Canals, Rivers + Boats.

NEW VANS FOR WRG IN TIME FOR SUMMER CANAL CAMPS

2016-07-05T14:33:00.000-07:00

New WRG Vans in use on Canal Camp on Grantham Canal
photo by Mike Palmer

Thanks to the success of the ongoing fundraising appeal, IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group has two new vans in time for this summer’s Canal Camps taking place on waterway restoration projects around the country.

The WRG Van Appeal, which aims to raise a total £120,000 for 4 new vans, reached its half way target during 2015, enabling the first two vans to be ordered. The new red vans, which are 9 seater minibuses, were collected on 17th June and have since been prepared ready for use by WRG, including signwriting and fitting out the insides to keep the important contents safe whilst on the move.

WRG vans play a vital role transporting volunteers, equipment, and tools on week-long Canal Camps and weekend digs, and travel a total of over 44,000 miles each year. Without them WRG couldn't continue to support canal restoration across England and Wales.

New WRG Van photo by Jude Palmer

Mike Palmer MBE, Chairman of WRG, said “Thank you to everyone who has donated to the WRG Van Appeal, and to everyone who has taken part in the amazing fund raising activities around the country, from the Vantastic Fudge at Canalway Cavalcade, the barn dance and sponsored walks, and the large number of individuals doing weird and wonderful things in the name of WRG.”

With £13,000 still left to raise, WRG hope to have the other two vans in time for 2017, so look out for further fundraising activities.

Charlotte

2016-06-30T06:57:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I visited Warwick to see the latest boat from Kate Boats, NB Charlotte. This 8 berth boat has now entered service within their hire fleet and will be featured in TowPath Talk in the August issue, so for now you'll have to make do with this picture!

For more information on the boat and the rest of their fleet visit www.kateboats.com

To take a look at the latest issue of TowPath Talk visit www.towpathtalk.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE: IWA FESTIVAL OF WATER COMES TO PELSALL

2016-06-16T08:48:00.002-07:00

WA’s annual Festival of Water is set to bring over one hundred boats to the underused Wyrley & Essington Canal, when the event takes place at Pelsall Junction over the August Bank Holiday weekend (27th to 29th August 2016). The location has been chosen to encourage greater activity on and around the northern section of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, and whilst 20 or so boats will arrive as part of a BCNS Explorer Cruise, over 80 more will arrive by other routes from across the inland waterways.

The main festival site will be on Pelsall North Common and admission and parking are free. Mooring or camping for the weekend costs just £35 which includes wristband access to the evening entertainment. Entertainment runs throughout all three days from 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday and 10am to 4pm on Monday, and on into the evening for boaters and campers. There will be traders (both afloat and on land) selling everything from jewellery, clothing, cards and treats for your dog to stoves for boats and homes, as well as plenty of food choices and a real ale bar. There will also be historic narrow boats to see, and the opportunity to learn about local and national waterway projects including the Lichfield & Hatherton canals restoration.

The Mayor of Walsall commented “Our local canal network is an asset of which we can be proud and we look forward to welcoming boaters and visitors from across the country. The IWA Festival of Water is a celebration of what we have and I hope will encourage the people of Walsall to get to know our local waterways better.”

PRESS RELEASE: ELDONIAN FESTIVAL DELIVERS IWA CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES

2016-06-15T08:19:00.001-07:00

Eldonian Festival - trip boat and moored boats at the Festival. Photo by Mike Carter

Thousands turned out to enjoy the Eldonian Village Canal Festival in Liverpool, IWA’s National Campaign Festival for 2016, which took place over the weekend of 11^th & 12^th June. The event celebrated the bi-centenary of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and promoted IWA’s campaign aims of increasing boat numbers visiting Liverpool, engaging with the local community and encouraging investment into the area around Eldonian Village.

Over 80 boats attended the Festival, which was organised by IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch and supported by the Eldonian Housing Association, Liverpool Culture and Canal & River Trust. In the lead up to the event IWA volunteers worked with local schools to improve understanding of the history of canals in the local community and, (jointly with Canal & River Trust), funded angling taster sessions for local children with the Prince Albert Angling Society.

The Festival was opened by Deputy Mayor of Liverpool, Anne O’Byrne, and a large crowd heard opening speeches by Tony McGann OBE (Chairman of the Eldonian Housing Association), Les Etheridge (IWA National Chairman) and Richard Parry (CRT Chief Executive). Local Liverpool Councillor, Joe Hanson, later said: “Well done to everyone for the massive success that the canal festival turned out to be. The IWA teams delivered everything they had promised and then some, so a massive thank you to them.”

Activities and entertainment for visitors over the weekend included free boat trips, live music and performances of contemporary dance and Old Time Music Hall routines, many catering stands and interesting stalls as well as Shreck, the boat horse. Children were entertained with face painting, free canoes rides and IWA’s own Wild over Waterways (WOW) activities. Two “Get Afloat” raffle prizes were kindly provided by ABC Boat Hire and Midway Boats. Both of these were won by local residents who were absolutely thrilled with their good fortune.

PRESS RELEASE: IWA CAMPAIGN CRUISE TO SPALDING AND CROWLAND FINALLY GOES AHEAD

2016-06-14T06:39:00.002-07:00

One of the boats leaving Fulney Lock.© David Pullen

IWA has succeeded in persuading the Environment Agency to de-silt Fulney Lock, opening up the route through Spalding and further upstream to the head of navigation on the River Welland. After two cancellations caused by the poor conditions at the lock, an IWA campaign cruise finally took place between 20^thand 24^th May.

The cruise highlighted the recent improvements to the River Welland, funded by the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership as part of the Fens Waterways Link project. Fosdyke, Spalding and Crowland are now very worthwhile destinations for slightly more intrepid boaters ahead of the rest of the Fens Waterways Link being completed. Once the Black Sluice Navigation to River Glen connection is in place, access will be even easier.

The cruise dates were carefully planned around the spring high tides to get a sufficient water level at Fulney Lock on the outskirts of Spalding. Cruise organiser, David Pullen (IWA East Midlands Region Chairman), said “Being able to make this long-awaited journey was a great experience and we are talking to EA about how IWA can help prevent Fulney Lock silting up again.“

There are several slipways already available on the Fens Waterways Link route for trailable boats: at Hubbert’s Bridge on the Black Sluice Navigation, at Fosdyke and Crowland on the River Welland and on the River Glen at Surfleet.

IWA Directory reveals the condition of Britain's 6,500 miles of inland waterways

2016-06-10T03:56:00.003-07:00

Mainland Britain enjoys 4,700 miles of navigable inland waterways, but that still leaves more than a quarter of our 6,500-mile canal and river network either derelict or unnavigable, IWA's new research shows.

The findings are contained in the IWA Waterways Directory, detailing the complete canal and river network of England, Wales and Scotland, its condition and the myriad bodies responsible for it. IWA is making the Directory freely available online, as a record of the state of the nation’s waterways and as part of its commitment to their protection and restoration.

John Pomfret, who compiled the Directory on behalf of the Association, said:

“This information has never before been available in one place in an easily accessible and searchable format. By ensuring the data is available on our website as a public resource, IWA is adding significantly to the knowledge of our waterways that is readily available to all.”

“The Directory is conceived as a dynamic, evolving reference work that can be updated as the condition of our waterways change. So we’re encouraging users of the publication and those with expert knowledge of even the remotest reaches of the network to help us keep the Directory as accurate and current as possible,” he said.

As well as benefiting anyone with a professional interest in our inland waterways, the IWA Waterways Directory will be valuable to academics, historians and canal enthusiasts alike. And by highlighting waterways which may be less familiar to many inland boaters, IWA hopes to encourage more interest in ensuring their protection and development.

From Crick 2015

2016-06-08T03:16:00.000-07:00

Visitors to this years Crick show might well have seen Pops because despite it being a smaller boat it’s distinctive and eye catching colour scheme makes it hard to miss.

Pops is the latest boat to take to the water having been built by Ian Taylor of Knowle Hall Wharf for Sue Fletcher and Nick Stuart. Pops will make Crick Marina it’s home despite it’s owner living in London. As Nick pointed out, having the boat in London is a bit restrictive whereas Crick just off the M1 and has easy access to the whole of the system. With the owners children aiming to make use of the boat in addition to his own 6 week holidays onboard it seems Pops will be a busy little boat.

I use the word “little” as Pops is only a 48 footer, but by using some cleaver design ideas it doesn’t feel like a smaller boat. It’s only when you notice the curve of the bow encroaching into the forward double berth you notice it, but even then it looks more like a feature than anything else. By doing away with a bow deck area and by including a roof hatch similar to that at the stern above the steps Pops gains valuable extra space. The very tip of the bow now only holds the water tanks and anchor locker.

Pops has a trad stern with plenty of seating and storage at the helm. As a result even on a windy day the area is protected from much of the elements. Below the stern sits a Beta 43 engine which runs very quietly and is easily accessible. As you make your way into the boat you pass the main controls for all of the boats systems with the Victron inverter fitted into a handy storage area adjacent to the steps into the boat. The rally, as with the rest of the boat is finished in oak with oak t&g being used on the whole of the ceiling. A ceiling that is inset with LED lighting. To contrast the the oak sapele has been used on the edges of units and to form the frame to doors etc. This contrast works well in breaking up the colour scheme.

The galley has been fitted with granite worktops on both sides, as this has a compact walkthrough layout. Inset into this is the four burner hob and stainless steel sink. Unusually the mixer tap is black, and in another departure from the norm, bespoke glass splash backs have been used to surround the worktop area. These very attractive panels were made by Steve Robson and prove to be both attractive and practical. Below the worktops are a range of cupboards and a 12v fridge has been integrated into the area. Above the worktop that forms the dividing line between the galley and the lounge area is a sapele locker with glass fronted doors, ideal for the storage of glasses etc. Throughout the boat the windows, which are supplied by Channel Glaze are double glazed, something not seen too often.

The lounge area has an ‘L’ shaped seat which doubles as a double berth when needed. Fittings for 2 small tables are located into the floor, a floor which is made from oak. A handy locker opposite is fitted with a Sony radio and next to this a floor to ceiling cupboard has been built. It’s location forms a handy area next to it in which has been fitted a number of bookshelves. To complete the room a Bubble stove has been fitted with an attractive tiled hearth.

Moving forward, and past an attractive and well concealed sliding door you come to the washroom. This room is finished in the same colours as the rest of the boat and is fitted with a shower cubical, Jabsco toilet, round basin set into a granite topped corner unit with storage below. A number of handy shelves have been included to the side of the shower and these have door which, although they are very narrow, match the doors throughout the boat.

Continuing forward you enter the double berth. This includes a 6ft bed and two good sized wardrobes with shelves within them. The waste water tank has been fitted below the floor allowing the area below the bed to be used for storage. All in all, for a smaller boat Pops has a significant amount of storage space with every potential gap being pressed into use.

Outside the roof has been painted creme which contrasts well with the dark sides of the boat. The roof is also fitted with an anti-slip finish, an aluminium gang plank and a very attractive chimney. With blue and red also being used in the colour scheme the finished article is a very attractive boat. One that feels far longer than 48ft in length but being sub 50ft means it’s easier to handle, something the owner stipulated. Having owned a 60ft boat in the past, and with the continued passage of time, he felt something a bit easier to handle was needed.

By the time this review gets into print the family will have started making the most of this season so you may will see this very attractive, beautifully finished and high quality boat out on the system somewhere. It’s certainly worth a look if you do spot it.

NB Pops
Length: 48ft
Style: Trad
Hull: Colecraft
Engine: Beta 43
Fit out material: Oak and sapele. Soft close doors on all cupboards.
Power system: Victron 1600w 12v
Galley: Granite worktops, Thetford oven. 4 burner hob. Bespoke glass splash back by Steve Robson.
Washroom: Jabsco toilet. Electric flush.
Heating: Bubble stove.
Lighting: Inset and reading LED lights.
Windows: Channel Glaze double glazed units.

Boat builder:
Knowle Hall Wharf Ltd
Kenilworth Road
Knowle
Solihull
B93 0JJ
Tel: 01564 778210
www.knowlehallwharf.co.uk

IWA CAMPAIGNS FOR BRIDGEWATER CANAL LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS

2016-06-07T07:32:00.002-07:00

© Adrian & Gillian Padfield

Boaters using the waterways of the North West of England will know that there has long been a reciprocal agreement in place to allow boats licensed on the Bridgewater Canal to access local CRT waterways, and for CRT licence holders to use the Bridgewater Canal to travel between the Rochdale, Trent & Mersey and Leeds & Liverpool Leigh Branch canals, without any additional charge.

The Bridgewater Canal Company (BCC) has recently changed the reciprocal agreement and IWA is concerned that this may affect boaters with CRT licences who wish to use the Bridgewater Canal to access other CRT waters for a short period and then return the same way. IWA North West Region is continuing to lobby on behalf of all boaters and businesses in the area in an effort to mitigate any adverse affects from the changes.

Current enforcement activity along the Bridgewater Canal already seems to be discouraging CRT licensed boaters from making the transit from Preston Brook to Leigh and Manchester as they may be charged a £40 supplementary licence fee for the return journey. It is expected that if this trend continues the local businesses along the Bridgewater will suffer as visitor numbers reduce.

CRT had recently extended the reciprocal agreement to allow additional time for Bridgewater licensed boats to visit Liverpool, and so it is particularly disappointing that there seems to be no 'reciprocation' from BCC to encourage CRT craft to visit the Bridgewater Canal.

Mike Carter, IWA North West Region Chairman, said “IWA is campaigning for a system that allows suitably licensed boats to be able to visit all locations surrounding the Bridgewater Canal, including Manchester, Liverpool, Wigan, Blackburn, Middlewich, Barbridge and Kidsgrove. IWA considers that both CRT and BCC should be encouraging visitors to the area by maintaining a reasonable licensing policy that avoids isolating these locations for both Bridgewater and CRT licensed craft”.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office: Two canoeists rescued from Beauly Firth

2015-07-24T16:08:00.001-07:00

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office: Two canoeists rescued from Beauly Firth: Just after 2 pm today UK Coastguard received a number of 999 calls from members of the public saying that they could see an upturned canoe...