Janet Richardson

Who left the lock open?

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Janet Richardson

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November 25, 2021

WHILE walking along a section of the Kennet & Avon Canal to Devizes recently, Towpath Talk contributor Kevin Thomas came upon Lock 25 standing wide open. It prompted him to question what is it that makes boaters leave a lock open – laziness, a lapse of attention or even arrogance? In its guide to saving…
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Let there be light! Towpath walking routes now lit…

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Janet Richardson

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November 23, 2021

Waterways and wellbeing charity, Canal & River Trust, working in partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council, has installed solar-powered lights along the canals in Wolverhampton to improve walking and cycling routes along the city’s towpaths. The lights have been installed along six miles of canal with one every ten metres, along the Main Line…
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Acton Bridge Cruising Club rumours simply not true

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Janet Richardson

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November 23, 2021

IN JANUARY this year, Acton Bridge Cruising Club on the River Weaver in Cheshire suffered an unprecedented flood which damaged some of its moorings. Since that time, it has been rumoured that the club is no longer functioning, according to member David Moores. “This is far from true,” he told Towpath Talk. “All the damaged…
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That sinking feeling, don’t get it!

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Janet Richardson

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November 19, 2021

WE’RE all used to unpredictable weather patterns; one month it’s unseasonably warm, the next we experience rain more akin to tropical downpours and then we’re faced with a bitter cold-snap. While we cannot control the elements, we can control how our boats cope in extreme scenarios. In October last year, there were severe downpours and…
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Wurzel Bush, Roaring Girl and an evening of music and banter..

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Janet Richardson

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November 19, 2021

The Wurzel Bush Folk Club’s guest on Tuesday 7th December is Roaring Girl. This is what happens when you put 2 irrepressible musicians in a lockdown bubble together. Expect a surfeit of instruments, banter, toe-tapping tunes from all around the world and through the centuries, and did we mention lots of instruments? Featuring Jude Rees…
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Boat Hire – the busiest season ever!

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Janet Richardson

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November 17, 2021

Cheryl Howes of Kate Boats with the latest news from Drifters – a consortium of independent self-drive hire boat companies set up to promote enjoyment of canal holidays. AS THE main boating season draws to a close, we can reflect back on probably the busiest season for the hire boat industry ever! We missed the…
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Book review! A treat for nature lovers the world over

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Janet Richardson

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November 17, 2021

THE introductory line on the back dust cover of this unique book says: ‘The first field guide to all of the world’s major land habitats’. This bold statement is certainly a truism and, if anything, perhaps a little understated. Nature lovers are in for a treat if they’re looking for an easy to interpret, all…
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Marina wins national award for second year

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Janet Richardson

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November 16, 2021

WHITE Mills Marina was named Towergate’s Inland Marina of the Year for the second year at a virtual awards ceremony hosted by The Yacht Harbour Association . While there was no physical event to attend, the excitement and thrill of the announcement was hugely welcomed by the entire team at the Northamptonshire marina situated on…
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Leading the charge!

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Janet Richardson

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November 15, 2021

By Tim Coghlan, Braunston Marina FOLLOWING the recent complete modernisation of the Braunston Marina’s pontoon bollards – using Rolec Marine Utility Services – we went on to install three car-charging Rolec bollards in our main car park. Each bollard has two sockets, thus providing for the simultaneous recharging of six hybrid and electric cars.As the…
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Illegal moorings: Double barge-owner convicted

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Janet Richardson

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November 13, 2021

THE owner of two 25m houseboats obstructing a busy part of the River Thames in Surrey has been convicted of breaking river laws. On October 7, 2021, Staines magistrates’ court convicted Alistair Trotman, 55, of Castle Street, Kingston upon Thames, of causing or allowing Kupe and Rhythm of River to remain in a lock, channel…
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Staffordshire marina mourns loss of owner

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Janet Richardson

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November 12, 2021

TRIBUTE has been paid to the owner of Otherton Boat Haven, Philip Dorrington, who died suddenly on October 9. From a farming background, he established the Staffordshire marina in 1995 and built it up from scratch as well as designing and building many narrowboats over the years. Philip also designed and built the trailer used…
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Earlswood Lakes works to be completed by mid-November

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Janet Richardson

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November 11, 2021

THE Canal & River Trust is close to completing its £1.6 million programme of improvements to the reservoirs at Earlswood near Solihull. Needed to ensure the reservoirs are compliant with reservoir legislation, the works have included strengthening the core of the main dam along Valley Road to improve its resilience during flood events. The lakes…
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BoatLife – new YouTube series featuring boaters and their lives on the water

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Janet Richardson

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November 10, 2021

BoatLife has released the first in a series of films, BoatLife Stories. The series is curated to show peoples connection to the water and celebrate the boating lifestyle and all that it brings, from excitement to escapism to adventure. The first film is on the inland waterways and follows David Thrower, a passionate narrowboat owner…
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Christmas Floating Markets, Nantwich and Blisworth

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Janet Richardson

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November 9, 2021

The Roving Canal Traders Association are excited to announce they are holding a Christmas floating market on the embankment of the Shropshire Union Canal in Nantwich Cheshire East CW5 and on the towpath of the Grand Union Canal opposite Blisworth Narrowboats NN7 3BN between bridges 50 & 51, West Northamptonshire. Both markets are starting at…
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