Matt Baker, one of the presenters of the Countryfile show, recently headed to Wales to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Monmouth and Brecon canal. He travelled on the canal to deliver a local brew to venues along the way, but before he could stop he had to get the beer up a hill.
The clips show the beauty of the canal in all its glory, so why not go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01g9ftr to have a look.
We are currently putting together route notes for a week and short break on the Llangollen Canal, and so thought it would be interesting to give you a bit more background on the canal.
The Llangollen Canal has some beautiful scenery and breathtaking engineering, and is one of the most popular canals in Britain. You will find it varied with isolated sheep pastures to ancient peat mosses, tree lined lakes to the foothills of Snowdonia. It is 46 miles long and has market towns along the way including Whitchurch and Ellesmere. Medieval Whitchurch has some lovely half timbered buildings and the interesting market town of Ellesmere has its own “Lake District”.
The canal also has two of Britain’s greatest waterway landmarks – the Chirk Aqueduct and The World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Both aqueducts were built by engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop and were among the first to use cast iron troughs to contain the canal. At Chirk Aqueduct the trough is supported by conventional masonry arches and at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct the trough is exposed and sits on top of 120 foot high slender masonry towers.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct has been called a ‘pioneering masterpiece of engineering’. It was used by the early engineers to cross the difficult landscape over the River Dee between Chirk and Llangollen. In 2009 the 18 kilometre length was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO. When you cross this aqueduct by boat there is an exhilarating sheer drop on the non-towpath side. There are some amazing views, so if you can’t stay on deck at least try to look through the windows – you won’t want to miss out on the scenery!
The Llangollen Canal leaves the Shropshire Union Canal at Hurlestone Junction just north of Nantwich in Cheshire. The first of our marinas you will come to from this direction on the canal is Wrenbury Mill which has 9 locks from Hurleston Junction. From Wrenbury you will travel down the canal, past Norbury and through Grindley Brook Staircase Locks. Shortly after this you will pass Whitchurch Arm and our next marina is after this, Whitchurch Marina. From Wrenbury to Whitchurch you will have travelled through 10 locks.
The canal then climbs through deserted Shropshire farmlands, goes past Ellesmere and Frankton Junction to cross the border into Wales. This is done across the middle of the Chirk Aqueduct. From Whitchurch to Chirk you will have travelled across the Chirk Aqueduct, gone past Chirk Pool and cruised through Chirk Tunnel, but only completed 2 locks.
There are no locks between Chirk Tunnel and Llangollen, but you will travel over the magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct before you get to Llangollen. This stretch of the canal is very beautiful, running on the side of tree covered mountains and has magnificent views down into the Vale of Llangollen.
Well we hope this has given you a feel for the beauty and interest of this canal. However, we would love to get your pictures and daily notes/itineraries from your trips, so please send them to us at tracey@abclg.com. We will be choosing the best sent to us by the end of April to go on the website and Facebook, and there will be a prize in it for you, so go on, get writing and clicking and send them in!
If you are going on the Four Counties Ring or Droitwich/ Mid Worcestershire Ring this year you might want to get in touch with us and ask for further route information we have prepared for our website.
We will be adding this shortly and then more route information as the season progresses on various different routes. The details can be used in conjunction with either the Lockmaster maps or Pearsons and Nicholsons guides.
The Four Counties Ring can be cruised from our Gailey Wharf, Wrenbury Marina, Anderton Marina, Whitchurch Marina and Blackwater Meadow Marina. Depending on where you start from you will be cruising for 7 to 14 nights and the route is about 110 miles in total. It has 93 locks plus a tunnel just under 2 miles long and a few short ones (this will vary depending on what base you start from). The canals you will cruise on are the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal, Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union and the Shropshire Union Canal or Shroppie as it is sometimes known.
The Droitwich/ Mid Worcestershire Ring starts and finishes at Worcester Marina and is a 3 night route. It has 33 locks and takes approximately 20 hours to complete. The route is relaxing and travels on both a canal and river. This new ring can be cruised again for the first time in 90 years. It combines four contrasting waterways : The Droitwich canals, the southern part of the Worcester Birmingham Canal and the River Severn north of Worcester.
Cruising on the canals
Let us know if you would like to see other routes – we love your ideas!
Contact tracey@ukboathire.com for copies of the routes.
Feb 12
27
Events Around The Waterways
If you want to do something different around the canals why not check out some of the events below:
Flight of Babuscha Baboon at The Puppet Barge.
Flight of Babuscha Baboon at the Puppet Barge – this is family entertainment at the Puppet Barge, moored on the canal at Little Venice. The show tells the story of a baboon who wants to fly to the moon in a hot air balloon and has to save an elephant from ivory hunters.
Performances are on Saturday 11am and 3pm, and Sunday at 3pm including March 3rd, 4th, 10th , 11th, 17th and 18th.
For tickets, visit www.puppetbarge.com or call 020 7249 6876.
Sharpness Docks – Past & Present by Dr Ray Wilson on Tuesday 28th February – Gloucestershire’s only remaining working port with a fascinating history as told by local historian Dr Ray Wilson. The talk starts with the origins and construction of the docks, looks at the vessels and their cargoes and the buildings of the docks and the social history of the area. It commences at 7.30pm, is free and includes light refreshments at the end of the evening. The winter talks are held in Coots Conference Suite, Llanthony Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester – adjacent to the Museum. Telephone 01452 318200 for details.
Global Energy Inverness Half Marathon – this is a charity event the takes place on 11th March at 1pm. If you are feeling energetic there is a half marathon, or there is a 5K team attack and 5K fun run. If want more details so you can join in go to http://www.invernesshalfmarathon.co.uk.
London Canal Museum – Every year since the first event in 2000 the museum has held workshops for schoolchildren which have taught exciting science in an enthralling way. Usually, each all-day session has places for 60 children. They are divided into three groups of 20 and take part in three activities in turn. Past activities included:
- Tunneling workshops – digging tunnels in sand and working out why some designs work better than others!
- Boat trip on the Regent’s Canal. including wildlife survey and study
- An investigation into the physics of water transport. This shows how forces can be applied to heavy loads in different ways and explains why a single horse can pull a heavy barge.
- An investigation into the physics of water transport. This showed how forces can be applied to heavy loads in different ways and explained why a single horse could pull a heavy barge.
- Testing the water – children tested samples of canal water taken in different places for pH, nitrate and oxygen
- Face to face with the wildlife. An animal presenter brought in a range of small animals such as newts, worms, etc. for children to examine and learn about their habitat.
London Canal Museum National Science Week
The events take place on Tuesday 13th March, Wednesday 14th, Thursday 15th and Friday 16th from 10.00 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. (approximately). The cost per child is £4 which includes museum entry, boat trip through Islington Tunnel and participation in two workshops.
To book contact John Donovan, Education Officer at London Canal Museum, by e-mail to education@canalmuseum.org.uk.
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)