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News - 2008

Training Day for trust members on Sunday 7th December at Norton Junction: the day will begin with tea/coffee and bacon rolls at 8.30am, ready to start at 9am. The day will involve boat familiarisation, single locks (uphill and downhill), staircase locks, winding and clothing up. There will also be chance to practise ropes and knots (lines & hitches). If anyone is interested they should contact Vickie Morgan on HERE or Nick on 077 204 75606
THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NARROW BOAT TRUST WILL BE HELD AT 3PM ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 6TH AT: the headquarters of the Hillingdon Narrowboat Association, The Boathouse, Royal Quay, Summerhouse Lane, Harefield, UB9 6JA. For those of you who know the area it is above Coppermill Lock on the Grand Union. Maps and directions can be found at www.hna.org.ukk

November 16th: The boats are at: Norton Junction; Apologies for lack of updates, but the builders are about to descend, the computer has been dismantled and then re-assembled in the living room, members photos have gone astray, but all will be hunky-dory asap - Dave xx
November 1st: the boats are at: Galleon Bridge in the Milton Keynes area, with Vickie reporting beer ay £2 a pint! Friday night was spent above Dudswell Locks. They should reach Stoke Bruerme, tomorrow (Sunday).
October 30th: the boats are at: Fishery Lock. The crew are to be congratulated for selling extra coal!
October 29th: The boats are: at Widewater Lock, after a very cold and snowy day - keep those ranges going! Crew is Vickie Morgan, Kate Bowman & her son Charlie Bradley; Lawrie Atkinson, John Adams with help from the likes of Alan Cummins, John Bull etc.

October 27th: the boats are at: Brentford.. Dave Davies, Trevor Winterbottom & John Stevens completed deliveries down the Thames & River Wey, with assistance from John Bull, David Junkinson, John Fevyer - arriving at Brentford on Saturday afternoon. Vickie Morgan & Crew are due to move up the GU on Wednesday.
(Left: Brighton & Nuneaton moored at Aston Ferry, Tuesday 27th Oct, after a cracking night at the Flowerpot. Pic: Trevor Winterbottom)

October 18th: the boats are at: Cliftdon Hampden Barry & Crew of Roger Orchard, John Stevens , with help from John Bull & Mike Askin, took the boats down to Thrupp Wharf, loading 15 & 1/2 tons of various coal for delivery down the Thames - Barry reports: "No problems, Roger Orchard has left us and Trevor Winterbottom has joined. We'll be in the pub tonight and won't be thinking of you!"
(Right: the pair's evening moorings, Pic: Trevor Winterbottom.)

The bi-annual 'Jam-Ole run', organised this year by NBT member, 17-year-old Tom Stewart, starts today. Just to confirm things, here is this years schedule:
Saturday 18th - Depart Braunston 09.00am to the sound of the church bells. Arrive at Atherstone, turn and moor up for the night. Pub: Maid of the Mill Sunday 19th - Depart 04.30. Tie up just south of Weedon at bridge 26. Pub: The Narrowboat.
Monday 20th – Depart 05.00. Tie up in Marsworth, Bridge 130, just below Marsworth flight. Pub: The Red Lion.
Tuesday 21st – Depart 05.00. Tie up Batchworth, below Batchworth Lock, Bridge 173. Pub: The White Bear.
Wednesday 22nd – Depart 07.00. Gather at Tesco’s opposite Bulls Bridge for supplies. Then, in convoy pull round to the Jam Ole Site and Moor up. Flowers can be placed at the site of the entrance to the basin. Then proceed to Willowtree Marina for night.
Thursday 23rd – Depart 04.30. Tie up below Marsworth flight, Bridge 132. Pub: The White Lion.
Friday 24th – Depart 05.00. Tie up at top of Stoke Bruerne flight. Pub: The Boat Inn.
Saturday 25th – Depart 06.00. Tie up Braunston Marina. Pub: The Plough.

If you want to help with locks (or just watch the fun), we will be at the following locks/places:

Hilmorton Locks: 11am (Saturday), 12:30pm (Sunday)
Braunston Locks: 15:30 (1st Sunday), Midafternoon (2nd Saturday)
Buckby: 17:00 (1st Sunday), afternoon (2nd Saturday)
Stoke Bruerne: 8:00am (Monday), late (Friday)
Soulbury Three: 3:00pm (Monday), 9am (Friday)
Marsworth: 5am (Tuesday), late (Thursday)
Winkwell: Midday (Tuesday), 2:30pm (Thursday)
Rickmansworth: 6pm (Tuesday), 10am (Thursday)
Cowley: 11am (Wednesday), 6am (Thursday)
Jam Ole: 2pm (Wednesday)

Boats taking part include: Little Woolwich motor CORONA, Modern boat SHOESTRING, Large Northwich STANTON, C&C motor SWALLOW, Middle Northwich THEA, Large Northwich TOWCESTER, Small Northwich WARBLER.

Thanks to NBT member, Mike Askin, for info.
October 17th: the boats are at: Osney Lock, having loaded 15 & 1/2 tons of various coal and some 'eco-logs' - a new cargo for us, at Thrupp Wharf on Friday.
October 14th: the boats are at: Aynho. Barry, John & Roger, with help from lock-wheelers John Bull & Mike Askin, have had a good boating day, starting at the crack of dawn, in their mission to reach Thrupp on Thursday night, ready to load on Friday.
October 13th: The boats are at: The Wharf Inn, Fenny Compton, having come from Napton today with Barry Adams, John Stevens and brand new member Roger Orchard.
October 8th: the boats are at: Napton, having been taken from the Black Country Living Museum in four days by Roger Morgan & crew, mooring at Edgbaston on Thursday night, Kingswood Junction on Friday night & just below Bascote on Saturday night.
The Boats move this weekend with Barry Adams & crew heading to the Thames and being loaded in the Oxford area on Friday - more details on this soon.
October 2nd: the boats are at: Cadbury’s visitor mooring/Kings Norton crewed by Roger & Steve Morgan, Andy & Mike. They are aiming for Napton by Sunday.
Septenber 30th: an excellent weekend at the bi-annual Parkhead Gathering. The boats were taken to Parkhead from The Black Country Living Museum on Friday by Dave Davies and Mike Askin in 5 hours. Unfortunately due to a mix-up with booking our moorings were out on a limb - below Blowers Green Lock. The sun blazed down on Saturday and members Dave Davies & Teri Wyncoll, Tom Stewart, Vickie Morgan, Nick Wolfe, Sheena Bourn were in attendance, most joining in the Boaters Games on Saturday afternoon.
24th September: the boats are due at Parkhead on Friday for this weekend's boat gathering - members are, as always, more than welcome, there may be cabin space - get in touch!
15th September: the boats are back snug & safe in the Museum Arm of the Black Country Living museum, after a boggy but enjoyable Black Country Boating Festival at Windmill End.
The boats are due at the Parkhead Gathering Friday 26th to Sunday 28th, before Roger Morgan & crew take them down to Napton for the start of the Autumn Coal Run.
(right: winding in the Bumble Hole Arm, Sunday 14th September. pic: Teri Wyncoll.)

September 10th: the boats are at: the Black Country Museum, after being taken from Titford Pumphouse by Steve Smith, Steve Morgan & Dave Davies on Sunday. . They will be moving to Windmill End for the Black Country Boating festival this weekend. Members, as always, very welcome! It's a good, down-to-earth festival, with a great beer tent for boaters & guests, with reasonably-priced beer. (unlike the National's outrageous £3.20 per pint!)
September 9th: The NBT Members Grand Day Out was a great success, despite atrocious weather conditions and the difficulty in actually finding Titford Pumphouse.
Shame on members who missed it!
The boat's new exhibition banners and static gazebo with it's Trust info & merchandise were on show, along with King Learie's entertaining short films, and an excellent beer & grub lunch was held at the traditionl Oldbury boozer, The Waggon & Horses. After lunch, NBT President, Tom Henshaw, was presented with a plaque and
a scale model of a working boat fashioned from coal, in recognition of his contribution to the Trust, canals in general and particularly the retail trade of coal from working boats.
Recently retired from 27 years as NBT Treasurer, John Fevyer was presented with a painting and a tea-service for his wife Claire, in recognition of not only his official diuties, but also the couples' many years of newsletter folding, stapling, printing, posting, as well as coal orders etc etc etc . Many Thanks!
September 1st: the boats are at Titford Pumphouse, having been taken from Oxley Boatyard near Aldersley Junction, up the Wolverhampton 21, the Old Main Line and the Crow - the six locks at Oldbury, half of which had empty pounds, in 10 hours. Crew were Dave Davies, Vickie Morgan & John Mills, with help from Nick Wolfe & Sheena Bourn.

August 29th: the boats are: setting off on Saturday morning for Titford Pumphouse crewed by Dave Davies, Vickie Morgan & John Mills.

Don't forget The Member's Grand Day Out - on Saturday September 6th, from 10am to 5pm - it will be a right good get together in a very interesting canal location - if you have not seen the boats for a while, they will both be there, plus the new exhibition, film shows and general enjoyable get-togethers and discussion!

click on the image (right)

August 26th: the boats are at:Oxley Marine, Wolverhampton, having various engine problems sorted. It was a fair National, despite the mud, with members old and new visiting/showing the boats including: Teri Wyncoll, Dave Davies, Tom Stewart, Vickie & Tim Morgan, Nick Wolfe & Sheena Bourn on Aldgate & Angel, John Fevyer in his IWA hat, Dave Venn was there with his boat, John Mills on Monday, and a couple whose names unfortunately escape me, told stories of Alton in the 70's, including being set on fire in
Coventry! Paul Pattison brought transperencies from his time in the Trust, '72- '73 for us to scan for the archives.
Aogust 21st: If you're going to the National this weekend, the boats are moored just above Bridge 2 on the Shroppie. All members more than welcome!
August 17th: the boats finally arrived at the IWA National Site, Autherley Junction, around 10.30pm tonight, after trials & tribulations with log-jammed gates etc etc!

August 16th: the boats are at: Bromford Junction - the junction of Spon Lane Locks Branch with the BCN Main Line.

THE NARROW BOAT TRUST MEMBERS GRAND DAY OUT 2008 will be held at Titford Pumphouse, Engine Street, Oldbury, Staffs B69 4NL from 10am to 5pm, Saturday 6th September.
Nuneaton & Brighton will be there, We will be showing off our new exhibition panels, plus our new exhibition stall, videos & sldeshows from the NBT Archives and generally putting the world to rights. There will also be a 'Ropes & Knots' course from Nick Wolfe, and much more!
More info from Chair, Graham Scothern on: 07860 659487.
(Right: Another of Roger Hutchinson's excellent peices of art work - Click on image for more detail.)
August 15th: the boats are at: below Knowle Bottom Lock, so at least Alan will get a pint or two tonight!
August 14th: the boats are at: The Blue Lias, Stockton. Help came from Vickie Morgan.

August 13th: the boats are at the bottom of Claydon Locks. Pete has bought a proper 100' bow-hauling line - about time we had one again!

August 12th: the boats are at tonight: above Somerton Deep Lock, between Bridge 192 & 193. Pete Cluttercuck has sorted a new starter motor, after problems in Thames locks, where some require you to stop your engine.
August 11th: the boats are at tonight: Drinkwater's Lift Bridge No 231, just after Dukes Lock. Crew are Pete & Gill Clutterbuck, Mark & Robin Burt and Alan Cummins.
August 8th: the boats are: delivering in the Henley area this weekend - HELP NEEDED! contact Roger Morgan They then set off for this year's National at Autherley Junction, captained by Pete Clutterbuck.
We have more photos up (at last!) in the 2008 photo gallery HERE.
July 24th: the boats are at: Brentford, ready for the tide tomorrow. Help on lock-wheeling came from NBT 'old faithfulls', John Bull & David Junkinson.
July 23rd: the boats are at: Rickmansworth, crewed by Nick Wolfe, Barry Adams and Alan Cummins. New member Michael Askin joined the crew for a day.
July 22nd: the boats are at: the bottom of Marsworth at 9.30pm, after a 16 hour day! At least they had a pint at the Red Lion, where Barry Adams joined the crew.

July 20th: the boats are at: the bottom of the Stoke Bruerne flight, having been moved from above Braunston Top Lock by Nick Wolfe, Vickie Morgan, Dave Davies & Steve Smith on Saturday. Another 70 bags were transhipped from Towcester at Stoke Bruerne and we 'oiled-up' from Mike Partridge's Jubilee.

(left: a loaded Nuneaton & Brighton enter Buckby Top Lock on Saturday 19th July. Pic: Dave Davies)
We have two more of King Learie's short films, 'Don't Bang 'em About' HERE and 'Tom in Reverse' HERE
July 18th: loaded 34 tons of coal yesterday, transhipping 34 tons from John Jackson's Roach & butty Gosport. Loaders were Graham Scothern, Steve Morgan, Dave Davies, with help from Vickie Morgan & Teri Wyncoll. The boats are at: Braunston Top Lock and due at Stoke Bruerne Saturday evening to pick another 1 1/2 tons up from Mike Partridge's Jubilee/Towcester.
(Right: see the difference between a pair of loaded Joshers and an empty Large Woolwich! Pic: Dave Davies.)


('King Learie')

July 11th: Website updates at last! - Well, I have been away boating a lot this month...Anyhow, we have a trip report from Roger Hutchinson of the trip from Tring to the Leicester Riverside Festival, Foxton Festival and Braunston Historic Boat Show HERE. We also have a short 'impressionistic' video film, shot in June by NBT mystery member,'King Learie' - 'Summit Reverie' HERE and there's more to come!.
The boats are due to tranship 30 plus tons of coal from John Jackson for the Summer Coal Run at Braunston next Thursday 17th July.
Help, as always, welcomed!

June 30th: A fantastic weekend at Braunston, with NBT members, Graham Scothern, Teri Wyncoll, Tom Stewart stewarding the event on both days, with help from Vicki Morgan & Mark Burt. Their efforts were rewarded with the presentation of a cheque for £200 from David Suchet (best known for his role as Hercule Poirot)
(Right: David Suchet and Braunston Marina's Tim Coughlan present NBT with a cheque for £200. Pic ?.)

June 23rd: the boats are at: Braunston, for this weekend's Historic Boat Show, travelling from Foxton last weekend in hurricane conditions crewed by Dave Davies, Roger Hutchinson & Steve Smith.
There's over 60 historic boats expected, plus the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the launching of wooden butty Raymond (probably the last commercial wooden boat launched in Western Europe) and NBT member Sheena Bourn's butty Angel being legged through the tunnel and being horse-drawn.


(The pair moored outside The Bridge 61 pub, Foxton, Wednesday 4TH June. Pic: Dave Davies.)

June 10th: the boats are at: Foxton, having been taken fron the Wendover Arm to the Leicester Riverside Festival by Dave Davies, Roger Hutchinson, Steve Smith, Barry Adams,Teri Wyncoll with the odd day from Alan Cummins & Rich Davies. Literarally hundreds visited the boats on one of the hottest days of the year.
Other historic boats expected at this weekend's Foxton Festival on Sat & Sun 14th & 15th June include President & Kildare and Scorpio & Mallus.
The event celebrates the completion of the first phase of the Inclined Plane restoration.
May 27th: just back from the Wendover Arm Trust Festival at Tring, having had a good time despite the Sunday & Monday monsoon/hurricane weather combo!
Members attending were Teri Wyncoll & Dave Davies, Alan Cummins, Chairman Grahan Scothern and Nick Wolfe with Aldegate. Former members Jason McCabe & Carleen Carter were there with Callisto & Olive while other historic boats included Ara & Archamaedes, Bristol & Argo, Lupin, Canis and Gemini.
May 19th: the boats are at: Fishery Lock, having been taken from Rickmansworth this morning, breasted up-by Andy Belton and Alan Cummins.
May 18th: A Message from NBT Chairman Graham Scothern: to everyone who has offered sympathy, support & condolensces on the recent passing of his mother, "Many thanks for your kindness & support"
May 16th: Dont forget the boats are at: Rickmansworth, for the Waterside Festival this weekend. It's a good do, with plenty of historic boats, stalls, bands, beer, and educational stuff from the Rickmansworth Waterside Trust, including for the first time in 40 years, wooden Barlows boats, motor Roger & butty Raymond reunited. The boats are legendary, as the pair operated on the Jam 'Ole Run by Rose & Arthur Bray and Ernie Kendal, until the late 60's, when Nutfield took over from a knackered Roger, the traffic finally finishing at the end of 1970.
I believe that Raymond is now painted in Blue Line livery, while Roger is in Harvey-Taylor's.

May 7th: just back from a very enjoyable Canal Cavalcade - members attending were Gill & Pete Clutterbuck, Teri Wyncoll & Dave Davies, Andy Belton, Alan Cummins, John Fevyer, Tim Stevens and new member Mark ?
Sunday & Monday saw Jo & Keith from the replica NB Hadar, dressed in 'traditional' costume in Brighton's hatches. This really attracted attention from the thronged towpath. They have also written up their experiences with us on their 'Blog' (web diary) check it out HERE.
Historic boats included Baldock, Gemini, Fulbourne, Lupin & Olive, Clover, Nuneaton & Brighton.
(Above left: Jo & Keith in traditional dress, Little Venice Canal Cavalcade, Sunday 4th May. Pic: Dave Davies.)
April 27th: the boats are at: Little Venice, having been moved this weekend by Gill & Pete Clutterbuck and Roger Rowe. Roger has sent me a couple of videos - try downloading Pete taking up the cross-straps coming out of Cowley Lock HERE and making the turn at Bull's Bridge HERE. Any problems downloading, let me know.

April 23rd: the boats are on the move at last, with Gill & Pete Clutterbuck and Roger Rowe moving them from Stoke Bruerne to Kings Langley last weekend. They are carrying on this weekend to get the pair to Little Venice for the Canal Cavalcade, 3rd-5th May. See Events for more details.
We have now started the 2008 Photo Gallery, which you can find HERE.
This means of course that the 2007 Photo Gallery is finally finished - you can access it HERE.
Don't forget that all the Photo Galleries, Trip Reports, Book Reviews and Articles can be found in the Appendices section.

(Right: a welcoming back cabin, April 2008 - photo:Roger Hutchinson.)


"So, you're a Bargee are you? - Where's Snarestone Tunnel?!!!"
April 7th: Saturday at Stoke Bruerne featured a First Aid Course in the Museum classroom with NBT members Nick Wolfe, Roger Rowe, Teri Wyncoll and brand new members Jim & Lin Rose, who had a season running Union Canal Carriers Camping Boats back in the '70's. Meanwhile Roger Hutchinson refitted Brighton's newly clean & shiny hanging plates, while Dave Davies scrubbed cabin sides, brasses, & attempted to reduce the stink from the fridge! (yes, the door had been left shut....again!)

March 28th: Back from a very enjoyable week at Stoke Bruerne, despite the disapointment of the cancellation of the trip to Ellesmere Port. Monday lunchtime saw a call from Manchester NBT member, Steve Corbett, to say it was unlikely that Buckby locks would be clear until Wednesday lunchtime. We had already decided that Tuesday morning was our deadline, so the trip was off! I ended up having a week living on Nuneaton, pottering away, keeping going & cooking on the range, sorting water and visiting 'The Boat'.

(Above: Monday morning snow.
Pic: Vickie Morgan.)
There were some excellent events staged by the HNBOC, including some rare & unique films of working boats, a presentation on the continuing restoration of wooden BCN tug, James Loader, music sessions, a really excellent waterways quiz and CBOA and Swallow's David Lowe's really entertaining organ recital in the Church on Monday morning. Visiting and attending members were Nick Wolfe & Sheena Bourn on Aldegate & Angel, Tom Stewart, Andy Belton, Alan Cummins, Roger Rowe, Vickie & Tim Morgan and, of course, David Blagrove.

Boats that attended included: Nuneaton & Brighton, Swallow, Skylark, Elizabeth, Gorse, George, Pelican, Dodna, Gerald, Denebola, Warbler, Owl & Hampton, Manchuria, Adrastea, Dolphin, Cyprus, Thea, Clover & Fazeley, Elder, Sentinel, Bream, Sculptor, Towcester, Jubilee, Aldgate & Angel

(left:the breasted pair leaving Stoke Bruerne, below the top lock. Pic: Teri Wyncoll.)
March 15th: Right, the latest plan is for Dave Davies to take Nuneaton to the bottom of Buckby Locks in the hope the stoppage will be clear in time to get to Ellesmere Port for at least some of the Easter Gathering. Brighton will remain at Stoke Bruerne for the Easter Gathering there. If the stoppage at Buckby is not clear in time, Nuneaton will return to rejoin Brighton. For updates next week, see the Yahoo site.
March 4th: Spoke to a lovely chap, Chris Stanley who is Engineering Communications Officer, for the region, who took the time out to ring me back and explain the situation: the problem is having to get the split anchor block forged - the quote is 16 days, but it could be less....but then you have to fit it - does it fit? then concrete has to set and pounds be rewatered etc etc etc - I'll know more next week - Watch this space!
March 2nd: is this a wind up, or what!!??? Can you understand the Waterscape website? I hope I am correct in thinking the Buckby Flight stoppage had been cancelled, but don't want to raise my hopes see HERE
February 28th: Bad News! - due to an extended stoppage at Buckby locks (originally till Feb 7th, now Feb 20th) we will not be taking Nuneaton up to Ellesmere Port for the Easter Gathering. Both boats will now be at the HNBOC Eater Gathering at Stoke Bruerne. BW say "The cause of the extension to this planned stoppage is a split anchor block (part of the lock gate securing device)." Apparantly it takes 18 days to forge a new one and no 'windows' in the stoppage are planned. Well done BW, just before Easter too!
February 25th: the pre-council meeting workparty at Stoke Bruerne on Saturday was attended by Graham Scothern, Roger Hutchinson, Mark Collins, Gill & Pete Clutterbuck, Vicky Morgan & Nick Wolfe.
Various odd jobs were achieved, including fitting a new horn to Nuneaton, greasing the prop shaft, repairing the electricity isolator switch, cleaning the ranges, removing lace plates & lacework for cleaning and Nuneatons cushions for replacement.
(left: Gill & Pete chat to Nick while Dave pumps-out Nuneaton's hold. pic: Roger Hutchinson.)
February 21st: updates to the site include the story of Joe Hollingshead HERE more updates on the 2007 Gallery HERE and corrections to dates on the 2008 boating program HERE.

February 13th : A belated Happy New Year to all members & vistors! The website has been offline since late December, due to our web host going out of business - we have been unable to contact them but now have a new ISP - Internet Service Provider, and will be at www.narrowboattrust.org.uk at least for the time being.

We have a rough projected 2008 boating program - HERE and some lovely photos from new member, Colin Edmundson, of the boats at Brentford last summer and the Autumn Coal Run - check out the 2007 Photo Gallery
We'd also like to welcome new members Steve Smith, Alan Cummins and more whose names I need to check!

Right: a misty autumn morning scene on the River Thames. (photo by Colin Edmondson)

There will be more of Colin's splendid pics on the 2007 photo gallery shortly.

The boats are currently at: Stoke Bruerne for winter maintenance. Members are more than welcome to attend workparties this weekend 16th/17th February, next weekend 23rd/24th February, Ist/2nd March and 8th/9th March. It's best to contact Graham Scothern or Nick Wolfe to let them know whose coming.

 

The Narrow Boat Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Cardiff Company No: 01724935

The Registered Office of the Narrow Boat Trust is at:
23 Redway Drive, TWICKENHAM TW2 7NT

The Narrow Boat Trust is a charity registered in England under number: 288243

email: webmaster@narrowboattrust.org.uk

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