dave moore

Oh no it isn’t....

Several years ago I did some painting for Rex Wain. He returned the favour by making me a lovely cabin block out of an elm offcut. It ended up in a corner shelf of my workshop, until I ran out of painting in the first lockdown. I dusted it off and set to work.....

Those cans have been on eBay for some time at something of an unrealistic price, to my mind. Bunny Bunford was a fine painter, though hardly of historic interest. They seem to have had quite a hard life.....

The copper rivets used in Resolute’s chimney are still good 20 years on. Just sayin....

The seller is Sarah Edgson, the photographs taken in her office at the Glascote yard. She has been an avid collector for a long time now, I’ve painted a quantity of stuff for her over the years. I was there in October and she told me that she was thinning out the collection. The process has started, it seems.....

Ray, the 2 verses you quoted were added subsequently, I believe, I don’t know who penned them. Jon Raven did record the song but should never have been credited with writing it. If I remember rightly, Rosemary, actually Merope, was owned in the 60s by Peter Dodds, then active in the Dudley Tunnel Preservation Society and also Birmingham and Midland. She was based in Gas St for a while and I recall taking her to Norton Canes for repair at Braine’s, along with full time boatman John Gittins. On another occasion I took her from Gas St to rescue a broken down hire boat. On the way back, around Bourneville, an oil pipe sheared and the discharging oil hit the flywheel. I’ll leave you yo imagine the state of the engine ‘ ole!

The writer could well have been Alan Bowyer, “ Railway Alan” who passed away recently, though I thought that the author was Peter Dodds.

At this time of year, you’ll struggle to find someone willing to work out in the open in uncertain conditions. I wouldn’t entertain it myself, nor would the other writers I know. Good luck!

Hi John The Mannion of the Guide is Roger, Bayley’s son. My copy is in the loft, somewhere!

Steve, Bayley Mannion did indeed have Ratty, this is someone else. Your dad will know.

Not quite. Grange was cut at Harris’s yard, Netherton by owner Ken Dunham and friends. Malcolm helped Ken source the engine, a J2, which came from somewhere in Lincolnshire. I scraped old paint off for hours!

If it’s the same Orianne, it was owned in the 60s by a chap called Bailey...tall, slim, curly hair and with a penchant for bow ties. He was a member of the Staffs and Worcs Canal Society in those days, I think he towed Grange back from a rally at Redford Bank for Ken Dunham. I was the steerer!

Adam, I’ve just been speaking with Albert’s son, Martin. We work together from time to time. He’d like to speak with you about Glenfield, if you PM me I’ll give you his phone number. I alerted him earlier to this thread. Cheers, Dave

Ah....there were 2 Glenfields, I recall. The Allen built second boat was the one I was referring to, Glenfield No 2. Kevin and Vicky Blick are the current owners, he used to write for Canal Boat magazine, as did Vicky. Perhaps Adam has bought the earlier boat, I don’t know...

Currently, Glenfield is in Suffolk on hardstanding where new owner Kevin Blick is making alterations prior to a re launch. The boat is out of the water to ease travelling.

Like all of these things, the presenters are under direction of the producers and directors and every event is prepared and staged to make the programme. I used to wince at the ineptitudes of Tim and Pru....entirely under direction, I’m certain. No boaters with their experience would have been involved in so many collisions and errors. I watched much of last night’s offerings out of tepid interest, the programme is aimed at the general viewer rather than boaters, as I suppose it should be at prime time on Sunday evenings. I doubt I’ll do other than the occasional dip in, in future.

Ladybank was owned until recently by Sparky Williams and moored at Norton Canes. I understand that the boat is now in new hands.

I’ve just had a call from a friend and colleague. One of his customers is looking for a repaint, wanting an all spray finish job. While some of the yards I work with spray some coats in the process, they also employ brush work. If anyone has knowledge of sprayers only, please advise and I’ll forward the replies. The boat is at Shobnall. Over to you.....

While I’m aware of the power of social media to flag these things up, sinkings seem to be depressingly common these days. Looking back to earlier days, I don’t recall anything other than the very occasional incident. Any thoughts? Am I wearing my rose tinteds??

Hi again all I was contacted recently by the seller, telling me that he has now listed the engine on Apollo Duck. Hopefully it will go to a good home,I’m surprised that it didn’t sell on here. Dave

I’ve made deckboards out of ply, then treating them with West System resin before painting. Just a thought....

Ah, Chris has a can of mine. I think Donna is continuing the fender making...

Hollingshead??

A bit more white spirit in the scumble oil for me...it’s a bit dark.

Indeed....