News

Victorian railway swing bridge to be restored

by

Hugh Dougherty

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November 22, 2021

SCOTLAND’s largest, surviving, counterweighted swing bridge, opened in 1874, to carry trains and road traffic to Leith’s Albert Dock, is to be restored for pedestrian and cycle use by current owners, Forth Ports. The ‘A’ listed, Victoria Swing Bridge, designed by Alexander Rendel, built in riveted, wrought iron, steel and wood, by Skerne Ironworks of…
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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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Vacancy: Divisional Ad Manager

by

Andy

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November 16, 2021

We need an experienced and dynamic manager to provide leadership, support, and direction for our sales team.
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Marina wins national award for second year

by

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!

by

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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Tree planting ceremony marks completion of the A38 Whitminster Roundabout.

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Janet Richardson

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November 8, 2021

The first phase of ‘Missing Mile’ canal restoration project A special event to celebrate the completion of the award-winning A38 Whitminster Roundabout canal restoration project, the first section of the Missing Mile, has been celebrated with a tree planting ceremony.Andrew Page-Dove, South West Regional Director for National Highways, joined Siobhan Baillie MP, vice-chairman of the…
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Bloomin’ good award..

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Janet Richardson

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November 7, 2021

Volunteers from charity, Canal & River Trust, have again won Gold in the Rugby in Bloom award for their efforts in helping to care for the busiest set of canal locks in the country on the Oxford Canal at Hillmorton. The team of volunteers help boaters as they travel through the popular locks. In addition,…
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