Towpath Talk June 2024 issue **FREE**

TheFundBritain’sWaterwaysflotillainfrontoftheHousesof Parliament. PHOTO: KEVMASLIN/CHASING THEBOATS

Waterwayscampaignerstake messageto Westminster

THE Government received awake-up callwhen aflotillaof20 boatsreached the Housesof Parliament. Campaigners soundedtheirhorns to cheersfrom supporterson Westminster Bridge.They calledforfundingtoprotect thefutureofBritain’sinlandwaterways

Breaking new ground

andcapturedthe attentionof many MPs who hadjustattended Prime Minister’s questionson Wednesday, May8.

FundBritain’s Waterwayschairman LesEtheridge said: “Ithas beenfantastic to have boatstravelfromacrossthe countrytogather outsidethePalace

GROUNDWORK has started on the restoration of the next section of the Chesterfield Canal This follows three years of preparation made possible thanks to £5 8 million awarded to the Chesterfield Canal Trust by the Staveley Town Deal and 160,000 cubic metres of roof clay donated by Suon Ltd The Trans-Pennine Trail bridge will cross the canal at Hartington and the towpath will be built through to Renishaw A groundbreaking ceremony was due to take place on Friday, May 17

of Westminster. Supportinginland waterwaysis vitalincontinuingtoenable peopleofall agesand backgrounds toenjoyand connectwith theirlocal stretchofwater.”

Theflotillaincludedamixof commercialfreightvessels,several

Informationpanels

GRANTHAM CanalSociety is seekingfundingfor information boards betweenNottinghamand Hickling.Itiscallingonphotographers,historians, ornithologists, wildlifeenthusiasts,designersand anyoneelsewithaninteresttocomeupwithideas. Thesocietyiskeentoincludecanaldetails,history, photographs,birdandwildlifeinformationaswell asthingstolookoutfor,atreasurehuntandfamily activities.ContactPeteratpeter.gs@icloud.comto getinvolved.

seakayaks and17privately owned narrowboats. Determined to reach Westminster,somepeople hadtravelled morethan350miles,battlingsevere weatherandfailing canal infrastructure.

Slipway funding

AN APPLICATION

and

Lock New owners of AF warehouse, Andy Singleton and Chau Ngoh Lee of sustainable planning and design firm Ecovril, are on board to help restoration plans by donating design drawings and concepts for ‘in kind’ contributions

WELCOMEtothe

Ialwaysmarvelwhen Isee images of aflotilla in frontofthe Housesof Parliament. It’s quite asight andeven moreinspiring toknow that someof the campaigners hadtravelledmore than350arduousmilesto attend.It’s aperfect illustrationofthepassion ofthosewhouseandliveonthe waterways, so let’shopethe message getsacrosstothose who controlthe pursestringsto fund Britain’s rivers andcanals.

SomethingelseIwas pleased to see wasthe positivevibesurroundingthe first Electrikaevent (page 46),aimed at anyoneinterestedinelectric propulsion. Havingwatchedthe UK carindustry have electricvehicles implementedata rate that some believe is atad overzealousand accompaniedbyaninfrastructure that’s perhapsnot readyto match that pace,the boatingcommunity isundergoingaquiet revolution (evolution?)ofits ownand seemsto have afarmorerelaxed, positiveand proactiveoutlook. Withthe Government’s Clean MaritimePlanaimingtoensureall newvesselsdesigned for useinUK waters,includinginland waterways, will beequipped with zero emission propulsion capability by next year, it will beinteresting to seehow thissectorhelps boost,buildand maintaintheindustryandlifestyles ofthosewhotravel,liveand work ontheinland waterways. Interestingtimesahead.

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Nextissue –Thursday,June27

Waterwayscampaignerstake messageto Westminster

•Continuedfrompage1

It wasa culminationof Fund Britain’sWaterways’EarlyMayBank HolidayWeekend of Action, with

eventsbeingheldacrossthecountry tohighlighttheimpactofinsufficient fundingforBritain’sriversandcanals.

Welcomingthe flotillawere crowdsofinlandsupportersand representativesfromthecampaign’s alliance of organisations,including Dame Sheila Hancockand Sir MichaelFabricant MP,chairmanof theAll-PartyParliamentaryGroupfor theWaterways.

Crossing clearancework couldcontinue untilmid-June

DESILTINGworkhas been continuing at the Denver Lock endofthecrossing to Salter’s Lode Lock,the closureof which we reported inthe Apriledition of TowpathTalk

Accordingtothelatestupdatefrom the Environment Agency, when its contractors have completedthistask, workswillstart at thetidal lock entrance atSalter’s Lode Lock.

The notice states:“We anticipatethat worksatSalters Lode Lock entrance will beginduringthe weekcommencing Monday,May 27andwilllastinto mid-June.”

Commenting onthenotice,Norfolk boaterandIWAlifememberIvanCane said:“It looksasifit maybemid-June or later beforethefirst hire craftfrom Fox'sboatyardatMarch will be able toaccesstheGreat Ouse systemand that GreatOuseboaters wishingtouse theirAnglian Pass licences canactually accessthe Middle Levels.”

Ourattention hasalsobeendrawn to aclosureatWarmington Lock No 31onthe RiverNene,severingthe link betweenthe main canalsystemand the Middle LevelandtheGreatOuse until May30attheearliest.

In alettertoIWAnationalchairman Mike Wills,boaterandlifemember John Revellwrites:“Thereisnoalternative route apartfromusingthetidalTrent and aseacrossingofthe Wash.” He called ontheIWA’s Navigation Committeeto keepan eyeonthissituation.

recognitionoftheimportance of Britain’sinland waterwaysfortheir environmental,leisure,heritageand commercialfreightvalue.

Fund Britain’sWaterwaysis acoalitionoforganisations representinghundredsof thousandsofusersandsupporters ofinlandwaterways callingfor

Narrowboatslininguptodelivertheirmessage.

recognition of the importance well-being. Without support and

Lesadded:“Our waterways areabustling networkthatlinks communities, providesemployment andleisureopportunities, whichare underpinnedbythenetwork’sunique heritage.Theyalsoplayavaluablerole in waterand flood risk management andprovideahavenforwildlife.”

MelHide,RYA (Royal Yachting Association) directorofexternal affairs,said: “Britain’s inland waterwaysplayanintegralrolein millionsof people’s leisureand

well-being.Without supportand fundingthisnationalassetwill undoubtedlyfallintodecline.

“The campaign cruiseat Westminsterhighlightsthe communityspiritandpassion waterwaysinspireinpeopleofall ages andraises awarenessofwhy safeguarding ourbluespacesfor futuregenerationstoenjoyisvital.”

DesiltingworktakingplaceatDenverLock.Havingsplashedwaterontothebank,thediggerisusedtomove thesiltintothemiddleofthechannel.Herethebucketisbeingemptiedintothehighpressurewaterjetwhich washesitdownstream.

PHOTO:KEVMASLIN/CHASINGTHEBOATS

KingCharles retains royalpatronageofthe Canal &River Trust

HIS Majesty King CharlesIII hasannouncedhispatronageof the Canal&RiverTrust following areviewof royalpatronages conductedafterhisaccessiontothethrone.

AstheformerPrinceof Wales,hehadpreviouslybeen the trust’spatronsincethe charitywasfoundedin2012.

CRTchairmanDavidOrrsaid:“Weare delightedthat HisMajesty will retainhispatronageofthe Canal& River Trust. As apassionateadvocatefor Britishheritage,nature andcommunitiesand along-standingsupporterofthe nation’swaterways,His Majesty’s supportwillbewelcomed by oursupportersas we continuein ourmission to Keep CanalsAlive.”

King Charleshas hadalonginterestinwaterwaysandeven rolleduphis sleevesto work as avolunteer, helping to revitalise sevenmilesofthe Montgomery Canalnearly50 years ago.

Overthe yearshe hasofficiallyvisited the canalnetwork severaltimes, from avisittothe National Waterways Museumin1988 to meetingyoung volunteers takingpartin conservation work on Stoke-on-Trent’scanalsin2014. Most recently,the Canal&RiverTrusthostedhimonthe revitalised Coventry Canalin2021.

Long dedicated to canalrestoration,in2001 HisMajesty officiallyopenedStandedge VisitorCentrefollowing the renovationofthe StandedgeTunnel. He visitedthe Kennet &AvonCanalin2003 tocelebrateitscompleted restoration, and,in2018, representedthe Canal& RiverTrust by opening thefirstphase of the restored Cotswold Canals.

ByJanetRichardson

THEclosureofthe Denver crossing hasaddedtothefrustrationsfelt by boatersmoored at Bill FenMarina.

Situated onthe Middle Levels just northof Ramsey,Cambridgeshire, it ison alinkbetweentheriversGreat Ouse and Nene.

Since2021liveaboardboaterMel Lattimer hasmanaged theprivate marinaownedbyJohn Shotboltand formerly runbyhis late wife Lyn. She isthe ‘voice’ of the marina whichhas 150moorers.

Sheranginresponse to ourstory aboutthe closureofthe Salter’s Lode to Denvercrossing(News,Issue 222,April)and saidthat theirlink iseffectivelyclosed in many more ways,claiming that the boatersare ‘prisoners’onan89-mile system.

“Wecannotexitfromthe system so effectivelyareinadeadend. The marina hasalsopotentially lost severalthousand poundsof businessas boaterscannot getto useither.”

Meladdedthat theonlyway outistoaccessthe RiverNeneat Stanground,near Peterborough, for which theywould have to buy anAnglian Pass.

Bill FenMarinaisonthe Ramsey High Lode; CambridgeshireCounty Council hasresponsibilityforthe sectionunderthe town,upstreamof whichitistheEnvironmentAgency’s. Melhasheld severalmeetings with MiddleLevelCommissioners(MLC) representatives overthisandother issuesincludingthecostoflicences for Marina OnlyandProjectBoats –craftwhichare being worked onor cannotcurrently be used–introducedforthe2024/25 season.

Shesaidthat many of themoorers hadaskedhertogetinvolvedbutthey must supply written authorisation before MLC would accept any documentation submitted by her It had also declined a request to suspend her full licence until the end of the nesting season after a coot had built a nest on the back of her boat within a 24-hour period

“What startedasareally good relationship hasturnedsourbut we arefightingthe fight as wellas we can,”Mel concluded.

Accessarrangements

The Middle LevelAct2018updated the powers of theMiddle Level Commissioners –primarilya drainageauthority –toregulate navigationonthe Middle Levelsof the Fens,puttingtheminlinewith other navigation authorities. Licensingwasintroducedby MLCfromSeptember1,2020,for its waterwaysandisrequired for boatsbased on theMiddleLevels. Boaters canpurchaseanAnglian Passto accesspartnernavigations –the EnvironmentAgency’sNene andGreatOuseand theCam Conservators’waterways.

MLCchief executivePaulBurrows told TowpathTalk that theprevious three-yearAnglian Pass agreement endedonMarch31.

“Wewanttomakesurepeople purchasinga newpassknowthereis aclosureandit maybeweeks before they canuse it.”

He confirmedthathehad been in engagementwithallthree marinas ontheMLCsysteminautumn 2023 that informedthedevelopmentand introductionofthe Marina Onlyand Project Boat licencesthathave been introducedfor 2024.

He added: “I appreciatethe frustrations boatersonthe Middle Levels have withthesiltation situation withintheGreatOuse Tidal Riverand strong-streamon the Nene.Theseare outofthecontrol ofushereatthe Middle Level Commissioners.

“The last year hasbeen exceptionally wetand hastestedour drainage system to the maximum Now the weather is improving, I hope local boaters are able to explore and enjoy the 90 miles of waterway on their doorstep “Our lock keepers are ready and waiting to let boaters into and out of our system as soon as it is operationally viable to do so”

Canal &River TrustpatronHisMajestyKingCharles III. PHOTO:HUGOBURNAND

BillFenMarina –apeacefulhavenontheMiddleLevelsbutboaters arenot happy. PHOTO: MELLATTIMER

ThethenPrinceof

AtthehelmoftheNorth West’swaterways

UNIVERSITY academicDharma

Kovvuri hasbeenappointed chairman ofthe Canal&RiverTrust’sNorth West regionaladvisoryboard.

Thisis avoluntaryroleforaninitial three-yeartermheadingthe board whichaimstoconnectcommunities, businessesandpartners withthe networkofwaterways in theregion.

Dharmahas been amemberofthe boardsince2022andisthedeanof the UniversityofCentralLancashire’s BurnleyCampusandtheacademic directorofapprenticeships.

He has30yearsofexperience working inhigher educationalso with businesses andcharities.

He said: “Supportingthousands ofjobsinconsumerindustriesand providing vital habitatfor wildlife,the NorthWest’s canalnetworkhas shaped ourcommunitiesand beenpartofour landscapefor hundredsofyears.

“Our canals have been reinvented fromcommercialthoroughfares to avital resourceoftoday. Iamdelightedtolead thetrust’sadvisoryboard inthe North West at such apivotaltime.”

DharmaKovvuri:newchairman ofCRT’sNorth West regional advisoryboard.

PHOTO:CANAL &RIVERTRUST

Cranecab restoredas partoflong-termproject

Gloucesterbridge reopensintimefor TallShipsFestival

THE Canal&RiverTrusthas reopened High OrchardBridge, which carries St Ann Wayoverthe Gloucester& SharpnessCanalinGloucester. Weldingrepairs have been completedandthebridge isnowfully

operationalfollowing test lifts.

Atrust spokesman said: “Our teamworkedasquicklyas possible to minimisedisruptionandensure thebridge is fullyoperationalahead ofthe Tall Ships Festival.”Thefestival

Anartist’simpressionoftheloop-de-loop sculpture.

THElateststage has been completed inthe restorationof ahistoric craneon theRiver Severn.

Repairs have been made to thecab and themotorof aScotch Derrick cranewhich hasbeena distinctive feature at Diglis Island, Worcester,formore than70years.

Therestoration by the Canal&River Trusthas beenfunded with agrant from theAssociation for IndustrialArchaeology, whichworkstopromote the study,preservation andpresentationof industrialheritageboth in theUKand abroad.

CRTheritage and environmentteam

wasdue totakeplacefromMay 25-27. Tallships Josephine and Leader managedtoescapefromGloucester Dockswheretheyhad beenstranded and some spot dredginghas been takingplace.

Theupside-downcarwasvisitedbymorethan5000 peopleoverfivedays. PHOTOSSUPPLIED

Floatingsculpturegetsthumbsupfromplanners

AFLOATING sculpturetobe createdbyinternationally renowned artistAlex Chinneckforthe Sheffield &TinsleyCanal has been grantedplanning permission.

Theambitiousnew commission will be installed onthe TinsleyFlight, close to TinsleyMarina, laterthis yearandisthefirsttimethe artisthas embarkedona floatingartwork.

Sculptedintoaloopde-loopfrom rolledsteel, theimpressivefull-sized narrowboat artworkwill incorporatesignwriting andtraditional canalboat colours, celebratingthe historyofTinsley, Sheffield’s historic waterwaysand the city’sindustrialheritage.

Co-funded by British

Landandenergy company E.ON,whocommittedto creating apublicartworkas partofits redevelopmentof the Blackburn Meadowssite, theartworkiswelcomedby the Canal&River Trust. Sean McGinley, Yorkshire &NorthEastregional director,said: “Ata time when keepingour amazing canalsalivefor future generationstoenjoy is moreimportantthanever, Alex’s remarkablefloating sculpture willhelpto bring newinterestand focus to the canalandaddtothe existingart trail,developed duringthe200thanniversary celebrationsof Sheffield& TinsleyCanalin2019.”

Acityshaped by its historic waterways, the canalispopular with

managerMorganCowles explained:

“Therestorationofthecrane cabispart of along-termprojecttoconserve this magnificentexample of ourindustrial heritage,tosecureitforthefutureand toenable peopleto appreciateand understand theroleithas hadinthe historyofDiglisIsland.

“Weare alsogratefulforthe support from historiccrane experts Lloyds Britishinfixingthe electricmotorand to ourspecialistcontractor Sharpness

boaters,paddlers,walkers and cyclists.Thedesignand locationoftheartworkhas been carefullyconsidered to retainusual boating navigationwhiledeveloping the canalasa visitor destination.

PositionedbetweenLocks 4and 5ofSheffield &Tinsley Canal,thewaterwaywill serveasagalleryspacefor the sculpture, enabling the loop-de-loop work to be viewed from180degrees, eitherfromonthe water orfromthe canalandalso protectingthe navigation channel. Theplanning application fortheartwork wassubmittedbytheartist on behalfofthe Tinsley ArtProject Board,which includes SheffieldCity Council, E.ON,British

Shipyard Ltdinitspainstakingwork carefully restoringthe cabin,whereit hasmanaged to retainas muchofthe originalhistoric materialaspossible.”

Built by ButtersBrothersinGlasgow, thecrane spenttime at Cardiff Docks beforeitmoved to Diglis Islandduring the1950s.Itserveda vital roleinlifting heavyloads,includinglockgatesand timberbeamstoandfrom boatson the Severn.

In morethan60yearsit hadjustfour

Land, TinsleyForum, Canal& RiverTrustand YorkshireWater.

Alexsaid:“We’re as excitedasever todeliver ourthird artworkfor Tinsley. Thisisa positive step in an ambitiousdirection.” He hasbeenworking inthearea forseven years and hascreated multiple artworksin Tinsleyduring that time,includinga sculptureofa carhanging upsidedown,creatingthe illusionthat wasvisited by morethan5000 people over fivedays.

In 2019,Alex returnedto Tinsleywith anew sculpture –a knottedpostbox,which wastemporarilyinstalled on aresidential street outside Tinsley Meadows PrimaryAcademy.

operatorsand remainedinuse until 2005. ListedonWorcesterCityCouncil’s locallist ofheritage assets,itstill stands at Diglisas alocallandmark.

Morgan added: “Alongthe waywe’ve been supportedbymanyindividuals whosepassionfor ourheritage has played apartinhelpingtomakethis restoration happen.

“They include JoeUnderhill,who first worked onthecranewhenhe was17and is stillinvolvedtoday.”

The Diglis Island crane before restoration work

The crane is a local landmark PHOTOS: CANAL & RIVER TRUST

Thames boatowner’sappealquashedinHighCourt

AJUDGE hasrejected an appeal against convictionfrom amanfined forblocking partofthe RiverThames withhistwobarges.

The High Courtdismissed allof AlistairTrotman’s argumentsin relationtotheoriginalcourtverdict, labelling many ofhischallenges aboutthe wordingand validityof theEnvironmentAgency’scaseas ‘misconceived’.

Mr Justice Sheldon reducedthe originalcosts againstTrotmanfrom £20,591.40to£12,000, butthenadded the EnvironmentAgency’scostsof £10,907.97for handlingthe appeal,

increasingthe overallamountby £2316.57.

Afineof£800imposed by Staines Magistrates’Court in2022for keeping the boatsinplaceandfailingtocomply with theharbour master’stwo notices tomove theboats remains. Costsfor theoriginal case andthe appeal total £22,907.97.Trotman will stillhaveto paya victim surchargeof£80, setatthe previous sentencinghearing.

The courtheardthat he hadrented outroomsonhouseboats Rhythm of River and Kupe,moored inlargelythe samespotforsixmonthsfrom October 2018,breakingnavigation, safety and

mooringbylaws.The25m boats‘were likelyto affectthe navigationofother vessels’ in astretchof waternarrowed by Trotman’sactions. He hadbeencharged by the EnvironmentAgencywithtwo breachesofthe ThamesNavigation Licensingand General Byelaws 1993 in relation to mooringofthebarges, andtwobreaches ofthe Thames ConservancyAct1932concerninghis failure to comply withinstructions fromthe Thames harbourmasterto move them.

Boatsmoored permanently without theconsentofthelandowner canonly

Thamesboatersfinedfor dodgingriverlicencefees

TWOboatownershavebeen fined forfailing to registertheir boatsforuseonthenon-tidal RiverThamesfollowingprosecutions by the EnvironmentAgency.

Carl Wych,ofBray Boats, RayMead Road, Maidenhead wasconvicted by East Berkshire Magistrates’Court afteradmittingcharges relating tohis boat Orion

Forbreachingthe EnvironmentAgency (Inland Waterways)Order2010,he wasfined £200andordered topaycompensationof £1056.21,costsof£250and avictim surcharge of£80.

Alsoinbreachoftheorderwas Peter Jones,of DormersWellsLane,Southallwho convicted byStaines Magistrates’ Courtafteradmitting charges relatingtohisboat BairnsPride.Healso breachedthe ThamesConservancyAct1932as he hadfailedtomovehis boat from short-stay moorings at Desborough Island, Walton-onThames.Hewasfined£100andordered to pay compensationof£1906.30,costsof£275anda victim surchargeof£40.

The compensationis equal to theannual boat registrationfeesthat should have been paid, covering theperiodJanuary 1toDecember31 last year.

Allboats kept orused ontheThames must be registeredannuallyorriskprosecutionand afine.

The courtwas told that EnvironmentAgency waterwaysenforcementofficerspatrolling the Thames spotted that theboats were not registered withthe agency’snationallicensing system.Inboth cases, theyaffixed warningsof theoffencetothe boats, which were moored to the riverbank.

Checkingagain afew weekslater,theofficers foundthe boatshad stillnot been registered.

Asecond, seven-daywarning wasgiven,and then–asthe boatsremainedunregistered –court proceedings started.

Describingprosecutionas alast resort,EA waterways manager MariaHerlihy said:“We gave thedefendantsampleopportunitytopay their boat registrationfees, buttheir refusalleftus with nochoice buttotakethemtocourt.

“Anyonewhouses the RiverThamesfor boatingshouldexpecttocontribute towardsthe upkeepofthe river.”

Ownersofalltypesof boats, including paddleboards,mustregistertheir boatswiththe EnvironmentAgencyfor useonthenon-tidal RiverThames.

Boatscan be registered by calling03708 506 506or goingtowww.gov.uk/register-a-boat

Unregisteredboat Orion withwarning noticeattached. PHOTO: ENVIRONMENTAGENCY

remain stationaryonthenon-tidal Thames forupto24hours.The EnvironmentAgencyhad warned Trotmanmorethanoncetomovethe bargesorfaceprosecution,including throughan officialnotice.

Butafterhe wasfined,the57-yearold,of Kingston-upon-Thames, contestedtheconvictionand sentenceinthe High Court, amove the EnvironmentAgencydescribedas ‘a relentless andmeritless challenge’ of bylaws governingboats onthe RiverThames.

Amongthe pointsdismissed by JudgeSheldon,Trotmanquestioned

the validityofthechargesofillegal mooringand claimedthe wording wasn’t specificenougharoundwhere andwhenthe Environment Agency saidhebrokethelaw.

He also claimedthat EA should have givenhim afixedpenaltynoticebefore taking himtocourtanddescribed the costsas ‘disproportionate’.

EA environmentmanagerforthe ThamesColinChiverton saidafter thehearing: “MrTrotman hasnever acceptedhewaswrong,butI am very pleased the HighCourtrejectedall ofhisarguments aboutour decision to prosecute.”

Frommarinatomountain

BOATER James Kinsey is embarkingonanincredible challenge this October by climbing MountKilimanjaroto raisevitalfundsand awareness forthecharity Meningitis Now.

His18-month-old son, Ralph, battledmeningitis atjust 12 weeks of agebutit won’t be known if therehavebeenany lastingeffects untilheisolder.

Colleagues at Rolls-Royce are proudlysponsoringJames,who lives aboard his boatat Mercia Marina in Derbyshire.

He said:“With poor Ralph beinghit by this killerillnessat such ayoungageIwantedto do somethingaschallengingas possible to raisethe maximum amountoffundsand awareness for Meningitis Now.

“I have beenusingmyhome, Mercia Marina,asmytraining ground,doingseveral laps of themarinaaday with a20kg vest onandinall my gear.

“I am determinedtoreach my targetfor my sonRalph andotherslike him, and Iam sure Iwill withthe support ofthe terrificcommunity hereatMercia. Supporters canview my progresson my channelandofcourse, donate viamyJustGivingpage–James’s KilimanjaroClimbFor Meningitis Now.”

The climbwilltakeplace betweenFriday, October 18 and Sunday,October27. At 5895m,the summitof Mount KilimanjaroinTanzaniaissix timeshigher than Snowdon. James will be trekkingforup to15hours aday,battlingthe

altitudeandexperiencing nightlytemperaturesinhis tent of minus15degrees! It willtake morethana weektocomplete theascent andthe summitnight climb– with its1000mascent and2000m descent– isnotto be underestimated.

Meningitis Nowisa pioneeringforceinthefight againstmeningitis,having

invested morethan£12.7 millionin early-stage research andplaying acrucial role inintroducinglife-saving vaccines. Itsaftercare services provideinvaluablesupport to thoseaffected by meningitis, making arealdifferencein their recovery journey–services that James believesareso very important.

JamesKinseyandhissonRalphwhosurvivedmeningitis as ababy. PHOTO:MERCIAMARINA

Boatclubmembers holdcampaigncruise

THE FundBritain’s Waterwaysweekend ofactionovertheearlyMay bankholiday sawboaterstakingpartineventsacross thenetwork.

They includedmembersofthe Swarkestone Boat Club whocruised fromtheir Derbyshirebasealongthe Trent&Mersey CanaltoShobnall Fields atBurton-on-Trent.

Chairman GuyPagetold Towpath Talk:“The cluborganises anumberof cruises everyyearand we wanted to supportthe FundBritain’s Waterways campaign weekendofactivities.Weare allconcernedaboutthelossoffunding the Canal& RiverTrust is goingtoface in acoupleof years’timeandthefuture securityof canalsacrossthecountry.”

Oneofthe earliestboatclubsin thecountry,Swarkestoneisproudof itshistory. Examplesofitsprevious activitiesincludeefforts to save the DerbyCanalinthe1950sand60s,work ontheGreatNorthern Basin,Langley Mill,onthe Erewashandonthe StratfordCanal.

Sixboatstookpartduringthe weekend,cruisinguptoShobnallonthe Fridayand Saturdaythen makingtheir ownway back.Guysaid: “Wewereable totieupnearthefloatingmarketsothat people couldsee ourbanners;weare tryingtodoourbitinthisarea.”

He addedthat theywere surprised to receive afewnegativecomments from peopleconcernedthat theFBW campaign isassociatedwithand showingsupportforthe Canal&River Trustratherthanthefutureofthe nation’swaterways as awhole.

Boat’smaidenvoyage through reopenedlocks

AGROUPofinternationalvisitors joineda crew takingpartinthe challenge to visitunderused waterwayswhenaccess was openedtothe Middlewood Locks developmentinSalfordforthefirst timein15 years.

As canalboat Bersara (meaning ‘retirement’ in Malaysia) madeits maiden voyagefromthe RiverIrwell through Lock 1ofthe Manchester, Bolton &BuryCanal,itscrew receivedaVIP welcome at Lock 3whichsitsintheheartofthe £1billion MiddlewoodLocks urban regenerationneighbourhood.

The voyage by boatmanIan West waspartofthe Inland Waterways Association’s coveted SilverPropeller Challenge to visitas many underused waterwaysaspossibleinanytype of vessel.

AccesstoMiddlewood Lockswas possiblethankstothe effortsofthe

Canal&RiverTrustand Manchester, Bolton &BuryCanal Societythathave worked over manyyearstoreopen parts ofthe canalforleisureuse.

Middlewood Locksdeveloper ScarboroughGroupInternational (SGI) washostingspecial guests from Singapore-listedproperty developmentandinvestmentgroup MetroHoldings,whichisa joint venturepartnerin the scheme.

Nicola Wallis,group salesand marketingdirector, said: “Itwas so excitingforus to see Bersara make her maiden voyage through Middlewood Locks, bringingtolife ourambitionto make thewaterways integral to living here. The Manchester,Bolton& Bury Canalprovidesimportantpeaceand tranquillityfor ourresidents and visitorsandis avital greencorridor supportingbiodiversity.

“The waterway provides sustainable connectivity andthe

reopeningofpartsofthe canalreally resonates withtheimportant values of ourinvestment partners.It’sgreat to welcome canalboatsbackto Middlewood Locksand to seethis partofthe canalthriveonce again.”

Whileviewing thelatest constructionphaseofthe Railings luxuryapartments,the guests were able to witnessthe potentialof an activewaterwayspassage throughthe nowthrivingneighbourhood.

Mr YipHoong Mun,groupchief executiveofficer of MetroHoldings Limited, said: “Notonly wasitgreat to seeinside Railings,whichis our third phaseofnew apartmentsand amenity space at Middlewood Locks, buttowitnessthecanal wasopenand accessible wasa wonderful surprise.” Afreecanalsideneighbourhood festival wasduetotakeplace at Middlewood LocksonMay 18 to celebratethe reopening.

PHOTOSUPPLIED

Locallegacyhelps ‘bridgethegap’

AGENEROUSlegacyfrom alocal residenthasenabled the Canal& RiverTrust to startheritage repairs andimprovementstoa historicBraunstonbridgein Northamptonshire.

Trustvolunteers,joined by members ofthelocal community, have been

removing crumblingmortar andbrickworkfromBridge 91Aaheadof major renovation plansthis summer. The projecthas been made possiblethankstoa£160,000 bequest by thelate waterways supporterandlocalresident PeterAndrews.

On completionthebridge will be renamedand anew bridge numberplaque, reading‘91A,Peter’s Bridge’, will be fittedtoprovidea lastingtribute.

the canalandallwhoenjoy it.It’svitalthat we protect our historicwaterways so it’s great that ourvolunteersaregaining valuableheritage skills that theycanuseonotherprojects.

CRTregionaldirector LinnyBeaumontsaid: “It’s fantasticto seeMrAndrews’ very generousgift beingput to gooduseforthe benefitof

“Theirefforts willhelpto protectthishistoricbridge and ensurethatitcan be enjoyed for generationstocome.”

The team hasalsobeen trainedintheuseoftraditional limemortar,toreplicatewhat

wasoriginallyusedwhenthe bridge wasbuilt.Theseworks arepartofa projectthat will see the HorseleyIronBridge at the entrance to Braunston Marina refurbished.

As wellas repointingthe historicbrickwork, they will includecleaningand repaintingthe cast iron elementsofthe structureand resurfacingitwitharesin bondedanti-slip surface.

Volunteersatworkonthebridge. PHOTOS:CANAL &RIVERTRUST

Thecrewof Bersara andguestsattheMiddlewoodLocksontheManchester,Bolton &BuryCanal.

PHOTO: GUY PAGE

BusyseasonforGrantham volunteers

GRANTHAM CanalSocietyworkparties

arewellintotheir busy seasonand have been making goodprogresson maintenanceand restorationprojects. Volunteers have attendedchainsaw training to allowthem to clearself-set

treesalongthe canalbank,Lock16has hadafresh lickofpaintand work on Lock 13 is wellunder way. Adamand bywasharebeing constructedsothat thelockcanbedrainedandinspected, readyfor refurbishment.

The societyhas asmallfleet of workingboatsonthenavigable section ofthe canalandskilledvolunteerskeep themin workingorder.The Three Shires, the society’stripboat, also hadafreshen upaheadofitsEaster boat trips.

This weekend wasa huge success, withtrips sellingouton Good Friday andEaster Monday.The Three Shires generates crucialincomeforthe society to continueits work.Tofind out moreaboutthe award-winningshort tripsandlonger cruises, visit:www. granthamcanal.org/trip-boat24

Lotsof post-wintertidyingupand organisinghas been ongoingatthe depot,makingsurethe societyis ready to welcomevisitorsonopendays. The eventsteamhas puttogether acalendar of Sunday events:Cream Teas on June 9, Activities DayonAugust11anda ProduceFair(aspart of Lincolnshire Heritage Open Days)on September15.

Alloftheseeventsare to be held at the Grantham CanalSociety Depot, NG32 1NY, 10am-3pm.More information canbefoundontheir Facebookand Instagrampages.

Sixthlock

The refurbishmentofLock13buildson the rebuildingand repair work carried outonLocks14and15 overthelastfour yearsand will,whencompleted,bethe sixthlock broughtbackintouse inthe Woolsthorpeflight of seven locks.

Construction work is beingcarried outbythe society’svolunteer labour forcewhodevotetheirtimeandenergy tobringbacktolifethe workingofa canalthat wasoriginallycompleted in1797.

TheGranthamCanalis33miles longand runsfromthe RiverTrent to

Volunteers’ WeekspotlightonWilts &BerksCanal

AWILTSHIRE volunteer is supportinga national camp ai gn wh ich encourages people to get moreinvolved in their communities.

Howard Wilson,from Semington,isa member ofthe Wilts &Berks CanalTrust whichaims torestore theformer waterwaythroughthe localcountryside.

He joined the Melksham, Chippenham &Calne branchofthecharity seven years agoand says hisonly regretisthat he didn’tdo it sooner.

Howard explained: “WhenI first joinedthe charity Iwasn’tsurewhat skills Iwould bringbut I’ve found my management and IT experience hasbeen very useful.”

Nowhe’ssharing his experiencesaspartof national Volunteers’Week, whichruns from Monday, June 3toSunday, June9.

Activeretirement

Howard,66, worked for the MetOfficefor37 yearsbut waskeento stay activewhenhe took early retirement.

He often walked along the Kennet &AvonCanal nearhishome, wherethe Wilts &Berks CanalTrust hasaninformationboard at theformer junctionof thetwowaterways.

He’dalwaysbeen interestedinwaterways andoftenenjoyed canalboat holidays,so henoted thedetailsand attended hisfirst work party just twoweeksafter retiring, andnowplays animportantroleinhis localbranch.

Howard continued:“I’m nowinvolved indeveloping and maintainingthe branchpageson thetrust website,and managingour photographicarchive and social media.I alsohelpto produceleaflets,posters andother materials.

“I’vestayedinvolved withthe physical restorationtoo, as awork partyorganiser responsible for supervisingtasksfor othervolunteers.Itkeeps me busy butI thoroughly enjoyit.”

Trainingcourses

The charityhas arranged for Howard to attend trainingcoursesonquad bikesanddumper trucks, as well as bricklayingand othercourses.

This hasenabled him

Granthamand,initstime,transported goods(includingcoal) into thevillages inthe Valeof Belvoir,culminatingatits ultimatedestinationinGrantham.

The societyhasmore thanfivemiles of navigable waterway from Lock 14 at Stenwith/Woolsthorpeallthe waytothe A1 at Grantham.

GettingundertheA1 will be another

target, asis gettinga connectionto the RiverTrent, which willopenthe waterway to canalboatnavigationfrom the RiverTrent.

General manager Tony Osbond said: “Itwillbealotof work to achievethis aim,particularly withbridges to be reinstatedand silttoberemoved,but we have avisionthat onedayitwillbe achieved!

“Weare currently restoring Lock 13,which willentailcivilengineering work and water management, as wellaslookingafterthe ecologyand biodiversity. Overallcost will be in the regionof£250kphased over two years.”

Thetwo lockswhich have been completed have given volunteersskills in buildingandcivilengineeringwork and currentlythe work party isinthe earlystagesofrefurbishment.

Butitwillbeintoexpenditurewith theintroductionof aproppingsystem to supportthe wallswhen workinginthe lock chamber(£25k),ananchor system totiebackthe wallstructure(£28k),and overall repairs to themasonry (£75k), beforethelock gatesare introduced towardstheendoftheproject(£95k). Oncethisprojectiscomplete, it will onlyleave Lock 12 at Stenwith,which willthenopenupthe canalata level heightallthe waytoCropwellBishop at Lock 11,about20miles away through theValeof Belvoir.

Ifyouwouldliketo find outmoreabouthowyoucanbeinvolvedwiththe society’swork,eitherinworkpartiesorbehindthescenes,memberswould bedelightedtohearfromyou.Theyareparticularlylookingforhelpwith fundraising,marketing,education,graphicdesignandscriptwriting,but everyone is very welcome!Please emailvolunteerco-ordinatorMarkat volunteer@granthamcanal.org

TheaimoftheWilts& BerksCanal Trustisto restorethewaterway fromtheKennet &Avon CanalnearMelksham totheThames& Severn Canal near Crickladeandthe RiverThamesnear Abingdon,connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal WoottonBassett andSwindon.

Severalsections havealreadybeen restored.

Visitwww.wbct.org. ukformoredetails.

to supportawide range of recentandongoing projects,including the rebuildingofthedry dock and waitingwall at Pewsham Locks, the extensionofthetowpath towardsReybridge and theongoingmaintenance ofthe restored section of canal.

Hisvoluntaryworkwith thetrusthasalso ledtohim being featuredinnational waterways magazines andinterviewed on BBCWiltshire.

Howard added: “I would encourageeveryoneto tryvolunteeringifthey have afewhoursto spare. The team aregreat, andnewmembers are alwayswelcome.”

Thetemporarybywash. PHOTO:GCS

The ThreeShires tripboatwithworkboat Earwig intow. PHOTO:HUGHCRAWFORD

TheweiratLock13. PHOTO:GCS

Restorationprojectsupdate

THISYEAR’S Annual Waterway RestorationConference was heldintheCreativeHub at Northampton University, attracting morethan100 delegateson asunnySaturday in April.

The event, whichis jointly organised by the Inland WaterwaysAssociationand Canal&River Trust, was openedbyJulieSharman,chief operatingofficer at Canal& RiverTrust.Thethemethis yearfocusedoninclusion, collaboration,training, skillsand sustainableplanning.

Keynotespeakersincluded Eoin Harrisof Canal&River Trustwho spokeonthetopic ofenvironmentalconstraints andopportunitiesin restoration projects.Eoin’spresentation inspiredsomethoughtful actionsthat trustsand societies cantaketoensurethat their projectscomplywithlegislation andtheytakeadvantage of any opportunitiescreatedbytheir developmentwork.

Eoin wasfollowed by Mark BevanandFrancis Holden of Kuso Construction,who specialiseintemporary works andwereable to provideclarity onthetopicandexplain some ofthebasiclower-leveltasks that areinvolved in temporary works. During thepresentation, theyprovidedexamplesof howpeopleoftenfail to meet standardsandtheconsequences

ofthesestandardsnot beingmet. AlivelyQ&A sessionensued after theirtalk.

Thefinal speaker ofthe afternoon wasMikePalmer,of IWA’sWaterwayRecoveryGroup, whotalked oftheimportance of real skillstraininginthe practicalactivitiesundertaken by restorationgroups. He also explainedwhereandhowthe organisations canhelpand supportthem.

Mike mentioned thenew Practical Restoration Handbook whichisdue to be launchedand explainedother ways that IWA/ WRGaimtoleadon bestpractice withintheinland waterways restoration sector.

During thepresentation, George Rogersof Chesterfield CanalTrust gave attendeesa glimpse ofwhat mightbeinstore fornextyear’sCanal Camps. He

is workingclosely withthesites team,andthey arestartingto talk to anygroup whomay be interestedinthe possibilityof holdingacampattheir site in2025.

Delegatesalsohadthe opportunity toparticipate intwo ofthefollowing workshops:

·Mentalandphysical challenges in restoration volunteering– ClaireCavender (Buckingham CanalSociety) and JennyHodson (IWA)

·Creatingcapacity for restoration –Chris Madge(Derby and SandiacreCanal Trust), George Rogers(Chesterfield CanalTrust), TerryCavender (BuckinghamCanal Society), andtheIWARestoration Hub

High LevelPanel

·Diversifyingyourvolunteer base–JennyHodson(IWA)and Darren Starling(Canal&River

Trust)

·Campaign andmembership managementwithin asmall team –Lisa Mant (Cotswold CanalsTrust)

This year,ratherthana post-conferencetourof alocal restorationproject,attendees took partinawalkaroundthe localareaduringlunchtime which wasled by John Pomfret. It also involved adisplay by membersofthe Canal& RiverTrust hydrologyteam who demonstrated theirflume tank. Afterthewalk, delegates watchedawebinarand YouTube footage fromtheAnglingTrust oninvasivespeciesclearance andalsohadtimetonetwork andsharebestpracticetips with oneanother.

Attendeesthenenjoyedabrief update on theFundBritain’s Waterways campaign followed by aclosingspeech by IWA nationalchairman, Mike Wills.

Headto WareBoatFestival

JOINtheIWA Leeand Stort branchatthebeautifuland historic markettownofWare ontheupper reachesofthe RiverLee for Ware Boat FestivalfromFriday, July5 to Sunday,July7. Friday eveningisthe riversidebarbecue,Saturday afternoonisthethemedboat paradeandboathandling competition,Saturday eveningoffers ‘Haslam’s hijinks’quiz,and on Sunday isthe riverside boaters’ service with coffee and cakes. There’s plentymoretosee anddoasthe boat festival runsalongsidethe wider Ware Festivalactivities. The riverhas played akey part inthetown’s development, providingtransportfor agriculturalproducts, especiallymaltedgrainsfrom the140malthousesofthe 19thcentury,intotheheart of London.

BoosttoGrand WesternCanalvisitorexperience

VISITORS to theGrand Western CanalCountry Park cannow benefitfroma rangeofnewfacilities tohelpthem make themostofa trip tothis charmingwaterway in mid Devon.

The canalvisitorcentrenow featurestwo new videodisplay screens, eachplayinga choice of severalshortfilmclips,includingsome spectacularbird’seye dronefootage ofthe canal basinandhorse-drawnbarge.

Alongthetowpath, all10existingnoticeboards arebeing replacedwith tougherandsmarter models, with afurthertwonoticeboardsadded innewlocations.

Sevenofthesenewnoticeboardsare alreadyin place,whilethe remainingfive areonorderand areduetobeinstalledinthe summer.

Withineachnoticeboard is anewlydeveloped A2-sized informationpanel, eachonepacked withfascinatingstoriesandimages relatingto the canal’shistory,wildlifeand management in theareaneartheirlocation.Theywillalso housemaps, posters promotingcanal events, information aboutrecreationalactivitiesthat can beenjoyedwithinthecountryparkandhealthand safety guidance.

The InlandWaterways Association (IWA)has provided£18,000fromits South West Inland Waterways Regeneration Fund to fundthe purchase,wiringandinstallationofthenew videoscreens,thedesignandproductionofthe

12informationpanelsandthe purchase of five newnoticeboards.

MidDevonDistrictCouncil,throughits SharedProsperity Fund, hasprovided£10,000for the purchase ofthefive noticeboardscurrently onorder.

CounAndrea Davis,Cabinet Member for ClimateChange, EnvironmentandTransport,said: “Thesenewdisplaysandnoticeboardsadd even more to theexperienceofvisitorstothe country parkand thevisitorcentre. The GrandWestern Canalhas arichhistory whichpeople will be ableto exploreandfind outmoreabout.We’re extremely gratefulforthefundingfromTheInlandWaterways AssociationandMid DevonDistrictCouncilthat hasmadetheseimprovements possible.”

BurslemPort: June14 from 10.30am-2.30pmandJune28, from10.30am-2.30pm.

Aregular work partyon the Burslem ArmoftheTrent &MerseyCanal, runby IWANorth Staffordshire& South CheshireBranchin partnership with Burslem Port Trust. Meet at Luke St,Burslem.Alltoolsand equipment will be provided. Volunteersareadvisedtowear oldclothes,stoutshoesand to takewaterproofsin case of rainand apackedlunchif stayingallday.

Pleasecontact Dave Broome before attending: 07974

966253ordave.broome45@ gmail.com

BroughtonArms,RodeHeath, CheshireLocks:June20,from 10am-3pm. Amonthly work partyon theCheshireLockflight of theTrent&Mersey Canal, between Kidsgroveand Wheelock.JointlyledbyIWA NorthStaffordshire& South CheshireBranchandTrent& Mersey CanalSociety. If you areableto stay all day, please takeapackedlunch and adrink.Besuretowear old clothes that youdon’t mindgettingdirty and

withpaint. Stoutfootwearis appropriateandalsotakea waterproofintheeventofrain. Contact JohnLawsonon: 07940878923orjohn.lawson@ waterways.org.uk

NorthamptonBranch:June2 and18

Ware BoatFestivalinfullswing. PHOTO:MIKENEWMAN

RayAlexander(IWA)andMarkBaker(Grand WesternCanalCountryParkmanager) besideoneofthenewnoticeboards.

CharactersoftheCut

KerriWilliams –The HeritageCrafter

ByAliceElgie

BORNandbred inthe Black Countrytoa family of craftspeople,Kerri Williams spentherchildhood playing along thecut,opening locks for20p atimeandasking boatersannoyingquestions(!).

It’s perhapsno surprise, then, that herconnections to our waterways have continuedinto adulthoodandsheisnowa memberofthe Heritage Crafts Association, teaching heritage crafts at the BlackCountry LivingMuseum.

Sheexplained:“We’re losing traditionalcrafts everyyear, eitherdueto lack of interest or people retiringand sadlypassing away andI think we allhavea dutyof care topassourskillson, no matter what theyare.”

Kerri herselfis adecorative artistwho canturnher handto sign writing, fairgroundartand gilding,buther speciality is canal art. “Ibookedontoacanal art coursein2018 with Julie Tonkin andfellinlovewiththe craft instantly. Julie must have seen somethinginme, assheasked metocomebackand gave her time, materialsandknowledge freely.”Kerri tellsmeshe spent hourspaintinginJulie’slog cabin, chattingabout life while drinking gallonsoftea.

“I’llnever be ableto thankher

enoughforhowshe’s influenced my career path.”

Kerri fondlycalls Julieher paintingMomma,whichtiesin nicelywithher beliefthat she hasbeenfamily-taught rather than self-taught. “Ididn’tgoto artcollege, instead my crafting skills arelargely down to my nananddadwho were both talentedpeople.Mynan made leatherhelmetsfor theland speed record,whichI’vealways feltis very cool!Shecould make adress in aday,knit,sew and muchmoreandtaughtmeto

Kerrihardatworkonthefinishingtouches.

crochet by thetime Iwasfive.”

Kerri’s dadwas adraftsman anddie caster so hadaneye for detailandtaught hertechnical drawingaswellas watercolours. Alltheseskillscombinedmean Kerri hasdeveloped confidence in workingwithout relianceon technology.

“I’m notanti-modern technology–Idid acomputing degree!Butitdoesn’tfit with the traditional wayIcreate. All Ineed is apieceofchalk,abrushand paint.”Kerri’s belief isthat if you cansign-write without gadgets, then youcanpretty muchpaint

anything. “I don’tthinka computer couldmatchwhat Isee in my tinymindwhen I’mplanningadesignand it's muchquickerformeto sketchit than to mess about on alaptop.”

WhenI askedKerri ifshe everfeelsnervouspainting directlyonto aboat, she assured methat rather than be nervous,sheinstead values theprivilege of workingon boats. “People trustmewith theirprideandjoyandare alwaysamazedIcanpaint straight letterson aboat that’s bobbingaboutonthe water,but Iwastaughttodo everythingbyhand, without relianceoncomputers or tape.” Kerri feelscomputergenerated lettering hasno soul,whereashand-drawn

letters have awarmerfeel although I’msuresometimes theeaseoftechnologycould be tempting! “I paintedaboat recentlycalled SaintChad, whichis amodern boat. Apart fromtheunusual name,the owners wanted theemblemof SaintChadpaintingonthere too. Google it –itcertainlywas achallenge!”

Kerri’s abilities haven’t gone unnoticedoutsideof boating circles,either, asshe wasinvited to appearintwoepisodesof BBC2’sDavidand Jay’sTouring Toolshed to teachsignwriting andalsogilding, usingreal gold leaf.“It wasagreat experience to filmwithDavid (Jason)and Jay(Blades). Beingaroundother craftersisalwaysajoy,and we giggled afairbit.

“David remindsmesomuch of my olddad,blesshim –both tinkerersandcheekychappies. It wasfascinatingtosee how theproductioncrew worked. Hopefully, I’ll be invitedback!” It seems Kerri is certainly the rightpersontochampion

heritage craftstothegreater communityandthe canalis whereherpassion startedand whereitcontinues to thrive, whichiswhysheisdelighted that theUKhas just adoptedthe UNESCOIntangible Cultural Heritage Convention.

“Canalartembodiesthis100%. It’s morethanjustthe finished paintedpieces,it’sthe skills passed down thegenerations;

Kerrionthetouringtoolshed steps.

the storiesandtraditionsthat accompany thebrushstrokes.” Howwonderfulthat Kerri is able topass thesecraftingtraditions ontoothers,justassheherself hasbeenalucky recipient.

Website:

www.theheritagecrafter.co.uk

Instagram: @theheritagecrafter

Facebook: @theheritagecrafter

David &Jay’sTouring

Toolshed:Episodes 2and 11areavailableonBBC iPlayer.

AliceElgieis awriter andcreatoroftheonline community Slow Into TheSeasons,alongwith apodcastofthesame name.Inthesespaces shesharesmindfulness practicesandmusesabout living aslower,simpler life.slowintotheseasons. substack.com

Thesiteiswellmaintainedandissituatedalong theRiverGreatOuse, aprime locationforpassing trade.Themarinaoffersover100mooringssuitablefor cruisers,smallcraftnarrowboatsandwidebeams,withnearlyallhavingwater andelectricitysupply.Thereisampleparkingavailablealongsidethemoorings, withtheparkalsobenefittingfromsecuregatedaccessandCCTVforsecurity.

n Situatedon theGreatOuseRiver

n 100+Moorings

n WorkshopFacilities

n StockedChandleryOpen 7Days AWeek

n Camping andCaravan Provision

n ToiletandShowerBlocks

n BoatLifting,Maintenanceand CleaningFacilities

n Pressure Washing,Blackingand ScrapingFacilities

n EngineeringServices

n VisitorMoorings

Kerrifinishingup alovelydesignon awateringcan. PHOTOS:SUPPLIED.

Abeautifulfloralscenefor theboat.

Sign-writingonthe SolsticeBell.

It’salock keeper’slife…

Debs Frith’slock-keepingroleisinspiringher worksofart.SallyCliffordwentalongfor achat.

ACIRCLING buzzard bringsa smileto DebsFrith’s face.The airspace aboveSprotbrough Lock,onthe Sheffieldand South YorkshireNavigation, isfamiliarterritorytoDebs’ feathered friend. Secondslater the buzzardisjoinedbyanother pair,suggestingthe surrounding sceneryandtranquillityof Debs’ workplaceis attractingeven morebirdlife.

The daywemet,thechill was intermittently warmed by the sporadicappearanceofthe sun –perfectconditions forDebs to performsomechecksahead ofthe start ofthe seasonwhen she resumesher voluntarylockkeepingroleinthispicturesque partofDoncaster.

Although arelatively quiet stretchof thewaterwaynetwork, thereisstillplentytodo making sure everythingisship-shape forthepassing traffic, mainly pleasureboats,andas aregular passageway fora commercialoil tanker –seeminglyaninteresting sight, accordingtoDebs, asthe vessel isaslongasthelock and, possibly,the largestto travel this route.

Within Debs’peaceful workplace,the gentlemovement ofthe canalandthetwitterings ofthe variousspecieslivinghere aretheonly soundspiercingthe silence.Fouryears ago, when

Debsansweredthe Facebook advertfor volunteers,itcameata pivotal pointinherlife.Caringfor elderlyparents,and attempting todevelophercreativecareeras aprofessionalartist, ceramicist and sculptor,theopportunityto become apart-timelockkeeper at SprotbroughLockoffered Debstheflexibilityto fitaround hermanycommitments.

“I sawtheadvertonFacebook andthoughtthatwould be nicetodo.Ijustwantedtodo somethingthatgotme outand talkingtopeople.Ialsocome hereforthepeaceofmind,”says Debs,referring to the scenery withinwhichshe carries out thoseimportantchecksaround

Naturallyinspired:a beautifulplastercastDebs createdofBridlington Beach’sSouthShoreasa reminderoffamilyholidays.

PHOTO:SALLYCLIFFORD

thelocks andsite. Debs,andher fellowvolunteers, aretrainedand supportedbythe Canal&River Trusttoundertake themanytasks involved with caring forthe canalnetwork, includi ng ma intenance. Pointingtothe blue markers alongthe edge of thegrass, Debs tellshow thedecisionnot tomowthat particulararea hasencouraged thegrowthof wildorchids.

Insidethelockkeeper’s office Debsexplainsthepanel, animpressivesystemenabling hertocontrolthesafe passageof boatsthroughthelockfor their journeyonward.The elevated viewofthe naturalsurroundings, andtheunderwaterinhabitants, inspireDebs’ artwork.

“Since Icouldpickupa pencil Ihavealwayspainted,”she says.Acrylics areherpreferred medium.“Iwouldalwaysaskfor paintingmaterials at Christmas.I wasalwaysdrawing horsesandI triedtoperfect it.”

Debsbelieves sheinherited hercreative flairfromherfather who builtmodelaeroplanes and hadacellarinthe workshopof thefamilyhome where Debs would spendmanypleasurable

Sprotbrough Lockisa picturesquepart ofDoncaster andthe workplaceof part-timelock keeperDebs Frith.

PHOTO: SALLY CLIFFORD

hoursfashioning thingsfromher finds.

“Weused to getboiled sweets nd Iusedtomelt andmodeltheminfrontofthe fire. Iused to go into my father’s workshopandmakebridles, stirrups,saddlesandbits.I just likemakingthings,”saysDebs.

After studyingceramics at schoolsheundertookanHND inceramicdesign at North StaffordshirePolytechnic.This ledtoaplacementatRoyal Doultonwhereshe worked asa freelancesculptorandlearned abouttheslip-castingtechnique sheusesinher figurinedesigns. Retrainingasagraphicdesigner addedanother string to her expandingbow.

Debs,whois amemberofthe NorthernPottersAssociation, setupher Etsy shop to sell herartwork, ceramicsand sculptures.Wildlife, birds,fishes, foxesandfaces,somefeaturing mythical characters –among thema mermaid anda green woman–are createdinher garage whichishome to her kilnand motorbike collection.

Hervoluntaryrole at the lock introducedDebsto oneofthe many landmark commissionsshe has created. The impressive stone sculptureisafocalpointat KeadbyLock, Isle of Axholme.

Debs,whoteachesa weeklyart classatChrist Church Hall,Brampton, explainsthecolourful ceramicfishfeatured onthe sculpturewere createdinacommunity workshopsheled,and arebased on her early memoriesofthe canal.

“I based iton sticklebacks because fishing for sticklebacksas achildledtomyinterest

Wonderfulworkplace:part-timelockkeeperDebsFrith surveysthesitefromtheimpressivelocks.

afeistyfoxisamongthesculpturesinspiredby

inthe canals,” explains Debs.She alsocreated theEllistownFirst WorldWarCentenarymemorial inmemoryofthosewholost theirlivesduringconflict.The StandingRotherhamRed stone sculpturefeaturesoversized poppiesandbarbed wire.

“Asanartistyou arealwayson ajourney.You neverstand still, you neverstopmoving,”says Debs,whosephilosophyfits with herlifeonthe canal.

“Ilove it.Thereissomething

Beautiful: faces areafeature ofDebs Frith’sfabulous

aboutbeingbywater.Itjustgives methat well-beingand peaceof mind. It fills yoursoul.” Visit DesignedbyDeborahD on Etsy or search@ designedbydeborahdon Instagramformoredetailsabout her work.

Keadbycreation:the colourfulstonesculptureat KeadbyLockfeaturingthe ceramicfishcreatedina communityworkshopledby DebsFrith. PHOTO:DEBSFRITH

PHOTO:SALLYCLIFFORD

Wildlife:

natureandcreatedbyDebsFrith. PHOTO:SALLYCLIFFORD

BlackSluiceLock marks15yearsin service

THE BlackSluice Lock in Lincolnshirehasnow been in servicefor15 yearssinceitsofficial openingonFriday, March20,2009. Following thedemolitionoftheoldlock andthefixed sluice, anew lockwasconstructedonthe RiverWitham tideway at the southendofthe BlackSluice complex,markingthefirststepsinambitious plans to developaFens waterways link.

The SouthForty Foot Channelleadingon from BlackSluice hadbeenclosed to navigation sincetheoldlockwastaken outofserviceand convertedto asluicein1971. Sincetheopening ofthenewlock, thefirst19km to Doningtonare navigableforcraftthat canpasstheextremelylow London RoadBridge immediatelyafterthe west endofthenewlock.

Limitingdimensionsare22mlongx6mwide with amaximumheadroomvaryingwiththe bridgearch from 1.7m at thesidesto3.4m at thecrown.Allotherbridgeshaveatleast 3mof headroomatnormalsummerlevels.

TowpathTalk reporter AlisonAlderton’sSagar Dutchbarge Lily wasthefirstcraft throughthis seasonwhenshepassed throughthenewlock at 11.40amonSaturday, April27.After squeezing

underthe London RoadBridge,Alisonsaid: “I’mdelightedtobebackonthe Lincolnshire waterwaysthat aresooften overlooked and cruisingwith my familyforthefirsttimeonthe South FortyFootChannel,anIWASilverPropeller location. Icannot praise the EA andCRT lock keepersenoughforassistingwithtideway timings toallowussafeaccessthrough Boston.Their enthusiasmto seeusexploringthis rarelyused waterwayisawe-inspiringandallarehopingthat inthenearfuture, thisvital connectioninthe proposed Fens Waterway link will reachfruition andopenupnewcruisinggroundsfor boaters.”

AlisonAldertonandBargeBeagleatBlack Sluice. PHOTO:SUPPLIED.

Eco-friendlysolution forWACT

RECYCLEDplastic wood productsfirmPlastecowood wasapproachedbythe Wey &ArunCanal Trust(WACT) to provide acost-effective, long-lasting, sustainable and eco-friendly solution for variousprojectsonthe trust’scanal network. Witha requirementfor boardwalks, bridges, revetments, retaining walls, towpathsandseating for socialactivities,fencing anddeckingplatforms, Plastecowood suggested that itsSmartawoodproduct would be anideal resource.

productarereportedto includelongevity, strength, lowslip risk,non-leachingand no absorptionof water,which soundsidealfor permanently wetenvironments.

Theenvironmental andpractical benefitsof Plastecowood’s Smartawood

Thephotoshowsthe3400mm-lengthpostsbeing drivenintothefloorofthecanalby arammer attachmenton a360diggerwithbeamssecuredto providelifelongfendering,toprotectthebanksfrom erosionduetocontactfromnarrowboatsandbarges. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

Plastecowood says:“It’sa professional finishinstalled mainly by volunteers.

“Itlooksgreatandis unlikelytoneed to be revisitedfor repairor rental or maintenanceforthe foreseeablefuture.

“Italsolooksgreatandno felledtrees arerequired for theproject.”

Environmentalcredentials ofthisproject:

•Saves1400kgof carbonfromlandfillor incineration

•Savesfivetreesbeing cutdown

•Reprocessesatleast 50,000singleusewaste plasticpackages

Waverley willflypennant withpride

ByHughDougherty

THE world’sonly seagoingpaddlesteamer will fly aspecial pennant withpridethis season,as Paddle Steamer Waverley hasbeen awardedthe prestigious status of National Flagshipofthe Year by National Historic ShipsUK.Thebody says that theawardrecognisesthebreadth and geographiccoverage of theiconic paddler’s sailing schedulefor2024, with arecord-breaking70ports included, whilethewholeprogrammeis supportedbya dedicated marketing strategy andextensiveandeffective useofsocial mediaandprint.

SirTimothyLaurence,patron of PaddleSteamer Waverley and husbandof HerRoyal Highness PrincessAnne,said: “Iamdelighted that Waverley hasbeen awardedthe covetedtitleofNational Flagship2024.This reflectsnotonlythe positiveimpressionshe has createdaround theUKin recent years, butalsothe economic benefit shecreates wherevershe goes.” WaverleyExcursions Ltdgeneralmanager Paul Semple said:“We were pleased that our economicimpact wasmentionedbyHistoric ShipsUK,asI amnowable to revealthe results of ascientific economicimpact study that we haddone. It showsthat Waverley hasanannual £11.6mimpactontheUK economy, with£6min

Scotlandand£5.6macrossthe restof theUK.”

Waverley’s 2024 season stretches from May to Octoberandincludesthe Clyde, Western Isles,the NorthernIreland port of Warrenpoint, Merseyside,the BristolChannel,the Thamesand the southcoastofEngland.

Fulldetailsoftheprogramme, whichmarks Waverley’s 50th yearinpreservation,are www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk

NationalHistoricShipsUK logo. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

Comeandsee us atthe onSat25thtoMon 27thMay Trade andPreviewDay Fri 24th May

CRICKBOAT SHOW

Exploringyourcanalancestry: the menwhobuiltthecanals

NicolaLislecontinues herfamilyhistoryseries with alook at themen whodidthehardwork buildingthecanals –the navigators,or‘navvies’

ATTENTIONisoftenfocused ontheengineerswhodesigned ourinland waterwaysandthe boatmenwho keptthe canals workingduringtheir industrial heyday and beyond.Butwhat aboutthemenwho builtthe canals?Who were they? Where didtheycomefrom? Howdid theybecome navvies,andwhy?

Thecanal navigators– or ‘navvies’ –wereunskilled labourers,mostlyfarmor constructionworkerswho had becomeunemployedthrough increasing mechanisationor who hadbeenlured awayby the prospectofhigher wages. For someoftheearliestcanalsthere wasaready-made workforce –the Duke ofBridgewater,for example,usedhis ownestate workersandminersfromhis owncollieriesto buildthe Bridgewater Canalin1759. Canal companies hadtocasttheirnets alittle wider,but wouldhave hadlittledifficultyinrecruiting the vast workforcesneeded in canalconstruction. Someof their recruitslived locally, but many travelledfromallpartsof theBritish Isles seekingworkon thecanals.Thenavviesworking ontheManchesterShipCanal, forinstance,numbered17,000, ofwhicharound5000 came fromIreland,the rest coming from Scotland, Walesand southwest England, as wellasfrom Manchesterand Salford. Buildingthe canals wastough, hazardous work,and navvies were expected to work long hours inall weathers.Therewas no mechanisationhere;thecuttings

ManchesterShipCanal –length:35.5miles,widthon bottom:120ft,depthofwater:28ft.NavviesposeatActon GrangeontheManchesterShipCanal,circa1892,while undertakingsoftexcavationbyhand. PHOTO: NATIONALMARITIME MUSEUMCCBY-NC-SA3.0

and tunnels hadtobedug by hand,usingspades,pickaxes andshovels.Manynavvies died or were seriouslyinjured while workingonthe canals. Navvies’ paywas generally betterthanforotherunskilled manual jobs,butthesystemof payingthemintokensledto resentmentaslocalinnsand stores refused to accept them inplaceof cash.Somecanal companiespaidtheminnotes that couldonlybeused intheir ownshops withtheir hugely inflatedprices.

Livingconditions were also harsh.Most navvieslived in primitiveshacksthat couldbe movedalong thecanal route asthe work progressed.The resultingshantytownsalong theconstructionsitesfostered acommunityspiritamongthe navvies,but theywerelooked down uponbysocietyandtreated as outcasts,anattitudefuelledby their reputationfordrunkenness, rowdinessand rioting.

Railway engineerPeter Lecount, writingin1838, described navviesas‘theterrorof the surroundingcountry…their ferocious behaviourcan only beequalled by thebrutalityof theirlanguage’.

Anupside ofbeing anavvy wasthatcanalstook years to buildandneeded ongoing maintenanceoncecompleted, so those involved in their construction hadguaranteed long-termemployment. Some navvieslaterimproved theirlot by becomingboatmen,oftenliving onthe boatswiththeirfamilies, while sometookother canalrelatedjobs,suchaswharfingers orlockkeepers.Today thereare numerousmonumentsto navvies all over theUK.

Searchingtherecords

As withboatmen,theitinerant natureofthe navvies’lives makes

themdifficulttotrackdown. It helpsif you knowwhich canal(s) yourancestor worked onasthis cannarrowyoursearchdown considerably. Census returnsfrom1841 onwardsmay includeentriesfor navvies,givingname,placeof birth, ageandoccupation.Try searchingfor ‘canal navigator’, ‘canal navvy’or‘canallabourer’. Latercensusesincludeincreasing amountsofinformation, includingwherepeoplelived or were staying oncensusnight, so itmightbepossibletotrackdown your navvyancestor’smovements over asignificantnumberof years. Youmay alsoget cluesastoyour ancestor’s other occupations, ifany. Searchcensus returns at TheNationalArchives(www. nationalarchives.gov.uk)orthe relevantlocal recordoffice. The GeneralRegisterOffice (GRO) records(from1837 onwards)andparish records (pre-1837)givebirth,marriage anddeathdates,occupationand namesoffamilymembers.Bear in mindthatnavviesoftenlived intemporaryaccommodation, andaddressesmay be vague orincomplete,givingjustthe nameofthe canalonwhich theywereworking, forexample. SearchtheGROindexesfree at www.freebmd.org.ukorwww. familysearch.org, orfind outmore at www.gov.uk/research-familyhistory. Forparish records,try the relevantlocal recordsoffice. Localnewspapers may carrynews reportsinvolving navvies,includingriotsand otherincidents,aswellas accidentsanddeathnotices. Tryyourlocallibraryorrecords office,orsearchtheBritish NewspaperArchiveonline(www. britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk). Finally,oralhistoryrecordings giveaninsight intothelivesof the navvies,and you maybe ableto find relevantrecordings inlocal recordofficesand canalmuseums.

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Left hand;righthand

JonathanMosse’smonthly look at freightdevelopment ontheinlandwaterways.

IT WOULDbereassuring tothinkthat in thesetimesofunderfundingfortheUK’s inlandwaterways,the left hand would be fully awareofwhatthe righthand was up to…and,moreimportantly,what the implicationsofanyindependentaction mightamountto!

Withthe Fund Britain’sWaterways campaign (https://waterways.org. uk/waterways/sites/fund-britainswaterways-overview)thefocus (quite rightly) hasbeen ontheleisureuse of ourcanalsand rivers,withonlya glancingreference to thecommercial implications.True, thepresenceof GPSMarine at the twoRiver Thames campaign cruisestothe Palaceof Westminster have addeda certain fluvialgravitas to proceedingsand kept commercial carrying in theframe.

However, as regularreaderswill be aware, theproblemstheyand otherfreightcarriersarefacinglie in adifferentdirectionentirely. Indeed, climatechange–whichis rapidly becominga keyreason behindtheneed foradditionalfunding to maintain our inland waterways –is, ironicallyenough, somethingthat moving goodsfromroads tothe waterways canbeinstrumentalin slowing down,orevenreversing. So,you mightbeforgivenforthinking that amid thepleadingfor moremoney to maintaintheir navigations,there

would be arealisationwithinCanal &RiverTrust(CRT) that therewas mileagein makinga substantial case forthe supportofcommercial carrying at alllevels.Atleasttherewould be if theproperty armofthe organisation wasn’tbeaveringaway, as we speak,to underminethispremise!

Howcouldthisbeso, youmay well ask? Well, aquicklook at CRT’sbalance sheetsforthelast10ormoreyears would soonprovideananswer:inthefaceofthe forecasted, reducingfinancial support forthetrust, it is abundantlyclearthat self-sufficiencyliespredominantly in theareaofpropertydevelopmentand itsassociatedincome.

Nothingreally surprisinghere. When, as anewlyfledged memberof the ThirdSector, British Waterwaystook onthe mantleof Canal& RiverTrust, its substantialproperty portfolio was viewed as alegitimatedevice to enable governmentsubsidytobeprogressively reducedand,toanextent, this belief hasbeen borne outbythepast14years ofexperience.

Therefore, predictably,CRT’s propertydepartmentisencouraged at everyturnto generateincomeforthe trustandconsequently,all possible effortismadetoensurethat nothing gets in theway of this very necessary objective. And thereinliesthe nubof theproblem:one handis beavering away realisingmaximum returnsinall propertytransactions,whiletheother promotes (oratleast purports to)the useofwaterways,whereapplicable,

forcommercial carrying.Well, to be totallyaccurate, that’s notentirelytrue. Following the retirement ofitsprevious incumbent, thereisnow nosingle role withinCRTtolookafterandpromoteits freightinterests.

Indeed,undertheprevious regime, actualpromotionnever reallyentered theframeandthis waslefttoindividual carrierssupported, very often,bythe Commercial Boat OperatorsAssociation (CBOA).

Andtheconflictinthissituation?

On theone hand,CRT’sproperty departmentisdiligently pursuing its brief,tosweat thetrust’s assetsinorder to make thebooksbalance– often by sellingoffwharfsforprimehousing development–while,ontheother hand, thosewithintheorganisation with at leasta passing awareness ofcommercial carryingare, hopefully, stillintouch with afaintrecognitionofthepivotal natureofwharfagetothe viabilityof waterwaysfreight.

Ifthelatter seems overlyoptimistic,in thelight ofthelackoffreight activityon CRT’scommercial waterways overthe pastcouple of years,sparea thoughtfor the£1.3millionor so recentlyspenton dredgingthe Aire &Calder Navigation toallowafullyladenbarge to carryits 500-ton payload.

Following much heartache (previouslyrecordedinthesecolumns) this hadallthe makings of awaterways freightsuccessstory,ifonlyjoined-up thinkinghad been appliedtothe overallenterprise.

Unfortunately,CRT’s property department, doingmoreorlesswhat itistaskedtodo, effectivelyensured that aviableareaofwharfageatthe Leedsdestination wasnot availablefor unloading, despitethefactthat witha modicumofcreativethinking, arealistic solutiondidactuallyexist.

Instead,negotiationfor anew wharf site (withno residentialpotential) requiringtheconstructionofentirely newinfrastructure, waspromoted astheonlyviableoption. Here the realistictimescaleto reachfruition will,inevitably, be measured in years–longafterthenewlydredgedchannels, downstream,havesiltedupagain!

DredgingbelowFerrybridge

FloodLocktoallow FossdaleH to travelfullyloadedcostmorethan £600,000. PHOTOS:JONATHANMOSSE

Sternglands,shaftcareandthedreadedweedhatch!

ByBenSutcliffe-Davies

FORmanyboatusers,the connectionof gearbox to propellernevergets much thought, mostlikelyuntil aleak developsthroughtheglandor somethinggetsfouledaround thepropeller.

Thereare multipleways to connectthedriveshaftto thegearbox, including‘hard coupling’,wherenoprotection to the gearbox is provided.I likesomeformofcoupling wherethere’sa combinationof protectiontothe gearbox and somealignmentassistance. Shouldthepropeller strike somethinghardthentheshock will be taken by thecoupling ratherthanthegearboxand thus save an expensivebill. Whilefittinga couplingit’s importanttoensuresuitable bondinghas been provided to allowthe cathodicconnection to continue;somehavethis

built-inor supply bridging cables. Back from thecoupling arrangementsomecraft havea midwaybearingfor supportand toensure nounnecessary whip develops.Some manufacturers provide agreasingpointfor themidway bearingandit’s essentialto regularlygrease it,whileothersare sealedand impossibletolubricate.Some don’t have awaterproofseal so if you get standingwater in thebilge,itcan startto‘squeal’ and willprobably require replacement.

Sterngland

The sternglandarrangement iswhere theshaft passes throughthe hull tothe outsideunderwaterareawith an appropriate watertight connectiontothe stern tube.It’s worthpointingoutthat during asurveythisareaisn’tpossible toinspect. With age, theysuffer

fromcorrosion.

Some sternglandsare connectedwith ahardbolt-on methodand some have aspecial rubberhosefitted.Thelatter requires suitablehoseclamps to securethehosetoboth stern tube andglandpacking. When tighteningtheglandpackingit’s essential notto overtightenasit willloadthe stern tube hose;in some casesI’veattendedcraft wherethishastorn.The hose conditionshould be regularly checkedasfailurewill resultin rapidflooding.

When Iapprenticedsome40+ years ago, almostallcrafthad some sort of ‘stuffinggland’ arrangement, apacking gland rope would be fittedwitha good qualityglandgreaseand the packingwouldbeforcedintothe gland. I’ve recently postedon YouTube(The Marine Surveyor Notebook) avideoofhow todo this.Whenadjusting, bothneed acarefulunderstandingofhow togentlytightenandlock off.

Almostallthese gland arrangements have ameans ofgreasingwhileunder way, butnotalways. If you tighten theglandit’s importantnot to overtightenorthe bearing becomestoohot.Thereisa happymedium between atiny infrequentdripand ashaft bearingrunningtoohot.If you need toaddmoregland packing it’s important todo this correctly. Whenunder waythe greasershould beoccasionally turneddown.If youare having to constantlyforcegreasein

thenit’s time to tightenthe glandoraddmorestuffing! The glandpackingropeneeds to be theright sizeand hastobe takenaroundtheshaft to make asingleringthat isthen cutat achamfertoensureitisalmost likea thickwasher.Normally when repacking, dependingon the size ofthegland, youcan oftenaddtwoorthree ringsof packingwiththechamferson opposingsides.Lastly, be aware that if you seedeepscoresinthe areaofthegland packingit’s likelytheenginealignmentis notcorrect.

Othertypesof sternglands have alip-sealarrangement withinandarequitepopular. Theyare virtually maintenancefree throughouttheirlifespan and very reliable butneed replacementaround 5-7 years, dependingonmanufacturers'

recommendations.Some,when thecraftislaunched, require ‘burping’;pinchingthe rubber at theendandallowing the air tofree fromthe stern tube. Forgetting to dothis will cause issues withdamagetotheseals fromlackofwatercoolinginthe shaftarrangement to theseal. Somenowhaveabreatherto help with water flowupthe stern tube andpreventcrevice corrosiontoo.

The driveshaftpassesthrough astern tube andexternallythe shaft will be supportedina bearing, thesewear with usein some canalswherefinesilt can wearthe rubber.Generally,on a40mm shaft,thereshouldn’t be more than about2mmof play;ifit’sgettingnearthat thenit’s often bettertochange while sheisout than to paythe costsofdrydocking later.Most

bearings have agrubscrew arrangementtoholdthemin place,tochangethe bearing thepropeller willneed to be removedalso. Beforefittinga new bearing, checktheshaft isnot wornintheareaofthe bearingasany excessivewear willacceleratedeteriorationof theshaft bearinggoing forward. When refittingthepropeller don’tforget alittle greasewill help with removalnexttime and to ensure the keywaysare in goodcondition.

Weedhatch

Thepoint of the hatchisto provide ameansofaccessto thepropeller should you foul something. Whenthecraftis inthe waterthehatch system should have at least150mm offreeboardand acoverthat sealsthechamber– most lids have abaffletoflushoffthe counterplateandto reduce prop washinto thebox.Thelid willnormallybesecured with thecompressionof abarand threadedbolt windingdown theplate;it’s very importantto greasethethreadsandensurethe sealis maintained. When outforblacking,open upand checktheconditionofthe plating. Lookforpittingandthe conditionof weldingofthe box. Ioftenfindcorrosionunderthe flanges whereaplateintroduced to supportthe hatch coverhas corrosionworkingunderand againstthefueltank –this canresultinthefailureofthe fueltank. Oneofthebetterlip-sealarrangementswithbreather.

UnloadingatKnostropWharf,Leeds.Morespacecouldhavebeen foundheretomakethesandflowviable.

Canalsidevillagehostsfreefestival

BOATERSandvisitorstothe Standedge Tunnel canenjoy free entertainment ontapatthe2024Diggle Blues Festival from ThursdaytoSunday,June13-16.

Thisfour-dayeventwasfirstheldin 2010, so this would have been the15th festivalifit hadn’tmissed twoyearsdue to theCovid restrictions.

The festivalisdesignedsothat you watchthefirstactatthefirstvenue,then you have halfanhourto walktothenext venueinthevillage, buya drink,finda seat and watch thenextband, and so on. It’s abitlikea musicaltourofthevillage, especially on Saturdayand Sunday.

Thereisfreeentry to all venues with everythingtakingplaceindoors so there isnoneed to worryaboutthe weather.

Oneofthe venues,TheWizard’s Hollow, hasa beer gardenbackingon tothe Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

It isopenfromnoonon Saturdays and Sundays in summerand sellslarge coffees andteasfor£1andFruit Shoot drinksarefreetochildrenaccompanied by adults.

DiggleisapicturesquePennine village situated at the western endofthe StandedgeTunnelnear the Oldham/ Huddersfield border.

McHale’sPermanentBrewwillbeperformingatKilngreen

DiggleBlues Festival line-up

Thursday, June13

DiggleHotel:7.15-8.30pm,Chris‘TheManintheHat’Martin;GateInn: 9-11pm,RoadhouseSinners. Friday,June14

Wizard’sHollow:7.15-8.30pm, Torpedoes;DiggleBandClub:9-11pm, Andy WalesBluesBand. Saturday,June15

GateInn:1.30-3.30pm,Tigermen;KilngreenHall:4.30-6pm,McHale’s PermanentBrew;DiggleBandClub:6.30-8.30pm,DJKaneandthe Citizens;Wizard’sHollow:9-11pm, TonyMarshall Band.

Sunday,June16

Wizard’s Hollow:12.30-2.30pm,Alex VoyseyBand;DiggleBandClub: 3-5pm,HotFootHallBand;KilngreenHall:5.30-7.30pm,JohnAngusBand.

LeggingthetunnelfromDiggleduringthe2011CanalFestival.

REDHILLMARINA

BlackCountry museumwelcomes 11millionthvisitor

DUDLEY’S BlackCountry Living Museum hasnow welcomed morethan11millionvisitors sinceopeningitsdoorsin1978.

The award-winning open-air museum,alongsidethe Dudley Canal&Tunnels,tells stories fromthe Industrial Revolution throughtothe1960s.

Aspecialwelcomewasgiven to its 11millionthvisitor,Ian Castelino,onhis recentvisit.A school teacher,hesaidhe had beencovering the Industrial Revolution with his students,soit wasgreat to see where it started. He waspresented with ayear’s free membership to the museum, a£50 voucherto spendinthegift shop,asouvenir BlackCountry LivingMuseumbrickanda complimentarylunchfor twoin the1960s Elephant&Castle Pub.

BCLMchiefexecutiveAndrew Lovettsaid: “Since reachingthe milestoneof10millionvisitorsin 2020, we have demonstrated our resiliencefollowing theCovid-19 pandemic,whenthe museum hadtoclose ontwooccasions.

“Withoutthevital support giventousbyArtsCouncil Englandandthe Culture Recovery Fund,wewouldnot have been able to bounce back so quickly,nowreaching107%of pre-pandemic attendance.”

More ofthe museum’s capital developmentwillopenthis year, includingDudley’sWoodside Library,which hasbeen moved brickbybrick from Holly Hall, and abrand-new1960s-themed eveningevent on SaturdayJune29.

Historicthemetosummerevents

BRITISHhistoryandthefascinatingdevelopment ofthelocal portare at theheart of many of the specialevents this summer at theNational WaterwaysMuseum,EllesmerePort.

Locatedatthe junctionofthe Manchester Ship Canalandthe ShropshireUnion Canal,itishome to workingsteamenginesinthe Power Halland anincrediblearray ofhistoric boats.

At Medical Marvelson Sunday, June2,the BritishArmy Medical LivingHistoryGroup will set up wartimedressingstations, operatingtheatres, and achanceto climbaboardajeepambulance.

Aheritage gardener willdemonstratehowto createherbal remediesandvisitors cantry taster sessionsin reikiandcrystaltherapy.

AlsoinJune,the museum willhost aFootball Retrospective(June9), aSecond WorldWarevent (June16),Artonthe Cut(June23)and aVintage Vehicle Weekend(June29-30).

Chris Done,visitor services managerwiththe Canal&RiverTrust, said: “The 2024 summer eventsprogrammeis ourbestever.

“We’re delightedtobestagingapacked programmeoffantasticfunactivities and attractionsforthewholefamily.

“Fromwartime re-enactmentsandtraction engines to medicineandhorseboating, theyoffer

abrilliant educationopportunityfor young people as wellas appealingtoadultenthusiasts.

“Onmanyspecial Sundaysthroughthe season, we give visitorsanextraexciting, themed attractionontopoftheir museumvisit.All these special daysareincludedinourannualpass, but we alsoofferday ticketsforone-offvisits.”

In July,visitorscanenjoyhistoric CanalTown andChocolate Day(July7), HomefrontatPlay (July14), Traditional Village Feteand DogShow (July21)and aFirstWorld Warevent (July28). This is followed in August with aVikingDay (August4), CanalTownand HorseBoating (August11),Yarn Fest (August18) anda Bank HolidayBeerFestival(August 24-26).

Adulttickets cost£12.95,withdiscountsfor children,seniorsandfamilies.Themuseum isopensixdays aweek(closedMonday) untilJuly14,andthenopeneveryday duringthe schoolsummerholidaysuntil September1.TheCanal&River Trustwould bedelightedtohearfromanyoneinterested involunteeringatthemuseum. For moreinformation,visitthemuseum websiteatwww.canalrivertrust.org.uk

PHOTO:©STUARTCOLEMAN

WHAT’SONINJUNE

IfyouwantyoureventlistedinourfreemonthlyWhat’sOnsectionemailyourentryto editorial@towpathtalk.co.ukorusetheeventsformatwww.towpathtalk.co.uk/events Pleasecheckwithorganiserswhethertheeventisgoingaheadbeforesettingouton yourjourney.

UntilJune8

StaffordRiverwayLink: DisplayofartefactsunearthedbySRL volunteersfrom thecanal at RugeleyLibrary,Anson Street,Rugeley, StaffordshireWS152BB. June1

RiverFossSociety: Five-milecircular walk,Coxwoldand Husthwaitewith refreshments at The FauconbergArms. Meet10am outsideCoxwoldChurch. Contact DerekChiversandlethimknowyou arecomingatderek@chivers. plus.com

June1-2

EtruriaIndustrialMuseum: EtruriaCanals Festivalonthe CaldonandTrent &Mersey canals at Stoke-on-Trent.Celebrating the50thanniversary of the reopeningofthe Caldon Canaltonavigation.

LeawoodPumphouse: Openday fromnoonto 4.30pm.Insteam–the pump will be fullyoperational. Entrancefreebutdonationsareencouraged, especially inviewofthecurrent costofcoal. High PeakTrail, Whatstandwell, Matlock DE45HN,accessisasper High Peak Junction.

RovingCanal TradersAssociation: FloatingmarketatTrentham.

June6

WhereThere’sBrass: Bookandalbum launchtour.Various venuesanddates throughout June.Fordetailsandticketsvisitwww.tomkitching.co.uk/gigs LakelandLeisure: Openday withentertainment, tradestands, talks,food anddrink.Roydon MarinaVillage, noon-late.

June8-9

RovingCanal TradersAssociation: Floating marketontheGrand Union CanalatCassioburyPark.

June9

GranthamCanalSociety: Strawberry creamteasevent andopenday. Woolsthorpe Depot(behindtheDirty Duck pub)NG321NY, 10am-3pm.Boat trips available.www.granthamcanal.org

June12

IWALichfieldBranch: Afternoon/eveningwalk –SaltandtheTrent& Mersey Canal.Thisisaneasyfour-mile walkonfootpaths,thetowpathandquietcountry lanesand withnine stiles.Meet4.30pmfor a4.45pm startonWednesday, June 12 at The Holly Bush,WillowmoreBanks,Salt,Stafford,ST180BX. LouthNavigation Trust: AGMandtalkon King CharlesIIICoastal Path by David Rodger,NationalTrails.Navigation Warehouse, 7.30pm.

June14

Lichfield &HathertonCanalsRestorationTrust: AGMfollowed by guest speaker at Park ViewCentre, 2Chester Road North, Brownhills WS87JB, 7.15pm.Non-members welcome butcannot vote.

June14-16

MiddlewichFolkand BoatFestival: Floating marketalongtheTrent& Mersey Canal; stallsandactivitiesonthe Salinaefield; street marketandlive entertainmentonthe main stageandfringe venuesaroundthetown.

June14-July20

StaffordRiverwayLink: DisplayofartefactsunearthedbySRL volunteersfrom thecanal at Brereton Library. Talbot Road, Rugeley, StaffordshireWS151AU. June15

BradleyCanalRestorationSociety: Annual rally at the Canal& RiverTrust BradleyWorkshops.

June17

FriendsoftheCromfordCanal: 40 Yearsafterthe Miners’StrikebyDavid Amos.IronvilleChurchHall,CassonStreet, NG16 5NN,7.30pm.Admission £2.50,tea, coffee, barand raffle.Non-membersalwayswelcome.

June21

LouthNavigation Trust: Boules at TicklepennyLock, 6pm.www.louthcanal. org.uk

June22

FriendsoftheMontgomeryCanal: Coraclefun at WelshpoolTownWharf. June23-24

Scottish TraditionalBoatFestival: 31stannualfestival returns to thehistoric harbourofPortsoy.www.stbfportsoy.org

June24

FriendsofCromfordCanal: The AqueductCottage StorybyIan Hooker,FCC trusteeandfoundingvolunteeronthecottage restoration. Gothic Warehouse onCromfordWharf,Mill Road,DE43RQ startingat7pm.Admission£5 includingrefreshments. Seatingislimitedand bookingcanbemade at www. cromfordcanal.org

June27

RiverFossSociety: SocialPint’n’ aChatat theMason’s Arms,Fishergate, 7pm.Aninformalmeet-upformembersandforanyoneelsetofind outwhat theRiver Foss Societydoesandwhoitsmembers are.

June28

WendoverCanal Trust: Openingofupgradedtowpath betweenWendover HP226HFand HaltonHP225NS,10am-3pm.Canalfair,sponsored walkand children’sactivities.

MontgomeryCanal: Schoolhouse Bridge reopeningceremony. Schoolhouse Bridge,LongLaneSY108BT.

June29-30

BraunstonHistoricBoatRally: Seeadvertonpage18. BlackCountryLivingMuseum: 1960s weekend withlivebands,vintage vehiclesandfar-outfashion. Booktickets at bclm.com

June30

LouthNavigation Trust: Cultureatthe Canal, Zero Degrees.Navigation Warehouse, noon-5pm.

Alove lettertothe waterwaysofEngland

Reviewer:JanetRichardson

INHISnew bookWhere There’sBrass,authorand musicianTom Kitching describesthe journeyfrom Manchesterin ahistoric narrowboat to London wherehespendssixmonths intheboatingcommunity.

Subtitled‘Aloveletterto the waterwaysof England’he istakinghismessage across thecountrythroughout Juneon abook and albumlaunchtour.Tom’s storytellingisinterwoven with specially composed music, underpinned by his long-termaccompanist, the Nordic mandola player MaritFält.

It isduetoopen at the Chippenham Folk Festival on Sunday, May26with theofficiallaunchgigat the StretfordPublic Hall BallroomManchesteron Wednesday, May29.

Tomisoneofthe14 co-ownersofhistoric workingboat Spey,a 72ft boat with afullywooden hull built by FellowsMorton &Clayton at Uxbridge in1937forthefueloiltrade between EllesmerePortand Birmingham.

In 1966, Spey wasboughtdirect fromthe carriersbyAlan Joneswho used it partlyfor boyscout camping tripsbefore sellingitin1971to agroup of six studentswho hadgotinvolved inthe restoration sceneandpaid£150 ashare fromtheir studentgrants.

Southwardbound

Thefirstpartofthe bookisan accountofTom’s journeysouth, accompanied at different timesby variouscrewincludingwheelchair userBridgetSlater, highlighting some oftheaccessibilityproblemsfacedby disabledboaters.Eachday’s journey isillustrated with amap showing theroute and numberoflockstobe completed. It ispartly arace against timeastherewerealimitednumber ofdays beforethe winter stoppage season beganinearnest.

Descriptionsofeverythingand everyonemetalongthe way,from hire boaters strugglingtogetback tobase,birds rangingfromcoots andkingfisherstocormorantsand Canada geese, interspersed with anecdotes,historicaldetailandvisits to variouswateringholes,makethisa rivetingreadforanyoneinterestedin thewaterways whetheras aboateror towpathuser.

EnteringMiddlewich,Tom experiences a‘mysteryencounter’ sensinga figureinthedarknessas theyapproachBig Lock wherethe

gates hadalready beenopenedto receivethem.Thenextthree locks arealsosetas well with gatesopen andclearto see on amoonlitevening. Whentheymakethe90-degree turnintothe154ft Wardle Canal,the Wardle Lock is also setandthelock setter,who makeshimselfknown as Jonathan, says he will follow themallthe waytoLondon before disappearingtohis campervanfor thenight. It turns outthatthisisnone otherthan JonathanMosse,editorof Nicholsons WaterwaysGuidesanda regularcontributor to TowpathTalk Oneofthedelightsofthis bookis that thereare so many canalstretches, communitiesandcharactersthat readers canidentify with,their own memorieshelping to bringitalltolife.

Winter’stale

Havingcompleted thejourneyinthe nickoftime before theimpending stoppages, we spendthe winterin thecapital with Tomandhis various visitorswhoall have their owntales totell abouttheirexperienceswith Spey over theyears.Hebecomes partofthe boatingcommunityand sharesitsproblemsof findingsuitable moorings,havingtomoveeveryweek ortwoandthelackoftoiletand washingfacilities.

Complaints from thenouveau riche living in upmarket canalside apartments aboutthe soundofthe Bolinderengine,adisregardfor privacyfrompeopletakingphotos throughthe hatchor even boarding Spey uninvited areall parforthe

course.One womandog walker evenleansthrough the hatchandasks Tom: “Is therea reasonwhysomany of you shit in thewoods?” Notedbyhimasanearly indicationofthe‘themand us’cultureofthemodern waterway.

Tomconcludesthat while the Londoncontinuous cruisinggrindis ahardlife for many,itisone full of reward.Ifyou’relooking for acheaphouse don’t bother butifyouwant to engage withthe waterways andcommunitieswhich populateitand cancope with carryinga canisterof yourown excrementtoa distantfacilitiesblock, then doit.

Thisproject buildson the successofhisprevious work,most recently Seasons ofChange,the storiesand musicfrom18months busking around England. Where There’sBrass by TomKitching(paperback, 320pages)is availablefrom www.tomkitching.co.uk/shop ISBN:9781399979368

Tourdates

May

26 –ChippenhamFolkFestival

29 –Manchester -Stretford PublicHallBallroom –Official LaunchGig

30 –Bradford-TopicFolkClub June 6– Guildford–Boathouse 7–Cardiff -NorwegianChurch 8–GowerFolkFestival 9–Liverpool -Philharmonic MusicRoom

12 –Egremont -FlorenceArts Centre

13 –NewcastleUpon Tyne -Cobalt

14 –Leicestershire-Folkonthe Farm(nearCoalville)

15 –Northampton-TheLab (afternoonshow)

16 –Harwich -ArtsandHeritage Centre(afternoonshow)

17 –London -Green Note

18 –NewForest -Hyde War MemorialParishHall

19 –Devon -AshburtonArts

20 –Exeter -CygnetTheatre

Forinformationandtickets: Contact Tomon07788 993127

Email:tom@tomkitching.co.uk www.tomkitching.co.uk/gigs www.facebook.com/ tomkitchingmusic

Open daytocelebratelaunchofmarinaexpansion

LAKELAND Leisureishostinganopenday eventatits Roydon MarinaVillageinthe LeeValleyRegional Park on Saturday, June8.

It willcelebrateboththecommunityofthe residential park homeownersandannual moorersaswellas the launchofanexpansiontoadd168 new mooringspaces tothemarina.

It is expectedtodrawalargecrowdwithvisitorsjoining the1000-strong communitywho canlookforward tolive musicfromDJs andbands,diversefoodtrucksand avariety ofdrinkoptions.Theday willalsoinclude performances, talksfrom boatinginfluencersandindustryexperts andan array of market stalls offeringcraftsandothergoods. Entertainers willinclude Hula Hooping starLauren Cooleyand Hector CottomaccompaniedbyPurple Sound. Therewillalsobepresentations by influencersAdam Lind and Maymoon, HertfordshireZoo,KingsgroundBoats,Titan Canopies,Pro-marineand RiverCanal Rescue.

Canalpioneer TomRolt’sremarkable life rememberedatIronbridgeGorge Museum’s successfulconference

By TimCoghlan

THE inspirationforthis conference,billed as LTC Rolt –Life,Work, Legacy,was twofold.This year marksthe 50thanniversary of Rolt’s death in1974 at thecomparatively youngageof64. Secondly,the formidabletaskof cataloguing his books,lettersandpapers, which hadbeenpresented inan inspired momentbyRolt’s widow Soniain2006, hadnow been completed by the museum’s untiringarchivistChrisPickford. This catalogueofmorethan 20,000itemsisnowofficially onlineandaccessibleto scholars andenthusiasts worldwide.

Thereseemsto have beenno previous conferenceon Tom Rolt’s legacy –thenearest being acombinedpresentation by theactorand canalenthusiast TimothyWestandme at the openingofthe Cheltenham LiteraryFestivalin2010.This, again, wasSonia-inspired and shehad invitedthe twoofus to attend.The reason for that presentation wasthat in 1962,she and Tomhadmoreorless saved theCheltenham LiteraryFestival

fromclosing– anotheroftheir remarkabledouble-acts –and 2010 marked thecentenaryof Tom’sbirth.Thenow flourishing festival wanted to acknowledge the Rolts’achievementinsaving it,andalsoTom’s achievements as awriter.

Ourtalk wasbilled as Tom Rolt:narrowboatman,and with

TimothyWesttoppingthe bill, all 250tickets were quicklysold. By contrast, themuseum’s small butexcellentconference facilities restricted thedelegates (including14speakers)toa modest80intotal,andthese were soontakenup.

The speakers’listincluded canalenthusiasts,suchasthe

formerIWAchairmen, John Fletcher –who spokeabout Tom and Sonia’svariouscontributions tothat organisation.Other speakers included anumber ofacademicsand‘laymen’ enthusiastswho hadmade studiesofdifferentaspectsof Tom’sworks.Spaceonly allows commentonafew ofthem, chosento reflect thediversity ofthepresentations, rather thananyhintofimportance orquality.

Rolt’scontributionto theghoststory

Aparticularlyinteresting paperwasdeliveredbyDanny Rhodes,seniorlecturerin creativeandprofessional writingatCanterburyChrist Church University.Hehad madeanacademicstudy of Rolt’s ghoststories. His talk washeadedLTC Rolt’s contributiontotheghost story.Hepointedout that Roltonlyproduced onesmall collectionof14ghoststories, calledSleep No More –most

ofwhich were ofindifferent quality. But oneofthem, Bo sw or th Summit Pound, wasamong the best ghost storiesever written,and Dannyreferredhis studentstoitwhen studying creativewriting. WhenIasked thequestion:“Whywerethere nomoreghost stories from Rolt?”,Dannysaidhewas of theviewthat Rolt hadjustlost interestinwritingthem,and hadfoundgreaterthings to write about, whichwouldpay hima lotmoremoney.SalesofSleep No More were disappointing, andheentirelydependedonhis earningsfromwritingtopay for hisfamily’slivelihood.

L.TT.CC.RRollt A Bibliography: delegates were all given acomplimentaryedition ofthe latestand much improved(2012) edition; itcontains 561 entries.Onthecover,Tom Roltis seen steering Cressy at Hawkesbury Junction in about 1950. PHOTO: ROLTCOLLECTION

Rolt’s mixedenthusiasmfor ghoststories wasindramatic contrasttothat of hisone-time colleagueandfriend Robert Aickman, withwhomhe had co-foundedtheIWAin1946. Aickmanwas aprolific writer of

ghoststories,whichhe termed ‘strange stories.’ He alsoedited thefirsteightvolumesofthe FontanaBookofGreat Ghost Stories.Aickman hadsaidthat he preferredtoberemembered as aghoststory writer ratherthan for hisconsiderable waterways achievements. He genuinely believedinthe paranormal,totheextentthat onecriticaskedabout 10 years afterhisdeath:“Ifhis beliefs were true,why we have we not heardfromhim since?” Perhapswhat Dannyhad inmind with regard to Rolt’s fortuneandfinance was coveredbya laterspeaker,Tim Bryan,directoroftheBrunel Instituteatthe SS GreatBritain Trust. Histalk wasentitled Isambard KingdomBrunel

IronbridgeGorgeMuseum:theconferencewasheldinwonderfully restoredbuildings –thepaper presentationsandformaldinnerintheMuseumofIron(right)withthepre-conference receptioninthe FurnaceKitchen(left). PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN

Narrow Boat: The book that launched athousandcanal restorations.Thecoverof the1946secondedition, whichisnow acollector’s piece. PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN COLLECTION

–Rolt’s biographicallegacy. He alsoincludedinhistalk Rolt’s twoothergreatengineering biographies,onTelfordand Stevenson.Allofthesebooks were written morethan60years ago, and each hasstood thetest oftime,andenjoyedseveral reprints,especiallyafter Brunel came second toChurchillinthe BBCTVprogrammeBritain’s Greatest Person.

As Soniawroteinthe introductiontothe2005 reprint of Tom’sBrunel: aPocket Biography,thecompleteoriginal wasa‘long, well-researched biography whichremainsin printtothisday.’That complete bookhasnowbeen through morethan10reprints,an achievement that few authors ofbiography canbetter. Tim concludedthat despite many morerecentbiographies,“Rolt’s bookonBrunel remainsthe definitivebook...it wasjustso well-writtenand remains so readable”.For amanwho had leftschoolat16totakeupan engineeringapprenticeship,and never been neara universityor even acreativewritingcourse, Tom’sachievementscontinue tobaffle.

In oneofher many roles, Sonia wasinvolvedinchoosing thefurnishingsandfabrics forthe restored interiorofthe SS GreatBritain,whenit was undergoingrestoration inBristol. Shehadhonedher skillswhen refurbishingbuildingsforthe LandmarkTrust.

Fiveyearsthatsaved thecanals

Reflectingonthe diversityof the speakersandtheir subject

Session 2speakerstakingquestionsaftertheir presentations:(fromleft)TimBryanonBrunel,Ian Evansonthe TalyllynRailwayandJohnFletcher ontheIWAandtheRolts.NickBooth(right)ofthe museumchairedthesession.OnscreenisSonia Rolton avisittothe TalyllynRailway.

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

matter, actressandplaywright Kate Saffin’s talk washeadedFive yearsthat savedthe canals –the fiveyears being 1945to1950. She hadresearchedthe period for herplayIDig Canalswhich was aboutwomen’sinvolvementin thehands-on toughrestoration work ofthat time,anIWA traditionthat is continuedtothis daybythe Waterways Recovery Groupor‘Wergies’. Kate’s play was performedbyhertravelling theatre companyAlarum Productions.Her research had takenherto,among otherplaces, the NationalArchives at Kew, whichholds Aickman’spapers, includinghiscorrespondence withRolt. Kate recalledhow she becamealmostemotional holdingtheiroriginallettersin her researcher’s glovedhands.

“Theybegan as ‘DearMrRolt’ and ‘DearMrAickman’, then ‘Dear Rolt’and ‘Dear Aickman’,

TomRolt,inlaterlife, revisitingthe Talyllyn Railway,whichhesaved almostsingle-handedly.

PHOTO:ROLTCOLLECTION

FamilyoutingfromtheRolts’homeatStanleyPontlargein 1957. Tomisdrivinghis1929Alvis,whichwashisrunaround cartotheendofhislife. PHOTO: ROLTCOLLECTION

andfinally whentheir relationshipmoved on to friendship, whileit lasted, ‘Dear Tom’ and ‘DearRobert’.

The lastof theformal paperpresentations wasgiven by Victoria Owens,entitled Hiddenin the landscape –writing aboutRolt. The presentation wastogo withwhathadbeen intendedastheformal launchof hernew book The Lifeof LTCRolt: Whereengineering metliterature. Duetoagremlin at publishers Penand Sword,the bookregrettably wasnot ready intime forthe conference.But wewere treatedtoafew choice extracts.Thebookinone sense islongoverdue,asitseemsto be theonlycompletebiography of Rolteverwritten, thoughof courseRolt wasprolific in writing abouthimself –three volumes of it,whichincludedthemost intimatedetails.Volumeone, Landscape with Machines,has echoesofPrince Harry’sSpare–ofhowasa youngman working

Theyoung TomRolton Cressy at theentrancetoCrick Tunnelinthe summerof1939.Theexperienceof thistunnel –thenlittleusedandin apoorstateof repair –mayhave inpartinspiredhisgreatghost storyBosworthSummitPound.The photographwastakenbyhisthenwifeAngelintheearlierpartofthe canaljourneythatlaterappearedin hisfirstbook,NarrowBoat.

PHOTO:ROLTCOLLECTION

inthe Phoenix Garage helosthis virginitytoLara, an attractive maturefemalecustomer,whose full name wasnotgiven.The fruitythirdvolume, Landscape with Figures, whichcovershis adulterousrelationship with Sonia,who wasthenmarried totheworkingboatman George Smith,wascompletedonly shortly beforehisdeathin1974, and suppressed by Soniafor another20 years.

Rolt’spapers…

ApagefromSoniaRolt’s canalnotebookof1944,in whichshehad recorded detailsofthelocksand stopsalongtheGrandUnion CanalbetweenBourneEnd (Herts)andBirmingham. New recruitshadtowriteall ofthisdownaspartoftheir initialtraining,astherewere noprintedguidebooksfor them. PHOTO:IRONBRIDGEGORGE MUSEUMTRUST

Afairdealforboaters:SoniaaroundJune1945drawing politicalslogansonthecabinofherGUCCCmotor Phobos. Itwasherpoliticalactivismthatattractedhertothenewly foundedIWA,asbeingabletogivearticulate representation forsavingcanalcarryingandimprovingthelotofthe workingboatmen.ItwasthroughhertimeontheIWA committeethather relationshipdevelopedwiththecanal authorandco-IWAfounder TomRolt. PHOTO:ROLTCOLLECTION

SoniaRoltaged88opening the2007BraunstonHistoric NarrowboatRallyonthe sternofsteamnarrowboat President PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

uponaninformaldouble-acttalk from Soniaand Tom’stwo sons, Timand Richard. It wasgiven duringthe receptionontheeve oftheconferenceinThe Furnace KitchenCoalbrookdale. The sons spokemovinglyoftheirboyhood with afatherwho wastherebut wasnotthere. Sonia hadtodo nearlyeverything forthe boys, as Tomwas alwaysinhissmall writingroomatthetopofthe stairsandtotheleft.Hereallday long andintothe evening, andin asmoke-filledroom,hetap-taptapped away with twofingersat histypewriter,thenoiseofwhich couldbehearddownstairs.He hadnosecretarytoretypehis corrected pages to be readyfor theprinters.Instead,he hadto disciplinehimselftoplanwhat he wasgoingtowrite before beginningtotypeand avoid errors at allcosts.Chrisshowed me first-draft manuscriptsof pages readyto go to theprinters withonlythemostminimalof handcorrections.

This,appropriately,takesuson totheverygood exhibitionof someof Rolt’s papers,available throughouttheconference.It wasput together by thearchivist ChrisPickford,andinthe breaks, he wasonhandtotalkus throughthem.Hetoldmethat ingivinghisquoteforthetaskof cataloguing, he hadfailed totake on boardjusthow muchthere was, scatteredinboxesaround Sonia’slarge and rambling house. He hadestimated and quoted on 14,000documents, butinfact,therewerearound 20,000ofthem.Memories indeedofLady Macbeth’s:“Idid notknowthe manhad so much blood inhim!”Christoldmehe haddecidedhe couldn’taskto re-quote butinstead tookonthe extrataskatnocharge, making thishis legacytoliteratureand themuseum.

Chris hadbeentrulyamazed by what Soniahad handedover, wartsand all –withno attempt at suppressing anything, which seemedsurprisingafterher attempttodosowithLandscape with Figures.

The Roltarchivesincludedher early correspondence with Tom, whenshe wasstill amarried workingboatwoman,withletters toherwhichshecollected from variouslockkeepersalong the waterways,much to her husband’s annoyance.The exhibitsincludeherjournalfor that period (1944-45). It isalso allthere, with even afewletters toandfromtheaforementioned Lara. Hopefully,Victoria Owens haspickeduponallofthisin her book– nowavailablefrom publishers Penand Sword. Inmy last referencetothe presentations,Iwouldlike to pick

Timtold usthat afterthe completionofthe roof repairs, the Rolts’familyhouse, Stanley Pontlargein theCotswolds, complete with Tom’soriginal writingroom, booksandall, had nowbeengiven to theLandmark Trustinaccordance with Sonia’s wishes.Itcould be rented selfcatering for aminimumperiod offour days.

Tom’swritingroomwas accessibleforuse, stillalmost unchanged includingthat typewriter.But visitorsofa literaryinclination were advised totaketheir ownlaptops–andof course, it wasnow non-smoking!

‘Morefunthan goingtothegym’

ByJanetRichardson

AFAMILIAR sightatthe Braunston

Historic Boat Rallyinlate June,the iconicpair Nuneaton and Brighton are still at work.

Theyare ownedandoperated by the Narrow Boat Trust,a volunteer-led charitywhose objective isto maintain thehistoricboats anddemonstrate howtheywereoperated commercially togetherintheday.

The twonarrowboats areloadedwith coalonce ayearatBraunstonand go down theGrand UnionCanal to the rivers Thames, Weyandthe Kennet& Avon Canal,deliveringsmokeless fuel to customers alongthe way.

Forthecrewit’s aworkingholiday and thedaysarelong, butaccordingtoNBT: “It’smorefunthan goingtothe gym.”

Allarevolunteersbutcrewmember Colin Wilkstold TowpathTalk everyone is getting abitlonginthetoothand some aredroppingout.

“Wewondered what we coulddoand cameup withtheideaofadvertising tastersessionson Facebook appealingto

peoplewho hadseenthehistoricboats anddidn’tknowhow to go forwards.

The objectivewastoacquiresomenew activemembers.

“Wehavehad some very gratifying results –from60enquiries,15have translatedintopaid-upmembers so we areveryhopefulthatithas beena successandis agreat fillipasfaras we areconcerned.”

Following theBraunston rally, Nuneaton and Brighton will returnto theirbaseatthe SamBarlowMarina at Alverstone on theCoventryCanal, courtesyofMalcolm Burgeforwhose generositythetrustisverygrateful.

During one recent work party there, new recruits madeup halfthe workforce havingbeendrawnintoNBT membershipas aresultof watching David Johns’video on YouTube, referencedinthe Facebookposts:‘You canmakemecoalagain’.

Thetrust hasbeenplacingfour trainees withfourexperiencedmembers so that each wasbuddyingupwitha dedicated memberofthecrew.

At theendof August the boatswill

returntoBraunston to loadupreadyfor theannualcoal run.Theywillalsogoon trainingmanoeuvrestakingthe boatsto Napton JunctionanduptheBraunston flightoflocks andthroughthetunnel to demonstratehow to work thepowered boat and buttywhentheyare loaded–usually watchedwithinterestfromthe canalbanks.

Althoughtrainingsessionsplanned in JulyandSeptemberare alreadyfully booked,thetrustisalwayslookingfor morenewmembers.Anyoneinterested shouldcontactmembership secretary IanJohnsonon01483591756 (evenings) oremailnbtmemb@gmail.com Website:www.narrowboattrust.org.uk YouTubevideos:https://youtu.be/ c2YqBSO-nmc?si=lVEgy3GNOeJyFgiZ

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Both Nuneaton and Brighton were builtinthemid-1930sfortheGrand Union CanalCarryingCo(GUCCC). TownClass boats, Nuneaton is aLarge Northwich built by Yarwood’s and the butty Brighton is aLarge Woolwich built by Harland &Wolffin London.

fromBraunstonMarina,talkingtocanalvisitorsontheBraunstonFlight.

ApproachingLechladeatdusk

PHOTO:RICHGREENHALL

Afineandincreasinglyraresight:cruisingabovetheClaydonFlight,withFrankieMorinioftheCanal &River Truststeering Nuneaton andColinWilkson Brighton undertow. PHOTO: KEVMASLIN

WaitingforNelsonLocktofill.ColinWilksonthefirstlegofthecoalrun

PHOTO:TIMCOGHLAN

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Annual reporthighlights marineindustrybenefits totheUKeconomy

BRITISHMarine hasreleased itsnew annual economicreporttitledThe Economic Benefitsofthe Leisure, Superyacht& SmallCommercial Marine Industry,2022-23.

Buildingonprevious reports,it providesanoverviewoftheindustry’s contribution to theUKeconomy, providingdetailed analysisand statistics onindustry turnover, Gross Value Added (GVA),employmentfiguresandthe balanceoftradeconcerningimports andexports.

In hisforeword, Lord DaviesofGower, MinisterforMaritime, International& Security,states:“The reportoffersa fascinatinginsightintothebreadth anddepthoftheUK’smarineindustry and…theimportant contributionofthe marineindustrytoour wider economy.”

A12.5%growth sawindustryrevenue reachanestimated £4.41billionforthe 2022-23 period.This growth hasbeen partlyfuelledbyinflation, with prices risingaround4.7%above the average inflationlevels.

The industry’sdirectGross Value Added(GVA) contribution to theUK’s GrossDomesticProduct(GDP) sawa 6.7%increaseto£1.68billion.

The direct workforce hasalsogrown, withthe numberoffull-timeequivalent jobs havingrisen during 2022-23 by 6.6%to38,336. Thatfigure increasesto anestimated 753,838 FTEjobswhen takingaccountofthe widerindirect economiccontributionthe marine industryhas hadonother sectors,such asonhospitality services.

Commentingonthefindings, British MarineCEOLesleyRobinson said:“This report underscoresthe resilienceand dynamic nature of theUK’smarine industry amidst thechallenging economicconditionsof2022-23.

“The surgeindomesticdemand andthe remarkableincrease in apprenticeshipssignal avibrantfuture, yettheyalsounderscorethenecessity ofaddressingthe skills gapand fosteringsustainablegrowthamidst uncertainties.”

Sheadded: “Aswelooktothefuture, British Marine remainscommitted tosupportingandadvocatingfor our members.Ourjourneyforward is oneof cautiousoptimism, as wework together to harnessopportunitieswhile remainingmindfulofthe hurdlesthat we mayfaceinthefuture.”

Keepyourboatwarm with anew Hobbit

TOWPATHTalk readers canmakea greatsaving on anew multi-fuel stovethankstoaspecial summerofferfrom Salamander Stoves. Particularlyaimed at heatingsmall spaces, the HobbitSE canburn wood,coal,smokeless fuelandcompressed sawdustbriquettes. Despiteits size, it hasan outputthat ranges from 3kWto5.6kW, making itanidealaddition to canalboats.Itsfull cast iron bodyensures that thistinystove will radiateheatlongafter yourfire hasdieddown.

Takingadvantageof the canalboatspecial offerprovidesan opportunitytomake agreat savingonyour woodburnerand ensurethat you have everythingyou need to getyoursmall multifuelstove installed beforewinter.Summer is just aroundthecorner andthisisthe perfect timetohopondeck and getthejobdone!

TheHobbitisthe flagship stoveofthe Devon-based family businesswhotoldus:

“Our stoveprovidesa reliableand attractive heatingsolutionanda realfirewillmakeyour narrowboat truly feel likehome.

“Largerboatscan

benefitfromourside boileroption,which canbeused toheata coupleof radiators at theendof your boat. The HobbitSE canalso be fittedwith arearflue exit and agalleryrail, so that youcan easily boil akettleorcookon your stovetop.” Make sure you are snugas abug for winter by takingadvantage of thislimitedtime

offerwhichcomprises aHobbitSEstove andtraditionalblack insulatedfluekit.

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Defra-exemptandit haspassed theHETAS CleanerChoiceScheme andtheclearSkies mark. Salamander Stovesis alsoa proudmember ofthe StoveIndustry Associationand every stove is hand-finished at its Devonworkshop.

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ECSEngineeringServicessecures spotamongEastMidlands’top200

ANENGINEERING specialist with morethan30years’experiencein theconstructionof water,energy and environmentalprojects hassecured aplaceamongthetop200fastestgrowingcompaniesacrosstheEast Midlandsfor2024.

In conjunction with keysupply partners,Nottinghamshire-based ECSEngineeringServicesdesigns andinstalls awide rangeofprojects managingcivilcontractors and supplyingpipework, controland automation work to ensurethat everyinstallationisinstalledand commissionedtohighstandards. Existingclientsincludethe majority oftheUK waterutilitycompanies,

government agenciesandinternal drainageboards.

Mark Watkins,managingdirector at ECS, said: “BeinglistedintheEast Midlands200isnot just an honour but arecognitionofECS’s contributionto theregionaleconomyand itspivotal roleas aflag bearerfortheEast Midlands businesscommunity.”

ECSisrankedatnumber 60inthe listcompiled in theEastMidlands 200 report,producedbyGrant Thornton inits survey ofthefastest-growing companiesinthe region,highlighting theirfinancial performanceand industryleadership. Thereportfor 2024 reveals adynamic businesslandscape

intheEastMidlands,withECS EngineeringServicesstandingout duetoitsinnovativestrategiesand commitmenttoexcellence.

With afocusondelivering high-qualityengineeringsolutions, ECShas demonstrated thekindof driveand leadershipthat propels companiestothetopoftheir industries.

Previous waterwaysprojects have includedtheinstallationofthefirst setoflockgatesconstructed from mouldedFRPintheUK atSunbury DryDockonthe RiverThamesand asolar-powered level sensoronthe RiverGlenin Lincolnshire, bothfor theEnvironmentAgency.

BoatclubtoopennewUKbase

INTERNATIONALoperator

Freedom Boat Club has expandeditsUKdestinations with anew locationbeside the ThamesatChertsey,its sixth in theregion.

Centrallylocated just outside London,it will providemembersdirect accesstoenjoyboating along the river. Arturo Gutierrez,general manager, ofFreedom Boat Club, said:“Thisannouncement

reflects ourcommitment toexecutingour strategic visionas we continueto expand ourinternational footprintandestablisha presencein topboating destinations worldwide.”

PlannedtoopenonJune 1with aselectionof new boats, theChertsey base at BatesWharf Marina will be part of Freedom’sThamesSolentHubproviding membersunlimited access

tothreelocationsinthe region. It will be ownedand operated by RichardBates, amarineveteran whois passionateaboutexpanding thelocalboatingcommunity throughFreedom’s shared accessmodel.

He said:“Withdecades of experienceacrossthefull spectrumofboatownership, marina operationsand services,I’m ecstatic to bejoiningtheFreedom

teamandprovidinga new pathwayfor boaterstoenjoy theon-water lifestyle.

“Freedom’s commitment aligns with my passion of growingtheUK boating community,and Ilook forwardtoasuccessful partnership withFreedom Boat Clubnowpartofour wide rangeofportfolio offerings.”

Go to www.freedomboat club.co.ukfordetails.

Gettingonthewater at Southamptonshow

VISITORS to this year’s Southampton International BoatShow will have lotsofopportunities to get outonthe waterinarangeofdifferent craft. Fromtheadrenaline rushof stand-uppaddleboardingandthe eleganceof sailingonaclassictall shiptothehigh-speed excitement of powerboating,theshowfrom September13-22is aplaygroundfor anyone with aloveforthe wateras wellasthoselookingtodiptheirtoes inforthefirsttime. Lastyear morethan9000visitors tooktothewaterandorganiserBritish Marinehopestowelcome evenmore people tothe2024event. Locatedinthe purpose-builtshow marina isoneofthetop attractions, Try-a-Boat, providedbymembership

clubFlexisail. Visitors have the chanceto experienceeverythingfrom abriskRIB ride to aleisurely sail,all ofwhichareincludedinthepriceof theirshowticket.

Foradvancebookingvisitwww. southamptonboatshow.com/ tickets/

BatesWharfMarina,Chertsey,providesdirectaccesstotheThames. PHOTOSUPPLIED

CatherineArmstrongofCafwinCruisesgave atalkontheuseofthe firstelectrichybridnarrowboatforhireinEnglishwaterways.

Electrika– aneweventforanyone interestedinelectricpropulsion

Despitetheiroftenhighercost,thereareanincreasing numberofelectricallypowerednarrowboatson thewaterways,andnowthissectionoftheboating communityhasits owneventdedicatedtotheirsector. PhilPickinpaid avisittothefirstElectrikaeventtosee whatitoffered.

THEopeningofthefirstElectrika eventfor ownersandusersofelectric narrowboatstookplace at Brinklow Marina in Warwickshire.

The eventwas promotedasbeing “foranyone interestedinelectric narrowboats”,butthat invitationcould quite easily extendto widebeams and many other stylesof craftjust as readily,in my opinion.Theevent wasthebrainchildofOrtomarinein collaboration with Aquavista with the intentionof gatheringtogetherexisting owners,potential owners,equipment manufacturers,boatbuildersandhire boat companieswhosharethe same interestinelectricpropulsiononthe waterways.Theorganisersalso hoped that, via anumberoftalksheldduring the event, to promote thesharing of informationandexperiences,which,it ishoped,willencouragetheadoptionof electricpropulsiononinland waterways. Whilethe widespreadadoption ofelectricpropulsion maynot be imminent, the genuineinterestit has sparkedamongawiderange of boat buildersandalliedbusinesses was evidentatElectrika. The diverserange oftalks,withtitleslikethe ‘successful electric narrowboat construction’to theexperienceoflivingonanelectric narrowboat,garnered considerable attention.Pre-eventpublicity outlined that over thelastfew years,a“near silent revolution” hasoccurredasanew generationofelectric-propelled, hybrid narrowboatshavebeenlaunched and cruised onUK waterways.

Diverseaudience

Electrikaseemedtodrawadiverse audienceof boat usersandbuildersand hireboatoperators,manyofwhom,a fewyears ago, mighthavedeclined such aninvitation.Thisshiftintheindustry hasbeenlargelydrivenbypotential boat ownerswho arenow more curious about theoptions availablewhenconsidering anarrowboat.The eventservedas aplatformfor these discussions and reflections.

Someofthemanyvisitorsonthe firstdayoftheeventbeforethe talksstarted.

“It’sanexciting timeforthe sector, andthere is arealbuzzin theair”

Ortomarinedirector Caroline Badgeropenedthetalks by providing ahighlydetailed presentationwhich outlined to fellowboatbuilders some ofthequestionsandconsiderationsthat should be takenintoaccount during theplanningphase.She outlinedjust howwell-suitednarrowboatsare to beingpropelledbyanelectricmotor, includingtheirslow speed,thefactthat the boat’s weight isnot amajorissue andthat the generallylarge roofareason narrowboatsprovideanideallocation for solarpanels.Butherpresentation wasn’tsimplyfocused onthemechanics ofelectric narrowboats. Havingstarted buildingand sellingboatsin2015, Ortomarine haslearntthat itis equally importanttodiscuss, withprospective owners,the need to takethings alittle moreslowly.Afterall, reducingspeed isthe best waytoreducetheamountof fuelused,whateverits source.

Wellsupported

Theeventwas also well supportedbya numberof businessesandorganisations, including theIWA andthe FundBritain’s Waterways campaign,OnboardEnergy, Hydrogen Afloatand Elton Moss Boatbuilders,amongmanyothers. Unsurprisingly,Vetus and LynchElectric Motors were also in attendance,but somewhat unusuallybutnonetheless interestingly, CafwinCruiseshire fleet’s CatherineArmstronggaveatalk outliningherexperiencesofoperating asmallhirefleet, whichincludes Ollie Owl, thefirstelectric hybrid narrowboat forhireonEnglish waterways.

Brinklow Marina providedanideal opportunityfor someofthe boatsbuilt by Ortomarineand Aqua Narrowboats to be on show to visitors. HunkyDory, Ampere,ElectricDragon and Speedy WhippetII,thefourth hybrid boatAqua hasbuilttodate,werejustsomeofthe boatsonshow(anumber of which we’velookedatin TowpathTalk over theyears).

Thefifth serial hybrid will be Thistledown,whichwillinclude aFischer Panda generatorandOrtomarine’s ownelectricmotor,LiFePO4 batteries, plusthecompany’sOrtoMateControl system, which willprovidemonitoring and automationon board.

Coastalboaters

Coastal boatersalready have agreen tech boat show usuallyheldonthe south coastonthe Solent, so itisencouraging to see theinland boating community getitsown eventdedicated towhat you mightcall‘green tech’. Hopefully,the eventwillbuildfromwhat wasobviously asuccessfullaunch, anditwould begood to see thelikesofGreenBlue,CRT and BritishMarine getinvolved tosupport futureevents. Althoughflagged asan eventfocused on electricpropulsion, thereisa lotmorethat canbedoneto reducetheimpactthe waterwayssector hasonthe widerenvironmentandthe climate. Sustainable boatingdoesn’t alwaysmean carryingout radical conversionsof boats.

Forexample,theenvironmentwill alsobenefit from movestowardsthings liketheincreaseduse of solarand, indoingso, areductionintheuseof generators.Asoneexhibitor said: “It’s anexcitingtimeforthe sector,andthere is areal buzzintheair.”

Ifhe’s correct,itwill be interesting to see howthe sector, andthiseventin particular,developsinthenearfuture.

OneofLightningCraft’sexhibits.

Ortomarine’sCarolineBadger duringhertalkonbuildingelectric narrowboats.

Notalloftheelectricboatswerenarrowboats.Thisonewaseventowed by aTesla.

SpeedyWhippetII fromAquaNarrowboatswasoneofthenewboatsonshow.

No38… a blankcanvas

PhilPickinrecentlyvisitedtheworkshopsofKnights Narrowboatstoseethecompany’srecentlycompleted pre-builtboat No38 andfoundanimpressiveblank canvasuponwhich anew ownercanmaketheirmark

REST assured,when Iuse theterm‘blank canvas’, it’s notmeant in aderogatory way. No38 is simply aboatthathas been builttoprovide aconvenientoff-theshelfoptionforanyonewhodoesn’t want to wait,sometimes many years, fortheir buildslotto work its wayto thetop of aboatbuilder’sjoblist. For anyoneinthe market fora newboat, thelatest boat fromthisCheshire-based boat builder would be worthy of serious considerationfor anumberof reasons, not just that itis readyand waiting.

Overthe years,Glenn Knight and histeam at KnightsNarrowboats have gaineda reputation forbuildinghighquality bespokeand pre-built boats, withthe latterbeingfinishedtothe same level of care and attentiontodetailas the bespokeones.Ready-made boats willnot appealtothosewho want the option to be abletotailorthe boat to theirexact specification,but forthose who arehappy toforgo this,thepre-built alternativehas many advantages. No38 stands outinthe marina with itshighgloss bluepaintwork, striking tintedwindows,black mushroomvents andchrome pole/plankholder.The cruisersternisenclosed andwould lookimpressiveatnight withitsinset LEDlightslit.At58ft, No38 offers alot ofusable space at the sternfromwhich youenter theboatvia thegalley. First impressionsarethat the LEDlighting intheroofpanel makesfulluseofthe whiteceilingtoreflectanddiffusethe lightaround theinterior. Thislighting

iscomplementedbythelightsinthe galley’s kickboardsand theimpressive blueglassglobelight hangingoverthe diningtable.Above the gunwales,the colour schemeispaleand below,blue, in keepingwiththethemeoftheexterior. In thegalley,thedividinglinebetween thetwocolourschemesiscreatedwith thepredominantlywhiteworktopsinto whichthe stainlesssteelsinkis inset.

The galley itself seems to be well equippedwithablack fridge witha freezercompartment,a high-level microwave, athree-burnerhoband awashingmachine.Thepreviously mentionedkickboard lightshighlight theengineered oakflooringused throughout,andthe solidoaktrim used elsewhere complementsitwhile providinga contrasttothe painted surfaces.Theoaktrim is used to good effectontheside hatchesandonthe windowsurroundsaswellasincreating theusefulshelfontopofthe TV unit.The below gunwalelightinghelps to make somethingofafeature of thisshelfwhile brighteningthemid-blueoftheT&G walls.Thelivingspaceisoneoftheareas wherethenew owners canmaketheir mark by their choiceoffurnitureand can alsoincreasethe number of berths by theuseofasofabed.

The room hasa solidfuel stove fittedwitha surround thatmatchesthe galleyworktopsand the wallpanelsin the bathroomnextdoor.Adjacentto the stove is averyusefuland sizeable shelvingand storageunit, thelower

cupboardofwhichprovidesaccessto thetoilet cassette.

More usehas beenmadeofoakin thedoorsintothebathroom, which features alarge andusefulwhiteceramic washbasin with an equallylarge mirror aboveit. Next tothis,onthe starboard sideof No38,isanequallylargeshower

cubiclelinedout withwhiteandgrey laminated panelsthatmatchthecolours andpatternofthe galleyworktopand stovesurround.Theshowerisfitted with averymodern,blackand square profiledshowerheadandpipework.

Anotherlightoakdoorleadsintothe bedroomfittedwithanottoman-style bed,overwhichis alarge locker, and twoportholessitopposite eachother to provide aviewofthe outsideworld. Asizeable wardrobe sitstoonesideof theforward doubledoorsandanother very usefulcupboardislocated onthe other side. Thesedoubledoorsleadout into agood-sized seating area covered by acratchcover.

If you likeblue, and you arelooking for amodernand well-finished narrowboat that isalsowell equipped, then No38 is(assumingitisstill available) wortha triptoCheshireto see it.Thestandardoffinishis,asyou mightexpectfromKnights,excellent, andthe boat sports many nicefeatures as wellas having plenty ofstoragespace. But, asmentioned, to begin with,italso

willprovideits newownerswithan opportunity to personaliseittheir own way.Whether youwanttodoa littleor alot isup toyou,but what you will get is anarrowboat that feelsbespoke but withoutthe wait.

Technical specification

Boatstyle: Cruiser stern

Length: 58ft

Mechanical: Beta43hp, PRM150 gearbox, waterlubricated sterngear and75Kgf bowthruster

Electrical: 3kW Victroninverter/ charger, 1x100 &4x125ampAGM leisurebatteries,2x420W solar panels

Heating: Webasto5kWdieselcentral heating with tubular-style radiators and towelrailinthe bathroom.Solid fuelstove,55ltr twin coil calorifier, and1kW240vimmersionheater

Windows: Four xbonded,tinted doubleglazedwiththermalbreak+ three portholes.

Galley: Fridge withfreezer compartment, high-level oven andmicrowave, three-burnerhob, stainless steelsink,solid laminate worktopsand washingmachine

Lounge: Low-level TV unit with smartTV

Bathroom: 7601000mmshower cubicle, ceramicbasin, cassettetoilet withchinabowl

Bedroom:4ft x6ft3inottoman style bed,extending to4ft4in x6ft3in

Price: £170,000

Boatbuilder’sdetails: Knights Narrowboats, Units4-5 Aqueduct Marina,Nantwich, Cheshire CW56DX Tel:07825817444. Email: knightsnarrowboats@gmail.com Website:www.knightsnarrowboats.com

SmartTVunithas alotofhandy storagespacewithouttakingup toomuchspace.

Topthree Welshcanalboatholidays

The WorldHeritagePontcysyllteAqueduct.

WITHtheopportunityto cruisethroughthe PontcysyllteAqueduct WorldHeritagesite onthe Llangollen Canal,andthe Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park onthe Monmouthshire&BreconCanal,the waterways of Wales offer someofthemostdramatic scenery toenjoy on acanal boat holiday. To celebratethe wonderfulinland waterwaysofWales,Drifters haspublisheda guidetothetopthree Welsh canalboatholidays.

viewsand aseriesofhistoricvillagesand canalside pubs to visitalong the way. On aweek’sholiday from Drifters’baseatGoytreWharf,nearAbergavenny, boaterscan cruisetothe historic market town of Breconandback. The routetoBreconandback travels51miles,through12locks(sixeach way) andtakesaround25hours.Alongthe way,the route passesthrough Govilon, Llangattock,Talybont-onUskand Pencelli.

Floatacross‘TheStreamintheSky’ inNorth Wales

sectionofthe Llangollen CanalstartsatGledrid and runsfor11milestothe HorseshoeFallsin Llangollen.The seriesof “outstandingindustrial andengineeringheritage structures”thatmake up the World Heritage siteincludetheChirkAqueduct, whichtakes boaters overthe borderintoWales,and theawe-inspiringPontcysyllteAqueduct,carrying boaters38metreshigh abovethe Dee Valley.The journey fromWhixallto Llangollenandback travels 52miles,takesaround24hours,andthereare just two lockstopassthrough eachway.

GlidethroughtheBannau Brycheiniog(BreconBeacons)

National ParktoBrecon

Isolatedfromthe main canalnetwork,the beautiful Monmouth &Brecon Canalruns through the Bannau Brycheiniog(Brecon Beacons) NationalPark. Thecanal offers narrowboat holidaymakersincrediblemountain

FromDrifters’ base at Chirkonthe Llangollen Canal,theEisteddfod town of Llangollenonthe edge of theBerwyn Mountains canbereachedon ashort break,travellingacrossthe WorldHeritage Pontcysyllte Aqueductalongthe way. Standingat 38metreshighabove theDee Valley,thisincredible 300-metre-longstructureconsistsof acastiron trough supportedby18enormouspillars.On reachingLlangollen, boaterscanenjoy visiting the town’s independentshops,pubsand restaurants, as wellasits steamrailway and HorseshoeFalls.

Driftersoffersthechoiceof550boatsfrom 45basesinEngland,Scotlandand Wales. AllDriftersoperatorsprovidehirerswithboat steeringtuitionandcanalboatholidaysare petfriendly.Formoreinformationabout Driftersboatingholidayscall03449840322 orvisitwww.drifters.co.uk

TravelthroughtheShropshire Lake Districtandinto Wales

On aweek’sholidayfromDrifters’baseat WhixallonthePreesBranchofthe Llangollen CanalinShropshire, boaterscanhead west throughthe ShropshireLakeDistrictandinto Wales.Thejourney beginspassingCadney Moss,Lyneal Moss,Colemere Country Park and Ellesmere. Soonafter,the WorldHeritage Status

We have 25 acresofrollingCheshirecountryside, whynot comeand getawayfromitall by spending timein oneofour beautifully furnishedbelltents, orcampingwithyour owntentorcampervan.

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

AlazydayontheLlangollenCanal.

AcrispdayonthebeautifulMonmouthshire &BreconCanal. PHOTOS: JANETRICHARDSON

Anarrowboater’sbarbecue

ArticleandphotosbyKevinThomas

ALTHOUGHwealwayseagerly await summer,by midtolate Mayifthe weatheriskind, we’realready doingourthingbarbecue-wise.Warm, windless, sunnydaysmean itistimetobringthebarbecue outanddustitoff. Narrowboat lifelendsitself to barbecues,anditgives you thechance to relaxoff the boat, inthefreshair,yet nearenough to have easyaccessto thegalleywherethepre-barbecue foodpreparationtakesplace. We’vehadgreat barbecuesalongthetowpath butbecausewe’re moreorlessmarina-boundnow duetoBren’swork commitmentsand ourage,weusuallybarbecueon the stripoflawninfront of ourmooring.

It’s been eightyearssince we arrivedintheUKand boughtour boat, andinthat time,we’ve gonethrough aboutfourdifferent barbecues, eitherdueto asheer amountofusage or becausewe finda particulartype of budget barbecue doesn’t reallysuitourneeds from adesign perspective. The most suitableones forliveaboardusage arethecompacttypeswith foldawaylegs and atopwhichcloses suitcase style. We foundour currentonein aleadingsupermarket chainfor£25in2023anditis stillfunctioningand waswellworth theinvestment. They’re available againthis yearinorangelivery ratherthanblue.Our fuelchoiceisalwaysburn-in-the-bag charcoalas it makeslessmessthanbriquettesand burns away to easilydisposableash.Youcanpurchasea bag containingfourseparatepacksof charcoal.Ideal.

By wayofbarbecuefare, becauseofour southern Africanheritage,weusuallyoptfortraditional boerewors(farmer’ssausage)whichisnow availableacross much oftheUK.OurlocalPoulshot Farm Butcherymakes superb boerewors. About fiveyears agowesuppliedthem with a1kg packet ofimported commercialbrand SouthAfrican boereworsspices,readily availableonAmazon, and we gave them afew recipes.Liketheysay,the rest is historyand Nick’s boereworsarenow inhigh demandlocally.

Rump steakis alsoa popularchoiceofours because we liketohavea selectionof at leastthree meatsatour barbecues. Always populartoo,are pork belly rasherswhichareexcellentbarbecue farewhenatouchcrispy butnot burnt.

Addtothe abovecornon the cobwrapped in tinfoil,andcooked onthecoals,and asweet potato

or twoalsowrappedintinfoilanddoneonthe coals.All you need to complementthewhole mealis some garlic bread, anicefresh salad and abottleof wine.

Whileonthe subjectof wine,manyyears ago, awinemaker friendof ours in Stellenbosch, SouthAfrica, gave us somesage advice.Hesaid thequestionofcostwhen purchasing abottle of wineshouldnevercomeintothe equation.

In his words: “Ifyou likea winethat only costs afewquidit’s agood wine.”

Becausewe have to watchour pennies,and nowin ourold ageevenmoreso, that snippet ofadvice hasalwaysstayedwithus.Enjoy your 2024 summerbarbecuesand make thebestof them becausebefore we know itthedays will begettingshorteragain!

Afold-awayportablebarbecue isidealfornarrowboaters.The oneweuseevenhas aniftylittle shelftokeepfoodwarm.The boereworsandporkrashersare justabout readytobe removed fromthebarbecue.

Rumpsteakandgarlicbreadcookingnicely.

Itgoeswithoutsayingthat anicefresh saladis amust.

Atastysauceisalsoworthhavingata barbecue.

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PeteDavidson BSSExaminer

Mostprivatecraft examined. EastMidlandsbased.

Areascovered 5,6,7,9,10,11

07988739136

pete@bss-examiner.co.uk www.bss-examiner.co.uk

RHYSKILLIN

Dip.S.C.Sur BSSExaminer

BSSExamination from£160

07856686363 bsswithalan@gmail.com

JDSBOAT SAFETY

BSSEXAMINER

CoveringSouthernEngland

JasonStarnes

07795625661 jasonjds28@gmail.com

Covering areas 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 Tel07748861795 rhys_k1@yahoo.co.uk www.rhyskillin.co.uk

isanindependentcompanyproviding professionalandcomprehensivesupport servicestoNarrowboatsandInland Waterwaysvessels. BasedinNorthamptonshireweare ideallyplacedtoofferourservices.

Ourservicesinclude:

Dip.S.C. SurAMIMarEST Areas covered:8,9,10,11,12,14

BSSExaminer,MarineSurveyor& Marine Technical Consultant

YourLocalBSS Examiner basedat SouthKilworth

Phone: 07720 424396

Email: nigel.carton@btinternet.com

BurtonMarineLtd Robert WBurton BEng(Hons),MIET,AffilIIMS,MIET,MABSSE. Surveys,valuations,andconsultancy throughout Yorkshire,Lancashire, CumbriaandScotland. 07794862022 robert@burtonmarine.com www.burtonmarine.com Completelyindependent. Good ratesand afriendly service. Areascovered: 2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10 Call: 07989388109

•Hull condition, Pre-purchase,Insurance and Valuationsurveys. (AccreditedYDSAmember) •Marineconsultancy. Northamptonshireand surroundingareas. AREACOVERED:5,6,8,9,10,14 07903945196 boats@jgmarine.co.uk www.jgmarine.co.uk

•AFriendlyand Professional Service •FullyQualified &Insured

•Ultrasonic Pre-purchase& Hull ConditionSurveys

•NotravellingCharges -Allareas coveredNorthamptonbased 01604858868 07944856351 info@northernstarmarine.co.uk www.northernstarmarine.co.uk

Tel07970384047

Areascovered:2,4,5 All classesof vessels examined Landlords’GasSafety Certificates Caravans,RV’sand domesticproperties

Email: robert.hurst.bss@ btinternet.com AreasCovered 9&10

♦ Areas covered 8, 9 10, 11, 12 & 14 Mob.07831355543

Tel. 01926499337 www.delta-marineservices.co.uk

Also FullyElectric Sailaways withmarketleading technology managedand warrantedsystems forpeaceofmind

Narrow, Widebeamand DutchBarge available

We have securewidebeammooringswithparkinginthe HEARTOFSHEFFIELDCITY, 5mins walk to Sheffieldtrainstation &citycentre

LOUIS AND JOSHUA BOATS

57’Jonathanwilson hulltraditional bowandstern to include,1setofsidedoors,frontand reardoors, Slidinghatch,sterntube, 4anodes,2kepoxy primer.

All hull variationsandextrasavailableon request.

Basic

•Vetus40HPengineorequivalentwithstarter battery

Savvy Sailor –includesallabove

•Sidesand roof linedwithaccentsof Americanwhiteoakorequivalent

•Frontand rearbulkheads

•Bathroomand bedroomwallsto customerspec

•12vand240vdistributionpanel

•4x110aleisurebatteries

•300Wsolarpanelsystem with asmartVictron

MPPTcontroller (2panels)

•Fullplumbingsystem to include,4radiators.

•5kwdieselheater

•55L twin coil colarifierwith240vimmersion heater

•PrimedwithJotunEpoxy2Kprimer

•5chrome mushroomvents

•5Caldwellsingleglazewindowswith 4Portholes

Total =£42,737plus VAT

BasicPlus –includesallabove

•Fully battened

•30mlofsprayfoam

•3tonofballast

•25mlhardwood insulatedfloor

•Solidoakdoors

•Portholeandwindowsolidoak reveals Total =£60,307Plus VAT

CaptainSuite–includesallabove

•Fullelectric to include Victroninverter orequivalent,water pumps,downlights, undergunnellights,USB ports, double socket frontsandlightswitches

•600Lstainlesssteel watertank

Total =£75,957Plus VAT

OPTIONALEXTRAS

•2ksprayappliedpaint work,1colour£6,000plus

VAT2 colour£8,000plus VAT3 colour£10,000plus VAT

Total =£47,307plus VAT

•Semitraditionalstern£2,000plus VAT

•Squareback£2,598plus VAT

•Bow thruster£2,750plus VAT

•Cruiserstern£1,298plus VAT

BEAUTIFULBOATS BUILTTOLAST

Establishedin1974,Colecrafthavegainedtheexperience andexpertisetoensurethattheboatwebuildforyouwill lastforyearstocome.

Allourboatsarecustomdesignedandbuiltto individual requirements. Boatsarebuilttoordertoanystageofcompletion –froma barehullorsuperstructure to luxuriouslyfittedand finished. We buildnarrowbeamandwidebeamboatsforprivateand tradecustomersandarepossiblythelargestsupplierof steelshellstootherboatbuilders/fitters.

OurlatesttripboatsincludeCrusaderComunity(Widebeam withHybridpropulsion- fullMCAcertification), Electra(Narrowbeamwithelectricpropulsion- 12 passengers) andKingfisherMark(Widebeamwithelectricpropulsion12passengers).

OurweldersarecodedtomeetMCA requirements.

Buildersofbespoke,provenqualityNarrowbeams, Builder rowbeams, WidebeamsandDutchBargestylesteelshells Allourboatsare10,6,and5mmspecification Allourboatsar

Narrowboat,WidebeamandDutch Barge shellsbuilt to orderand available fromanystageuptofully fitted. D.I.Y facilities available Stainlesssteel watertanksand waste tanksalso availablebuilt to order

RedHillMarina, Ratcliffe onSoar, NottinghamNG110EB

01509678955www.soarvalleysteelboats.co.uk

OTHERTON BOAT HAVEN

BUSINESSOPPORTUNITY

SUBJECTTOTHEAPPROPRIATE PERMISSIONS

58ftexBlackPrincehireboat, cruisersternbuiltin2011by Pro-BuildNarrowboatsLtd, 4-6berth,BSCMay2025, Canaline42hpengine. Perfectlysuitedtobeusedagainas ahireboat. £58,000.

MUSTBESOLDGRAB ABARGAIN NBTUI,50ftcruiserstern narrowboatbuiltin2006. HullbyHixonandfit outbyAdmiral Narrowboats.BSCOctober2025, Hullsurvey2023, Vetus41532bhp enginewithextensiveservice history.NewagePRM150gearbox, new2018.Interiorwouldbenefit fromsome refreshing, opentooffersover £40,000.

NBSOUTHERNCOMFORT

57ftcruisersternnarrowboatbuilt byJohnWhitein1999withowner fit out. BSC2027,newCanaline 42bhpenginein2019,only700hrs. Blacked2022,cabin repaint2023, newpramandcratchcovers2022. Solarpanels,Galvanicisolator,lots ofimportantextras. Perfectlyappointedforlivingaboard. OIRO £56,000.

07851459309 info@othertonboathaven.co.uk

WALKERBOATS60' X13'06'' 'DreamCatcher' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

£225,000

GRANT &LIVINGSTON58' 'Pheonix' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

MIKEHAYWOOD57'TUG 'Oasis’ pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

£64,950

VIKINGCANALBOAT70' X12' 06'' 'Cloudbusting’ thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

£184,500

NARROWBOAT 57' 6'' 'Bolli' hartfordboatsales@tingdene.net £56,950

NARROWBOAT 50' ‘Alder' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

£39,950

WIDEBEAM65' x12'05'' 'TreacleMine'| £195,000 |thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

COLECRAFT60'X 10'06'' 'Freya' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

£139,950

COLECRAFTNARROWBOAT 'Rasmunda' hartfordboatsales@tingdene.net £64,950

NARROWBOAT58'JDBOATS ‘Dymphna' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net

BLUEWATER 62' X12' ‘Skylark' thamesboatsales@tingdene.net

£159,950

LIVERPOOLBOATS55' SEMI-TRAD 'Isadora’ hartfordboatsales@tingdene.net

£39,950

NARROWBOAT60'TERRYBABCOCK ‘YinTang' pyrfordboatsales@tingdene.net £51,950 Walton Marina| 01932221689 Hartford Marina| 01480274707 PyrfordMarina| 01932343275 Upton Marina| 01684593111 StourportMarina| 01299827082 Thamesand KennetMarina| 01189477770

Tel:01933551622 boatsales@tingdene.net www.tingdeneboating.com

T: 07721382619E:davidmawbyboats@gmail.comW:www.davidmawbyboats.co.uk

QualityRiverand CanalMotor Cruisersareavailable to viewby appointment atour Leicestershire indoorshowroom.Over20years experienceand2,500boatssold.

Length28ft,Beam6ft10ins,Built1995,6 Berths, cooker,toilet,fridge, shower,hot and coldwaterssystem,12and 240voltselectrics, CREAMLEATHERETTECUSHION COVERS WITHBLUEPIPING, excellentcanopy, powered by aSuzuki20Hp 4stoke outboardengine (new2023),Bsc2028,alloriginalgelcoat(not painted),hullandsuperstructurefullypolished, newantifouling,includesnewmooring ropes, clean fenders,etc,FREEDELIVERYwithin250 milesorlocalmooring available

SUPERBVIKING 275GREATSAVINGONNEW£69,995

Builtin2023andinalmostasnew condition, Length 27ft6ins +bathing platform extensions, Beam9ft,EASY ACCESSREARDOOR,6 Berths, HiLinespecincludingCookerwith 2ringhob,grilland oven,fridge (12and 240volts),shower, electricflushcassettetoilet,12and 240 voltselectrics, WARMAIRHEATING,BOWTHUSTER,HARD WOOD CABINFLOORING,FLEXITEAK COCKPITFLOORING, STEREO, FISH FINDER, STEREO,UPGRADED COCKPITUPHOLSTERY, poweredby aMariner40Hp 4strokeoutboard enginewithpowerliftandhaving coveredlessthan50hours(fullyservicedandincludesbalanceof manufacturer’s warranty),BSC2027,alloriginalunmarkgelcoat, hullandsuperstructurefullpolished,newantifouling,includesnew mooringropes,clean fenders,etc,FREEDELIVERYwithin250miles.

VIKING22 £19,995

WideBeamcalledLauraBelle,Length22ft,Beam 7ft8ins,Built1995, 4Berths, cooker,fridge,shower, toilet,hotand cold watersystem,12and 240volts electrics,CREAMLEATHERETTEUPHOLSTERY WITHBLUEPIPING,NEWCANOPY, NEWFLOOR CARPETSANDHEADLINING,poweredbya Honda25Hp 4strokeoutboardengine (justbeen fullyserviced),Bsc2028,alloriginalgelcoat(not painted),hullandsuperstructurefullypolished, newantifouling,includesnewmooring ropes, clean fenders,etc,FREEDELIVERYwithin 250 milesorlocalmooring available

Asthe VikingMotorCruisersPremier Agent we aredelighted toannounce thearrivaloftheNEWVIKING26WIDEBEAM GOLDENCROWNEDITION tocelebrate50years of Viking MotorCruisers. Withneweasyaccess liftout cockpitsides, new openplancabinlayout, 2tone cockpitupholsteryand warmairheatingas standard,alongwiththeusualfittings including cookerwithhob,grill &oven,fridge,hotand coldwater system,shower, cassettetoilet,12 &240 volts electrics, 6berths,and a30Hp 4strokeoutboardengine.

Priced at£64,995. Bookyourviewingnowon07721382619.

SALLYCASS POO

£54,995

Length 57ft,Beam6ft10ins,Built2004 by Dave Clarke with aTradStern,fitout by Bridgecraft,poweredbya Thornycroftdieselengine,Standardlayoutwithbedroom at sternwithafixeddoublebed,nextitthelargebathroom withshower, pump-out toiletandsink,thegalleyinnext withunitsbothsidesand asidehatch, followedbythe mainlivingarea,theboatisheatedviaan Aldeboilerwith radiatorsthoughouttheboat. Thereisalso12and 240volt electricsandimmersionheater. TheBscis to May2026. Thisis averycleanandtidy vessel.

SIR KAY£33,500

40ft by 6ft10instrad stern,builtin1999 by R&DFabricationspoweredbyNanni 35hpinboarddiesel engine,Enteringtheboatfromthe sternthereiscupboardstorage /lockerthisareaalsogivesaccess to theelectricsfusesetc.Fromthe stepsisthedinettewhichgives comfortableseating for4people with storageunder,thisalsomakes aguestdoublebed.Moving forwardisthegalleywithunitsport& starboardincorporating 4ringgashob,oven& grill,matchingsink &drainer,fridge,toaster& kettle. Thereisasmallshelf,towelrail,andample storage &work-toparea. Thebathroomisnextwithshower, hand washbasinsetincupboardunitandportapotti toilet.Moving forwardagainisthemaincabinwith fixedseatingwhichmakes adouble bed with storageunder,large wardrobe,cornerunitwithTV,wall mountedTV,foldingtable,and aReflekswithbackboilersupplyingthe centralheating radiators. The crafthas12 &240velectrics,calorifierwithimmersionheater, frontcratch &aBSC validuntilJune2027.

STOVEPIPE WELLS £42,000

60ft by 6tf10ins, Trad Stern,built1999 by R& DFabrications,poweredbyabrandnewBetamarine45hp inboarddiesel.Fromthebowisthemaincabinwhichisopenplanallowingfree standingfurniture. Thestarboard sidehas asolidfuel stove mounted on atiledplinth &surround.Movingdowntheboatisthe Pullmandinette whichoffers comfortableseateddiningwith storageundertheseating,italsomakes aguestdoublebed. The galleyhas a4 ringgashob,acircularsink &drainerwithtiledsplash-back,fridge,andspacetoinstall aeye level oven&grill. Thereisalso asidehatchofferingadditionallight&ventilation. Thebathroom comprisesof asmallbathwithshowerover, hand washbasinwithtiledsplash-back,portapotti,a pump-out toilet,themainbedroomwith afixeddoublewith storageunder,wardrobewithsetofdrawersbelow, Theboathas12 &240velectrics,twinalternators,2kwcombiinverter,80ampbatterycharger,Webasto diesel centralheating,and aBSC validuntilMay2025.

BSC validuntilApril2028.

8th of June 2024,12pm -late receiveacomplimentarydrinkonarrival!

Comeand celebratethe expansion of ourmarina, experttalks, foodanddrink vendors,market Discoverthevibrantcommunityand waterside andlocatedaconvenient30minutesfrom central fastinournewmarina extension!

|£189,000

60FTCRUISER |SHAKESPEARE MARINA TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY; 4BERTH DESIGNED TO PROVIDE LUXURIOUS COMFORT.

HOXTON 2.1 |£189,950 |2023 70X12FT3”WIDEBEAM| TATTENHALL ALUXURYMASTERPIECEWITH 2DOUBLEBEDS, ROLL-TOP BATH &ANEXTRALARGE SKYLIGHT.

PENSIEVE |£125,000 |2014 57FTSEMITRAD| GREATHAYWOOD ANUNUSUALVESSEL, COMBININGHARRY POTTER MYSTIQUEWITHUNPARALLELEDSOPHISTICATION.

PILLINGS LOCK MARINA

CharlotteRhoades£45,950o.n.o

Andicraft /PatBuckle2000 -50ftNarrowboat –CruiserStern-ReverseLayout One ownerfromnewthisboathasbeenwellmaintained. Thisvesselisreadytocruise, amooringcanbeofferedforthevesselbutisnotincludedinthesale. Allboatingequipmentisalsoincludedasthe ownersaresadlyretiringfromthewater. BSCuntil2028,Blacking &Anodesdonein2022.

NellieKate£49,750o.n.o.

2003 -57ftNarrowBoat –MikeHaywood –Josher TradStern Thevesselalsohassolar &controllerfittedand2x185-wattpanelsandhasalsobenefittedform anew PRMgearbox &Victroninverter in 2021. Lastoutofwaterfor 2Pac &Anodes2021andCurrentBscuntilBscuntil2027

TheMarinaOffice FleshHovelLane Quorn,Loughborough LE128FE Tel:01509620990

Miles Away£53,950o.n.o

2010 –Dursley &HurstLtd -53ftNarrowBoat -Cruiser Stern -ReverseLayout. Thisboathasbeen amuch-lovedhomebyboththe previousandcurrent owner.

Allboatingequipmentonboardisincludedinthe saleincluding aworkingportablegenerator!

Thevesselwaslastoutofwaterforshotblastedandcoated with 2PacEpoxy &Anodesin2022and acurrent BSCuntilNov2025.

Shakeena£69,950o.n.o

CollingwoodBoatbuilders /OrchardMarine2012 -60ftNarrowboat –ReverseLayoutwithCruiser Stern

Thisvesselisreadytocruisetheinlandwaterwaysandallboatingequipmentonboardisincluded. ValidBscuntil2027Lastoutofwaterblackingand 6xanodes2022.Moorings available at PillingsLock Marina.

GreyLady£139,995o.n.o

NottinghamBoatCompany. 2018 -65ft x12ft GalaxyEuro-CruiserReverselayout (2xbedrooms)

EnteringfromtheSternistheopenplangalleywith integralfridge,freezer,washingmachine,Oven,grill andhob.Thelargeopenplanloungehas alargesofa, chair,footstool,tvandmultifuelstove.Furniturecan beincludedby agreement.Thebathroomisfittedwith adoubleshower,basin,vanityunit,amplecabinets, pumpoutand Porta Pottitoilet.Bedroom 2consistsof 2x3ftsinglebedswithstorageunderand 2xsingle fittedwardrobes.Bedroom 1istothebowwitha Kingsizebed,understorageand adoublefittedwardrobe,dressingtableandunits.Thevesselbenefitsfrom Webastoheating, 2x 13kgGas,BowthrusterandcurrentBsc11/2025/

HireBoatsForSale

Couldthisbeyournextbusinessventurefor2024? We haveex-hiredayhireboatsforsalebothwithBsc’suntil 2027andbothtilttestedin2022BYHpiCe-Proofing.JoAnneiscertifiedfor12personsandBritanniaiscertifiedto 6persons,thiscanbeincreasedifballastis removedand asnorkelfittedtoengineventsbutwould requirere-testif amended.Bothvesselshavebeenoutofwaterandnew blackingandanodes2023.Bothvesselsarefittedwith aportapottitoilet,oven,hobandsink. We arehappyto forwardany requestsforhiretothebuyerbutareunableto offerthemarinaasyourhirebase.

UnderOffer

1988 45ft – Delph Marine hull. Powered by an BMC 1.5 Boats Safety until Feb 2027.

2017 31ft – Powered by an Beta Marine with a TMC Gearbox Boats Safety until April 2025.

49ft – Napton Narrowboats hull and fitout. Powered

REDHILLMARINA

BOAT SALES

New&UsedNarrow boats,Widebeam,DutchBarges &Cruisers

Please call for further details on 07429253325

We haveawiderangeofboatsavailableforpurchase,including narrowbeams,widebeams, canalcruisersand more. Whether you’re lookingfor anew boatora used vessel forabargain, we havesomething foreveryone.

SERVICESONSITE

■ Boat fit outfacilities ■ PaintShop ■ Hoist&slipway forupto60tonBoatsWidebeams&DutchBarges

Fortrade &customerenquiriesplease contact: REDHILLMARINE, RatcliffeonSoar,NottinghamNG110EB

Tel: 07760627421 e-mail: enquiries@redhill-marina.co.uk

•New,60’ narrowboat, reverselayout, semicruiser stern,dieselpropulsion

•New,42’narrowboat,tradlayout,cruiser stern,electricpropulsion

•Refurbishment, 70’ narrowboat,tradlayout,trad stern,dieselpropulsion

•Nextcommissionedbuildslot, completionend of 2024

SERENI TY

Type:

Type: Inland Cruiser

Length: 36ft Width: 13ft4in Moored at: Hull

SUNBEAM

Type: Widebeam

Length: 57ft Width: 10ft

Moored at: Priory

CHERR Y2

Type: Narrowboat

Length: 62ft Width: 6ft10in Moored at: Cropredy

JA NE LO UISE

Type: DutchBarge

Length: 50ft Width: 10ft Moored at: Lemonroyd

CA RPEDIEM

Type: Widebeam

Length: 65ft Width: 10ft Moored at: Wigrams Turn

BOATYARDSERVICES

•Engineand HeatingServicing

•Breakdown CalloutandRepairs

•Gas,ElectricalandPlumbing Specialists

•BSC’s &SafetyExamination Work

•Engine SalesandInstallation

•Traditionalboatpainting

•SpecialistsinHistoricenginesandcraft

•BoatBrokerage

MOORINGS

•MarinaMoorings

•LongandshorttermMoorings

•Coal,Gas,Diesel &Pumpouts

DRYDOCK

•BottomBlacking

•AnodeReplacement

•Cabin Painting

•Welding

•Surveys

BOATOFTHEMONTH

SARAHJANE£64,950

57ft,2003LiverpoolBoats Trad,stylishly refitted2023.IsuzuMarineengine,Victron energyinverter.

SHUGLEY

£49,950

57ft,1991,North WestNarrowboats. Areluctantsale of averywellcaredforcraft,oneownerfromnew. Mitsubishiengine,solarpanels,centralheating, recenthullsurvey.10/6/4steelspec.

LOCKDOWN£56,950

Newjustarrived,65ftsemi-trad,2007 built by LiverpoolBoats,immaculateinternalwithnew bathroomandkitchen,Isuzu42engine,last blacked2020.BSCMarch2024.

JustArrived.45ft,1988,Eggbridge,traditional, BMC1500, 2berth,projectboat.Fullinternal picturesandspeccomingsoon,nowavailablefor viewing.

TA-RA-A-BIT£42,500

50ft,1997,CharlieFox.Cruiserstern.Just arrived,bethefirsttosee.

TRANQUILLITY£34,950

42ft Trad 4berth,1981byColecraft.Excellent condition,Hullshotblastand 2packepoxy,BSS expires:11/2025. 1ownerfromnewvery reluctant sale!

RAINDOG£37,950

45ft,circa1997,RonLloyd, traditional.

SHOOTINGSTAR

£44,950

50ft,2011,Drayton Boat Services. ShootingStaris awellappointed2 +2berthfittedwith aVetusM4.17 engine.

Viking 26 Widebeam – 2013 – Mercury 25hp Outboard

Well presented 4 berth river cruiser located at Boroughbridge Marina Ideal family boat ready for the season £29,995

Fairline 32 Sedan – 1985 – 2 x 165hp Volvo Penta Diesel inboards Located at Staniland Marina, this classic Fairline is on a mooring which can be retained Flybridge version £24,995

Salter Bros 30 – 1980 – 32hp BMC Diesel inboard – This ex-hire Broads Cruiser is ideal for a family getting into boating Easy to drive, simple layout and spacious, she is located at Staniland marina where a berth can be retained £19,995

P & D Sea Hunter Viper – 2023 NEW – 30hp Tohatsu Outboard This brand new package is ready to go Fully loaded, this Viper has all the needs of a dayboat including lighting, cushioned seating, tonneau cover and storage, REDUCED to £14,995 inc VAT

Fletcher Zingaro 30 – 1988 – 2 x Volvo Penta 138hp

Inboard Petrols Located at Boroughbridge Marina, this sports cruiser represents excellent value for money

Having had little use recently, she would be ideal in a coastal location £14,450

StanilandMarina BoatsFor Sale

Inboard

Birchwood

Colvic Northerner 26 – 1973 – 32hp BMC Diesel

BOATBUILDER

BOATPAINTERS

WINDOWS

TRANSPORTBYROAD

Plantohave‘positiveimpact’ aroundBanagherMarina

IrishwaterswithAlisonAlderton

A‘MASTERplan’ toimproveand enhancetheareaaroundBanagher Marinahasbeenofficiallylaunched.

CathaoirleachofOffalyCounty Council, Coun Eddie Fitzpatrick, did thehonoursfortheplanwhich,funded throughthe DepartmentofRuraland CommunityDevelopmentunderthe RuralRegeneration DevelopmentFund inpartnership with thecountycouncil, sets outa visiontoenhancethe marina to improvethe builtfabric,waterway accessand greeninfrastructure.

The plan willactasacatalyst todrive regenerationprojectsto sustaintourism andimprovethe socialand economic developmentofBanagher.

Theplan wasinformedbya steering groupcomprisingof community, business,and stakeholder representatives,OffalyCounty Council andconsultantsPLACE +Urbanism Ltd andCHLandAssociatesLtd.

Publicconsultation events were also heldthroughouttheprocess.

Speaking at theevent, chiefexecutive ofOffaly County Council,AnnaMarie Delaney,said:“Banagherisakeylocation inthecontextofthe Shannon Tourism MasterplananditisOffalyCounty Council’svision toutiliseandenhance theuniquecharacterandlocationofthe BanagherMarinaandenvironstocreate awalkable, attractiveandactivearea, betterlinked to the widertowncentre andtoprovidenewcivic,residential, amenityand recreationalassets.”

In hisaddress, Cathaoirleach

Fitzpatrickstated: “Thisplan,which is acomprehensivemasterplanfor Banagher,istheculminationof many monthsofconsultationandplanning andwill,intime, have anextremely positiveimpactintheareafroman economic, social andenvironmental perspective.”

The masterplanof Banagher Marina andenvironsisthe foundationof alarger projectforthe regenerationof Banagher. The design developmentofthe marina publicrealm spaces cannow progress

based ontheconceptsidentifiedinthe masterplan withthe supportofthis fund. AConservation Masterplan will sooncommenceforthe RoyalShannon Hotel, along-term vacant property which wasrecently purchased by OffalyCountyCouncilunderthe Rural Regeneration DevelopmentFund. Acopyofthe master canbe viewed ordownloaded fromOffaly County Council’s websiteat: www.offaly.ie/banagher-marinaenvirons-masterplan-2/

Thesteeringgroupshowing:Back row(fromleft):MorganSmith (SilverlineCruisers),PaddyScales(BanagherDevelopmentGroup), KieranKeenaghan(BDG),NoelCoughlan(CarrickCraft),Caren Carruthers(FailteIreland),JonathanO’Meara(MidIrelandAdventure), BrendanO’Loughlin(OffalyLocalDevelopmentCompany)andOlwen Cummins(town regenerationofficer,OCC).Front row(fromleft): MinisterofStatePippaHackett,Brian Treacy(WaterwaysIreland), CathaoirleachEddieFitzpatrickandchiefexecutiveAnnaMarieDelaney.

TitanicBelfastnamed agreatplaceto workasitwelcomes 8millionthvisitor

TITANICBelfasthas beenofficiallynamedas a‘greatplacetowork’ atthesametimeasthe world-leadingvisitor attractionhas revealed thatithaswelcomedits eightmillionthvisitor.

Theindependent employeesurvey certification,which is backedbyvalidatedand anonymousfeedback fromstaff, measures employeesatisfaction fromcompanyculture tobusinesspractices, andiscollectedthrough theglobalauthorityon workplaceculture,Great PlaceToWork. Thisaccreditation confirms78%ofTitanic

Belfastemployees consistentlyenjoya positiveexperience,well abovetheminimumof 65% required. Withinthesurvey, individualscores recorded fortheorganisationwere alsoconsistentlyabove average.Forexample, 99%ofstaffsaidtheyare treatedfairlyregardlessof theirsexualorientation and98%saidcustomers wouldratetheservice deliveredas‘excellent’.

Judith Owens,chief executiveofTitanic Belfastsaid:“Weare thrilledTitanicBelfast hasbeencertifiedas aGreatPlacetoWork. Thisglobalaccreditation

iswidely recognisedas ameasureofexcellence inworkplace culture andwith375members ofstaff,it’satestament tothevalueweplace ongettingfeedbackto ensureouremployeesare happyandhave apositive experienceatwork.

“Weare committed tocreatinganengaged workforce –wesupport theircareerdevelopment, strivetopromotefrom withinandalsoprovide greatemployeebenefits–soitisfantasticourteams arerecognisingthis.”

“Fromdayone,our employeeshaveplayed animportantpartinour successandarecentral tothefirst-classvisitor experienceweprovide ourguests.Soitisfitting wecan announcewe recentlywelcomedour eightmillionthvisitor andinadditiontothis, theattractionhas experienceditsbusiest year.

“Iamconfidentthisis thanks toourgreatstaff andthehugeinterest we’veexperiencedfor thereimaginedTitanic Experience which openedin2023following amulti-million-pound

Bargefor Wellbeingcrewtakeson LoughErnetoInvernesschallenge

ANepicadventure isnowunderway forthe126-yearoldtraditional Dutch sailingbarge Drie Gebroeders (Three Brothers)anditsmotleycrew.

Sailingfromthe gentle watersof Lough Erne,CoFermanagh to the easternScottishcoast–andback again –this ‘Barge for Wellbeing’ willvisittwomaritimefestivalson the way, raisingfundsforthemental health charityInspireWellbeing (www.inspirewellbeing.org).

Drie Gebroeders beganher workinglifeonthewaterways of the Netherlandsin1898, carrying cargoesoffarmproduce,manure andbricks with afamilyofsix sleepinginthe smallareawhichis nowtheengine room.

WhentheSecond WorldWar brokeout it becametheproperty oftheinvadingGermanArmy, but survived to continue work after the waruntiltransformedintoa houseboataround20years ago.

Itscurrent custodian, Hilary Hunter,boughtthebarge in Holland and haslived aboardforalmost10 yearsin variouspartsof England beforereturninghometo Northern Ireland.

Anadventurouscrew sailed Drie Gebroeders from Kent,aroundthe southcoastofEnglandandup the Irishcoastwheretheymooredin severalpartsofthecountrybefore movinginlandto Lough Erne in December2022,anepictraveltale previously coveredin TowpathTalk

The motleycrew, so namedfor itsdiversityand spontaneity,draws fromall agesand sectionsofthe community.Somemembersjoinas oftenasjobsandfamilyallow,others lessoften, buteveryoneenjoysthe tranquillityofbeingoutonthe water andtheir senseofwellbeing gained fromslowingdownandenjoyingthe craicon boardthissolidold vessel.

refreshmentprogramme.”

BenedictGautrey, managingdirectorof GreatPlace To Work UK,expressedhis congratulationstoTitanic Belfastforattainingits certification:

Hesaid:“Weknow prioritisingtheemployee experienceleadsto buildingtrustamong employees,fosteringa remarkableworkplace culture,andultimately achievingexceptional businessoutcomes. Congratulations!”

COUNTY Clarehas been awardedover€160,000 for twoprojectsunder the HistoricStructures Fund(HSF),with the bulkofthemoney (€153,409) goingtothe Churchof Ireland. Thiswillbeusedat theiconic StFlannan’s Cathedral atKillaloe which,standing alongside the River Shannonand lateral Killaloe Canal,isa well-known landmark for boatersnavigating Lough Derg andthe Shannon.

CoastuptoRathlin Sound Maritime Festival, someofthe Western Scottish Isles,the Caledonian Canal,the ScottishTraditionalBoats Festival in Portsoyand,onthe return voyage,theCrinan Canal. The whole tripwhichcommencedinmid-May will returnto Carrickfergusinthe latter halfof July.

Localbusinesses,including AGREngineeringand Fermanagh Lodges,havealready joined as sponsors butitishoped that others willhelp withthefundraising mission by supplyinggoods, services,discountsor adonation in return forpromotionalong the route,atthe events attended and on socialmedia.

Danielle Sheridan,fundraising managerfor Inspire said:“Weare delightedtobethe chosen charity partnerforBarge for Wellbeing.

“Hilaryandtheteam have an exceptionalchallenge aheadof them butwewill be cheeringthem oneverystepofthe way.

“Inspire conductedpolling in December2023that showed 60%of people won’topenup abouttheir mentalhealth because they don’t want to worryothers. Bargefor Wellbeingismorethanafundraiser, itishelpingraiseawarenessthat yourmentalhealth matters.

“Hearingthe stories behind Drie Gebroeders isinspiring. The sense ofcommunity,the peoplethey meetandthe personal journeys areembedded initshistory.Weare proudtobepartofitsnextchapter.”

CrewmemberBecky Thomas explained:“When Drie Gebroeders first hove into my sights Iwas so impressed.Ilovehelpingtocrew it,givingpeople achance to bea partofthenewchapterin the story, whilefindinga newfocusintheir ownlives.”

Whilethecorecrewforthisbig adventureissettled, thereisstill roomformoreadventurerstojoinin, eitherfor afewdays or severalweeks. The itineraryincludestheAntrim

Youcan watchtheadventureunfoldbyvisitingthefollowingsites: Website:www.theolddutchbarge.co.uk

Instagram:@the_old_dutch_barge

Facebook:DutchSailingBargeDG

Donationsmaybemadeat:www.justgiving.com/page/bargeforwellbeing

It’s notthe first time that thisuniqueearly 13th-century cathedral churchhasbeenrepaired withtheaidoffunding fromtheHSF.Thecentral tower, castiron windows andparapets were all repairedwithaidfrom theHSFinboth2021 and2022. Phase 3willaidin thepreventionof water ingressandto repair the west gablewall,the buttresses ofthenorth and south wallsand the stained glasslancet window.

Afurther€10,000 offundinghas been allocated to the Lime Kiln at Enniswhich formspartofthe

Kilnaboy Geopark Heritage Trail, popular with touristsvisitingthe Burren National Park region.

DrieGebroeders. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.

StFlannan’sCathedral,Killaloe. PHOTO: ALISONALDERTON.

Playfulcockerspanielpuppy

Willowlivesonboardwithher continuouscruisermumanddad, Sonyaand Tony.

PetsontheCut

WillowTalk

ByAlison Wilkerson

EVERYthree months, we organisea charitygroup dogwalktohelpraise fundsfor afewanimalcharities, including ourlocal RSPCAbranches andThe CinnamonTrust. We tryto vary locationsandwhileonone such reconnaissancemission in aparknext to thecanal with ourtwo rescue dogs, toestablish routeandtimings,wemeta gorgeousandplayfullittlecockerspaniel puppywithher humanmumand dad, Sonyaand Tony.

Continuouscruisers

Havinggot theusualexciteddog-sniffing introductions outofthe way, we found outthattheyall livedona boat,were continuouscruisersand were moored ashortdistance away.Weestablished from Sonya that Willowwasfourmonths oldand they hadpurchased her from nine weeksoldfrom abreeder,having seenher mumanddad beforehand, ofcourse. We walked togethertosee their boat which wasa58ft narrowboat powered by aBeta Marine43hpengine, builtbyStillwaterin2011and purchased fromThe New& Used Boat Co in Mercia Marina on St Valentine’s Daylastyear. Theythen startedcruisingaweeklater after gettingsettledinatthe marina.This wastheirfirst boat andthey hadnever drivenorcruised onone beforebut had beenonboatsaschildren.

Theywerebothteachersin SouthEast Londonfor20 yearsandlived thereand in Kent beforemovingtoChinaforthree years’teaching. Theythendecidedto retireearlyandextensivelyresearched boat life,havingpurchased ahouse in Norfolk with amooring. Theyhave been on thecut formorethana year nowrecording their travels,trialsand tribulationsontheUK’swaterways,on their YouTubechannel(www.youtube.

Seeingthe woodthroughthetrees

BargeBeagle –sniffingoutgoodfinds forcrewswithcanines.

ByAlisonAlderton

TREESare allaroundusand as boaters we arefrequently wellplacedtoexperience many ofthem at their best.

To discovermoreabout both ournativeandmoreexotic foreign tree species,why not visitanarboretum,a fineday outfor bothdogand owner.

BargeBeaglefirst discoveredArley Arboretum followinga canoetriponthe RiverSevern. The collection includes many rare and spectaculardomestic and exotictreesandisdog friendly, just whatBarge Beagleneeded afterthe confinesof acanoe! Situated ashort uphill walkfromthe river, inthegroundsofthe ArleyEstate, it hasbeen growingand maturingin thisidyllic settingfortwo centuriesandishome to someofthemoststunning gardensfoundanywherein

theUK.Among theseare the beautifully restored Italian garden with awonderful collectionof camellias growingagainstthe walls, themagical magnolia garden with aspectaculardisplayof rhododendronsand azaleas andnowfeaturingsome recentlyplantedacers.

In thewoodlandgarden, you will find many more camellias,massesofdaffodils, bluebellsand amyriad of trailsunder araised canopy of aselectionofspecialtree species.Theseincludethe giantredwood(Wellingtonia sequoiadendrongiganteum) which,toppingout at more than40mhigh,isthetallest tree inthepark. Other rare speciesincludetheCrimean pine(pinusnigra pallasiana caramanica)alsoknown as the ‘organ pipe’treeowing toitshabitofgrowingseveral

RiverSevernatUpperArley.

parallelverticalbranches reminiscentofchurchorgan pipes.Packa picnicandenjoy analfrescolunchunderthe shadeofthetreesorvisitthe Garden Cafe –servinghomemade cakes, freshlyprepared food andspecialityhot and colddrinks.

The laburnum arch (dog owners beware as allpartsof the laburnumarepoisonous todogs)underplantedwith alliumsandbluebells,isthe longestintheUKand, at its

com/@samedaydifferentday2023)and Facebookpage(Same ShipDifferent Day) andlearnedtoplan stopsand nottakelife tooseriously,especially if thingsgo wrong.

After ayearof cruisinganddeciding it wasthe rightthingtodo, they decided to getadog,especiallyas theyhadnothaddogswhileworking. Willowhas addedtotheir wonderful lifeonthe cutandshe haswelland truly settled in.

On thenighttheycamehome with her, it waslate; they hada blanket with hermumanddad’s scentonitanda toygiraffefromthe breederwhich she stillloves, allofwhichhelped her

settle.She wascurious andexplored the boat confidentlyandnownothing seemstofaze her.

The only difficultiesexperienced whenshearrivedweretoilettraining asshe wasstuckonthe boat forsix weeksuntilher second vaccination; however, puppypadsand sleepless nightstoensurenoaccidents were worthitfor thepleasureshebrings.

Willowisgettingusedtomeeting newdogsand‘hoomans’andis very friendlyalthough hasnotexperienced catsonthecut yet.

Luckilyshedoesnotchaseducks orother wildlife so farand she loves to watchthe worldgobyonthe stern.

end, affordsfinevistasacross thesurroundingcountryside. Fromhereitispossible to catcha glimpseofthe steam trainsacrossthe riveronthe Severn ValleyRailway,their trailingsmokevaporising into thin airastheytrundle alongthetrack, conjuring upimagesof bygonetimes. Arleystation standsonthe oppositesideofthe river tothearboretumandalso welcomesdogs –butthat’s another‘tail’.

Usefulinformation: ArleyArboretum &Gardens: www.arleyarboretum.co.uk

Discoverarboretumsnear youat: www.greatbritishgardens. co.uk

ForcanoetripsontheRiver Severnvisit: www.canoeuk.com

Findoutabouttreesand woodlandsat: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Summerstarts to bloom…

ByLeeSenior

AS we approachmidsummer,nature isnowheadingtowards overdrive! There is aplethoraofcolourandoften acaptivating,subtle scentonwarm, stillsummerevenings. Whocan resist the sweetscentandcreamy white flowers belongingtomeadowsweet indampareas suchas riverbanks andtowpaths.

At theotherendofthe spectrumis garlic mustard(Jack-by-the-hedge). This is another very familiar summer hedgerow stalwart, withitsheartshaped leaves, smallwhiteflowers andfaintgarlicaroma.

regular feeding. Feed once perweek whenthebottomtruss sets.The frequencymay need to increase fromthe secondtrussonwards.Itis importanttokeepthegreenhouse ascoolas possibleintheheightof summer. This canbeachievedbya combinationofshading, auto vents andleavingthedooropen.

Higher aboveground level, wild honeysucklecan be foundclambering throughhedgerows, canaland river banksand woodland edges. Its red-edged,darkpinkflowers canbe foundfrom mid-Juneonwards.

In ourown gardens,manyearly summerfavouritessuchasirisand cranesbill(true geranium)cometo thefore. Perhapstheyare usurped by showstoppers suchasdelphinium, phloxand perennial salvias.

In theveg gardenduring mid-June, theasparaguscroppingseasonends. Early-seasoncrops such as broad beansand earlypeasarereadyfor harvest.

In thegreenhouse, tomatoesneed

Tomatoesneed regularfeeding, it’salsoimportanttokeepthe greenhouseascoolaspossible intheheightofsummer.

Guineafowl roamingfree.

BargeBeagleeagertoexplore.

Stunningwaterfeature.

ScottishCanalschiefexec reviews yearindreamjob

Scottish WaterswithCicelyOliver.

ONEyear into his‘dreamjob’, Scottish Canals’CEO John Patersonsaysheis gettingtogrips withthechallengeshe isfacing.

He cametotheorganisation last May after35 yearsinthe public sector, with experienceinenvironmentalhealth, recycling, assetmanagement, provision of frontlineservices and, latterly,as executive director offacilities at NHS Tayside. AndJohnfirmlybelievesthat good healthis amost importantfactor inlifeand welcomedtheopportunityto work in anorganisationalreadycreating opportunitiesforincreased healthand wellbeing.

JoiningScottish Canalsallowedhim to channelallhispreviousexperience intoone roleand says that ifhe hadthe opportunitytodesign hisperfectjob, this wouldbeit.

John’s interest in Scotland’s canals wassparked whenheplayedina pipe band at thereopeningofthe Union Canalin2001. He enthuses aboutthe canals,fromtheirinceptionmorethan 200 years ago, throughthedeclineofthe lowland canalstotheregenerationofthe Millennium Linkproject andbeyond. He takeshis hat off tothoseinvolved in thetremendouscollectiveachievement to save thecanals.

Reflectingonhisfirst year,John has enjoyedtheannual roundofplanning, executionanddeliveryandthechange infocus throughthe seasons; from visitors anddestinationsinthe summer toengineering and maintenanceduring the winter.He’shad to grapple withthe legacy of atechnicalaccountingissue necessitatingthe valuationofthe canal infrastructure –morethan2500assets includingdams,weirs,bridgesand reservoirs,manyofthem dating from whenthe canals were firstconstructed. Withthis successfullycompleted,he’s happythat theorganisation cannow

focuson buildingforthefuture.

John hasalsospent time outand aboutonthe canals,meetingstaff, boatersandotherinterestedparties, lookingatwhat’s done wellandwhere improvements canbemade.

He’s transited asectionoftheCrinan Canal– gettinga liftfromacoupleof Irishlads boatingtheir waythrough, spenttimeon theCaledonianenjoyinga dayofsunshineandfantasticmountain scenery,and hadthepleasureof meetingsculptorAndyScott, creator ofthe Kelpies,and seeingmajestic Clydesdalehorses at the recentKelpies 10-yearanniversaryevent (see below).

John says everyday’s aschooldayas hediscoversthewide rangeofareasin whichScottish Canalsoperates.

He thinksit’s importantfor people to understandwhyScottish Canals spendstimeandmoneyonprojects seeminglydistantfromits statutory obligationsof maintainingand operatingScotland’scanals.He’skeen toemphasisethat, in2022-23, just 48% of Scottish Canals’fundingcamefrom thenation’sgovernmentand52%from theorganisation’sown income, meaning it’s criticalthat Scottish Canals generates sufficientfundsfortheongoingcareof thenetwork.

Whilethetotalgrant fromthe Scottish Governmenthasincreased,Scottish Canals’costsarerocketing. Whether it’s sellingscones at the FalkirkWheel, boaters’mooring fees,operating theCaledonian CanalCentreatFort

The Kelpiesare10

HELIX Park,hometothe Kelpies,welcomedmore than10,000 visitorsto aspecialevent heldto celebratethe attraction’s10thanniversary. The park betweenFalkirkandGrangemouth

hasseenmorethanseven millionvisitorsfrom aroundthe worldsincethelaunchofthe Kelpies, generatinganadditional£67million in ‘visitor spend’inthe area.Anindependentreportshows

Augustusorworking withpartnersto developaffordablehomes, thefuture ofthe canalsdependsonthat income.

Scottish Canalsis very good at pulling togetherfunding andworking with awide varietyofpartners,fromthe largeengineeringprojectstotowpath resurfacing. Projects such as these, fundedbymultiplepartners,improve thelivesoflocals,visitorsandallwho usethe canals.

He’salsoadamantthat boatingis absolutely at theheart ofthecanals–on-the-wateractivity and,increasingly, onthe towpath: Thisiswhatmakes Scottish Canalsunique.Manypeople first visitedtheirlocalstretchof canal duringlockdown,quicklycomingto valuethe waterways fortheopportunity to get outdoorsandtakeexercise. That interestandenthusiasm has continuedpost-lockdown.

The biggest challengeis managing the ageingcanal infrastructure alongsidereducingresources.John isopentoideastotapintothe canals’ potential,includingenergy creation, flood preventionandadapting to climatechange. Glasgow’sSmart Canalisalready attracting worldwide attention, withdelegatesfromChina visitingtolearnabout the real-time dataanddigital techused inthis pioneeringsurface waterdrainage system. As anon-profit-making governmentbody,all revenuegoes backintothe coffersto care for the canals.

As Johnsays,the networkmay be over200 yearsold, butitismuchmore thananantiquatedtransportnetwork. Forexample,there’stangibleevidence that thecanalscontributetourban cooling. Scottish Canalsisthe custodian of atremendouslegacy. The canals,theheritageandthe environmentneed to work for everyone.Any development nowadds tothe valueofthesenational

areturnoninvestmentofalmost8:1,thecreation of110newfull-time equivalentjobs, contributing around£47millionin wages.Some300,000people have takenpartincommunityevents at Helix Park since itopened.

The 10th anniversary celebrationstookplaceon April27, withfreeeventsduringthedayculminating inaceilidh,followedbythepark’sfirsteveningconcert.

treasures.Theirony isthat peoplewrote themoffaspasttheirtime.

Asked wherehewould go andwhat he’d doifhe were givenaday to go anywhereonthe canals,henimbly avoidedany favouritism by saying hecouldn’tchoosejustonelocation: each of Scotland’s fivecanals– the Caledonian,Crinan, Forth& Clyde, Monklandsand Union –has aunique flavour andthey’reall differentand wonderfulintheir ownway. He emphasisesthat alongsidethe challenges,caringforthe canalsand realisingtheir potentialisateam sport –betweenScottishCanals, boatersand otherinterestedparties –andhe wants totapintothat collectivestrengthfor success.

Weedinfocus

AQUATIC weed is becominga permanentfocus for boatersand Scottish Canals.

Afterdiscussionon this matter andothers at arecentUserGroup meeting, Scottish Canalsis setto publishtheplannedactivityand locationofthe weed cutters. Aquatic weed growsparticularly quicklyandthepredicted higher temperaturesandincreased rainfall willonly make theproblem worse. Andit’s not just affectingboaters. Weed starves waterplantsoflight andfishofoxygen, also impacting other wildlifeincludingkingfishers andherons.

Anew reportingprocess is beingimplementedtoimprove thecurrent service,andanonline booking process will be broughtin onthe Lowland Canals,replicating that inoperationontheCrinanand Caledonian Canals.

JohnPaterson,ScottishCanals’CEO. PHOTO:SCOTTISHCANALS.

Themedieval townchurchofSt Mary’s. PHOTOS(UNLESS OTHERWISESTATED): NANTWICHTOWNCOUNCIL

DaysOutNantwich

Ourseriesisdedicatedtoshowcasinguniquedaysout nearspecialcanals. Whetheryou’reintogongoozling (watchingboatingactivities),leisurelytowpathwalks, wildlifespotting,boattripsorevenretailtherapy,our canalsystemhassomethingforeveryone.Thismonth, we’reshiningthespotlightonNantwich,with close linkstothewaterwaysand atownthathasplentyto offertovisitors.

ByPhilPickin

THECheshire town of Nantwichisa historicmarkettownset besidethe RiverWeaverthat offersvisitorstimberframedbuildings,a quaint town square, and awide rangeofspecialityshopsas

wellas well-known high street brands clusteredaround themedieval town churchof St Mary’s.Thesandstone churchis referredtoas‘the cathedralof SouthCheshire’ andwas builtaround the13thcentury. Closetothe church on thenearby pedestrianised main streetisthe

SomeofNantwich’smanyblack andwhitebuildings.

Nantwich WarMemorial, around whichpeopleoftentakeaseatnextto thecolourful flowerbeds.Thememorial

commemoratesthefallenof both world wars,andinnearbyparklandisthe Airman’sMemorial,which waserected in remembranceof First Lieutenant ArthurBrown,whoseplane crashedon January14,1944.

Accordingtothe Nantwich Museum, “the name Nantwich isderived fromthe Welsh name Nant yr Heledd Wen,which meansthe streamofthewhitesaltpit.”

The Romans aresaidtohavemadesalt intheareaduringthe secondandthird centuries with saltthen beingmadein thetown for thenext1600years.Itis thoughtthat by theend of Tudortimes, there were 216salt-making houses whichdrewtheirbrinefrom asaltpit known asthe ‘Old Biot’adjacenttothe nearby river.

Oneofthetown’s many blackand white buildingsisTheCrown Hotel, which wasrebuilt in1583inthe reignof QueenElizabeth Iafterthegreatfire of Nantwich.ThisGradeII-listed building wasrebuiltusingtimbers from the nearby DelamereForestand wasbuilt usingthe wattleand daubconstruction process. Butthetown’s history wasn’t alwaysquite so positiveasinthe Middle Ages;wrongdoerswereimprisonedfor thewhole town to see,after whichsome were duckedinthe town’s cesspit!

Nantwichalsoboasts aPlayers

Theatre, which wasoriginallythe Quakers’ meetinghouse and wasbuilt inthe16thcentury.This locally run theatrehostssixplays ayear and ayouth production.

Forthoseinterestedinlocalhistory thereisthe Nantwich Museumhoused in abuilding thathasbeenboththe local libraryandthesiteofthe jailinthepast. Althoughthetown hasmarkedmore recentsignificant events,oneofwhich istheinstallationof amillenniumclock which wasdesignedbyPaulBeckett to celebratethenewmillennium,thetown is steeped inhistorydatingbackalot further.Visitors cansee theSweetbriar Hallwhichwas builtinthelate 15th century forthe Wilbrahamfamilyand isoneofthefew buildingstoescapethe greatfire of 1583. There is also Churche’s Mansion, builtin1577 by Thomas Cleese for Rychard& Margerye Churche, whichisthoughttobeoneoftheoldest buildingsin Nantwich.Thebuilding, whichiscurrently arestaurant, was featuredonMostHaunted:Midsummer Murderswith Yvette Fieldingin2007. Withallofthat saltseemingly on thedoorstep, it’s unsurprisingthat the town also hasa brine pool.Now part oftheleisurecentre, theoutdoor pool isthoughttobepossiblythelastinthe countryofitstype.

Nantwichtownsquare.

TheShroppieneartoNantwichtowncentre.

Ofcourse, thetown isalsowellknownasa destinationfor canalusers,withABC’s Nantwich CanalCentrebeinglocateda shortdistance outsidethe town.Itslocation doesprovidevisitors withanopportunitytoaccessthetowpathsandmooringsorjust to walkalongatranquil stretchofthe ShropshireUnion Canal. Thisisn’ttheonly marina inthearea.Withthetown lying in closeproximitytothe Shroppie,there areanumberofothers inthearea,includingAqueduct,SwanleyBridge, Venetianand Overwater.Links toallofthese areshown below.

Nantwich is atownwithalonghistoryandonethat iseasyto access,with many oftheplacesofinterestwithineasywalking distance. Andwiththe ShropshireUnion Canalbeing closeby, itiscertainlyworth avisit.

FACTFILE

Furtherplacesofinterestinclude:

ReaseheathCollege -Hometo asmallzoo: www. reaseheath.ac.uk/zoo

DorfoldHallandGardens: www.dorfold.com

SnugburysIceCreamFarm: www.snugburys.co.uk

Hack GreenSecretNuclearBunker: www.hackgreen.co.uk

DagfieldsCraftsandAntiques: www.dagfields.co.uk

CholmondeleyCastleGardens: www.cholmondeleycastle. com

NantwichCanalCentre: www.nantwichcanalcentre.com

AqueductMarina: www.aqueductmarina.co.uk

OverwaterMarina: www.overwatermarina.co.uk

SwanleyBridgeMarina: www.swanleybridgemarina.com VenetianMarina: www.venetianmarina.co.uk

MooringsontheShroppieclosetotheNantwichCanalCentre.

The TowpathAngler

Ourmonthlylook at theanglingscene

ByDavidKent

IHAVEreceived acoupleofobservations regardingmyopeningtopicinlast month’s TowpathTalk where Italked aboutthesituationalongthetowpaths. Howeverthesehaveonlyconfirmedmy viewthat agreat dealneeds to bedoneto improvethe overalltowpathexperience and,veryimportantly,that it willneed to be,verymuch,a collaborativeeffort wherealltheproblemsareidentified, responsibilityisacknowledged and thenecessary actionstakento remedy things.Iacknowledgethatthe Canal& RiverTrust isin adifficultperiodwith theongoingnegotiations aboutfuture fundingbut Iamcertainthat resolving this towpathsituationoffers agolden opportunitytoshowthe worldthat we all cananddo work together.

Afewdays agoI hadaconversation with somecolleagues aboutthe ongoingfloodingevents many ofus have encounteredinthepastcoupleof yearsandthedevastatingimpactthese arehavingonour fisheries.Almost inevitablyone person said:“Justwait until July arrivesand we will have hosepipebans again.”Itwas at this point that Imentioned theconceptof water beingtransferredbetween areasusing thecanal network. Notsurprisinglythe concern aboutthetransferofinferior waterquality andnon-nativeinvasive species wasraised.Anglersdo see this as averyclearthreat. Of course, all thenecessaryprecautions wouldbe takenpriorto such ascheme being implemented butthe reactionof my colleagues clearlydemonstratesthata greatdealof reassurance will be required to convincepeople.

Preparationsforthetwodivisional AnglingTrust National Championships on canalslaterthis yeararewellunder way. Judgingbycommentsfrom some anglersin my area Idetectthereisalot ofanticipation outthere. Division1 is scheduledtotakeplaceon theWigan sectionsofthe Leeds-LiverpoolCanal.It is agood many years sinceaNational has beenheldthereand Iknowthat thehosts willdoeverythingpossibletoensure theevent is agreat success. Division2 is settotakeplaceonthe‘big’ South Yorkshirecanals –the Aire &Calderand NewJunction –inSeptember. Again Iam confidentthat thesecanalswilldelivera greatcompetition.

The expertskeeptellingusjusthow wetApril hasbeen(asif we needed telling). Thatsaid, things have been alittlebetter of lateandthe ground around many fisheries seemsto be

dryingoutquite well. Sadlythough Iam not sure that fishing, generally,iswhere it should be forthetimeof year.Perhaps tostrengthenthisview Ihavespoken with anumberofpeople recently, someofwhom religiouslyrecordwater temperatureswhilefishing. Theyare all seeingtemperaturesaround7-9degrees, even in theafternoon,whennormally theywouldexpecttobeseeing10-12 degrees. Iguessthis,alongwiththe occasionalground frostandfrequent changes in airpressure, is really holding thingsbackjustnow.

What results Iamhearingseem to supportthis.Match weightsbeing ordinaryatbest but, worryingly,seeing someanglersnot even getting abite. Reportsfrom my localcommercials suggest that fishare stilltending to “ball up”exactlyastheydoinwinter.This usuallymeansthat whicheverangler drawsontheballhe will very likely catch agood weight whileeveryone elsestruggles,eventheanglersinthe adjacentswims.Encouraginglythe weatherforecastforthecomingweekat leastsuggestsno overnightfrosts,good daytimetemperaturesandnottoomuch rain,whichcouldall make adifference. Lastmonth Isaid Iwasdueto fish two matches. In theend, Ifishedjustoneand that wasnothingtowrite home about. Ihavebeenprettybusytobefair but equallyasthe weather hasbeenoflateI have hadnorealincentivetogofishing. Idohavea coupleof matches thisnext weekend so hopefullyIwill getout on thebank at longlast.Let’s see if Ican get my mojoback.

Despite beinginMay,itdoes seemto suggestthat if yougooutfor afewhours analmostwinter-styleapproachmight still be advisable.Takethingseasy with tackleandfeed and Ifeelsureyou will catcha few.

Tightlines.

THE Let’sFish! events,run by Canal &River Trust, offer theopportunityfor thousandsoflocal people to pickupa fishingpoleandenjoy spending time by the water’sedge.

Let’sFish!isanational programme of more than400introductory events taking place across Englandand Walesin2024. Thanks tothesupportoflocal anglingclubsand funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, allparticipants will receiveone-to-one

tuitionfromqualified licensed coaches.Let’s Fish!eventsaresuitable forthoseagedsixand above, whetherthey arecompletelynewto fishingorare getting backintoit.

Aftertryinga Let’sFish! event, young people will be encouraged to return andcompete in the regionalcelebrations taking place laterin summer.Theyarea chance to tryoutwhat participants have learnt, supportedby qualified,licensed coaches,alongside

othercompetitors.The events willculminate in twoflagship events inthe autumn:the National Celebration of YoungPeopleand Fishing, and the Daiwa GlobalCommunities Celebration. TheNational Celebration will be the biggestline-upof young peoplefishingatone locationthiscentury. To manage numbers, participantsare required to bookplaces inadvance.Details: www.canalrivertrust. org.uk/things-to-do/ fishing/lets-fish

The e milleenniuumccloock.

TheCocoa Yard.

The WetWeb

ByHelenGazeley

MAGICALto spotonanearlymorning walk,wilddeerareusually regarded withdelightbythosewho see them.And canals arenostrangerstothe various breedsthat canbefoundalongwaterway corridors.They’renotalwayshappy companions,though,asthe report in Marchofdogsattacking adeerona towpathin Stroud, goestoprove(bit. ly/4b8aPIS). Recentyears have alsoseen storiesof multipledeerfallinginand at times, sadly,drowning in canals,such asintheBridgewater Canalin2019and the Stainforthand KeadbyCanal in 2020. Lymedisease At thistimeof year,Lymedisease also hitstheheadlines.Lymediseaseisa

bacterialinfection carried by ticks. Deer seemparticularly bracketedwith spreading theseinfectedticks,whichare happytoattachthemselves to human fleshtoo,butlivestock, small mammals andbirdscanall harbourthe bacteria andpassitontoticksthat latch onfor ablood feast.

Lymediseasecan causelong-lasting problems with joint pain, the heart, memoryandnervoussystem.It’salso possiblefordogsandother petsto developthedisease.Adviceon howto reducethe risk ofpickingupticks,with ahelpfulillustrationofhowtoremove anyticksthatattachthemselvesto you or yourpet,can befoundontheNHS website(www.nhs.uk/conditions/ lyme-disease).

Thistimeofyear– ApriltoJune–coincides with thenymphal stageina tick’slifecycle.Thisisthestage whenthe diseaseismostlikelyto be passed on

Atendermoment; aroedoeandheryoungkid.TheBritishDeerSociety welcomescontributionstoitsDeerBirthDatesSurveyandhasdetailsof howtotakepartonitswebsite. PHOTO: DEBORAHHEATH

Rovince’s‘tickprotective’range includessocksandhats.

to humans,astheticks dropfromtheir previoushostintolongorshort grassto waitfor apassingmammal to pass by. However, it’s worthrememberingit’s estimated that on averageacrosstheUK, onlyaround4%ofticksareinfected,and thesooneryouspotthemand remove them from your skin,thelesslikely thistiny minorityaretopassonthe bacteria. So alwayscheck after walks, especiallyaroundthearmpits, groin, wrist, waistband,knee, neck andhairline. Adultsaremostlikelytobebittenonthe legs,childrenontheheadandneck.

Heritageunderthehammer

Amongcanalandinlandwaterwaysmemorabiliarecentlysold at auctionwere anoriginalwatercolourpaintingby atopmarineartist, asignofjointrailway andriverinterest, amarinehandlampand aParliamentaryActfromnearlythree centuries ago,reportsGeoffCourtney.

THE paintingwasthe work ofBristol-born HenryDenham(18931961)andfeatured atug at lowtide on the RiverThames.It wasproducedforthe publicitydepartment ofBritish Railway EasternRegionand soldfor£380 at aGW Railwayanaauction held overthe weekend of March16/17. At the same sale, ajointGreat WesternRailway and Se ve rn Commissioners‘no public road’wooden sign with cast iron letters went underthe hammerfor£200.The Severn Commissioners wasformedunderthe Severn Navigation Act in May1842,passed into theBritishTransport Commissionin 1947, and wasdissolved in July 1956.

Thismarinelamp shoneatauction onMarch23when itwentunderthe hammerfor£210.

Aweekafter GWRailwayana’ssale, on March23, aClydeCoastand Loch Lomondpictorial poster mapfetched £240 at aTalisman Railwayanaauction. Issued jointlyin1955 by British

Railwaysand Caledonian Steam PacketCo, it wasthe work of WC Nicolsonand extolled thecoast andloch fortheir ‘pleasuresailings inglorious scenery.’

Anotheritemof Scottish interest inthe auction wasamarine handlamp believed to beof pre-1923 Scottishoriginthat sold for£210. It carried ‘port’ and ‘starboard’ embossed plates,and althoughtherewas no identificationofthe vesselit camefrom,the cataloguedescription speculateditmay have beenfroma NorthBritish Railway or Caledonian Railway steamer. Canaliaandinland waterwaysitemsthat went under the hammerinthe quarterly emailand postal saleheld by Paperchase Auctionsfrom April14-30 includeda Parliamentary Actfrom1729 authorising theimprovementofthe oysterfisheryinthe River Medway that went for£11,while similar bids secureda1774 Acttomakeand maintain acanalfrom the RiverCalder to near Huddersfield,andanother

Rovincehas awiderangeof clothingformenandwomen,with (permethrin)treatedfabricthat givesticks‘hotfeet’,whichcauses themtodropofftheclothing.Find moreinformationinthe FAQson thecompany’swebsiteatwww. rovince.co.uk PHOTO:ROVINCE

Protective clothing

Onegood waytoprotect yourselfisby wearinglongtrousersandlong-sleeved topsandthe award-winningKidunk children’s clothing(www.kidunk.co.uk) hasbeen recommendedbyCaudwell LymeCocharity. Rovince(rovince. co.uk)is acompany thathasoffered tick-repellent clothingsince2009and sellseverythingfromsocks to capsin permethrin-treatedfabric. Youcan find more insect-repellentclothingatPurple Turtle(www.purpleturtle.co.uk). There’snoreasontostopenjoying thedeerthatcross ourpath, though. To increase ourunderstandingofdeer populationsintheUK,theBritish DeerSocietywelcomesreportsof sightingstocontributetoitsannual

Kidunksuitsaremadefrom recycledmaterialsanda renewablysourced,plant-based waterprooffinish.Thewaterproof eco-suittopsandbottomscanbe zippedtogetherforwarmthand tick-resistance.

DeerDistribution Survey.You can finddownloadableinformationon identifying thedifferentbreedsonthe society’swebsite.

Juneis generallythe busiestmonth fordeerbirths butthe societyisalso currentlyrunningaDeerBirth Dates Survey toexaminewhethertimings arechanging. Find outmoreabout contributingonits website: bds.org.uk/ science-research/deer-surveys Andifyourinterestisininsects rather than mammals,InsideHealth on BBC Radio 4wentona tickhuntinAprilto reveal somefascinatingand reassuring facts aboutthe behaviourandlifecycle ofthetinycreatures.Theepisodeis availableon BBCSounds(www.bbc. co.uk/sounds/play/m001y87f).

Paddlesteamer RoyalEagle ison thecoverof a1930sbookletthat soldfor£22atauctioninApril. PHOTO: PAPERCHASE

for enlargingthe Tattershall Canalin Lincolnshiredated 1790.

In the same auction, a112-page historicalrecordfrom1816 to 1934of Thames PleasureSteamerstitled‘Down the Rivertothe Sea’ that originallysold foroneshilling(5p)fetched £22. Featured onthecoverofthe bookletwas asketch of RoyalEagle,

Thispaintingof aThamestugsoldfor£380atauctiononMarch 16/17. PHOTO:GWRAILWAYANA

AGWR/SevernCommissionerssignattractedinterestatauctionon March16/17whenitsoldfor£200. PHOTO: GWRAILWAYANA

whichwas constructed by Cammell LairdatBirkenheadin1932asthe lastandlargestpaddle steamer builtfor ThamesEstuaryexcursion sailings.The2000-passenger vessel wasrequisitionedfor Second World

Waranti-aircraftoperations,and was scrapped in1953. The GW Railwayana andTalisman Railwayanapricesexclude buyer’s premiumof15%(+ VAT),andthoseof Paperchase 12½%.

PHOTO:ROVINCE

PHOTO:KIDUNK

PHOTO: TALISMANRAILWAYANA

Nominationsclosingforthe SustainableBoating Awards

ByPhilPickin

IT WASbackinFebruarythat the editorialteam at TowpathTalk,in partnership withtheIWA’sSustainable BoatingGroup (SBG),announcedthe Sustainable BoatingAwards. Thisnew awardschemeaims to recognisethe pioneers of sustainable boatingby awardingtwo prizesforcommercial andnon-commercialinnovations.The SBG, which wasestablishedinearly 2020byagroupof boat owners and IWA supporters unitedintheirvision of asustainableinland waterways,has, overthe past few years,highlightednot onlytheneed for sustainabilitywhenit comestothe waterways butalsohada handin puttingforward waysinwhich this canbeachieved.

The chairman of thegroup is retired engineer BowmanBradley,whofirst becameinterested inthe waterways back inthemid-1970swhen,alongwith agroup offellowstudents,hehireda boat for aholidayinWarwickshire. After gaininga bachelor’s degree in physics,heembarkedonalongcareer asanengineer,working for anumberof chemicalcompanies beforeretiring20 years ago. It wasatthat timehe bought his own“boring”(his words, notmine) 57ft narrowboatfitted withan Isuzu engine.Manyoftheothermembersof thegroupare boatownerswho owna variety of boats, includingatleast one historicnarrowboat.

Bowman’sown connectionto the waterwaysled toan appreciationof the IWAandthe work theyhavedone over manyyearstoreopenand keep opentheUK's waterways, whichled to him beinga long-termmemberofthe association. He usesthe word “proud”

whendescribingthe work donebythe IWAovermanyyears,anditis withthat inmindthat theSBGwasformed,as, inhisopinion,the waterwaysare facing just asbiga threatnow astheydidafter the war.

The formationofthe SBGwasa collaborative effort, atestamentto the poweroflike-mindedindividuals comingtogether. Many ofthese individualsareboatowners with engineeringand technicalskills,united intheir searchfor asolution. Onesuch contributorisJonathanMosse,aregular writerfor TowpathTalk,who hasmade significant progressinexploringthe

Bradley,PeterFisher,JonathanMosse,RupertSmedley,MalcolmBridge andDavidStruckett.

useofthedieselfuelalternativeHVO. Thisfuelislikelyto be amainstayon thewaterwaysforyears to comedue to thelongevityofthe boatsandengines currentlyin use.

Butnomatterhow longthecurrent fleet of boatslasts,theywilleventually need to be replaced.The questionis, withwhat?AsBowmanpoints out, there arestill many unknownsdue to newdevelopmentsinareas such as fuelcellsandbatteries, butthegeneral consensusisthat thefuturenarrowboat will be electricallypropelled.

The need to decarboniseand make the waterwaysmoresustainableisa pressing issue, and Bowmanandthe SBGmembersareconcernedthat, with theglobalshift away fromfossil fuels,

Electricboat Ampere,a greatexampleofsustainableboating,seenhere atFroghall. PHOTO:MALCOLMBRIDGE

the waterwayscould be left behind. The group’sviewisthat thereisa need to explorealternatives to diesel sooner ratherthanlater;ifactionisnottaken, the waterwayscould face asignificant decline.

Vitalinput

What isevident is thegroup’spride inproducinginformationand recommendations,partsofwhich have beentakenup by Canal&River Trust andthe GovernmentviatheAPPGW andtheDfT.Thegroup wasformedto help securethefutureofthe waterways, so havinginputintoimportant organisations suchastheseisvital.

Thisyearwillsee the awardingof thefirstSustainable BoatingAwards, and Bowmansaidthat as TowpathTalk hadalwayssupportedthe work of the Sustainable BoatingGroup,theywere morethanhappy totakethe opportunity to collaborateonthe awards.And with theclosingdateforentries beingJuly 1,timeis runningoutif youwant to nominatea recipient.

Nominationsarebeing sought forindividualsandorganisationsor businesses whoare deemed to have madea valuablecontributionduring thelastyear.Thetwo categoriesfor the awardsarenon-commercial,for individualsorgroups representing charityorcommunityorganisations, andcommercialforwaterway-related businesses.

Sustainable Boating Awards

Nominationsandentries:There aretwocategoriesfortheawards asfollows…

Groupone: Non-commercial –thiscategoryisforindividuals orgroups representingcharityor communityorganisations.

Grouptwo: Commercial –this categoryisforwaterway related businesses.

Judgingpanelandcriteria

Thejudgingpanelwillbe madeupfromthreeseparate bodies;thosebeingoneormore individualsfrom Towpath Talk, theIWA, andan independent representativefromthe waterways community –nosinglebodyshall have amajority.

In terms of criteria,theaward willbemadetothecategory winnerswhich,intheopinionof thejudgingpanel,havemadethe greatestcontributiontomaking inlandwaterwaysboatingmore sustainableintheprevious calendaryear(2023).

Submissions

Inthe first instance,sendyour writtennomination(notexceeding 750words –anduptothree photographsmaybeincluded) viaemailto:IWATTsustainable. awards@waterways.org.uk

Theclosingdateforentries/ nominationswillbeJuly1, 2024,afterwhichthesewillbe publicised.Theawardwillbe judgedbyapanelcomprising representativesoftheIWA, Towpath Talk andthewaterways community.The winnerswillbe announcedat apresentation eventlaterintheyear.

By his ownadmission, Bowmanisnot an eco-warriorwho you willfindglued to aroad somewhere, butheandthe rest oftheSBG arepassionateabout securing thefutureofthe waterways.

The SBG’smotivationisto puttogood useyearsofcombinedexperienceand expertise inengineeringandassociated disciplinesforthe benefitofthe waterwaysfor yearstocome.

BowmanBradley,chairmanofthe SustainableBoatingGroup. PHOTO:PHILPICKIN

AfewoftheSustainableBoatingGroupmembers(fromleft)Bowman

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Bowmanaboardhisboat, Rivendell. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Wheredidthat word comefrom?

JohnSoutercontinueshis seriesexploringtheorigins ofcommonboatingterms.

MANYofyou maybefamiliar withwhat alotofthe wordsthat boaters usemean, buthaveyou ever stopped to wonder wherethe wordsweare alltoofamiliar withoriginated from?Hereare more examplesof wordswhoseoriginsmay hopefullyinformyou,andin some cases perhaps surpriseyou.

Port

The leftsideof avesselwhen facingto thefront andthoughttodatefromthe 1540sfromthenotionof‘thesidefacing the harbour’whendocked.

Originallytheportside wasreferred toas ‘larboard’,but this waschanged by the RoyalNavyin1844because of the possibilityof sailorsconfusingunclear or shouted ordersof ‘steerto larboard’ withordersto steertostarboard.

The word port wastakenfromthefact shipstraditionallytookon cargofrom theirleft-handsidei.e.thesidefacing toward the port.

Thisis possiblyexplained by the fact earlyvessels hadsteering-boards (hence ‘starboard’)onthe right-hand aftsideofthe vessel and so tomoorto starboardwould be likely to crushthe steering-board.

The derivationisfromthe OldEnglish word ‘port’ meaning ‘harbour, haven’, or possibly from theOld French word ‘port’,bothofwhichcomefromtheLatin word ‘portus’.

Porthole

Asmallandusually watertight round windowinthesideof boatsandships.

Ropebeingworkedby Tradlineat Braunston. ALLPHOTOS:JANETRICHARDSON.

The more specificmeaningofporthole as ‘openinginthe sideofaship’has beenfoundtooriginatefromthe1300s, alsofromthe OldEnglish word ‘port’, buthavingthe alternativemeaningsof ‘portal,door,entrance’, plusthe word ‘hole’comingfromthe OldEnglish‘hol’ meaning‘hollow,place,orifice, cave’.

In thelate1400s,HenryIVinsistedon having canonsforhis warshipsmounted securelyondeck, despitethefactthey were toolarge,therebymakingthe equilibriumoftheships very unsteady.

Ashipbuilder,James Baker, was commissionedtosolvetheproblemand hedid so by cuttingholesintothesides oftheships so that the canonscould

CaenHillPound –oneofthesidepounds.

be mountedinsideandlowerdown.

Covers –i.e.‘gun ports’, or gunhole doors –werefittedtocovertheholesin heavy weatherandwhenthe guns were notinuse.

Theterm‘port’ camefromtheFrench word ‘porte’meaningdoor. ‘Porte’then evolved into theslightlyshorter word port andwas thencorruptedto‘port hole’beforesubsequentlybecoming ‘porthole’asweknowittoday.

Pound

The length or stretch of canalthat lies betweentwo locks, which canvaryfrom just afewfeetto many milesinlength. Hencethe term PoundLockforthelocks that separatethesepounds.

The word is thoughttoberelatedto the OldEnglish word ‘pyndan’meaning ‘todamup’orenclose(water),or thecirca1300 word ‘pond’ meaning ‘artificiallybankedbodyofwater’.

It isalsopossibly relatedtothe late14thcentury word ‘pound’, which originallymeant‘enclosed spacefor animals’, butused as areferenceto an enclosed spacefor water.

Rope

The word rope more correctlyrefers to

the manufactured material madefrom intertwiningnaturalorartificial fibres, or wire.

Once the rope hasbeensized,cut, splicedoreven just given afunctionitis thenmoreaccurately referredtoas‘line’, especiallyinnauticalusage, hencethe phrase‘throwmea line’.

The word is most likelyderived from the OldEnglishword‘rap’ meaning ‘rope,cord, cable’. More correctly intertwinedfibres/wiresoflessthan1in circumferencearecalledrope, 1in-10in circumferenceiscord,and over10in circumferenceis cable.

Unplanned eventshindertheprogressof thosewho wish to do some seriouscruising…

NABOgeneral secretary Peter Braybrookcomments onsomemore topicalissues.

IWAS reminded recentlythat early Maysaw International Dawn Chorus Day. Ouravianwintervisitorsare wellontheir waybacktotheir breedinggrounds andour summernestingbirdsareback. The soundofwillowwarblerand chiffchaff,blackcapand redstart arenow makingthemselves

heard. In earlyMay thechorus starts at about3amandfinishes sometimeafter 7amwhenthe daytimecheepof sparrows,the contact callsof theblue and greattitsandterritorial marking by blackbirdstakethecentre stage. So whathasthis got todo with boating? Well, Iusedtogetup withthelarkandlove listening tothechorus overthethumpof my BMCdieselandthe burble oftheprop wash.Theearly morningwas my thinkingtime as my crewsleptandslumbered to the rhythmoftheengine. Sometimessomeone stirredand poppeduponthebackdeckto joinme,butothertimesthey continuedtogettheir beauty sleepwhile Ienjoyedthebeauty andsoundofthe canals. Sometimes Iwould get toa lock andgently ropehaulthe boat in so that Ididn’tdisturb anyone.The‘best mate’,also anearly riser, wouldcome out togive assistanceonthetiller beforereturningtoher cabin choreswhenthe boat was through.Onceoneof my sons awokeandexclaimed“We’rein alockbyaccident!” No accident, fullintent tocontinue.

Cruisinginthemonthof May haschangednow; theRiver Thamesison redboards rightthe wayfromOxfordtoTeddington. Thereisa continuingstoppage for aserious landslip on the Oxford Canal,althoughtheCRT hasmadeexcellentprogress withthisandit may, by thetime youreadthis,beopen again. However… thereare stillmany unplannedevents suchaslift bridgefailuresandlockgate heel post breakagestohinder theprogressofthosewho wish todo some seriouscruisingon atourist ring or fortheduration of aweekortwo’s hire.

We have hadreports that the Rochdale Canalishardly navigableinspiteoftheamount of rain we have hadrecently. The tidalTrent, theeasternnorth-tosouthconnection,is suffering from ashortageoflockkeepers withnoendtothecrisisinsight. Volunteer lock keepersarenot immediately available to fill thegapsinthe Canaland River Trust’spermanentstaffwho aremulti-taskingandoften unavailableforlock-keeping duties.The Gloucester and SharpnessCanal hasashortage ofbridge keepers,meaning

many days whenpassage is impossible. We wonderwhat will be next. Will theLeedsand Liverpoolbeopenfromendto endthis year?March’s Reservoir Watch notedthat levels at severalreservoirsinthe Leeds and Liverpooland Huddersfield Canalgroups arebeing held down forengineeringworks.

Bankholidayquestions

MayBankHoliday and the weekfollowingmarkedthe startofthefestival season, with theIWACanalwayCavalcade in Little Venice; FundBritain’s Waterwaysisthetheme. The steering groupofthis campaign hadtheopportunitytoask RichardParry,CEO ofthe Canal and RiverTrust,somequestions aboutwhat heplansforwhen the DefraGrant is reducedin 2027.

Theencouragingresponse wasthat thereisno‘Plan B’. Thereare noplanstoshut canals.Thetrust will continue to work to maintain navigation as atoppriority.Thetrustwill continuetoextolthesocial and economic benefitsofthe waterwayswithall political partiesinthecoming months

and yearsto getthe waterways fundedrealistically. Whether thisis a‘headinthe sand’ approachtothe oncoming fundingcrisisisyet to be seen. Ourrepresentativeson EnvironmentAgencyforums have notdetected anyconcern aboutEAlosingmuchofits funding in spiteofmakinga largeoperationallossonthe RiverThames navigation.The NABO chairandvicechair have met withtheCRT’sCEO and triedtounlock anyplanpast 2027, buttonoavail.

Theseasonmoveson

Floatingmarkets arere-starting their businesses,astrading boatsthathave beenre-stocking theircraftsand waresover the winter go outtotempt towpath usersinto purchases.

Everythinginthe canal worldshould be coming back tonormality.Asthe summer arrives, andhopefullythe weatherimproves,morepeople will beencouraged to taketothe water onpaddle boardsandin canoesanddinghies.

Manycanaltunnelsare now availabletounpowered craft withtheonly requirement

being aforward-facinglight. Boatersshould bewarethat many craftofthis typewillbe invisiblefrom behindtothe steererof anarrowboat until lit by theheadlightofthe boat. Many boatersbeamtheirlights upward to illuminatethe roof ofthe tunnelinsteadofforward to illuminatethe water.Itis stronglyadvised that aforward lookoutisemployed, because thetime-honoured ruleisthat poweredboatsgiveway to unpowered.

NABObelievesthatthe risks oftaking unpoweredboats through tunnels,inlocksand overunguardedaqueducts have not beenfullyassessed.The riskassessmentrequirement by theCanaland RiverTrust hasdisappeared fromthemost recenteditionofthe Termsand Conditions forBoatLicenses. Responsibilityisnowsolelyon thelicensee of poweredboats andtheircrew.

Whatever you choose todo onthe waterwaysof Britain this summer,whether walking, fishing,watching or boating, takecareand keep safe. The waterwayshavenever been risk-free.

Portholesseenhereon Sharpness

Portsideofboat Sweden,seenat FABFest.

“My

eveningsarewellspent endlesslyscrollingon

my

phone.” (saidnoone ever) There’sanotherway. Choosefreedom, together with Aquavista.