[Carriage of Grain by water]

Rose Whitlock wouldn't go to Whitworths as she was "afeared " of the Nene and thought the water over the top gates would sink the butty. Don't think anybody liked the "gulintine" gates.

There was a trial traffic from Liverpool to Northampton for a grain merchant which the Colliers carried can't recal the date but in the80 s

But it came to nothing.

Remember well Tam and Di and Alan carrying to the Wey.

David

[David Blagrove RIP]

What sad news, We served on the IWA Northampton branch committee together for many years and he was a great part of the success of the big rally in 1971 at Northampton. Before that we had spent many hours in his company at various pubs up and down the cut. When he and Tony went into the coal business I took the Tadworth to stoke Bruerne for them to unload through the week or maybe two. Think Tony did lot of the graft as David was teaching.

Will always remember the singing and as the Irish say the crack.

Big man in all respects sorely missed.

David

[Floods]

What a disaster hope all are safe. I wonder if it is time to give up on the EA and go back to more local river and drainage boards who managed for years to look after their patches. At the very least the management structure would be local and would be answerable to the locals not based in London as part of an even bigger organisation.

After major flooding of Northampton in the 30's the Nene river board carried out the works which we know today and kept the town safe for over 50 years. Now the flood plain is a massive concrete apron of monster warehouses and even now new housing estates are being built on places where when I was a youngster we used to skate on the frozen fields. Northampton is not alone in having building in flood plains.

Let us hope some really serious work comes out of this tragedy and not just some hot air from the Westminster short term mob.

[Ron Hough]

We lived in Braunston for many years and when we brought Tadworth in 1972 Ron didn't like the transfers on the doors to say the least.

He painted the cans and dippers for us over many years and these are at home and on our barge in France where we have to explain to visitors what they are. Whenever we met in the summer the talk was of the county cricket (Northamptonshire) and in the winter it was usually about the state of the local pubs! Needless to say he didn't particularly like the changes to most of them.

At the "wake" in the Boatman many tales where told and and Ron was very fondly remembered .

[Ron Hough]

Not sure where to post this. Ron Hough's funeral was yesterday at Braunston. It was very well attended by his friends and some of the many people who have had painting done by him over the years. A true gentalman who will be sadly missed.

David

[Narrow Boats Phoenix and Pictor At Stoke Bruerne]

I seem to remember an incident after closing time at the boat about this time, good or bad old days depending on your point of view.Nice to see Collette if only a back view.

Tony don't change now

[Being careful.]

The H series of Listers suffered from diesel getting into the sump so it became habit to check oil after shutting down and before starting, the one time it happened the oil pressure suddenly dropped (gauge on roof) and exhaust smelt diesel so quick stop.Still check oil every morning and turn greasers just automatic really.

never had weed hatch so no danger of not fixing it back down properly this should be no8

David

[Making The Turn At Hawkesbury - Got to love this picture!]

Made this turn many times loaded from Atherstone or the off the Ashby in the 70's and 80's. always heart in mouth southbound especially when Joe and Rose Skinner where watching from the hatches or even from the bridge if they heard the motor thrashing about in time. Rose Whitlock told me that there was a pin under the bridge which they sprung a rope off, bit of a cheat really but they looked after the boats.

Dave warren ex Ashby Canal Carriers.