Feb 12
21
Jubilee Pageant on the Thames
The Diamond Jubliee pageant on The Thames
If you want to celebrate the Diamond Jubliee with a difference why not visit the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. The 1000-boat tribute to Her Majesty The Queen’s 60-year reign is going to be one of the largest public events ever held in London. It takes place on Sunday 3rd June on the river from Putney to Tower Bridge.
The sequence of the flotillia starts with a herald by The Royal Jubilee Bells, and led by Gloriana, the hand-built, 88-foot rowbarge, the first section will include rowed and paddled vessels, including Watermen’s cutters, modern row boats, kayaks and Dragon boats. The second section includes boats carrying the flags of the Commonwealth nations, Realms, Territories and Dependencies. Then comes the Royal section, with support vessels from the former Royal Yacht Britannia, accompanying the Pageant’s flagship, the Royal Barge, on which The Queen will travel. She will be followed immediately by the Guard of Honour. In the fourth section will be the Dunkirk Little Ships, followed by historic vessels in the fifth. Following the historic boats will be the working boats, including steam boats and tugs. The next – the seventh – will see an array of leisure vessels, followed by the eighth section of narrow boats and Dutch barges. The final two sections are designated for passenger vessels, allowing for significant public participation as part of the flotilla itself.
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, with other members of the Royal family, will be on board the Royal Barge, The Spirit of Chartwell, decorated and adorned for the occasion at the head of the royal section of the flotilla. The Prince of Wales will play a key role on the day as Patron of the Pageant.
We have introduced some new boats to the fleet for 2012 and moved some of the Alvechurch and Viking fleet around. If you’d like a new boat for 2012 or a boat that has changed bases have a look at the below:
Eagle class – this boat sleeps up to 7 people and has a combination of single and double beds.
Thrush class – this is a 4 to 6 berth boat with a semi-traditional stern.
Dove class – this is a new boat for 2012 and sleeps up to 4 people – ideal for two couples as a luxury boat.
Grebe class – a new 2012 2 to 4 berth boat with a fixed double or two singles with a double dinette.
Gull class – also new for 2012 is a Gull class boat which sleeps up to 6 with four different layouts.
Derwent class – a 60ft cruiser stern boat that sleeps 4 to 6 people with 4 layout options.
Thrush class – NEW – a 4 to 6 berth boat with four possible layouts.
Woodpecker class – a 4 to 8 berth luxury boat with separate cabins and bathrooms.
Soar class – another new class boat that can sleep up to 4 people.
Dove class – NEW FOR 2012 – 4 to 6 berth boat.
Weaver class – 2 to 4 berth boat – ideal for a couple wanting to get away.
Call the booking office for further details or go to www.ukboathire.com to book securely online.
Feb 12
10
Easter courses at Hilperton Marina
Hilperton Marina are holding a programme of courses over the Easter weekend. If you have a narrowboat, are thinking of getting one or just want to learn a new skill then have a look at the courses below:
Good Friday – Traditional lining course. This course is £75 per person.
Easter Saturday and Sunday – Boat painting course. Phil Speight who is a master boat painter and decorator will take you through the full process of repainting a boat over a two day period. This will include everything from preparation of bare steel through to the final coat of paint (or varnish). It will also include methods for portholes, decks and hand rails. The price for this course is £100 per person.
Easter Monday – Phil Speight’s Roses Masterclass. A must for anyone who has ever wanted to learn the art of painting traditional canal roses. This will be a full days hands on course where you will receive tutition in a small informal class. The cost of the course includes a Craftmaster Roses Starter Kit (retail price £40) which has all five main colours of paint and the brushes needed to get started as well as written and visual instructions. The price of this course is £100 per person.
If you are interested in the course please contact Hilperton Marina directly.
Many people enjoy narrowboating each year, some are lucky enough to do it more than once a year, but often many never get to purchase their own boat. An affordable way to cruise the canals in a boat that belongs to you is to purchase a Boat Share.
This is a way to own part (normally 8% or 4 weeks use per year) of a boat to enable you to enjoy our beautiful canals, but still share the initial purchase price and annual running costs. The boat is managed for you so that you spend your time cruising rather than on administration and maintenance.
A lovely day to launch new boat EOS.
We currently have just two shares remaining in our latest shared ownership narrowboat ‘Eos’, which is a 54ft semi-traditional canal boat built at Alvechurch Marina.
If you are thinking of buying a share or you would like to know more why not come along to the open day on Saturday 28th January from 11 till 2. You’ll have the opportunity to view the boat and chat to staff about how the scheme operates.
A share in the boat is a one off payment of £8,250 and for that you will have 4 weeks holiday per year on the boat. In addition there is a monthly direct debit payment of around £80 which covers, moorings, insurance, licence and maintenance. You can view a virtual tour of the boat here. For more details and for a 360 tour of the boat go to the Boat Share website.
If you are looking for a larger boat then you may be interested in ‘Hera’ which is launching in June and will be operating from Worcester Marina.
The 2012 Olympic torch will start it’s 70-day relay at Land’s End on 19 May and travel 8,000 miles before arriving at the Olympic Stadium on 27 July for the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony. London 2012 organisers say the torch will come within an hour’s travelling time of 95% of the UK population and thousands of people are expected to celebrate along the route, with shows and concerts planned on 66 of the 70 days.
On day 12 of its journey on 30th May the torch will travel by hand-drawn boat across Thomas Telford’s 1,000 ft (305m) cast-iron Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, which was started in 1795 and took a decade to build. It became a World Heritage Site in 2009. So if you are narrowboating at that time look out for it and take some pictures for us!
Narrowboating over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The London 2012 Olympic torch will be a three-sided golden cone with the flame burning through its perforated shell. The prototype, created by east London designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, has been unveiled at St Pancras station. Made from an aluminium alloy, it is light enough to be carried by young people who are expected to make up half of the 8,000 torchbearers.
The origins of the Olympic torch relay look back to ancient Greece, when messengers were sent out from Olympia to announce the competition dates and call for a halt to all wars during the Games. The relay was invented for modern times at the 1936 Berlin Games, and since then has grown into a popular curtain-raiser to the sporting events. The design of the torch has changed with each Games, sometimes reflecting classical torches, at other times taking on a contemporary look.
To see more about the torches journey go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-15575078.
Jan 12
20
Volunteer Lock Keepers Required!
If you fancy something more than just your boating holiday why not consider becoming a volunteer lock keeper. The Canal & River Trust, the charity that takes over British Waterways’ responsibility for 2,000 miles of waterways in England & Wales later this year, has launched a campaign to find keen individuals to help support the canals.
Between March 2010 and April 2011 over 50 people took part in British Waterways’ volunteer lock keeper trials on the Grand Union Canal, Kennet & Avon Canal and River Trent. The scheme was so successful that it has now been expanded to over 50 locations. New sites will include Bingley Five Rise on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, the deepest lock in the country at Tuel Lane Lock on the Rochdale Canal and the Hertford Union Canal within site of the London 2012 Olympic site.
Brian Blessed at Aldermaston Wharf.
Volunteers can start quickly and no prior experience is necessary as a full induction, training and a uniform will be provided.
See a list of locations with volunteer lock keeper opportunities.
For more information about the role email volunteer@britishwaterways.co.uk or go to Waterscape.com.
(Photo courtesy of British Waterways/PA)
Jan 12
13
See Our Boat On Cruise International
Cruise International, which is an independent guide to cruise travel dedicated to helping both the cruise holiday enthusiast and first-timers alike to enjoy the best that cruising has to offer, posted a great article on their website in December (http://cruise-international.com/the-fastest-way-to-slow-down/). The artical titled ‘Narrow Boats: The Fastest Way to Slow Down’ shows the beauty of our national heritage and taking a narrowboat holiday. It featured our Anderton Marina and the marvel of the Anderton Boat Lift.
We love hearing about people’s holidays, so if you travelled from Anderton Marina in the past and have some photos why not send them to us. We might post them on the blog, or even on our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/UK-Boat-Hire), and you can share your adventures with other narrowboaters.
Narrowboat cruising at a slow pace.
Anderton Boat Lift - english engineering at its best.
Jan 12
8
UK Boat Hire Wins An Award
UK Boat Hire have won a Certificate of Excellence Gold Award for outstanding Customer Service in 2011 from one of our UK agents Hoseasons. This is a great award to win as we work very hard on our service to customers – from initial booking, through the booking process, to the collection of the boat and then on its return.
Our bases have received various customer service training over the years, their technical training is kept up to date and our Booking Office team will always try to help with route planning. But we cannot continue our high quality service without your valued feedback. So if you come on holiday with us in 2012 please do fill in the customer satisfaction questionnaire that will be sent to you electronically. Your comments are vital to us!
Remember to book your 2012 holiday now……Bank Holidays and the Jubilee week are getting booked quickly, so book now to ensure you get the boat and route you want.
UK Boat Hire win a Customer Service Gold Award
Dec 11
12
Christmas on the canals!
Christmas is fast approaching and there are plenty of things for the family to do on the canals and rivers.
How about a Santa Cruise? The children can meet santa and enjoy a special boat trip. Some places where these magical events take place are:
- The Falkirk Wheel in the Scottish Lowlands on the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal – dates include 10-11 December, 17-18 December and 23-24 December.
- The Anderton Boat Lift on the Trent & Mersey Canal and River Weaver, Cheshire – dates include 3-4 December, 10-11 December, 17-18 December and 21-24 December.
- The National Waterways Museum, Cheshire on the Shropshire Union Canal. Not only meet Santa, but also experience the Victorian Teddy Bears Christmas. Dates include 17-18 December and 21-24 December.
- Muddy Waters Santa Cruises on the Oxford Canal – travel on the child-friendly narrowboat Muddy Waters from the village of Thrupp – dates include 3-4 December, 10-11 December and 17-18 December.
- Santa’s Grotto in the Dudley Caverns in the West Midlands – take a magical illuminated journey into the Dudley Tunnel to see Santa’s grotto in the limestone caverns. Dates include 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th December 2011, from 10am until 5pm every 30 minutes.
- Santa’s Grotto Boat Cruise at Gloucester Waterways Museum, Gloucestershire – meet Santa and get entry into the Museum. Dates include December 10th and 11th and December 17th to 24th.
- Santa’s Special Saturday at London Canal Museum – enjoy a boat trip with Father Christmas on the Regent’s Canal from the London Canal Museum including presents for the children, mince pies, refreshments and a paper-based activity for children in the museum. Date – 10th December.
Hope you have a great time if you go – we’d love to see your photos so why not send them through to tracey@abclg.com. 
Introducing the Canal and River Trust
As some of you will probably know, over the past two years British Waterways has been moving steadily towards transferring its canals and rivers to the ownership of a new waterways charity, the Canal & River Trust.
In April 2012, British Waterways’ canals and rivers in England and Wales will finally be transferred to the care of the new waterways charity and be known as the Canal & River Trust.
The government is placing these waterways in trust for the nation. The move has been championed by British Waterways and will attract new investment, secure jobs and give the public a greater say in the running of their local canal or river.
We will keep you updated on any relevant progress when the transfer takes place, but if you would like to see the new appointments and progress to date go to Waterscape.com.