dave moore

I wrote an Isis for an owner many years ago. After all the flak he got in recent years, it’s now “ Jemima Puddleduck”...

The historic pair Atlas and Malus, based at Hawne Bain, Halesowen, are used by groups of youngsters undertaking Duke of Edinburgh activities and have qualified leaders aboard. Coombeswood Canal Trust may have more information. Just a thought......

Arthur, you are by no means alone. I was hooked as a lad in the early 60s, when a very different ethos prevailed among the boaters then. All of the old timers I speak with, many of whom are respected names in the boating world, hold similar views. Everything changes with time, I know, but for me many of them are retrograde steps on the cut. Inspired by “ Narrow Boat” and intrigued by the traditions and Craftsmanship that Rolt extolled, I felt a sense of belonging that has endured for much of my adult life. This has diminished somewhat in recent years, fuelled both by boating experiences and some content expressed on forums such as this one. I’m still around, still working, though only, in the main for those with an appreciations of the traditions that drew me in more than half a century ago. It was this and health issues that led to the sale of our beloved boat last year. Fortunately, I’m able to keep my hand in, thanks to friends who still boat. I could go on....... Dave

I knew both Alan and Sheila well. He ran the last wet cooperage factory in Cradley Heath in the Black Country. He was a redoubtable canal enthusiast, along with wife Sheila, he went on to be an advisor on Inland Waterways to a government Quango, among many other committees with waterway and other conservational issues. I worked alongside him for many years with the now defunct Waterways Craft Guild where he steered a fledgling charity to financial stability. My abiding memory is of Alan speaking about retirement. “ Dave” he told me “ It’s like an empty garage in a house....it very soon gets filled up with all sorts of things “ We lost him a few years ago. Sheila is still with us, happily active as far as I know. They did a great deal to promote the restoration and conservation of the cuts. We owe them....

I have a couple of small polishing mops, fabric wheels, that screw on to conical spindles and can be fitted to a hand held electric drill. With them are “ soap”, or buffing compound, that are added to the rotating mops before use and topped up periodically. Along with these, I also had a large sheet of card with a hole cut in the centre to match the porthole’s external diameter. This protects the paintwork around the port should the mop slip in use, a common occurrence. In use, the stiffer mop and soap removes deep tarnish within seconds, followed by the softer mop and soap. With the brass restored, Brasso or Peek will add a final lustre. Using this method, I’ve just restored a porthole, unpolished for years, in about 15 mins. I’m sorry, but I can’t remember where I sourced the mops and soap from, probably an engineers merchants.

Laurence is no longer with us, I’m afraid.

Hear, hear!

I’ve had a closer look at the rivets on the Joseph Ash can. I’m fairly certain that they are original rather than repairs. The heads, inside the can, are galvanised over from its original dipping. The wire wheel I used to strip some of the paint off may well have removed that on the domed exteriors. Dave

Hi Pete I think that this was the work of the Flemings, not Fill, though I can’t ascribe which hand it may have been. They were certainly active around that time, possibly based in the Great Haywood area...it’s all long ago now.... Here’s a recently completed can by yours truly, one of the batch of Lesters I acquired recently. Had I known you were looking for an Ash can, I’d have been in touch. Sarah Edgson liked it too. Sorry.

The “ Mouses Ears”, nothing to do with the Disney version, had its origin in cart painting that preceded canal boats. Tony Lewery explored the connection in his early book, Narrowboat Painting. In my opinion, a decent set has the apex, or crown, touching the top of the doors in the centre and generous, sweeping curves, no straight lines, around the shoulders, ending at the point where the rear bulkhead meets the gunwale. Ventilation grilles can pose interesting issues for continuing the line..... Before the question is asked, the scalloping on the front bulkhead of working boats, usually in black on red oxide, is known to some painters as “ Elephants Toenails” on account of their similarity. Anorak off here......cheers! Dave

Thanks, Alan. A highly respected forum member thinks it may well be by Joseph Ash of Birmingham. I’ve painted their stuff previously but have never encountered the copper rivets. The whole thing is a testimony to old time craftsmanship. Dave

I posted a while back about decent cans. All but one 3 gallon are now spoken for. Among the Lesters output was an old, solid can with a bucket handle, doubtless a survivor from carrying days. It carries a couple of dents, nothing that can’t be eased out with care. I’ve just removed the drab olive paint someone had applied and was delighted to uncover copper rivets holding the handles to the body, something I’ve not come across before. Would anyone care to put a name to the manufacturer? It’s a new one on me! Thoughts welcome....... Dave

Quality is usually expensive. They are very well made.

I cut through the steel wall with a cutting disc on an angle grinder then used a jigsaw to cut off the steel bead. With that gone, it’s easy to cut the tyre to fit the fender. When pulling the rope strings to tighten up the tyre, it’s a good idea to lead them through the fender covering as well, in a couple of places. This helps to stop the tyre from slipping around when in use.

Athy, a similar thing happened in Kidderminster a few years ago. A pub properly called the Grand Turk, closed, was rebranded the Rank Turd by someone with a wicked sense of humour. If only I’d kept the photo......