Towpath Talk April 2023 20-PAGE PREVIEW

Readyforaction

toprotectBritain’swaterways

THEInlandWaterwaysAssociation

(IWA)iscallingonnationalandlocal governmenttofundallwaterways. isshouldbeatalevelthatkeeps themasmajorassetsthatcancontinue tocontributetotheeconomy,enhance

Cutforsale

people’shealthandwell-beingandcope withtheclimatecrisis,theIWAsaysin itsnewcampaign.

IWAchiefexecutiveDavidPearce stated:“Ourwaterwaysbene tmillions ofpeopleinthecountryanditisessential

APOCKEToflandbesidetheRiverSleainSleaford, Lincolnshirehasbeenputonthemarketbythe town’scivictrustfor£12,500. eCutispartof theoriginalnavigationsystem,withthissmall remainingstretchhavingbeendevelopedintoa watergardenin1975.Aslipway,mooringandlift bridgewereinstalledbyLincolnshireWaterways PartnershipactingwiththeSleaNavigationTrust whichhasbeenassuredbythecivictrustthatall informationregardingagreementswillbepassed ontoanyprospectivepurchaser.

thatgovernmentcontinuestoinvestin themtoensurethatthesebene tscan bemaintainedandincreased.”

IWAisdeeplyconcernedaboutthe threatposedbyfundingcuts,withCanal& RiverTrustandScottishCanals’ nancial

Hastyreplacement

DELAYStothereplacementofitsboilermeanthat historicsteamnarrowboat President hashadto pulloutoftheBraunstonHistoricBoatRallyagain thisyear.HowevertheFriendsofPresidentreport thattheyhavebeeno eredtheuseofKeithWard’s steamtug Hasty fortheweekendofJune24and 25. eFriendsplantotakethebutty Kildare to Braunston,wheretheforecabinwillbepainted. Hasty willthentake President ’splacetowing Kildare.SteamenthusiastandmusicmogulPete Watermanisduetoopentheevent.

situationsbeingespeciallycritical. AlthoughrecognisedintheGovernment’s EnvironmentalImprovementPlan,IWA sayswaterwayscontinuetodeteriorate whilegovernmentfundingisdecreasing.

Continuedonpage2

Creekcontractor

AMAJORcontributorduringtheWellCreek restorationin1975,RalphWoolnerhasdied peacefullyathishomeinOutwell,Norfolk,aged91 years.Hewasthelastofthelocalcontractorswho generouslycontributedsomuchtotheWellCreek/ OldNenerestorationassoonasheavydredging machineswereallowedtoworkontheproject. Payingtribute,companysecretaryoftheWellCreek TrustJohnDelaneystatedthatthecontribution madebyafewlocalcontractorsshouldnever beunderestimated.

AshbyBoatCohireboats Carlton, Measham and Bosworth arepreparedfortheforthcomingseasonatStokeGoldingWharf.

PHOTO:GRAHAMNUTTALL

WELCOME

ASIwritethesunis shiningandI’msure manyofyouwillbe preparingyourboatsfor thenewseason.

RiverCanalRescuebringsyou sometipsbeforeyoumakethat rst journeyonpage52andifyouwantto visitsomewherespecialcheckoutthe detailsofSteveHaywoodandMoira Haynes’newbook101Wondersofthe Waterwayswhichwereviewonpage49.

PhilPickinwentalongtotheNEC BirminghamwherethesecondBoatLife Liveeventprovedagreatsuccess, attracting14,000visitors.Seehisreport onpage4andcommentsfromRobert PartonofAqueductMarinainthe BusinessNewsonpage47.

Wecelebratethelongevityoftwo family-runbusinesseswhichhave servedtheboatingcommunityfor manyyears.InCharactersoftheCut onpage9,AliceGri ntalkstoAshley Woodward,the fthgenerationof thefamilywhichhaveowned e BoatInnatStokeBruernesince1877.

Andonpage22wefeatureanother Northamptonshire-basedcompany, UnionCanalCarriersLtd,spanning threegenerationsoftheHewittfamily whosehireboat eethasevolvedfrom thecampingboatsofthelate1960sto 17narrowboatstoday.

TheNationalCommunityBoats Associationmakesawelcomereturn thismonthwithMadhurikaWalsh’s reportonpage13alsofeaturing trainingforboatcrews.

LesHeathvisitsaweekendwork campontheBeggarleeextensionofthe CromfordCanalatLangleyMill,seehis reportonpage6andtheGallowsInn LockopendayontheErewashCanal, featuredonpage11.

eNorthernCanalsAssociation helditsspringmeetingatBradley wherememberssawworkcarriedout bylocalrestorationsocietyvolunteers atthreelocksitesonthebranchaswell asavisittotheCanal&RiverTrustlock gateworkshop–seethereportand photosonpage10. HaveahappyEaster.

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IWAlaunchesmajorcampaign toprotectBritain’swaterways

Continuedfrompage1

Canalsandriversarevaluableassets whichcancontributetothecountry’s economicrecovery,helptomitigatethe impactsofclimatechangeandenrichthe livesoflocalcommunities,ashighlightedin IWA’s#WaterwaysforTodayreport.Ongoing fundingisthereforecriticalnotonlytosave thewaterwaysfortodaybutforthefuturetoo.

IWA’spressstatementcontinued:“History tellsusthatwithoutboatstravellingalong them,waterwayssiltupandbecomedirty rubbishtips.Withoutpropermaintenance reservoirs,aqueductsandembankments deteriorate,resultingincommunitiesbeing

putatincreasingriskofwaterdamagefrom afailinginfrastructure. eaddedthreatof climatechangewillonlyworsenthesituation assevere oodingandbreachesbecome morecommonplace.

“ ewaterwaysoftodaywouldnotexist withoutIWAwho,overmanyyears,ensured thattheyweresavedandenhanced.Millions ofhoursofvolunteertimeande ortalong withlotteryfundinghavebeeninvestedin revitalisingthewaterwaynetwork.IWAwill notletthatnetworkfallintodisrepairagain.”

TojointheIWA’scampaignandhelpto #ProtectOurWaterways,visittheIWAwebsite orcontactprotect@waterways.org.uk

IWAwill:

·Raiseawarenessofthethreat throughnational,local,and socialmedia;

·Petitiontoprotectour waterwaysfromtherisks fundingcutswillcreate;

·EnsureMembersofParliament andlocalpoliticiansarefully awareofthebene tsofthe waterwaysandthethreatsto them;

·Arrangehigh-pro leeventsand activitiesincludingwaterways

festivalsandtowpathstalls; ·Bereadytoworkwith governmenttoofferknowledge andexpertiseandsolutions toimproveandmaintainour waterwaysbothnowandinthe future;

·Collaboratewithcommunities andorganisationsthatshareour passionforthewaterwaysto widensupportforthecampaign; ·Continuetoprovidepractical assistanceinthemaintenance andimprovementofwaterways.

Causeoffatalboatfirebeinginvestigated

AMANandadogdiedfollowinga re onaboatmooredontheShropshire UnionCanalnearPendefordLock, Bilbrook,Sta ordshire.

Fireandambulancecrews,plus Sta ordshirePolice,were rstonthe sceneat2.43amonFriday,February24 andoncetheblazewasextinguished,a malebodywasdiscoveredandadead dogwasfoundonthetowpath.

RiverCanalRescuewasthencalled andaskedtoputtogetheranemergency teamtorecoverthewreckagedueto itbeingacrimesceneandtheneed topreserveevidence.Onarrivalthe teamassessedthelocationandvessel situation,butduetotheseverityofthe blaze,pumpingoutthevesselwasnot anoption.

RCRchiefexecutiveo cerTrevor Forman,chiefrescueco-ordinator,Pete Barnett,responseteamKerryHorton andAndySpencerandengineerRob Turnerinsteadoptedtoattempttouse airbags,compressorsandlinestotry andrightthevesselbeforetryingtoraise it.Anti-pollutionboonswerepositioned nearbytocontainanyspills.

PolicetemporarilyhaltedRCR’s recoverysoforensicteamscould investigatefurtherandsurveythescene forotherpotentialbodies/victims. Oncethesearchandaerialsurveywas completed,RCRcontinuedtherecovery butbeforeitcouldbeliftedoutand transported,contentsweretakenaway forforensicinvestigation.

RCRmanagingdirector,Stephanie Horton,commentedatthetime:“ is isaverydelicatejobandwe’reworking topreserveasmuchoftheboatandits contentsaspossiblesothepoliceand

rebrigadecantryandpiecetogether whathappened.

“Afterthecarefulremovalofthe excessweight,thelift-outwilltake place.Ourthoughtsatthistimearewith therelativesofthedeceasedandanyone associatedwiththedog.”

Atthetimeofgoingtopresstheman’s deathwasbeingtreatedasunexplained andhisnamehadnotbeenmadepublic.

Newlighting formiddle Trentlocks

Report&photo:AlisonAlderton

WORKShavebeenunderwaythis wintertoupgradethelightingofthe RiverTrentlocksbetweenNottingham andNewark.

“ ecurrentlightinghasreached endoflifeasreplacementbulbsareno longeravailable,”aworkmansaid.

ImprovementsatStokeLockhave nowbeencompletedandinMarch workbeganonHazelfordLock.When completetheteamareduetomoveon toGunthorpeLock.Boatersarebeing advisedthatdelaysofuptotwohours attheselocksmayoccurwhileworkmen arepresentandthattheexistinglighting maynotbeworking.

ASta ordshirepolicespokeswoman said:“Signi cantprogresshasbeen madeandwecontinuetoworkwith colleaguesfromSta ordshireFireand RescueServiceastheycontinuetolook toascertainthecauseofthe re.”

New lighting post being concreted in position at Hazelford Lock.

Thesceneofthefatalfire.

PHOTOS:RCR

TheRiverCanalRescueteam recoveringtheburnt-outboat.

PHOTOS:RCR

Waterfeedrestoredat historicCromfordweir

LASTsummer,thewaterlevelin theCromfordCanalonthestretch betweenCromfordWharfand HighPeakJunctionbecameso lowthatthetripboat Birdswood couldnotoperate.

Apartfromthehigh temperatures,investigationsinto thecausefoundsomeleaksonthe structureofthecanal. esewere addressedbyDerbyshireCounty CouncilCountrysideService bringinginacontractorwith specialistequipment,butanother problemwiththewaterfeedfrom Arkwright’sMillwasalsodiscoveredat theHorseshoeweir. isweirwasoriginallybuiltwhen RichardArkwrightbuiltthemills,the mainchannelprovidingwatertothewheel supplyingpowertothemachinesinthe mill. eweirwasthewaterlevelover ow deviceanddischargedintotheRiver Derwentthroughatunnelunderthemill. eoriginalweirchamberwasstone builtandwas10feetindiameter,but whentheCromfordCanalwasbuilt,itwas modi edtosupplythecanalthrougha sidesluiceinthechamber. issluicealso hadatunnelunderthemillandfedthe canalatthenowabandonedfeednearthe ArkwrightcafeatCromfordWharf.

NowcalledtheHorseshoeweir,the shapeoftheweirchamberwasaltered whenthesupplysluicewasinstalledin 1792. esupplychannelisnowina culvertwhichenterstheCromfordatthe mooringpointfor Birdswood,behindthe

cafe. epaddletotheDerwentsluicewas foundoninspectiontobeleakingthrough thewoodwithalargevolumeofwater goingstraighttotheriver,thustherewas alow owtothecanal.

AplanwasdrawnupbytheFriendsof CromfordCanalengineers,JohnBoucher andChrisBroome,to tavinylrubber sheetonthefrontfaceofthepaddleto preventleakage.

AsmallteamfromtheFCCwork partieswasbroughtinto rstofallclear theweirchamberpriortocompleting therepair. ewaterlevelwaslowered thenightbeforebyremovingacouple ofstopboardsatasluicelowerdown themainchannel. eweirchamber rstofallhadtobeclearedofrubbish andstonesfromaroundthepaddle. e trashscreeninfrontofthepaddlewas alsomovedoutofthewayandtheold woodengateguidesremoved. eballast wasretainedforfutureusewhenthevinyl sheetwassecured.

Whentheworkparty nallygotto x therepair,itwasfoundthatalargestone wasjammedbetweenthepaddleandthe bottomlintel,causingagapofoneinchat thebottomofthegate,whichdidn’thelp. Withthestoneandotherdebriscleared andthegateloweredfully,the rstjob

wastopackclayalongthebaseofthegate. Asoftpackersheetwassecuredtothe gatewhichwillpreventthevinylrubber beingdamagedwiththewaterpressure againstthepaddle;avinylrubbersheet was ttedandsecuredoverthepaddle andtuckedinthesideguideslots.

Newwoodensidebatonswere tted tothewallsoftheweir,usingtheoriginal holesinthestonewall,toholdthetrash screeninpositionneartothefaceofthe paddle.Awoodenbatonwasthenplaced alongtheentirelengthofthepaddleand securedtotheverticalwoodenbatons, restingonthevinylskirtandclay.

Whenworkwascomplete,thewater supplywasrestoredandtheflow monitored. erewasnowaterleaking throughtotheriveruntilthelevel reachedthetopedgeofthegate;the ow intothecanalsluicewasmuchstronger thanithadbeenforalongtime. e followingdaythewaterlevelinthecanal wascheckedandfoundtoberisingtoa normaloperatinglevel.

emanagementofArkwrightMills wereawareofandgavepermissionforthe repairandalsogavevaluableassistance withaccesstotheweirandcontrolofthe waterlevelinthemainchannel,forwhich theFCCisverygrateful.

Thamesboaterfinedfor failingtoregistervessel

ABOATOWNERfromGainsboroughGreeninAbingdonhasbeenconvicted offailingtoregisterhisboatforuseontheRiver ames.

AtarecenthearingatOxfordMagistrates’Court,TrevorCoxentereda guiltypleatobreachingtheEnvironmentAgency(InlandWaterways)Order 2010.Hewas ned£166,andorderedtopaycostsof£250,avictimsurcharge of£66andhisoutstandingboatregistrationfeeof£92.94for2022. ecourtheardthatduringroutinecheckslastAugust,Environment Agencyo cersdiscoveredthattherewasnolegalregistrationforthe4.4m vessel Zimalda andattachedawarningnoticetotheboatrequiringthe ownertocomplywiththelawwithin14days.

Amonthlatero cersfoundtheboathadbeenremovedfromitsWilsham Roadmooringsandwasstillunregistered.EAsentaletterwarningthat enforcementproceedingswouldbeginifMrCoxfailedtoregistertheboat insideaweek.Duringasubsequentphonecallherefusedtopaythefee. EAenvironmentmanagerColinChivertoncommentedafterwards:“If youdon’tpayyourcartaxyouget ned–it’sexactlythesamewithboatson the ames.Ourenforcementteamsareoutnowalongtheriverchecking registrationsfor2023.”

Similartoexcisedutyforroadvehicles,boatregistrationfeesallow theEnvironmentAgencytomanageandmaintainmorethan600miles ofinlandwaterwaysacrossEngland,keepingthemopenandsafefor thousandsofboaters.

Success:Thefinishedjob.

PHOTOS:FRIENDSOFCROMFORDCANAL

Clearingthebottomofthepaddle,thecanalfeedisontheright.

Fitting thevinylrubbersheet.

SuccessfulsecondBoatLife Liveattracts14,000visitors

ByPhilPickin

ALOThashappenedinthe12months sincethe rstBoatLifeLiveeventwas heldattheNEC.

at rsteventcouldn’thavehada moredi cultstart,withthecountry emergingfromtheimpactoflockdowns andwithvisitorsunderstandablybeing nervousofcrowds.Ontopofthis,the weatherthreatenedtodisrupttravel plansbuttheeventwashailedasuccess andtheorganiserswerelookingtobuild onthisin2023.

Foranyonewhohasnotbeen,the exhibitioncoversalmostallareasof theleisuremarinemarketandincludes anexpandedinlandwaterwayssection whichthisyearboasted12narrowboats.

e2023showhad25%morespace bookedthanthepreviousyearwith, accordingtotheorganisers,“atrendof repeatexhibitorstakinglargerstands”.

Othernoteworthystatisticsincluded 175exhibitorsand200boatsinsidethe NEC,includingthe12narrowboats mentionedearlier.Inaneraofsocial media,theorganiserswerekeento encouragethecoveragebyin uencers, somethingthatseemedtohavebeena successgiventhenumberofvideosof theeventthatwerepostedonline.

Inall,14,000visitorsattendedthe eventand,asaresultofthepositive feedback,itwouldseemthatmany exhibitorsarere-bookingfor2024.In addition,therewere40speakersacross themainstageandanglingzoneand morethan200boatsweredisplayed, includingpowerandnarrowboats, dinghies,RIBsandwatersports.

erangeofboatsonshowthatcould beconsideredwaterwayscraftwas considerable.Aswiththe rstBoatLife Liveshow,thelargest‘vessel’would seemtohavebeenthewaterlodgefrom YarmouthHarbour,withthesmallest beingaGlampboatfromMarineLiving. istinyAirBnB-style oating‘weekend getaway’isbuiltinthehistoricdocks atChatham.Anunpoweredglamping pod,itisdesignedasaholidayletor evenasastudentstudioandcertainly attractedattention.

Oakum(withits100%electric boat),Swan,ABC,Bickerstaffeand JFBoatBuilderswereamongthe12 boatbuilderswhotookboatsforthe visitorstolookaround.Asisoftenthe case,theseexhibitsprovedverypopular, butdespitethis,thequeueswerewell managedandmovedquickly.

Itwasgoodtoseethesigni cantnumber ofexhibitorswhowerepublicisingthe environmentalbene tsoftheirproducts.

Inparticular,thenumberofbusinesses involvedinpropulsion:Mercury, Torqeedoand,formanyofus,thenew nameofPropel. isDutchcompany, whichhaspreviouslyexhibitedatmajor eventsonmainlandEurope,recently signedanagreementwithMarathon Leisure,whichwillbemarketingitsrange ofproductstotheUKmarket. esehighly compactelectricmotorsaredesignedas areplacementforconventionaldiesel engineswiththeemphasisonsmallsize andhighe ciency.

Positivefeedback

Whatisimportantforthistypeof eventistheopinionofthecompanies thatexhibitand,indoingso,doa considerableamounttosupportthe exhibition.InthecaseofBoatLife,the feedbackwouldseemtobeverypositive.

IanKinvig,directorofSwanBoat Builders,waspleasedwiththeinterest showninthecompany’selectricboat Capercaillie andaddedthattheevent hadagoodatmosphere.Butitwasn’t justtheboatbuilderswiththeirshiny newboatsthatattractedattention. ere wereexhibitorsfromacrosstheboating spectrumandincludedawiderangeof productsandservices.

OneofthesewasAqueductMarinaof NantwichinCheshire. ecompanyran ashowo erofaweek’sfreemooringor useoftheslipwaytoanyonewhovisited thestandand,asaresult,waspleased withthenumberofvisitorsitsaw.

MDRobertPartonsaidthatthe company‘hadaverypositiveshow’.He wentontosaythat,inhisopinion,it wasgoodfortheinlandsectortoattend aneventlikeBoatLife,whichcombines bothinlandandcoastalleisureboating.

Whatthevisitorsdon’tseearethe behind-the-scenesmeetingsand networkingthattakeplacebetween businessesandorganisationsatevents ofthistype.DuringBoatLife,British Marineheldacouncilmeetingwhich, togetherwithmoreinformalgatherings, helptoboostnotonlytheconnections betweenbusinessesbutalsothe importanceofeventsofthistype.

RichardDove,MDofBoatLifeEvents Ltd,said:“Whathasstruckmeisthe de nitebeginningsofthecommunity thatwealwayswantedtocreate.Tosee thiscomingtogetherinonlyyeartwo isextremelypositive. eteamhas workedincrediblyhardontheshow, andIamimmenselyproudofwhatwe havecollectivelyachieved.”

Lookingaheadtonextyear,the showdateshavebeencon rmedas February15-18,onceagainattheNEC, Birmingham.Detailsofnextyear’sevent willbefoundonhttps://boatlifeevents. com/asandwhentheyarereleased.

PlentytoseeatSBSBoatLifeLive2023.

ABC’sholidayhireboatprovedpopularwithvisitors.

Oakum’s100%electricboat.

TheteamofBoatLifeambassadors. PHOTOSUPPLIED

Collingwood’s60ftShearwater2. PHOTOS:PHILPICKINUNLESSINDICATED

VisitorstoAqueductMarina’sstand.

attheNECforthefirsttime.

Youngvisitorsonthewater. PHOTOSUPPLIED

Probablythelargest‘vessel’attheshow–thewaterlodgefrom YarmouthHarbour.

Braunstonbridgeworks underwaythankstolegacy

THECanal&RiverTrusthasstarted aseriesofimprovementstothecanal throughBraunston,puttingtogooduse agenerouslegacyofaround£165,000 fromthelatewaterwayssupporterand localresidentPeterAndrews.

Whileitwasnotaspeci edcondition inthewill,theindicationwasthatitwas MrAndrews’wishforthegifttobeused forthereplacementofthesteppedand narrow‘ladder’bridge,whichcarries theGrandUnionCanaltowpathover anentrancetoBraunstonMarina.

etrusthasbeenworkingforsome timeto ndana ordabledesignfora newbridgethat’swiderandhasaccess ramps.However,afteranextensive tenderexercise,thecostofdoingsohas proventobewellbeyondthevalueofthe legacy,ataround£400,000.

DeterminedthatMrAndrews’gift tothecanalshouldbeusedinfull toimprovethewaterwaythrough Braunston,thecharityhasagreedarange ofimprovementswiththeexecutorof thewill,withinitialinvestigationworks alreadystarted.

AspartoftheimprovementsBridge 91A,attheentrancetoBraunston MarinainNorthamptonshire,isset toberefurbished.Workswillinclude repointingofthehistoricbrickwork, cleaningandrepaintingthecast ironelementsofthebridgeand resurfacingitwitharesinbonded anti-slipsurface. etrustwouldalsolike toresurfaceandraisethetowpathand

improveaccesstoBridge1A,relaying thebridgelandingandrampsinaresin bondedsurfacetomatchBridge91A.

Finally,thecharityplanstoensure alastingrecognitionofMrAndrews’ generousgiftbyrenamingBridge91A asPeter’sBridge.Anewbridgenumber plaque,reading‘91A,Peter’sBridge’,will be tted,providingalastingtributeto MrAndrews’remarkablecontribution tohislocalcanal.

LinnyBeaumont,regionaldirector attheCanal&RiverTrust,said:“Asthe charityworkingtoprotectandpreserve thecanalforthisandfuturegenerations, thegiftfromMrAndrewsisavery welcomeandgenerouslegacy.

“Whilewehadhopedtoreplacethe ‘ladder’bridgeasoriginallyproposed, ithasbeenagreedwiththeexecutor ofMrAndrews’willthatthegiftwill fundothervitalrepairstothecanal throughBraunston.

“Welookforwardtocompletingthe worksandcelebratingthelifeofMr AndrewswhenrenamingBridge91A laterthisyear.”

etrusthasbornethecostofallof theinvestigativeworktodate,meaning thatthefullvalueofthegiftremains intactandwillbeusedentirelyto bene tthecanalatBraunston.Trust representativespresentedtheplanned improvementstoBraunstonParish CouncilonMarch6anditishopedthat workswillbegininthesummer.

GoodnewsforDedhamLockproject

AFTERsevenyearsofnegotiations, theRiverStourTrusthassecureda 99-yearleaseofDedhamLock.

Oncethelockhasbeenreopened andnewgates tted,itwillmeanalmost 40%oftheRiverStourNavigation willbeaccessibletothosecraftthat requirealockforthroughpassage. etrustownsGreatCornardLock whichenablespassagealong2.5miles betweenSudburyandGreatHenny.

ItalsoownsandoperatesFlatford LockandRogerBrownLock(Stratford StMary)soaleaseforDedhamLock wasvitaltoreopensevenmilesalong thelowerstretchbetweenLangham FlumesandCattawade,Su olk. ankshavebeenexpressedfor theongoinge ortsofcommitted

volunteersKevinTaylor,Emrhys BarrellandPaulBrewerton,for representingtheRiverStourTrustand gettingtheleaseterms nalisedand acceptedbyallconcernedparties.

eleasewassignedbyDedham MillManagementCompanyLtd (DMMCL),onbehalfoftheownersof the34apartmentsinthemillandby PaulBrewertonandEmrhysBarrell onbehalfoftheRiverStourTrust.

Ithadalsorequirednegotiations withtheownersofLockCottage,who havearightofwayacrosstheleased landtotheirproperty.

Theareacoveredbythelease includesthelockchamberitself,plus 3m-widestripseithersideforaccess, anareaatthedownstreamendofthe

lockwhichwillallowconstructionof alandingstageandtheupperstream endofthelockisland,whichhas beenerodingawayduetothewater rushingthroughthelock.

Itwillbeamajorprojectwhich requiresclosingo theendsofthe lock,pumpingoutthewater,removing theoldgates,then ttingthenewones. etrustalreadyhasthenewgates instoragefortheprojectwhichwas originallyestimatedtocost£105,000 with£85,000ingrantstowardsthis, leavingthebalancetobecovered byRSTfunds.Costshaverisen signi cantlysinceoriginalestimates fouryearsagoandtheSudbury-based trustisnowseekingadditionalgrant supporttomeettheshortfall.

Bridge91AatthemainentrancetoBraunstonMarinawillberefurbishedandrenamedPeter’sBridge.

PHOTO:CRT

Theladderbridge1AwhichcarriestheGrandUnionCanaltowpathover theeasternentrancetoBraunstonMarina.

PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN

Weekendworkcampat CromfordCanalproject

Reportandphotos:LesHeath

ASECTIONoftheCromford Canal,destroyedbyopencast coalminingandthebuilding oftheA610dualcarriageway,is settobereinstatedthankstothe determinede ortsoftheFriends ofCromfordCanal.

Overthewintertheywere joinedforaweekendbymembers

oftheWaterwaysRecoveryGroup whoseskillsandexpertiseproved invaluableonaparticularly challengingsectionoftheproject.

Thevolunteersspenta weekendremovingtreestumps fromaroundastreambedwhere apipewillbeinstalledtorunthe waterunderneaththenewcanal.

Muchofthewaterway,builtin 1794,wascompletelyabandoned

inthe1940sfollowingthe collapseofButterleyTunnelat thebeginningofthecentury.A largesectionbetweenLangley Millandthetunnelwas lled induringthe1960s.Opencast miningthenobliteratedthe sectionnowbeingrecovered.

Apartfromthefinancial aspecttheFCChasnumerous additionalproblemstosolve

includinglegal,ecologicaland planning.Twonewlockswillalso berequiredonthissection.

DavidMartin,chairmanofthe FriendsofCromfordCanal,said: “Tomakemattersmoredi cult thecanalwillgounderanexisting roadbridgewhichmarksthe boundarybetweentwocounty councilsandtwodistrictcouncils.”

Onceunderthebridgethe routewillfollowtheoriginal canalbednorthwards towardsIronville.

MeanwhiletheFCCis planningtomakethemostof thenavigablesectionofcanal throughtheDerwentvalley inDerbyshireby,onceagain, runningthree-hourpremium boattripsfromCromford WharfstartinginApril.

Afterpassingthroughtwoproposedlocks thecanalwilltakeasharpbendandrun throughthecentresectionoftheA610road inthebackground.

Treestumpsbeingremovedfromarounda streamwhichwilleventuallyflowthrougha pipeunderthecanal.

Theplanshowingtheproposed extensionbeyondBeggarleeWharf. IMAGECOURTESYFCC

FriendsofCromfordCanalchairmanDavidMartinatthe siteofaproposedbridgemarkingtheendofLangleyMill boatyardandthestartofthereclaimedcanal.

The short section of canal reclaimedinthe1980s.

Trustfundsfivebenches forelderlyanddisabled

THEDulvertonTrustFund,managed bytheHeartofEnglandCommunity Foundation,hasgenerouslyawarded agranttofundbenchesforelderlyand disabledpeopletositandrelaxbywater atWhitehouseWharfinSellyOak,inthe WestMidlands.

Anindependentgrant-making charity,itsupportsUKcharitiestackling arangeofsocialissues,protectingthe naturalworldandpreservingheritage crafts.WhitehouseWharfissituatednext totheSenseHQbuildingandwillbea populardestinationfordisabledpeople, shoppersandstudents.

SajdaAtiq,Sensedaymanager,said: “Havingaplacetositoutsidewitha scenicview,beingabletohearthe water,watchtheripples,wavetothe boatersgoingbyorevenjustsittingand feelingthebreezeorsunshineisbrilliant fordisabledpeoplewithsensory impairments.Itgivesthemthechance tobeoutdoorsandenjoylife.”

TheGlasdonbenchseats,which wereinstalledbyLapalCanalTrust volunteers,aremadefromrecycled materials.Withcastaluminiumends andcompositeslatstheyshouldrequire verylittlemaintenance.

ParticularthanksgotoDenisPike whopreparedtheconcretebasesand boltedthebenchesdownsecurely,and volunteerswhohelpedandalsotested the nalresult!

Thesebeautifulbenchesarethe nishingtouchtothewharfrecently completedbyLandandWaterLtdand fundedbymanydonationstotheLapal CanalTrust.

etrustisseekingfundingforthe nextstageacrossSainsbury’scarpark andunderHarborneLaneBridge.

LapalCanalTrusthasstarteda

JustGivingfundraisingcampaign toopentheHarborneLaneTunnel. Ifyouwouldliketodonate,please visithttps://www.justgiving.com/ campaign/openharbornelanetunnel

AGlasdonbenchseatmadefrom recycledmaterials.

ThefivebenchesatWhitehouseWharf.

DenisPikeboltingoneofthe benchesdown. PHOTOSSUPPLIED

Volunteerstestthefinalresult.

Liftingoneofthebenchesinto place.

Canal-bankseatsforthepasser-by

Wordsandphotos:TimCoghlan

TWObencheshavebeeninstalledbeside theGrandUnionCanalatStokeBruerne, Northamptonshire,tocommemorate thelivesoftwoofitswell-knowncanal andcommunityactivists,DavidBlagrove (1937-2016)andRoySears(1945-2018).

efundstopurchasethebenches andpayfortheirinstallationcamefrom theDavidBlagroveCommunityTrust, whichwassetupafterDavid’sdeathin 2016. isfollowedaverysuccessful appealwhichraisedaconsiderablesum tomakeitpossible.

David’sdaughterSarahBorondy, chairofthetrustsaid:‘ etrust’svision wastoenrichlocalcommunitiesandto improvethelivesofdisadvantagedyouth throughexperiencingtheUKcanal andwaterwaysnetwork.Itsaimswere alsotoenhancethelocallandscapes andheritage,whileencouragingand supportingthelocalcommunities.

“Soforthetrusttoprovidethefunding forthetwobenchesjustseemeda tting endtocelebrateallthatthetrusthas achievedoverthelastseven years.Thetrusteesandits stalwartmembershaveagreed it’snowtimetocloseit,inthis nalactofcommemoration.”

Some40peopleattendedthe formalopeningofthebenches, includingRichardParry,chief executiveoftheCanal&River Trust,whoonlyafewmonths beforehadattendedtheunveiling oftheking shermosaicatnearby Cosgrove. ebenchribbonswerecut byRoy’swifeChrissyandbySarah.

David’sisappropriatelyattheedge of eGreen,wherethesittercanat onceseethecanalmuseum,andthen acrossthecanal,David’sformerhome WharfCottageand,whenitismooredat StokeBruerne,thehistoricnarrowboat Sculptor,whichDaviddidsomuchto support.Roy’sbenchisonthetowpath halfwaytothetunnelentrance.

Priortocuttingtheirrespective ribbons,SarahandChrissybothgave shorttributestothetwomen.

FollowingSarah’scuttingofthe ribbon,aclosefriendofDavid,Tim Coghlan,whohaddeliveredtheeulogy atDavid’sfuneral,readtheIrishpoet PatrickKavanagh’spoem,LinesWritten onaSeatontheGrandCanal,Dublin. Thisconcludedappropriatelywith: “Ocommemoratemewithnoherocourageoustomb–justacanal-bank seatforthepasser-by.”

Chancemove

DavidcametoStokeBruernebychance in1963,whenhewasa‘gentleman’ working-boatman,whohadpreviously beenanarticledclerktoa rmof Londonsolicitors.Hefoundhimself frozeninthereforthreemonthsinthe GreatFreezeof1963,andfellforthat canalsidevillage.

Hereturnedin1966,bynowmarried,

andasanewlyquali edO-Levelhistory teacherwithanappointmentatanearby secondaryschool.

Bychancethesemi-derelictWharf Cottagecameupforsaleatthattime, whichheandhiswifeJeanboughtand didup. eylivedinitfortheremainder oftheirlives,withvariousworkingboats mooredoutsideit.

Besidesbeingaboatman,David wasacanalauthor,musician,painter andeventorganiser.Whenthecanal museumatStokeBruernewasin dangerofbeingclosedin2006, heco-foundedtheFriendsofthe Museum,whichin2008organisedits rstofmanysuccessfulannualStoke BruerneAtWareventstoraisefunds forthemuseum.

RoySearshadmovedtothehouse nextdoortotheBlagrovesin1981, achievingwhathehadalwayswanted, whichwastohavehisnarrowboat mooredatthebottomofhisgarden. Hewasaspecialistprinter,retiring in2008.Hehelpeddesignand printvariousthingsforthevillage overtheyears,includingthecanal festivalprogrammesandthevillage Christmascards.

Hewasafoundermemberofthe Friends,andanactiveparticipantin itsfundraisingevents.Heheldthepost oftheStokeBruernerepresentativeon thethenCRT’sMuseumManagement Board.FollowingDavid’sdeath,Roy wasveryactiveintheformationand

earlyrunningofthattrust.In 2018hewastragicallykilledina motoraccident.

Followingtheconclusion offormalities,thepartyretired to eBoatInn,whereDavid intimespastwasoftentobe foundintheoldbar,beloved oftheworkingboatmen.Here hewouldholdinformaljam sessions,withhimsingingsongs–many ofthemhisown–andaccompanying himselfonhisaccordion.

InDavid’sfuneraleulogy,Iquotedthat linefromKitto’s eGreeks:“ eGreeks regardedthegreatestachievementina man’slifetoberememberedafterhis death,witha ection,byhisfriends.” Thiscommentcouldequallyhave appliedtoRoy.

Happytimes:RoySearsasCaptainMainwaringwithformerSecond WorldWar‘IdleWomen’canalvolunteersSoniaRolt,right,andOlga Kevelos.DavidBlagrove’shouse,WharfCottage,isseenacrossthe canal.

NewhandonthetilleratLCC

FOLLOWINGLich eldCruising Club’srecentannualmeeting,club memberJoanSurplicewaselected asitsnewcommodore.

Joan,togetherwithhusbandLes, joinedLCCin2015andoverthelast veyearshasservedontheclub’s boardassecretary. Lich eldCruisingClubisbased atHuddlesfordjustoutsidethecity ofLich eldontheCoventryCanalat itsjunctionwiththeformerWyrley andEssingtoncanals. Itcantraceitshistoryonthis sitebacktothe1950s,whena smallgroupofearlyleisureboaters startedmooringonthesitewith permissionoftheBritishWaterways lengthsman. iscasualassociation eventuallyledtotheformalised leasingofthesiteandthederelict silted-uparmoftheWyrley& Essingtonwasdugoutoverthe yearstoprovidetheexcellent mooringsnowenjoyedbytheclub.

eLCCheadquartersconsists oftwoformercanalcottagesdating backtotheopeningoftheCoventry Canalaround1790.Itwillbewell knowntomanyboatersasthevenue fortheHuddlesfordGathering.LCC currentlyhasaround160members, withsome60boatsmooredonsite. Joansaid:“Ifeelextremely privilegedtohavebeenelectedby themembershipandtobetrusted withtheongoingcareoftheclub.In myformerroleassecretaryIhave seentheclubgothroughaperiodof considerabledisruptionandchange duetothelossofsomeofourland andmoorings.

“Itisnowtimetosettleinto ourchangedenvironmentand torestorethestabilitywhichthe clubhasalwaysenjoyed.Iamvery muchlookingforwardtomynew roleandtothechallengesandnew opportunitieswhichthesechanges havebrought.”

At the first Stoke Bruerne at War eventin2008.DavidBlagrove(with bowlerhat)asMinisterforInland WaterwaysTransport,withformer ‘gentleman’working-boatmanKen RosebladeasWinstonChurchill. Davidwasverymuchaleading lightinmakingthisverysuccessful eventhappen.

Smilingthrough:SarahBorondy,daughterofDavidBlagrove,and ChrissySearsonRoySears’newlyopenedcanal-bankseat.

LichfieldCruisingClub’snewcommodoreJoanSurplice. PHOTOSUPPLIED

TheplaqueonDDaviid Blagrovee’s seat

Afterthecanalsidecommemoration,attendeesreturnedtoStoke BruerneforrefreshmentatTheBoatInn,nexttothelock.

CharactersoftheCut

AshleyWoodward,The BoatInn–afamily legacytobeadmired

ByAliceGriffin

STANDINGproudattoplockopposite thecountry’s rstcanalmuseum, e BoatInn,StokeBruerne,isattheheartof thecanalsystem.Independentlyowned andoperatedbytheWoodwardfamily since1877,fifth-generationAshley Woodwardisrightlyproudtobethe currentgeneralmanager.

OriginallyrentedfromtheDukeof Grafton’sWake eldestatein1877and purchasedbytheWoodwardfamilyfor thegrandsumof£1000in1919,they arethoughttobethelongestlineageof licenseeinthecountry.“Wehavecarried thesamefamilynamethroughout 145-plusyearsandmuchofthefamily wasborninthepub!”Ashleytellsme.

Workingalongsidehisfather, NickWoodward,anduncle,Andrew Woodward,Ashleyshareswithmewhat beingbornintosuchabusinessislike. “IthasprosandconsbutultimatelyI’ve alwaysfeltprivilegedtobepartofthe legacy.Ialsolovethatpeoplefromall overtheworldtraveltoStokeBruerne becauseofitsrichhistorysoyougetto meetpeoplefromallwalksoflife.You’re nevershortofaninterestingstory!”

Anintricatepartofthehistory–not justofthisNorthamptonshirevillagebut alsothecanalsystem–it’sfascinating toseehow eBoatInnhasdeveloped overtheyears.Originallyaconvenient stoppingpointfortheworkingboats ofyesteryearontheirmainroute carryinggoodsbetweenLondon andBirmingham,it’snowapopular

locationforpredominantlyleisureand liveaboardboaters.

Ashleytellsmethatcamaraderieis stillaliveandwell,though:“ ereare stilltradersonthecanal,togetherwith privateboatownersandholidaymakers, andtheyoftenmeetat eBoatInnfor food,drinkanddiscussions.”

Notonlythat,butitappearscelebrities arenotuncommoneither!

“ emostrecentwasPeteWaterman whenhepassedthroughwhile lming CelebrityBritainbyBarge.Butwe’vehad RossKempeatingintherestaurantand SteveCooganintheloungebar.”

Perhapsmostinterestingly,though,is thatduringthe lmingofthe1945 lm, PaintedBoats,ayoungboywasrequired tocrossthelocksandasanactorwas unavailable,it’srumouredthatAshley’s grandfather–beingofcourseonsite–tooktheroleinstead!

Hiveofactivity

It’sencouragingtoseethatthrough theyearsthispubhasremainedsuch abustlinghiveofactivity.“Asafamily, wehavealwaysbeenquicktoadapt, whilealsomaintainingourprinciples andtraditions.”

Intheearly1960swhenthedecline

ofworkingtra cbegantotakehold, eBoatInnwasthe rstoutletin StokeBruernetoo ertouriststeasin itsconvertedboathorsestables,along withicecreamsonthetowpath.

“Eventuallyboattripswereo ered onour12-seaterpassengerboat Castle Rose andinthe1970sweextendedthe pubwiththeadditionofourloungebar, followedbyour rst- oorrestaurant.”

egrowthintourismhasseenthis publichousegofromstrengthto strengthandtothisdayaboattrip aboardnewerboat, IndianChief,anda canalsideicecreamarestillpopularfor asummertreat. isestablishmentisnotjustfor tourists,though,asduringlockdown itwasoneofthe rstpubstostart providinggroceriestolocalresidents. “Aswealreadyhadasmallshop,itwas relativelystraightforwardtoexpand ourselectiontocaterforawider preferenceofgoods. isprovedtobe anextremelypopularchoiceforpeople andwecontinuetoprovidegroceriesfor residentsandboaterstoday!”

Maintainingstronglinkswiththelocal communityisatoppriorityforAshley, andevenextendstotheupkeepofthis GradeIIlistedbuilding.

“Wheneverweneedsomething building,wetryto ndalocalartisan. Forinstance,thenewcanalside windowsforthetraditionalbarwere

madebespokebyalocalcarpenterwho haslivedinthevillageatleastallofmy lifetime.”Ashleyhasalsoheldopenmic nightsforcharityandaspartofmultiawardwinningacousticduo,Tu-kay andRyan,it’sclearthatmusicfeatures heavilyinhislife:“Mypassionismusic sotherecouldde nitelybemoreevents likethisinthefuture!”

Nomatterwhatthefutureholds, though,commitmenttothecustomer willbeattheheartofeverythingforall theteamat eBoatInn.

“Wehavehadtheprivilegeoflooking afterlotsofpeopleovertheyears fromsalt-of-the-earthtypestomany celebritiespassingthroughandwe intendtocontinuewiththislevelof customerservice,”Ashleysaid.

Facebook:@boatinnsb

Instagram:@theboatinnsb

Website:boatinn.co.uk

Ashley’sMusic:tukayandryan. co.uk

AliceGrif nisawriterandyogiwith agypsysoul.Sheleadsnatureinspiredjournalling,yogaand meditationcoursesasshewanders bywaterandroad.

Website:www.alicegriffin.co.uk YouTube:@wanderingalice

Ashley Woodward,with guitar–partof duoTu-Kayand Ryan. PHOTO:@ GAVINWALLACEPHOTO

TheBoatInnatStokeBruerne withitsthatchedroofandtripboat IndianChief mooredoutside.

An old picturre of The Boat Inn PHOTOSSUPPLIEDUNLESSINDICATED

Acanalsideviewfromthe first-floorrestaurant.

Bradleybranchandworkshop visitforNCAspringmeeting

MOREthan40delegatesfrom22 restorationsocietiesgatheredforthe springmeetingoftheNorthernCanals AssociationheldrecentlyatBradley,in theheartoftheBlackCountry.

Additionally,around10volunteers fromtheBradleyCanalRestoration Societyhelpedthedayrunsmoothly.

eire ortsrangedfromcarparkduties toaccompanyingthegroupsretracing theOldWednesburyLoopLine,Rotton BruntLineandtheBradleyLock Branchitself,leadingdowntowardsthe WalsallCanal.

Onthetour,delegatesheardabout plansforrestorationofthebranchand admiredtheworkbeingcarriedout bythevolunteersatthethreelower locksites.

Atthelocalprimaryschoolvenue –WilkinsonSchool,itselfbuiltonthe siteoftheformerprosperousWilkinson IronWorks–DavePearson,chairmanof theBCRS,andPhilClayton,renowned BCN(BirminghamCanalNavigations) canalauthor,outlinedthehistoryofthe branchandlookedattheplaceofits restorationwithintheBCN.

eschoolwasalsothesettingforthe NCA’supdatesessions,whererestoration societiestooktheopportunitytogive illustratedtalksontheirlatestnews.

eseincludedcontributionsfromthe NorthWalsham&Dilhamintheeast, Shrewsbury&Newportinthewest, theSomersetshireCoalCanalfromthe southandManchester’sUnderground Canalfromthenorth.

eotherkeyactivityforthedaywasa visittoBradleyCanal&RiverTrustlock gateworkshop.Here,SimonTurner, CRT’snationalworkshopmanager, showeddelegatesthevariousstagesof lockgateproduction. eseincluded adescriptionoftheoriginaltechnical sitevisit,technicaldrawings,timber selectionandironworkdecisions.

Theywerealsoshownthe manufacturingprocessitself,from

planing,cuttingmortiseandtenonjoints toshapingthequoinposts.

Althoughsomeofthemachinery usedismorethan50yearsold,visitors wereassuredthat,althoughacrosscut sawandhandaugerwereonshow, industrial-sizedchainsawsandpower toolsareusednowadays.

Thetourgaverestorationgroups thechancetoaskquestionsaboutthe leavestheywillneedforfuturelock restorations.However,thequestion stillarises–wherewillprivatecanal restorationgroupssourcetheirgatesin thefuture?

eNCA’sphilosophyistoinvolvethe localcommunity,wherepossible,with itsbiannualmeetings.

AtBradley,theopportunityarose. Here,theOldBushInnisadjacent tothein lledlineofthecanal. e inn’sprovisionofanIndianlunch

andsomeliquidrefreshmentwas muchappreciated.

NextmeetingoftheNCAistobeheld atRadcli eonSunday,October8,2023, closetothesiteoftheinfamous1936 breachontheManchester,Bolton& BuryCanal.Here,thelocalcanalsociety willlookat‘LevellingUpandUnlocking CanalDevelopment’,andexaminetwoof itsrestorationprojects,includingrepair tothebreach.

Additionally,membersofthegroup willshowhowtheircanalhasbecome afocalpointforartandcommunity developments.Asalways,therewillbe walksalongtheprojectsites.

Forfurtherinformation,please contactNCAchairmanIvanCane, atnorthern.canals2021@btinternet. com,orvisitwww.northerncanals.org

PHOTOS:NCA

NCAcanalwalk,withvisitorsadmiringtheworkrecentlyundertakenby BCRSvolunteersonPound8.

DavePearson,BRCSchairman,addressingtheNCAcanalwalkabout thesociety’sworkonPound8.

NCAcanalwalkatBradleyCanalLock9.

SimonTurner,CRTnationalworkshopmanager,outliningtheleaf manufacturingprocessattheBradleylockgateworkshop.

Simondescribingthedifferenttypesofpinsusedtoholdthegate.

GallowsInnLockopendaysees visitorsflocktoErewashCanal

Report&photos:LesHeath

ONEofthe14locksonthe 15-mileErewashCanalbecame atouristattractionoverthe winterwhentheCanal&River Trustinvitedthepublictoview a£204,000majorworksproject.

Despiteadampstartan opendayatGallowsInnLock attractednumerousvisitors thankstothelockstanding besidethemainA6007road intoIlkeston,Derbyshire. Theworkincludednew bottomgatesforthelock,

repairstothelockchamber brickwork,gaterelining, paddlerepairsandladder modifications.Repairshave alsobeencarriedoutona 70-metrestretchofthelock mooringwall.

Thelockwasoriginally builtin1779andnamedafter the200-year-oldGallowsInn whichservedtheoldboatmen ofyesteryearandalsoprovided refreshmentsontheopenday. Damswerecreatedforthe locktobedrainedbeforework couldbecarriedoutanda

viewingplatformabovethetop gatesallowedvisitorstolook intotheemptylock. Stallsforeducationand entertainmentwereprovided byCRTandmembersofthe ErewashCanalPreservation andDevelopmentAssociation mannedtheirownstand. estoppageforthework tobecarriedouthadtobe extendedbytwoweeksdue todelayscausedby ooding earlierintheyearwhich prevented oatingplantfrom reachingthesite.

Visitorsbegintoarrivedespitethewetstart.

Workbeingcarriedoutonthenewlockgatesduringtheopenday.

Visitorsontheviewingplatformabovethe emptylock.

Thedamkeepingwaterawayfromthe newlockgatesbeneaththeA6007road.

Steamship‘Danny’to beexhibitionvenue ontheRiverWeaver

THEChesterandMerseysideBranchof theInlandWaterwaysAssociation(IWA) hasagreedwiththeteamattheheritage steamship‘Danny’(DanielAdamson)for thevesseltohostarerunofthesuccessful RestorationShowcasepromotingcanal andnavigableriverprojects.

isdecisioncameaboutafterthe publicgavegreatsupporttoasimilarevent heldinCanningDock,Liverpoolin2019. eeventistotakeplaceonthe weekendofJuly29-30,duringschool holidays,whentheshipisberthedstatic atitsSuttonWeaverWharf.

Theorganisershopethatthe exhibition,whichwillbefreetoattend, willattractwaterwayenthusiasts,the generalpublicandfamiliestoseethe

workofvoluntaryorganisationsacross theNorthWestandWalesbringinglife backtolong-abandonedwaterways.

Launchedin1903,the Daniel Adamson isregisteredontheNational HistoricShipsregisteralongsidethe CuttySark andwillbeopentothepublic toenjoyitsArtDecoloungeswithhot drinks,snacksandalcoholicbeverages beingservedfromthegalley. erewill beadequateoutdoorspaceforfamilies topicnic.

e2019eventattractedmorethan 500visitorsdespiteatrociousweather andhad12organisationsdisplaying whileaCovid-cancelledeventplanned for2021had15organisationsaccepting invitations. eUKhasmorethan2000

milesofnavigablewaterwaysand restorationsocietiesarecommitted acrossthecountrytoexpanding thenetworkbringingmanymilesof neglectedandabandonedwaterways backtonavigablestandards.

IWAChester&Merseysidebranch chairmanJimForkinsaid:“ enavigable waterwaysintheUKcontributesome £2.5billiontotheeconomywhile providinga‘green’corridorfreefor peopletoenjoyandthat gurecangrow furtherifthesystemisfullyrestoredto itspreviousglory. eworkofthese societiesandtheirvolunteersneedsto bebroughttotheattentionofthepublic anddecisionmakersinsociety.”

‘Danny’volunteerLesGreenadded:

“Theteamwasdelightedwhenthe showcaseideawasputtous,bothto supportthesewonderfulsocietiesand forthe‘Danny’asasmallexhibition spacebeingabletoful litspotential asamulti-functionalassetforthelocal population.”

SuttonWeaverWharfisontheA56 7-8mileswestofWarringtonwithina mileofjunction12ontheM56motorway. ‘Danny’ismoorednexttotheswing bridge.

To ndoutmoresearchwww. thedanny.co.uk

WendoverCanalFamilyCampreturns

FAMILYCanalCampsareback!Join usfromApril14-16foraweekend offunenvironmentalactivitiesat WhitehousesPocketParkonthe WendoverArmoftheGrandUnion Canal,Buckinghamshire.

Activitieswillhelpenhance waterwaysforwildlifeandteach childrenwhatitisliketo‘livelike

WaterwaysRecoveryGroup CanalCampsareopenfor booking.Findoutmoreat:

https://waterways. org.uk/waterways/sites/ waterway-recovery-group/ events

anavvy’!IWAwillbeworkingwith WendoverCanalTrust.

Familycampsareopentofamilies withchildrenagedbetweensixand

LichfieldBranchoffside vegetationclearance

IWALich eldBranch hasbeenbusythis wintercuttingbackthe offsidevegetationin itsarea.

Startingat Willington,members workedtheirwayalong theTrent&Mersey

Canal&RiverTrust o cewiththeideaofa jointventure.

14;eachfamilycampcosts£25per personfortheweekend.Emailverena. leonardini@waterways.org.uktobook aplace.

Getinvolved–workpartydates

EAST

April2and18

IWANorthamptonBranch: Work partiesareusuallyheldoneweekday andoneSundayamonth,alongthe Arm,10am-2pm. etasksusually includevegetationclearance, weeding,litterpickingandpainting atlocks.Contact:Geo Woodatgeo wood@waterways.org.ukfordetails.

Tuesdays

IWAMiltonKeynesBranch: Regular workpartyatFennyLockontheGrand UnionCanal.9.30am-1.30pm.Work canincludevegetationclearance, gardening,litterpickingandpainting. Workpartiesaredependenton weatherbeingagreeable.Contact:Pat Durhamon07510195918;emailpat. durham@waterways.org.uk

WEST Tuesdays&Saturdays

IWAWestCountryBranch(Taunton &Bridgwater): Workpartiesin theSomersetarea,10am-1pm. Contact:MikeSladeatmike.slade@ waterways.org.uk;07977263840.

CanaltoFradley Junctionandhada littletimeleftovertodo some‘spot’trimming onthenorthernreaches oftheCoventryCanal. Theoffside vegetationoperation began veyearsago whenIWALichfield Branchmembersgot togetherwiththeirlocal

Theybegineach winterinOctober,and workstopsattheend ofFebruarywhenthe wildlifebeginsnesting. CRTsuppliesthetwo workboats–amotor andahopper/butty –alltheequipment andthetraining.IWA

Lich eld’svolunteers havethiswinter amassedmorethan 1600hours.

Volunteer co-ordinatorNeil Barnettsaid:“It’sagreat waytogetoutinthe

freshairandgetsome exercisetoo.Youwork withinyourphysical capabilitiesinthatyou doasmuchoraslittle asyoufeelcomfortable with. ebestaspect ofitisthecamaraderie andbanter.”

Therearealso othervolunteering opportunities throughouttheyearfor bothoutdooractivities andforhelpingwith thegeneralrunningof thebranch.

Formoreinformation pleasegetintouch atNeil.Barnett@ waterways.org

Successfultaskdayat NorthamptonBranch

IWANorthamptonBranchheld averysuccessfultaskdayonthe NorthamptonArmonFebruary24 with27volunteersattending.

eyclockedup131volunteerhours andmanagedtogetalotdone.Ten birdboxeswereinstalledonmature treesintheareaadjacenttolocks8to 10andtowpathpotholeswere lled inwithaggregateadjacenttolocks8, 9,10and11. Eightsaplingtreeswereplanted nexttothelaidhedgeanditstopwas cutbackandtrimmed.Raisedparts

oftheaccesstrackweredugoutby handusingmattocks,spadesand rakes,whichwillnowgiveadequate clearancefortheundersideofvehicles. eyalsoclearedanareaforapassing placeabouthalfwaydownthetrack.

OnMarch5,22volunteersattended andcarriedoutvegetationwork betweenlock14androadbridge9B. eytrimmedabout200metresof hedge,pickedlitterfromlock14tothe greenbridgeafterlock15andcutout threetreestumpsontheo sidebelow Lock14.

LichfieldvolunteersusingCRTworkboat Fazeley toreachoffside vegetation. PHOTOSUPPLIED

Youngstershelpingtoinstallabughotelatlastyear’sWendover CanalFamilyCamp. PHOTOSUPPLIED

DanielAdamson moorednear SuttonWeaverSwingBridge.

PHOTO:JANETRICHARDSON

Trainingcrewsready foranewseason

NationalCommunityBoats Associationpressofficer MadhurikaWalshkeepsus uptodatewiththelatest trainingactivities.

WITHthenewcommunityboating seasonfastapproaching,membersof ourseniortrainingteamareonceagain outonthewaterrunninginstructor trainingcoursesforavarietyofour projects.Thiswillenablethemto continuetheirexcellentworkinboth trainingmembersofthepublicand volunteersattheirprojectstoskipper boatsontypeAandBwaterways.

Wehavemanagedtoassistallour projectsduringthepandemicby removingalltheNCBAmembership fees,whichwewillbedoingonce againforthe2023/24season;thiswas agreedatourrecentannualmeeting inNottingham. erefore,ifyouare acommunity-basedprojectandnot currentlyamember,nowwouldbean excellenttimetojoinus.Indoingso, thiswillgiveyouaccesstoourwebsite containingawealthofwaterways knowledgeandtrainingmaterials.

Bybecomingamember,andwith theappropriatetraining,yourproject couldtrainnumerouscoursesfrom ourboathandlingcourse,throughto ourCertificateinCommunityBoat Management(CCBM)whichisidealfor boatsthatcarry12passengers.

Youwouldalsobeabletoo erboth juniorandseniorCommunityCrew courseswhichstartfromtheageof eightupwards.

eNCBAisrunbyasmallgroup ofvolunteertrusteesandcurrentlywe arelookingfornewmemberstojoin ourboard.Weareinterestedinhearing fromanyone,notnecessarilyfroma boatingbackground,althoughinsome circumstancesthatcouldbeuseful.

Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformation abouttheNationalCommunity BoatsAssociationorhowto becomeamember,pleasecontact itschairman,PaulUnwin,byemail at:paul@national-cba.co.uk

Communitynarrowboat MarySunley2 windingatMarpleJunctionwheretheMacclesfieldandPeakForestcanalsmeet.

PHOTOS:PAULUNWIN

SuccessfulCCBMcandidateswithMarkSimmonsfromHillingdonNarrowboatsAssociationanditsboat Spirit

Fireevacuationtraining.

Successfulcandidatesafteratrainingcourseon Cecilia

They’renotmakingthemanymore

JonathanMosse’s

monthlylookatfreight developmentsonthe inlandwaterways.

“BUYland,they’renot makingitanymore”; thusgoesawell-known observationattributed toMarkTwain.Much thesamethingcouldbe saidaboutportsscattered aroundtheperipheryof theUnitedKingdom.

Sowhenconfronted byaheadlinesuchas: ‘Councillorsvoteto closePerthHarbouras acommercialport’it’s clearlytimetoreviewalloptions,just asthegoodburghersofPerthareclearly reviewingtheirs!

Perthharbourhas onlyseenoneshipso farthisyear. If

NowitshouldberememberedIdon’t operateacommercialvessel,nordoI holdacurrentMCABoatmastersticket toskipperone.Mysolejusti cation foradeepcommitmenttopromoting inlandwaterwaysfreightliesinan overridingconcernfortheimpactof globalwarmingandthedestructive in uenceitishavingonthisplanetand itsinhabitants.

Havingneithertheenergynorthe youthofaGreta unberg,IIooktothe low-hangingfruitamongtheavailable meansofredressingtheproblemandwhat jumpsoutatmearethebene tsofmoving asmuchfreightontothewaterwaysasis humanlypracticable,preferablyaboard vesselspoweredbysustainablefuels–largelyhydrotreatedvegetableoil(HVO) atthisstageofthegame.

PerthandKinrossCouncilemploys CalmacastheCompetentHarbour Authorityatasubstantialfixed costregardlessofshippingtraffic.

i

Whilerailwaysarean attractiveproposition, intermsofthefuel requiredtomovea tonneofgoodsovera mile,waterways–at somethingratherlessthanaquarterof thefuelrequirementwhencompared witharoad-goinglorry–clearlyneedto begivengreaterprominence.Ofcourse itgoeswithoutsayingthataquarterof thefuelconsumedmeansaquarterof theharmful,global-warmingemissions produced–farlesswherebiofuelssuch asHVOareemployed.

Meanwhile,what exactlyisgoingonin thechambersofPerth andKinrossCouncil?

Andwhydopoliticians –bothlocalandnational –struggletoacknowledge theunassailable environmentalbene tsof waterwaysfreight?

Sorryreading

I’llnotattemptananswer tothesecondquestion (althoughthecurrent

realitybeggarsbelief)butclearlythe councilisupagainstaproblem,whether thatbeofitsownmakingorotherwise. ThePerthHarbourBusinessPlan publishedattheendofJanuary,although averycomprehensivedocument,makes somewhatsorryreading,identifyinga catalogueofcostsandliabilitiesthat, withcurrentlevelsoffreighttra c,are lightyearsawayfrombeingmet.

Inessence,Perthisaninlandport,not dissimilartoHowdenontheRiverOuse, capableofhandlingshipsupto90min lengthwitha2500-tonnecapacity.At itspeakin1990,more than300vesselsusedthe port.Accessisrestricted locallybyasandbar thatbuildsacrossthe harbourentranceandby thedredgeddepthofthe approachviatheRiver Tay,whichisinturn restrictedbypipelines laidunderitsbed.

Theyellowbuoy delineatestheentrance channel,only50%of whichisavailabledue tosilting.

Shippinghad dwindledto24vessels inthe2020-21 nancial year(justfourlast year)whenthecouncil

SUBSCRIBETODAY

Tugandbargecollect1500tonsofaggregatefroma‘virtualquarry’ (suppliedfromScotland)intheThamesEstuaryfordeliveryintoLondon. PHOTOS:JONATHANMOSSE

identi eda£192,500operatingde cit, whileacknowledgingthattheharbour operationsupports54jobs,contributing £3.9millionGrossValueAdded(GVA) locally.Projectedshipnumbersof59 in2025-26wouldreducethede cit to£131,000and120shipswouldbe requiredtobreakeven.

Modalshift

Withinastrict nancialarena,council reportingisstrongandevengoesasfar asrecognisingtheport’swiderimpact, supporting£5.5millionGVAand74jobs Scotland-wide.Withaclearpreference forclosingtheharbouritgoesonto pointoutthatthese nancialbene ts wouldstillaccruefollowingclosure,as goodswouldsimplyundergoamodal shifttoroad.Which,inenvironmental terms,iswhereitshootsitselfinits proverbialfoot.Byitsownaccounting, 33,000tonnesofcargopassedoverthe quayin2020-21,representingaround 1650lorryloadsclutteringuplocal

roads,impactingthehealth(short-and long-term)ofitslocalcounciltaxpayers.

Modalshift,asagovernment-funded initiative,isactuallydesignedtowork intheoppositedirection,gettingfreight o theroadsandontorailwaysand waterways!Atnopointhasanyone consideredsustainabilityandhowthe RiverTay,inconjunctionwithPerth Harbour,couldbedevelopedinabidto combatglobalwarming.

Coasters,capableofpenetrating asfarinlandasPerthHarbour,are steadilybecomingathingofthepast, givingwaytoacombinationoflarge vesselsdischargingatdeep-seaports inconjunctionwithtugsandbarges completingthe nalleg, ames-style. Asuccessfulformulaistomajoron bulkaggregates,throwinaconcrete batchingplantandsuddenlyonehas thebasisofaworkableblueprintfor survival…andtherationalebehindthis feature ndingitswayintoaninland waterwaysfreightcolumn!

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Exploringyourcanal ancestry:findingtoll andgaugingrecords

NicolaLislecontinues herfamilyhistoryseries bylookingathowtoll, gaugingandothersimilar recordscanhelpyou discovermoreaboutyour ancestors.

BEFOREnationalisationin1948,canal boatsplyingtheirtradeonBritain’scanal networkweresubjecttotolls,which werebasedontheweightofaboat’s cargo. etollswerepayabletothecanal companiesandformedasigni cantpart oftheirincome.Additionaltollswere leviedfortheuseofboatlifts,inclined planesandtunnels.

Allworkingboatshadtobe tted withcalibratedgaugingplates,placed oneithersideofthebowandstern,then calibratedbytakingmeasurementsof theheightofthegunwalesatwater levelbothwithandwithouttheboat’s normalcargo.Tollticketswerethen issuedtotheboatmenshowingthetype andweightoftheircargo,andgauging certi catesweresenttoeverytollo ce ontheboat’stradingroutesothatthe tollcollectorcouldcheckthecargoand

collecttheappropriatetoll.

Cargoeswereusuallycheckedwith agaugingstick,andanexampleof oneusedontheBirminghamCanal NavigationscanbeseenattheNational WaterwaysMuseuminGloucester. Somecanalsusedweighingmachines, butthiswascomparativelyrare. eonly survivingexampleintheUKisatthe NationalWaterfrontMuseum,Swansea, havingbeentransferredtherefrom e CanalMuseumatStokeBruernein2013.

emachinewasdesignedandbuilt bythePontypridd-basedBrown,Lennox andCompanyin1834andwasusedat variouspointsontheGlamorganshire Canalformorethan100years.

Tollpointsweregenerallyplacedat signi cantpointsonthecanals,suchas canaljunctionsandbusylocks,toensure tollswerepaidtothecorrectcanal companyandtomaketollavoidance asdi cultaspossible.

Findingtollandgaugingrecords

egoodnewsforfamilyhistoriansis thatthistollsystemhasleftuswitha varietyofusefulrecords,allofwhichcan helplinkancestorswithspeci cboats andcanalroutes,aswellasproviding otherusefulinformation.

Detailsonthegaugingcerti cates typicallyincludedtheboat’sname andnumber,owner’sname(either

anindividualorcanalcompany), dimensions,weightwhenloadedand dateofrecording.Tollticketsincluded thenameoftheboatmanandhissteerer, thetypeandweightofcargo,canalroute andthenameoftheowner.

Betweenthem,theserecordscan helpyoutodiscoverorcon rmmore detailsaboutyourancestor. eunique gaugingnumbercanclarifytheidentity ofyourancestor’sboatandperhapslead tootherinformationabouttheboat’s originandhistory,whileotherdetails canhelppiecetogetheryourancestor’s tradingroutesandthetypeofcargoes hecarried.

Agoodplacetostartyourresearch isTheWaterwaysArchive(https:// canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoythe-waterways/canal-history/ the-waterways-archive).

Thecollectionincludesgauging books,registers,tablesandcerti cates, aswellastolltickets,loadingticketsand otherassociatedrecords,mostlyfrom themid-19thcenturyonwards,and thereislotsofinformationtobegleaned fromthese.

‘Throughtraffic’recordsfor PaddingtonTollO ce(pictured),for example,includedetailsoftheboat owner,steerer,theroutetaken,andthe typeandweightofthecargo. edaily ‘passingsofboats’recordsnotedwhen

boatspassedsigni cantpointsonthe canals,suchastunnels,locksandtoll houses,andtheseincludethenamesof theboatownerandcrew,whiletonnage booksrecordedtheboatname,steerer, date,cargoanddestination.

Localarchivesmayalsoholdgauging, tollandothercanaltra crecords. Familyhistorysocietiesareworth checkingouttoo,astheymayhave transcribedandpublishedsomeof theserecords.

Anotherveryusefulresourceis TheEurekaPartnership(https:// eurekapartnership.com),which hastranscribedandpublished gaugingrecordsforseveralcounties, includingBedfordshire,Berkshire, Buckinghamshire,Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire,Oxfordshire, Surrey,Warwickshire,Wiltshire andWorcestershire.

InOxfordCanalMiscellany,for example(published2014),thereisa

transcriptionofagaugingcerti cate book for the Oxford Canal Company fromtheearly20thcentury.Anentry fortheboat reeSisters (boatnumber 5059)notesthattheownerisGeorge GranthamofBanbury,theboat’ssizeis 74.6x7.1,thedraughtwhenladenwith 40tonsis49.83,anditwasweighedon January22,1906.

TheNationalArchives(www. nationalarchives.gov.uk)alsoholds someinformationrelatingtoformer canalcompanies,includingsome gaugingregisters. esearemostly tobefoundunderRAIL,asmany canalcompaniesweretakenoverby railcompanies.

TollrecordsfortheShropshireUnion RailwayandCanalCompany,for example,canbefoundatRAIL623/64, whilegauging,tonnageandtraffic registersfortheBirminghamCanal NavigationCompanycanbefoundin RAIL810.

TheoldPaddingtonTollHouse,LittleVenice.

PHOTO:NICOLALISLE

Heritageunderthehammer

AcastironregistrationplateandaguidetotheNorfolk Broadsdatingbackatleast100yearsaretwoitems thatmaketheheadlinesinGeoffCourtney’sbi-monthly round-upofcanaliasoldatauctioninrecentmonths.

THEregistrationplatewasBCN1461, whichsoldfor£70inaliveonlineGreat CentralRailwayanaauctiononFebruary 18.ItwasfromBirminghamCanal Navigations,oneoftheworld’smost intricatecanalnetworksthatcomprises 100milesofnavigablecanalsconnecting Birmingham,Wolverhamptonandthe easternpartoftheBlackCountry.

Inthesameauction,aframedBritish RailwayscarriageprintoftheRiver WharfeinYorkshire,illustratingleisure craftandarowingpair,fetched£30.Itwas theworkofFrankSherwin(1896-1986), arespectedDerbyshire-bornmaritime andlandscapeartist,andincludedin thelotwasanothercarriageprint,of theYorkshirespatownofHarrogate byJackMarriott. eregistrationplate andcarriageprintpricesexcludebuyer’s premiumof15%(+VAT).

Transportcollectablesspecialist

Paperchasefrequentlyincludesinits quarterlyemailandpostalauctions itemsthatappealtoenthusiastsofinland waterways,especiallythosewhoseinterest isintheirdevelopmentandhistory,and its800-lotauctionthatranfromJanuary 14-31continuedthattheme.

Fivesuchitemsofcanaliawent underthehammerand,aseverwith Paperchase,therealisationscould de nitelyberegardedasbargains.Top

TheRiverWharfecarriageprint thatsoldatauctionfor£30.

oftheselectionat£42wasacoloured eight-pagelea ettitledHowtoArrange aHolidayontheNorfolkBroads, publishedbytheGreatEasternRailway.

ecoverfeaturedaphotographofa wherrythatepitomisestheBroadsand thedateofpublicationwasestimatedby Paperchasetobecirca1900s,andwould certainlyhavebeenpre-1923,astheGER becamepartoftheLNERonJanuary1 thatyearfollowingthecreationofthe ‘BigFour’railwaycompanies.

At£22cameanActofParliament dated1791forbuildingacanalfrom BirminghamtojointheRiverSevern nearWorcester–nowthe29-mile Worcester&BirminghamCanal–while 50black-and-whitenegativesofthe railwaysoftheManchesterShipCanal takenin1969wentunderthehammer forthesameprice.

SpringinSaxilby

BargeBeagle–sniffingoutgood findsforcrewswithcanines

Wordsandphotos:AlisonAlderto

HolidaysontheNorfolkBroads wasthesubjectofaGreatEastern Railwaybookletthatrealised£42 atauction.

Finallyforcanaliacollectorstherewas aSevernNavigationCompanyprospectus fromthe1820sthatsoldfor£19,anda secondActofParliament,forbuilding acanalfromtheRiverDeeinChester toMiddlewichdated1772(£13).Prices excludebuyer’spremiumof12.5%.

PaperchaseprincipalBrianMoakes told TowpathTalk:“ erearesigns ofincreasinginterestininland waterwaysmemorabilia,possiblydue tothehistoricallinksbetweencanaland railwaycompanies. eauctionprices aregenerallynotevenclosetosome oftheheadyrailwayanarealisations, butIamdelightedtobeo eringthem throughPaperchase.”

Tallshipshipshapethanksto£1.8mgrant

Wordsandphotos:HughDougherty

GLASGOW’stallship, Glenlee,hasbeenhandedalifeline witha£1.8milliongrantfromtheNationalHeritage MemorialFund’sCovid-19ResponseFund. ecashwillensurethatthe126-year-oldClyde-built cargosailingshipfacesasecurefutureafterdoubtswere raisedabouttheboat’sviabilitybecauseoftheneedfor extensiverepairs.

FionaGreer,theTallShip Glenlee developmentdirector, said:“ e£1.8mfundingisalifelineformaintainingour belovedClydebuiltvessel. etallshipepitomisesthe lastepochofsailingshipsintheworldandhasbecome aniconicpartoftheGlasgowskylineandofthecity’s culturalheritage.”

Workwillbecarriedoutontheshipoverthenexttwo yearswhenrepairstothecargohold,mainandmizzen mastsandfo’c’sledeckwillbecarriedout,whilethe chartroomwillberefurnishedthankstoadditionalsupport

fromMuseumsGalleriesScotlandand eFriendsof GlasgowMuseums.

DrSimon urley,NationalHeritageMemorialFund chairman,saidhewasthrilledforthefundtobeableto makethegrant,whileHannahCunli e,NationalHistoric Fleetdirector,said:“Glenlee isahighlysigni cantvessel onourregister,beingasymbolofglobaltradeandarare survivingexampleofherkind.”

BuiltatBayYardatPortGlasgowin1896using Lanarkshiresteel, Glenlee carriedcargoesallovertheworld andreturnedtotheClyde30yearsagoin1993afterbeing savedfromscrappinginSeville,followingseveralyearsin servicewiththeSpanishNavyasasailtrainingship.

ShewasoriginallydockedontheClydeatitsharbour pumphouse,beforebeingmoveddownrivertodrydockin Greenockforrepairsin2010. Glenlee wasmovedin2011 tohercurrentberthoutsidetheRiversideMuseumwhere shecomplementsthemuseum’stransportcollectionand welcomesthousandsofvisitorseveryyear.

THEvillageofSaxilby, ontheFossdykeCanal aroundsixmilesfrom Lincoln,isapopular stopoverforboaters. Famedforits shand chipshop,thisvillageha muchmoretoo erify delvealittledeeper. Saxilbyhaslongbeenapopular portofcallforBargeBeagleandwe havevisitedinallseasons.However inspring,whenthecherrytreeslining thewaterfrontareinblossomandthe da odilsandtulipsareburstinginto life,thevillageisatitsmostdelightful. Atthe72-hourmooringsthereis plentytodiscover. efootbridgeis onthesiteofaformerswingbridge and,priortothat,adrawbridge. Theinterpretationboardsoffer fascinatingglimpsesintothehistory buttofullyexploremoreofthevillage, pickupaHistoryTraillea et(available fromadispenseratthepicnicarea adjacenttothemoorings)andenjoy awalk. etrailguidesyouaroundthe village,pointingoutsitesofinterest. Twentyofthesearemarkedwithblue plaquesdepictingthebuildingsinold blackandwhitephotographssoyou canseehowtheyhavechangedover theyears.

Althoughstartingattherailway station,ashortwalkfromthe moorings,thetrailcanbepickedup fromanyofthemarkedwaypoints tocreateyourownroute. ereare

interestinginsightsinto heformeruseofmany uildingsinthevillageas asnamechanges.For instance,TheAnglerspublic housewaspreviouslytheRailway Hotelbutfollowinganinfluxof anglersfromYorkshireduringthelate 19thcentury,whenasmanyas1000 wouldarriveforweekendmatches,the landlordchangeditsname.

Mostofthewalkisalongsidethe road,sotimeyourwalktoavoidpeak tra cperiods. efootpathsarea goodwidthandmosthavegrassy borders,idealforyourdogtosnu e.

eWarMemorialPlayingFieldisa goodsizewhereawalkaroundthe perimeter,perhapspausingtowatch thechildrenplayingfootball,will makeapleasantdiversionforyour caninecompanion.

Saxilbyhasmorethantheusual numberofpubs,cafesandtakeaways foravillageofitssizeandBargeBeagle recommendsdog-friendlyScrummies Cafe,originallyabutcher’sshop,asa delightfulplacetositoutside,enjoya drinkandbitetoeat,beforeheading backtothewaterfront.

Usefulinformation

Todiscovermore,listentooral historyanddownloadacopyof thehistorytrail,visittheSaxilby andDistrictHistoryGroupat: www.saxilbyhistory.org

PHOTO: PAPERCHASEAUCTIONS

PHOTO:GREATCENTRALRAILWAYANA

Tallship Glenlee mooredalongside Glasgow’sRiverside Museum.The£1.8 milliongrantwill keepherafloatand opentovisitors.

Saxilby’sfamous‘chippy’.

Theoldbridge.

History Trail leaflet

TheAnglers.

HeritageTrailblueplaque.

Underthecherrytreesalongthe waterfront.

Narrowboatonthe mooringsatSaxilby.

MoretoenjoyatMoirafestival

THEannualMoiraCanalFestival willtakeplaceovertheweekendof May20-21onthebanksoftheAshby Canal,Leicestershire,lookedover bytheimpressiveGradeII-listed MoiraFurnace.

Lastyearwasthemostsuccessfulyet, sotheorganisershavehighhopesfor thisyear’sevent. erewillbeawide varietyofattractionswithboats,ofcourse, andtheMilitaryWivesChoir,HeyBeatles tributebandandtradjazz.Alsothe

BattleofBritainMemorialFlightFlypast, children’sentertainment,Morrisdancing, classiccars,bar,refreshments,stallsand exhibits–andofcourseMotherDuckand theannualAshbyCanalDuckRace!

erestoredAshbyCanalhereis currentlyisolatedfromthenetwork, buttherearelong-termplanstoconnect fromtheterminusatSnarestoneto MeashamandMoira.

Furtherinformationisavailablefrom moiracanalfestival@outlook.com

LandahoyforglassartistKathryn

YOUcannowvisitcanalglassartist

KathrynWebleyinhernewland-based Micro-GallerybytheChesterfield CanalinWorksop’sCreativeVillage. Manyofyouwillbefamiliarwith Kathryn’scanal-inspiredfusedglass windows,portholes,picturesand sculptures.Sheregularlyexhibitsat CrickandtheIWA’sAugustFestivals.

ShehasalsobeenfeaturedinTV programmesforthewindowsshe madefor Rachmaninov, knownas ePianoBoat,whichfeaturedin Channel4’sMyFloatingHomeinJuly 2021andshewasawinningartiston BBC’sHomeisWheretheArtIs.

Kathrynmakesallherglasswork fromapurpose-built28ftnarrowboat called ePod atherownmooringon theChester eldCanal.

Whythenewlandbase?

“I’mstillmakingallmyglassa oat aboard ePod,”saidKathryn.“But boaterscannodoubtrelatewhen IsayIwasrunningoutofspace!

Spaceforstoringwork,spacefor packagingwebordersandthe nal strawwaswhenIstartedmakinglarge outdoorsculptures.”

Shestartedlookingforstorage optionsandthoughtitwasalongshot whensheenquiredwithBassetlaw DistrictCouncilaboutspaceat Worksop’sCreativeVillage.

“Iwasreallyluckythatastudio hadjustbecomeavailable,”Kathryn continued.“ elocationisperfect.It iscanalsideandjust10minutes’walk frommymooring.

“WhenIviewedit,Iimmediately realisedthatitwouldnotonlysolvemy storageproblems,butitcouldalsobe anexhibitionspacewherecustomers couldvisit.”

Kathrynstartedrunningopendays attheMicro-GallerybeforeChristmas andwasdelightedwiththeinterest. Shewasabletocatchupwithboaters whohadcommissionedherworkin thepastplusalsotomeetlocalpeople fromWorksopwho,whenwalking onthetowpath,hadseenKathryn workingon ePod andwereintrigued toseewhatshehadbeenmaking.

Sheadded:“Oneofthebestthings abouthavingmyownexhibition spaceisthatIcansit,haveachat withcustomersandevenmakethem acuppa.”

What’snext Kathryniscurrentlyworkingonanew rangeofsculpturebaseduponthe Chester eldCanal,includingsome

moreoutdoorpieces.Sheexplained:“In 2020IreceivedanArtistsInformation CompanyandArtsCouncilEngland bursarytodevelopgardensculpture andnowwiththegalleryI’mthinking big,butjustnottoobigorelseI’llbe runningoutofspaceagain!”

Shewillbeexhibitingataseriesof opendaysatherMicro-Gallerystarting

ontheEasterweekendandcontinuing onthesecondweekendofeachmonth untilSeptember.

Nearerthetime,shewillpublicise datesfromOctober-Decemberforthe leaduptoChristmas. Forfulldetailsofopendaysand othereventsshe’llbeattending,visit www.pod4art.com

Opendays: April7-9;May13-14;June10-11;July8-9;August12-13; September9-10.

Events: CrickBoatShow,May27-29;BelvoirCastleFlowerShow (July15-16);IWAFestivalofWater–Pelsall(August26-28);Artinthe Gardens–Shef eldBotanicalGardens(September2-3).

AvarietyofvisitingboatsontheAshbyCanalfortheMoiraCanalFestival.

MoiraCanalFestival’sMotherDuckandducklings. PHOTOSSUPPLIED

Kathrynwithacommissioncanal boatdoorpanel. PHOTOSSUPPLIED

Kathryn with a commission canal

KathrynwithherMicro-Gallerydisplay.

April1

NewarkHeritageBarge: Leicester Trader– rstopendayofthisyearwill bepartofafundraisingdayforourlocal hospiceBeaumondHouse.Itwillbean afternoonofmusicandfundraisingstalls andattheend,projectleaderLesReid willbetakingpartinasponsoredbeard chop-o .24 eWeavers,NewarkNG24

4RY.Facebook:NewarkHeritageBarge

LeicesterTrader.

April4

WorcesterBirmingham&Droitwich CanalsSociety: RogerButlermakesa returnafteralmostnineyearswitha newtalkentitledWondersoftheWest Country. emeetingroombehind e Weighbridge,Alvechurch.Meetingstarts at7.45pm.Freeadmission.Smallcharge forhotdrinkandbiscuits.Allwelcome.

April7-10

NewarkHeritageBarge: Leicester Trader–Easterpublicopendays. MuseumbargeofRiverTrenthistory. NewarkRiversideParkNG241BN.

Facebook:NewarkHeritageBarge LeicesterTrader.

Canal&RiverTrust: EasterBoat GatheringattheNationalWaterways Museum,EllesmerePortCH654FW.To registeraboat,call01513555017orgo viathelinkfromtheeventscalendarat www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

RCTA: Easter oatingmarketonthe towpathoftheGrandUnionCanal1000ft from eGlobeInntowardsLeighton Lock,LeightonBuzzard,Central BedfordshireLU72TA.Formoredetails: https://www.rcta.org.uk

April8

Lichfield&HathertonCanals

RestorationTrust: Eric’sAll-dayEaster Co eeMorninginmemoryofDoreen

IfyouwantyoureventlistedinourfreemonthlyWhat’sOnsectionemailyourentryto jrichardson@mortons.co.ukorusetheeventsformatwww.towpathtalk.co.uk/events

Pleasecheckwithorganiserswhethertheeventisgoingaheadbeforesettingouton yourjourney.

Woodwithproceedsgoingtothetrust. Barbecueandrefreshments;plants, booksandbric-a-bracandasaleof paintingsbylocalartist.6SwanCottages, BurtonRoad,Whittington(bythecanal bridge)WS149NP,10am-4pm;free admission.www.LHCRT.org.uk

April10

ErewashPreservation&Development

Association: OpendayatSandiacreLock Cottages,Sandiacre,NottinghamNG10 5LA,10.30am-3.30pm.www.ecpda.org. uk–alsoApril16.

April11

IWANorthampton: Acenturyof boatwomen–one-womantheatreshow withKateSa n. eBoatInn,Stoke Bruerne.2.30pm.

April14

IWANorthStaffordshire&South

Cheshire: Challengestoourwaterways ofclimatechangewithspeakerfrom Canal&RiverTrust.Stoke-on-Trent BoatClub,EndonWharf,PostLane, Endon,Stoke-on-TrentST99DU,7.45 for8pm.Admissionfree,donations towaterwaycauseswelcomed, refreshmentsavailable.Non-IWA memberswelcome.Contactsocialsec. nssc@waterways.org.uk

April16

FriendsofMontgomeryCanal: Spring walkwithtwoseparatewalks(2.5 milesand6.5miles)bothstartingfrom RedwithBridgeCottageatMortonSY10 8BG,parkingavailable.

April19

IWALichfield: Chasingtheboats–presentationbyrenownedwaterways photographerKevMaslin.Martin HeathHall,ChristchurchLane,off WalsallRoad,Lich eldWS138AY,7.15 for7.30pm.

EastergatheringatEllesmerePort

April20

IWAMiltonKeynes: HanaWilsontalks abouttheBataCanal,largely nanced bytheBatashoecompanyintheCzech Republic.Severelydamagedduringthe SecondWorldWar,muchofithasnow beenrestored.BletchleyConservative Club,105-111QueenswayMK22DN, startingat7.45pm.

April23

Drifters: NationalOpenDaysat variouslocations,seewww.drifters.co.uk

April26

IWAChilternBranch: EssexWaterways byJohnPomfret.RWTHeritageCentre, BatchworthLock,RickmansworthWD3 1JJ,7pm.Admission:IWAmembers £3;guests£5,refreshmentsincluded. Contactjohn.brice@waterways.org.uk forfullprogramme.

April28-May1

WorcesterBirmingham&Droitwich CanalsSociety: StRichardsCanal Festival.Livemusicandrealalebar Friday5-11pm;Saturday-Monday10am5pm,alsotraders.Foodstallsthroughout theeventatVinesPark,DroitwichSpa WR98LB.www.wbdcs.org.uk

April29-May1

NorburyCanalFestival: Freeevent raisingmoneyforlocalcharitieswith historiccanalboatsandtradersmoored alongthecanalaswellasstallsonthe towpathandafunfair.NorburyJunction, ShropshireUnionCanal,Sta ordshire ST200PN,10am-4pmeachday.

IWACanalwayCavalcade: Annual celebrationwithcolourfulcraftofall shapesandsizes,illuminatedboat parade,children’sentertainment, numerousstalls,arealalebarandvariety ofcuisine.BrowningsPool,LittleVenice W92PF/W26NE.

DOZENSofhistoricboatsfrom acrossthecountrywillcongregateat theNationalWaterwaysMuseumin EllesmerePortfortheannualEaster BoatGatheringFestivalovertheApril bankholidayweekend(April7-10).

HostedbytheCanal&RiverTrust, thefour-dayfestivalo ersvisitors theopportunitytogetupcloseto fascinatingoldworkingboatsaswell asthelatestleisurenarrowboatsand enjoyarangeofwaterway-themed activitiesandmusic.

Newthisyearwillbethechance toboardahistoricbustoridetothe museum’so -sitestoreofoldboats, notnormallyopentothepublic.And waterwaybookwormscandigfornew treasureinafabulouscollectionof canal,maritimeandcoastalvolumes donatedforsalebythefamilyofproli c waterwayresearcherandwriterTerry Kavanagh,withproceedsgoingtothe NationalWaterwaysArchive.

Locatedatthejunctionofthe ManchesterShipCanalandthe ShropshireUnionCanal,the museumsitewillstageawide rangeofspecialattractionsfrom craftworkshops,producestallsand lockdemonstrationstochildren’s activitiesandsteamenginesworking inthePowerHall. erewillalsobe achancetoseefascinatingrarecanal treasuresatthearchive,givingvisitors

thepotentialtotrackdowntheirown long-lostfamilyconnectionstothe nation’shistoriccanalnetwork.

Foot-tappingmusicwillbe providedbycostumedbuskersandthe MerseyMorrisMenandvisitorswill alsobeabletoenjoyshortboattrips alongtheShropshireUnionCanal, runbyvolunteersfromtheWirral CommunityNarrowBoatTrust.

Theweekendcelebrationstarts onGoodFridaymorningasthe 40-strongboatconvoytravelsdown theShropshireUnionCanal,settingo fromChestercitycentreearlymorning andarrivingattheWaterwaysMuseum between11amand1pm.

ChrisDone,visitorservices managerwiththeCanal&River Trust,said:“ e2023EasterBoat Gatheringpromisestobebiggerand betterthanever.Forfamilies,thereis aspecialchildren’strail,boat-themed playgroundandfacepainting.” emuseumwillbeopen10am-4pm overtheEasterweekendandthenseven daysaweekfortherestoftheseason. Anotherspecialeventduringthemonth isSteampunkSundayonApril16.

TheRovingCanalTradersAssociation(RCTA) isanon-profitmakingorganisationrunto helpsupportandpromotethediversearray ofexistingandpotentialCanalandRiver Trust(CRT)registeredRovingTradersonour waterways.

Ifyouhaveaboat,whynotbecomeatrader! Traderssellanythingfromcheese,pizzas,cakes, beers,someboatsareeventherapyboatsplus beautifulwood/leatherwork,crochet/knittingplusarts,homemade craftsandmuchmore.

Visitourwebsitetofindouttheextrabenefitsofbecomingamember, likeournewtradingdealswith25AquavistaMarinas&MerciaMarina, freeadvertisingspaceandourfeaturedtradermonthlywriteup.Also fordetails,datesandlocationstovisitourfloatingmarketsforafunday out!https://www.rcta.org.uk/events

VolunteerDianaSkilbeckon board Gifford. PHOTOS: CRTA Thechildren’splayarea.

Awinterwalk–Bristolfashion

ByTimCoghlan

IAMoftheviewthattheold

oatingdockofBristolHarbour o ersprobablytheverybestof city-basedwatersidewalks.

Itissortofcircular,mostly alongtheancientharbour wallsandisfullofinterest, withwatercraftofallsorts tospy.Therearemanyold buildingsandalleywayswhich somehowsurvivedtheBristol Blitzandhostelriesthatsplice themainbraceatalmostevery coupleofhundredyards.

Importantlyitisalmostfree oftra candisdogandbuggy friendly. ereisalsogoodpublic parkingnearthe SSGreatBritain, whichiswellsignpostedfromthe endofthemotorway–soeasyto gettoinwhatisnottheeasiest ofcitiestonavigatethrough. Andthatcarparkiswhereour walkbegan.

Ihavedonebitsofthatwalk manytimesovertheyearssince mydaysataboardingschool nearby,whichIattendedinthe 1960s.Butamazinglyenough,it wasn’tuntilafterlastChristmas that,aged75,I nallyful lled myambitiontocircumnavigate itallinonego.Atagoodpace, thewholeexercisecouldbedone inanhour,butwithsomuchto stopandstareatandagood lunchat ePumpHouse,we tooknearly ve,returningwith twooverexcitedandexhausted youngboys,readyforanearly supperandbed.

ereasonformakingthis winterwalkwasthatmywife

Liz’snieceandheryoungfamily nowliveinBristolandhad invitedustostayforafewdays afterChristmas.Allagreedtomy suggestion,overteafollowing ourarrival,thattakingthatwalk thefollowingdaywouldbethe idealwayofgettingsomegood exerciseandshakingoffthe Christmasoverindulgence–especiallyastheweatherstood fair,withaforecastofafew degreesabovefreezing,windless, andwiththeprospectofwinterblueskies.

Atabout11am,ourtwocars hadmusteredinthatcarpark. Nearby,Ispiedtheformer Braunston-basedWillowWren

workingbuttythe Greenshank, nowconvertedtoformpartofa oatingcafecombinedwiththe formerDutchhopper RobertH, onwhichasteeldeckhadbeen ttedwiththetwolinkedbya gangway. e Greenshank,with myBraunstonconnections,was sortofhomefromhome,butI decidedtomoveonasquicklyas possibleand,iftimepermitted, takeacloserlookonourreturn andlearnmoreofitsunfortunate sinkingin2021thatmade theheadlines.

AheadofuswasBrunel’s SS GreatBritain,nowbrilliantly restoredandpermanently ondisplayinthedrydock inwhichitwasbuilt,being completedin1843.Inevery

waytheship’srecoveryand restorationisaremarkable story,withasmallcameorole beingplayedinthelatterby SoniaRolt,aformerworking boatwomanintheSecondWorld WarandafterwardsatBarlow’s Yard,Braunston–soanother Braunstonconnectionhere.

Shewaslaterthesecond wifeofTomRolt,theauthorof NarrowBoat.Inthe1990sSonia hadhelpedchoosethe ttings torecreatethe SSGreatBritain’s interiorroomsastheyoriginally mighthavebeen–somethingshe hadalreadydoneforsomeofthe LandmarkTrust’sacquisitionsof historicproperties.

Amazinglythe SSGreat Britain wasopentothepublic thatmidwinter’sday,andbetter still,attractingvisitors.Perhaps toencouragethis,itwas‘dressed overall’withcolourfulbunting onitsmastsandspars.Butwe neededtomoveon,givingthe goodshiplittlemorethana passingglancefromoutsidethe perimeterfencing.Itcertainly lookedshipshapeandBristol fashionandacredittoallwho hadworkedonitinthevarious stagesofitsrecoveryfrom theFalklandIslandsandits restorationtooneofourgreatest historicmaritimetreasures.

Traditionalboatyard

Our rstportofcallwastothe UnderfallYard,aboutaquarter ofamileawayatthewestern endofthe oatingdock. is survivesasatraditional workingboatyard–focused verymuchonwoodencraft, soaconstantchangein boatstolookat.Visitorscan seeboatbuilding,rigging, blacksmithingandmore goingon,thoughobviously notatthetimeofourvisit. Inrecentyears,theyardhas hadapedestrianfootpath

UnderfallYard–incontinuousservicesinceitwasopened in1809.Todayitspecialisesinwoodencraftconstruction andmaintenance,andisaccessibletothepublic.Inthe backgroundistheformerWillstobaccofactory.

putthoughit,onlyyardsaway fromthepilesofwoodand othermaterialsandworking machinery.

Itisamazingthatsuchaclose connectionisallowed–wecould neverconsidersuchathingin ourhistoricyardatBraunston –butitmakesforhands-on viewing.Beforethatfootpath, therewassomethingofalong detouraroundtheyard,through scru ystreetsawayfromthe harbour–sothischangeisvery welcometopedestriansenjoying the oatingdockexperience.

UnderfallYardwasbuilton whatwasonceSpikeIsland–allplacenameshereseemed tohaveapoeticresonance –inconjunctionwiththe constructionofBristolFloating Dock,the rstengineerforthis beingWilliamJessop.

Itwasopenedin1809,four yearsafterthecompletionof Jessop’sGrandJunctionCanal fromthe amesatBrentfordto Braunston,soanotherBraunston connectionhere.Brunelwent ontomakeimprovementsto the oatingdockanditslocks in the1830s–onlyasmall distancefromtheyard.So it issomethingofasurprise thathemiscalculatedthe buildspecofthe SSGreat Britain eresultwasthe ship,havingjustmanaged t oclearthetoplock, g gotstuckinthesecond lockwhenattemptingto e xitdownstreamfrom C CumberlandBasin,the

basinbelowthe oatingharbour. Itrequiredthelock-wallcopings toberemoved,allowingtheship to nallyescapeonthenext springtide.

OnexitingUnderfallYard,we passedthroughsomeancient streetsthatsomehowseemed tohavesurvivedboththe Nazibombingandtheurban destructionofthe60s.Igavea nodtotheNovaScotiaInn,a favouritewateringholeofmine fromtimespast,andaglance atthenowsavedandrestored formerWillstobaccofactory buildingcompletedin1901, whichamazinglyalsosurvived theBlitz.

Wecrossedthe oatingdock toplockswingbridge,and lookeddownintoCumberland Basin,wheretheactorand canalenthusiastTimothyWest usedtolikeplayingtruantfrom BristolGrammarSchoolinthe mid-1940s,afterafallingout withtheheadmaster.Inhis veryreadableautobiography AMomentTowardstheEndofthe Play...Timwrites:“Sometimes Iwouldgotowatchtheships unloadingtimberatCumberland Basin…ontheseillicitjauntsI usedtoimaginehowitwouldfeel tobeinthecompanyofthegreat menofBristol’spast.

“Irehearsedconversations withJohnCabotonboardthe Matthew boundforCanada, withIsambardKingdomBrunel standingwithhishatandcigarin frontofthosemassivechains…of courseIwasexpelled.”

Readytoswanoff.Theauthor’sniece-in-lawandfamilyin winterwoolliesontheoldslipwaythatnowformspartof BristolMarina.

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

The SSGreatBritain dressedoverall–eveninmidwinter.Theshipisnowpreservedin theoriginaldrydockfromwhereitwaslaunchedin1843.

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

The Nova Scotia Inn, one of the author’s favourite watering holes – but time did not permit more than a passing glance on this walk. PHOTO: T M COGHLAN