Towpath Talk May issue 20 PAGE PREVIEW

Afundayoutforallthefamily

THE2023CrickBoatShow o ersafantasticdayoutbythe waterforallthefamily.

HeldacrossthelateMay BankHolidayweekend,May 27-29,atCrickMarina,near DaventryinNorthamptonshire, itistheUK’sbiggestinland waterwaysfestival. isannualevent,organised byWaterwaysWorldin partnershipwiththeCanal& RiverTrustandCrickWaterside

&Marina,isexpectedtoattract morethan26,000visitors.

Aswellasbeingthecanal world’sbiggestmarketplace, showcasingtheinland waterwaysindustrywithin excessof200exhibitors,Crick BoatShowhasmorethan30 newboatstoview,plusused boatsandfreeadviceseminars onboatownershipand technicalmasterclasses. Otherattractionsincludefree

boattrips,livemusic,children’s activities,arealalebarandawide varietyoffoodanddrinkstalls. Entrytotheshowisfreefor childrenaged16andunderon theSaturday,Sundayandbank holidayMonday.

Formoreinformationandto booktickets,campingpitches andmoorings,visitwww. crickboatshow.comorcall 01283742970,MondaytoFriday 9amto3pm.

LotstoseeattheCrickBoatShow.

PHOTO:PHILPICKIN

Boatsoldandnewinthemarina.

PHOTO:JANETRICHARDSON

The top 10 things to do at this year’s show:

1. Enjoy a boat trip – visitors to Crick can take a free boat trip along t h e G ra n d U n i o n Ca n a l a b o a rd canal boats run by volunteers from the LNBP Community Boating e half-hour trips run ever y 10 minutes from 10.10am each day of the show. Visitors can book their free trip at the Trip Boats Marquee on the quayside when they arrive at the show.

2 Listen to live music – Fifteen live bands will be performing throughout the show in the Real Ale Bar for the show’s music festival in association w ith Aquavista Dr Fe elgo o d w ill headline on the Saturday evening (May 27), and Mercur y: e Ultimate Queen Tribute will headline on the Sunday n ight ( May 28 ) Eve ning enter tainment, which is include d in the price of the same day ticket to the show, runs from 7.30pm to 11.30pm on Friday, May 26, Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.

3 Climb aboard the latest luxury boats – dozens of luxur y new boats will be on display, showcasing all the latest lifestyle extras, space-saving ideas and g re e n t e c h n o l o g y F ro m k i ng -s i z e d b e d s, b at h s a n d d r i n k s f r i d g e s, t o under oor heating, electric engines and solar panels.

4. Step back in time – thanks to the Histor ic Nar row Boat Club (HNBC ), eight historic boats will be on display at the show, giving visitors the chance to see how the working boat families lived when canals were the transport

ar ter ies of the Industr ial Revolution

Historic boats on display will include t h e Sto ke Br u e r n e Ca nal Mus e u m ’ s 8 8 - ye a r- o l d S c u l p t o r , b a ck at C r i ck for the rst time since her year-long restoration. Built in 1935 for the Grand Union Canal Carr ying Company, as well as transporting cargoes such as coal and cotton from L ondon to the Midlands, S culptor played a key role in ghting re s i n L o n d o n d u r i ng t h e S e c o n d World War

5. Enjoy some retail therapy – with over 200 exhibitors from across the canal world, as well as dozens of new boats to look round, Crick o ers shoppers the

ver y latest in boating products and ser vices, as well as crafts, gifts, clothing, jeweller y and hats.

6 Visit the Canal & River

Tr u s t ’s ‘ n a t i o n a l t r e a s u r e s ’ exhibition – national water ways charity the Canal & River Trust w i l l b e c e l e b rat i n g t h e 2 0 0 0 miles of national treasures in its care, including 1000 wildlife conser vation sites, with a special exhibition in the Canal & River Trust Marquee Visitors can get boating advice, nd out about the recreation, health and well-being opportunities available to them on their lo cal water ways, and discover ways to get involved to support the charity’s work

7 Take a boat handling lesson – t w o - h ou r b o at ha n d l i ng t ra i n i ng sessions with RYA accredited trainers from Watercraft and the Nar rowboat Skills Centre will be taking place at the

–

Show (May 27-29) L essons will cover the basics of casting o , mooring up, b oat e t i q u e tt e, ro p e ha n d l i ng, b o at jargon and lock navigation Sessions are charged at £39 per person Places are limite d s o advance b o oking v ia crickboatshow.com is essential

8 Get some expert advice on boating

– t h e s h ow ’ s f re e B o at O w n e r s h i p

S eminar programme features advice

f ro m Wa t e r w ay s Wo r l d’s t e c h n i c a l editor Mark Langley for both new and experienced boaters Seminars include advice on buying a new or second-hand boat, living a oat and boat maintenance And there will be masterclasses from a numb er of ex hibitors, w ith topics including managing water on the canal network with Adam Comerford, national hydrolog y manager for the Canal & River Trust

9 Vote for your favourite boat

visitors to the show can vote for their favour ite boat and the result w ill be announced mid-afternoon on Monday, May 27 Sp o n s o re d by Haven - Kn ox Johnston, there are two categories to vote for : o ne for the most admire d na r row b o at ; a n d o n e f o r t h e m o s t admired widebeam Ever yone who votes is entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Marks & Spencer voucher e winning exhibitors receive a trophy and a bottle of champagne

10. Enjoy exclusive access on Trade & Preview Day – visitors to the show’s Trade & Preview Day in Association with LeeSan on Friday, May 26, can book a boat tour online in advance Tickets are priced at £25 each and are only available in advance Availability is limited to 1000 tickets Trade & Preview Day visitors will receive a gift bag, hot drink and access to the VIP marquee

The ideal location for exploring East Anglia’s Waterways with easy access to the canal network

Ultimate Queen tribute act Mercury will be on stage on Sunday evening. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Dr F Feellgood d is the headline act on Saturday evening.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

LNBP Community Boating will be giving free boat trips.

PHOTO: JANET RICHARDSON

Braunston blossom

SpringblossomatBraunstonMarinawherepreparationsareunderwayforthe19thBraunstonHistoricBoatRallyandCanalFestivalinJune.See previewonpage23.

Censuspaintsapictureof canallifeinthe21stcentury

THECanal&RiverTrusthaspublished theresultsofits rstBoaterCensusofthe 35,000boatslicensedonitswaterways inEnglandandWales.

Itisintendedtoo erasnapshotoflifeon thewaterwaysinthe21stcentury,250years afterthenetworkopenedtonavigation.

ecensusdatawillhelpinformthe trust’sworkandthatofothers,suchashealth

IWAbossleaves

serviceprovidersandlocalauthorities,to makesureboatersareconsideredandtheir needsaremetthroughdecision-making, policyandservices.

Almost11,500boaters,arounda thirdofcurrentboatlicenceholders, responded. esplitbetweenboaters withandwithoutahomemooring,at 76%and24%respectively,isbroadly

THEInlandWaterwaysAssociationhasannounced thedepartureofDavePearcewhohadbeenitschief executivesinceJanuary3.TrusteeswishedDavewellfor thefutureandexpressedgratitudeforhiscontribution. IWA’sworktoprotectandrestorethewaterways continuesandintheshorttermtheassociationisbeing ledbyLesEtheridge,SueO’HareandNickDybeck,who canbecontactedatceo@waterways.org.uk

representativeofthemake-upofboats onthetrust’snetwork. ankingeveryonewhoresponded, nationalboatingmanagerMatthew Symondssaid:“ erearemoreboatson ourwaterwaysthanatanytimeintheir historyanditismoreimportantthanever thatwe,andotheragencies,understand theneedsoftheboatingcommunity.”

Annualsnapshot

BOATERShaveuntilMay5totakepartintheCanal& RiverTrust’sAnnualPerceptionsSurvey.Arandomly selectedthirdofitsboatlicenceholdershavebeen invitedtosubmittheirviewsonthetrustandthe upkeepofitswaterwaysinthisannualsnapshot. e resultswillbepublishedinlatespringandfurther surveyswillbesenttoasampleofboatersduringthe summermonths.

Thetypicalboatonthetrust’s waterwaysisasteelnarrowboatwith xedbedsfortwopeople,andpull-out bedsfortwopeopleormore.While mostusegasforcooking(89.8%)anda solidfuelstove(66.8%),morethanhalf therespondentshaveinvestedinsolar panels(59.3%).

Continuedonpage2

Towpathwork

WORKtoimprovethetowpathinMarketHarborough, Leicestershire,isduetostartinMayandtakeabout 15weeks. e£900,000projectwilltransformwhat canbeamuddytowpath,makingitsuitablefor all-year-rounduse. epathwillbewidenedwitha newall-weathersurfaceandthemooringforvisiting boatswillbeimproved.Sectionsofthetowpathwill beclosedwithtemporarydiversionsinplace.

PHOTO: TIMCOGHLAN

WELCOME

THElengtheningdays areaharbingerofthe lazyhazycrazydaysof summerandit’sgreat toseeafullprogrammeofevents backonthecalendar.

Hopefullywecanatlastput behindustheeffectsofthe pandemicandacontemporary ‘winterofdiscontent’withits disruptionduetonumerousstrikes althoughunfortunatelythe‘cost ofliving’crisisisstillwithus.But liveaboardboatersinsomeareas canatlaststarttoclaimenergy payments,seestoryonpage3.

Withthreebankholiday weekendsinMay,lotsofyouwill begettingoutonthewaterand thetowpathandthere’ssuretobe parties, agsandbuntinggalorefor theKing’scoronationonMay6. Annualeventsduringthe monthincludetheIWACanalway CavalcadeovertheearlyMaybank holidayweekend,theMoiraCanal FestivalonMay21-22andCrick BoatShowattheendofthemonth whereourteamwillbehandingout ourJuneeditiontovisitors.

eErewashCanal&Preservation DevelopmentAssociationwillalso becelebratingits55thanniversary andthe50thanniversaryofthe reopeningoftheGreatNorthern BasinatLangleyMilloverthespring bankholidayweekendandseeour What’songuideonpages20-21for detailsofotherupcomingevents.

Ourteamofcontributorshave alreadybeenoutandabout;Les Heathvisiteda oatingmarketat GreatHaywoodandPhilPickin attendedtheWestMidlandsCanal UsersForum–reportsfrombothof theseonpage4.Whilefurthernorth SallyCli ordwentalongtoseea otillarecreatingahistoricjourney alongtheLeeds&LiverpoolCanal, seepage5andColinWareingvisited theToddbrookReservoiropenday, reportonpage8. Andthere’slotsmoretoreadin thisCrickpreviewedition –enjoy.

TOWPATH Janet

Editor JanetRichardson jrichardson@mortons.co.uk

Publisher TimHartley

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Cassettetoilets(57.5%)arethemost popular,followedbypump-out (33.8%),withaminoritychoosing compostingloos(8.8%).Almosta third(31.9%)ofrespondentshave experiencedmechanicalproblems withtheirboatinthepast12months.

ecensusaskedboatersaboutthe challengestheyfacedduetolivingon aboat.Accessingimportantservices isatheme,withrespondentshaving issuesaccessinghealthservices (31.7%), nancialservices(16.3%),and nancialhelpsuchasbene ts(11.7%).

Additionally,21.7%reportchallenges aroundeducationandwork.Many boatersalsoreportedthattheirday-todayactivitiesarelimitedbecauseofa long-termhealthproblemordisability.

Petsarepopularonboats,with 47%ofrespondentssayingthereis ananimalonboard,75%specifying acaninecompanion(s)comparedto 29.6%owningcatsand4.4%naming anotheranimal.Incontrast,just5% ofrespondentshadachildunder16 livingaboard.

Matthewadded:“Fromthe conversationswehaveonthetowpath,

weknowthatsomeboatersface speci cchallenges,forexamplearound employment,accessingfinancial servicesandsupport,registering withhealthservicessuchasdoctors’ surgeries,orboatingwithadisability.

“ eBoaterCensushasprovided uswiththedataweneedtoillustrate theworkwedotootherorganisations whomaynotbefamiliarwiththe practicalitiesoflifea oatandwilladd strengthtoourargumentsthatboaters needtargetedsupport.”

Boaterstookpartintheanonymous onlinesurvey,whichwasopenfor10

weeks,bycompletingaquestionnaire onlineoroverthetelephone. Invitationstotakepartweresentto currentlicence-holdersbyemail,text messageorpostandtheywereasked tocompleteonesurveyperboat. Rovingtraderswereincludedbutother businessboatlicenceholderswerenot. Resultsincludealargeamountof qualitativedata,whichwillbeanalysed sectionbysectionandpublishedina separatereportinsummer2023. eBoaterCensuscanberead onlineintheenjoy-the-waterways sectionatwww.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Seeingredathistoric Camdenlandmark

THECanal&RiverTrust

hascompleteda£533,000 10-weekprojecttorepairthe GradeIIListedInterchange BasinTowpathBridgeonthe Regent’sCanalinCamden andhasrepaintedthebridge IndianRed.

Builtin1846,thehistoric bridge,knownlocallyas‘Dead DogBridge’,isanimportant locallandmarkcarryingthe Regent’sCanaltowpathacross thecanalbasinbeneath theCamdenInterchange Warehouse(‘DeadDog Tunnel’)andisthebusiest canalfootbridgeinthecountry withoveronemillionwalking andcyclingvisitsperyear.

Thebridgerepairshave beenenabledbyanaward fromPostcodeEarthTrust thankstofundsraisedby playersofPeople’sPostcode Lottery.Thework,which beganinmid-January,has includedrepairstothebridge’s wroughtironlatticeparapets; cleaningoftheunderlyingcast ironbeamsandcleaningand repointingtheabutmentsand approachparapets.

RosDaniels,theCanal &RiverTrust’sdirector forLondon&SouthEast, explained:“ eInterchange BasinTowpathBridge,known

locallyasDeadDogBridge,is akeyrouteforpeopleusing thecanalthroughCamden andwithoveronemillionvisits eachyear,isoneofthebusiest bridgesonournetwork.

“Ourengineershaveworked withspecialistcontractors tocarefullyrepair,cleanand repaintthebridge’shistoric parapetsandrepointthe abutments.“Theworkswill ensurethishistoricbridge continuestocarrymillionsof visitorsenjoyingtheRegent’s

CanalinCamdenformanyyears tocome.”

Builtatthebeginningofthe 20thcenturybytheLondon &NorthWesternRailway (LNWR),themassiveGradeII ListedredbrickInterchange WarehouseinCamdenwas designedtobringtogether canal,railandroadtransport inonecoveredbuilding,with threelayersofstorage.

PhilEmery,Canal&River Trustregionalheritage adviser,explained:“The

Canal&RiverTrustisthe thirdlargestcustodianof designatedheritageassets,with adedicatedteamofspecialist heritageadvisersensuringthat alltheworksrespectheritage conservationbestpractice.

“Inrecentyears,thebridge’s strikingironworkhasbeen paintedblackandwhitebut, workingwithaspecialistto analysethepaintlayers,we discoveredtheoriginalcolour wasmostlikelytohavebeen IndianRed.

“ enamereferstopigment usedtocreatethepaintcolour, madefromgroundhaematite oreobtainedinBengal,the historicregiondividedbetween modern-dayBangladeshand theIndianstateofWestBengal.

“Thispaintcolourwas usedbyrailwaycompanies, includingtheLondon& BirminghamRailwayCo (L&BR)whichoriginally ownedtheInterchangecanal basin,whoseentrancethe bridgecrosses.”

Theentrancetothe InterchangeDockbecame knownasDeadDogTunnel because,historically,debris –includingdeadanimals–accumulatedhereattheend ofthe26-milelock-freestretch ofthecanalflowinginto centralLondon.

DeadDogTunnelhas featuredinanumberof lms, includingthe2015Bond lm Spectre,whereitwasusedas adoubleforQ’stopsecret undergroundworkshop.

Today,theInterchange Buildingisaco-workingo ce space.UsingtheInterchange Dock,iRecycletransports wastefromtheInterchange Buildingbybargetothe Powerdayrecyclingcentrein WestLondon.

PhilEmeryandRosDanielsfromtheCanal&RiverTrusttalkingtojournalistsata recentphotocall.

ThehistoricbridgehasbeenreturnedtoitsoriginalIndianRedcolour.

PHOTOS:CANAL&RIVERTRUST

Canalvolunteers improvepopular pathtoLacock

ACOUNTRYSIDEwalkbetween ChippenhamandLacockhasbeen mademucheasierfollowingrepairs toaformertowpath.

eWilts&BerksCanalTrusthas alreadyrestoredasigni cantstretch ofthewaterwayfromPewshamLocks toDoubleBridge,makingitapopular spotforwalkers,runnersandcyclists.

However,thepublicrightofway thencrossesastileandpasses alongsideanunrestoredsectionof canalbeforereaching eldsonthe edgeofReybridge. ispartofthe routewasoftenmuddyandslippery duringwetweather.

VolunteerswiththeMelksham, Chippenham&Calnebranchof thecharityhavenowimprovedthe drainageandlaidanewsurfacealong morethanahundredmetresofthe originaltowpath.

WorkpartyorganiserHoward Wilsonsaid:“ erestoredcanalisvery popularwiththelocalcommunity whoenjoythescenicroutethrough opencountrysidetowardsLacock.

“We’vemadehugeprogressin breathingnewlifeintothissection, withabridge,wharfandbenches, butpeoplehavesometimesbeen frustratedbythepathbeyondwhich waslessaccessiblewheneveritrained.

“Now,thankstothesupportofthe landowner,we’vebeenabletocarry outsomemajorimprovements.”

Volunteersinstalledadrain toremoveexcesswaterfromthe derelictsectionofcanalandprevent itover owing,andspreadrecycled hardcoreandscalpingsalongthe rightofway. eyalsorepairedthe stileatthePewshamendofthepath.

Howardadded:“We’vealready

Fundingsecuredfornext phaseofecologypark

LICHFIELDandHathertonCanals

hadlotsofpositivecommentsfrom gratefulmembersofthepublic whothankedusforoure orts,and wehopeitwillencourageeven morepeopletowalkthisrouteand learnmoreaboutthehistoryofthe waterwayandhowtheycansupport itsrestoration.”

TheaimoftheWilts&Berks CanalTrustistorestorethe entirewaterwayfromtheKennet &AvonCanalnearMelkshamto theThames&SevernCanalnear CrickladeandtheRiverThames nearAbingdon,connecting Chippenham,Calne,Royal WoottonBassettandSwindon. Newmembersarealways welcome.Visitwww.wbct.org.uk

ApplyingforenergypaymentsinBuckinghamshire

LIVEABOARDboaters

intheBuckinghamshire

Councilareahaveuntil May31toapplyfora£400 non-repayableenergy paymentthroughtheEnergy

BillsSupportScheme.

Residentsonthe followingmooringscan apply:Aylesbury;Soulbury

ThreeLocks(Leisure); Marsworth(Towpath); CooksWharf(Pitstone); SeabrookLockLeisure

(Cheddington);Circus FieldBasin(Aylesbury); CollegeRoad(Aston Clinton);MarlowLock moorings;Uxbridge Leisure;DenhamMarina; BourneEndMarinaand PitstoneWharfMarina.

Toapplyresidentsneed anemailaddressandphone number(iftheyhaveone) andbankaccountdetails –aUKcurrentaccount intheclaimant’sname.If

notregisteredforCouncil Taxresidentswillneedto uploadproofofaddress, suchasabankstatementor tenancyagreement,aspart oftheirapplication.

Updatesaboutthe

progressoftheapplication willbegivenbyemailor letterwithinsixweeksand ifeligible,thecouncilwill arrangeaone-o payment thatdoesnotneedto berepaid.

Ifyouneedhelpwiththeapplicationemail: alternativefunding@ebss.beis.gov.uk orring08081753287,MondaytoFriday,8amto6pm. www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk

RestorationTrusthassecureda £250,000grantfromBi aAwardfor thenextphaseofitsDarnfordMoors EcologyParkproject.

Itwillrestorethecanalchannel fromDarnfordLanetothe lift-bridge,providinghabitat improvementswithwetland marginsandhedgerowcorridors.

LHCRTchairmanCaroleMillssaid: “ isisexcellentnewsforthetrust andourvolunteers! egrantfrom Bi aAwardwillhaveahugeimpact towardsgettinganother250mofcanal intowater,creatingavitalspacefor wildlifeandcommunityenjoyment ofthenaturalenvironment.”

Phaseoneoftheprojectisalready underwaybutthislargestfunding fromBi aAwardwillformphase

two,takingthecanalanotherstep forwardinwaterfromDarnford Lane,connectingatalaterstage withHuddlesfordJunctiononthe CoventryCanal.

WhileLHCRT’svolunteershave beenpreparingthesite,Onsite CentralLimitedhasbeenawarded thecontracttocarryoutthework withBluetechWaterfrontSolutions Ltdoverseeingthecontract.

BiffaAwardgrantsmanager RachelMaidmentsaid:“ rough ourPartnershipGrantsSchemewe areabletomakesigni cantgrantsto projectsthatintroduce,conserveor protectourwildlife,pavingtheway fornature’srecoveryonalargescale.”

Theworkisscheduledtobe completed,withthecanalinwater, bytheendoftheyear.

WorkpartyorganiserHowardWilsononthetowpathnearReybridge,withtheovergrowncanaltotheleft.

PHOTO:JUSTINGUY

Aclose-upofthecanalchannel. PHOTOSSUPPLIED

AnaerialviewoftheLichfield&HathertonCanalsRestoration Trust’sDarnfordLaneongoingwork.

Brisktradeat floatingmarket

Reportandphotos:LesHeath

BIGGERandbetterthanbefore. at wastheopinionofvisitors ockingto the oatingtraders’marketatGreat HaywoodinSta ordshire.

efour-dayeventontheTrentand MerseyCanalovertheEasterweekend

attractedalmost30 oatingtraders’ boatsalongahalf-milesectionofthe towpath. estunningbackdropof ShugboroughParkaddedtotheappeal. Buyerswereimpressedbythewide rangeofgoodsforsaleandtradingwas briskuntiltheweatherturnedonthe nalday.

Egg-citingfunatChichesterCanal

Financedominatesdiscussionsat WestMidlandscanalusers’forum

ByPhilPickin

THEcombinationofin ationandthe uncertaintysurroundingtheCanal &RiverTrust’songoingfunding continuetodominatethethoughts anddiscussionsatthetrust. iswas certainlytheimpressiongainedatthe recentWestMidlandsUserForum,held inBromsgrove.

Around32attendeeswelcomedthe returnofWestMidlandsregionaldirector AdnanSaifafterhislongabsencefrom meetingsofthistype.Aswithprevious forums,thisonewasco-ordinatedby TomFreeland,boatingandcustomer servicesmanager,andincludedagood numberofsta coveringmanyareasof CRToperationsinthearea.

Oneofthosewasnationalhydrology managerAdamComerfordwho outlined,insomedetail,theimpact thatlastyear’sdroughtcausedonthe waterways. eongoinglackofwater withinthesystemcouldalsohave animpactin2023ifthelower-thanexpectedrainfallpersists.

Hedid,however,outlinethatreservoir levelsarerecoveringpartlyduetothe snowfallearlierthisyear.Toaddtothe nancialburdensCRThastocontend with,healsotalkedaboutthetrust’sneed nowtoapplyforandpayforabstraction licences,somethingpreviouslynot required.At£1500perapplication,the costoftheselicencesquicklyaddsup. Possiblyasaresultoftherecentmedia

attentiongiventhepollutionproblems acrossmostoftheUK’swaterways,Adam alsocoveredthetrust’sworkinensuring thatanywateracceptedintothecanal systemfromtreatmentplantsisasclean asitcanbe.Itwasinterestingtolearn thatwhenCRTtakeswaterofthistype, itreceivesapayment,soitwouldseem thatitisinthetrust’sinteresttocontinue tousethiswatertohelpbolsterlevels.

Withwaterbeingaresourcethat issometimesinshortsupply,thereis aneedtoaddressleakagesandtryto avoidthecostlypumpingprocessas muchaspossible.Adnanhighlighted

theoftenhiddencostofpumping waterusingelectricpumps.Facts andinformationlikethismake theseforummeetingsworthwhile attendingforanyoneinterestedin thecanalsystemanditsuse.

CharlesHughes,environmental scientistandinvasivespeciesproject manager,alsoprovidedsome interestingfactsand gures,including theremovalof400tonnesof oating pennywortfromasectionoftheRiver Soar.Anotherofthesehiddencosts wouldbethedisposalofthisplant matter,bothinthedirect nancial costandtheenvironmentalimpact ofusingenoughtruckstoremoveit. Hesaidthatinsomecases,plant matterofthistypeistakenbylocal landownerswhouseittocondition adjacentfields.Whenthisisn’t possibleMotherNaturewouldseem tohave,onceagain,cometothe rescuewiththeuseofweevilstoeat andbreedwithinthepennywort. Charlesoutlinedtheextensivetesting undertakentoensuretheintroductionof theseweevilsdoesnotnegativelyimpact ourindigenouswildlife. ankfullyit doesn’tandissigni cantlycheaper thanusingcontractorstoremove thevegetation.

emeetingalsocoveredthework ofthe sheriesteamandthesigni cant incomethe shingrightsgenerate. is sumwouldbeevenmoreifCRTowned alloftherightsacrossthewaterways,a factfewpeoplewereawareof.Buttheuse ofthewaterwaysbyanglersandboaters canonlybeachievedthroughthework oftheteam,includingmanyvolunteers, underthemanagementofRichard Preston,regionaloperationsmanager. Hecoveredtheworkoftheteamand contractors,whoareaimingtokeep thesystemworkingdespitethebest e ortsofthosewhousethecanalsas adumpingground.Heoutlinedthe removalof87tyres,eightwashing machines, vemicrowaves,72fridges, twoovensandtwomotorbikesfrom thelocalcanalssincethebeginningof theyear. eseitemsareinadditionto anumberofcarsthathavealsoended theirdaysinthecanals.Allofthiswork coststhetrustmoremoney,aresource thatisinshortsupply. ethemeof nance,orthelackofit,

CHICHESTERCanalis awonderfulplacefor familiestoexploreat anytimeofyear.But thisEaster,itwelcomed morethan400children withtheirfamiliesfor EasterBunnyboattrips. TheChichester ShipCanalTrust,the volunteer-led,selffundedcharitybehind thecanal,hasrecently joinedtheFamily ArtsNetworkand wasdelightedtohave offeredtheseEaster tripsforthelocal community. Withsixenthusiastic teenagebunnies–workinginapairper trip–therewaslotsof fun,music,dancing andsmalltreats tokeepeveryone entertained.Laura Evans,acustomer,said: “Twenty- veyearsago, wewerethechildrenon theEastertripandnow wecantakeourlittle ones…suchalovely traditionthatwewill definitelybekeeping up!Everyonewasso lovely,thankyou.”

erearelotsmore activitiesplannedfor familiesandforadults duringtheyear,sobe suretokeepaneyeon thecanalFacebookpage (@chichestershipcanal) forupcomingevents.

Atrustspokesperson said:“Thankyouto ourcustomersforyour excellentsupport,and ofcoursethankstothe hard-workingcanal volunteersandthe amazingbunnies!”

was,onceagain,theunderlyingissueof thisandmanyothermeetingsCRThas held.Sowhenthesubjectoftheproposal tointroduceapolicytochargecanalside eventsfromJune1arose,itnaturally sparkedsomelivelycomments.

AdnanSaifcon rmedtheplanbut gavetheimpressionthattherecould beadegreeof exibilityinhowitis implemented.Someofthosewho attendedfeltitwouldpenalisegroups, suchastheirs,withhavingtoraise furtherfundstorunsuchevents.

Toclosetheforum,Adnantalked about the trust’s nancial challengges and echoedtheviewsairedbychiefexecutive RichardParryafewweeksearlieras theybothstressedtheseriousnessof thesituationandthatsomedi cult decisionswouldneedtobemadeover thecomingmonthsandyears.

AccordingtoAdnan,theDefragrant amountstoaround30%ofCRT’sbudget. Anamountthat,ifitweretodisappear, woulddramaticallyimpactthe waterways. etoneofthesecomments gavetheimpressionthat,potentially, somedecisionsmaynotbepopularbut sadlynecessary.

Cushionsgaloreforanimallovers. C

Asplashofcanalsidecolourby thetradingboats.

Crowds begin to arrive

TwoofthesixEasterBunnieswhoworked asapaireachtrip.

PHOTO:DAVIDRICHARDSON

YoungpassengersmeetanEasterBunnyduringoneoftheboat trips. PHOTO: LAURAEVANS

CRTWestMidlandsregional directorAdnanSaifaddressesthe WestMidlandsUserForum.

PHOTO: PHILPICKIN

OneoftheslidesshownbyregionaloperationsmanagerRichard PrestonshowingworkdoneontheWestMidlandscanals.

PHOTO:CANAL&RIVERTRUST

Twoofthecarswhichendedupin thecanal.

PHOTO: CANAL&RIVERTRUST

Kennet departsfromBingley’s landmarkFiveRiseLocksforthe journeytoSkiptonaspartofthe 250thanniversarycelebrations.

Flotillarecreateshistoricjjourney y

Animportantmilestone wasmarkedontheLeeds &LiverpoolCanalon

EasterSaturday. Sally

Clifford wentalong. THEgatheringcrowdforthedeparture oftheheritageboat Kennet symbolised thesigni canceoftheoccasion.

Leadingthe otillaof12boats–pilotedbymembersofCravenCruising ClubandAiredaleBoatClub–outof Bingley’slandmarkFiveRiseLocks, Kennet ,thefloatingmuseumnow maintainedandoperatedbytheLeeds &LiverpoolCanalSociety’svolunteers, wasrecreatinganimportantchapterin waterwayhistory.

Foritwasonthisday,Easter Saturday,250yearsagothattwobarges loadedwithcoalseto fromBingley toSkiptonwherethecoalwassoldat halfthepricepreviously charged. eywerethe rstboatstocarrygoods ontheLeeds&Liverpool Canal,andthereduction incostdemonstratedthe importantpartthecanal wouldplayinYorkshire’s economicgrowth.

Interestingly,events weredocumentedby the18thcenturydiarist ElizabethShackleton, whowroteatthe timeofaMrLeachof Riddlesdentakingcoals inoneofhisnewboats toSkipton.

Exhibition

Following Kennet’s14-milejourney, theboatwasmooredinthecanalbasin inthecentreofSkiptonwhereshe remainedopentothepublicoverthe EasterBankHolidayweekend,allowing visitorstoviewtheonboardexhibition aboutcanalpeopleandboats,along withvideoandphotographsofevents fromthe200thanniversaryofthecanal in1973.

Builtin1947, Kennet isaRiverClass Leeds&LiverpoolCanalshortboat –socalledduetoitsmaximumsize forthelocksfromWigantoLeeds.It isunderstoodtobeoneofonlyafew survivingofitskind,travellingthelength andbreadthofthecanal.

Canalandindustrialhistorian MikeClarke,presidentoftheLeeds& LiverpoolCanalSocietywhichhewas instrumentalinsettingupin1997, explainedthe14ft4inby62ft6inboat (dependingonhowyoumeasurethe length)couldcarryaround50tons.

Flagship Namedaftera navigableriver, Kennet’simportance, andthepartitplayed inthedevelopmentof theeconomythrough itsrolecarryingcargo alongthecanal, isacknowledged throughitsinclusion intheregisterof NationalHistoric ShipsUK.

In2016,the bicentenaryyearof thecompletionofthe

canalandthe rstcompletecrossing, which Kennet anda otillacreatedin theOctober,theboatwasselectedas theNationalHistoricShipsUKRegional Flagship,the rsttimetheaccoladewas grantedtoaninlandwaterwayboat. Followingtheboat’sinclusioninthe BritishWaterwaysLeaseandAcquisition Schemein2008forthetransferof redundantheritagecrafttosuitable organisations,theLeeds&Liverpool CanalSocietymadeaformalapplication undertheschemeandtheleasewas signedin2009.

Theownershipof Kennet was transferredtotheLeeds&Liverpool CanalSocietyinMarch2011–thesame yearthecanalsocietywasawardeda projectgrantfromtheHeritageLottery Fundtoconserveandrefurbish Kennet forfuturegenerationstoenjoy.On board,visitorsembarkonajourney throughphotographsandother memorabiliausedtocreatea oating

interactivemuseumwhichishelping thesocietyeducateandraiseawareness oftheimportantpart Kennet,andthe canal,playedinourhistory.

SaidMike:“Ithasbeenincredibly successful.Wehavewon venational awardsandlocalawardsforthework wedo.”

Withsucharichandfascinating history,thereisalwayssomethingto celebrateonthecanalsaccordingto Mikeand,judgingbytheturnouton thetowpathfor Kennet’sdepartureon thisspecialanniversary,itisappreciated bypassers-byaswellasthosesuchas theLeeds&LiverpoolCanalSociety volunteers.Amongthemisthesociety’s ‘chairmum,’FredaChilds,whodonned clothingbe ttingtherecreationofthis historicoccasion.

“Wearetryingtoaddvaluetopeople’s experiencesofthecanal.Itisapleasant environmenttobein,butthereisso muchmoretoseeifyouknowwhereto

lookandyoucaninterpretwhatisthere,” saidMike.

TheareasofWestYorkshireand EastLancashirewerethebedrockof industrialeconomicdevelopment, accordingtoMike.

“Textiles,forthe rst100years,made 10timesmoremoneythancoaland threetimesmorethanironandsteel. eywereincrediblyimportant,and soIalwayssaytheLeeds&Liverpoolis thecanalthatputthe‘great’intoGreat Britainbecauseoftheareawhereit started,”addedMike.

TheLeeds&LiverpoolCanal Societyiskeentorecruitmore volunteers.

Formoreinformation,or togetinvolved,visitwww. leedsandliverpoolcanalsociety. co.uk

Kennet’sarrivalinSkiptonduringthe250thanniversarycelebrationson EasterSaturday. PHOTOSUPPLIEDBYMIKECLARKE,LEEDS&LIVERPOOLCANALSOCIETY.

MembersoftheLeeds&LiverpoolCanalSocietyaboard Kennet ahead ofthejourneytoSkipton.

MembersoftheLeeds&LiverpoolCanalSocietyarejoinedbymembers oftheCravenCruisingClubandAiredaleBoatClubwhofollowed Kennet inaflotillaonthejourneytoSkipton.

MikeClarke,presidentof theLeeds&LiverpoolCanal Society. PHOTOS:SALLYCLIFFORD UNLESSOTHERWISEINDICATED

Boatsfollowed Kennet inthe flotillafromBingley’slandmark FiveRiseLocks.

NewadditiontoBoatmobilityfleet

Reportandphotos:PhilPickin

COTSWOLDCanalsConnectedandthe NationalLotteryHeritageFundhave recentlysponsoredanewaccessibleboat fortheirpartner,CotswoldBoatmobility. isnewadditionwillenablethe Boatmobilityteamtocontinueto provideopportunitiesforagreater numberofpeopletoenjoyactivitieson andalongtheStroudwatercanal.

CrowdsgatheredatEbleyMillinStroud onacoldandblusterydaytoseeJan omas,chairofCotswoldBoatmobility, unveilthenewboat Symphony,the secondwheelchair-accessibleboat fortheStonehouse-basedcharity. Volunteer-runCotswoldBoatmobility aimstomakeboatingaccessiblefor allwithwheelchair-accessibleboats andkatakanus,anamalgamationofa catamaranandcanoe. Participantstypicallyhavemobility, mentalhealthorlearningissuesand, withoutthecharity,wouldstruggleto getontothewater.

eo ciallauncheventinvolved aribbon-cuttingceremony,trips alongthecanalonthenewboat,talks

fromrepresentativesofCotswold BoatmobilityandCotswoldCanals Connected,aswellasawiderprogress updateonthecanalproject.

Jan omassaid:“Weareextremely gratefultoCotswoldCanalsConnected foritscontinuedsupportovertheyears andfornowgenerouslysponsoringa newboat.Itissoimportantforustowork withlocalorganisationswhichshare ourvaluesofprioritisinginclusivity andaccessibility.

“Withtheadditionoftheboat,wewill nowbeabletoputonmoretripsand getevenmorepeopletoexperiencethe wonderfulCotswoldcanals.Oursessions havebeensigni cantlyincreasingin demandandweareinneedofmore volunteerssowewouldlovetohearfrom anyoneinterestedinhelpingus.

“Boatingorcaringskillswouldbe useful,howevertrainingcanbeprovided tothoseinterested.”

ChrisMitford-Slade,CotswoldCanals Connectedprojectdirector,added:“ e CotswoldCanalsConnectedprojectis notonlyforrestoringthecanal,but forcreatinginclusiveandthriving communities.CotswoldBoatmobilityis avitalpartoftheStonehousecommunity andplaysahugepartingettingpeople,

whowouldbeotherwiseunable,out onthecanal.Wearepleasedtoplay apartinhelpingthecharityexpand andlookforwardtoseeingitwidenits opportunities.Wearealsoverygrateful forthesupportfromtheNational LotteryHeritageFundwhoprovideboth fundingsupportandstrategicadviceto theprojectteam.”

CotswoldCanalsConnectedisa partnershipoforganisationsledby StroudDistrictCouncilandtheCotswold CanalsTrust,whicharerestoringthe canalnetwork.

Thesection between rupp andStonehouse isnowcomplete. enextstage, whichincludes thisproject, willrestorea furtherfour-mile sectionbetween Stonehouseand SaulJunction, providinga connectionto thenational waterway network.

Ifyouareinterestedingettinginvolvedintheworkofthecharityortosimply ndoutmoreabouttheCotswoldCanalsConnectedproject,visitwww. cotswoldcanalsconnected.orgorfollowCotswoldCanalsConnectedon Facebook,Twitter,Instagram,LinkedInandYouTube.

ProjecttorestoreRenishawmissinglink

ADISUSEDsectionofthe

ChesterfieldCanalistobe restoredbyDerbyshireCounty CouncilandChester eldCanal Trustforthebene toflocal residents,visitorsandwildlife.

Themile-longsectionin Renishaw,whichliescloseto theoriginalcanalalignment,is landlockedandvirtuallyempty ofwater.

Workisneeded,subjectto planningpermission,tomake thestructurewatertightand rebuildtheover ow-weirsoit isreadytoconnecttofurther sectionsofthecanalwhenthey arerestored.

Atemporarypumpingsystem wouldneedtobeinstalledto supplywaterfromtheRiver Rothertothecanalandthe towpathresurfacedtomake itsuitableforpedestrians andcyclists.

Furtherworkisalsoproposed toresurfaceafurther915 metresoftowpathtoprovide acircular2.5kmsurfaced routeincorporatingtheTransPennineTrail.Newpicnic benches,signageandcycle standswouldalsobeinstalled.

Theoriginalcanalwas completedin1777andstretched 46milesintotal,providing navigationbetweentheRiver RotheratChester eldandthe RiverTrentatWestStockwithin Nottinghamshire. esectionin Renishawwasreroutedinthe 19thcenturywiththebuilding ofrailways.

islatestproject–whichis beingcarriedoutbythecouncil andthetrustaspartofthe Chester eldCanalPartnership –ispartofawiderambition tomakethewholeroute fromChester eldtoKiveton navigablewithninemilesyetto berestored.

CounCarolynRenwick, DerbyshireCountyCouncil’s cabinetmemberfor infrastructureandenvironment, said:“ eChester eldCanal isanimportantpartofour county’sindustrialheritage, builtasatraderouteatthedawn oftheIndustrialRevolution.

“Aswellasimprovingthearea visually,restoringtheRenishaw linkwillbringopportunitiesfor recreationaswellasimproving biodiversity.Anditwilltakeus onestepclosertoopeningup thewholeroutetocanalboats whichwouldbringfurther economicbenefitsfromthe increaseintourism.” erestorationisexpectedto

costaround£400,000withthe councilcontributing£200,000, thecanaltrustproviding £150,000andtheremaining £50,000beingfundedbythe InlandWaterwaysAssociation. Theworkwillbedoneby volunteersfromthetrust.

PeterHardy,chairmanofthe Chester eldCanalTrust,said: “Weknowthatlocalresidents arekeentoseetherewatering ofthecanalaroundRenishaw andthisprojecthasbeenmade possiblethankstotheclose co-operationbetweenthe trustandDerbyshireCounty Council.It’salsothankstothe enthusiasmoflocalpeoplewho willjoinwithustocreateanarea theywillbeproudofforwalking, cycling, shingandwatersports.

“Theimprovementin biodiversityandanincreased senseofwell-beingwill undoubtedlyfollowthe completionoftheworks, whichweanticipatewillstart thissummer.”

Thefirstguestsaboardthenew boat.

CotswoldBoatmobility’snewestboat, Symphony, takingtothewateron launchday.

Cuttingtheribbontoofficiallylaunch Symphony

MembersoftheChesterfieldCanalTrustworkpartyandlocalresidentsaftera vegetationclearancesessionwith,secondright,localMPLeeRowley.

Publicbravethecoldweather foropendayatToddbrook

Reportandphotos:ColinWareing

THECanal&RiverTrustandmain contractorKierrecentlyoffered membersofthepublicauniquebehindthe-scenesviewofthetwo-year,£15 millionrestorationprojectthatwillbring thereservoirbackintoactiveuse.

Itfollowstheovertoppingofthe existingspillwayoverthedamwalland damagetothefrontfaceofthedamby anextremedelugeontothelocalhills backinJuly2019. isledtoapartial evacuationofthetownofWhaleyBridge whilethewaterlevelsinthereservoir werequicklyloweredbyinstallationof aseriesofhigh-capacitypumps.

ereservoirwaspumpednearlydry andnowtheinfrastructurearoundthe damisbeingimprovedwithanextra spillwaybeingbuilt. econcretefaceof thedamisbeingremovedandreplaced withagrassbank.

Groupsofaround20peoplewere hostedduringthedayonanhour’s visittoviewtheconstructionsitefrom thesafetyofthewalkwayalongthetop ofthedam.Eachwasaccompanied bymembersoftheKierproject managementteamtoexplainwhatis goingonaroundthesite. isincludes drivingpilesintothegroundtoform thenewspillwayandchannelalongthe northsideofthedam,alongwithwork belowthedamtoremoveanyexcess waterthatcomesoverthespillway.

ereareabout30peopleworkingon thesiteincludingaspecialistcontract thathaspeopletrainedtoworkin con nedspacesastherehavebeen shaftssunkuptosevenmetresdeepinto thegroundtoaccessandmaintainsome oldcoalminedrainagesystemsthatrun underthearea.

Agoodmixoffolkstookthechanceof

oddbroo

AgroupofvisitorsattheendoftheToddbrookdamwheretheyare e quizzingtheprojectteamastheyfinishtheirtripoutoverthedam walkway.Theyhadallreceivedasafetybriefingandwereprovided withhi-visjackets.

Theviewfromthewalkwayonthetopofthedamtowardsthehills. Thegreen-sidedbuildinginfrontofthehousesisthewelfareunitfor thesiteworkers.Thesehouseshadnotbeenlongcompletedwhenthe overtoppingofthedamoccurred.Theareawithinthefencewillallbe landscapedandanewplaygroundinstalled.

thevisit,withlocalswellrepresented,as weremembersoftheToddbrookSailing Clubwhousedthereservoirfortheir activitiesbutatpresentaresailingon ErrwoodandCombssailingclubs’waters. Furtherpublicopendaysarebeing

Progressatagreatpace

SHROPSHIREUnionCanalVolunteers’ continuedrestorationofthe MontgomeryCanalsouthofCrickheath Bridgehasbeenbestcharacterisedby thethreePs:plant,progressandpace.

Thankstoexcellentweather conditions,diggersanddumpershave beenusedtomaximume ectandeven thetaskofcleaningthemattheendwas veryquickandsimple.

Aswellastheremainingtreesfrom apreviousvegetationclearance, theredundant10inconcretedrain, headwallsandchamberthathavebeen inplacesinceclosurein1942were removedandmorethan110metresof channelweresitestripped.

OntheFridayasuperbturnoutof21 societyvolunteerswascomplemented bythreevolunteersfromCGIwho plantedsomehedgingkindlydonated bythecompany.

Whileanumberofvolunteers attendedtheusualbon reotherstook theopportunitytocompletelycleara 200mstretchnexttoCrickheathBridge ofbrashandthencarefullyreplanted snowdropsthathadcolonisedthe channel.TheSundayworkparty welcomedfourmembersoftheDry StoneWallingAssociationfromCheshire whoarekeentohelpwithrepairstothe tramwaywharf.

plannedastheworkprogresses. e aimistohavethewaterbackinthe reservoirbytheendof2024,whenit willonceagainbeavailabletofeedthe PeakForestandMaccles eldcanalsas itwasbuilttodo.

Steelsheetpilingisbeingdriven intothegroundalongthenorthern sideofthereservoiraspartofthe

worktoformanewspillway. Thiswillbethefirstwayany excesswaterswillflowoutof thereservoirinsteadofflowing overthetopofthemaindam wall.

Theroundconcreteshaftinfront ofthegreencageprovidesaccess toworkontheoldcoalmine drainagesystemthatrunsunder thesite.

Newchargefor third-partyevents

ThankstotheCGIvolunteersplanting hedgingdonatedbythecompany.

THECanal&RiverTrustwillbe introducingachargefromJune1 forthird-partyeventstakingplace acrossitsestatetohelpcovercosts.

A£95+VATadministrationfee (thecosttothetrustofprocessing applications)willbechargedfor allevents,apartfromsmallfree communityeventswithfewerthan 25peopleattending.

erewillbefurtherchargesfor large-scaleandcommercialevents. Accordingtothetrust,thiswillhelp withtheadditionalcostofhosting theeventsaswellasprovidinga contributiontothemuchwidertask ofmaintainingthecorefabricofthe historicwaterways.

Visitsbyschoolgroupsand educationalbodiessuchasScouts andBrownieswillcontinuetobe facilitatedthroughseparatetrust channelsandwithoutcharge.

CRTchiefoperatingo cerJulie Sharmansaid:“ epopularityof

ourhistoriccanalnetworkmeans ithostsmanyorganisationsusing itforarangeofevents–oftenfor promotionalorcommercialinterest. “Sothatvitalfundsaren’tdiverted awayfromourcorepurposeof protectingandpreservingthe network,theintroductionofa chargewillhelpo setthecostsof processingandfacilitatingthirdpartyevents. “ isincludescoveringthecost ofreviewingriskassessments,event managementplansandinsurances, plusconsiderationsspecificto theoperationofourcanals,their heritageandenvironment.”

eintroductionofchargesfor applicationsreceivedfromJune1, 2023bringsthetrustinlinewith similarnot-for-pro tlandowners. Applicationscanbemadeusing theplanninganeventpageonthe Canal&RiverTrust’swebsiteat www.canalrivertrust.org.uk

Kieran, the mascot of the Kier group,whoismoreusedtobeing aroundyoungerpeopleduring visitstolocalschools.

ProjectmanagerTomGreenwood answersquestionsfromvisitors.

MembersoftheDryStoneWallingAssociationvisitthesite.

CharactersoftheCut

DarrenWilliams,signwriter –afamilyaffair

ByAliceGriffin

FORNorthamptonshire-based signwriter,DarrenWilliams,histrade runsinthefamilywithbothhisuncle andolderbrotherinspiringhispath.

“MyuncleDavewasapubsignwriter andIrememberasalittleboywatching himinhisworkshop.Iwasfascinated bywhathecoulddowithabrushand paint,hisillustrationswereamazing.”

Withthisinspiration rmlyinmind, andwithaconsistentloveofartat school,Darreneventuallyfollowedin hisolderbrother'sfootstepstotrainat commercialcompany,PublicityBlinds. “Mybrotherwasheadsignwriterand despitethebossnotbelievingbrothers shouldworktogether,hedecided togivemeachance,forwhichI’m verygrateful!”

Duringthistimebackintheearly80s theprecisionandtalentofsignwriting didn’tcomefromcomputers,butfroma steadyhand.“Wemadesignsforshops alloverthecountry,upto15aday! e vinylpaintweusedateintotheblind materialsoifamistakehappened,it wentinthebin.”Itturnsoutthatthis variedandhigh-pressureenvironment gaveDarrentheperfectgrounding foracareerthatwouldleadhiminto narrowboatsignwriting.

“Itwasaround30yearsagothatmy dadgottalkingtoaguywhoowneda boatatWhiltonMarinaandtoldhimhe hadasonwhowasasignwriter. eguy said,‘Ifhedoesitcheap,hecanpaint myboatandputhissignoutsidefor business.’”Darrenhasn’tlookedback.

"Iwouldsay70%ofmyworkisnow narrowboats.”It’snowonderheisbusy ashisadeptnessatthisartissecondto none.“WhenIpaintaboatItakemy timebecauseIwantittobeperfectbut I’msousedtoworkingatspeedthat peopleoftenask,‘Howdoyoudoit soquickly?’ButI’vedoneeveryletter 100sormaybeeven1000softimesand they'renowimprintedonmybrain.”

Despiteneverspeci callystudying narrowboatart,Darrenisconstantly inspired.“I’mforeverlookingatboats asIwalkaroundmarinas.Younever stoplearning!”

Whetherit’sscrollworkor ourishes, he’sconstantlyloggingdesignelements thatmighteventuallybeincorporated intohisownstyle.Healsohasseveral booksthatheconsistentlyflicks through,suchasoneonthehistoryof signwritingbyTonyLewery.

Commissions

“Ialsoenjoylookingatandlearning fromearlyVictoriansignwritingand honoursboardsinchurches. ey’re sooldandI’mendlesslyfascinated aboutwhotheartistmighthavebeen.”

Havingcarriedoutcommissionsfor NorthamptonGuildhall,therecould evenbeafuturesignwriterlookingat

Darren’sworkwiththesameinterest! ereisaworrythatsignwriting–likemanycreativeprofessions–willdie outintheshadowofrobots,butDarren isconvincedtherewillalwaysbea placefortraditionalsignwritersonthe cut.“Ithinktheartwillbecomerarer, particularlywithshopfrontsandvans, butwithboatsIbelieveitwillalwaysbe therebecausethereisarespectforthe traditionsofthewaterways.”

Darren’sviewsonmachinesarethat theyareclinicalandtooperfect.“With somethinghand-done–anything bespokeactually–thereisalways morecharacterbecauseofthelove andattentionthathasgoneintoit.” Althoughhelamentsthatwhether thetraditioncontinuesornotwill ultimatelycomedowntowhether modern-daykidswillbeinterestedin learningit.

Darrenbelievesthatanyone withanaturalcreative airwould haveanadvantageifdecidingtogo intosignwriting,butshiftingfrom horizontalpaintingtoverticaliswhere thepracticeis.“Paintingverticallywas alientome,IthoughtIwouldneverget thecorrectwristmovement,butyears andyearslaterit’ssecondnature!”He hascertainly ne-tunedhiscraftto workonboatsfromallwalksoflife.

“Ioncepaintedaboatforacasting directorandanotherforanactor whoIrecognisedfrom eBill!”he tellsme.Youwouldthinkitwouldbe quitenerve-racking,paintingthe nal touchesontosomeone’sboat,but Darrenassuresmehehasnofear.

“NojobfazesmeasIhavemorethan 40years’experience,”hesays.“How time ies.”

NowadaysDarrensimplyfeels privilegedatbeingabletoaddthe nishingtouchestoaboatowner’s prideandjoyanddespiteworkingin manyboatyardsandmarinas,it’sout onthetowpathwherehe’shappiest.“In thesummerthereisnothingnicerthan beingonthecutsignwritingaboat.”

Website:dwcanalboatsignwriter.co.uk

AliceGrif nisawriterandyogi withagypsysoul.Sheleads nature-inspiredjournalling,yoga andmeditationcoursesasshe wandersbywaterandroad.

Website:www.alicegrif n.co.uk

Instagram:@wanderingalicegrif n

CarefreeCruisingtotherescue

MIDDLEWICHboat

shareoperatorsCarefree Cruisingrecentlycameto therescueofAlanPrice’s plannedtriptoKenya.

Oneofmorethan20 volunteersfromEvertonIn theCommunity,Liverpool, hetravelledtoNakuru, Kenya,inAprilaspartof a10-daytriporganisedby AfricanAdventures.

eyvisitedtwoschools inthecitytoassistwith teachingandhelpwith buildingmaintenance. is workincludedbuildinga

toiletforoneschoolwhile workinthesecondschool involvedanextensiontothe classroomprovision. ey alsopaintedabedroom usedbyresidentialpupils andprovidedmattresses andpillows.

Alanandhisfellow volunteerstookalarge amountofdonationsof second-handclothesand shoesaswellasproviding foodpackagesforthe poorestmembersofthe schoolcommunity. Hesaidthetriphadbeen

verysuccessfulalthough humblingandupsettingat times.“Itwaslikeamassive rollercoaster,itwasvery hardworkbutenlightening andthechildrenjust wantedtobewithyou.”

Nakuruisthethird largestcityinKenyabut isaverysociallyand economicallydeprived area.Manyofthefamilies liveonornearthecity refusetipandhavetopay rentfortheprivilege!

iswasAlan’ssecond visittoNakuruandthe

costofthetrip,including accommodation, inoculationsandmalaria tabletswasover£2250and wasentirelyself- nancing. CarefreeCruising steppedintohelp.Alan isapartownerinboth NB Alcedonia and NBLilaea andCarefreedirector ArtieChalmersreadily steppedintoo eramuchneededboostbyproviding sponsorshiptoAlan. Furtherinformation isavailablefromwww. african-adventures.co.uk

AnotherexampleofDarren’swork. PHOTOSSUPPLIED

OneofthetwonarrowboatsinwhichAlanhasashare.

TheCarefreeCruisinglogo printedonthevolunteers’ T-shirts.

A child volunteer painter –theyliketohelp!

SomeoftherentedhomesonthecitytipatNakuru.

SignwriterDarrenWilliamsoutliningthelettersonahistoricnarrowboat.

Workingundercover.

Applyingthenametoanewlypaintedboat.

Communityboatingcharity gearsupfornewseason

ACANALboatingcharityon theNorthamptonshireand Warwickshirecountyborderis lookingaheadtothisyear’snew boatingseasonandsecuring itslong-termfuturebyseeking newvolunteers.

LNBPCommunityBoating,a non-pro tcharitywhichprovides residentialtripsfrommooringsat thehistoriccanalsidevillageof BraunstoninNorthamptonshire, hasaseriesofrolesitislooking to llasitembarksonanother busyfewmonthsonthe region’scanals.

Formedin1981,LNBP operatestwofull-sizecanalboats forthepurposeofweekendand midweekresidentialtripsand shortbreaksbycommunity groupsandorganisationssuch astheScouts,Guides,church andsocialgroups,andschools.

Withthenewboatingseason, thecharityhasaseriesof volunteerrolesavailableforthe monthsaheadandalsowithone eyeonthefutureinmind.

eserolesincludeadditional boatskipperstothecurrent team,maintenancetechnicians, ‘meetandgreeters’and fundraisingassistants.

Speakingaboutthe opportunities,vice-chairman AlanCobboldsaid:“LNBPhas alwaysbeenreliantonand gratefulfortheeffortofour volunteerswhogivetheirtimeto

ensurethesmoothrunningofthe organisationandthecanalboat experiencesweprovide.

“Howeverwithseveralofour longstandingmemberseither nowretiredorduetostanddown inthenextfewyears,wearekeen towelcomenewvolunteersto ourorganisationto llthese positionsandtakeusforward uptoandbeyondour50th anniversary.”

evolunteerroleswithLNBP aregenerallyonlyafewhours’ commitmenteachmonthwith anyexpensesreimbursed.With exceptiontotheboatskipper roleswhereaCerti cateofCanal BoatManagement(CCBM) quali cationorequivalentis required,experienceisalways usefulbutnotnecessaryas trainingcanbegiven.

Alanadded:“Whileweare

keentoencourageandwelcome newvolunteersofallagesand fromallbackgrounds,weare particularlykeentohearfrom anyoneagedbetween18and 30tobreathenewenergyinto theorganisation.”

To ndoutaboutcurrent

Volunteerssoughtforelectricboat

FORSALE:BUSINESSOPPORTUNITY WITHACCOMMODATION

volunteeropportunitieswith LNBPandhowyoucanplaya part,emailmarketing@lnbp. co.ukorcall07783002073.For moreinformationaboutLNBP CommunityBoating,visitwww. lnbp.co.ukor ndthecharityon Facebook,TwitterandInstagram.

ELECTRA,thecommunityboat ontheGrandUnionCanal,is seekingmorevolunteers. eaccessible,all-electric communityboat,runby volunteersfromtheBedford& MiltonKeynesWaterwayTrust, alreadyhas49butmoreare neededasdemandforcruises hasdoubledsincetheboatwas launchedin2021.

Volunteerchair,Denise Taylor,said:“Electra volunteers areafriendlybunchwhowork asonebigteam,creatingand deliveringarangeofenjoyable cruisesontheGrandUnion Canal.Somepeoplecrewthe boat,othersworkbehindthe scenestogeteverythingready, andsomepeopledoabit ofboth!”

SueMorrison,leadcabin host,added:“Wearerecruiting nowforcabinhosts,to welcomeandchatwithguests andservearangeoffoodand drinksfromtheon-board GalleyBar.”

Informalinterviewswere duetobeheldinApril andtraininginMay/June, readyforcrewingfromJuly. erearealsoshore-based vacanciesincustomerliaison,

BeWaterAware

SURREYFireandRescue Servicehasjoinedother servicesacrosstheUKto helppromotetheNational FireChiefCouncil’snational #BeWaterAwarecampaign. In2020nearly50%ofpeople whoaccidentallydrowneddid notintendtoenterthewater.

SurreyFireandRescueServiceis askingeveryonetotakeextracare whenaroundwater,especially astheweatherisimprovingand peoplearemorelikelytobeout andaboutnearwaterways.

Whataretherisks?

A3-bedhousewithsmallprivategardenandtwobathrooms,a1-beds/cflat(currentlylet toasinglegentleman)aboveathrivingconveniencestorewithattachedsmallChandlery storeandPostOffice(theonlyoneforarounda5mileradius).Thesiteconsistsofasmall fuelstationincludingthesaleofreddiesel(theonlyreddieselontheRiverWitham),white derv,petrolandKerosene(HeatingOil).Situatedapproximately5milesNWofBostontown alongtheRiverWithamandfeedingalovelyfriendlycommunityconsistingoffivesmaller villages/hamletsintheimmediatevicinityandistheonlyshopandgarageinthearea. Thepropertyisparticularlysuitedtoanyonewithboatingexperienceasweservediesel, carryoutpump-outs,providegasbottlesetctoboatersontheRiverWitham.

ThispropertyisavailableasFreehold Price£440,000plusstock.

Drowningisamongtheleading causesofaccidentaldeathinthe UK. erescueservicewants topreventunnecessaryand accidentaldeathsbymaking peopleawareoftherisksand dangerswhenaroundwater, whattodoiftheyfallintowater andhowtohelpsomeonewhois introubleinwater.Manypeople underestimatethedepth,speed andtemperatureofthewater.

Theeffectsofcold-water shockandnotknowinghow toself-rescuecancauseeven thestrongestswimmersto drown.Evenonawarmday thetemperatureinopenwater canremainverycold,causing aphysicalreactionwhichcan makeitdifficulttocontrol breathing,causepanicandmake itdi culttoswim.

Whyisthisimportant?

Astheweatherimproves,the serviceisfacedwithanincreased numberofcallstohelppeople introubleinwater.Awareness reallycansavelives.Surreyhas manybodiesofwater,including largelakesandtheRiver ames andallneedtobetreated withrespect.

SurreyFireandRescue’s toptipsforstayingsafeinand aroundwater:

·Neverswimalone.

·Don’tdrinkalcoholwhen undertakingwater-related activities,itimpairsjudgment

socialmedia,marketing, outreach,fundraisingand projectmanagement–greatopportunitiestolearn newskillsinafriendly, supportiveteam.

LindseyPatraiko,volunteer socialmediamanager,agreed: “Ivolunteeredbecauseitwas uniqueandexciting,and Iwantedtoenhanceand developmysocialmediaskills andusemycreativity.Ifyou haven’tgotalotoftime,there arealsoanumberofshorttasks thatcanbequicklycompleted.” Volunteerco-ordinatorGill Kirkup,whoalsovolunteers asacabinhost,said:“I’mthe rstportofcallforanyone interestedinvolunteeringfor Electra andreallyenjoymeeting newpeopleand ndingout abouttheirinterests.”

Anyoneinterested involunteeringis invitedtovisit Electra’s websitehttps://www. bmkwaterway.org/electra/ volunteering/oremail theteamonvolunteers. electra@bmkwaterway.org forfurtherdetails.

andyourabilitytoswim.

·Avoidwalkingroutesnear water,especiallyifyouhavebeen drinkingalcohol.

·Avoidjumpingstraightinto openwater;thiscancause potentiallyfatalcoldwater shock,andyouneverknowwhat isunderthesurface.

·Activelysupervisechildren inandaroundwater–drowning canhappenfastandsilently.

·Ifyoufindyourself unexpectedlyinthewater,don’t panic,extendyourarmsand legsoutand oatonyourback untilthee ectofcoldwater shockpasses.

·Neverenterthewatertotry andrescuesomeone,call999 immediatelyandaskforthe reservice.

Moreinformationonwater safetycanbefoundat www.surreycc.gov.uk–searchforoutdoorsafety.

LNBP’steamofvolunteers. PHOTOS:LNBP

Twooftheboatskippers.

Ayoungpassengerlearns howtooperatealock’s paddlemechanism.

Firefighterstrainingforwaterrescues.

Electra’svolunteercrew.

PHOTO:LINDSEYPATRAIKO

Opendayathistoric canalsidecottage

Reportandphotos:LesHeath

MOREthan50yearsagotheroofofaderelict cottagebythesideoftheCromfordCanal collapsedintotheruinedshell,leavinglittlehope ofanyfuturerestoration.

Butafterfouryearsofhardworkbyteamsof volunteersthefullyrestoredcottagehasbegun anewleaseoflifewhichstartedwithano cial openday.

ExtensiveTVcoveragethenightbefore theevent,combinedwithabrightspringday, attractedlargecrowdsofvisitorswhoqueued patientlyforconductedtoursofthehistoric Derbyshiredwelling.

KnownasAqueductCottage,duetoits proximitytothestunningstonestructuretaking thecanalovertheRiverDerwent,thebuilding wasconstructedshortlyafterthecanalwasbuilt.

Itisbelievedithousedacanallockkeeperwho controlledastoplockattheentrancetoLeaWood Armwhichstartsoutsidethecottage.

eshortbranch,alsoknownastheNightingale Arm,enablednarrowboatstoreachleadsmelting works,cottonmills,stonequarriesandasawmill ownedbyPeterNightingale,thegreat-uncleof FlorenceNightingale.

earm, nancedbyNightingaleoutofhis ownpocket,wascutin1802 whentherethenbecamethe needforalockcottageatits junctionwiththemaincanal.

Lightingtheway

Morethan7000hoursof volunteeringbymembersof theDerbyshireWildlifeTrust andtheFriendsofCromford Canalhaveresultedin theamazingrestoration thatmanythoughtwould nevermaterialise.

ecanalcameintoits ownduringtherestoration when,becausethereareno roadstothecottage,some ofthematerialsarrived byboat.

Onefeaturewhichdidnot

existintheoriginalcottageiselectriclightingboth intheupstairsactivityroomandtoilluminate newinformationpanelsontheground oor. elightsarepoweredbyabatteryhidden underthestaircasewhichwilleventuallybe chargedbysolartilesincorporatedintotheroof oftheoutsideprivy.

Restorationoftheprivyisexpectedtotake allsummer.

Duringthe ve-houropendayvisitorswere alsoabletoviewthe‘topgarden’usedbypast tenantstogrowfruitandvegetables.

Thepathtothewalledenclosurewas completelyovergrownandforgottenaboutuntil afewyearsago.

Visitorsalsohadtheopportunitytoviewwork carriedoutontheLeawoodArmentranceand volunteersarenowhopingtoobtainapre-used lockgatefromtheCanal&RiverTrusttocomplete therestoration.

Duringthedaythewildlifetrustmanned severalstandsandprovidedarangeofactivities. Anaddedattractionwasthetripboat Birdswood whichdeliveredvisitorsfromCromfordtothe opendayandwhichwillberunningtripstothe cottagethroughoutthesummer.

Boatfinderwillbetherewithoursistercompanies EltonMossBoatbuilders,CarefreeCruising andKingslockBoatYard.

StallsmannedbyWildlifeTrustmembersshowingthe restoredpathtothe‘top garden’ behindthecottage.

Queuesoutsidethecottageonopenday.Thecottagebeforerestorationstarted.

Tripboat Birdswood passingHighPeakJunctiontakingthefirstvisitorstothecottage onopenday.

IWAresponsetoCRT licencefeeconsultation

THEIWAsubmittedthefollowing responsetotheCanalandRiverTrust’s consultationonlicencefeeincreases: Regardingoverallpricerises,bearing inmindthatCRTisdependentona Governmentgrantthatisnotin ation linkedforagoodpartofitsincome, weappreciatethatthetrusthasno optionbuttotrytoraisemorefrom othersourcestocompensate.However, increasingthelicencefeebeyond in ationriskspricingboaterso the system,orsimplybeingunabletopay, whichcouldresultinanetloss.

Inresponsetotheoptionsfor apportioningtherisesacrossboat licencepayers,wehavesomeconcerns: Wedonotsupporttheproposaltoraise licencefeesforcontinuouscruisersabove thosewithhomemoorings.Firstly,asset outin eBritishWaterwaysAct1995 thereisonlyonePleasureBoatLicence.

Addedtothis,itisnotpossibleto de necontinuouscruisers,whichis

thetermusedintheconsultation.Some boatersneverhavewhatmightbecalled ahomemooringsocontinuouslycruise allthetime,otherscontinuouslycruise muchoftheyearthentieupinamarina forthewinter,someboatershavehome mooringsthatarenotontheCRTsystem andmanyotherpossiblecombinations.

eproposaltochargemorefor continuouscruiserswouldbean administrativenightmare,opentoabuse andhighlydivisivewithintheboating community.Dividingthecommunity likethisisespeciallydetrimentalat thiscriticalmoment,whenthewhole waterwayscommunityneedstocome togethertoshowGovernmenthowour canalsandriversarevaluedandneedto beadequatelyfunded.

IWAdoessupporttheproposaltocharge byarea,asthiswouldbringitinlinewith EAregistrationfeesandmakeGoldLicence administrationmorestraightforward.

WewouldliketoseeCRTachievinga

Canalrestorers’publicshowcaseindemand

THE1903-built steamship Daniel Adamson (the‘Danny’) lookssettobefullwhen ithoststheInland WaterwaysAssociation (IWA)restoration showcaseinlateJuly.

Allthecanalsocieties currentlyundertaking waterwayrestoration projectsintheNorth WestandWaleshave beeninvitedtotake stands.Atthetimeof goingtopressthese wereclosetocapacity with11 rmbookings andfourmoresocieties waitingtorespond.

JimForkin,chairman IWAChesterand Merseyside,said:“We ranthe rstroadshow inLiverpoolin2019 andthatprovedvery popularwiththepublic andnowwithsomany schemesdeveloping intheNorthWestwe decidedtogetallthe societiestogetheragain.

“Thepromenade deckoftheDannyis anidealexhibition

BCNclean-upweekendinTipton

considerableincreaseinthenon-boating incomefromallthosewhocurrently enjoythewaterwaysandwhosebene ts willsu eriftheydeteriorate.

LookingattheincomefromCRT’s21/22 annualreport,boatingbringsinaround £24mfromlicensingplus£20mfrom mooringsandothercommercialboating activities.Asagainstthis,incomefrom CRT‘Friends’hasremainedconstantat around£3mdespitethelargeinvestment thatwasputintoestablishingthissupport. Alongsidethis,wewillcontinue tocampaignforlocalandnational governmenttorecognisethemany bene ts,includinghealthandwellbeing,thattheinlandwaterwaysprovide toalargepartofthepopulationand fundthemaccordingly. ebene tsfreelyenjoyedbythose localtowaterwaysarethereasonfor nationalandlocalgovernmenttohelp fundthecostsofkeepingwaterwaysin goodconditionsothebene tsarenotlost.

THE2023Birmingham Canalsclean-up weekendtookplace onMarch25-26onthe WalsallCanalinTipton. Itisanannualevent whichaimstohelp keepthelesswell-used partsoftheBCNand BlackCountryNetwork fromgettingchoked upwithrubbishand becomingimpassable forboats. Thisyearwas noexceptionas WaterwayRecovery Groupvolunteers usedgrapplinghooks torecovershopping

trolleys,tyres,bicycles andevenmoreexciting treasuresfromasection oftheWalsallCanal betweenthebasinand RydersGreenlocks.

WRGvolunteersare supportedeachyear byvolunteersfrom theInlandWaterways Association, BirminghamCanal NavigationsSociety, DudleyCanalTrust, Coombeswood CanalTrust,Canal& RiverTrust,Friends ofTiptonCutand localresidents.IWA’s volunteermanager

JennyHodsonand eventsandrestoration

hubco-ordinator

VerenaLeonardinialso attendedtheevent. Byworkingtogether, volunteerscanhavea signi cantimpactasa singleBCNclean-upcan remove30to60tonnesof rubbishfromthecanal! Eventslikethiscan helptocombatplastic pollution,litteringand ytipping,whichare justsomeofthethreats facingourwaterways, ashighlightedinthe #ProtectOurWaterways campaign.

spaceandfamiliescan enjoythisnationally importantvesselwith itsArtDecoloungesat thesametime.”

Suitablycloseto junction12ontheM56 motorway,theeventwill seestandsfromasfar a eldastheLancaster Canal,Shrewsbury andNewportand PlasKynaston(Near Llangollen)fromWales andvolunteerswillbe availabletoanswerall thepublic’squestions.

Localcanalsocieties willincludetheRuncorn Unlockteamwith excitingplansatthe endoftheBridgewater CanalandSankeyCanal RestorationSociety.

Timedtocoincide withtheschool holidays,theevent willtakeplaceonthe weekendofJuly29-30 andtheorganisers believeitisanideal eventforfamiliesto encouragechildrento understandtheunique industrialheritageof

theUK.Withsociety’s focusonecologyand well-being,theevent willshowthecanal’s roleaswellasthe importanceofthecanal tothelocaleconomic development.

Theteamswillbe showingthattheNorth Westisplayingits partnationallyinan industrythatcreated £2.6mfortheUK economyandgenerates substantialfunds duringrestorationwith ordersbeingplaced formaterialsandplant hire. eDannywasa £5mprojectsupported with£3.8mfromthe NationalHeritage Lottery.Admissionwill befreeandfreeparking isavailableashort distanceaway.There willbeasmallsnack barsellinglightsnacks, tea,co eeandalcoholic drinks.Thevesselis mooredbythesideof SuttonWeaverSwing BridgeontheA56close toFrodsham.

Volunteers clearFirepool Lockgates readyforRiver Tonevisitors

BRIDGWATERandTaunton volunteersrecentlyworkedat FirepoolLocktohelpgetthegates toopencorrectlyastherewasa problemgettingthemtoopento su cientwidthtogetaboatthrough. eywillneedtoreturninthe comingweekstoreopenthechannel throughfromthecanaltotheRiver Tone.Itwillbegreattohaveboats backontheriveragain. Theyarekeentoaddmore volunteerstotheteams.Ifinterested contactMikeSlade:mdslade8@ gmail.comorring07977263840.

NewheadofficeforIWA

IWAhasrelocatedtoanewhead o ceasthe15-yearleaseonIsland Houseendedthisyear. eteamdidn’thavefartomove asthenewheado ceisconveniently locatedinChesham.Althougha redirecthastemporarilybeenput

inplaceforanymailsenttotheold address,pleasemakesuretousethe newaddressbelowgoingforward: IWAHeadOffice,Unit16B, ChilternCourt,AsheridgeRoad, Chesham,Buckinghamshire HP52PX.

Getinvolved–workpartydates

EAST

May14and18

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

Tuesdays IWAMiltonKeynesBranch: Regular workpartyatFennyLockonthe GrandUnionCanal.9.30am-1.30pm. Workcanincludevegetation clearance,gardening,litterpicking andpainting.Workpartiesare dependentonweatherbeing agreeable.Contact:PatDurhamon 07510195918;emailpat.durham@

Awardtobranchstalwart

waterways.org.uk

WEST

Tuesdays&Saturdays

IWAWestCountryBranch (Taunton&Bridgwater): Work partiesintheSomersetarea, 10am-1pm.Contact:MikeSlade atmike.slade@waterways.org.uk; 07977263840.

IWALich eldpresented itsVictoriaCupaward tobranchmemberJe Steeleattherecent annualmeeting. eprestigiouscup isawardedannuallyto anominatedmember withinIWA’sWest Midlandsregion,who

hasshownoutstanding commitmentto furthertheaimsofthe association,particularly relatingtovolunteering inthiscase.

Jeffhasworked tremendouslyhard organisingandleading theoffsidevegetation

cuttingteamduringwhat havebeenparticularly challengingtimes. Underhisleadership, teammembersincreased theirvolunteeringto morethan1600hours overthewinterthanks toJeff’shardwork anddedication.

HaugubbsoutoteasaCaa auling rubbish out of the Walsall Canal.

PHOTO: WA

Volunteersworkingonthegates atFirepoolLock. PHOTO:IWA

JeffSteelereceivestheVictoriaCupfromtheIWAWestMidlands regionalchairwomanHelenWhitehouse. PHOTOSUPPLIED

Marine Breakdown Assistance

Rivercanalrescue(rcr)providesitsmemberswithyear round24/7nationalbreakdownandrecoveryassistance. Afteryou’vebrokendown,wecanpickuptherepairbillwith ourreplacementpartscover(rpc).

MEMBERSHIPINCLUDES:

(dependentonmembershiplevel)

•Breakdownassistanceandrecovery.

•Home-startassistance.

•Yearlyinspectionofengineandelectricalsystem.

•Relayofcrewtohomebase.

•Crisiscoordinationandmessagerelayservice.

•Provisionpick-upservice.

•Practicalandtechnicaltelephoneassistance.

•WaterNavApp

•Replacementparts&labourforspecifieditems.

GOLD £320

•Nationalbreakdown&recovery.Homestart andcrewrelay.Coverforanyvesselorany user.AnnualengineandelectricalInspectionof registeredboat.

•Unlimitedcallouts.

INCLUDESREPLACEMENTPARTSCOVER(RPC)

•Member=Vessel,coveredforallusers

•Member=Registereduser,coveredonanyboat

SILVER £235

•Nationalbreakdown&recovery.Homestartand crewrelay.

•Maximum7callouts.

•Member=Registereduserandvessel. INCLUDESREPLACEMENTPARTSCOVER(RPC).

•NationalBreakdown&Recovery.

BRONZE £195

•Maximum4callouts.

•Member=RegisteredUserandVessel. INCLUDESREPLACEMENTPARTSCOVER(RPC).

ABOUTYOU. (pleaseuseblockcapitals)

Title:MrMrsMissMsOther Surname: Forenames: Address: Postcode: Telephone: Email:

ABOUTYOURVESSEL.

NameofCraft: RegNo.ofCraft:

TypeofCraft:Cruiser,NarrowBoat,etc: Length:Width:

Hull:WoodFiberglassSteel ENGINEDETAILS.

Type:InboardOutboard

UnderWarrantee:Yes No

Make: Engine:(cc/HP)

PAYMENTDETAILS.

Pleasechooseamethodofpayment. Cheque(MadepayabletoRCR)

CreditCardDebitCard

CardNo:

SecurityNo:ExpDate:IssueNo: Iunderstandthatthisapplicationformissubjectto termsandconditionsandthatmymembershipwill becomeactiveonceIhavereceivedacopyofthese inmymembershippackage.

Signature: Date:

I’mhappytoreceiveinformationaboutother servicesfromRCR.Wewill never shareyourdetails withoutsidesources

REPLACEMENTPARTSCOVER. Nowafteryou‘vebrokendown,wecanpickupthe repairbill.

•Paysuptoamaximumof£1,000perrepair.*

RETAINER £75

•Registersthemember-providesthesame priorityandaccesstoservicesbutpayonuse.

*Breakdownandassistancechargedataflat rateof£50perbreakdown.

•Member=Vessel

NOREPLACEMENTPARTSCOVER(RPC).

AddReplacementPartsCoverinc(RPC)for£60.

ElectricalSystem:12Volt24Volt

Fuel:PetrolDiesel Twostroke

Other:

RegisteredMoorings:(ifany)

•Coversahugerangeofspecifiedparts**includingthe gearboxanddriveplate,couplings,alternators,starters, andmanymore.***

•Youcanmakeupto4claimsperyear.

•Norestrictionsontheageoftheengine.

*£50excessperclaim.**Excludesconsumablessuchascables, filters,rubbercomponentsandthelikethatrequireroutinewear andtearreplacement.***Fulldetailsinyourmembershipbooklet.

It’sabitodd

JonathanMosse’smonthlylookatfreightdevelopments ontheinlandwaterways.

Grabbing Camden’s wasteoutof thebargeat Powerday’s recycling wharf. PHOTOS: JONATHANMOSSE

“WHATwedoisabitodd”–sogoesthe summingupofWoodHall&Heward’s (WHH)commercialmanagerwhen pressedtodescribethescopeofhis rm’sactivities.

Firsttheeasybit:WHHBargesisa specialistin oatingplanthire,water transportandinfrastructuresupport, predominantlyintheLondonarea. e rmcansupplytugs,barges, workboatsand oatingplantcomplete withcompetent,quali edpersonnel tooperateallthesecraftandtheir equipment.Itownsandoperatesa largeanddiverse eetofspecialist vesselsdesignedtomeetarangeof customerrequirementsontheUK’s riversandcanalsandisbasedbeside theGrandUnionCanal,justsouth ofRickmansworth.

Underpinningitsactivityisthe rm’smotto:‘Taketheloado the road’whichis,inturn,ablysupported bythethreefoundingdirectors’total ofmorethan90years’experience.Tim Wood,CharlesHallandGeraldHeward startedthecompanyin1997to llagap inthemarketforaknowledgeableand professionallyruninlandwaterways workboat,freightandinfrastructure supportcompany.

Thefleetof60vesselsincludes largeandsmalltugs,craneandHIAB barges,hoppers,pontoons,work- ats, welfare,safetyandrescueboats.Tasks undertakenarevariedandrangefrom watersidecivilengineering,through tugandtowagecontracts,toutilities supportandtowpathcableinstallation andmaintenance,andcaneveninclude

AboardoneofWHH’sBantam tugs,thecrewassembleforthe day’swork.

lmingsupport!Proudlyinscribedon itsboatsandplant,allsmartlyturned outinagrey,whiteandbluelivery, arethewords‘TailoredEngineering’ whichclearlyre ectsthefactthatin thisbusiness,onesizecertainlydoesn’t tall!

Rubbishdisposal

IrecentlyjoinedLee(theaforementioned commercialmanager)TobyandChris earlyonasunnyspringmorninginLittle Veniceaboardoneoftheirubiquitous Bantamtugs,allsettopickupaloaded rubbishbargethathadbeendiscreetly hiddenaroundthecorner,awayfrom theviewofvisitorstoBrowning’sPool.

Rubbishdisposalisprobablyone oftheleastglamorousjobsthatthe companyundertakesbutessentialto thesmoothrunningofanydensely populatedurbanarea. isparticular consignmenthadbeengeneratedbythe activitiesofCamdenMarketandspent thenightmidwaybetweenitsoriginand therecyclingcentreatWillesden.

FilledtothegunnelswithDMR(Dry MixedRecyclingtotheuninitiated)the bargewassoonlashedinfrontofthetug justinthenickoftime,beforeabroody ducktookitintoitsheadtoconstruct thisyear’sdesres.

SUBSCRIBETODAY

Progressisstatelytosaytheleastwith thiskindofcumbersomeloadahead. Butbeforetoolongweweretiedupat Powerday’swharfreadyforunloading, llingtwolarge,high-sidedskiplorries asthecrewrefuelledwithbaconandegg buttiesfromanearbycafe. isisnotwaste,boundforland ll, butacommoditythatPowerdayproudly proclaimswillbe‘poweringthefuture’ as,initsbaledform,itwillfuelenergy fromwasteplantsacrosstheUK.

OneoftwoweeklyrunsfromCamden Market,thisjobmakessomethingofa contrastwiththeactivitiesof Scouser, anotherWHHBantamtugandbarge comboworkingnearby.Asmostboaters willbeaware,towpathsareheavilyused forutilitiesandthroughouttheLondon waterwaystherearemilesofpermanent ducting. isteamwasworkingwith contractorspreparingtoupgradethe undergroundelectricitysupplyand representsbutoneexampleofthecivil engineeringundertaken.

Aboveground,andthereforemore obvious,isthesupportWHHprovidesfor

buildingprojectsthatfringethecapital’s waterways,bringinginmaterialsand takingawayspoil.

Christmas2022wasparticularlybusy forthecompanywiththecanalbridge carryingtheWestCoastMainLineout ofEustonStationupforrenewal.

Steelforconstructingthebridgedeck cameinbybargewhilethedemolished elementsoftheoldmasonrywere ferriedaway.

Servicingwatersideconstructionsites ensuresthepracticalityofwaterborne freightinthecapitalbutateveryturn WHH,incommonwithcommercial carriersthroughouttheUK,isseriously handicappedbytheshortageof remainingwharfs,mostofwhichhave becomesubmergedunderhousing development. ereare,forinstance, fewerthanhalfadozenleftonthetotal 22-milelengthofLondon’sGrandUnion PaddingtonArmandRegent’sCanal puttogether.

‘Odd’orotherwise:‘different’ mightbebetter!WHHclearlyful ls animportantcommercialnicheon thewaterways,embracingawidespan ofexpertise,employingtheskillsofa dedicatedandhighlyprofessionalteam.

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Hitchinguptherubbishbarge aheadoftheBantamtug.

Manoeuvringtugand‘tow’ pastmooredboatsontheGU PaddingtonArm.

Bargetrustcelebrates75years

THEEssex-based amesSailingBarge Trusthasbeenin operationfor75years.

Originallythe ames BargeSailingClub,it wasthebrainchildof solicitor,sometime engineerandwartime seaman,HughVaudey.

In1947hecoerced someGreenwich residentstojoinhimin hisambitiontolauncha sailingbargeandforma bargesailingclub.

Afterafewinitial meetingsitwasdecided tofosterthepracticeof sailingworkingcraftand maintainoneormore

amessailingbarges ontheLondonriver forweekendsailingat anominalcost. eaim wasalsotopreserve drawings,plans, prints,photographs andmodelsofthese workingcraft.

eclub’s rstbarge was Spurgeon,chartered forfourmonthsfrom June1948.

Subsequentlythe clubownedthesailing barges Arrow, Asphodel, Westmoreland and currentlythetwo sailingbarges Pudge and Centaur whichare basedatMaldonand

arebothrecognisedas DunkirkLittleShips.

TheThamesBarge SailingClubbecame

TheThamesSailing BargeTrust,acharitable trust,inMay2003to assistwiththeraising offundsthroughgrants anddonationstokeep bothbargessailing.

Thisyearsees thecompletionofa five-yearprojectto restoreandre t Pudge whichhasbeenpartly fundedbytheHeritage LotteryFund.

Shewillbesailing fromMaldonbytheend ofApril.

Berkhampstead returnstowork

ByPhilPickin SHREWSBURY&NewportCanal Trust(SNCT)hasloanedtherecently

restoredworkboat Berkhampstead totheGnosallTowpathRecovery Volunteers,accordingtothesummer issueofS&NNews.

eunpoweredboatisbeingused totransportgravelandothermaterials fromNorbury,ontheShropshireUnion Canal,tothelocationoftherestoration workbetweentheCowleyTunneland bridge36.

Inall,39peoplehavevolunteered tohelpwiththerestorationwork, includinganumberofyoungpeople undertakingtheirDoEAwards.

Workinvolvedtheremovalofmud andotherdebrisfromthetowpathand replacingthiswithamixofstone,gravel and‘dust’thatwill,intime,compact downtoformanewsurfaceforthe towpath. egravelhasbeenacquired fromanumberofsources,including theCanal&RiverTrust,donationsfrom villagersandfrombuilder’smerchants –fundedbythepro tsfromthe rst C’Festheldinthevillage.

Someofthismaterialwastransported toGnosallincars,butastheproject progressed,theneedtousesomething moresubstantialbecameapparent.

Braunstonpairamong NHS-UKgrantrecipients

ARECORDnumberofapplications hasbeenreceivedthisyearfor theNationalHistoricShipsUK’s SmallGrantsSchemewhicho ers grantstovesselownerstowards conservationprojects.

Ithasawarded16grants,the highestnumberever,ofupto £1000or50%ofthetotalcost oftheproject,whicheveristhe lesser. esearemadeto vesselsontheNational RegisterofHistoric Vesselsforconservation managementplanning, surveysandremedial works.TheBraunston pairof Nut eld (motor) and Raymond (butty)have eachbeenawarded£750 forremedialwork.

Otherrecipientsof grantstowardsremedial workinclude:HumberKeel barge Comrade,Liverpool

tug Kerne andAire&Calderbarge FusedaleH –whicheachreceive £1000–andGloucesterlightship Sula,givenagrantof£700. TheNHS-UKSmallGrants Schemeisfundedbythe DepartmentofDigital,Culture, MediaandSport,aswellasfromits HistoricShipsInsurancescheme withWinter&Co(Marine).

( )

FiveboatsaddedtoNational HistoricShipsUKregisters

FIVEnarrowboats,includingtwo butties,havebeenaddedtothe NationalHistoricShipsUKregisters.

eyare: Tamarack (1896)–built asadayboatbyBantock, omas &Coforcarryingcoal;Starclass Woolwichbutties Uranus and Argo,

bothbuiltin1935byHarland&Wol fortheGrandUnionCanalCarrying Company; LutraParva (1967) constructedfromwoodbyDobson BoatBuilders,Yorkshireand Tortuga (1968)builtbyCanalLineforuseas ahireboat.

Loadedwitheightone-tonnebags ofgravel,plusthreetonnessupplied byCRT, Berkhampstead hasbeen bowhauledalongthecanaltothe worklocation.S&NNewsreported:“As thegravelwasusedup,theboatwas restockedwithgravelalreadystoredat pointsonthetowpathinGnosall.

“Ononeoccasion,asthecanal wasquietinGnosall,aninnovative waywasfoundtorestocktheboatby mooringbelowBridge34andpouring storedgraveldownachutestraightinto storagebags.”

Berkhampstead wasbuiltin1927 andhassurvivedforaround90years. elastowneroftheboat,andits tug Bainton,wasRogerWhite,who donatedthemtotheShrewsbury& NewportCanalTrust. eyarenowbasedatNorbury, wheretherestorationcontinueswhen Berkhampstead isn’tbeingusedto deliverrestorationsupplies. Weeklyworkpartieshavebeen takingplacetorestorethematchedpair

sincetheyarrivedatNorbury.Although Berkhampstead,thebutty,hasbeen extensivelyrestored,alotmorework isneededon Bainton.

Workhasjuststartedtorestorethe engine;however,anewfundraising drivehasrecentlybeguntoraise theremaining£20,000neededto completetherestoration.Anyone wishingtodonateisaskedto visithttps://www.givey.com/ theshrewsburynewportcanalstrust

Appeallaunchedtosave‘Rickybutty’

ACROWDFUNDERhas beenlaunchedtorestore Starcros s,oneofthelast ‘Rickybutties’.

Builtin1932byWH Walker&Brothersof Rickmansworth, Starcross isanF-typebutty,builtasa workingboatforhaulageof goodsandcoalconnections. Shewaspreviouslyowned bytheWelshLegionwhere shewasusedforvolunteers toresideinwhileworkingon canalrestoration.Shehad alsopreviouslybeentowed

byabuddyRicky,tugboat, andpulledbyhorse.

Starcross ismadefromoak, 75%ofthehullhavingbeen replaced.Shewasrestored atBatesboatyard,Bourne End,andisnowinsured, BSS-compliant,registered withtheCanal&River Trustandpoweredwithan outboardengine. Hercurrentownershave beenherguardiansfortwo years.Shewasexhibitedat theLondonCanalMuseum lastNovemberwherepeople

cameonboardandheard herstory,whichwasvery wellreceived,asshewasin goodorder.

Unfortunately,herowners wereputtingthe nishing touchestoherlastmonth afterrecentlygettingthe outboardenginerepaired, whensheunexpectedlysank athermoorings. Thankstoinitialfunds raised,theywereabletoraise heragain,butnowneedto inspectherto ndoutwhy shesank,andmakesureshe

isshipshapeandreadyto cruisethenation’swaterways oncemore.

eownershopetoget Starcross backtoherformer glorysoshecantakepartin communityevents;Scottisa quali edmentorandwould liketopassontraditional woodenboatbuilding techniques. Atthetimeofgoingto press,£1084ofthe£8000 targethadbeenraised.Visit www.gofundme.comand searchfor Starcross

Bowhauling Berkhampstead PHOTO:JOHNMYERS

Nutfield and Raymond attheBraunstonHistoricBoatRally.

PHOTO:JANETRICHARDSON

Thepathislookinggood.

PHOTO:GNOSALLTOWPATHRECOVERYVOLUNTEERS

Pouringstoredgravelthrougha chutefromthebridge.

PHOTO:JOHNMYERS

Buildingthepath. PHOTO:©MARTINWRIGHT

Humber Keel barge Comrade also receivedagrantforremedialwork.

PHOTO:JANETRICHARDSON