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Here we go again -- lots of talk about rights, none about responsibilities.

Isn't that because horses are slower Richard

I thought this would be an interesting thing to do, reproduce old photos with modern images from the same spot. If I may start here are two shots from Bloxwich Road bridge looking towards Ken Keays yard in Carl st.. An oldie and the more modern view, not as atmospheric imo.

Phone CRT?

I am really enjoying this thread,the photos are fab & there's no bickering or snide comments.A thread like this one reminds me exactly why I joined a canal forum.More pictures please.☺ Trina

Or as I have done, fit a Sterling external regulator at considerably lower price. This does require access to one of the brushes though, so a small wiring mod is required. Fitting such will allow you to choose charge profiles to suit a range of batteries, the highest of which will give you 14.8 volts at the batteries, thanks to the battery sensing it allows. It also provides a float mode when charging is complete to prevent gassing and plate corrosion, and temperature compensation.

Yes, I agree. The unexpected and overwhelming success of these programs, (surely far longer running than ever expected), is almost exclusively down to the fact that Tim and Pru have been passionate supporters of the waterways for the majority of their lives. Use any other presenter(s), and you will likely get something as lacklustre as the John Sergeant offering.

I'd guess Stoke Bruerne's bridge lost the white paint in the early 1990's? And I would also guess Nash Mills has been flattened too.

If I remember correctly, in one of the revisions of the BSS over the last 15 years, some of the previously mandatory requirements were changed to advisory (ventilation being one of them) on private boats. These were mostly things that might affect the owner and crew of the boat, leaving as mandatory things that may impact others or the environment (explosions, pollution, etc). The reasoning being that the scheme was felt to be excessively prescriptive and "nanny state", and your safety on your boat was ultimately your responsibility. If memory serves, thats more or less how we ended up with with two different sets of BSS requirements for private and hire boats. I know I had a minor row with an examiner about it when it changed. There used to be stories (hopefully apocryphal*) of fire extinguishers being "borrowed" to pass a BSS exam, so even mandating something is no guarantee of compliance. Yes, I have CO and smoke detectors, and an LPG alarm. (* are we I still allowed to say "apocryphal"?)

Limehouse Basin 1986 & 2014: Tim

Actually, the VERY worst one was the guy I met on the way to Cropredy, who not only ran his engine but sat on the roof playing the banjo. I had to go miles to get away.

Mmm... I'm not sure that we really require death or serious injury to occur before we mandate common sense requirements such as labelling that may help to prevent smaller mistakes or accidents. I have several lockers on my boat - at the bow and the stern - each capable of containing a gas bottle. How would common sense quickly know which was which without a label? My version of common sense tells me that the quickest and easiest way for most literate people to differentiate is by reading a label.

To all who have contributed to this thread thank you so much. Keith & I met when we were both 15. Our families lived in Hathersage in the Hope Valley, Derbyshire. After leaving school Keith spent five years at Sheffield College of Art. Boat building, especially the restoration of old classic narrowboats was the perfect way for him to express his artistic ability some years later. He had a real "eye" for detail & lines and couldn't stand any imperfections. We discovered the canals in the early 1970's while working for Sheffield local authority as social workers. Keith ran an art therapy unit & I started keeping goats helped by children who were classed as emotionally disturbed. Most were wonderful kids but from disturbed or dysfunctional families. We took them on several canal holidays which they loved. And we discovered that we loved it too. Our first narrowboat purchased in 1981 was a 1912 70' Stewarts & Lloyds called "Gerald". Keith built a separate fore-cabin so that I could house two Golden Guernsey goats. We soon became known around the system as the "goat boat". People may have forgotten our names but they didn't forget the goats! We spent 8 wonderful years afloat by which time Keith had acquired other boats too. The butty Malvern was one of the first. I recall us filling that with a load of lucerne hay for the goats! Over the years many others followed. Some are still waiting patiently for restoration. But sadly the boss is now gone. He fought a long battle against multiple myeloma for over 5 years. He had two stem cell transplants (using his own cells) and the latest drugs. He was one of 40 patients in the country on a research project. He was due for a donor transplant in 2014 but his myeloma flared up just prior to being admitted to QE and it never took place. He picked up an infection in late January and his immune system just couldn't cope. His liver and kidneys let him down but he wasn't in pain and the end was peaceful. His last wish was for us or organise a wake with the first round on him. With much help from our three sons & their girls that is what we did. The Hartley Arms at Wheaton Aston was full to bursting, It was a joyous celebration of his life & a very memorable afternoon. Our close friend Iain McTavish gave a wonderful speech which had us all laughing. Keith would have been delighted I know. The water can from nb "Hampstead" (beautifully painted by Mavis Blunn) was available for any donations to the Stafford Chemo Unit. I am delighted to say to any of you that were present or contributed that I will shortly be writing a cheque for £600. A magnificent effort. Keith was well known for his stories. He really should have written a book but I'm sure they will not be forgotten. Anyway the boss is gone but his boatyard carries on. We'll be doing our best to offer services as usual at Stretton Wharf on the Shroppie but we have big boots to fill. Love to all, Christine. x

22. Winning an argument with Tony Dunkley.

1. Accidentally spilling your cassette on the way to the elsan. 2. Doing a loop-the-loop on the Tixall Wide. 3. Wearing an eye patch and pretending to be a pirate. 4. Winning a game of stare-out with a fisherman.

Thanks for pointing this auction out, we have succeeded in bidding and will be staying on Hazel for the event. Better value for us, and our money is going into maintaining a wooden boat so it's win all round. Sue

I think what would be good in these circumstances is not to sit back and be victims is to take some positive action to improve things and the towpath environment. There is not much that can be done about policing the vagaries of city life (alcoholism, vandalism etc.) but often when something looks well looked after and tidy it helps with a lot of issues. So an action group from the boating community there to help tidy up the towpath get things looking more cared for will go a long way with the wider community and the City Council. Perhaps an organised group of boaters could meet the council representatives (and/or CRT) and work out where a volunteer group could do the most good. It may also be possible with the willingness of the boating community to draw up some voluntary code of conduct that through the group and peer pressure will be observed that go someway to address the wider communities concerns. Who knows after a while you may be able to involve some of the said wider community in activities that care for the waterway environment. All of the above may not work due to a number of reasons but it may well be worth a try and would show a willingness to create something better and no need for a PSPO. just being in opposition and defensive can just polarize the involved groups so that instead of coming together over common ground the gulf between them gets larger. just some thoughts in reaction to your post. Good luck

Too quiet. Although all the locks being shut until the 11th doesn't help anyone move boats ... Joking aside, the only thing wrong with the L&L is that people are scared of Wigan flight, incorrectly so. Everyone who bothers to come up north enjoys it, despite the weather. If your boats are less than 62 ft long and 14 ft wide, come join us for the bicentenary this year. We have festivals, we have beer, we have food, and we are lovely people :-)