Black Ibis

OK so I spoke to Paul, it's an electrical fault and the engineers are coming to fix it on Tuesday. There's also an EA/ Middle Level meeting next Thursday about the lock and dredging etc. He says he expects it will be fine for Easter and that people should just ring him if they want to know more.

Will ring Paul for further info today.

Who is going to the HNBC Auction on 25th March at Weston Village Hall? If you are you must fill in your bidder registration form (see link) in advance. There are some wonderful historic items (see link for catalogue). http://www.hnbc.org.uk/auction

Thank you all for your good wishes! Look forward to seeing you at the wharf in the future!

Yep, but it's not so much about length above the water as length beneath. The shape of a Severner fore-end is very bluff and vertical underwater which means we can't turn in places where GU boats and Joshers can. Top of the Cannock extension is one.

Yes, that issue with access to the diesel/pumpout mooring has been mentioned to us and we make sure there's always somewhere to tie up unless we are loading the coal boats there. I'll ask about Pete, the name doesn't ring a bell but I'm still getting to know everyone as I don't live there myself yet. We can definitely do the majority of little jobs in the workshop ourselves if you have anything in mind.

Website is going to get a serious overhaul very shortly! It's one we inherited.

It would depend whether the boat needed to come out of the water (we don't have a drydock so only get a crane in for big jobs) or not but do get in touch with more details (see our website for contact details) www.bollington-wharf.com

Thanks! We look forward to seeing you!

something like that

Thought I would let you all know that Bollington Wharf (Macclesfield Canal) is now under new ownership - it's been bought by Brian (forum member NBAlton) and Ann Marie McGuigan who run coalboat Alton and is to be managed on a day-to day basis by a bunch of enthusiastic young(ish!) boaters including myself, James (FadeToScarlet) and Jason (Jay4424). Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BollingtonWharfMarina and our website www.bollington-wharf.com We are still getting up and running but we have fuel, pumpout and moorings/hard standing (currently full) as well as day boats and mechanical/electrical repairs and steelwork. We look forwards to seeing you - do pop in if you are passing!

Afraid so

Agree with Dan above. I own an historic narrowboat and on my limited income being custodian of Willow is all I can manage. But there is enthusiasm, bags of it, within my generation. FTS manages to look after the Canal Museum's tug as well as our boat! LM, I look forwards to paying a visit to the Village Butty at the Cavalcade - we'll be there on Bantam IV.

Reportedly the boat is somewhere between Stanground and Marmont Priory. if you see it, call Northants quoting incident number 236 of the 1st of April. Going by the name About Time.

I'm not sure, I haven't seen him for a while - wonder if Scholar Gypsy sightings of willow structures at the EA depot is telling and the EA have caught up with him?

I think you're mixing Bamboo up with the willow weaving man who was moored under the tree in Ely last summer - Bamboo was abandoned outside the Cutter but never occupied, whereas the the willow weaving man lived on a very square houseboat that was variously overstaying in Ely, Cambridge, Little Thetford and Denver.

Bamboo is now opposite the waterpoint, on private land. Last I heard the owner has still not been contactable but some kind souls moved it before the contract system came in.

Erm, the next set of moorings is at Waterbeach, five minutes walk from the railways station...!

"Still looks the same as when she worked"

aaah, lovely!

Would you like HNBC to publicise your request? Or have you already found suitable steerers?

Yup, WILLOW and the other seven were definitely welded wrought iron with wooden bottoms. WILLOW was rebottomed with a steel in 1979, (it was then re-rebottomed and indeed refooted in 2010, and Pete at Langley Mill did a brilliant job of welding steel to the original iron according to the survey we had)

Bridget when worked by Charles Ballinger, from http://collections.canalrivertrust.org.uk/bw200.1.109.25. It's now on the K&A. I'm in touch with the owner, he is an HNBC member.

Thanks!

Photos of Victory here http://www.hnbc.org.uk/boats/victory Now to see if I have £40k down the back of the sofa. What a lovely looking boat