Family photographs recall bygone days

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BOATER and wildlife photographer Grant Hebblewhite, who was featured recently in Towpath Talk (Character, Issue 212, June 2023) writes:

“I found these lovely old photos of my Nan and Grandpa taken in the 50s, I expect at Stoke Bruerne. The butty is still around, apparently. 

Grant’s Nan holding Northwich’s tiller.
Grant’s Nan holding Northwich’s tiller.

“It used to carry the two different names Northolt and Northwich, one either side of the fore cabin and the other either side of the stern cabin.”

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The photographs returned timely memories of Grant’s grandparents, his grandmother having been born on July 28, 1910. She liked narrowboats and had a blue-painted footstool with the name Jupiter on it, now in Grant’s possession.

Grant’s Grandad holding Northwich’s tiller.
Grant’s Grandad holding Northwich’s tiller.

Built for the Fellows Morton & Clayton fleet in 1898, Northwich is now on dry land at the National Waterways Museum, Gloucester, awaiting restoration.

Northwich awaiting restoration at the National Waterways Museum, Gloucester. PHOTO: TONY ALDRIDGE
Northwich awaiting restoration at the National Waterways Museum, Gloucester. PHOTO: TONY ALDRIDGE

Grant, who lives on board nb Ever After, mentions the photos in his latest video in which he had a long chat with Terry Cavender of the Buckingham Canal Society about its restoration plans.

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Do you have any memories of Northwich – or Northolt? Please email us

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