Andrew Denny

Alan, many thanks, those are the ones! I should have bookmarked. Cheers Andrew

I seem to recall one or more specialist dealers who would buy or sell old narrowboat wrecks and very cheap boats. Someone has asked me about this, and I'm embarrassed at my forgetfulness - can someone remind me? Many thanks Andrew

Ladywood Junction doesn't allow a 60ft boat to turn either. I think a 50ft can.

Trevor Pavitt says you can still buy the book (paper version) on this link: http://www.lulu.com/shop/trevor-pavitt/living-the-dream/paperback/product-1574836.html That's the wonder of self-publishing - it never goes out of print!

I just found an old email of his in my archived mail and emailed him. I was delighted to get a reply from him almost immediately. Sadly he lost his wife 18 months ago, but is himself still around, I'm glad to say.

I was looking at the 'Water's Meeting' listed in Canalplan, but they do seem to list two such places.

Did the T&M really meet the Bridgwater at the Preston Brook Tunnel? Or was it at the (appropriately named) Waters Meeting?

I remember a lovely travelogue from 2007, Living the Dream by Trevor Pavitt. He had the boat Lady Elgar, sold it c.2011 I think. I wondered what happened to him - is he still around? And where is Lady Elgar? Thanks Andrew

I've been impressed recently with the efforts of Richard of Bedazzled to meet customer demand with new products. Maybe give him a ring 01327 843811 https://bedazzledledlighting.co.uk/

I have just spoken to Montgomery Canal people who live canalside there; they say it's not serious from a restoration point of view. The half-mile from Pools Quay to Crowther Lock drained into a culvert, but there was no flooding or substantial breach. The biggest issue is an environmental one; it's a SSSI and needs to be restored for the water flow, but it shouldn't be difficult.

My point was not the use the put the building to, but the local history. Most spoons honour local history.

One thing I won't accuse Wetherspoons of is neglecting tradition. They make a huge effort to research local history. Indeed, I wonder what Rolt would have made of Tim Martin taking over that pub, when you compare it with the average bigscreen TV sports bar.

In Narrow Boat Tom Rolt mentioned a huge pub by the canal on the Grand Union Leicester Line, south of Leicester and in the Blaby/Glen Parva/Wigston area. He hated it, the sort of place that people came to by motor car, and he made it sound like a proto-Wetherspoons. This would have been in the summer of 1939. Does anyone know where this pub was, and if the building still exists? Thanks Andrew

I've been approached by a gentleman saying that his mother was born on an FMC boat, nb Spade in 1933, at Broad Street, Wolverhampton, and her family worked the Shropshire Union. His mum is still alive, and for her 86th birthday this year he was hoping he could get a chance to take her to see Spade again. The boat isn't listed on the HNBC website, but they say she still exists and has been extensively modernised as a full liveaboard, and they last heard of her in 2015 at Sharpness. HNBC says it was originally a Midlands & Coast boat, sold to FMC in 1938. Anyone know how to get in contact with the current owner? He/she obviously is keen on the history of the boat, because the 2015 picture of it now shows a Midlands & Coast livery. Thanks

By Dukes Lock, do you mean above Lock 92? I'm a bit nervous of leaving it unattended on the towpath, is that a popular mooring?