Max Sinclair

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14418303.UPDATE__Man_in_his_70s_rescued_from_stranded_narrow_boat_on_Worcester_s_River_Severn/ "The boat ended up going downstream and was finally retrieved by the M50. Didn't anyone see go through Upton?

Who left that there? You would have thought you would miss a boat you were towing or did they jump off?

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14124544.Your_pictures_of_the_river_Severn_floods_in_Worcester/ Fifth photo shows the headroom under the bridge and the rubbish, soon be a beaver dam across the river hard to get a tug under there.

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14122005.Firefighters_currently_rescuing_unmanned_narrowboat_drifting_down_river/ AN UNMANNED narrowboat attached to a wooden pontoon is currently drifting along the river Severn. Hereford and Worcester Fire Rescue Service's have launched rescue boats from Pitchcroft to try and catch it before it hits Worcester Bridge. People have gathered along Hylton Road and on Sabrina Bridge to watch the rescue mission this afternoon. Canal and River Trust have tweeted to warn people of the adrift narrowboat. They said: "Please be aware a narrow boat is adrift on River Severn between Worcester Bridge and Worcester Race Course please take care." Fire crews have now managed to bring the boat to safety.

The lock gates at Diglis on the Worcester Birmingham canal have been replaced this morning by CRT http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/13935237.New_lock_gates_lowered_into_place_in_Diglis/ only 23 years old how long do gates last?

I have lived in a bungalow called The Butty for over fifty years its 72 feet long, always caused great amusement when giving the address replies of Ken Dodd, chip, and Jam Butties.

The memorable sight of William was at the Staffs and Worcs. first rally arriving lying at 45degrees with the roof packed with uncontrollable youngsters having the time of their lives.

http://www.blisworth.org.uk/images/tunnel-1982.htm interesting pictures and documents here

Throw a few handfuls of washing machine salt along the bottoms and they will not dry out.

Diglis Dock Caught in the act sanding Vesta's ash deck with my new Wolf electric drill £ 3.50.in 1961.

Was Linda slightly hogged?

I was awarded these prizes at Stratford 1964 for best Amateur Conversion. for Vesta S&L tug that has now been converted back. Be nice to see her at Stratford. this T towel still hangs in my kitchen 50 years on. and these tiles are still in my shower (it has been retiled since they were first put up)

Thanks to Carlt just worked out how to show pictures thanks

It was John Crossley and his wife on Linda with IWA dignitaries led by Aikman and the Stratford Mayor.

The Droitwich Barge Canal can be up to 30% Saline. When the BBC was filming Blue Peter with John Noakes and Shep at Mildenham Mill Lock a camera man put his aluminium carrying case on the cill for a couple of hours and was shocked at the corrosion etching. http://s1196.photobucket.com/user/outriggerian/slideshow/john%20noakes Near the Salwarpe weir in Vines Park a pipe continually runs strong brine and the locals have used it for years as weedkiller. The Oldbury phosphorous used to strip hulls and give them a phosphate coating, ideal for paint preparation.

My son Andrew was born on the 24th May 1964 and is planning to push me(84) in a wheelchair around Bancroft Basin on the Friday The Queen Mother was on Linda from Cosgrove piloted by us on Vesta.The Hutchings family had a donkey in the bow of Lady Hatherton. It was a wonderful experience and we made many friends. Jimmy Yates used to fill us up with sherry every morning. Chertsey sent us to sleep with its rumbling organ music. The Parsons on Dane's Bolinder performance shunting the City of Birmingham Orchestra on a raft was side splitting. http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/outriggerian/Stratford%201964/vesta.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/outriggerian/Stratford%201964/queenmum.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/outriggerian/Stratford%201964/sinclair.jpg and some more http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/outriggerian/Stratford%201964/vesta1.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/outriggerian/image0009.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/outriggerian/image0-008.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa417/outriggerian/hatherton.jpg

Vesta's steelwork was in good condition when she left me but I plated the Stewarts and Lloyds large engine access plate back to monkey box size. When I blow lamped off the paint in 1961 the name and number 96 appeared etched in the steel.

for a droitwich guide try http://www.droitwichcanals.co.uk/book.html A NEW NAVIGATION BOOK (SECOND EDITION) OF THE DROITWICH CANALS FOR Boaters, Walkers, Cyclists, studiers of Nature and History, and more.. Copies available from :- Margaret Rowley, Old Park, Plough Road, Tibberton, Droitwich WR9 7NN enclosing cheque for £9 (including P & P) payable to "Droitwich Waterways (Pamela May) Trust"

Very sad to report Peter Packwood of Tenbury Wells died yesterday.He and his late wife Valery boated in Spitfire with his young family and often in company with us on Vesta. We experienced the canals in the turbulent 1960's when there were many unexpected hazards but often the delight of meeting a working boat. A very good Dentist in Hagley he would be known to the older generation. When his gearbox collapsed in Chester we towed him back to Ashwood Marina, an interesting voyage and received a much cherished Copper Kettle for our efforts.

Just for reference I donated a complete set of Waterways World up to the year 2000 with the National Maritime Museum, Falmouth Cornwall and I understand they have been bound.

Sadly missed, he gave me considerable assistance during the Droitwich Restoration.

Nobody has commented what a lovely interesting photograph. Give the anonymous photographer his due. I hope he's watching this with Ian Langford.

Donkey Stables at Diglis Docks and overnight Donkey Meadows now built on by Acorns Hospice.

Pity the brine baths have shut The Fir Tree at Dunhampstead is good next to the cana

Yes this applied to the Severn and Droitwich with bowhaulers walking in the water and all over the farmers crops as shown in the pictures in the towpath Act documents. The towpath was promoted because it disciplined the haulers.