive, working withfunders, partners, and our growingvolunteer support. We have also startedthedialogue withthe new governmentabout the role ournetwork canplay–in part illustrated by theseGreen Flags–tosomanycommunities
ACOMMUNITY groupishoping to helpspeed up the closingofthe ShropshireGap.
aroundthecountry.”
In addition, sevenstretches received aGreen Heritage Site Accreditationforthe managementofhistoric features,supported in England by Historic England.Theseare: the HuddersfieldNarrowCanal East, theShropshireUnion Canal from MiddlewichtoAudlemand BarbridgeJunction to Ellesmere Port National Waterway Museum;the Peak Forest Canal andBugsworthBasin;the LancasterCanal; StanleyFlight to WiganTop Lock onthe Leeds &LiverpoolCanal;theWeaver NavigationincludingAnderton Boat Lift;andthe Trent& Mersey Canal. To achieve this,winners must understandand take action to conserve theheritage value oftheir sitesand helppeople to understandandenjoy the unique history oftheseplaces and communities.
En thus ia st ic mem be rs of Borderland Rotary have seen at first hand the work to restorethe MontgomeryCanal and,inparticular, the sectionknown as theShropshire Gapwhich covers twomilesfrom Crickheath Basinto Llanymynech.
Th eg ro up, whichincluded30 members, partners an df ri end s, recentlywalkedthe MontgomeryCanal from Crickheath to SchoolhouseBridge. Theysaw first hand therestoration work, whichcost£230,000 andwascompleted in Junethis year.
Borderland Rotary presidentRobHughes said: “Itcertainlyisa wonderfulsection of the canal, ahidden gem, and well worth alltheefforttobring it back to life. I’msure we willall spreadthe word.”
Rotariansare hopingtheycan help by volunteering andpublicisingthe work,whichhas been ongoingfor morethan50years,
to completelyopen upthe 35-mile-long canal.
Thefocusatpresent is on the Shropshire Gap, whichclosed in the1930s.Volunteers and council leaders hopeits eventual reopeningwould boosttourism,bring jobs to theregion and benefit wildlife.
Oneofthe Rotarians,Chris Bryan-Smith,isa canalenthusiastand part of the Shropshire UnionCanal Society, is hopingone day boatswill glide along the waterway –as theydid nearly 100 yearsago.
“Wehopeone dayboats will be able to travelfrom thenational canal networkoverthe border and take advantageofthe twoproposednew bridges,”hesaid. “We aretryingtospread
Borderland Rotarianssee the work doneat CrickheathWharf aspartofthe MontgomeryCanal restoration.
the word aboutthis wonderful ruralcanal and we arereally lookingfor people to join the society and volunteer inall different disciplines so that we canlobby the powers that be and make sure that the restoration continues into the future.”
TheMontgomery
Canal, whichlinks Englandand Wales, closed to boatingin the1930sfollowinga seriousbreachofthe banksnearFrankton LocksinShropshire. It wasnever repaired andwas left to decline.Restoration startedin1969and hascontinuedwith the reopeningof20 miles of canaland35 miles of towpaths. Work isfunded by variousorganisations includingShropshire Co unc il, the Go ve rnmen t’s Levelling Up Fund and donations from the public.There arealsodozens of volunteerswho give theirtime to the project.
To find outmore abouttheMontgomery Canaland the ShropshireGap visit themontgomerycanal. org.uk or shropshire union.org.uk
Members oftheBorderlandRotarians seetheCrickheathBasin,whichwas reopened in 2023.Itis partofthe largerMontgomeryCanalrestoration project.
BorderlandRotarians seethe underneathofthenewly built SchoolhouseBridge,whichwas opened in Junethis yearand forms part of the Montgomery Canalrestoration project.
TheAnderton Boat Lift. PHOTO:CRT
LancasterCanal. PHOTO:CRT
Lough KeyForest Park aimsfor world-classvisitor destination status
Having recentlyreceived closeto €1.2m, awardedby FáilteIreland as part of theEUJustTransitionFund, asustainabledevelopmentplan for theLoughKey Forest andActivity ParkinBoyle,CoRoscommonhas beenannounced.Theplanmay resultinthesite becoming aworldclassvisitordestination.
ByAlisonAlderton
THEplanincludesupgrades to thevisitor centre, localtrailsand wateractivities as wellas considerationfor anactivitycentre, ameadow eventsarea,expandeddining and retailfacilities andimproved parking. It formspartofavision that Coillte, thesemi-stateforestrycompany,in conjunction with Roscommon County Council, hasforthesite.
spaceinIreland:itenableswind energy on the estate,processesforestryby-products,undertakes naturerehabilitationprojectsanddeliversthe multiple benefitsofforestry, including forestsfor climate, nature,wood and people.
Lough KeyForestand ActivityParkcomprises 350hectaresof forest, semi-natural woodlandand parklandontheshoresof stunningLough Key. The park already drawsthousandsofvisitorseach year by offeringaerialforestadventures, electric cycletrails,anadventure play kingdom,boattours onthe lake and avastarray of nature accessedby numerouswalkingroutes.
InspirationforYeats
Lough Key,long referredtoasIreland’s mostb eautiful lake,issurrounded by thelow-lying Curlew Mountains. Itsmagnificenttreelinedshores and island-dottedbays areassociatedwith centuries-old myths andlegends,making thisa magicaland enchantingplace to
Ratcliffe Lockgetstemporary repair
REPAIRStoRatcliffeLock, on the RiverSoarinNottingham, have beenconducted to ensurethat boaterscanuseit duringthe summerholidays.
The Canal&RiverTrust wasdue to replacethe aged gates last winter after boaters reported difficultiesoperating them,but wetweathermeant the RiverSoarwasinflood for much ofthe seasonand the work waspostponed.
TheCRTrecentlydiscovered that theheel post,which enablesthelock’s oaklock gateto pivotopenand close smoothly, hadsplit.This weakenedthe gateand made ithardfor boaterstouse.Asa temporaryrepair,a‘falseheel’ hasbeeninstalledtoenable thelock to reopenforthe summerholidaysandahead of the popularShardlowInland Port Festivalin September.
Accessing thesiteistricky, so the charity’steambrought in acrane boat to liftthe balance beam –theheavy beamthat formsthe topof thelock gate –tocarry out the repair,savingtheneed for
drainingthe canal.Thelock reopened on July 25.
Andrew Morris,regional construction manageratthe trust, said:“We always aim to minimisedisruption for boaters, so insteadofcarrying outa longstoppageinthe summer,which wouldhave meantnavigation would be
restricted for severalweeks during the busiesttime of year,wehaveplannedthe fulllock gate replacementat RatcliffeLockfor the autumn, oncethe riverisquieter. Thelock gateshavealready been builtin ourspecialist workshopandareready to be installed.”
Useful information:
Aboutthe EUJust TransitionFund TheEUJust TransitionFund(JTF) is anewfundcreated tosupportthe regions andcommunitiesin Europethat aremost negativelyaffected bythetransitionto climateneutralityand to promotesocioeconomictransition, ensuring thatno one isleftbehind.
TheEUJTF aimsto addressemployment, economic, social andenvironmental
impactsthatcome withtheshiftaway from carbon-intense activities.The funding programme in Ireland will support theareas in thewider Midlands wherecommunities have been negatively affected by the closureofpeat production and peat-firedenergy generationfacilities.
Irelandisset to receiveupto€84.5 millionfromthe EU JustTransitionFund over the period to 2027. Withthe Government of
explore. Themostimpressive,romanticand indeed iconicofthe lake’s islands is Castle Island, onwhich stands acastellated folly.The poet, WB Yeats, was so captivated following avisitin 1890 that many believe it wastheinspirationforhisunique and mystical styleofwriting.
BoatersvisitingLough Keyalready have use of amodernmarinainaprime positionand there arerecentlyinstalledEZLaunchaccessible transfer systemsfor canoeand kayakusers dotted aroundthe lake.Whetherthere will be anyfurther development to thesefacilitiesis not yetknown.The views oflocalstakeholdersand communitieswill be soughtbeforeplans forthe park arefinalised.
Elsewhere, inthe town centreofBoyle, accessibletoboaters on Lough Keyvia theBoyle Canal, the riverfront area knownasTheLawnhas received €200,000infunds underthe Outdoor
Ireland’smatch fundingusing Exchequer resources, up to €169 millionwill be available in the period up to 2027.
Investm ent throughthe EU Just TransitionFund programmewillbe targetedtosupport the diversification of localeconomies andthecreationof newopportunities that complement the assetsoftheterritory. The fundwill also restoredegraded peatlands and regenerateindustrial
heritageassets,as well as investinsmart and sustainable local mobilitysothat localcommunities areable to benefit from theeconomic opportunitiesand amenities.
Fulldetailsonthe programmecanbe found at: www.emra. ie/eu-jtf Find outmoreabout
Recreation InfrastructureScheme(ORIS). The funding, announcedbythe Ministerfor Ruraland CommunityDevelopment, Heather Humphreys, will be used to enhance the currentriversidetrail alongthe BoyleRiver in ordertoprovide amore accessible andattractive recreationalamenity.
SellarsSwingBridgerepairsunderway
ASIX-WEEKprogramme of repairstoSellars SwingBridge, whichcarries SellarsRoadover theGloucester&Sharpness Canal,is under way. Vehicleshavebecome heavier overthe yearsand theirincreased weight has taken atollonthecondition ofthebridge,which connects Hardwicke and Quedgeley with Elmore. The Canal&River Trustismakingimprovements that will strengthen itforfuture use, whilealsomakingrepairs to concretethathascorroded at theendofthe bridge.
Damagedroadplatesthat arecausing elevatedlevelsof
noisewhentrafficcrossesthe bridge arebeing replaced,the balanceis beingcorrected so thebridge doesnot move when itis used by vehicles,andnew handrails arebeing installed.
Theprogramme,which is duetoendon August 30, requiresthebridgetobeclosed to vehicles,pedestrians and cyclists.Asignposteddiversion routeisinplacefor vehicles, whilepedestrians and cyclists cantravelashort distanceup the canaltoRea Bridge to cross.
Thenavigationwill remain open for boats, though boatsof acertain heightmay be asked to wait at times beforebeing
able to go through thebridge. MollyRichards, from the CRT, said: “Theserepairs will futureproofthe bridge for many yearstocomesoitcan continue to be used by vehicles andotherusers crossing the canalintoHardwicke.
“This will causedisruption fordrivers, and we apologise forthe inconvenience.Wewill completethe worksasquickly as possible and lookforward to reopeningastronger, saferand moreresilient bridge.”
Updatesonthe progress of the programme are available at www.tinyurl.com/ sellars-bridge
AhireboatpassingCastleIsland.
The narrowboat Peregra navigatesthe canal underSellarsSwingBridge. PHOTO: CRT
BoyleCanalHarbour.
BCVSstaff volunteeron Python
AS PART of aprogrammeof activitiesto supportstaff well-being, theBassetlaw Communityand Voluntary Service(BCVS) teamspent theday volunteeringon the Python workboat on theChesterfield Canal betweenShawLockand West Stockwith. Atotalof17BCVSstafftookpartintwo sessions; themorningteamjoining Python underblue skies andsunshine at Shaw Lock,justoutside Gringleyon-the-Hill. Following asafetybriefingand witha cupoftea in hand,theyassistedtobring Python throughthefirst lock andunderthe Shaw Lock bridge to setoffontheir journeytoWestStockwith. The teamthen splittheirtime betweenworking fromthe boat andalongthe towpath, clearing obstaclesand overhangingbranches,picking up rubbishanddebris,and generallymakingsurethe towpathand canalwereclearandusableforother walkersand boats. The afternoonteamjoined the boatat West StockwithandheadedbacktoShaw Lock,repeating theprocess.
Becky Law, BCVS’s headofserviceand staffhealth and well-being lead, said:“We’dbeenaware forsome
yearsofthe greatworkthatthe Python volunteersdo andhad beenconnectingwiththemthroughGreen Social Prescribing, butthis wasthe first timethatall BCVS staff hadhad theopportunitytotakepartin volunteeringalongside the Python team.
“Everyone came away feelingelatedfromthe timespent withthe wonderful Python volunteers, workinginsuchabeautifulsettingand benefiting from aday in theoutdoors, soakingupthe freshair and relishingtheexperience.”
As aresult oftheir hands-onexperienceonthe boat,the BCVS team of socialprescribinglink workershavebeenproactivelysharing the wellbeingbenefits with patients withwhomtheyare workingtoencouragethem to takeupsomeofthe volunteeringopportunitieswith Python andthe Chesterfield CanalTrust.
The benefits of volunteeringand beingoutdoors arewelldocumented, andtheactivitiesavailable through the ChesterfieldCanal Trustformpartof theGreenSocialPrescribing options availablein Bassetlawandacrosssurrounding areas.
Workingparty’s‘heroic’
CrickheathWharfafter having receivedattention fromtheworkingparty.
THE steady progressionof restoration work onthe Shropshire Union Canalhas seenthe working partymoveaheadof schedule–and membersalsodiscoveredthe remainsofa haunted‘ghost’ ship!
Membersofthe Shropshire Union CanalSocietyworking party metin Julyto upgradethe towpath inthearea ofCrickheath Wharf, constructingatotal of 32metres, andfinish offblocking andlining inwhat wasdescribed as a‘heroic’ effort.
The SUCS is aregisteredcharity runentirelybyvolunteers, and its restoration work focuseson openingup the drysectionofthe Montgomery CanalinShropshire, linking the Welsh section with the national network. In 2023,a further11/4miles were openedup
Hurray forHollingwood! Green Flag numbereight
THEChesterfield CanalTrust is celebrating after receivingaGreen Flag Awardfor HollingwoodHub –the eighth year in arow that it hasreceived the accreditation.
The hub, four miles fromthe centreof Chesterfieldnextto HollingwoodLock, is home to thetrust, from whereitruns boat trips, towing demonstrations with areplicacuckoo boat andvolunteer work parties.
SecretaryRod Autonsaid:“We
aredelighted to receivethisaward again.Itisalways good to knowthat animpartialbody recognisesthe work putintomakethe hubsuchatranquil place to visit.
“Obviously,our many gardeners deserve much praise, butmany othervolunteers help to keep thearea so pleasant. This includes those who work in theshop,who crewon ourtripboat Madeline,andwho runthe watersports hirebusiness.The wonderful staffat
Four miles from thecentre ofChesterfield, HollingwoodHubboasts astunning garden which is tended byvolunteers.
Katey’sCoffee Shop provide welcome smiles and delicious cakestocomplete yourvisit.”
Paul Todd, Keep Britain Tidy’s GreenFlagAward scheme manager, said: “I wouldlike to congratulate everyone involved at Hollingwood Hub. It is avitalgreen space forcommunities to socialise, enjoy nature,and for children to play safely, andit providesimportant oppor tu nities for canalusers to improvetheir physicalandmental health.
“Weknowthe volunteerswork tirelesslytoensure it maintainsthe high standardsof the award, so everyone involved should feel extremely proudof their achievement.”
effortsonShropshireUnion
to navigation.Two milesremain, andthe Crickheath Southproject to restoreafurther half-mileis well underway.
TheCrickheath Southprojectis splitintothree phases,designated 1A,1Band 2. 1A focuseson180 metresofchannel south from CrickheathBridge,wherethewharf wall hasalready been repaired or rebuiltin places,but two-thirds of thetotal length still requireswork, while1Bcontinues southwards through open countrycovering abouthalfofthe remaining distance to SchoolhouseBridge. Phase2coversthe remainder.
“Due to theextremelywet winter and highground water levels,works at the northend ofthe site by Crickheath Wharf have beendelayed,”said aSUCS
spokesperson.“To ensure all necessary work is completed beforethis section fills with wateragain, acontractor was engagedtoprofilethechannel. Societyvolunteerscontinued the jobduringthe work partyand enormousprogress hasnow been made.
“Worktoupgradethe towpathin thisarea hasalsostarted.Lastyear, thanks to agenerousgrant from theOswestry RuralParish Council, the towpathwas improved froma muddyslipandtrip hazard toa hard surface.
“Now,asheavy plantoperations concludeinmuchofthisarea, thefinished-spec towpathcan be constructed without fearof damage by theheavier works. During this work party, atotal
of 32 metres of towpathwas constructed.
“Phase 1B alsosaw tremendous progress with towpathconstruction completed,construction ofa temporarydam at thenorth end of the section and, with aheroic effortonthe Saturday,liningand blockingfinishedbycloseofplay.
“Thankstoall the volunteerswho pulledout all thestops to achieve this on awet andmuddysite.”
Andthere wasa surprisefor the workingparty in July,when theremainsofa ‘ghost boat’were unearthed. “A localresident, Roy, advises the boat wasreputedly hauntedafter the owner was killedbyaguillotine lock,” said the spokesperson.“No oneelse wishedtooperate the boat and it waseventuallyabandonedatthe
southendof Crickheath Wharf.” Over the years, awide variety of enhancement andrestoration activities have been undertaken by the society, from towpath andmooringimprovements to rebuildinglocks and restoringa disused channel. Restoration of theMontgomeryCanal between Pryces Bridge andCrickheath Basin, whichtookseven years andaddedafurther11/4milesof navigation to the national network, wascompletedin2022.
Afurthertwo milesofdry channelrestoration remainsbefore therestoredcanal at Llanymynech is reached; forthefirst time inmore than100 years, it will be possible to navigate from the national network to theMontgomeryCanal in Wales.
TheBCVSmorningteamcheckthetowpath.
HollingwoodHub,nextto Hollingwood Lock on the Chesterfield Canal, hasreceiveda Green Flag Award.
CHARLOTTE Gingerisoneoffour ABCLeisureGroupemployees who have beenenrolledona new apprenticeship scheme,andsheis already reapingthe rewards.
Thegroup,whichownsand operates18inland waterway marinas, haspartnered withleading training provider ParagonSkillsto launch thescheme, supportedby the National Apprenticeship Service. Charlotte istheoffice manager in thebooking officewhich sits abovepicturesqueWorcester Marina and hasembarkedona Level5Operational Management apprenticeship.She said:“Ihave always enjoyedbeingby, inoron the water, so whenthe jobcame up at ABC, Iwasexcitedforthe opportunity. Ihaveworkedforthe company forabout three and ahalf yearsnow.
“Myroleinvolves avarietyof differentaspectsofthe business. Imanagethe booking office team on adaily basis; we processall the bookingsforthecompany’s hirefleet (holiday and dayhire)andproperty bookings, and we administerallof thebrokerage salesatour marinas andassist the marinasinany way we can. Ialsosupportour directors withanyadditional tasks required.
“I have doneothertraininginthis roleand past roles, butnothingto thislevelofaccreditation. When an apprenticeship wasfirstmentioned, IknewI wouldliketobeinvolvedas it seemedtobeagreat programme to expand my knowledge andlearn new skills,and Ialsothoughtit wouldhelpmein my currentorany futureroles withABC.”
The33-year-old,wholivesin asmallvillageonthe outskirtsof Worcesterwithher partnerand two dogs,said walkingand travelling–includingonthe waterways–isa bigpartofher life.A keen baker, she createswedding andbirthdaycakes forher ownsmall business.
Charlotte is beingjoinedon the apprenticeshipprogrammeby hercolleagues,customer service co-ordinator Jade Mckillup,Gayton Marina’s John Sadlerand Keeley Skov,ofKings OrchardMarina, who will each studyaLevel 3Team Leader/Supervisor apprenticeship. Allfour have enrolledfor twoyears.
“Wehaveall startedour apprenticeshipsalready,andthe first of ourworkshopsarestarting withinthenextcoupleofweeks, and so far,itisgoingwell,”Charlotte
added. “ABC hasprovidedusall with agreat opportunity to develop ourselvesandis supporting us throughthecourses. Thefourof usarealsosupportingeachother wherepossible.
“I’mlookingforward to all partsofthecourse,especiallythe operational sideasthisiswhat attracted meinthefirst instance.I thinkI’ll gain anew perspective on different stylesof runninga team andit willalsoenhancemyexisting processesand my management style, aidingmetorunand support my teamin amoreefficientway.”
Managing directorCarlOnens said:“We aredelighted to support these team members in their development andknowledge expansion.”
ABCLeisureGroup’s marinas arelocated allaroundtheUK, from Worcestershireand Cheshire to Walesand Derbyshire. Itswork includes responsibilityfor about 1000 mooringberths,a fleetof about300 narrowboatsdevoted to self-driveself-catering holidays, aboat-buildingoperation,a boat brokerageserviceandarapidly expandingchandleryoperationthat includesonboard energy.
CHESHIRE’S Overwater Marina sawa different type of launchwhen itsworkshop teamunveiledapainstaking conversionofapiece of boatinghistory.
The sternof Saxon,ahand rivetedcastironopenday boat first builtforthe London Midland &Scottish Railway (LMS) Company, hasbeen restored and converted into aseatingareaforvisitorsto enjoy thepanoramic views on offer.
Marina owner Janet Maughan said: “The Overwaterworkshop team have worked tirelesslyto restorethis wonderfulpiece of boatinghistory and we are immenselyproudofwhat they have achieved.Thanks must also go to AndyRussell, ourresidentnarrowboat painter, forthewonderful
andiconic rosesonthe sterndeckand forassisting the youngest member of ourteam, Owen Turner,in signwritingand painting. Owen hasrecentlycompleted anAndy Russell/Phil Speight signwritingtrainingcourse andhas thoroughlyenjoyed tryingouthisnew skills.”
Theofficial cuttingof theribbonwas carried out by Nick Grundy,deputy chair oftheSaturn Flyboat RestorationCommittee, whohelped steerthe boat as a14-year-oldon itsway back fromtheIWANational Rally at Lymm in1972.
Saxon’s sternnowsits by the edge ofthe marina close to theAudlem LassBoat Service jetty, avolunteer-run boat whichtakesvisitorsfrom the marina to the bottomof the Audlemflight.
OctogenarianBoatingEnsemble
WHILEsome people are awardedanOBE by King Charles,agroupof National WaterwaysMuseum volunteershavebeengiven anhonorarytitle oftheir own –theyare nowmembers of the Octogenarian Boating Ensemble.
Theidea came when Jeff Fairweather turned80on NewYear’sEve last yearand discovered that nearly 20 of hiscolleaguesatthe museum in EllesmerePortare also inthe‘big 80 club.’ They represent aboutaquarterof the museum’s volunteerforce and together have contributed more than50,000hours of service.
Jeff,aretired assistant manageratTheGuardsPolo Clubin WindsorGreat Park
andformerHGVdriverand transport manager, said:
“The Octogenarian Boating Ensemble(OBE) beganasa joke withcolleagues andthen blossomedfromthere. When you startlooking,itisamazing howmanyofushavehit the bigeight-zero, butweare all still keen to carryon.
“I startedvolunteering herein2011after moving to the area.Iwaslookingfor somethingtofill my Saturdays and have neverlookedback.
I’mproudof beingpartofa fantastic teamofstaffand volunteersoperatingand maintaining ourheritagesite, grounds,locks andboats.I washonoured to have been chairmanofthe Boat Museum Societyand Boat Museum Trustforfiveyears.
“I would saytoanyone whomightbeconsidering volunteeringherethatit’s nevertoo late.Thereare opportunitiesfor all, so getout of yourarmchair,come joinus, andimproveyourhealth and well-being.”
AlongsideJeff receiving specialOBE recognition at acelebratory afternoon tea held in July were Mike Turpin, Cath Turpin, Lynn Potts, Jane Lane,John Davis,Frank Perra, John Hughes,Bill Darch, Roly Smallwood, DerekSpeakman, BobDean, BobThomas,Di Ascott, Stuart Gardinerand Ann Gardiner.
Ani Sutton,destination andattractions managerfor the museum,whichisrun by the Canal&RiverTrust, said: “Our volunteers have awealth
Builtin1930 by WJ YarwoodofNorthwich, Saxon wasone of severalboats used on the22railway interchange basins on the Birmingham CanalNavigations.They were all made ofiron, measuring 70ft longby7ft wide,and in1948 passed into the ownershipof British Railways andcontinuedworking until 1954whenthe company stopped itsoperations with canalboats. The fleet wasthentaken over by British Waterways, with theironboats fetching the grand sumof£50 each.
Twelve were convertedto long-distance carrierstofilla shortage of buttyboatsinthe BW’s north-westfleetinthe drydocks at Stone between 1955and1957. The boats were then renamedafter stations; Saxon,fleetnumber
73,became Jesmond,and the fleet becameknown as the ‘Stationboats.’ Jesmond wasboughtby Jonand MollyRathbone in 1968and over the nextfew yearswas motorised anda cabinaddedandfittedout. It attendedthe IWANational RallyatLymm in1972,and then spentmanyyears cruising theNorth West. The section of stern was cutawaybythethen owner in2018 to make the boat shorterand wasgifted to the Overwaterteam.
“Thetrustcouldn’toperate theNational Waterways Museum,packedfull of historic boat treasures, without the supportofvolunteers. Our currentteamare brilliant, but we arealwayskeentohear fromanyonewho’d liketoget involved –whatevertheir age!”
TheOverwaterMarinaworkshopteaminvolvedinthe restorationwith Nick Grundy,deputychairof theSaturn Flyboat Restoration Committee.From leftareJonathanNowell,MatthewAnderson, Nick Grundy andOwen Turner. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
MBEforcanalcraftsman
By LucyWood
FORmorethan30years,Phil Speighthas perfected his skillsas atraditional canalcraftsman –andnow, havingbeenmadean MBEbyKingCharlesinthis year’s Birthday Honours, hehopesthehonour will helpincrease awarenessofheritage crafts.
Therecognition,he said,is‘alovely acknowledgment’ of acareerthathasalsoseen him pass onhisexperienceandknowledge to new generationsof canalpainters.
“Itwas acompletesurprise,”hesaid. “I received aletterwith‘On HisMajesty’s Service’ writtenonit andthoughtI’d done somethingwrong.Icouldn’t believe it.
“I wasn’tallowedtotellanyoneforfiveweeks untilit waspublicly announced. It feelsstrange, buta lovely acknowledgment.”
Startingout
Havingtrainedasacoachpainterinthe1960s,Phil fellinlove withthedistinctivefolkartoftheinland waterwaysand beganhis career intraditional canal artinthe early 1980s,based successivelyin Skipton, at the Boat Museum at EllesmerePort, Dadsford’s Wharfand Bollington Wharf. In the late 1990s Phil andhisthen wife ZitafoundedCraftmasterPaints, andalthoughhe hasnot ownedthecompany for some years, he remainsinvolvedasa consultant. Hisworkisheld at the National WaterwaysMuseum andin many privatecollections.
“I have studiedand worked hard to paintinthe ‘old-fashioned’ way,”hesaid.“I have adeeploveof theinfrastructureandarchitecture ofthecanal,the locksand majestic workingboats,andthe gloryof the paintingonthem.
“Being aboatermyselfmeansI understandjusthowimportantitisto get thefinishright –thedevil reallyisinthe detail.Thetraditionalartofthewaterways isanimportantbutoftenoverlookedpart ofourindustrialheritage.”
Findout more aboutBob’s work atwww.northwichdrydock.com/ traditional-boat-painting
“I don’t have astyle.It comesfromstudy,and so what people didin the past down the years livesin my headand is in my consciousness. No twohands work the same,andno two brushes paintthe same, whichmeansthetrue craft hasawonderful flairandspontaneity. Whenit’s tooneatand tidy,it doesn’t sing and dance.Thehumanityof it makesit.
“There’s so much more to it than just preserving boatsfor beauty. Theyare vibrantandfunctionaland totallyfitfor purpose, compared with ourdisposablesociety today,andforme,itgoesbacktothesheer joyofit now. Nowadays,towardsthe endof my career,while Idopaint forcustomers,I’m doingitasmuchfor my ownpleasure.”
Teaching
Specialisinginauthentictraditional decorationon boatsandassociated items like watercansand cabin stools,Philalsoteaches,passing on everythinghe haslearnedabout techniquesandthehistory of theartformtostudents that have includedsome exceptional painters ofthe currentgeneration, amongthemMeg Gregory and BobHegenbarth.
“When Isee talentina pupil, Idotakethemunder my wing,” he said,“because itisimportanttonurture themand thecraft.Some have shown astonishing aptitude,and I’mdelightedattheir successes.
“The canalwas aworking environmentfor working familieswithlonghistories.The canalmeant everything to them,and painting wasa wayforthem to distinguishthemselvesfromothers.
“Today is atotallydifferentworld.Thereare pocketsofqualitypainterswho preserve the art
in itsoriginalform. Without them,itwould be lost.”
Bradfordborn andtoday living in Macclesfield, Phil, who is 75, is now happilyinvolved once morewith the Boat Museum,wherehe ishelpingtocreate andimplementaplan for the conservation, preservationand ap plic at ionof paintworkonthe boatsthere. He hasa particular connection to Gifford,havingworked on Gifford’s paintworkfor many yearsalongside leadingpainter, historianand author Tony Lewery.
Andwhile painters likeMeg andBobcredit him with beinganinspiration, Philin turn praisesthe work of Tony,who “hasan incredible knowledge of painting andis agreat authority.”
Themusicofthe canals
Alongside hisloveofcanals runs aloveofmusic; he hasplayedguitar since childhood,and heis currentlyputting aband together.
“I would have,without ashadowofadoubt,been amusician, butIknew Icould make alivingfrom painting,and it wasn’t so clear-cutwith music,”he added.“The canalcan become so much of your worldthatyou forgetthereisanother one.Ilove playing–it’sliketherapy.
“Peoplethinkthat yousit by acanalinlovely countrysideunderbright blue skies painting flowers…Ispent moretime with ananglegrinder. It’s graftand hard work,andnot remotelyromantic. In the past,itwas adangerous occupation, with poorconditionsandlowpay.
“But canals areveryspecial places, andI hope theMBEisusefulinremindingpeople of that.I have accepted it for my family andfriends,and it hasbecomea source of much mickey-taking in my localpub,where theyheld aparty forme to celebrate.”
Phil wasnominated for the MBEbynational charityHeritage Crafts‘inrecognition of hisunparalleled craftsmanship and tirelessworkin ensuringhis skills are passed on to future generations.’ To find outmoreabout his work,visitwww. canaljunction.com/ philspeight
MegGregory
MEG Gregory,who owns Scribe Signwriting in Wolverhampton,praised Phil’s‘talent, warmth, individualityand wit’.
“I firstcontacted Philin 1998,whenI wasinthelastyear at Lincoln Collegeof Art and writingmydissertationon theorigins of narrowboatart,”she said.“Iset up my own signwriting studiothe followingyear, producing signsforshops, pubs, churches, and the occasionalboat.
“The boatscontinued to fascinateme, and Iknew therewas awealth of traditionand specific techniques to learnifIwasever to get to grips with‘real’narrowboatpainting. Once again, Iapproached Phil.
“I became hisunofficial apprentice, watching,learning, practisingand eventually gaining skills thatbooksorphotosalone cannotimpart.He taught me how totwist brushes into submission tomake beautiful curves,build up brushstrokestoformfresh, bright flowers –andhe letme do itina properboatyardonreal boats.
“By theend,Phil wouldletteroneside of aboat and Iwoulddotheother; very few could tellwhosesidewaswhich. The trustheputinme wasa massiveconfidence boost.
“Phil hassharedhis passionand knowledge fortraditionalboat decoration farandwide. His talent, warmth, individuality and withaveled to him being well-known around the canal system.
“Hisdedicationhas kept avitallinkin the chainfromthe lastofthetraditionalworking boatpainters whose livelihooddied outin the 1960sand1970s, through the birth of computer-generated graphics and vinyl-cut lettersofthe1980s/90s,totodaywhen, thankfully,traditionalcrafts seemto be valued again. Iamgrateful,asaresomany others, toPhilfor choosing to pass on his skillsand knowledge.”
Megalsoleadsworkshops and aworking boatdecorationcourse. See more of her workat www.scribesignwriting.co.uk
IWANorth Staffordshire&South Cheshire Branchissupportinganexhibitionofphotos and memoriesofthe work carriedout by volunteers leadinguptothe1974 restorationofthe Caldon Canal. Head to the boat club at Post Lane,Endon on Saturday,September21for your chanceto winaprize onthebranch’svintage canaland railway themedtreasurehunt. If youwere involved back thentherewillbeanopportunity to add yourown memories.Thisisone ofthree events markingthe50thanniversary. Theformal reopening ofthe Caldon Canal onSeptember28,1974. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
IWAchooses‘theDanny’ for regionalsocialwith adifference
WHEN thecommittee at the Inland Waterway Association (Chester andMerseyside) sought adifferentwaterside venuefor theirannualsocial eventand presentationsthey turnedtotheSSDanielAdamson (known as ‘the Danny’). The 120-year-old vessel,moored at Sutton Weaver duringthe summerseason, turned out to be theideal venueasit was promotinganew shortcruise. Plannedinitiallyasashort, cost-effectivecruisefor families,the Dannywas to leaveSuttonWeaverfacing seawardthen turn at Marsh
Lock to return to Sutton Weaver facingupstream, ajourney of aboutoneand ahalfhours. With specialpermissionof thedirectoratthe Danny,the IWAwill be given permission to be on boardfor over an hour before sailingwithexclusive useofthepromenadedeck for their event, followedbya light lunch. TheIWAhas soldmore than40tickets outofapossible 80andthis willensurethatthe sailingisprofitable. The public will be admitted intime forsailingand IWA members have been told to expectsomeexcited children.
The cruisewilltakeingood viewsacross the Mersey estuarytoJohnLennonairport and crossunderneaththe M56 and Warrington to Chester Railway Line. JimForkin,IWAchairman (ChesterandMerseyside) said:“We have donedifferent venuesinthe past butwhen this offer wasput to us we were delighted.Itgives ourmembers excellent space withplenty of roomin auniquesurrounding. What will be interestingwill be watching thecrew raisesteam andpreparethe vesselfor the journey.”
IWAhas responded to three recent consultationsabout proposed reservoirs. Overall,IWAsupports theseprojects, recognisingtheir criticalimportance for watersupplyresilience inthefaceofclimate change,particularly intheAnglian region whichhasthelowest rainfall in theUK.
Theproposed reservoirswill facilitate various recreational activities such as canoeing, pa ddle bo ardin g, swimming and sailing, enhancing localamenitiesand supportingsustainable growth.
construction willlikely necessitate additional bridges, and IWAseeks assurances that these will provideample headroomfor boats.
GUARANTEE DELIVERY
In allthese responsesIWA strongly advocatesfor theuse of navigable open channeltransfer for rawwater transfer, whichalignswith en vironme nt al, recreationaland navigation benefits, andopposes theculvertingof watercoursesdue to itsadverse ecological impacts.Additionally, IWAhighlightedthe useofwaterways freighttoreducethe noiseand pollution impact ofthe construction phase.
The Fens Reservoir could be nefit navigationand enhancebiodiversity by refurbishinghistoric watercourses,suchas the section between Welches DamLock and Horseways Lock.Thereservoir’s
As part of theBoston to Peterborough Waterway Corridor, IWAhas lobbiedfor the South Lincolnshire Reservoir to connect to theBlack Sluice Navigationvia navigable channels. However, IWAdoes have concerns aboutthetransfer of waterfromthe RiverTrent viathe Fossdyke Navigation, Brayford Pool,and the RiverWitham. TheexistingTrentWitham-Ancholme scheme hasled to accelerated silting, and furthertransfers couldexacerbate thisissue, increasing maintenancecosts and navigationhazards. Wh il et he Fens andSouth LincolnshireReservoir consultationsare now closed,there is stilla littletime to respond to Thames Water’sSouth East Strategic Reservoir consultation.Thisis proposed to be built near Abingdon, and will have abig impact on the restoration of the Wilts &Berks Canal as it will be rightontop of thehistoricroute.
Much of the Wilts and BerksCanal Trust’srestoration work in recentyears hasbeentowards the westernend of the canal, partly duetothe uncertainty createdby
the proposed reservoir. However, plansfor the reservoirnow seem to be progressing, and Thames Water’sdesign team hasissuedan InterimMasterPlan 2024,whichprovides fora diversion corridor forthecanal. However, inaddition,and of critical importance,isa link from thereservoir site to theRiver Thames.Potentially, this would allowboats from theThames to navigate under theA34, roundthe reservoir to amarina by the diverted East Hannay to Steventon road just north of the GreatWestern Railway. Un for tu na te ly, insteadofanopen channel,Thames Water's engineers prefer an enlargedoperational tunneltotakeemergency flows.Thetunnel would be slightlycheaper, but would offernothingto thelocalcommunity.
On theother hand, an open channel would doubleas acanaland provide athrough route for walkersand cyclists beside apicturesque waterway from the urbancentres of Wantageand Groveall theway to Abingdon.An open channel would also provideaconnecting routefor wildlife. Wa te rw ay supporters areurged to respond to Thames Water’sconsultation aboutthe reservoir by supporting theopen channelemergency option B, and rejecting theproposed
Work partiesand events
tunneloption C. The consultationcloseson August 31.
To respond tothe consultationvisit: www.thames-wrmp. co.uk/sesro
Scroll down to the ‘PublicConsultation’ se ct ion,and click ‘Complete Questionnaire’.Answer questions,asyou like, ornot.When you reachthequestion “Wehaveconsidered severaloptions forthe Emergency Dischargeand Option CisSESRO’s preferred option.Doyou have anycommentson theseplans?” waterway supporters are encouragedtorespond with wordssimilar to thefollowing:
“I stronglydisagree withtheproposed option Cwhich will providenopublic benefit.OptionB (openchannel) should be used instead, incorporatingthe Wilts &Berks Canal. Option Bwill provide significanteconomic, well-beingand environmentalbenefit. Areconstructed Wilts &Berks Canaland towpathwill linkthe proposed reservoir to Abingdon asa sustainabletransport route forwalking, cycling andboating. “Weparticularly look forwardtoboatingfrom the RiverThames,under theA34 andround the base of the new reservoir, perhapstoa newmarina by the East Hannay to SteventonRoad.”
PLEASEcontactthe branch to registeryourinterestifyouwouldlike to attend aworkparty.Itisadvisable to wear stoutshoes,old clothing, andto takewaterproofs. Apackedlunchandrefreshmentsarealsoadvisable.
September 1&17
Northampton Arm Work partiesareusually heldone weekdayand one Sunday amonth alongthe NorthamptonArm.Thetasks usuallyinclude vegetation clearance,weeding, litter picking and painting at locks. Fordetails, contact Geoff Wood:geoff.wood@ waterways.org.uk
September 25
IWAChilternBranch illustrated Talk LibbyBradshaw:Puffing Along the Caledonian Canal, Batchworth Lock CanalCentre 99 Church Street, Rickmansworth, WD31JJ Canalside meeting hall. Starts 7.30pm.
https://waterways.org.uk/chiltern
September 6&September20: 10.30am to 2.30pm BurslemPort Regularworkparty on the BurslemArmofthe Trent &MerseyCanal,run in partnership by IWANorth Staffordshire &South CheshireBranch&the BurslemPortTrust.Meetat Luke St,Burslem. All toolsand equipment will be provided. Volunteers areadvised to wear old clothes,stoutshoes and take waterproofsincaseofrain anda packedlunchifstaying all day. Please contactDaveBroome beforeattending:dave. broome45@gmail.comor 07974966253
September 19:10am-3pm CheshireLocksThursday Monthlyworkparty on the CheshireLockflight of the Trent&Mersey Canal, betweenKidsgroveand Wheelock.This work party is jointlyled by IWANorth Staffordshire &South Cheshire Branch andTrent& Mersey CanalSociety. If youare able to stay allday ,pleasetakea packed lunch anda drink. Be sure to wear old clothesthat you don’t mind gettingdirty andmarked with paint. Stoutfootwear is appropriate andtakea waterproofinthe eventofrain.
Themid-bedroomisnowconvertedinto an ideal place forthe children,WillowandHarley.
Characters ofthe Cut
Ournarrowboatfamily
ByAliceElgie
WHEN Dawn Rooneyand BenPearson’sfirstchild, Willow, wasborn,thefamilywerelivinghappily in Cornwall with dreams of eventually owning their ownsmallholding. However, withthe steepincrease in ruralhouse pricesandthearrivaloftheir second child, Harley,thedesiretobe closer to extended familystrengthened.
It wasn’tlong before they madethetough decision to move back to theirhomearea ofthe Midlands,but still withthedreamofanoff-grid life.Dawnshared: “Theoff-gridlifestyle hasalwaysbeena goal we have strivedfor.However,withtheway theUKsystem works, it’s been madenighon impossible.”
Theyfound away,though,when they decided that, ratherthanfritterawaymoremoney on rent, theywouldinsteadcreate their ownhomeonwater. “Wehadnowherenearenoughmoneyfor ahouse and weweren’t even sure we wanted to be tiedto oneplace,sowestarted lookingintootheroptions. Benhadalwayswantedtoliveonanarrowboatand it wasachanceforus to ownsomethingandnot worryaboutthe kids damaging anything!”
Puttingtheplanintoaction
Movingontotheir198957ft cruiser stern narrowboat Torridon,inOctober2023, wasa dreamcome true forthe family,whichhasnow growntoinclude kitten,Nala. “Itfeltamazingto finallysiton the boat andknowitwas ours.There wasa senseofrelief. Torridon is abit rougharound the edgesand indesperate need of someexterior TLC, butit’sall jobsthat we areslowlygetting around to.” Fornow,thefamily’sprioritylieson theinteriorandiftheir tenacityforcreatingthe perfectfamilyhomeontheinsideisanything to go by,I’m certainthe exterior won’ttakemuchlonger! Their boat startedoffasa reverselayoutwitha mid-bedroomand theyhaveplaceda lotof focus
on turningthat spaceinto theidealplace for Willowand Harley.“We took outthedouble bedand hand built twosmall beds,andmoved allof their toystorage in there.” Theythen spent alotoftime decidinghow to make the main livingspace work best forthemandendedup removingthe make-up bedinthelivingroom toinstead build apermanentbed at the bow.
“Wealsochosenot to have asofaand instead have boughtgiant beanbagswhichhaveproved ahugehit withthe kids!”
Futuregeneration
It’s clearthatDawnand Benare fullyinvested in keepingtheir kids at theforefrontofthis adventure,whichextendsnot just to the spaces theyare creating aboard,but also thejoy of simplicitytheyare keen to weaveintotheir youngsters’ childhoods.
“Wewantour kids to be awareofdifferent lifestyleoptionsandtoknowtheydon’t have to followtheconventionaltemplatethat is so oftenengrained into usas we grow up.Living inthisway also teachescertain values that we holddear,suchashavingthefreedom to be ourselves.Plus they’reunderstandingthe value of hard work,evenifit’sjustcollectingsticks forthefire!”
Fornow,withthe children young, thefamily have opted to liveonamarina, buttheirlongerterm goal is to be continuouscruisers. “It’s notalwayseasylivingona boat with young children,especiallyasthey’reatthe ageswhere theyare cravingindependence.People will often seemewrestlingtocarry Harley off the boat becausehe’sdecidedhewants to stepoff like hissisterand it just isn’talwayssafefor him! Ihavetohaveeyeseverywhere.”
Dawn and Benareawarethatlivingfull-time on thecut will definitelybemoreofa challenge so fornowtheyfeelveryfortunate to be on the marina.
It’s stillthe goalthey’reworking towards though andwithDawnbusystudyingto becomeaninfantsleepconsultant, itcould meanthey will eventually be able to work fromanywhere. “It’sinthe very earlystages butI’m currentlycompleting acoursewith thefabulous Emilyand MollyatFox and the Moon. I’mlooking forward to beingable to
helpfamilieswiththeir babies/toddlerssleep withoutanysleeptraining methodsand ‘cry it out’ techniques.”
Withtheirone-yearanniversary of livingaboard comingup, andwithsomuchalready achieved, it’s clearthisfamilycertainly hastimetoperfect theiroff-griddream!
Instagram: @ournarrowboatfamily
AliceElgieis awriterand yogateacherwho leadsonlinejournallingandmindfulness experiencesto help peoplede-stressand reconnect withnature,andthemselves. wanderingalice.world
Abeautifulplacetoraise afamily.
We aredelighted to offerfor sale ‘WestviewMarina’,a family runbusiness situated on aprime location alongthe River GreatOuseatEarith, Cambridgeshire
Thesiteiswellmaintainedand is situated alongthe RiverGreat Ouse,a prime location forpassing trade. Themarinaoffers over 100 moorings suitable for cruisers,small craftnarrowboats and widebeams, with nearly allhavingwater andelectricity supply. Thereisample parkingavailable alongsidethe moorings, withtheparkalsobenefitting from secure gatedaccess and CCTVfor security.
A19thCENTURY lifeboat given to the King of Sweden by Queen Victoria’s winemerchanthas made ahomecomingvoyage– by beingrowed across the Thames to LimehouseBasin,siteofthe yard whereshe wasbuilt.
Lifbåt 416,aself-righting lifeboat built to theRNLI’s specification at Forrestt &Son, wasagift to King Karl XV from James GunstonChillingworth in1868,the year Benjamin Disraeli becameBritishPrime Minister. Thepioneeringselfrighters built by Forrestt were assessed by beingdropped into the wateron LimehouseCut, London’soldestcanal,which openedin1770.
Afteranillustrious career
saving80livesonthetreacherous waters around Skanörin southern Sweden, Lifbåt 416 answered itslastcall-outin1939 andspent morethan45years on displayoutsideFalsterbo Museum beforearestoration to seaworthinessin1992.
Doublecelebration
Inrecognitionoftheboat’sorigins and to mark thebicentenary of theRNLI,the Skanör-Falsterbo Lifbåtsroddarelagclubarranged for Lifbåt 416 to return to theUK by freightand participateinan anniversaryevent at the RNLI headquarters in Poole,Dorset. It thenreturnedhomeunder oarpower to Limehousefor the unveilingofacommemorative
plaque in collaborationwith the Canal&River Trust, which caresfor LimehouseLockand LimehouseCut.
Sk anör-Fals te rbo Lifbåtsroddarelagchairman JohanUllenby said:“This event hasclosedthe circle forus. The boat wasbuilt in Limehousein 1868, savedmanylivesin Sweden, and hasnow comebacktoher home waters after155 years. Theplaque marksthelocation of Forrestt &Son,whereshe was built, andisalsoa permanent recordofher return to the Thames in 2024 –the 200thanniversary of the RNLIbeingfounded.”
Unveilingthe plaque,CRT chairmanDavid Orrsaid: “The returnof Lifbåt 416 is living heritage.Initsheyday, Limehousewas theplace that made theconnectionbetween the seaand the wholeofthe canalnetwork.
“Normally, when we thinkof heritage,wethink aboutgoing to amuseum to seesomeartefact that showshowweusedtodo things. Eventslikethisreinforce that when youlookatcanals,and thelocks and theengineering whichsustainthemnow, thisis theheritage.Itisthe stuffthat
wasbuilt250 yearsago andis stillin use. Thisis heritage– not ashistory butaslivingpresent and future.”
CRTheritage specialist Phil Emeryadded:“Thisfantastic
Left: Theplaque commemorating Lifbåt416’s originsand to markthe bicentenary of the RNLI.
projectdraws attentiontothe fascinatingmaritime, industrial heritageofLimehouse.This wholearea wasfilledwith factoriesand workshops –shipbuilders, chandlers, sailmakersand latterly engine and pump manufacturers–and this wholeindustrial craft specialisationof the area is broughtintosharp focusbythe
returnof Lifbåt 416.
“Forrestt& Sonwasfounded in 1788,longbeforethe Regent’s Canalarrived in1820,and the self-rightinglifeboats were the specialistproductof the yard. Boatswereliterallydropped into the LimehouseCut to test their watertightnessand self-righting capabilities.
“Wehavecarefullyconsidered thelocationofthe plaque andI amdelightedthatvisitorswillbe given thisinsight into the heritage of Limehouseina prominent positionforall to enjoy.”
Ribble Linkundergoingvitalmaintenance
LANCASHIRE’SRibble Link,whichconnects theLancasterCanal to the nationalwaterways network, is undergoing vital maintenance to allowittoreopen for boats. Engineersfromthe Canal&RiverTrust discovered that aseal aroundthe SeaLock Gateattheentrance to thelink,whichshould be watertight, was causingtoomuchwater to be losttomaintain levelsnecessary for navigation.
To conduct theneces sa ry replacement, the engineersare facing the challengesof workingonatidal riverwithonlyashort windoweachday to carryout work and
thecomplexitiesof alockgatedesigned to withstandtidal conditions.
Aspokespersonfor thetrustexplained: “Toreplacethe seal, thecaissoninwhich the gatesits needsto be sealedoff.
“Usually,stop plankswould be used to preventwater gettingin; however, on
the Ribble Link,the caissonisflooded twice daily, submergingthe lock,and making any formofmaintenance impossible.
“Toremove the gate to conduct repairs, either atemporary abutmentmustbe createdaroundthe caissontoprevent tidal waters entering or work must be conductedin shortwindows at low tides.
“This secondoption will requirehighcapacitypumps to remove the water rapidly,giving at leasttwo to three hoursofworking time everyday.Following preliminaryworkto reduce leaksthrough the seal,the gate will be lifted outand sent
away for repair at the CRT’sworkshop. As well as repairingthe seal, thegatewill get afull overhaul, with the hydraulic cylinder, pivotpinsand bearings alsogettingattention.”
Impactonboaters
Engineersmet with contractorsatthe site in July,and it will take severalweeks forthem to formulateaplanof action. Boaterswho have booked to usethe Ribble Linkarebeing contacted.
Darren Thomas, seniorengineer at thetrust, said: “Asthe link to the national waterwaysnetwork,it isimportantthat we get everythingbackinfull workingorderas soon as possible.
“Working in tidal areasaddscomplexity, withlesstimeto conduct work as the waterlevelsfluctuate, and we arespending time carefullyplanning this intricaterepair job.
“Whilethe gate is outofthe water, we are takingtheopportunity to giveitathorough upgradesoitcan
continue to withstand the challenging conditions.Wethank boatersfor their patience while we carryoutthiswork to ensure theRibble Link is safe and look forward to reopening so boaterscan navigate to and from the farthestreachesof our canalnetwork.”
TheRibbleLink, whichopenedto navigation in2002, connects theLancaster Canaltothe rest of the national waterway network. It runs around the outskirtsofPreston and flows into the River Ribble,whichconnects withthe Leedsand LiverpoolCanal.
Guestsgatherto markthe special occasion.
Lifbåt416 being rowedacrosstheRiverThames toLimehouseBasin. PHOTOS:SUPPLIED The futuristicskyline of Londontowersoverthe19th-century Lifbåt416.
recentofficialopeningof the SchoolhouseBridgeon the MontgomeryCanal,the Restorethe Montgomery Canal!grouphasannounced acharity donationfromthe WeepingCross Fund,which wassetupin thewillof David Tomlinson, apioneer ofthemovementtorestore neglectedwaterways.
Mi chael Li mb re y, chairmanofthe Restorethe MontgomeryCanal!groupof canalcharities,said:“Today we know that areopenedcanal brings benefitsfor recreation and well-being, conservation andthevisitor economy.
Sixtyyears ago, pioneers of waterway restoration campaignedtorestore neglectedcanals, many nowa valuedamenityfortheirlocal community. David Tomlinson wasoneofthosepioneers, organisingvolunteersclearing and restoringthe Stourbridge SixteenLocks inthe West Midlandsand supporting many other canalrevivals acrossthecountry.”
Thedonation will be usedwithmatch funding viagrants, whichwill resultinthetriplingofthe amountdonated.Michael wentontosay:“Ourrecent celebrationofthe rebuilding of SchoolhouseBridgein Crickheath,thenewestbridge onthe canal,highlightedthe extent of supportfromother charitabletrustsfollowing an earliergiftof£25,000froma
family companywhich was so impressedbywhatour volunteers aredoing forthe localcommunity.Wewould be delightedtospeak to anyonewho seesthe valueof what ourvolunteersare doing and wouldliketosupportthis communityprojectinthe same way.”
The wider benefitsofthe restorationofthe Montgomery Canalwereoutlinedin thegroup’splansforthe canal,whichwillinclude safeguardingits ecologyas well as its builtheritageand openingupthe towpathas anamenityfor residentsand visitors. Thegroupfeelsthat awalkalong the towpathcan show howa canalcan be used for recreationand well-being whilegivingopportunitiesfor businessesandemployment
which, in turn,contributeto thelocaleconomy.
Michael said supporters comefromacrossthecountry and have helped the Restore the MontgomeryCanal! appeal by spendinga busy weekend withthe Shropshire Union CanalSociety(part of theRestore theMontgomery Canal!group) reconstructing acanalthat hasbeendry and derelictformorethanhalfa century. Butrestoration is farfromcompletewith work needed to bridge the so-called ‘ShropshireGap’.
He added:“Weare very happytoreceive moredonations to our appealthroughwww. localgiving.org/appeal/ montgomerycanalandoffers to help ourvolunteersattheir work parties.”
Thetrusthasissued awarningfor people to resist the temptation to takeadipin our inland waterways, urgingtheminstead to enjoy the water safely. Statisticsfrom the National Water SafetyForum have revealedthat63%ofall accidentaldrownings intheUK last year occurred in canals, rivers,lakes,quarries and reservoirs.
“Locks andweirsare lovely places to spend time gongoozling–watchingboats go by –andlisteningtothe calmingsounds of thewater,” said atrust spokesperson.
“However,when theweather warms
up,people sometimes getintodifficulties after jumpingintothe canalsand riversto cooldown.
“Locksare not swimmingpoolsand havehiddenshelves, calledcills,which canseriouslyinjure someoneshouldthey jump in, while weirs have strong currents whichcan pull eventhe strongestswimmers underthe water.”
“Spendingtimeonor by ourwaterways isa lovely waytospend asummer’s dayand theyare excellent placesforfamilies to exploreduringthe warm weather.Butit is also importantthat peopleareaware of the dangersofcoolingoff
by goingfor adip.The consequences canbe devastating,”she said.
Nicola Lisle continueshermuseumseries with avisit tothe PontcysyllteAqueductandthe localheritagecentre
IT WASSir Walter Scott whodescribed the PontcysyllteAqueduct as‘themostimpressive work ofartI have ever seen’,atribute both to its structural magnificence andits harmonious relationship withthe surroundinglandscape. Thisengineering masterpiece,brainchild ofThomas Telfordand William Jessop,opened in1805after10 years inconstructionand carriesthe Llangollen Canalacrossthe River Deeataheightof126ft8in, making itthelongest navigableaqueductintheUKand thetallestin the world. Little wonderthat it soon becameknown as the‘canalinthe sky’.
Recommendedreading
PontcysyllteAqueduc andCanal: WorldHeritag SitebyPeter Wakelin. Acomprehensivehistor ofthedesigning and constructionofthecanal aqueductandthe resto the WorldHeritageSite,as well as somegeneralcana historyand adetailed guidetothearea. Availablefrom Trevor BasinVisitorCentreor online.
FORM
Perhapsmore portantly, it helped placethisWelsh alleyattheheart fthe Industrial evolution, enabling late,ironstone, mestone, clay, oaland other calproductstobe ansportedtothe idlandsand beyond. Trevor Basinwas ansformedfroma aceful backwater to abustlingwharf th warehouses,a boatyard and adry dock,the latterused for building andrepairing boatsfor the ShropshireUnion Railway &Canal CarryingCompany.
WorldHeritageSite
TodayPontcysyllteAqueductand Trevor Basinare part ofan11-mileUNESCOWorld Heritage Site, inscribedin2009in recognition of itsoutstanding contribution to theIndustrialRevolution. HailedbyUNESCOas‘amasterpiece of creative genius’, the site stretchesfrom GledridBridgeto HorseshoeFalls at Llantysilio,withthe Llangollen Canalsnaking itsway througha treasure troveof industrialandengineeringheritage. Amongits delights arethe town of Llangollen and the Chirkaqueduct,whichdatesfrom1801and was
To subscribetoTPTsimplycompletetheformbelowand returnto:
99, Horncastle, LincsLN9 6LZ
thehighest aqueduct in theworld untilPontcysyllte stole itsthunderfour yearslater.
The site hasalsobeendesignated aScheduled AncientMonumentofNationalImportanceandan Area of Outstanding NaturalBeauty, anditteems with spectacular scenery,ancientwoodlands and ahugevarietyofwildlife.
Youcanfindoutmoreaboutthehistory of PontcysyllteAqueductand Trevor Basininthe Trevor BasinVisitor Centre,which is housed ina former 19th-century brickworkshopand store. Aseriesofdisplay boards tell thestory ofthe
buildingand openingofthe PontcysyllteAqueduct. This incredible structureconsistsof18piersmade from localstone,withthe canalrunning through aniron trough measuring1007ft long, 11ft10in wideand 5ft3indeep. The watercomes fromthe RiverDee at HorseshoeFalls,acoupleofmiles north-westofLlangollen. Thereare alsodisplaysoftools,equipmentand other canalrelics,aswellas afilm,StoriesFrom the Aqueduct,andananimation showing how Telfordand Jessop overcame the naturalobstacles presentedbythe landscape to build the ‘canal in
TrevorBasinVisitorCentre.
the sky’.Youngsterscan have ago at buildingthe aqueductthemselvesusingthe wooden modelin thevisitorcentre.
On leavingthevisitorcentre, thereare more informationboardstodiscoveraroundthe canalbasin,includingafocus onthe keyfigures responsibleforthispioneeringwork– engineers Thomas Telfordand William Jessop,andironmaster William Hazledine,who suppliedtheironfor the aqueductandotheriron structuresaround thearea fromhisfoundriesin Shrewsbury and Cefn Mawr. Aformer warehouseonthe western side ofthe
canalnow servesas agiftshop,sellingarange of souvenirsaswellas food anddrink.Nearbyisthe early19th-century TelfordInn, adistinctivewhite buildingdesignedbyThomas Telfordand built for supervisingengineer Matthew Davidson. Telford himselfalsooften stayed there. Forthefull Pontcysyllteexperience, take a boat tripacrosstheaqueduct to Froncysyllteand back,takinginthe stunningviewsacrossthe Dee Valley. It would be very easy to spend awhole dayatTrevor Basin.If youwanttoexplore theentireWorld Heritage Site, you’dbettermakethata week!
JOHN Taylor,alsoknown n –appropriately,ittranspires–– as the‘water poet’,oncewroote: ‘FromHull, HellandHaliifax maythe Good Lord deliver us’ Iamnotqualifiedtospeak of Halifax,nor yetofHell, butIhavesailedaboard aloadedaggregatebarge outofHull,whichjust happens to be wherethe newwaterways minister,EmmaHardy,also hailsfrom.
Anewminister–so,justperhaps,anewbeginning in theperceptionof therolethatinlandwaterways transport hastoplayindistributing goodsaround theUK.Certainly,shehittheground running by initiatingcontact withthe Inland Waterways Association(IWA),as ameansof establishingher bearings,soonaftershe wasappointed.
Mike Wills,chairoftheassociation, was contacted by herofficeand a15-minuteslot was carved outintheir jointdiaries:anencouraging sign inanyone’s book.Butwheretostart? Freight wascertainlymentioned and,onthe basisthat cuttingstraighttothe chasewasinorder,I suggestedthatmoving thecommercialcarrying side of inland waterways fromDEFRAtoDfT couldtakecentrestage! It is,however, interestingthat she choseIWA asan
insightful routeintohernew ministerialpost. Well-known for its wide-rangingcampaigning activityonall waterway matters in this country, it is perhapsnot so widelyrecognised as having a part to play in thewaterways freight world…whichisstrange really, consideringithas avery active freightgroup,chaired bya significantplayerinthissector.
Until recently, this role washeld by John Spencer (CEO ofGPSMarine Ltd, aprominentoperator onthe Thamesand Medway)who,through work pressures, hasrecentlyhad to standdown, handingthe batonontoGerry Heward,recently retired co-founderofWoodHall &HewardLtd: another significantoperatoronthe Home Counties inland waterwaysscene.
CanalBoatOperators
While IWAcampaignsacrosstheentire spectrum ofinland waterwaysactivity,freightbeingbutone ofits(significant) briefs,working alongsidethe association is the CanalBoatOperators Association (CBOA) providingdirectrepresentationof theindustry, beinglargely made upfrom key
JohnSpenceris CEOofGPSMarineLtd, aprominent operator whichisseen here moving ahugetonnageon the River Thames.
Avessel operated byWHH(Wood Hall &Heward) Barges,whose recently retired joint founderGerryHewardisthecurrent chair of theIWAFreightGroup.
participantsand stakeholders. Whiletheysharea common objective, what is of particular significance is that the campaigningandlobbyingofboth organisationsis largelyundertakenbyvolunteers, givingfreelyoftheirtime.Whereelsewould what areeffectivelytrade bodies, representinga significantareaofthe country’stransport sector, have to rely onthe dedication andconvictionof unpaid volunteers?
Mattersthatwillhopefullytax thenew waterways minister, encouraged in equalmeasurebyboth IWA andCBOA,should include the returnof ‘subsidy’ on biofueluseinvesselsoperatingoninlandtidal waterways, aseriouslook at moving commercial activity to DfTtojoinrail, road andair transport and arobustexamination of waterway-related planningissues.
Freight,Logisticsand the PlanningSystem
In 2023 there wasa Call for Evidence around Freight, Logisticsandthe PlanningSystemwhich waspredicatedontheprevious year’s Future of Freight: alongtermplan.
Undertheprevious administration we sawthe launchofthe National PlanningPolicyFramework consultationemanatingfromthe Ministryof Housing, Communitiesand LocalGovernment whichhas asectionon sustainabletransport… althoughmentionof inland waterwaysdoesn’t
actuallyappearuntil page 5, well behind aviation! Thenew government, in theformofawritten ministerial statementfromDeputyPrime Minister Angela Rayneron July 30,lostnotimeinheralding itsintentiontoacceleratethe debate andwidenits termsofreference,withpromises of final decisions appearingbeforetheendof the year.
An overhaul of theplanningsystemisseenas one waytofixfundamentalissues andgrowthe economy. Talk of massiveincreases inhouse buildingwasaccompanied by anacknowledgement that homesshould not be builtinisolation,the updatedpolicymakingclearthe requirementfor councils to consider theproximity of newhomes to existingtransport infrastructure.
Hopefullythisembraces networksthatsupport freightand logistics,addressing the specific locational requirements ofdifferentsectors. Thisincludes making provision for ‘storage and distributionoperations at avarietyofscalesand in suitablyaccessiblelocations,allowing forthe efficientand reliable handlingofgoods, especially wherethisisneededtosupportthe supplychain, transportinnovationanddecarbonisation’.
So perhaps, just perhaps, calling inland waterwaysthe Cinderellamodeofmulti-modal, the understatementofthecentury,might just become athingofthe past.Although to be perfectlyhonest, I’mnotexactly holding my breath!
The Inland Waterways Associationhasanactivefreight group campaigningfor greater commercialuseofourcanalsandrivers.
FarndaleH headingupthe Humber,loaded with aggregate, passing Emma Hardy’s constituency on her starboardbeam.
JonathanMosse’s monthlylook at freight developmentonthe e inlandwaterways.
BUILT200 yearsago, the Leeds&Liverpool Canalwasoneof themostimportant waterway trade routes throughthe region. Coalandtextileswere amongtheimportant cargocarried along this127-mile stretch linkingthecitiesof Leedsand Liverpool. The canal’scontribution to movingraw materials manufactured inthe mills hasprovideda fascinatingfocusfor Yorkshirefeltartist, Janine Jacques.
Janineisoneof25 artistscontributing theircreativefeltworks to En tangl ed: Anexhibition by the International FeltmakersAssociation, Region10, portraying theimpactofindustryonthe naturalenvironment, whichrunsuntil May2025atLeeds Industrial Museum,ArmleyMills,Leeds.
Fabulousfelt:JanineJacqueswithher feltworks,featuringtheaerialview of Leeds IndustrialMuseumandtheLeeds &Liverpoolcanal,along with her woolly friends fromchildhood. PHOTO:SALLYCLIFFORD
Anewdimension
Datingbacktothe16thcentury,ArmleyMills was acorn andfulling milluntilthe18thcentury when it waspurchased andrebuilt by ColonelThomas Lloyd, becoming oneofthe largestwoollenmills inthe world. Itswatersidelocationgavethemill directaccesstotheonce-busywaterwaytrade route alongwhichmanyofthe area’s prominentmills were built.Using mapsprovidedbyLeeds Industrial Museum,Janineinterpreted theaerialviewofthe millandthe canalintoherfeltartwork.
“The exhibition artworkcame outofmy research into Armley Mills.Onfindingout it wasthe largestwoollen millin1805and how Leedsthrived due to the woollenindustry, Iwent on to research the canal anddiscovereditwas built partly due to the woollen industry and theneed to enablea quicker waytotransport thewoollen goodsand other goods abroad,” explains Janine. Shesaysthroughher research,shediscovered thecanal originates from aproposalin1765 to constructacanalfrom PrestontoLeeds to carry woollengoods from LeedsandBradfordand limestone from Skipton.
The re-creationofthe buildings standingbesidethe canalbroughta newdimension to Janine’s felting work,whichisacomplexandintricateprocess beginning withanoilpastelofherdesign.
Janine explains manipulatingtheoilpastels with herfingers enablesher to literallyget afeelforher work whichshetranslatesintofelt.
Forthefeltwork Janineexplainsthat pre-felt, used to designthe image, canbepre-boughtor madefrom scratchinaprocesswhichinvolves cardingdifferentshades of wool to incorporate thecolours. Wetfelting involvescovering the
Above:JanineJacques’ feltworkof the aerial viewofLeedsIndustrialMuseum and theLeeds &Liverpool Canal ondisplayat theEntangledexhibition. PHOTO:SALLYCLIFFORD
&Liverpool Canal andLeedsIndustrial Museum in felt. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
completed designwithtuille-likematerial, wetting it with warm soapywater,rubbingitwith aspecial stone to bindit together,rollingand shrinkingit. Oncecompleteand dry, Janineadds further detail by needle-feltingtheareasshe wantsto enhance.For theaerialview of the canaland buildings,Janine researched theDutch artist, Piet Mondrian, knownforhis abstract work in squares and rectangles.
“I didaboutthree differentoil versions of it.It went through abit of aprocess. Ididthefirstoil pastelandthe rest ofthe buildingsaresquaresor rectangles andit remindedmeofPietMondrian–hisworkissquaresandcolour andI startedbuilding aroundthat.
“I wanted the eyetomovearound thepieces.”
Anaturalaffinityforlandscapes
Landscapeshavealwaysbeenanatural draw for Janine,a graduate in fineart,paintingand drawing. Shegrewuponthefamily’s arable farm in Lincolnshireandmemoriesof farm life,andthe importantpartsheep play in the textileindustry, areencapsulatedinher other creative contribution to theexhibition.
Sootica, Cindyand hertwinsMay andWilma, herfour woollyfriends from her childhoodflock, have alsobeentransformedintofelt worksofart, theirpresence knitting together perfectlyJanine’s past withthepresent.
Says Janine: “WithbothmyartworksIwanted themtobepositiveimagesofhow industryhas impacted on natureratherthan negative.
“I’vealsoenjoyed readingupabout ArmleyMills andthe canal. It wasaniceproject to work on.
AleksFagelman,assistantcommunity curator, LeedsIndustrialMuseum andThwaites Watermill, says LeedsIndustrial Museumisproudofthe strong relationshipithas hadwiththeIFAfor many years sincethefirst collaborativeexhibitionin2018.
“Janine’s work is basedonanoriginalplanof the museum and Ithink itis so fantastic to seethe museum indifferent lights.”
Alekssaysthe Leeds& LiverpoolCanal is an essentialpartofthe storyofArmleyMills as itdirectly ledtothe mill’sexpansionand,itisalso said,that the first woolfrom Australiawas broughtalong theLeeds &LiverpoolCanaland processedatArmleyMills. “I think Janine’s work is alovelyexample ofhow different people look at themuseumand agreat representationofourhistory,”saysAleks. Formoreinformationvisitwww.janinejacques. co.uk or search janinejacquesartonFacebookand Instagram. To find outmoreabout LeedsIndustrial Museum visit:www.museumsandgalleries.leeds. gov.uk
AN ESTABLISHED boat hirecompany isusing its yearsofexperience to refocusonengineering andhelpingcustomers maintaintheir boats.
Family-owned Kate Boatsisknown for itsfleet of self-drive narrowboats, andfor24 yearsthefirmworked outoftwo yardsin Warwickshire.
No w, havi ng earlierthis year sold itsbaseinWarwick toanotherfamily business (Warwickshire Narrowboat Hire, see storyonpage70),itis takingtheopportunity to increase its engineeringand repairs offer at Stockton Marina.
Rustyareason Flax were needle-gunnedas necessaryandtreatedwitharustinhibitor. Thesurfacewassandedto makeit as soundaspossible. PHOTOS:KATEBOATS.
Withexperiencedengineersonhand,the firmiswell-placedtoofferanextensiverange of services.Italsoholds many sparesonsiteand is happytosourcespecific spares too.
“Maintenanceis avitalaspect of boating, as we allknow,”said SarahMonk,who hasworked at Kate Boatsforfour years.
“Every time ahireboatcomes back in, we check it overand serviceit –itreallyissoimportant to keep on topofthings; keepingthe hull in topcondition,forinstance,isessential.Aswith anythingmechanical,notleavingituntil thelast minuteavoids nastysurprises.
“Theblacking process, for example,istoprotect the hullfrom rust,pitting, rubbingthrough locks, other boats, banksand so on,and ithelps to extendthelifeof your hull –itisessential maintenanceforyourboat. We canget your boat outofthe waterusingourtractorandtrailer. “Preparationisthe key, so we first jet-washthehull to remove allcrud.Thisthenshowsthe condition ofthe hullforsignsof pittingand galvanic corrosion(itisnormaltohavesomepitting). The stern gear will be checkedforcondition too, andifanydamage needstobeaddressed, we willadviseyou first beforewecarry on withblacking. Once we arereadyto black, twotothree coatsare applied,includingthe bowthrustertube. Theprocesscantake up to aweek, butthis isdependentonour lovely British weather.”
Fullrangeof services
Narrowboat painting and signwritingisalso onoffer.Stocktonhas adouble-width paint tent that willtakea widebeamand alarge workshopthat willtake anarrowboat, primed forthetask.
“Ourhirefleetneeds
to look good dayin, dayout,sowehave vast experience in thisarea,”Sarah continued.“Wealso have competent welders on site who cantacklemost tasks required for narrowboat repairs and refurbishment.
“Wecanalsodo anyinteriorworks required,froman additionalshelf toa fullrefit. Kate Boats is well-known for itsquality hire fleet, andthe skillsthat allowustobuild and maintainthat fleet meansthat we area greatplace to come foranymaintenanceor repair on your ownboat.”
Sarahhas beeninvolved in the waterways sinceshewas13 yearsold, when she gotajob cleaning narrowboats–butherconnection goes back much,muchfurtherthanthat.
“I am adescendantofSirThomas Monk,the famousboatbuilderandpioneerof19thcentury canaltransport.Theterm‘monkey boat’isnamed for him.
“At13,when Ifirststepped on to anarrowboat,I fellinlovewithit.Ithought,‘wow, this is brilliant.’”
Kate Boatsnow operatesexclusivelyfrom themarinaatthe topofthe Stocktonflighton theGrand Union Canal. In tandemwith hiring boats, thecompany will carryout all typesof maintenance work,includingblacking, painting, woodwork andallaspects ofengineeringfor customers. It alsooffers pumping-outfacilities andmooring.Engineservicing, installation, repairsand replacement, welding, boat building, valeting andspringcleaning, signwritingand plumbingrepairsare available too.
Formoreinformation abouthiringa narrowboat, visitwww.kateboats.co.uk; for engineeringand repairs, visit www.kateboats.com
Sharpness NewDocks150-yearcelebration
By TonyAldridge
JULYsaw an eventbased aroundthe DockersClub, Sharpnessaspartofthe programmeof celebrations of 150 yearssincetheopeningof theSharpnessNew Docks.
Whenthe Gloucester SharpnessCanal was completed in 1827 there wasa smallerentrancelock to theRiver Severn butas trade boomedand ships became larger anew dock wasconstructedand is still in operation today.
The docksare nowoperated by Canal& RiverTrust,offering agreat cruisingdestination withmoorings just north of the dock.Thereare lotsof walksincludingjustnorth to the Purton Hulksand views across themanymoods of the RiverSevern.
Theweekend was co-ordinated by theCanal &RiverTrustand thetrust’s DunkirkLittle Ship, Queen BoadiceaII, sailed from Gloucestertodopublictrips around thedockand adjacent canal.The Vale of Berkeley Railway’s display reminded me of thebusytraffic around thedock andacrossthe old
railway bridge over the Severn to thecoal sources in the Forest of Dean.
Membersofthe Gloucester andDistrictModel Boat Club displayed someof their detailedreplicasincluding Mayflower,one of the tugs that used to take barges from thedock to Gloucester.
The canalarm to theoriginal lock washometoTS Vindicatrix and amodel wasondisplay with logbooks of someofthe70,000 merchantseamenwhotrained
on boardand around thedocks between1939and1966. Moored in the dock is STV Tenacious, launchedin2000. Shebecame the largestwooden tallship builtin the United Kingdom inthelast100 years. Sheis65metres(213.25 feet) long,includingbowsprit, and sheisriggedasa three-masted barque with twomizzengaffs. Sheisone ofonlytwo tall ships designedspecificallytoenable disabledandnon-disabled peopletosail side-by-side as equalmembers of the crew.
Retireddockworkers and wivesattended, recounting their many memoriesofthe busy port.Theweather was good with good visibilityof the Severn bridgesfromthe picnicarea that overlooksthe breakwatersandlock entrance. It provides agreat vantagepoint forships or even narrowboats arrivinganddeparting.
Future celebratoryevents areSeptember14: SeaShanty FestivalandOctober 26: finale, noon to 5pm.Theactual anniversary is November 25.
Members ofGloucester &District ModelBoat Clubwith someof their models.
QueenBoadicea II poised fortrips,withRiver Severn andthe farbank, withrailwayline. PHOTOS:TONYALDRIDGE
Sail TrainingVessel Tenacious,with an oldlight vessel in thebackground.
Fairweather’s Folly:
Practicalityfrom Perrydale
PhilPickinwent to see Perrydale Narrowboats’ latestnewbuildonthedayitfirstenteredthe waterandfoundanotherhigh-qualityboatfrom thispopularboatbuilder.
IT ISN’Toften that youget to seea business grow andthrive, especiallyinthe waterwayssector, so for me,ithas beeninterestingtowatch aboatbuilder grow and become successful,howeveryouwant to define ‘success’.
The builderin questionis Perrydale Narrowboats, basedatAshwood Marina on aprivate waterway abouthalf amileinlengththat linkstothe Staffs and Worcestercanalnotfarfrom Kinver.Overthe years, thesmall teamled by Dave and NickyPerry have producedarange ofimpressive newboats mixed in withanincreasing number of refits,a sideofthe businessforwhichthey’ve become wellknown.
Perrydale’s latest new buildis Fairweather’s Folly, a60ft semi-trad boat builtusingaJonathan Wilson shellforthenew owners Stuart Fairweather andDebbieCarterofLittlehampton,who have been boatingsince1975when Stuartfirstbought acruiser beforeupgradingtoanarrowboatin the1980s.Sincethen,he hasbecome involved
with awide rangeof waterwaysprojects, includingthe Wey andArun CanalTrust. Having retired from teachingandfrom his role as ayouth leader, Stuartand Debbie decided, acoupleof yearsago,tobuya bespokenarrowboat to replacetheonethey had,until recently, moored at Cropredy. Despitehavingspoken to anumberofother builders, thecoupledecidedoncommissioning their new boat from Perrydale,havingmet Dave and NickyatCrick andbeingimpressed with their approach.
Fullyequipped
Fairweather’s Folly is designedtobeadaptableand to provideaccommodationforup tosixpeople to enable them to have spacefor childrenand grandchildren.The boat alsoboaststwo toilets, asensibledesignchoicewhenyou have that many guests.Butthe boat hasonefixed master bedroomwithapull-outbed extendingto4ft 6in. Asecondroomatthe bowcan be used as aliving roomorasanadditionalbedroom withanother cross-bedwhich candoubleasa sofa.Ifusedas abedroom,this area alsohas bedsidelockers,a TV anda wardrobe/cupboard. Furtherbedscan be provided in the saloon,whichisfitted withan L-shaped seatingareaand table,whichconverts into anadditionaldouble berth.
To feed allthose guests, Fairweather’sFolly hasa good-sized galleythathas beenfittedwith Howdens Clerkenwell matt grey finish unitson topofwhichlight quartzworktopsprovidealot of worktopspace.Thewalls have metrotile look panels to ceilingheight, making,you canimagine, theareaeasy to keep clean.The galleyisverywell equipped withan oven, separate grill, microwave, four-burner hob, washingmachine,fridgeand freezer. Just abouteverything you mightneed. The main livingarealooks very comfortablewith anicemixofblue upholsteryonthe seatingand
blinds,natural wood trimand tabletopand side hatchframes with pale ceilingand walls abovethe gunwale. Enough colourto make itinteresting, and enoughwhiteand off-white to make it light. Focalpointsfor the room caneither be the TV orthe stoveon its floatinghearthwhich hasalsobeenfitted with inkblue tiles.
The first of thetwo toiletsis locatednext to the saloon, and although asmall room, it hasall of thefacilities you mightwantpacked into averysmall space.
Very cleverly,Daveand his team have used everybitof space inthis room andthroughoutthe boat.
Forwardofthisisthe main bedroomwithits fixed bedthatalsohas apull-outsectiontakingitupto 4ft6in. Once again,thereisplenty of storageinthis room,and agood-sized TV hasbeenfitted at the footofthe bed.The large, upholsteredheadboard is quitea feature, onethatishighlighted by thetwo readinglamps beneaththe overhead locker.
Ahead ofthisisthe main walkthrough bathroom, whichisfitted with a900x900 showercubicle, cassettetoiletand wash basin. Plenty of room and good useof spacefor storageis, once again, onofferin this room.Portholes provide daylight,but thereisnoshortage of LEDlightstokeepthe room welllit.
Thelastroom (assumingyou entered theboatfromthe stern) is the second bedroom or additionallounge area.This multipurpose room canbeusedina numberof ways and canprovide some quiet spaceif required. Double doorsprovide accesstothe bowarea
Fairweather’s Folly isassmartand impressive insideasit is outsideandwillundoubtedly provide Stuart, Debbieandfamily with many yearsofenjoyment. Dave,Nicky and theteam at Perrydalecontinue to produce high-quality bespokeboats,andthisoneisnoexception, facts that areobviously beingnoticed by thoselooking fornew builds.Nosooner had Fairweather’sFolly leftthe workshopandenteredthe water, thenext shell wasinplace readyforitstransformationover thecomingmonths.
Familyhirecentre with the personaltouchvoted best in UK
AFAMILY-RUNcanal boat hire businessin the Midlands has beencrownedthe best in the UK –by its customers.
Union Canal Carriers, based in Braunston, Northamptonshire, topped the pollafter achievingmore than 10005-star reviews of its canal boat holidays. The business, which startedin1968,is stillrun by theHewitt familywho believe itis theirpersonal touchthatmakesall thedifference.Seven members across threegenerations of thefamilyregularly work intheyard.
Office manager HeatherHewitt, wife of Tim, whois sonoffounderIris Hewitt,said: “We were surprisedto rank numberoneout of100 hire boat companies. We always aimto treatour customersasfriendsand shareour knowledge withthem, whatever their age.
“Oneof the biggestdifferences betweenusandbigger hire companies isthat we arejust boaterswho love boating.
“Welovesharing ourextensive boatingknowledge with our customers, givingthem awarm welcome and helpingthemplan wheretheywanttogo–it’sthe littlethings that canmakeabig difference.”
Union CanalCarriersisbased on theGrand Union Canaland wonthe award, runbynarrowboat holiday agents,Roam&Roost CanalBoatHolidays. Thecompany hasmorethan1200 reviews,with 1000 of them5-starsandcoming from repeat customerswho return yearafter year.Somecustomers have been returning for40years.
The companywas oneof the pioneersofboatingholidays,with ownersIrisand RobinHewitt, and togetherwith Janusz andRuth Rokicki,hiringcampingboatsin 1968. Fast forwardto2024, andthe company hasa fleetof canalboats andday boats.
Iris Hewitt,now inher 80s,is stillinvolved inthebusinesstoday alongsideher sons,headengineer Jonathan, sign writer Will andboat designer Tim. In addition, Will’s sonAdamhelps paintthefleet in the winter.Thefamilybelieve itis thepersonaltouch whichcomes with afamilyfirm that makesall the difference.
MrsHewittadded:“Wespend
hourswith customers that haven’t boated before,onthe phone beforetheyarrive as well as showing them outontheir boat.Itisimportant that theyfeelsafeand confidentbeforewe leavethem with one of ourboats.
“Weunderstand that aboatingholiday cantakecustomers outoftheir comfort zone,sowetakeour timetoshowthose hirers the ‘ropes’.” Basednearthe junctionofthe Grand Union &Oxford canals,thehire base in Braunstonisa perfectlocation for arange of routes, from shortout-andback tripstoStoke Bruerne,Warwick (andWarwick Castle) or FennyCompton to longerringroutes to be completed over aweekormore, such as the WarwickRing, Leicester Ring or Thames Ring.
UnionCanal Carriers initially startedbyhiringout campingboats –which were extremelybasic with bunksand asheetforprotection –and part of itsethos hasalways been introducingpeopletothe magicofthe waterways.
Some customerswho startedout on the campingboats have children whoarenow bringingtheir own familiesonthe water.
“Itisamazing,” said MrsHewitt. “Theyare likefamily andwehave seen their childrengrow up.”
JamesAnelay of Roam&Roost CanalBoatHolidayssaid:“Union CanalCarriershas 1200 reviewsof its canalboatholidays,whichisan amazingachievement.However, to achievemorethan10005-star reviewsisanextraordinary achievementwhichthe familyrunteamatUnion CanalCarriers should be proudasitrepresents tensof thousandsof happydays spentonthe canals making pricelessmemories withloved ones.” Roam&Roost ranked more than100 UK canalboatbases, usingcustomer reviewsfrom variousplatforms and disregarding fake orquestionable scores to give asimplifiedscore whichithopes will make it easier for consumers to understand.
Second place went to Beacon Park BoatsinPowys andAndersonBoats in Cheshirewasplacedthird. For thefulllistvisit canalboatholidays. co.ukand to find outmoreabout Union CanalCarriersvisit unioncanalcarriers.co.uk
HeatherHewitt on ahireboatfromUnion CanalCarriers at Braunston in Northamptonshire. Thecompanywascrowned the UK’s numberonecanal boat hire basebyholiday company Roam&Roost, based on customerreviews.
Heather Hewitt and founderIris Hewitt (right) fromUnion Canal Carriers in Braunston. The companywas crownedthe UK’s number one canal boathirebase by holiday company Roam&Roost, based on customer reviews. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED.
Innovative bridgeinspection earnsnew engineering award
ByAlisonAlderton
THEinauguralNew CivilEngineers (NCE)Bridges Awardsceremonywas recentlyheldincentral London to recognisethe best work inthe sector onnew builds,heritage structures,monitoringand much more.
Following theNCEBridgesConference during theday,whereexpertsdiscussedthetrendsin modernbridge engineering, theawardshosted 18 hotly contestedcategories that garnered more than130entries,judgedbymorethan40industryrecognised players.
Thesefiguresdisplay theastoundinglevelof interest for aceremony on itsfirstouting.
AECOM’sinnovativeapproach compriseda preliminaryphotographic survey using aunique combinationofaerialdrone,boatand360 cameras to determinewhichareas required targeted fulltactileinspection.This wascomplemented by apointcloud survey to capturedimensions accurately.Overall,thisnon-conventional approach waslessdisruptive, morecost-efficient and safer thantraditionalinspectionmethods.
Scherzerrollingliftbridge
Designed by Alfred CharlesGardner, aScottish engineer,KeadbyBridgewasone of thefirst Scherzerrollingliftbridgesofits type inBritain and, withanopeningspanofsome50metresor 163ft,atthetimeof building(1912-1916) the largest in Europe.Theliftingspanweighedinat3000 tons, making italso theheaviestinEurope.
Asifthat wasn’t enoughacclaim,itwasalsothe first bridge anywheretohavethree girders.
The ScherzerLift RollingBridgeCompany of Chicagoacted as consulting engineers forthe lifting span.Theoriginal designer of thistypeofbridge wasWilliam Donald Scherzer(January27,1858–July 20,1893)anAmericanengineerandinventor.
William sadlydiedyoung andit washisbrother whotookoverthe patentingofthe Scherzer rolling liftbridge design,nowthoughttobeoneof themost usefulmechanismsofits generation.
It wascommissioned by theGreat Central Railway to supersedeanexistingswing bridge whichstood 200ft away fromthis site.
Closer linksbetweenIWAandLCA
ByCicelyOliver
THE Lowland Canals Association(LCA)isexploring corporateInlandWaterways Associationmembershipafter adecision to formanalliance withtheIWA. This will benefit the LCAbygivingitaccess to theIWA’sexperience, campaigningandcommercial expertise.
TheLCA’s Neil Kitchener will be joiningIWA’s leadin
Scotland, JonathanMosse,on its navigationcommittee.
The IWA, waterways.org.uk, is the national membership charitythatcampaigns locally and nationallytoprotect the canalsand navigable rivers for everyone to enjoy.
The last lift wasbackin1956after whichtime the bridge waswidened. In 1960, headroomfor road and rail trafficwasincreasedandthebascule fixed permanentlyinposition; thisnow determinesthe availableairdraft for vessels passingbeneaththe formeropening span.
Most ofthe commercial shippingvisits the wharvesbelow thebridgeand in morerecent years, eventhelowerair-drafted barges which used to servethe sand and gravelextraction pitson theupper reachesofthe tidal Trenthave ceased trading.
It is asadder riverforthelossofits commercial activitybutthe remnantsof itsformerglorydays, such asthegreatKeadbyBridge, aGradeII-listed structure, remain to shedlight on its past.With an award-winning team at AECOMlooking afterit,itis settoenthral many morefor generations to come.
Global yachtrace makes itsfirst Scottish stopover p
ByCicelyOliver
INJULY, Oban became the first Scottish host port in the Clipper Race’s 27-yearhistory as11 teamscompleted the penultimateleg ofthe Clipper Race,40,000 nauticalmilesof oceanracing.
The town hostedaFestival ofthe Seatoentertainvisitors and theClipperRace crews and showcaseScottishfood, drink, music, sportand culture, with events off and onthe water, culminatingwith the racing crewsbeingpiped down to their boatstoprepare fortheirfinalrace.
Thefirst Clipper Race took place in 1996–7, with afleetof eight60ft yachts.
The2023–24 challenge startedand finishedin Portsmouth,with the fleet of 70ft oceanracingyachtsand their crews stoppingoverin Spain, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam,China, the USAand Scotland, withleg sevenatransit of thePanama Canal.
No previous sailing experience is necessary to take part –anintensive fourleveltrainingprogramme gives crew membersallthe skillsneeded to face the most extreme oceanconditions. Foranyone with an interest in blue watersailing, avisit to clipperroundtheworld.com providesfascinatinginsight.
Theteamat work onKeadbyBridge.
PHOTO: AECOM
MembersoftheLCAorganisethepopular Ronnie RusackFlotilla of LightinEdinburgh eachyear. PHOTO:LOWLAND CANALSASSOCIATION
Clipper Raceyachtsmoored in abeautifully sunny Oban. PHOTO: CALLUMFREW.
THEStaffordshire &WorcestershireCanal Society’s (SWCS)thirdAnnual RallyofBoatstakesplaceon August 31/September1atTheBratch, Wombourne.
Visitorsto the event, billedasacelebrationof heritage,will seehistoricworking boatsupclose, find outall aboutthehistoricBratchLocks andhow theywork, takewalksalongthe towpathtoenjoy the moored boatsandfloatingtraders, and seeBumble Hole Lock.
Canal&RiverTruststaffand volunteerswill be on
hand,as willthe many canalsocieties championing their owncanalsandheritage,keepingthemalive forfuturegenerations.
“The navigationfellinto disuse duringthe 1950s,” said aSWCSspokesperson. “Throughthetireless effortsof alegionof volunteers, the SWCS wasborn, andthe canalwas restored.
“Nearly75years later, this46-mile canalnow hasGreen Flag accreditation,is adesignated conservationarea,andisacknowledgedasoneof
theprettiestcanalsintheUK.
“At250 yearsold,the canalisstill goingstrong! However, the Canaland RiverTrust isfacing governmentcuts to itsgrant and needsyoursupport foritscontinuedmaintenance so that everyone–boaters, walkersand cyclistsalike–can continue to enjoy this watersideenvironment.”
The rallyruns between10amand5pm each day andadmissionisfree.Visitwww.swcanalsociety. co.ukformoreinformation.
THE BlackCountry BoatingFestival, celebratingits38thanniversary this year,promises avibrantweekend packed withfunforvisitorsfromnear andfar.Thepicturesque Bumble Hole Nature Reserve, in Netherton, willhost the eventfromFriday, September13to Sunday,September15.
Sinceitsinceptionin1986, it hasgrown to become oneof the region’smostanticipated andlongest-runningevents, celebratingthe rich heritage and cultureofboatinginthe BlackCountry.Overnearlyfour decades,thefestival hasbrought together boatingenthusiasts, localbusinessesandcommunity members for aweekend of entertainmentandcelebration.
This year'sfestivalpromises to be bigger andbetterthan ever,with adiverse line-upof activitiesand attractionsfor allages.
Highlightsinclude adisplay of narrowboatsandhistoric vesselsalongthe canal,live performancesfromlocalbands andartists,stallsofferingunique crafts,deliciousfood andlocally madeproducts,afloatingmarket forvisitorstopurchaseproducts directlyfromlocal business boaters, andfamily-friendly
activitiesincludingafunfairand dogshow.
Betterthan Venice!
It’s often saidthat Birmingham has more milesof canalsthan Venice –a buzz phraseusedtogoodpromotional
effectfor anumberofyears,but that’s ameredropinthe ocean, experts have claimed.
An independent study commissionedbyGreat Bridgebasedeventsorganiser KevMaslin hasprovedbeyonddoubt that the BlackCountry hasmoremiles of navigable waterway than neighbouring Birmingham and Venice puttogether.
Aviewalong thecanalatthe Black Country BoatingFestival. PHOTOS:BCBF
WHAT’SONINSEPTEMBER
Ifyou want yourevent listed in ourfree monthlyWhat’sOnsectionemail your entryto editorial@towpathtalk.co.ukorusethe eventsformatwww.towpathtalk.co.uk/events Pleasecheck withorganiserswhetherthe eventisgoingaheadbefore settingouton your journey.
UntilSeptember4
StaffordRiverwayLink: Displayofartefacts unearthedbySRL volunteers from thecanal at BaswichCommunity Library, Lynton Avenue,Baswich, Stafford, ST170EA. Theexhibition willthenmovetoWombourne Library(WombourneCommunity Centre,ChurchRoad, Wombourne, StaffordshireWV59EZ) fromFriday,September6until Tuesday, October 15. Wombourne Libraryisclose to theBratchonthe Staffordshire& Worcestershire Canal.
August 31-September1
Whitchurch Waterway Trust: Whitchurch CanalFestival on the Whitchurch Armofthe Llangollen Canal.
September1
IWATowpath WalksSociety:Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross–Granary Square –Camden. King’s Cross: taxi queuesignnexttoPreta Manger at 2.30pm.Normalcharge£20; concessions,students andaccompanied children 16and over £15;8-15£5; under 8s free.Prior booking recommended, contact London Walks: 02076243978 oremaillondon@ walks.com
IWALichfield: Guided walk –Carltonandthe Ashby Canal. An easy 4.5-mile walk with no stiles,following towpath, grasstracksand pavements. Meet inthecar park ofThe GateHangs Well, Barton Road,Carlton, near Market Bosworth,CV120DB.10.30 for 10.45am start. Contact CliveWalker clivewalker@waterways.org.uk
September 7-8
EtruriaIndustrialMuseum:Saturday–Vintage Stationary Engine Rally and Sunday –Classic Vehicle Rallyatthe museum onthe Caldon and Trent&Merseycanals at Stoke-on-Trent.
Aspokesmanfor waterway specialist GFEntssaidofits findings:“Forsometime it hasbeenthought that Birmingham hadabout 35 milesofnavigable canals withinitsboundariesand no onequestionedit, but ourextensive research tells adifferent story. “Working with established criteria of what constitutesthe CityofBirminghamandwhat canbetruly be considered asthe BlackCountry,we have concluded that while Birminghamand Venice have 48milesof navigable waterways betweenthem,thecombined distance acrossthe boroughs of theBlack Countryisa shade under 80miles.”
Ross Harrison, representing Netherton’sBlack Country
IWATowpath WalksSociety:Regent’s Canal: Little Venice –Camden. WarwickAvenuetubestation at 2.30pm.Normalcharge£20; concessions, students andaccompaniedchildren 16 andover£15;8-15£5; under 8s free.Prior booking recommended, contact London Walks: 02076243978 oremaillondon@walks.com
September 20
IWALichfield:BraunstonHistoricNarrowBoatRallies by TimCoghlan. Darwin Hall, Heathcot Place,Lichfield WS136RQ, 7.15 for7.30pm. September 21-22
BoatingFestival,andMrMaslin, theorganiser ofthe Tipton Canal& CommunityFestival (onSeptember 21/22 –see TowpathTalk’s August issuefor details), arekeento encouragepeople to attendthe events and seefor themselves.
Ross said: “Our twofestivalsarejust aweekand afewmiles apart, andit’s such agood opportunityfor people to explorethearea while enjoyingthe festivitiesonoffer.
“This will be our38thBlack Country
BoatingFestival,while oursister eventatTiptonis enjoyingahuge revivalaftera four-yearlay-off, and both will have agreat community vibe.Weare expectinglotsofvisiting boats, traders, andfull programmes ofentertainment.”
Forinformationabout the festivals,visit: www.bcbf.com andwww.tiptonfestival.co.uk
Join us Alongthe Canalin Town Centre for:
Floating Markets Displays &Exhibitions Food &Drink Boat Trips Live Entertainment
Children's Activities
Historic Boats &MuchMore!
Saturday 5th- Sunday 6th October2024 11:00 -17:00
ThetowpathispackedattheBlack Country BoatingFestival,which is celebratingits38thanniversary
BanburyTown Council Events
Snapupa waterways calendar forcharity
Thirteenimageshavebeenchosento appearin River CanalRescue’s2025 calendar (front coverandoneforeverymonth),which goes onsalelaterthis year toraise fundsforCancerResearch UK.
THEcompetition attractedmorethan375 entries, whichthe judges –RCR managing director Stephanie Horton, CanalBoat editor Charlie Waters and Canal &River Trustcommunicationsmanager Damian Kemp –thenwhittleddowntoa finalfew. Depictingscenesfromacross theinland waterway network and NorthBerwick,heading towardsCraigleith Island,the images include boats moored on reflectivewaters, thedifferingseasons, tunnelviewsandiconicviewsandlandscapes.
Stephanie said: “Itwasgreattosee so many people entering thecompetition to support ourcalendar–they presenteduswitha hard task.Theentries were very highqualityand captured the very essenceoflife afloat. We would have lovedtohaveincludedmore, so thank you to everyonewhoentered,and sorryif your photodidn’t make it to thefinal13.
“I’m equallygrateful to ourjudgesfor their help. Thedonation we make to Cancer Research UK from calendar sales will be inmemoryofour friend and colleaguePaulDrummie,who passed away earlier this year.”
Everyimage received willfeatureina video, released on YouTubeand RCR’sFacebook page,and potentiallybeusedinfuturepromotional material, creditingthe owner.
RCRcalendarswillbeonsalefromSeptember and canbepurchased for£9.99includingpostage,via the company’s socialmediapagesand website www. rivercanalrescue.co.ukor by calling 01785785680.
2025 calendarphotos
Frontcover: Sarah Read, Leektunnel,Leekarm, CaldonCanal,Staffordshire
January: BevPinnick,Braunston Marinaonthe Grand Union Canal,Northamptonshire
ACOMMUNITY-LEDevent celebratingthe RiverLea in the London borough of Enfield sawvisitorsenjoy liveperformancesand cultural activities.
The riverisEnfield’s integral waterway,andtheFestivalof the Leaon July 13 sawthe towpaths andtheBLOQS community spacetransformed into aperformance space forthe free dayoffamily-friendlyarts. As reported in last month’s TowpathTalk,itwas organised jointly by BLOQSand theCanal &River Trust’sHinterlands Enfield project, which promotes well-beingand connectscommunitiesalongthe River Lea, andwas supportedbythe Arts CouncilandthePeople’s Postcode Lottery. Here aresomecolourfulimages from theevent.
Ourboatyardfacilitiesare locatedcanalside, on themainlineoutsidethe Distillery
Primemooring’s in the centre ofBirmingham’Canalsystem. Securesite, withallservices available,andeasyaccess to thelivelycityofBirmingham. Justa 2minuet walk,tothe fantasticnightlifeofRestaurants,clubsandbars, Placesofinterest, theInternationalConvention Centre,also knownastheICC, off the famousboard street,inBirmingham,thenewlibrary, the Cresenttheatre, TheIkon galleryforart, alljust ashort walk away,3-4minutes, Allpublicservicesareavailablefromthestreetsoutsideand youcanjumponthetram fromBoard street.Wolverhampton,ortonewstreet.Thechoiceisyours. Mooringinsherbornewharf, isquietandpeaceful,withlong term residents,whohave establisheda life here in theMarine. We areanestablished Company, whohave been hereinBirmingham forover30yrs,friendlyneighbourswhoget togetherandenjoy summereveningsonthe towpathsocialising,sharingtheeveningsunand adrink, responsibly,
We have noonsite parking,howeverparking canbefound,torentwithintheaccess to thesiteand aroundthe Marinaprivately.
Boat services,wehaveadry dock that canbehired,forblacking,surveys,ormechanical work required.Wehavethe contactforboatsurveys’gas inspectionsand repairsshouldtheybe required.
We aretheonly membershipassociationsetup,in1963,toprotectthe interests of live-aboardboaters.Weneed your supporttobeableto continueour work.Sojoinus,inpromotion,development, representation andprotection ofour chosenlifestyle.Interested?
See more informationonour websitewww.rboa.org.uk.ortelephone 0330 0577180to findouthowtojoinand getinvolvedinthesafeguarding ofthefuture freedomoflivingafloat. Annual membershipfromonly£30.00.
The ResidentialBoatOwners’AssociationStudio 2WatersideCourt ThirdAvenueBurtononTrentDE142WQ SponsoredbyAll Willsand Trusts.co.uk
Having your tired old engine or gearbox repaired? Inthelongrunouroptionsare likelymore cost effective:Reconditionedserviceexchangeor reconditionyourexistingunit;Factorylowhours andgoodusedunitsalsosupplied.
•Free‘noobligation’quotationsand recommendations to meet your requirements.
•Planningandscheduling to fitinwith yourprior arrangements(wherepossible).
•Traditionalpainting ‘with abrush’ofcompletecabinand down to the‘topguardiron’.
Extrasthatcan beadded to the package:
•Baremetallingofgrittedareas.
•(Re)grittingofcabintopandgunwhales.
•Graining/scumbling.
•Diamondsandgeometricalpatterns.
•Topbend/returnplatedecoration.
•Traditionalcanalart(RosesandCastles).
•Signwriting.
•Hatchandslidedecoration.
•Varnishing.
•Mouse’sears/teddybearonrearbulkhead.
•Paintingofcounterbands.
DIESELHEATINGFORBOATS
Servicing Spareparts TechnicalHelp SystemDesign
Thislatestheaterisnow in stock.4.3kWoutputand only 1.3kWatlow,idealfor narrowboats.
Kitsfrom£1795.00
LADDER-MATE
COMBINATIONRESCUELADDER/GANGPLANK
Haveyoufalleninto the waterandstruggled to getout? Mostaccidentshappeninoraroundlocks. Gettingoutofthe waterishardwith wetheavy clothes. Thebanksidesarehighandnohandholds to getout. This versatilelightweight(LADDER-MATE)storessecurely on your roofwiththefreeladderlocksupplied. £125 +£30p&p to anylocationonUKmainlandorfreecollection(Please callus)
ePropulsion partners with Frenchboat rental company
ePropulsion,thefirstcompanytolaunch abrushless, direct-drive electricoutboardmotorinthe market, hascollaboratedwith Frenchboatrental company Les Canaloustocreateitsfirstfullyelectric canalboat
ByPhilPickin
LESCanalousis alicence-free bargeand boat hire companyinFrancewitha fleet ofmorethan300 vessels,offeringshort houseboatcruises.Thecompany has worked withePropulsion to upgradethe Lapeniche-s,asix-cabin hybridvessel accommodatingupto12guests. The vessel isdesignedtocater forwhatthecompany describesas‘theexpandingrentalmarket’. Lapeniche-s is poweredbyanePropulsion I-20inboard motor,which hasamaximum inputpower of20kW. To controlthisthe vesselis equipped with a5indigitaldisplay
screen, remotecontrolsmartthrottle and fourG102-10010 kWhbatteries.Thevessel is also equippedwithanonboard generator whichrunson HVOfuels.
Theuse of HVOunderscores Les Canalous’s commitmenttosustainable solutions to reduce CO2emissions, with HVOfuelsofferingsubstantial environmental benefits,including reducedgreenhousegasemissions by 90%, theutilisationof renewableenergy sources madefrom wastecooking oil, and decreaseddependencyonfossilfuels.
ePropulsion’sI-20systemin situ. PHOTO:SUPPLIED.
TheuseofHVO fuels promotes better disposal of wastecooking oils,thus contributingtoamoresustainable environment. An HVOgenerator also allows the boat to operateindependently ofelectric chargingstations,which canbe
Unionofexcellencebetweentwobrands
BOATINGenthusiastscandesign their vessels’interiorstoa high levelofopulencethanks to anew marineindustrycollaboration.
LKQLeisureand Marine has been appointedastheexclusive distributorpartnerfor Dometic UK Blind Systems Ltdinthe UK.Described as a‘unionof excellence’thatunites twoleading industrynames,a wide rangeof luxuryblindsand softfurnishings arenow onoffer to customers.
Each productinDometic’s rangeiscarefullyhandcrafted to exact customer requirements,and central to itsofferingisthearrayof customisationoptions available.
“Frommaterials to colours, sizes to operatingmechanisms,boaters have theflexibilitytotailortheir onboard solutionstotheirprecise preferences,” said aspokesperson for LKQLeisureand Marine.
“This levelof versatility ensuresthat each product
Top10replacementparts
RiverCanal Rescue(RCR) responded to 3335 callouts last year to help with issues such as electrical,fuelandengineproblems,flat batteries,overheatingand gearboxfailures.
DespiteRCR’s best endeavours, partsdobreak down.Sowhat arethe top10partsthat cause boatersthe most griefand howmuchdothey costtoreplace?
•Fuelfilters:£5-£35
•Cables:£20-£140
•Batteries:£100-£280
•Alternators:£70-£270
•Startermotors:£140-£600 (£1200 for Vetus)
•Gearboxes:£650-£2600
•Fanbelts:£15-45
•Driveplates: £90-£190
•Fuelpumps:£50-£850
•Couplings:£100-£600
Just outsidethe top10are waterpumps (caused by sealfailures,wearand tear,impellerbreakup andsheared components),morse controllers (wearand tear)andenginemounts(hitting underwaterobstacles,wearand tear,age,rubber degrading, misalignmentand boltsshearing).
The majorityofreplacementpartcall-outsare due todamp gettingintoelectricalcomponents, excessive or harshuse,vibration,accidental damage,wearand tear, theeffect of pollutants such asdiesel,oiloranti-freeze, old-age and misalignmentofparts.
Ninety percentofRCR’s jobs aresortedthe same day,asengineerscarry arange of spares, butitcantakeupto48hours if partsspecific to the boathave to be ordered.
seamlessly integratesinto the vessel’s interior design while providingoptimal privacyand lightcontrol.Additionally,for thoseseeking convenience, Dometic also offersoff-theshelf options to catertoa diverse rangeofneeds.
DannyTao,co-founderandCEO of ePropulsion, said: “Weare committedto revolutionisingthe sustainable boating experience andarethrilledtodeliver ourfirst electric diesel hybrid canalboatinEurope. This uniqueupgrade for LesCanalous represents asignificantinnovation.”
Alfred Carignant, CEOofLes Canalous Group, added:“Wehavebeenvery impressedwiththe sustainable upgrades that ourpopular vessel Lapeniche-s has received.Movingforward,wewill continue to develop electric solutions,recognising howthisapproach enhances the customer experience by allowing silent,vibrationfree,and odourlessnavigation.”
Lapeniche-s isnowavailable forrent; for more information,visit lescanalous.com/ bateau/lapeniche-s.
And for moreinformation on ePropulsion visitepropulsion.com
preservedbutalsoenhanced the commitment to elegant engineeringthatOceanair was knownfor.Now under theDometic umbrella, the brandcontinues to upholdthehighest standards, merging traditional craftsmanship withmoderninnovation to deliver exceptionalproductsthat make mobilelivingeasy.
“With Dometic’s unmatched
craftsmanship andLKQ Leisure and Marine’s commitment to exceptional service,boaters and customers canelevate their onboardexperienceto unprecedentedlevelsofcomfort andstyle.”
IT’S not everyday that aboatevent can claim afirst, butitwould seemthat this year’s AqueductMarinaBoatEvent can do just that.Amongthe wide rangeof boat builders, serviceprovidersand equipment manufacturers who took part were HydrogenAfloat and Mactra Marine Equipment, whowereboth exhibitinghydrogen-fuelledgenerators inwhat isthoughttobea first foran eventonthe waterways.
With Aqueduct Marina beingoneof thefirst inland waterwaysmarinas to stockhydrogenfor sale to the boating and widercommunity,itwas natural forthe twoexhibitorstowanttotake part in Aqueduct’s annual boat event, whichsaw awide rangeofexhibitors takepart.
The eventwas sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston andwasdesigned for bothnoviceandexperiencedboaters alike. Free advice wasonofferfrom industry experts together with an opportunitytogain behind-the-scenes accesstothe marina's facilities,and the wide rangeofbrokerage boatsavailable proved aparticular attraction.
Despitethe somewhat changeable weather,a good numberof visitors made their waytothe Cheshiremarina, whichalsoplayedhosttoAqueduct
Marina’sannual Boater Bash with fishand chipsfor150 people with entertainmentprovidedbyBeardsmith.
Robert Parton, managingdirectorof Aqueduct Marina,said:“Once again, we were able to putona successful canalboat-focusedevent,anditis very interestinghow thegreenlow carbon agenda, whichincludes the hydrogen option,is becoming theoptionof choice for customers.
“I wasalsoverypleased that many of ourvisitorsonthe daywerepeople lookingtobuy aboatforthe first timein thenextyearto18months.”
Paul Knox-Johnson, salesand marketingmanager (Marine)ofthe Boat Event’ssponsor,Haven KnoxJohnsonsaid:“The Aqueduct Marina team putonanotherfantasticevent this year.Itwas oursecond year supporting the boat show, and it wasgreat to be amongsomanyfellowboating enthusiasts, from the Aqueduct berth holdercommunitytoourtradefriends.
“Fromthe HVOtohydrogen,it canbe clearly seenthat environmental topics arewell supportedontheinland system and we hope thetrendcontinues.
“Thankstoall theteamatAqueduct forhosting us andthe hard work we knowittakes to organisesucha get-together.Welookforward to next year!”
ElizabethMacDonald of Mactra Marine said: “The Aqueduct Boating eventprovides awonderful opportunity to showcase ourPowerUphydrogen fuelcells at alocation wherehydrogen is readilyavailable.
“Despite theless-than-ideal weather,visitorswereintrigued by our sustainable technology,seeingfirst hand howour hydrogen fuelcells could powerboats efficientlyand cleanly.
“ThankstoRob andthe whole team at Aqueduct forhosting us againthis year!”
Nick SwiftofHydrogenAfloat said: “Itisgreat to seeothersstarting to enterthis market,bringingnew technology that reduces emissions and helpspreservethetranquillity of the canals and rivers.
“Robertand the team at Aqueduct Marina areleading the inland waterwaystowards amoresustainable future. We took theopportunityto buysome hydrogen gasfromTom’s chandlery,thefirst to stockitonthe canalnetwork.
“Itwas good to talk withvisitors aboutourfuel cells and howtheycan produce domesticpower whenliving off grid.”
THEBoatSafetyScheme (BSS)issupporting Morcoinits ongoing campaign to findandfix potentiallydangerous modelsofits LPGwater heatersthatmayleak gas, causingfires or explosions.
Following concerns that appliancetestpointscrews maynot have beencorrectly tightenedatthe time ofcommissioningor servicing, Morcohas issued asafetyalertand isofferingfreeupgrades forthe affectedmodels.
The firm’sconcernis that unrectifiedwater heaterscan potentially leak unburntgasthat could causefires or explosions that mayresult in burnsand injuries.
TheBSS explained: “Morco hasidentified apotentialfirerisk onitsPrimo 6(MP6), Primo 11 (MP11), EUP6 and EUP11 LPGopenfluedwater heaters. Gasleaking from an installation test point could igniteand causing theplastic bezeland control knobs at the frontofthe waterheater to catchfire and melt. Themodels affected were sold between2018 and2023.
“Ifthe LPGwater heater is suspectedtobe leakinggas,the supply should be disconnected and Morcoorasuitably qualified GasSafe registered engineer contacted straightaway.” If youthinkyou are affected,visit www. morcoproducts.co.uk, phone 01482325456 or email gaswaterheaters@ morcoproducts.co.uk
An exampleofa Morcoappliance plate,which can be found underneath its heaters. PHOTO:BSS.
Thelithium question
ByPhilPickin
LITHIUM batteriesonboatsarebecoming increasingly popular, with agrowing numberof people swapping to them when theirconventional leadacidbatteriesarecomingto theendof their days.For boatownerswho have opted forelectric propulsion,lithiumis theobvious choice,and I’m notintendingtolookintothose batteries within thisarticle.What Iaminterestedinare the many otherlithium batteries we have in ourhomes,boats, caravansand cars almost24/7.
Forsomesectionsofthe mediaand society, discussionsontheuseoflithium batteriesprompt accusationsthatthese storagedevices aredeath trapsthatseemtoburst into flamesatthe dropof ahat.Certainly,footage of e-bike ande-scooter batteriesburstingintoflames and, as aresult, causingdeathor injuryhasdonelittle to assuage theirfears.Unfortunately,somesectionsofour mediaalsoseemtohaveavendetta againstlithium batteriesandelectric cars in particular.Every bus fireisattributedtothefactitisanelectricbus;we allsaw thefire at LutonAirport,theonethatwas immediatelyseized uponas beingthe resultofanEV (it wasn’t;itwas adiesel SUVthat caused that fire).
Thefacts
Butwehavetoacceptthat lithium batteries can burstintoflames,especiallyiftheyare damaged orconnected to anincorrect charger. Butoften, theseare notthe largebatteries that youwould findin youraverage carorboat. Alltoo often,these problems occurwithsmall, portabledevices,and that gotmethinking. What aboutallthosetools andequipmentitems we alluse that aresometimes dropped or occasionallymishandled? Thingslike drills,sawsandgrinders, many ofwhichare now fittedwith batteries.
When you lookinto thisissue,you find that DIY toolslikethoseusedbyboatownersdoing odd jobsontheir boatswhilemoored onthe system orin amarinaare poweredbywhat’sknown as LMO(lithium manganeseoxide) batteries.These areinherentlysafe;iftheyweren’t,wewouldn’t be seeing so many of them in day-to-day use. Used properly andinline with themanufacturer’s instructions,thereislittle risk of youhavingany problems as aresultof usingyourdrillon board.
Anexampleofalipobag. PHOTO: PHIL PICKIN
happen should abattery fireoccur,there area numberofproductsnow on sale rangingfrom low-costlipobagstoproductslikethose sold by LithiumStorage Solutions with prices rangingfrom lessthan£20 to many thousands of pounds.These lipo bagsareusedfor the storageoflithium polymer batteries,manyofwhichhavebeenusedindrones, etc, andareavailable from awide rangeofoutlets.
Safety
Butthe same cannot be said forsomeelectric bikesand scooters –and Imuststressthe word ‘some’asthe vast majority aresafe,asmanypeople attest.Holiday boaters with familiescouldalso be bringinge-scootersand bikeswiththemtokeep the youngermembers of thefamilyhappy,and afew peoplealsofinde-scooters really handywhennipping aroundthe marina. Unfortunately,thesecan sometimes be thecause of someofthemostserious firesfor awholehostof reasons. E-scooters and bikesoftenuseNMC or NCAbatteries,which tend to have higherenergy density,makingthem idealastheycan be made very compact.However, NMC batteries cansuffer thermal runawaywhich is somethingthatcan happen if the batteryoverheats. If it does,thereisapotentialthat it cancatch fireor explode.Theriskofthishappeningincreasesifyou overcharge,break thebattery case,orexposethe batteryitselftohightemperatures.
Quiteapart fromthesafetyaspectsofanyfire, whatever thecause,there is theissue of liability, soweasked Paul Knox-Johnson from Haven-Knox Johnson, one ofthe largestboatinsurers, what hisview wasregardingthe issueoffirescausedby e-scooters ande-bikebatteries.Hetold us that “the industryhad reacted well so far,but,aswitha lot ofemergingtechnology,ittakestimetosee the full extent ofthe risksinvolved andhowtomitigate them”.
To overcomeanyone’s fearsastowhatmight
Butfor some,thequestion remains:whathappens if afire breaks outasa result of abattery fault? Obviously,inthefirst instance, youwould need to get outand raisethe alarm. Butmyquestionhas more to do withthe repercussionsof afire should it spread otherboats,particularly iftheyare in amarina. Wi boat ownersbeexpectedtostore and charge batteriesinfireprooflocations infuture? Would anyrequirementsextendtoother areasof recreation like caravans andmotorhomes? It would seem that thereare no plansforthe implementation of such rules, butitmight be sensible to takecare if youdecidetotake thingslikee-bikes and scooters on your boat. Thisarticle wasnot intendedtoprovide youwithsafety advice buttoposethe question as to howbest to look afterthis type of equipmentonboard.If it promptsanyone to reviewtheir ‘get out’ plan or thinkcarefully aboutthe equipment theyuse on board, then it hasdoneits jobasfor theforeseeable future, devices poweredby rechargeable batterieswillsurroundus, so we need to learnhowtouse them safelysothat we andthose aroundusarenot putatadditional risk.
An example ofgoodwiring on anelectric dayboat. PHOTO:PHILPICKIN.
Electric bikeconversion. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Above and below: Removablebattery on an electricbike. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Above:PowerUp 200Wand400Wunits. PHOTOS:SUPPLIED
Right:PowerUp400W.
Newkid on theblock
ByPhilPickin
ALTHOUGH still very much initsinfancy(whenit comes to the waterways), hydrogenis,nonetheless, attractingthe attentionof many asanalternativeto fossil-fuelledgenerators, andfor sometimenow, HydrogenAfloathas beentheonlyrealoptionfor anyoneinterested in this newway of generating electricityfordomesticuseon aboat. Butrecently, Mactra Marine Ltdhas begunmarketingits range of hydrogenfuelcell generatorsknown as PowerUp.
The rangeconsistsofthree models:200W,400W and1000W.Theyare alldesignedtoprovide green electricityfor applianceson yachts,motorhomesor otheroff-grid applications. The companystatesthat theunits “can be used bothindoorsand outdoors”.
Duetotheirlightweightconstruction,theyare said to be highlyportable.However,the same can’t alwaysbesaidofthehydrogencylindersusedasa fuel supplyforthefuelcells.Pricesforthe PowerUp rangestartfrom£4700forthe200Wunit,risingto almost£9000forthe1000Wmodel.
PowerUp’srange usesprotonexchange membrane(PEM) fuelcells,which, thecompany says,“makespower generation efficientand environmentallyfriendly”.Theonlybyproductof this reactionprocessisasmallamount of pure water. The PowerUprange is manufactured in Estoniaand hasbeenmarketedintheUK by Mactraformorethana yearnowalongsideits water purification systems,makingtheintegrated system idealforlong-distance sailingjourneys.
Mactraacknowledgesthattheuseofhydrogen fuelcellsinanymarketisn’t easy giventhe cost of theunitswhencomparedwithconventional petrol ordiesel generators, butaddsthat thisis alearning curvefor everyone.
Portableunits
Unlikethe HydrogenAfloat product,whichsits on aboatroofandcontainsthe hydrogen cylinder withintheunit,PowerUpunitsareportable.The hydrogen cylindersare locatedelsewhereand piped to theunits.Thiscouldposeanissuefor narrowboats, giventhe lack of spaceforboth the unitandthe cylinder.However,the unitsareof asmart andcompactdesign,andaccordingto thecompany,theUP200 willgive17hours offull power(200W)from asinglenine-litre cylinder (3.8kg) cylinder.A50-litrecylinder canlastupto 190hoursathalf power.
Oneofthefirst questionsthat maypeople ask whentalkingabout hydrogenishowsafeitis. AccordingtoMactra: “Hydrogenissaferthan other flammablefuelsthat we currentlyuse to powerour cars,includingpetrol,diesel, natural gasand LPG. Hydrogen islesslikelytoexplode becauseitisbuoyant anddiffusive. As aresult, when hydrogen leaks, it risesrapidly into the atmosphereand haslesstimetoburn. Ourgas systemis carefullypickedand puttogetherusing thehighestsafetystandards.Whilehydrogenhas
PowerUp 400Wand hydrogen cylinder.
many propertiesthatmake it safer,itstillneedsto be handledresponsibly. Hydrogen canbehandled safelywhenusersunderstandits behaviourand observe the guidelines.”
Although it’s highly portable andproduces nothingmorethanwater vapourwhen in use, the company recommendsthat the hydrogen cylinder islocatedoutsidewhenused on aboat. Thefuel cell itselfshouldalsobelocated with a100mmgap all aroundtheunit andthat thearea inwhichitisused is well ventilated.Althoughall bottledfuels pose ariskwhenit comes to fire, the additional considerationwhen usinghydrogenfuel cells istheincrease in humidityinthe immediateareawhen in use. Although harmless, moisture canbeanissue for many narrowboat ownersand users.
Otherquestions regardinghydrogen generatorsare usually basedonthe cost of the unit,thecostofthe fuelandthe availability ofit.Hydrogenis becomingmorewidelyavailable,withcarsand trucks nowusing gasasafuel source,but it still isn’t widespread. On the waterways, you canfind hydrogen for sale,but the outletsarefew andfar between,anduntilmorepeople useit, prices and availability willcontinue to be an issue. Currently, arefillofhydrogencosts around £77 with an additional feeof£16 per monthfor
the cylinder.But withmorecompaniesentering the marketplacetheprice will inevitably fall.
Environmentalbenefit
“Hydrogenis saferthanother flammable fuels that we currently use to powerour cars, including petrol, diesel, naturalgas and LPG.”
Oneofthe majorincentivesfor many to opt to usehydrogenfuel cells is theenvironmental benefitof reducingCo2 emissions.Certainly, at the pointofuse,Co2 outputis almostnil,but questions arisewhen youtakeintoaccount the methods used to produce the hydrogen in the first place.Asmany will know, hydrogen is listed with anumber ofcolours, withgreen hydrogen beingthemost environmentallyfriendly. However, the availability of greenhydrogenis limited,tosay theleast. Butthiswill change,and newprovidersofgreen hydrogen will hopefully be coming to themarketplace soon.
Earlyadoptersare showinginterest, whichis good news notonlyfor thebusinessesinvolved in producingand marketingthistechnologybut also forthe rest of us whowill benefit from the improvements in theenvironment.Thisis agrowing andfast-developingmarketthatwill be interestingto watch over the comingmonthsand years.
MooringsinMarketDrayton,Shropshire. On aweek’sbreak fromDrifters’baseonthe Staffordshire&WorcestershireCanalatGailey,boaters cancruisetothehistoric market townofMarketDraytonandback. PHOTO:ROGERKIDD.CCBY-SA2
Topsevencanalboatholiday destinations forOctober
NARROWBOATSare likefloating holidaycottages, with everythingholidaymakers need on boardfora self-cateringadventure afloat. Allareequippedwith essentialhomecomforts,includingcentralheating, hot water, TV,showers,flushingtoilets,and most nowhaveWi-Fitoo.
Driftersoffersthe choiceof550 narrowboats available to hirefrom45basesacrossEngland, Walesand Scotland, with narrowboatsranging in size to offeraccommodationfor betweentwo and 12 people.
Here areDrifters’ topseven canalboatholiday destinationsfor Octoberhalfterm2024:
NavigatetoKing’sLockinMiddlewich
On ashortbreakfromAnderton,nexttothe AndertonBoatLiftin Cheshire, boaterscan cruise to theancienttownofMiddlewich. Thedistance thereand back is19miles,passesthrougheight locks(four each way)andtakes aroundnine-and-ahalfhours. The journeybeginsheadingsouthalong theTrent&Mersey Canal, passingthrough Marston,
home to the Lion Salt Worksand Salt Bargepub.The canalnextpassestheLamb’sWharf canalsidepub at Bridge 189in Northwichandthe OldBrokenCross pubatBridge184in Rudheath. There’s achoiceof places to eatand shop in Middlewich, including the popularcanalside King’s Lock Inn.
CruisetotheBosworthBattlefield
HeritageCentre
On aweek’sholiday fromDrifters’Braunstonbase on theGrand UnionCanal in Northamptonshire, boaterscanexplorethe beautifulAshby Canal. Withnolocks, andmile upon mileofcountryside to enjoy,this peaceful22-mile-longwaterwaypasses the pretty town of Market Bosworthandthe site of the Battleof Bosworth Field.Herethe Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre tells thestory ofthe dramatichistoriceventsof1485 when King Richard IIIlosthiscrowntoHenryTudor.Thereturnjourney to Shakerstonetravels95miles,passesthrough eightlocks (four each way)and takesaround 37hours.
Driftthrough
theCalderValleytothe oldmilltownofHebdenBridge
On aweekendbreakfromDrifters’ canalboat rental base at SowerbyBridgeinWestYorkshire, boaterscan travelalongthe leafyCalder& Hebble Navigationthroughthe Calder Valleyto theoldmill town of Hebden Bridge.Climbing through woods, fieldsandsmall stone towns, thejourneytoHebdenBridgecoversseven
miles,passesthrough10locksandtakesaround five-and-a-halfhours. Once at Hebden, boaterscan moorinthecentreoftowntoenjoy agoodchoice of independentplaces toeatandshop,aswellaswalks up to Heptonstallor HardcastleCrags.
GlidethroughtheUsk Valleyto BreconCanalBasin
On aweek’sbreakfromDrifters’ base onthe Monmouthshire&Brecon CanalatGoytreWharf nearAbergavenny,boaters cannavigatethrough the wooded UskValley to Brecon,intheheartofthe Bannau Brycheiniog(Brecon Beacons) National Park.Alongthe way, boaterscan stop off at Llanfoist to taketheoldtramwayintothe BlackMountains, visitthe13thcentury castle at Crickhowelland walk to theBlaen yGlynwaterfalls at Talybont-on-Usk. The totaldistancethereand back is 51miles,passing through12locks(sixeachway)and takes around 25hours.
VisitUNESCO World Heritage Bathafloat
On afour-nightmidweekbreakfromDrifters’ Devizes base onthe Kennet& Avon Canalin Wiltshire, boaterscantravel to the WorldHeritage CityofBathand back.Thejourneytakes around10 hours, travellingacrosstwo magnificent aqueducts at Avoncliff andDundas, and passingthrough 10 locks. There’s achoiceof canalside pubsalongthe way, includingthe BargeInn at Seendand theCross Guns at Avoncliff.Oncein Bath,boaters canmoor up at SydneyGardens,ashortwalk away from the
centreofBath, with world-class attractions includingthe RomanBaths Museum.
Glideacross‘The Streaminthe Sky’
On ashortbreakfromDrifters’ base at Trevor on the Llangollen CanalinNorth Wales,boaters can reachthe historicShropshiretownofEllesmere, in theheartofthe ShropshireLakeDistrict.Theroute takes boatersacrosstheUNESCOWorld Heritage PontcysyllteAqueduct,alsoknown as ‘TheStream inthe Sky’,carryingthe Llangollen Canal38metres high abovethe DeeValley. In Ellesmere, boaters canmoorupand spendtimeexploringthe Mere withits Victoriangardens,woodland pathsand historiccastle.Thereturn journeytoEllesmere takesaround14hours andpassesthrough four locks(twoeachway).
NavigatetoMarketDrayton,home ofthegingerbreadman
On aweek’sbreak fromDrifters’ base onthe Staffordshire&Worcestershire CanalatGailey, boaterscancruisetothehistoricmarkettown of MarketDraytonand back.Theroute passes throughthehistoricvillageofBrewood withits choiceof pubs,Belvide Reservoirand aseriesof deep wooded cuttings.AtMarketDraytonthere’s aWednesdaymarketand agreat choice of places to eatanddrink,manyofferingthe town’s famous gingerbread. It’s a68-milecruisetoMarketDrayton and back,passing through14locks, and theentire triptakesaround30hours.
QUITEoften,during the spring to summer period,the weather doesn’talwayslend itself to an outdoor barbecue. It may mean youbecome boat-bound,as we refer to it.Notquite as badascabinfever, butnevertheless youreveningtime maymeanstayingon the boat for reasons beyond yourcontrol. Whenthis happens, Brenalwayscomesup withanalternativeway ofutilisingsomeofwhat she mayhaveprepared hadwebeenable to use the barbecue.Inthis instance,aboerewors casserole.However, Iguess Ineedtofirst explainwhat boerewors isforthosewho may not be familiar with the term.Ittranslates to ‘farmerssausage’ fromthe SouthAfrican Afrikaans language; boeremeansfarmers, and wors is sausage. Boerewors, whichis alwaysproducedasa coil rather thanlinks, could be classedasa traditionaloriconic SouthAfricanprotein staple.Butchersoften
endeavourtopromote their ownparticular boereworsbrand,and flavour,asthe‘best,’ with buyers commuting longdistances to purchase it.
In 2016,shortlyafter ourarrivalinthe UK,we gave afewhome-made boerewors recipesand a1kg packetofOuma’s TraditionalBoerewors SpiceMix to Poulshot ButcherynearDevizes, closetoCaen Hill Marina.Incidentally, ouma means granny inAfrikaans.Nick, the butcheryproprietor, made afew test batcheswhichsoon proved popular, and now,eightyears on, his boereworsbrand,
While we areonthe subjectoftraditional boerewors, itisalso nowreadilyavailable intheUKfrom South Africanshops,and certain butcheries and Lidlalsomarkets aboerewors brand hereintheUK. Althoughthe recipein thisarticleisfor our boereworscasserole, Brenemphasised that itdoesn’t make much differencewhat type of sausageisusedbecause theend result will be basicallythe same. However, becausewe have readyaccess to qualityboerewors,and likeit, sheusesit.
Preparationinthe relativelyconfined
galleyon Sabi Star is straightforward, andshe uses thefollowing ingredients:0.672kg boerewors coil, cut into smallpieces, one largered onion, chopped,one large leek,chopped,baby carrots,diced, butternut cubes, courgettes sliced,celerysliced, twosweet redpeppers, chopped,chilli flakes, salt,black pepper,stock cubesand water. Allof theaforementionedgo in aroastingpan which isthen half filledwith waterandcoveredwith tinfoil.
Placedinthe oven on asettingof350F (180C)the panisleft for one hourand20 minutes beforethe tinfoilisremoved, andthe roastingpan is left inside theoven foraround another40 minutes(asneeded), whichallowsthe ingredients to brown. Brenalsomakesa mashedpotato mix from twolarge normal potatoesand twosweet potatoes,and to this, sheadds afew chopped spring onions.
HaleyHadley,ABCLeisureGroup’s marketing and salesdirector, says:“Britain’s beautiful network ofinland waterwaysisimportantfor biodiversity,andthe wildlife that youcan seeis oneofthe thingsthat makesholidaysand days outonthe canals appealing.
Aperfectday onthewater.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
“We’ re committed
to reducing thecarbonfootprint of ourholidays. FunDay is thefifthelectricday boat to be added toour fleet andweplantolaunchanother four.
“The boat usesproductsfrom ourOnboard Energy Directoff-grid energy range, including lithium batteriesand aBeta Marine 10kW motor engine.Electricenginesareveryquiet so day boaterscanhear more ofthe soundsofthe countrysideand woodlands surroundingthem.”
The boathasa toilet,indoorand outdoor seatingand akitchenarea withinductionhob, sinkandmicrowave. So dayboaterspack apicnic afloatorstopoffata canalside pubforlunch.
•Cruisethroughthe remainsofthe Forest ofArden to the topofthe Tardebigge Flight oflocksand back.Thereare nolocks, butthe journeytakes boatersthrough twotunnels: the613-yard-longShortwood Tunneland the518-yard-longTardebiggeTunnel.
Formoreinformationabout FunDay go to:www.abcdayboathire.com/locations/ alvechurch-marina
Themashedpotato mixbubblingaway.
Fire awareness
ByBenSutcliffe-Davies
MANYowners, duringtheirlifetimeon waterways, maybelucky enough to neversee afire on board. However, thosewho have hadthemisfortune to be on boardeither anarrowboatora GRP motorboat willknowthatwhen afire doesbreak out, it can becomelife-threateningand extremelyterrifying very quickly. So what would youdoina fire?
Very fewcraft have anyproperfireproofing throughout.Thefabrics andresinsusedinmost productioncraftareveryflammableonce ignited. Afew yearsago Iwas able to attend afirefighting demonstrationon boardanRNminesweeperthat wasbuiltfromGRP.They takefire preventionandfire fightingveryseriously.Evenwiththe resourceson boardanRNminesweeperthetwo thingsthat were made very clearwerethatfire on boarda GRPcraft will spread very quickly andthefumescreatedby GRPandother materials burningwillverylikelykill youfirst. Forafire to start, and withoutsoundinglike acompleteanorak,acombinationofthreefactors is needed.Air,heatand acombustiblefuel: take one or twoawayandthefirewill be extinguished.
Engines
Someengines within asteel compartmentdogive protection to adegreebuton many ofthe GRP motor boats, there isvirtuallynofireproofingprovided.The enginecan be oneofthe mostlikelyareasof ignition with potentialheatable to ignitefromafaultyfuelline or poor wiring.It's worthregularly checking all fuel linesare not perishedandfilter bowlsare not weeping; checkallelectricalconnectionsareingood order.
Batteryinstallations
Askany surveyor aboutbatteriesand I’msurethey allcan tell youa fewhorrorstories!Oneof my worst finds wasabattery fittedaft,withinthearea of the driveshaft,and securedtotheexhaust pipewith cable ties! Batteriesshould be fittedinasecurebox withlittle room to move,terminalsshould be secure andprotectedfrompotentialarcingand good ventingprovided.Themoremodern gelorsealed batteriesarehelpful. Connectionsand poor joints in wiring cancause resistancewhichwillcause heat or sparks.
Heaters
Overthe yearsmoreandmoreownershavefitted either solidfuelstovesinverypoorlocationsor have fitteddieselheatersbadly,whilethesegenerally areverygoodand reliable.TheonlyfiresIhave experiencedwiththemarewhen acrewmember inadvertently placesa fender overtheheater exhaustoutlet when mooring. Theother potentially dangerousissuethat is common iswhenan owner is sellingtheir vessel, removestheheateranddoes
flammableliquids all stowed togethertomakethe most comprehensivefloating bomb possible.With theproblemsofsecurity, many boat ownerswill stow the outboard,spare fueletcand in many cases, the locker isanidealplace to fitthe reported diesel heater andoften batteries,shorepower and battery charger, so in realityitdoesn’ttakemuchtostarta potentiallyserious fire.
Theplan
Afterassessing risks, howwill we ensure readinessfor afire outbreak? Firstlythink about communication, andobviously earlyevacuation ofcrew plus methods of earlydetectionoffire by fittingfire alarms in cabins etc.
not suitably blankoffthefuel line at thefueltank. Sometimesownersleave thefuel line within lockers unsealed.Often wiresare left exposed inthearea whereitwasfitted.
Gasinstallation
This istheonearea of potentialdevastation that many owners don’tfully respect. Thisone subject could takeafew pagesalone buthereare my suggestion highlights.One of the mostlikelyareas of failure isfrom the gasflexible hoses;manyhave amanufacturer’s date onthemandideally, itis recommendedtoreplacethehosewithinfiveyears of thestamped date.SomeEuropeancompanies supply hoseswitha labelattachedshowing a‘replaceby’ date.Inboth cases, it isimportanttorememberthatif exposed to UV lightthe hose candeterioratequicker. It’s also importanttounderstand that thegas willdeterioratethe rubberpipework. If youhavea cookeror ahobpleaseensurethehoseisingood orderandon servicedate. Checkthecopper pipe runisproperlysupportedand able to vibratewhen the engineis used,etc.Get aprofessionallyqualified marine gasengineer to checkoutthe system and get agas bubblepressure tester fitted;it’s agood wayto be able to periodicallycheck thesystem.
Gasalarms: whenundertakingsurveys it always amazesmehowmanycraft don’t have agasalarm fitted. In many ofthosewhich do have one fitted, theyare frequentlynotin aposition that would give an earlywarningofany problem.
Bottle storage: I’ve seen many goodwaysof stowingthe gasbottles butone to watch is the integrated bottlemouldingthatissecured on ashelf with screwsthrough thebaseandthefasteningsare not sealed! Anyleakandthe gaswould be straight into thebilge.Gas storageareas shouldideally draindirectlyoverboard.Lastly,don’t storespare gasbottles inlockersorwithin accommodation!
Upholstery
We allknowhow at home oursofahas afire safety tagfitted,indicatingfireprooffoamand fabrics. Thick, acridsmokeisseenintests shownonTV. Surprisingly,onlycraftundertheMCAcode need fireproofmaterials.New boat sales may offerupgrades.Onother craft,atrefit, you could askthe upholsterer to supplysuitable foam and materials,thereare fireproofingspraysforfabrics that canbeappliedbutmostneed to be recoated annually.Alsowatch outfor anycurtainsthat have beendrawnoverorpulledbacknearthecookeror stovechimney.
Lockers
Some craftseemtohavethemostamazinglockers that storeevery bit of equipment that you may need!Duringasurvey, I’ve frequently foundan underwriter’s nightmare! Alarmingamounts of
When IattendedtheRN demonstrationitwas made very clearthat ifthefire couldn’t be brought undercontrol in under twominutes,the evacuation of thecraft wouldalmost certainlybenecessary. Be awarethatthe smokecreated by afire will be potentiallytoxic,acrid andverydisorientating. Selectingsuitable fireextinguishersiscrucial; don’t just buycheap ones.Extinguishersinservice forfive yearsmay not work well. Sometimes the powder maycompact andthenonlya smallamount will getdischargedwhenit’surgent. Different types areavailable,eachwith prosandcons.Choosethe rightoneforthelikelyfire type.
Some firesuppression systemsuseaclean agent product to putout fires incompartments,like theengine compartment. Thesesystems areless messyandallowvisibility andbreathing during discharge. However, they requirethe affectedarea to be relatively airtightsothe gasusedisheld to buildupthe required atmospheric concentration so itisimportanttounderstandvolumes within the craft.
The MCAand RYAwebsitesbothlistuseful information. Wherepossible trytofitanauto discharge system withinthe engine compartment, it’s alsoworth havingthe versionwith amanual discharge option fitted. Most autoswill discharge at around80C.But if youcan seesmokebillowing fromthe enginecompartmentit’sworth beingable to manuallysetit offas soonas possible ratherthan waitingandlettingthe firegethold.
Asmall hole in thefront of theenginebox will alsohelpforanextra extinguisher.Likewisea means ofshuttingoffthefuel supplybyuse ofa pull wire andnot astringwill reducethe supplyto afire.This meansshuttingoffthe gasatthe bottle andnot lockingthe locker with apadlock.Try to find away to blockoffany air supplies to the engine compartment.
Forevery cabin, Irecommend aminimumof at leastonefireextinguisherand ifthere is onlyone exit withno othermeansofescape,considera fire blanketstowedinthe cabinwhereitcan be found easily.This will give anycrewtrapped apotential means of beingable to shieldthemselves from flames whenescaping.
Galley: if cookingwith gas, ensureyou know wherethe appliance gastap is fitted.If you don’t have agasalarm, fit agood quality one thathasa waterproofsensor;thatway it canbefitted within thelowerbilgeareas.Testit!
It hasbecomeveryfrequent forownersof rechargeable batteriestohavethe occasional fire; thesehavebeenregularly highlightedonthe news. I’ve personallyseenand attendedthree fires from rechargeablelithium bikebatteries catchingfire. So pleasedon’t charge thematnight or wherethey block yourescaperoute!And lastly,evacuationof thecraft:haveaplanofhow to getoffthe boat at anytimeofday or night.
Theinterioris nowjust ashes.
Asadsight: aboatruinedby fire. PHOTOS:SUPPLIED
Theheat of aseriousblazewill readilydestroyan engine.
TheFareham costs£160,000 inc. VATand comeswith 3months freemooring at selectAquavista marinas. Come andseethisshinynew boatat SawleyWaterside &Marina or view itonline at aquavista.com –we're sureyou'llagree it's reallyspecial.
Sittingona tranquil32-acrelake, boastingmodernfacilities andwith closeproximity to thecanalnetworkand London,there’ssimply no betterplace to enjoylifeonthe water. Take advantageofour waterside café bar, chandlery forall your essentials andneighbouring holiday lodgesand rooms foryour visitors. 01279792777| enquiries@roydonmarinavillage.co.uk
ITSSTUNNINGEXTERIOR TO ITSIMMACULATE INTERIOR,HIGHGROVEEPITOMISES ATTENTION TO DETAIL.THIS4-BERTHMARVELIS ATESTAMENT TO EXCEPTIONALCRAFTSMANSHIP,AND BENEFITS FROM 1YEARSFREEMOORING AT ROYDON!
CHLOE JANE |£59,995 |2005 68FTTRADITIONAL |SAULJUNCTION THISELEGANT4-BERTHVESSELMARRIESCLASSIC CHARMWITHMODERNAMENITIES.
NEWEUROCRUISER |£174,950 |2024 60X12FT6”WIDEBEAM |TATTENHALL AFLOATINGHOME FORTHOSEWITH ATASTE FOR ADVENTURE &THEFINERTHINGS IN LIFE.
vast open &airyaccommodationmakes TheStellaExpress anidealliveaboardboat.
Thespacious saloonensures that youwill relaxin comfortandthegalleyisfullyequipped for yourneedswithlots of worktops and storage.Thereisalsoalargeluxurious bathroomwith alarge showerenclosureand aMasterbedroomatthefrontoftheboat. With St Neots railway stationclose by itmakes foraneasycommutetoLondonortheHome Counties. THE STELLAEXPRESS ISMOOREDIN CAMBRIDGESHIRE& VIEWINGSARE BY APPOINTMENTONLY. £170,000
Silver
Silveris adelightful 58ft Traditionalnarrowboatbuilt by Orion Boat
LifeofRileyisa55ftCruiser Stern built by Liverpool Boatsand fitted out by ClassicNarrowboatsin2004.The vesseloffersverycomfortable accommodationwith afixeddoublebedand aPullmandinettewhich converts to adoubleberth. £59,000
BOATYARDSERVICES
•Engineand Heating Servicing
•Breakdown Calloutand Repairs
•Gas,ElectricalandPlumbing Specialists
•BSC’s &SafetyExamination Work
•EngineSalesandInstallation
•Traditionalboatpainting
•SpecialistsinHistoricenginesandcraft
•BoatBrokerage
•Diesel Tank ScrubbingandBugRemoval. MOORINGS
•MarinaMoorings
•LongandshorttermMoorings
•Coal,Gas,Diesel &Pumpouts
DRYDOCK
•HullBlacking
•BasePlate Blacking
•2 PackEpoxy Coating
•MicrobiologicalHull Treatments
•AnodeReplacement
•Cabin Painting
•Welding
•Surveys
RAINDOG£37,950
45ft,circa1997,RonLloyd,traditional.
SOLD
SHUGLEY £49,950
57ft,1991,North WestNarrowboats. Areluctantsale of averywellcaredforcraft,oneownerfromnew. Mitsubishiengine,solarpanels,centralheating, recenthullsurvey.10/6/4steelspec.
Narrowboat Hire haspurchased the site in NelsonLane, Warwick, former homeof Kate Boats, and willoffer boatyard services, mooringsand ahire fleet (see page 17).
Council rejected the applicationin Mayandnow,the building–thought to have originally been abrewery at the startofthe 20th century –ishaving afreshleaseoflife after yearsofdisuse.
Lyons Boat Yard, in Warstock, Birmingham,butI continuedtotrack the application andkeepintouch withthe ownerof Kate Boats.
afamilyaffair for Dean,his wife Kathleenandthree children,Oliver,Ella and Jack –ashas the entirebusiness.
MOORINGPINS 2xheavyduty ‘easyuse’,20mm x370mm+ 340mm ‘hammeraid’ –noneed formalletorhammer!Placein spotwhereyouneedto moor anduse the extensionbar to hammer into place,galvanised forsuperior rustprotection togetherwithheavyduty welded eye,specialmanufacture inthe UK –notnormally available,only usedacouple oftimes butfound them extremely easy toinsertinto canalorriverbank,£35Tel.07703 206777.Locatedin Shardlow. Email: ericbrew44@gmail.com
ANCHOR Danforth10kgwith five metresofchainand25metres ofropeneverused,£100.Four ropesidefenders,£25.Various lockkeys,£10each,alloffers consideredTel.01977683643. Nr Selby,Yorkshire.
Miscellaneous
FREE ListerST2engine.Also four lifejackets,mooringpins, Lockmaster windlassand belt, 33m new rope,pricedto sellTel. 01905429090.Worcester.
MOORING availableon the CaldonCanal, privatemooring available on theCaldonCanal, up to 70ftwithelectrichookup, parkingandwater tapnearby, close toCRTservices,walking distance fromseveral good pubs, Tel.07779090915.Email: alison@ hazelhurstcottage.co.uk
Thesitewas previously at thecentreof controversy,when aplantoturn the buildinginto apartments was blockedbythe districtcouncil.
WarwickDistrict
“Wefirstlooked at the site three yearsago,but the developer hadthe option on it until Januarythis year,” said director Dean Conduit,“so we walked away from that and bought
“Then, the opportunitycame up andmyheart said that we could not let go of the wonderful heritage of the site and the canal, so we went all-out to make it happen.”
Re juv en at ing the site hasbeen
Dean’spassion forwaterways is rooted in childhood whenheand fellow scouts would go away on 12-berth na rr ow bo at s.
Having been managingdirector of engineering companies,heis delightedthathis career hasinrecent yearstaken him back to canals.
“Weboughta narrowboat in 2019 to beginthe hire side of the business. Thenthe lockdowns hit,soduringthat time Irefurbished itand used it for familyholidays. It then became apassion forthe entirefamilyand it hasgrown from there,” Dean said.
“Theyhaveall pitched in to get the new site ready. Oliver is 14 andstill at school butevery weekendhe gets up at sixtocome and help at the yard.
“Ellaand Jack are full of enthusiasm too. They’ve been jet-washingthe car
park and getting stuckinwith painting. Because the site hasn’t been used forfouryears, therewas alotof work to do.”
Plans areafoot to acquire more na rr ow bo ats from Kate Boats as demand from Wa rw ic ks hire Na rr ow bo at Hire customers continues to rise, butDeanisresolute in stayingfamily focused. “Runninga successfulbusiness is obviously importantbut it’s not all aboutthe money,” he said.
“I gettospend time with my children while I’m working, whichis brilliant, and the business is centred onbringingpeople to the canals.We have some very experiencedstaff, Tina Elford and Mike Raymen, whoI can’tthankenough fortheirsupport.”
The new boatyard is open now, and Wa rw ic ks hire Narrowboat Hire alsoprovides ch an dl ery, moorings,pumpoutfacilities andmore.
Visitwww.warwickshirenarrowboathire.com and www.lyonsboatyard.co.uk
The Conduit family,withRolo,atthe boat yard theyhave purchasedin WilsonLane, Warwick.
THE RoyalNational Lifeboat Institution’s lifeboat station in Carrybridgeis calling onthelocal community to step forwardand joinits dedicated teamof volunteers.
trainingschemeand respond promptly to pageralertswhen lifeboatsare needed foremergency services or training exercises.
Be yond the immediatecrew, the stationalso benefitsfrom the effortsofvolunteer fundraisers, shop assistants and water safety advocates.
Why join?
Waterwayprojects tobenefitfrom EU JustTransitionfund
As part ofa vitalorganisation dedicated to saving liveson Lough Erne, newrecruitsare needed to support andenhancethe station’slifesaving operations.
FOLLOWINGthe recent announcementofa major developmentplanforthe LoughKey Forest Park and ActivityCentre, further waterway-based projects to benefit from investment under the EU Just Transition Fund have been named.
Aboardwalkandurban swimmingpoolproject in AthlonefromWestmeathCounty Council hasbeenapproved fo €561,803. WestmeathCounty Councillooked to Denmark forinspirationonthisproject in particularthe popular open swimmingbaths,the IslandsBrygge,inCopenhagen citycentre.
andinternational touristswhile alsoaddingtothe recreational amenitiesonoffer to the local community.
Thelifeboat crew, composed entirely of volunteers, is ledbythe lifeboat operations manager and la unch authoritiesand is supportedbya dedicatedshore crew.
Recruitmentposter. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
skills,general physicalfitness, and awillingness to learn newskills. Additionally, you should live or work within eightmiles of the stationandbe between18and 65 yearsold.
respond to lifeboat 'shouts', participate in regulartraining exercises, andassist in theupkeepofthe station,lifeboat and relatedequipment.
To be avolunteer, youneeda te am -or ien ted attitude,effective communic at ion
y r y k t, r e ShannonbridgeMarinato benefitfromfunding. PHOTO: ALISONALDERTON
Theproposed boardwalk will be 450 metres in length andrun alongsidethe east bankofthe RiverShannon, linkingthe Old RailTrail cycleway andthenew greenway bridge to Custume Placeand BurgessPark.A newoutdoorurban swimming poolonthe Shannon will be accessed fromthe boardwalk. Theprojectaims to increase the appealof Athlone’s waterfront to both domestic
In otherareas, fundingfora riverside regenerationprojectin Carrick-on-Suirand awalkway forthe ShannonCallows Reservehavebeenearmarked forfunding. Waterways Ireland will receive€150,000 to expandthecurrent marinaat Shannonbridgeand afurther €487,500forthedeliveryofthe RoyalCanalGreenway ‘visitor experience development’ includinggreenwayanimation andinterpretation.
Allof the aboveprojects are listedinwhatisthefirst round ofthe scheme,further projects arestillinthe evaluation processandareexpectedto be announcedinthe coming weeksandmonths.
This barge, named Erne aftertheIrish river, marksa significantmilestoneintheongoingcontractwith Cory,the largestwaste collectionand recycling serviceonthe RiverThames.
Thecontract with Cory involvesthedeliveryof 33 barges,witheightalready completed at Belfast and sixatMethil.Thesebargesplayacrucial role in Cory’s operations,transportingrecyclableand non-recyclable waste, andremovingaround 100,000truckjourneys from London’sroads each year.Thisnotonlyalleviatestrafficcongestionbut alsocontributes to loweremissionsand acleaner environment.
TheArnish site hasbeenbustling with activity as skilledworkers dedicated theirexpertisetothe constructionof thesevessels.Thecompletionof the Erne bargeunderscores Harland &Wolff’s commitmenttosupportingUKindustriesand contributingtoenvironmental sustainability.
Whyitmatters: Environmentalimpact: The barges aredesigned to divert650,000 tonnesofnon-recyclable wastefromlandfillsannually, playinga vital rolein wastemanagement andenvironmental protection.
oftheErnebargeshowcasestheskillanddedication of Harland&Wolff’s team. Each bargerepresents ablendof traditionalcraftsmanship andmodern innovation, reflectingthecompany’s ongoing commitmenttoexcellencein shipbuilding.
Albert Allan, generalmanager at Harland& WolffArnish,commentedontheachievement: “ThisfirstCorybarge, Erne,completed hereat Harland&WolffArnish,was incidentandinjuryfree,and the team have donean excellentjob.”
Harland &Wolffextends abig thankyou to thededicated teamatArnishfortheir hard work andexpertise. Thecompanylooks forward to continuingthissignificantprojectand contributingtobothindustryandenvironmental goals.A second Cory bargetobecompleted at Arnishhas been named Lagan
ACorybargeandtug onthe
These teams work together seamlessly to launchlifeboats, ensuresafety duringoperations, and maintainand servicethe boats post-mission.
All volunteers undergo rigorous trainingunderthe RNLI’snational competencybased
By jo ining CarrybridgeLifeboat Station, youwill play acrucial role in saving liveson Lough Erne.Volunteers’ contributionswill ensure that the lifeboat isalways readyfor action, providingvital services during both emergencyshouts and routine training exercises.
Youwillundertake compr eh ens ive trainingand maintain com pe te nce accordin gto the competency frameworkand you will be on call to
By volunteering, you will become part ofan inclusiveand diverseorganisation, enjoymeetingnew people,and be part of amotivatedteam. Youwillgain new skills and valuable experience to enhance your CV,experience thefulfilmentof giving back to the communityand receive fulltraining foryourrole.
If you have anyquestionsonthe role contact Stephen, lifeboatoperations manager,at:Stephen_scott.rnli.org.uk
To join the life-savingteam,pleaseapply online at:www.rnli.org/volroles or for further information,contact the RNLI’s volunteering team at:01202663346 or via emailat: volunteering@rnli.org.uk.
Season 3podcastdelvesintothe rich heritageof Ireland’swaterways
SEASON 3ofthe
WaterwaysIreland podcastseries, WaterwaysThrough Time with historian Turtle Bunbury, continues to delve into therich heritageofIreland’s waterways. This season, Turtle focusesonthe creationofthe GrandCanal and the RoyalCanal, exploringtheir profound impact onthe evolutionof theShannon and Barrow Riversystems.
and thehistoricalsignificance of thecanal system.
Theseriesisnowknown foritsengagingstorytelling andis packedwithfascinating and lesser-known facts. It alsoincludesinterviews with contemporaryindividualswho sharetheir unique perspectives onthesehistoricallysignificant waterways. Thestandout interviewthis seasonis with PatsyCummins, aretired lock keeper at Lock 29ontheGrand Canal,whoprovides first-hand insightsintothe dailyworkings
Listenerswill alsohearfrom Gwen Wilkinson, whobuilt her owncanoe andpaddled from Lough Erne to the Barrow during thesummerof2019. Herjourney offersamodern-day connection to the waterwaysthathave been integral to Ireland’s historyfor centuries.SeamasMacAnnaidh discussesthe literaryhistory associated with LoughErne, highlighting thewriters who have beeninspired by itsserene beauty.Additionally,retired regional managerJoe Gillespie
reflects on hiswork on theShannon-Erne Waterway,particularly poignant duringthe 30thanniversaryofits reconstruction.
Turtle alsodedicates an entireepisodeto the navvies withhis interview withhistorian Ultan Cowley providing an insight into themen whodug the canals and howtheir successors builtBritain’srailways andmotorways.
WaterwaysThrough Time continues to offer acompelling blendofhistory andpersonal stories,makingitamust-listen foranyone interested in Ireland's waterways. Thepodcast is availableonall majorplatforms, allowing newlisteners to easily catch up on the latest season as well as Seasons 1and2. Diveintothe worldof Ireland'swaterways with Turtle Bunburyand discoverthe historicaland cultural gems that lie alongthese iconic canals andrivers.
AWILDLIFEconservation charityis hopingfor record-breaking resultsfor this year’s nationwide BigButterfly Count.
Lastsummer,citizen scientists around thecountry spottedmorethan 1.5million butterfliesand day-flying mothsduringtheannual voluntary survey.This year,the charitybehind it,ButterflyConservation, is eagerly awaitingthe outcome.
“Butterfliesareindicatorsof the healthofour naturalenvironment,” said senior surveysofficerDr Zoë Randle.“Afteranalysing 50 yearsof data,researchershavediscoveredaclear northward spread for many species, includingcommon gardenfavouritesthe peacock,commaand hollyblue,the result of climatechange creatingwarmer habitatsforthem to survivein.
“With half of Britain’sbutterfly speciesalready threatenedornear threatenedwith extinction, it’s never beenmoreimportanttounderstand howthesespeciesarerespondingtothe changingclimateand to takeaction to protectthem.”
expertswiththeir research andvital work to protectourplanet.
Dr Randle said: “Thered admiral, whichwasonce amigratory species mostcommonlyseeninsouthern Englandinthe summer andthen leaving forEuropeinthe winter,isnow living intheUKall year round, resultingina three-fold increase in numbers.
“Weare alsoseeing otherspecies which have previously suffered severe declines,suchasthe comma, recovering, with ahugeincreaseof94%inwhereit isfound.
“These highly adaptable speciesare all able to move into newplacesasthe climatewarms,but for habitat-specific
In 2023,morethan135,000counts tookplaceupanddown thecountry,the most-seenspecies beingthe redadmiral, numbersofwhichare increasing in the UKas aresultof climatechange.
This year’s countclosed on August 4,and scientists arehopingevenmore people will have taken part.
Theinformation gathered helps to informconservationprojects, governmentpoliciesand supportsother
Butterfliesonthecanalside
Acitizen scientist using theBigButterfly Count app to recorda sighting. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
The resultsofthisyear’sBig ButterflyCountareexpected this month. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
“Canals,riverbanksandthetowpathsalongsidethemboast arangeof habitats,from treesandscrub to meadowsandmarsh,whichoftenhold sourcesofnectarfor adultbutterfliesorfoodplants for theircaterpillars,” said aspokesperson.
“Otherspecieswhichmightalsobespotted alongwaterways include theredadmiral,peacockandsmall tortoiseshell.Forthosewholiveinthe NorfolkBroads,thewaterwaysmayholdanextraspecialsighting –the UK’sonly residentswallowtail.Lookoutbetweenmid-May,earlyJulyand mid-Augusttospotthisspectacularbutterfly.
“Ifyouliveonandaroundwaterways, youcanencouragebutterflies and mothstopayyou avisitbyprovidingthemwithnectarandfoodfor their caterpillars.Even asmallspace likethe roofof acanal boat canmakea difference –fillpotswithflowerslikelavender,scabiousand nasturtiums and herbslikemarjoram,rosemaryandthyme.”
species,thesetrends raiseserious redflags.
“Species that rely on particular habitatsaren’table to move as freely as ourgardenfavourites.Thismeans that if climatechangecontinues,theycould become trappedinisolatedfragments of remaininghabitat, unable to move and withtheirfood plants at risk from adverseweatherconditions,facingthe very realthreatofextinction.”
The resultsofthisyear’ssurvey, which is the largestcitizen-scienceproject ofits kind,are expected this month (September). To find outmoreabout the work of ButterflyConservationand howyou cangetinvolved,visitwww. butterfly-conservation.org
Apaintedlady butterfly.Thisspecies is recorded throughoutBritain and Ireland, butnumbers varygreatly from year toyear,accordingto Butterfly Conservation.
Boat-dwelling moggiesinmind
ByKevinThomas
ON ArecentSunday afternoon, while sitting chattingtovisitingfamily at thepicnictableonthe lawn infrontofourmooring,a wagtaillandednextto us before proceeding to forageforinsects.Watching thewagtail, my brother remarked howtameit was. The busy bird then disappeared betweentwo parked cars,tailbobbing allthewhile, andthen,not aminutelater reappeared firmlygripped inthejaws of amarinacat.One wing washanging down and feebly flappingduringthe haplessbird’sdeaththroes. We knowthe cat. Well.
Twoofusimmediately gave chase, butthe wily cat with itspreydisappeared into theboundaryhedge adjacenttothe carpark. The unfortunate wagtailhad merely become another avianstatistic addedto thespiralling number of garden birdswhich have disappearedfromour 8m x50m sectionofthemarina shoreline,due to numerous uncontrolledcats. By July 2024, the stripofvegetation infrontofourmooringhad becomevirtuallydevoidof garden bird life. No more thenumeroustrusting dunnocks,wagtails, and friendlyrobins.Seemingly,
allhavefallenpreyto marina cats.Until 2022 we usuallyhad sixwinter birdfeedersout.Wedon’t bother anymorebecause they also attractcats. On toomanyoccasions we foundthe remainsofan unfortunatebirdwhich hadbeenambushedfrom cover, afteralighting on the ground beneathafeeder.
Thescaleofthe issue
Gardenbirdtotalskilled annuallybycatsvaries significantly,however, iftheyare arelatively accuratebarometer of howmanygardenbirds fallpreytodomesticcats each year,weshould be worried.One estimateby the Mammal Society, an estimatedeemedtobethe most recent,described how over afive-month period, the UK’s catpopulation caught100 million prey items. Ofthese, 27million were birds. Sadly, theUK’s towpathsand marinas aren’texactly immune from thisfelineonslaught against ourfeathered friends.
Controversial
Althoughitisacontroversial topicamong catowners, it is generally recommended catsshould wear acollar fittedwith abell asan early warningfor unwary garden birdsalthough
We no longerfeed thegardenbirdsbecause the avianactivity attracts uncontrolledmarinacats.
Oneonline article suggeststhefollowingways of helpingprotect garden birds from cats:
•Feed your cat well.
•Keep your catsindoors, especially during early morningsand late afternoonswhen birds foraging on the ground aremostactive.
•Put bellson catcollars.
•Have your catneutered.
not all cats killbirds.Inthe sectionof marina where we aremoored, we have afew cats whichare birdkilling specialists.Theunfortunate thingistheir ownersdon’t knowit. None of these cats wearsa bell. During theperiodthe catowners areatwork, orinsidetheir boats, their catsactively
Not allcatskillbirds althoughthe hunting instinct isdeeply ingrained.Almosta reflexaction which will kick inif the opportunity arises. It maycome asa surprise to some how far acat willwander from aboat.
stalkthereedbedsand lawnsborderingthe water, or the hedgerows. Ihave watched,and distracted them.And yet, Ican’tblame the catsfortheir behaviour becausehuntingispartof their geneticprogramming. Bird stalking catsarejust doingwhattheirinstincts tell them to do.
We once watched acatactively stalkingnewly hatchedmallard ducklingsalongthe water’sedge.It’sbadenough withthe
THEFriendsof Monkland Canal (FOMC)havebeenawarded the NorthLanarkshireCouncilProvost’s CommunityGroupAward for2024. TheannualProvost’sAwardscelebrate outstandingcommunitycontributions by individuals,localorganisationsand voluntarygroups.
FOMC wasconvenedfouryears agowhenlocals gottogether to look afterwhat isnowa popularareain Coatbridge.Members ofthegroup regularly litter-pickand keep an eyeon the canaland surroundingwoodlands. AnactiveFacebookgroup of morethan 3000members keepseveryoneintouch, sharingnewsandphotosofthe canal, flora, faunaandbird life.
Thegroupwas adriving forcebehind new benchesandlitterbinsand,in2022, a£429,000investment from Sustrans to improvethe towpath, part of National CycleNetwork Route75,creating asafer andmoreaccessible walkway.
Thisisn’tthegroup’s firstaward, havingwonthe2023 Scottish Walking Awards Most Improved WalkingPlace. Aroute betweenthe Monkland coalfieldand Glasgow wasfirstsurveyed in1769 by James Watt in responsetothe growingindustryinGlasgow.Building startedin1770andin1771thecanal wasopenedasshortsectionswere completed.Incommon withother many otherearly canalsfunds ranout,with constructionas farasBlackhill resuming fiveyears later, in1780.
By 1791the Forth&Clyde Canal Companyhadfundedaconnection betweenthe Monklandand theForth &Clyde,allowing both canals to benefit from awater supply from surrounding rivers.Water remained aproblem though,andaninclinedplane was laterconstructed at Blackhill,allowing barges to be movedupanddown the hill bypassingthelocks.
Thefirst railcompetition,the Garnkirk
and Glasgow Railway,openedin1831. Despitethis,the importanceofcoal to Glasgow’s expanding industrymeant that in 1837,the canalwasthe mostprofitable in Scotland.Thecanalenableda huge increase in coal mining andthe opening of ironworksaround Coatbridge,with onemillion tonnesofcoaltransported onthe canalin1850.
TheMonkland wasclosed to navigationin1952andisofficiallya remainderedcanal,meaningitisnot maintainedfor navigation butmust be dealt within themosteconomical waypossibleconsistent withthe requirementsofhealthand safetyand preservationof amenity.Duringthe 1960s largesectionsofthe canalwere filledintoallowtheconstructionof the M8in Glasgow andnew development in Coatbridge. Twosectionsarestillin water, inDrumpellier CountryParkand at SummerleeMuseumof IndustrialLife, both in Coatbridge.
May, 80,continuestoblossomwithvolunteeringaward
MAYShields hasbeenanactive volunteer at Bonnyfield Nature Reserveformorethan15years.Her commitment to the reservewas highlycommendedinthisyear’s CVSFalkirk Volunteer ofthe Year awards.CVS Falkirkrunstheawards in recognitionofthe outstanding contributionofindividualsand organisationswhichinvolve volunteersintheiractivities.
Bonnyfield Nature Reserve, west of Bonnybridge, is bordered to the south by the Forthand ClydeCanal. Popularwithlocals,the site wasa sandandgravelquarry in the1980s. Designated aLocal Nature Reserve in1998,the site isnowowned by FalkirkCounciland managedby alocalgroupsupportedbyFalkirk Council Ranger Service.
Maymoved to Bonnybridgein 2007. Hercommitment as anactive volunteer at the reservehas grown overthe years.Now, at 80 yearsold, Maystill worksalongsidethe rangers andthe many other volunteersand is awell-known figurewithhertrolley filledwith tools,dog bags,pruning equipmentandbirdseed.
Canal updates
SOUTHofOban,theCrinan Canal providesasedatepootle for boats, opportunitiesforwalkersand cyclists,and sheltered waters forcanoes and paddle boards. The Crinan is ninemilesand 13 locks(plus thetwo sealocks)of beautiful scenerybetween Crinan andArdrishaigand,for boaters,a shortcutavoidingthe sometimes turbulent waters off the Mull of KintyreonScotland’s west coast.
As well as winter workstoreplace theCrinan sealockgates,and repair theCrinandummy lock (the original sealockdecommissioned inthe1930s), Scottish Canals has undertakena massivecutback of vegetation to keepthe channel clearand improvesightlines andaccessfor safe navigation. Customer feedback hasbeen uniformly excellent. Despitewhatsometimes feels likeawet summer,the canals are suffering from lowwaterlevels in reservoirs andfeeder streams.
On theCrinan, transit hasbeen restricted for vesselswith adraftof 2.2 metresormore, with48 hours noticeof transitneeded.Craft with adraft of 2.4 metresand over will be accommodatedonFridays and Saturdays, andbyprior agreement with Scottish Canals’operations team.Lockingsofsingle boatswill be avoidedtoreduce waterloss.
On the Forth& Clyde, boat movementsarestill(atthe time of writing) temporarilysuspended on the eastern sideof thecanal betweenlock3and lock 16in Falkirk.
The Kelpiessea locksremain operational,and the canalisopen to navigationfor boatsheading west from theFalkirk Wheel
towardsGlasgow andBowling. In responsetoboaters’longstandingconcerns aboutweeds on theLowland canals,Scottish Canals is publishingthe planned activityand locationsfor weed cuttingand indicatingthe condition of the canalchannels at specific points alongthe Forth &Clyde andUnion Canals witha trafficlight scoring:greenmeans thechannel hasbeencut andis clear; amberindicates the channel is approachingthe need foracut and mayshowsome weed,and red highlights wherethereisagreat quantityofweedand navigation maybeseverelyimpacted. Anew page at scottishcanals. co.ukcontainsall theinformation andwheretoreportissues.
the last year,she hashelped plant thousandsof bluebells, snowdrops and dozens oftreesand hedging.
chairofthe reserve, saidof May:
Days Out
Skipton
Ourseriesdedicatedto showcasinguniquedays out near specialcanals.Whether you’reintogongoozling (watchingboatingactivities),leisurely towpath walks, wildlife spotting,boat tripsorevenretailtherapy,our canalsystem hassomethingforeveryone. This month, we’reshiningthespotlightonSkipton,withcloselinks tothewaterwaysand atownthathas plentytooffer visitors. Onthedoorstepofthe YorkshireDales,Skipton isthepicture postcardtown with awonderful castleand waterway at itsheart.
By SallyClifford
IT IS renowned asthe gatewaytothe YorkshireDales butSkiptonisfar from aplacefor just passingthrough. Boastingabeautifulhistoriccastleand
awonderful waterway,thisquaintand characteristic market town isoneof many picturepostcardsettings around God’sOwn County.
Recordedinthe DomesdayBook, Skipton’snameisderived fromthe Anglo-Saxonwords Sceap(Sheep) and Tun(Town).
Interestingly,sheep played an integral part inthe town’s past –its economic growth developedthrough wool producedbythe many mills contributing to the textile economy. In addition,the creationofthe Leeds& LiverpoolCanal, Britain’slongest waterway stretching 127miles,enabled thetransportation ofcommercial goods, mainly coal andotherproductsalongthe busy waterway network.
Desormais
Skipton Castle,the landmark standing at thehelm of SkiptonHighStreet, also formsan importantchapter in Skipton’s past anditsdevelopmentintothe town it is today. Datingbackover900 years, the castle’s dominating presence withstood athree-yearsiege duringtheCivil War. Oncehome to the Cliffordfamily,whose motto Desormais –‘henceforth’– is setin stone abovetheentrance,Skipton Castle isoneofthe best preservedand most complete medieval castlesinEngland.
Fromthedepthsofthedungeon to the watchtower at the top, thereare plenty ofexploratoryopportunities forvisitors to findout more aboutits standingin the town.
Beyondthe castle wallsandgrounds pathways wind theirway to different destinations.Datingback1000 years, Skipton Castle Woodsisanatural oasismanaged by the WoodlandTrust. Featuringmorethan160 speciesof flowering plants,trees,grasses,sedges and ferns,includingsome rare orchids, the woodsare ahaven fornature–with some beautiful willowstructuresand seasonaldisplaystoo.
Visitors canfollowthe valleyofthe Eller Beckand savourtheview,orfollow thepathwaysfor apeacefuland tranquil stride beside waterwaysthathelped to powerthe localmills.
Taking thetowpath,the aforementionedLeeds&LiverpoolCanal is buoyantwith daytrippersand tourists eagertoexplorethe town andits scenic sights.Boattripsarecertainlyoneof the best ways to explorethe waterway and arewell cateredforin Skipton,withroast dinner andafternoon tea cruisesamong thefood anddrink-themedofferings.
Another popularattraction is the traditional market whichpitchesup weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridaysand SaturdaysinSkipton High Street.Its presence datesbackto1204 whenthe charterwasoriginallygranted for aweeklymarkettradinginsheepand woollen goods.Today’s wide-ranging purchasesinclude clothing, food and household supplies.
Straddlingthe town centre, beautiful stone properties and cobbled streets captureSkipton’scharacteristic charm.Embracing the past withthe present, High Corn Mill, oneof the originalcornproducerssupplying Skipton, hasbeentransformedtosuit a21st-century purposeasabusiness andretailcomplex.Therestorationof its waterwheelprofilesits medievalpast, while the commission andinstallation of awater turbine generator supplies power, viathe National Grid,for up to 20 localbuildings.Speciallycreated viewingareas within themill enable visitorstosee some of the original machineryusedtoprocess the corn, and asecondwaterwheel canbeoperatedby pullinga levertoreleasewater from the
Raven Tree TopAdventure: www. ravenadventure.co.uk
Quadtrex: www.quadtrex.co.uk
KilnseyPark: www.yorkshiredales. org.uk
Skipton Town Hall,home to the CravenMuseum: www. skiptontownhall.co.uk
PlazaCinema: www.skipton. nm-cinemas.co.uk
SkiptonArtisanMarket: takes place on the first Sunday of the month MarchtoDecemberinthe Canal Basin,Bridge Street/Coach Street carpark: www.rshartisanmarket. co.uk
Useful webs ite: www. visitnorthyorkshire.com
mill’s pond. The Waterwheel Houseis free to visitand open to everyone. Anotherimpressivetransformation isCraven Court. Developed froma 16th-century theatre andlocated just off SkiptonHighStreet, this beautiful shopping arcade combines well-known brandsand smallindependents. The tearooms within areamonga rangeof cafes,barsand restaurantsaround town catering to all tastes.
CravenMuseum
Once refreshed, whynot extend the ‘somethingtodo’ by takinga further peek into Skipton’sfascinatingpastwith avisit to Craven Museum?Located in the Grade II-listed Skipton Town Hall in High Street,the museum wasa finalist intheArtFund’s Museumof the Year 2024 andhasalsoreceivedrecognition asthe Kids in Museums FamilyFriendly Museum 2023 andBestAccessible Museum 2023. Alsohousedwithin this impressivevenueisanexhibition gallery, ahistoricconcerthallas well as educationand community spaces. Skipton’slocation on thedoorstep of the Dalesalsoputsitina prime position forexploring thesurrounding countryside.Apopular placewith walkers, thereare plenty of routes to tread, butifaramblearound the landscape sounds toochallengingthere is plenty ofincentive to stay localwith trailsexploring thetown’sheritage,as well as thebarsand pubs within. What areyou waitingfor…?
Attraction:CravenMuseuminSkiptonTown Hall whichwas shortlistedfortheArtFundMuseum prize thisyear. PHOTO:CRAVENMUSEUM
The Towpath Anggler
Ourmonthly look at the anglingscene
ByDavid Kent
LAST month Ispoke aboutmakinguse ofthe currentquieter time to catchup on jobs aroundthehouse andalthough Isay it myself that is exactlywhatIhave done.New ceilings,doors andchanges to the bathroom have moreorlessbeen completed. Now, of course,allthat remainsisthe resultantredecorating. SadlyI cannot seeall of this being finishedbeforethe earlyautumn.We have aholiday plannedinOctober,so at leastthereisatargetdate.
Flooding
Amongall of this,I have beenespecially busy with avarietyofissues at club level. AgaininJuly, Italkedaboutthe impact of floodingonour club fisheries. Thankfully Ihavenow hadsomejoy with responses from the Environment Agencyso, with anyluck, my bailiffs and their work parties maybeable to beginsomeofthe proposed remedial work very soonnow. Thereare still somequestionstobeansweredbut at leastwehavea better ideaofhow to tacklethiscrippling problem.Since first flaggingthisfloodingproblem in May 2023there have been so many hoops to jump through to gettothispoint the temptation to donothinghas been there permanently.That said, as thingsnow standthereisa distinct possibilitythat we just mightbeable to getthiswhole businessoverthe line.
Unfortunately,Iwas unable to attendthe summermeetingofthe Trust’sFisheriesandAnglingAdvisory Group. HoweverI did seethe agenda and,as usual, it hadplentyofmeaty itemsonit. Notleast of thesewasa discussion regardingthe futureof anglingdevelopment. It still seems as thoughthere areissues at nationallevel betweensomeof the keyorganisations whichcanand do have animpact on angling. As Ihaveregularly said over theyears,itisabsolutelyessential that allthe relevant agenciescollaborateon this to ensure that the futureofthe sport isproperly safeguarded. Anglersexpect anddeserve it.
National Championships
We arerapidlyapproachingAngling Trust’s twobig divisional National Championships.Infact,Division 1is scheduledfor August 17 on the LeedsLiverpoolCanalin the Wiganarea.I knowthatthehostclubs will pull out all thestops to ensure that the event goes well.Of course,Division 1brings together mostofthe topteamsand anglersinthe country.Therewill be severalEnglandinternationalsonthe bank,fishing typesofvenuewheremost of them ‘cut theirangling teeth’.The canalisalsofishingprettywell generally so Iexpecttosee acrackingmatch with
some reallygood weights. The recentperiodoffairly stable summer weather hascertainlyproduced an upliftin sportbut thingsarestillnot quite rightyet.Thankfullytheredonot seem to have been toomanycases of distressed fishdue to fallingdissolved oxygenlevels althoughtheforecast suggeststhunderstormsmay occurmore or lessanywhereinthe comingdays and, frankly,thesecan pose aserious problem,especiallyonstillwaters. InformationIhavemanaged to acquire recentlywould supporttheviewthat many venues have not yetreached their summertimenorms in termsofsport. Anglersare sayingthatthefishingonly picks up from mid-afternoonwhich is afeature more usuallyseeninwinter. Indeed Ihavenoticedthatinthe last few weeks, some match organisers have dropped back theirfishingtimes to tryand overcomethis pattern wherepossible.
Results
With regard to results,one South Yorkshirefriendofmine spenta dayon the Aire &Calder by wayofpractice for theupcomingDivision 2National. He struggledall dayas, apparently,did other anglersaroundhim.Amatch on my localriver waswon with just twobream. Even matches on some commercials have seenanglersbitelessuntilthefinal hour.Oneitemofencouragingnewsis that oneof my clubmembersspent three hoursonthe Erewash Canallastweek andcaught23fish,includingfourbream to 3lb.Itisclear,therefore, that all isnot where itshould be just yet.
My ownresults of late have been best forgotten. Ihavenot hadthe best of drawsinmatches butthatisnot the reason.Idid manage awin aweekago with82lbfrom acommercialpoolbut even thereI shouldhavetaken well over 100lb to the scales.Iamjustnot getting itquiteright at themomentand making baddecisions.
As Isaid earlier,itseems that the late afternoononwards is the most productivetimetofish.I amnotaware of anybaitdominatingthingsbut worms, corn andpelletsareworth atry. If youdoventure outpleaseremember to stayhydrated. Tightlines.
Howtokeepyour engine running
Tips on howtokeep your boat’sengine running smoothly are being given in aseries of River Canal Rescue‘howto’ videosonYouTube.
IN THERiver Canal Rescue’s second ins talment, the company’s standards andethicsexecutive, KerryHorton, explains howtosee ifan engine is outofalignment,where adjustments canbemade, the difference between radial andangular alignmentand howtodo both.Healsodiscusses engine balance points, what to do if there’s
unevenpressureonthe enginemounts,how to levelitup, and howto make fineadjustments.
At theend of the session,Kerry shares histop tips:
ThePianoBoat Rachmaninov is basedatHarefield Marinaand cruisestheGrand UnionCanal.
The WetWeb
ByHelen Gazeley
IS IT theUK’ssmallest concertvenue? Possibly not.Butit’s surely oneof themostdistinctive. The Piano Boat, abespoke widebeamhousinga Steinwaygrandpiano, wasthebrainchildof world-renowned pianist MasayukiTayamaandhis wifeRhiana.
Theideaoccurred to themwhen,ona narrowboat holiday, passers-by onthe towpathweredrawn to the soundof Masa practising. Formany,thethoughtmight have stopped there. “It’sdifficult to pinpointwhere we passed the pointofnoreturn,”saysRhiana. “WewenttotheCrickshow, spoketoafew builders, plans were drawnup, andthenit was ‘Ohmygoodness, we areactuallydoingit.’”
The result,built by Tristar BoatsLimited, is Rachmaninov,with acarefully detailed interiorand roomforan audienceof12. Moored in Harefield Marina ontheGrand Union,in2021theyembarkedonrecital cruises,doingeverythingthemselves— drivingthe boat (whichhas ahybridengine to ensure silent running) andhosting, with Leith’s-trainedRhianapreparing teasand dinnersonboard,and Masa presenting pre-concerttalksandplaying. Reception was enthusiastic,andThePiano Boat wassoon receiving5-star reviewsonTrip Advisor,and appearinginthe nationalpress as wellasina Channel 4programme.
Thisall sadlyandshockinglycame to anendwhenMasafell seriously illand diedinSeptember2023.The responsewas immediate. “I’vebeenamazedbythe number of peoplewhodidn’tknowMasawho gotin touchtosay howsorry theywere,”saysRhiana. “Masahad arealwarmthabout him.Hewould say, beingonthe autistic spectrum,that he struggledwithinteractionsandfoundthem arealchallenge,buthe wassogoodatitand
so easy to talk to;people felt comfortabletalking to him.Hefoundit very tiring, butnotfor lack of wantingtoengagewith people. He enjoyed the company ofothers.”You only have to watchtheir videosforthe warmth of Masa’s andRhiana’s outreach to become clear, and to discoverMasa’s abilitytodrawemotion outofthe music.
Now, approachingthe first anniversaryofhis death, thePianoBoatis openingtovisitorsagain. “WhenMasapassed,I alwaysknew Iwantedtodosomethingwith the boat,” Rhianaexplains,“butI knewI wanted it to be different–somethingtoreflect that thingsarenever goingtobethe same.”
So,on October13, withits first public event since August 2023,The Piano Boat is reopening with anew type ofcruise, developed withthe helpof Masa’s closefriendGraham Caskie,whose ownplayinghas been describedby Gramophone magazineas a“modelof poetic subtlety”.
MomentsMusicauxwillcombine music, canapésand drinks, with Graham’s interpretations interspersed with refreshments andshortpresentationsonthe music.
The past year hasbeena journeyofgrowth forRhiana. “I’m definitelynotthe same person Iwas ayearago.Ipreferthe personI amnow. I’mmoregroundedand have found thisinner peace. My sadnessisthatMasa’snot heretoshare this withme,but the catch-22is that thisiswhyIamwhereI am.”
Re-embarkingonthis newphaseisa responsibility.
“It’salot of weight on my shoulders,”she says,“when I’musedtosharing,but I’ve been very fortunatetohaveamazingsupport from familyandfriends.”
Asecond eveningwithGrahamisset for November10,and moredates arebeing plannedwith otherperformers. Find out more:www.thepianoboat.com
Sustainable Boating –supply
IWASustainable
BoatingGroup member
JonathanMosse continues his series onoffgridboating.
SO FARwe’ve hada general overviewof sustainable boating in my initial ‘scene setter’, followedbya look at solarpanels andbatteries as we work down throughthe boat,top to bottom,so to speak! By wayofa ‘sidewaysmove’,I’m nowgoing to look at the other possible battery inputs,apart from photovoltaic panels, whichamounttoa landline,a standalone generatorandthe propulsionengine’s alternator(s).
Usually, landlines willprovide either a16 ampora38amp supply, although sometimes less in marinasand thelike. Historically, boatershavebeenfairly comfortablethinking in termsofamp hours whichgenerallyrelate to 12v batterysystems andthestorage capacityofa boat’s leisurebatteries.
As we move over to electricpropulsion it becomesmore importanttoconsider powerand storage capacityinrelation to thepowerconsumed, thus kilowattsand kilowatt hoursare actuallyofmore significance.So, a16 amplandlineprovides 3680 wattsat230 volts (wattsarevolts xamps) and a32-ampexample gives7360 watts: typically, the output of ahomeEVcharger.To tidythingsup awee bitwetendtothink in termsofkilowatts (kW) so herewehave 3.68kWand7.36kW respectively.
Th ir ty -t wo -amp landlinesare relatively rare beasts,sooften the demandofa typical boat’s electric kettleis approaching three-quartersof what the 16amp variantcanprovide.
In an all-electric boat, whichmight wellalso enjoy the benefitsof electricpropulsion, thispotentially poses aseverelimitationand we willlook at thisin greaterdetailinfuture pieceswhen we geton to the consumption sideofthe equation.
Chargingpoints
Sufficeittosay that IWA Sustainable Boating Groupisworking hard to promotethe
rollout of charging pointsthroughout theinland waterways system inanticipation of themovetoelectric propulsion,inthe face of global warmingand ourapproach to anet zero existence. With aparallel hybrid electricpropulsion system,adiesel drive incorporatesanelectric motorbackupwhich, operatingreverse, becomes agenerator andis thereforeable to provide domestic powerand top-up batteries, either when theboatisstationary or on the move.
Aserialhybrid eliminatesthedirect dieselpropulsion but incorporatesa standalone diesel generator to supplement solar and/or alandline connection. Thiswill alwaysbethe most efficientarrangement as,wheneverthe generatoroperates, itdoes so at the dieselengine’s peak efficiency, albeita somewhat depressing maximumof35% (althoughuse of the diesel engine’s cooling waterfor spaceheating improvesthepicture somewhat).
In termsofon-board andexternalpower supply,that just leavestheenginedriven alternator (or alternators)found
on aconventional dieselboat. Regarded as ‘free’ electricityby many acruisingboater (whichitcertainlyisn’t) it’s aby-product of startingupthe engine andavailable until theengine is finally switched off. Typically, aboat engine hastwo alternators: one dedicated tocharging theenginestarter batteryandthe other feedingdirectlyinto the domestic battery bank.Outputs will vary engine to engine, butwith55A (55x 12 =0.66kW)for the engine batteryand 90-180A(1.1 –2.2kW) forthe domestic bank representingthe norm. That translates into 0.9,1.5and 3.0horsepower respectively which, aggregatingthe possible power demands of the two alternators, produces atotal requirementof potentiallyaround4 horsepower:atleast one-third of thepower required to propela boatat normalcanal cruisingspeeds. So definitelynot free electricity!
Compoundingthe issuefurther isthefact that withoutsome form
of(additional) external control, alternator output is not configured to thechargeprofile of leadacid (orindeed any battery) chemistry. My previousarticle, covering batteries, looked at integrating lithium LiFePO4 batterieswith existing lead acid chemistry, highlighting the do’s and don’ts.Therewasalso mentionofcombining the output ofthe typical twoalternator set-up to increase the power goingintothedomestic batterybank(seeAugust edition #226).
So,Iwill simply confine myselfhere to stressingtheneed for externalalternator controltoensureefficient chargingofa typicallead acid batterybankand reiteratethe importance ofmeetingthe full charge cycleofBulk,Absorption, Floatand (from time to time) Equalise.
In my nextsustainable boatingpiece,Iwill look at distributingthe power that we have produced from thesedifferent sources andhowthis canbeseamlessly integrated to achieve poweroutputs well in excessofconstraining 16A hook-ups and relativelylow-output alternators.
TO FACILITATEtheefficientworking ofthe canalnetwork,about42milesof tunnels were constructed in England and Wales,ofwhichabout halfarestill open.This ismorethanthe combined lengthofallother canaltunnelsin the worldanddoesn’tincludethe extraapproximately47milesof underground canalatWorsley as part oftheBridgewaterCanal.
As wellas583locks, 2963bridgesand 337aqueductsthereare also55tunnels, ranginginlengthfrom just 25 yardsto morethanthree miles,alongthe2000plusmilesof ourinland waterways.
WetEarth Colliery in Cliftonto thenorth-west of Manchester is considered to be the site oftheearliest water-carryingtunnelinBritainand wasengineered by JamesBrindley. Canaltunnelconstruction at thistime developed aconnection withthemining industryasitwasthecoal miners who were developingthe tunnelling skills whileconstructingtheunderground shaftsneeded fortheexcavationofcoal.
From aboater'sperspective, especiallywhencomparedwithlocks, bridgesetc,tunnelsaregenerally regarded astheleast interestingofthe variouscanal structures.Itis probably fair to saythatmostboaters approach theoncomingsmall dark entranceway with sometrepidationand withthe primaryintentionof gettingthrough whatever darkness lays ahead asquickly asispracticallypossible.
There’snot alot of joyintheprospect ofentering anunlit portal,surrounded by darkness, dripsof waterlike miniaturewaterfallsdribblingdown yourneck, minimal spacetomanoeuvre, thesmellofsmokeandenginefumes, andthenerve-racking uncertainty when entering anarrowbeamtunnelthat someoneelsedoesn’tcometheother wayatthe sametime with their tunnel lamp blazing!
Even with goodheadlightillumination andallinteriorlightsglowing through open curtains,the journeycan seem slow andeternal withthedistant, if any, faintpinpointoflight appearing microscopicallywell away inthe distance. Andonce youget to the other endtheexit,especiallyona bright sunny day,isalmostblinding.
Butonce you‘dig’ into thedetails, therecan be alot moretotunnelsthan meetstheeye,and maybewhat follows inthis seriesofarticles willhelp to giveabetterinsight and appreciation ofwhat theconstructionoftunnels
actuallyinvolved,and as aconsequence amoreinteresting, if notalwaystotally enjoyable,passage through our extensiverange of canaltunnels.
ASHBY CANAL
Snarestonetunnel: 250 yards,a widebeam tunnel.
The original survey foundthat there wasnoneed foranylocks and just two tunnels. UltimatelyonlySnarestone tunnel wasbuiltandthe canalnever actuallyreached the town ofAshby. Even thestretchto Moirawaseventually abandoneddue to problemsof subsidenceandshortlyafter the tunnel, whichrunsdirectlyunderthe villageof Snarestone,the canalstops abruptlyin afieldeightmilesshortofits original destinationof Moira.
sectionof canalbeingreopened from MoiraFurnace to the Conkers visitors’ park andtheintentionis to reconnect this restored sectionto the main canaltherebyreopening the wholelength.
BASINGSTOKE CANAL
Greywelltunnel: 1230 yardslong, brick-lined. Openedin1794 and closed in1932after arooffall.
After an initial survey by William Jessop,which includedalarge loop to pass around Greywell Hill, the proposed routeofthe canalhad to be changedinorder to avoidthe estate of Tylney Hall whoseowner,Earl Tylney, hadobjectedtotheplans.The new routeand tunnelsubsequently shortenedthe routebynearlyseven milesand, at 1230yd,thetunnel was the12thlongest in GreatBritain.
The tunnel wasbuiltwithouta towpathand so theunpowered boatsofthetime hadtobelegged through which, due to the lengthof thetunnel, took anything up to six hourstocomplete!
The tunnel becameimpassible in1932when part of itcollapsed (although canoeists were still able to getthrough up to the late 1950s beforethe blockagebecame total)and the inaccessible part ofthe canalwas subsequentlysold.
The last boat to pass throughthe tunnel wasNB Basingstoke inthe winterof 191314 carryingacargo of sand,the purpose ofthetripbeingtoprove that the canal wasstill navigableand so avoidpossible closureunderthe Railway &Canal Traffic Act1854wherebythe landthe canalwas builtoncouldbereturned to the original ownersifnot used for fiveyears ormore.
Thearea is nowpartofa 0.4-hectare biological Site of ScientificInterestlisted
TALKBACK
Yourchancetowriteto us onanytowpathtopic: Towpath Talk, PO Box 99, Horncastle, LincsLN9 6LZ oremail editorial@ towpathtalk.co.uk
Dear TowpathTalk, We thoughtwewould send youa fewpicsof ournarrowboatrooftop garden.Wehavelived on here fortwo yearsand love gardeningsowantedto have some pots andadd some colour.
in 1985 andishometomoreroosting batsthan anywhereelseinBritain, with anestimated12,500 bats of at leastfive differentspecies.Thetunnelblockage combined with severalsprings inside thetunnel createsanideal microclimatemaintainedatabout 10Call yearround and thebat population in the tunnel makesitunlikelythatitwill ever be able to be reopened.
BIRMINGHAM CANAL NETWORK(BCN)
Ashtedtunnel –Digbethbranch: 103 yardslong, completed 1793 with arailed towpath.
This Grade II-listed tunnelis situated such that the Birmingham &Fazeley Canalcan link at AstonJunction with theGrand UnionCanal at Bordesley. Thelink is aboutone milelongand goesfromDigbeth Basinupthroughfive lockstothe tunnel.Thereare sixlocks in totaland the tunnelisjustbelow the toponewhere afinallockthen raisesthecanal to thelevelof the main Birmingham &Fazeleyline at Aston Junction. Interestinglythistunnel does notlie at the summitofits hill andasa result,itisrareinthatthe locksleading to theBordesley entrance descendwhile the locksatthe Astonentrance ascend! The bottom gatesof AshtedTop Lock are
Ourflowersare infull bloomand lots of people have said howbeautifulit all looks. I’mthe gardenerand hubby waters them all.
Kind regards WillandDebsGilchrist, Dougaland Hamish theminatureschnauzers. NB Gucci, moored at Mercia Marina, Derby.
Dear Debs andWill, Thankyou foryourletter. Whata wonderful displayand colour from your flowers in full bloom–stunning. Thank youfor sharingthem with ourreaders. Kind regards DanClare Editor
just 11 yardsfromthe tunnel portal at thenorth-westernend.
Another unusual featureofthis tunnel is that electric lightingwas subsequently installedaspartofBirmingham’sinner city regenerationscheme.
Plans were originallydrawn up in 1818 butconstruction wasminimal andlittle wasdone formorethana decade.This wasdue in part to the cost of buying the necessary landneeded forconstruction, plusthe additional concerns associated withthere being coalmines underneaththe land. The subsequentrumoursofa local railway beingbuilt quicklygalvanised actionand the necessary land was boughtin1836. Withthe perceived railway competition24-hour working then startedinearnestwiththreegangs of navvies workingeight-hourshifts roundthe clockconstructing the tunnel beneathCoseleytowncentre.
Progress wasslowdue to the presence of themineworkingsand amineshaft collapse in 1837 hampered progress even more, with aconsequent financial headache.This situation took almosteight monthstocorrect butwhenopenedthe tunnel wasanimmediatesuccess.
NB Gucci,mooredat Mercia Marina, in full bloom –stunning.
Will andDebsGilchrist,with DougalandHamish the minature schnauzers.
READERSwill have seen acolumnin the last issueof TowpathTalk inwhich waterwaysphotographer KevMaslin providedsometipsonhowto getthe best possible shotsofthe waterways. HavingseenKev’s work inprint, in exhibitionsand occasionallyonhis stand at Braunston, we wanted to know moreaboutthe manbehindthe camera, so spoketohim abouthis background andwhat broughthim to photograph the waterways.
We knowyouforyourphotography, but whatisyourbackground?
I’ve worked intheelectricalcontrols industrysinceleavingschool. Istill work afive-dayweek, withphoto opportunitiesconfinedtoweekends andholidays. I’ve oftendescribed my photographyasahobbythat’sgot ever so slightly outofhand. Ididconsider takingitupfulltimeduringthe1990s, butthen realised itmightnot paythe billsaswell as the dayjobalways had.
Whatfirstgotyouinterestedin photography?
Subconsciously,Ithinkit must have been my dad’sinfluence. He useda Birmingham-builtCoronetbox camera forblackandwhite familysnapsinthe 1960s.Ioften wonderwhathappened to it.Ihad alittle Kodak110 camera andthen realised that my friends were gettingmuchbetterresults withtheir SLRmodels.
Whatfirstgotyouinterestedin the waterways?
In the1980s Iworkedwith aguy who went off at weekends exploringand photographing derelict canals.I thought
he wasquite eccentric. Ionceasked: ‘Are you for real?’.His responsewas:‘Yes,I am.It’stheothersyou need to watch outfor!’. At his suggestion, Ivisiteda localboatrally andcametorealise howphotogenicthesethings were. It reallydid mark aturningpointinmy photographyandlifein general.
Whereare youbased?
Tipton,attheheartofthe Black Countryand ofthe Birmingham Canal Navigations. Afascinatingnetwork that hasgraduallybeensanitised to oblivion. Ilovethe oldindustrialparts,but they getfewer asthe yearspass.
Forthe photogeeks, whatgeardoyou useandwhy?
I’ve been aNikon mansince the mid-1980s.Iuse D850, D810andD7200 bodies with aselectionof lenses from fisheye up to 400mm. Igenerallycarry twobodieswhenouton ashoot:one with
awidetomedium telephotolens andone with amedium to long telephoto lens. Icancovermostbases withthis set-up. Nikonhasalwaysbeensynonymous with quality and reliability. Apartfromwhen Idropped onein theLeeds&Liverpool Canal,they’veneverletmedown.
Doyou have afavourite locationon the waterwaysandwhy?
Ihaveaparticularlikingforthe Wyrley &Essington Canalaround Pelsall North Common. That andtheadjoining Cannock Extension Canalare so rural it’s hard to believe you’reright onthe edge of Walsall.
Whataspectofthewaterwaysdoyou like themost tophotograph?
Icoverthewhole spectrum.Ispecialisein photographinghistoricnarrowboats,but Ilovetophotographpeople– particularly my many friends. When Iattend events, there’sanunofficial competitionwhere thefirst to capturemebeforeI’vehada chance to turn my lensonthem wins. TheycallitPap the Paparazzi!
Wherehasyourworkbeenexhibited?
I’ve exhibited in Birmingham,at Braunstonand currentlyatAudlem Mill. Ithink it’s greatseeingmyworkinprint as most of thetimeit’sindigitalformon socialmediaand so forth.
What waterwaysorganisationsareyou involved with?
I’mamemberofthe Guild of Waterway Artistsandpressofficer forthe Historic Narrow Boat Club.IalsosupporttheIWA and,as my alter-ego,Chasing the Boats, amanofficial supporterofits offshoot Fund Britain's Waterways. I’minvolved withothergroupsin aphotographic capacity,includingNationalHistoric
SUMMERis stillinfull swing butnot,itappears,for some. EverywhereIgoIhearthat trafficislighteronthe canals this year.Itisatroublingfact that the numberof boatsmoving appearstobeconsiderably down this year.Wherethere arefiguresavailable,likefor thelocks on theRiver Trent, the overallpictureisofafallinboat movementsof25%comparedto
last year.Hireboatcompanies arereporting50% capacityand Ihaveseenphotosofboats tiedupathirebaseswhen they wouldnormallybe outand givingsomebody aholiday. Didthewet springputpeople off bookingforthe summer?
Thereare alsofewer ownercrewed boatsonthemove. TheLlangollen,normallya very busy summer waterway, isalsoseeinga dropin boat movements. Perhapsthiswill not worryCanal &RiverTrust toomuchallthetimeitreceives itslicencefee. Butlicence evasion is also increasing and someofthe owners whoare not usingtheir boatswill no doubt decide to callit aday and sell up. Whateverthe reasons,NABOis concerned becauseboatsare what bringthe canalsalive. Use itorloseit.
BoaterSatisfaction Survey
Canal& RiverTrust hasrecently publishedthe results of its Boater Satisfaction Survey.This annual strawpollofopinion of aselectionof boat owners gaugesthedepthoffeeling amongboaters concerning the performanceof Canal& River Trustasnavigation authority.
ShipsUK, NABO and theNarrowboat Trust. I’malsocurrently organisingthe Tipton Canal& CommunityFestival 2024inconjunction withthelocal community association.
Ifpeople wanttobuy yourpictures,how can theygetholdofthem?
The overall boater satisfaction hasdropped to 48%amongthis sample,a fallof6%from last year’s result.NABOhas hada meetingwith thetrust’s head of customer service to discuss the results andheard that it willnot sitbackbut willtake responsibilityfor the result andcome up withanaction plan tochange things.The trusthasnot beenlistening to ourrepresentations about themainconcernsof boaters: thedecayinthecondition
proliferatealongthe canal edge,makingitveryhardto moor at times.Itmay seema minor irritation to some butI have nowacolonyofantson my boat andfrequentlyhave to evictsnailsand slugs as very unwelcome passengers.These canonlyhavecomeupthelong grassand wildflowers against whichweare forcedtomoor.I cannot strimbecause Idonot have enough poweraboard andcutting afull60ftmooring is notusuallyinmymind
of majorstructuressuchas locksandbridges; the lack of managementofvegetation both onthe towpathandtheoffside; the lack ofdepthin many popularcanalsandlock flights.
The management of grasscuttingisagain turningintoa fiasco. Ihavenot beenonany canalthis yearwherethere hasbeena noticeable edge to hedgecut.Reedsand saplings
when Imoor. Iammorelikely to prioritisegetting the teaon. NABO hashad aletterfromthe trustapologisingforthe stateof the vegetation managementand outliningitsplans to getback ontrackatleast with cuttingat locksand bridge holes.
Heritage continues to be sold off.Thelatestwasthe auction saleofBraunstonStopHouse wherethetrustrealised alittle
Unfortunately,Idon’t have aweb presence as yet(not through lack of trying–Idon’t getthetime!), but much of my work canbeseenonmy Facebook page at facebook.com/ photographybykevmaslin andsome on X(Twitter) at @kevmaslin. People candropmeamessage oremailmail@ chasingtheboats.co.ukifanything catches theireye in particular.
over afifthofthe priceitwas asking forthispropertyonthe open market twoyears ago. We have no knowledgeofthe new ownersbut hopethattheywill be sympathetic to thehistory that iswrappedupinthisiconic buildingandlocation.
Unscheduled stoppages continue
This year,not from eventsthat were associated with extreme weather butfor avarietyof other reasons,unscheduled stoppagescontinue.Thefailure of ahalf-tide gate on the Savick Brookbrought the Ribble Link to ahalt.Beingunable to fix thisintheshortterm, CRThas respondedtosuggestionsfrom localboaters in the knowwho writeonsocialmedia andare trialling atwo-day passage takingadvantage of thetides andintermediate moorings to getboats back to their home navigations.Some boat owners have alreadytaken thingsinto their ownhands andhad boats craned outand transported aroundtheproblem by road. Asecond failureonthe LancasterCanal wasthe breach of awallnexttoHollowforth Aqueduct.Itisreportedthat asmallleakin the canalbed openedout to be a2mby3m hole in the wing wall. The repairsrequiredare substantial and requireconsiderable
fundingfromthetrust’svery limited resources. Then asevereactofmindless vandalismthatcould have caused seriousinjury.Thepins securing the securing collars of thebottomgates of Audlem Lock No 10 wereremoved, leavingthe gatestotopple inwardswhena boat used the lock anddrained thewater that wassupporting them.The unlucky crew that hadthe gates comingdownonitwas ona holidaycraft whichcould easily have been sunk by this action haditbeencloser to thegates whentheyfellintothe lock. If you have anyinformation aboutthisincidentplease contactCheshirePolice using reference number 4000667511. Ourcongratulations go to the reactiveengineeringteam that managedtogetthelock back in operation withinfive days,delayed onlybythe non-immediateavailabilityof specialised liftingequipment. Personally,Ihavehad some lovely days boatingthis summer.Theneedtobealways alerttothe possibilityofboats coming the other wayisalways importantand even moreso nowthatsomereed beds have restricted the navigation toa single boat widthandbridge holesarebeingobscuredby overgrownvegetation. Stay alert andstaysafe.
Theman behind the lens,Kev Maslin. PHOTO: VIV BARBER.
“Ilove to spend weekends stuckindoors procrastinating overhousework.”
(saidnoone ever)
There’sanotherway. Choosefreedom, together with Aquavista.
