ARTICLES ….'MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER….' By Pam Bennett Well, on New Year's Eve, Susanna asked me if I could write an article about the canal, so here goes. I grew up fishing, riding bikes and long walks along the canal with my Grandad, that was Bilston Canal in the West Midlands, it was black and dirty, you never saw a flower but I never forgot the barge people. Grandad would talk to the coal man delivering a filthy barge full of coal to help keep us all warm, we would be offered a tin mug of sweet, stewed tea but all that was 65 years ago. However, I live here in Greenford Green and the love of the canal has never left me plus, I am now the proud owner of my first boat. Having left the Midlands some 40 years ago, I'm amazed that the London canals are so clean and green! However the one important thing that has never changed is the boaters, they are still the same A cheery wave, a natter all make it a really good day, such lovely, genuine people. I now have a new hobby, still connected to the canal and the bargees, now I'm totally engrossed with painting. It's nice for someone to bring you back into the reality of the present so real, so refreshingly simple.
If you are enjoying a walk along the canal, maybe with your grandchildren or with your Granddad and come across me painting, please don't hesitate to disturb me, I love to chat, ask Susanna, we met searching the new Lidl store for leeks! My painting has temporarily had to stop as the nights drew in causing the colours to change too quickly, I can’t wait for the new summer nights and finding yet another picture to explore. 28
