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Derek R.

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Everything posted by Derek R.

  1. Interesting thought, but I feel that is all it can be. If you fancy coughing up for a bit of canal building resurrection of former Acts passed before Parliament, you will not only find most of them under housing estates, ring roads and motorways which in the process of planning would almost certainly have caused any prior unused Acts to be repealed or made null and void by some means - but also the little problem of raising the finance necessary - the very same problem that stopped their construction in the first place! A great many canals were projected at one time, and many failed the test of perceived viability therefore not gaining the necessary Acts. But that's another matter. Try BW Archives at Gloucester, I would think they would be a fair bet for more info. Derek
  2. Well, there's something in that. China was building brand new steam loco's into the 1980's I believe, they are no shorter on knowledge than those who built in Glasgow or Swindon. Doubtless any lower quality work would be down to a tight fisted importer not wanting to pay the 'going' rate. If we moan about not being able to buy the quality we once did - put it down to the buyer - who wants a low price for everything. Add the differential in labour costs between the UK and Middle and Far East, and with enough shipped in bulk, the shipping costs can be kept down creating a market place in which home produce cannot compete on price - end of home supply. Got a bucket on the boat put together with rivets, and a handle formed from solid bar, might have been a Fire bucket at some time. That was dredged out the cut. Battered and bent, hammered and straightened - solid gold. Derek
  3. Sweet the simple pleasures! The shed my dad bought back around 1953 (3'x4') is still doing sterling service, though having been shifted 3 times. Only replacement is the base which I knocked up from second hand timber 25yrs ago. Creosoted now and then - the real stuff, some left over from better days - and brings back many childhood memories for me. I can well imagine a Granddad with his pipe, though my strongest memories are of sitting in it on a rainy day hearing the rain patter on the roof, the door just ajar, and painting Sea shells different colours from a tin box. Derek
  4. Sounds like a teacher seeking tuition.
  5. There was a helmet with horns found in the Thames near Greenwich, but more likely to have been a ceremonial piece of headgear than regular wear. Like the Romans, the ornate headgear was not worn in battle as they provided too much of a handhold, something a little more practical would have been worn. There is a very good series on the 'Celts' (a word of Greek origin) viewable here in three parts. They were a race of people sharing a common language that occupied much of the land that ranges between Turkey, right across and up to the Shetland Isles. Their remnants now exist in Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, with some remarkable reconstructions of an early town in what is now Germany. Derek
  6. Bowler hats in the workplace were usually worn by a company official or foreman, at least around the forties and maybe into the fifties. Back during the 20's possibly, an 'on site' ganger might have worn one, but I doubt he would be getting 'stuck in' with the Flat caps. We had a Beadle on our housing estate as a kid who wore a company dark brown suit and Bowler with brass badge on it. Quite smart, and a bloody terror to us kids. Strayed off the Woolwich a bit ennit? Derek
  7. Welcome to the madhouse. I wouldn't think it a huge gaff, and of course you can call it what you like, but as it's a copy of a Star class and as Astraea is known to have been cut up (pictures in a forum thread somewhere), it's a bit like stepping on someone's grave in a Churchyard with a family member present. I'd be inclined not to. Though having said that, it's a nice enough name to want to. Derek
  8. You can watch Eric Sykes playing a 'Skipper' in 'The Bargee'. (Complete with signal flags, though most used fingers). Get yourself a copy of Alan Faulkner's 'The George & The Mary', little A5 softcover. Depicts the history (a brief one) of the G.U.C.C.C. Ltd. All the boat names, type, and builder are listed in the back, though you will need someone with the knowledge to point out the differences from the cut side. Derek
  9. There's a retired gent by the name of John (Tug) Wilson at Cassio, whose Father used to keep horses for towing barges up from Brentford to Dickinson's at Croxley. John also worked with his Father for some time before the carrying ended and he went into the roofing trade. I'll wager he might know one or two things, I think he must have been born in the late 1920's. Next time I'm that way I'll look him up and ask. Derek
  10. Pay no attention Jeanette, you are welcome here.
  11. The various references to "Uxbridge", both the place and the boat in Mr. Faulkners book tell little more about the boat other than show a nice photo of the wide beam motor boat 'Uxbridge' leaving Cowley Lock heading North. There seems to be more information in the picture credit than in any section of the text as a whole, though at this moment I have not gone through the whole book! The photo shows a loaded, wheel steered motor with a crew of two (visible), "Registered Port of London" on the back of the engine room/cabin bulkhead, 'Uxbridge - London' on the rear quarters, two gents on the lockside wearing important hats, a smart car circa 1920's parked on the towpath, many double telegraph poles on the left hand side looking North, very few trees in view,those that are with no leaves - winter, and generally gives the impression of some directors observing an early passage of the boat. Undated. Quote:- . . Here the motor barge Uxbridge, owned by British Portland Cement Manufacturers Limited. leaves the lock heading Northwards, probably bound for the companies works at Harefield. National Waterways Museum Derek
  12. I'd go for Niger too, and whilst a former French colony, many boats were named after the owners names using a combination of a few letter from each. Some strange names would appear like Jaju - Jaques & Julliet. Niger - Nicholas & Gertrude? Who knows! Derek
  13. This opens up a whole avenue of questions as to who your Grandfather was, where he built barges and who for (if not himself of course), and what were the circumstances surrounding the photo and the location. Perhaps that might be your Father with his arm against the stem post! However, whilst I'm certain other members would be fascinated in knowing all this - especially if it related to historic vessels over here, and a rare photo of one which is in the shot - it does intrude into your family ties and origins into which I am sure no-one wishes to delve with any disrespect, and which I am sure are private and may not be willingly shared as fascinating as it appears right now. It's an interesting link all the same, but will be up to you if you decide to share. Regards - Derek
  14. There has been much debate over the various licences available from BW with occasional or casual use as work-boat/cottage industry enterprise, and the various requirements of licencing for Captains. New regulations have opened up the proverbial bucket, and there appears to be right now much talking about what is in fact necessary amongst the various authorities, about what is actually required in terms of Licences for use and waters to be used upon. There have been several conflicting opinions from different parts of BW as to what is needed. Best check with the Historic Narrow Boat Owners Club, David Lowe is the Yorkshire rep., who along with others has been in touch with various 'powers that be'. I can only suggest you nip over to check out what the score is to date. http://www.hnboc.org.uk/ Derek
  15. I wouldn't say Europeans are like Sheep, each have their own National identity which in itself might only be a form of pride in their Country and its customs. It's when history is swept away like so much rags and tatters that those whose memories are longer, and who perhaps long for fewer changes to create some form of stability in life, that the ever consuming homogenisation of Europeans into 'one' form of society/leadership/government/language or even measurements - that many feel that it's gone too far. De-stabilising a national identity is a major step taken by all dictators, it breaks the will of the people. Gallons to litres, inches to millimetres, British to 'European'. As for St. George - Google, and you will find him a Roman Tribune who was beheaded in 303 for sticking up for some Christians who were being given a hard time by the Romans. He may never have set foot in England, but his deeds were recognised by a great many countries as worthwhile examples to follow, and so he unwittingly became a patron Saint of around a score of different countries in which he probably also never set foot. It's an idealism that is followed, regardless of who he was. The dragon slaying is myth. Though there's plenty to slay in Brussells and Whitehall before we all fade away completely. Fly the flag? I know which one I'd burn. Derek
  16. Wonderful! You might not get a reply from Tam straight away as they are back and forth - France to England, but I feel sure they will be delighted and post the reverse (hopefully, - or maybe PM you with it). Can you tell us more about the circumstances surrounding the picture please? Derek
  17. Struth! Looks like he spent his entire life walking!! Derek
  18. Excellent news for Lucy, I hope finance and circumstances do not interfere greatly with the ongoing work. Perhaps - but we need wood! (Not that running an engine will create trees overnight - or the total of mans output if changed, even measurable!) Baldocks's signature has more truth in it than a whole department of government 'scientific advisers'. Current levels of CO2 by ppm are way below Earths average over the last 350,000,000 years which has ranged between 250 to 2,500ppm. The current swathe of 'Emissions Policies' are nothing more than tax generaters, and the propaganda - mind control. http://www.ilovemycarbondioxide.com/index.html Sleep tight - Derek
  19. http://www.geograph.org.uk/gallery/canals_...igations_8323/1 Looking for something completely different, and came across this. A few working and ex-working boats in there. Over six hundred photos. Derek
  20. Shaw and Kilburn - that was it! And, yes, I do remember second hand cars for sale along there. Completely forgotten about the pumps though. Tricky things memories when you go beyond five dozen years.
  21. Granted, but what easier than to refer to a foot as the length of a mans foot, and an inch as the width of a thumb. I teach my daughters Imperial, as it gives them a wider understanding of our historic past. It is what I was taught in school, and metrication - whilst admirable for many things - is not the only way of measuring and weighing. Even in computer software, measurements in inches can be an option, though convenience gives metric the lead. I just get frustrated at times, when so many people are campaigning for the retention of historic canals, artefacts, buildings, basins, and boats, that something amounting to irreverence is thrown at the Imperial system that was used to build those very things we campaign for. It's a stone arched bridge and balustrade, compared to a flat concrete slab. Nothing personal Cath, I just feel it a sad loss to an educational system.
  22. Refer me to the Act that says you are not 'allowed'? Thought Police? Not in my head. Derek
  23. Ah! Berko before it got trashed. I recognise the bridge by the former 'Navigation', and the lorry must be next to the crane which puts it opposite the railway - the railings are very distinctive. But the little garage is a surprise - that must have been right next to the 'mill like' building. I remember the Citroen garage next door to the station - are these shots pre 1970? I moved to Wigginton late '69. (from N. London). Derek
  24. 30 what? 143ft is the greatest from surface to tunnel, that's the second vent in from the Blisworth end. Dinosaurs rule OK. Derek
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