archie57
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Posts posted by archie57
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Further to this - note Mr Meese is turning the lock round for son-in-laws boats!
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This is John Henry Meese steering the "Dipper", possibly the "Baildon" butty. Mrs Rose Meese also pictured, and its their son-in-laws' boats "Aldgate" and "Brighton" with Mrs Liz Green steering - husband Ron getting the lock ready.
Should add that Messrs Meese and Greens boats were often seen together!
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I realise by posting this that I am likely to get more witty responses than useful ones, and it is a long shot but some members have very good memories so who knows.
Apparently our boat won this trophy in 1988 at the IWA National Festival at Castlefields on the Bridgewater.
But I can find no references anywhere, I have tried the IWA website and googled it with no success.
I suspect it may have been some sort of novelty award maybe just for that one festival. If no-one has any ideas I may have to write direct to the IWA but thought I'd try the collective wisdom of the forum first.
- not for going round the turn at Suttons in the best style?! - in one, at least!
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Wowsers I thought Sunny Valley was a butty, or am I thinking of a totally different boat?
I believe the motor used for those scenes was the "Sarah"
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Sorry to hear Sam had passed. Wonder what will come of topside cottage now.
Not sure which part of DUBHE we are talking about here, as this shot was taken late eighties (Christmas at The Shovel) when Roger Farrington had her, but I was understanding he had built this from the stern end of DUBHE (stern end going forward). Clearly the same boat as appears in the short tug styled previously shown.
This is currently for sale - if interested get in touch and I will contact the owner
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Do you know why not?? Usually they are good locos - tough, resilient, powerful - if not highly refined. They are ideally suited to roughly laid track, sharp curves, steep gradients, heavy use, and much abuse! Maybe the W&L is treating it too gently? Anyway if they don't like it, they should send it back home - I GUARANTEE the CFF Viseu would be interested! Actually I'm serious here - do you have contacts at the W&L? CFF Viseu IS looking for another loco as long as it's not expensive.....
http://www.national-preservation.com/threads/w-llr-resitas.346467/
I never thanked you for taking the time and trouble to post the photos!
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This is Bert Wallington again, with the "Asterope" and "Dubhe" - as confirmed by the man himself
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Haven't come across it - a shame, as it's very impressive! - but I'll keep a look out for it
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I would agree it's Bert Wallington, especially as his boats "Tarpoley" and "Bodmin" are pictured in the background! - from well known set of photos frozen in at Suttons 1962/3 - "Saltaire" and "Bakewell" to left, "Banstead" and "Bellerophon" in distance
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Don't think Welshpool and Llanfair railway are too impressed with their Resita no. 19!
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Yes, beyond the "Trent" and "Achilles"
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http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?app=galleryℑ=7414
"Grace" in Tony Miles' ownership. "Ash" to left, "Tow" then "Cassiopeia" to right
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Archie that was an exceptionally generous offer! I'll certainly give it some serious thought for when I'm back in the UK - unless you want to package her up well and post her forthwith to Romania?
Unfortunately it seems the "Bearwood Boster" has found out. Being new here I have no idea who or what the Bearwood Boster is, but I assume that he/she/it is a half werewolf / half bogieman creature that covets your other half??
She's a beast not to be tangled with! (as is the other half........)
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Dave_P : Many thanks for that! When I was there in 1976 the "Packet" was no more than standard 6' 10" wide, but I understand it has been modified since then to get more trippers in or give them more space. As far as I know it was a purpose-built trip boat, never an ex-working boat. I definitely need to re-visit Brum though, after these last 21 years in Romania!
I understand that Graham Wigley is the brother of Malcolm Wigley, one-time steerer of the "Packet" who later emigrated to NZ? So that's somebody else to get round to the Prince of Wales for a few pints...... Anyone else up for that apart from Dave Moore and myself??
“It appears that the condition of morals as well as of hygiene among the canal population is very unsatisfactory. A case was brought before Runcorn magistrates some days ago, when the evidence adduced showed that the marriage law was often ignored, and that the buying and selling of wives occasionally occurred. We have frequently pointed out that, on sanitary and moral grounds, the inhabitants of the floating dens ought to be the subjects of some special legislation.” -The Lancet, 1877.
Anyone know the current price for a canal wife? I might invest in one!
You could have mine (- but don't tell The Bearwood Boster!) - she's always going spare!
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Didn't you say you had some pictures....?
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I never had anything to do with the "Pisgah" but Mr Ryle once offered me the job of running it in France which of course I never took up - I've kicked myself many times since!
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I remember the later one. Do you recall Mr Ryle, a true gentleman who lived on the converted "Cassiopeia"? If you wanted a drink with him, you had to be early doors in the "Crown" as he went home for his supper about 7 without fail - trouble was, someone else you knew would always turn up and you ended up staying for the duration ( I couldn't do it now!)
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Hi John
It's all a long time ago now! As I recall, Alan Green ran Planet Cruisers prior to his involvement with Brum Boats. I was part of a crew who hired in the early 70s, a teacher friend took some of his students for a week's boating. I still keep in regular touch with Keith Meadowcroft, the marine electrician and engineer, he trades as Volt Master these days. If you haven't seen Sherborne St for some time,,it's much changed these days and is due for further redevelopment soon.
I think Sam and Vi Minton lived on Grace in Gas St in the mid 60s, then bought a more modern steel boat.
Mike Russell is still in Gas St, he steers for the various companies based there, still has Stentor. Any idea what happened to Bunny, the receptionist? I broke contact after she told me in Helios one night that I'd married the wrong woman...28 years on, Gail and I are still together. I've touched base with Julian on a couple of occasions, once with Jonathan, looking then the image of his father, in more ways than one. Like you I see Barry from time to time, the last when he had Kubina on the slip at Hawne Basin. I was also in touch years ago with Julia, she and Tom set up at Evesham as Heritage Boatbuilders, though I believe she has moved on since.
Any other memories?
Cheers
Dave
Sam and Vi lived on the Edna Grace, an old severner I believe. their son John had the wooden motor "Victoria", ex- John Greens and Wyvern shipping
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Talking of Malcolm Wigley reminds me of a party we once attended on the "Grace" being towed by the "Banstead". We were travelling along near Edgbaston Tunnel and Malcolm was chatting up a voluptuous blonde while standing on the motor's gunnels. One thing led to another (so I am told) and instead of holding on to the handrail they were holding on to each other - the inevitable happened and the next we knew they were thrashing around in the canal behind us!
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The name yes, vaguely. The "Grace" is in the forefront of several of my photos of the Worcester Bar from that period, and I remember sitting in the back cabin of one of those boats drinking tea - or maybe something stronger.... Is there a connection between Tony Miles and said "Stringbean"?
No connection. Tony was the centre of the social scene at that time. He had a senior position at a school in Handsworth, and introduced many of his colleagues to the canal.
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A nickname? I'm sure I did, but whether I was aware of it is another matter! Probably something to do with my height - "Lanky Git" most likely.
Ha ha - yes, maybe.... Or "Beanpole"?? I've been (sorry, unintended pun) called all of them in my time - and plenty more! Is "Stringbean" from your memory or have you just made it up??
There was a "Stringbean" about at one time. Do you remember Tony Miles who lived on the "Grace"?
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There was a short lived firm Planet Fleet Cruisers who hired narrow boats from the bottom of the Aston flight in the 1970s. I recall the boats had bright orange cabin sides, parallelogram-shaped windows, and I think may have had dark blue rather than black hulls.
In 1973-76 ish Charlie and Marge Aldrick's 6 planker was moored on the offside at Gas Street Basin by the Broad Street bridge. ( I say offside, as although there is a towpath both sides, that on the basin side was blocked off at this time). I seem to remember a son too - Steve?
In the early 70's Perch was owned by a guy called Pete Currall.
Eric and Betty's son Eddie worked for BW at this time. I think they later sold Christopher James to BCNS chairman John Phillips.
Brummagem Lad and Brummagem Lass were the first two hire boats. Brummagem Lady followed a little later, but was more or less identical to the other two.
Are you getting the Perch mixed up with the Kestrel?
A nickname? I'm sure I did, but whether I was aware of it is another matter! Probably something to do with my height - "Lanky Git" most likely. There was some concern that the key stones in the bridges were at risk from frequent collisons with my forehead!
Its probably good that you remember only the female bar staff, but I won't ask you to elaborate - at least not in public! My private e-mail address is ........
Yes - Malcolm (Wigley) - he was the guy I remember steering the "Packet". I learnt some good stuff from him, mainly (not solely) about canals and the BCN. Any idea if he is still about? I owe him a debt of gratitude..... Well, a couple of pints at least!
Stringbean ring any bells?
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Did you have a nickname then? - I must confess I remember the female bar staff better......
Various people steered the packet, such as Barry Burgess and Malcolm Wigley
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By 1976 I was steering the "Brummagem Fly" aka "Corolla" for Brummagem Trip Boats, a subsidiary of Brummagem Boats, which Bob Turner set up that year. Had to struggle a bit with low water levels at times, but at least it was easy to trim the boat if you got fast in a bridgehole!
Previous owners of Rufford
in History & Heritage
Posted
Some friends of mine once had the "Rufford" as a change boat (a long time ago - they knocked off boating in 1953!) - they didn't like it at all as someone had knocked out all the baffles in the silencer and it made too much noise!