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Hello and welcome to the July edition of the newsletter. The summer solstice has been and gone; my goodness, winter is almost drawing in!! Quick, time to get out there and do some boating before the autumn leaves start falling and clogging up the propeller...
Cheers
David |
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News from the canal world.
*** Press releases or other news snippets can be sent to me at newsletter@cruisingthecut.co.uk ***
Cam-paign to save waterway
The Cam Conservancy (the Navigation Authority in charge of 6 miles of the River Cam in Cambridgeshire) has warned that it may “become unviable and inoperative” due to the costs of maintaining the waterway.
The organisation receives the majority of its income from boating licences and has no public funding. But, the Conservators say, most of its ancient infrastructure requires expensive maintenance, with replacement beyond its capacity.
In 2024, surveys of Baits Bite and Jesus Lock Islands concluded that they required urgent temporary work to prevent collapse but that ultimately a full structural rebuild would be required.
If the lock islands fail, water levels of the river would lower significantly, making navigational access impossible. This would impact the City, local businesses, residents, ecology and more.
The Conservators have commissioned temporary stabilisation work at Baits Bite. This is costing £800,000, for which all Conservancy capital has had to be liquidated so they don't have the funds for anything further.
See their statement at https://www.camconservancy.org/public-announcement
Lock of the draw
The Canal & River Trust has launched a crowdfunding campaign to fix Tardebigge top lock after its walls began to bow in, threatening collapse.
It's part of the challenging 30-lock flight which takes the Birmingham and Worcester canal 220 feet up/down hill over just 2.25 miles.
Top lock is particularly deep because it was the site of an experimental vertical boat lift in the 18th century, before being replaced by a conventional lock.
Built in 1815, the lock was shut for emergency repairs in March, which are likely to take several months.
The CRT is hoping to raise £10,000 to help with the work to fix the brickwork.
You can find the fundraiser at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lock
Safe as houses
British Marine has launched two safety training courses for people working in inland marinas.
The "Inland Water Safety Management" and "Marina Water Safety Management" courses should give attendees both knowledge and practical skills for safe operations within three metres of water such as a riverbank, dockside or aboard a vessel. The courses are accredited by the Institute of Search and Technical Rescue.
BM says the one-day courses are aimed at a wide range of roles including workboat, passenger and trip boat crews, marina and boatyard staff, customer-facing personnel, rangers, and wardens.
The fee is £230 + VAT for British Marine members; £345 + VAT for non-members.
More info at https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/training/our-courses/inland-water-safety-management-course |
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My recent videos
There's been a distinctly Gallic flavour to my most recent videos, since all three of June's offerings document a trip that I and two friends took to the south of France in May, travelling along the Canal du Midi from Port Cassafieres (near Beziers) to Trebes (near Carcassonne).
This was a press trip organised by Le Boat which I was happy to enjoy (but for the record, they didn't pay me to produce the videos and had absolutely no editorial control of what I filmed or said).
Click the links below to watch.
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Book your perfect canal boat holiday! |
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What am I up to?
Whilst the public face of "Cruising the Cut" for the last month has been broadcasting the France videos, in the background I have been continuing to spend weekends moving narrowboat Gentian further along the canal system, documenting it as I go.
Each jaunt bar one has so far resulted in two videos so by the time it reaches its destination, there should be 13!!
Combined with occasional other canal topics - and yes, the continued restoration of Twiggy, which I admit is going to be a much slower process than ever predicted - this should ensure enough video content to last until Christmas even without filming anything else!
For those wondering why I don't just "stop being lazy" (as one YouTube commenter put it) and get Twiggy finished, let me briefly explain that a considerable amount of my time is currently otherwise occupied with a family matter, which will be ongoing for an uncertain duration.
Whilst that is the case, I have only Wednesdays and weekends fully available to me, and those have largely been used to move Gentian recently.
By mid-July, the narrowboat moves will be complete and I shall be able to use some of the weekends to visit Twiggy, though that same time also has to be used for all my editing and and any other work such as composing this newsletter etc.
So forgive me if I appear "lazy"; I genuinely don't have the time at present though I do fully intend to finish the restoration in the fullness of time. |
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Events for your diary
Friday 11 & Saturday 12 July,
Electrika 2025, Brinklow Marina, Cathiron Lane, Brinklow, CV23 0JH
The second year this event has run, it's a "gathering of electric-narrowboat owners, industry experts and manufacturers" with 14 new exhibitors, a full fleet of 10 showboats and entertainment on both nights.
See https://electrika.uk/
Sunday 13th July
Hayes Canal Festival, Highpoint Village, Station Road, Hayes, UB3 4FN
A family friendly festival including art and crafts, stalls, water activities. boat trips and live entertainment.
Friday 18 - Sunday 20 July,
Gnosall Canal Festival, Shropshire Union Canal between bridge 35a (Railway) and Cowley Tunnel.
A fun-filled weekend with 20 trade boats, 12 historic narrowboats, craft stalls, live music, free entertainment, kids’ activities, and food and drink.
See http://www.gnosallcanalfestival.co.uk/
Saturday 26 July
Linslade Canal Festival, Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Linslade
A one-day event celebrating canal life, conservation, the countryside, and the charm of traditional rural crafts.
See https://www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/council_events/linslade-canal-festival/
Sunday 27 July
Audlem Festival of Transport, Audlem
Historic boats above lock 13 and a transport procession from Hankelow Green to Audlem. |
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Into the dusty archive...
I recently had the great pleasure and compliment of being contacted by the British Film Institute, who were compiling a collection of material from YouTube that they considered to be of interest and significance.
They asked whether I would agree to let them have copies of three of my videos for their archive and, having ascertained this was for non-commercial (eduational) use, I readily agreed.
While some folk may be surprised to read this, one of the videos was a real-time recording from my bow camera of a journey along the Macclesfield Canal. Not every viewer of my channel enjoys these as they are unedited and feature no commentary, just natural sound.
But if you are one of the select viewers who enjoy the "ASMR" and relaxing nature of letting the canal scenery unfold in front of you, then here's the link to that video on my website.
https://cruisingthecut.co.uk/2020/01/23/vlog-207-slow-tv-on-the-macc/
And here's the BFI listing, for interest
https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/158847294 |
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My YouTube top pick of the month
He's a man who only decided to become a YouTuber in January this year and he's already amassed 139,000 subscribers!
Some are calling him "the new Tom Scott" and with video titles such as "Why do UK towns have twins" and "The ghost bus of West London", it's easy to see why.
But regardless of comparisons, the one thing I think you'll agree is that his videos are offbeat and interesting, so definitely worth a watch.
His theme is "Answering life's small questions" and you can view him at https://www.youtube.com/@ChrisSpargo |
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Final Thoughts
I've no idea how long the UK heatwave will continue (have I just doomed it by asking?) but whilst narrowboats turn into scorching ovens on sunny days, there's still nothing quite like the pleasure of bobbing around on the water when it's sunny, even if you don't go anywhere.
Indeed just yesterday I popped over to Gentian and spent a couple of hours just on the mooring at a marina, reading a book, having a cool drink and enjoying being at peace.
Given the chaos around the world today, I hope that wherever you are, you have the chance to block it all out and escape to a place of calm, whatever that might be.
Best wishes and cheerio!
David |
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