Derek R.

Reminds me of a trip we had on the River Cher in France. Tannoy voice recommends viewing the "restored" 19/18C lock cottage. What we were looking at was possible the fabric of an old building completely rendered with modern materials and whitewashed. Out of character windows and door, could have been breeze blocks rendered and built yesterday. The lock wasn't much better - fully electronic. Took twenty five minutes to pass through. Derek

I hope Alan won't mind me adding a couple of 'Oldies' to his collection. I have had these sitting on hold for several months now while I attempted to gain permission to copy. The scenes are from a 24 part fortnightly publication by the Amalgamated Press (1922) entitled "Wonderful London". It covered a wide variety of subjects, and in issue 12 there is a section "London's Lesser Waterways" by Ladbroke Black (a pseudonym no doubt). The Amalgamated Press became part of the East Midlands Allied Press, which in turn disappeared into the I.P.C. After several attempts to raise awareness at Kings Reach Tower of this publication over weeks of being passed from pillar to post while they denied any knowledge, I gave up. As the published pictures are in excess of eighty years old (I believe seventy is the limit on copyright), I'll put them up. As the 'Wonderful London' publication came out in 1926, these pictures will date from shortly before that year. This is a place I knew well in the mid sixties as I spent some time as a Zoo keeper on the Cotton Terraces that front the canal. I suspect this is the bridge at the end of the Zoo grounds, and Macclesfield Bridge, otherwise known as 'Blow Up' bridge is just out of sight at the curve in the distance. This shot is different today, mainly because the bridge is divided down the middle with high railings as one crosses. Entrance paying public on the Zoo side, outside public crossing to Regents Park proper from Prince Albert Road on the other. The articles on the right hand bank may well be the terraced seedling beds of the Zoological Societies Gardens department which were at one time established at that point. During my days there, the towpath was unavailable to the public, and I recall a locked gate beneath the bridge to deter Zoo entrance fee dodgers. The canal through the Zoo was a secretive place, where trees in full leaf almost touched across the water. I have no idea where this one is, possibly Victoria Park. Looks like 'Sunday Best' is in view. Is this petrified spearfishing? Edit: I do wonder if this was the beginning of Cumberland Basin we see here. The banks rise up, and it appears to curve gently to the right which would be about right. But unsure. And this could be any dock - Brentford; Limehouse - boatmen or dockers, but a lovely study. Derek

Yes, in hindsight I was taking the name from a Nicholson's without detailed local knowledge so I defer to Steve's. I 'wrote' in "Hampstead three" in my Nicholson's, and I recall it was after I read Kit Gayford's 'names' for locks that I did so. It's in the first page of the appendix in 'Amateur Boatwomen', though written "Hampstead Rd. 3". Surely the trendy new market would have taken its name from the juxtaposition of the lock by Camden High Street, than the lock taking the name from the market? However, Hampstead Road Locks sounds a more likely term to have been used in everyday parliance when the area was warehousing and goods yards. Steve's point is more valid. My sister and brother-in-law lived in Fitzroy Road for several years, and despite many visits by bus - passing the Aerated Bread Company always with the wonderful smell of fresh baked bread (ABC Bakers were well known in North London) - I never knew the existence of the canal so close by. If we went by bus the top deck was favoured, but we would have been getting off by the Mother Redcap, so would probably have been descending the stairs where Camden Road crosses the cut by the bakery. That would have been from '52 to '60 (I was 5yrs old in '52), imagine if I had taken rolls of pictures of the goods yards and interchange depot in full swing along with the canal - if only! But in ignorance . . . and without camera at that age . . . Derek

In what context - old boats, new replicas, why Josher, abused in what way and by whom?

Aaaaah - relief! Thank you gents. Edit: Hmmm - built of "coppered" steel - Yarwoods, fitted out at Uxbridge.

Possibly opposite Wenlock Basin ? Note the stunning positioning of the bollards, and hence where the mooring lines end up! Warbler was one of the 'Jam 'Ole' recreation boats. I wonder if the bollards weren't set back so as not to interfere with any horse drawn lighter traffic But the name on that motor is driving me insane - what is it? It's possibly composite, looks like a Josher, and I'm seeing six letters unless one or more are missing. KETINS - CETIUS - CYPRESS??? None of those? At least not the first two.

The three are collectively known as Hampstead Road locks, or the 'Hampstead three'. The little dock above the top lock is Dingwall's wharf - but that's in the Nicholsons. The top is Camden Lock, middle is Hawley, and the bottom Kentish Town - plural as they are (were) doubled. Not sure why they called them 'Hampstead Road', as Hampstead Road is at the southern end of Camden High Street and extends down to Euston Road. The road Leading up to Hampstead from the canal is Chalk Farm Rd. leading on to Haverstock hill and Rosslyn Hill, though when the canal was built, it may well have been called Hampstead Road, Camden High Street and the others being of later date. Old Map website has it as Chalk Farm Road in 1875. I would hazard a guess at the 'Mangle' being a winch, was possibly from a crane, or maybe to pull a drawbridge across the end of the dock, of which there were three facing Dingwall's across the cut above Camden. Very nice pictures Alan, compare with TODAY.

Excellent, thanks for sharing Alan. It's quite impressive to see most of the buildings still standing in the manner in which they were built. Not attractive maybe, but unsullied with the detritus of mismatched windows and doors, and spray can culture. This was industry in the raw, all we have now is yuppie accommodation and cycle paths with water feature. Needless to say, it could not have survived as it was through to this day. Nice reminders.

Probably Stockers - with lots of props. Near Denham for the studios and Rank labs. One of the Black Beauty series was shot around Stockers farm. The comparatively closed in environment and lack of power cables in the immediate vicinity makes it attractive for period dramas. Ooh! I know, there was a Condor adv . . . . Ow! Some amazing stuff in studio props stores.

Ah! Yes - forgot the alternative use of that word! The first Mrs. Reynolds used that word as a description of to-ing and fro-ing, think it was a hang over from those days. Very mini skirts, Bibas, and legs! Don't remember any outboards or boat shafts being fetched on board though. It would have been 706 during those years, the 707 had been withdrawn in February 1969, and the 706 went half hourly to compensate. Oh lore - don't start me on buses . . .

If Alan was trolling to and from Aylesbury from Cow Roast by Green Line, or even 301, there's a good chance I might have driven him to it . . .

It was not HBOS when built, Equitable Life - that was it! Thank you. Opel Record C Coupe! That must be the one - Thanks Neil. Derek

The section of water that was filled in extended about 100 feet at a guess, from the existing 'end' towards the road, and was covered, though none was taken by the existing office block, that was built on already taken water. Edit: corrected by Brians 'comment'. There was indeed a covered section, a warehouse stood at the furthest end. I might have a picture in a booklet somewhere, or ACS will certainly have something. There stood a crane by the entrance to the basin, which lasted until the late eighties. It was removed for preservation, and I don't think it ever got put back. Found! These shots come from a little 32 page booklet entitled "The Aylesbury & Wendover Canals" published by the Aylesbury Canal Society ISBN 0 9506562 0 8, and authored by Bob (Binky) & Elizabeth Bush, and are copyright to the ACS. All funds and interest gratefully received. Sorry the text is so small, couldn't get 'Paint' to obey my commands. There is one shot from the corner of the basin looking towards the end of the canal showing the covered section of canal alongside the warehouse (demolished in the late sixties) with Greenshank & Coot plus one other in the foreground. The buildings on the far side may well include Harvey Taylor's, but uncertain. The other two shots are taken from the weir, looking first at the covered warehouse with canopy, and the smaller 'L' shaped building that was the office & WC, and the second angled slightly to the right, cutting out the office, and showing the Ship Inn and managers house. The heavy dark line I have draw in is the approximate limit of navigation from the late sixties (the little wide bit seems to be some compensation for losing the length) when the canopied warehouse, and I believe other adjacent buildings were demolished. Shot 1 Shot 2 (very small photo) Canopy & office Shot 3 Ship Inn & managers house, plus sundry. This has long gone too!

Close, but the Taunus SP5 had a set of rear lamps that came round the ends MKIII Cortina style and showed from the side. Apart from some expensive Italian sports cars (unlikely in the basin!) I favour an American, Dodge Charger? Maybe the lights are wrong for that, not flashy enough. Dunno. Thought of Opel Manta, but again the bumper and slope of the coupe doesn't fit. That's a lovely shot of the basin end Alan. I see there was what looks like a petrol station across the road in Walton Street. Compare that with 1983/5: 1986/7: Too much water: Kingfisher House on the left (Inland Rev. as someone has stated) and the 'Blue Leanie' across the road. Prudential I think. I think the only thing left standing down there is the FMC warehouse.

Thought they did - Try 'shafting' . . .

Super shots! That's Bottomside lock they've come out of, No 57. Side pond rails seen there. Might be Mr Sibley steering, Ian will know. Ian reckons Renton's blade is in the hold still, as ballast.

Aah! Costins yard on the right in the second shot. I must take more B&W. Didn't the Foster's have that Joey at some time? I've got a colour postcard somewhere with it on taken from the offside. Derek

There was a chap who built cruisers in the basin, and it may well be his initials 'PE'. Had a strange sounding name from a hazy memory, sounded Greek almost. Brian Barnes of the Aylesbury Canal Society is the chap to contact. I see Wolseley/Riley 1.5, and a Minor, a Bedford CA camper, and something American. Can't see the clubhouse there, perhaps it hadn't gone up. That's the back of Jackson's bakery the cars are facing, and the builders merchants/timber yard beyond. Derek

A full overhaul of an 'F' box might set you back just over two grand today. But they're strong, designed to take 200hp I'm told. Tycho's Petter went in at Saltley in December 1958. The previous engine was a Russel Newbery 2DM No. 3217, but there's another RN number on the card too - 3269 which has been crossed out. Replacement, or wrongly typed I don't know. Wonderful shots of Sickle & Renton - I know who'll want them!! Derek

I said it was a "chip fryer!" Not a PD2 - Nerrr! (Vinegar bottle just out of sight). Just a PD2 with another pot on the end and everything that goes with that third pot. 3.3l 30hp @ 1500rpm. They did a four, I think a V6, and V8 if I recall, all air cooled. Parsons 'F' box. With which I am most intimate. Not an experience to be repeated (I hope). Got that out, along the staging and into the van on my Jack too, with a little help from a Tonka Toy. Most satisfactory.

Good Lord yes - so I am reliably told. Got their name from the curved cowling over the injectors and intake fan - just like the curved covers of the fryers in chip shops which all boatmen were familiar with - and still are of course! Chip fryer: And the trunking took the hot fat fumes out through the roof. Derek

Yes indeed, at around 38' a wooden narrowboat is less likely to suffer the hogging full length ones do, and a very handy size. It would be a pity of you had to throw the towel in Andy, AND a two pot Petter - which one? The 18hp that looks like a chip fryer (PD2M), or something smaller? Don't run away with the idea that boats get 'finished' - that never happens (unless they are sunk irretrievably!) Derek

So you are - I beg your pardon, should have looked more attentively! Derek

If I can refer the honourable lady or gent to post No.3 in this thread. There's no knowing right now, but I fancy there's going to be some serious contention of any such proposals to go through as they are in draft form, and not from just the historic boat people. As they stand, and if they were made a legal requirement to be complied with, just about every craft afloat with a solid fuel stove would be in breach. As just about everybody has said in some way or another, more regulation of this nature does not supply any kind of certainty in saving lives. It will only create expensive problems, which themselves will most likely be short circuited by any individual - careful or careless. Most of what is in the BSI document is completely impracticable, and unworkable unless you had a wide beam boat that went nowhere. Commonsense is easily taught with pamphlets and brochures showing materials available and how best they can be applied, the benefits should stand out for themselves. Some regulation for greater safety is necessary - take gas installations requiring thermo-coupled fail safe devices, correct grades of tubing, methods of attachment, and lockers to keep any casual leakage from bottles away from bilges, and likely quite a few more. And perhaps in the BS 8511 draft there is some sound sense in NOT using comparatively lightweight decorative tiles stuck on a flammable backing - such as plywood. But apart from that, as Steve Jenkin is jumping about, we are over-regulated in every walk of life already (& with 10% of the Worlds CCTV cameras deployed in Britain and growing), and in an area where historically the numbers of deaths or serious injuries caused by fires emanating from solid fuel installation on boats - precious little of 8511 as is, is either needed, nor practically possible - though doubtless it's giving someone's department a reason for being, and salaries for all within. Today there seems to be a 'safety nanny' behind every blade of grass, time for some strimming. Derek PS I am reminded of an incident that happened to us one night on Yarmouth. Before the rebuild, we had a Morso Squirrel in the front cabin, which was fairly open plan with our cross bed at the other end, but forward of the engine 'ole as was. We went to bed, and had been there an hour or so, when I noticed a strange light at the front end. It was like someone had lit a steady orange flare in the front end of the cabin, and I wondered if I'd left a light on. Upon investigation I found I had left the air wheel fully open in the ash-pan door. The light was from the fierce fire belting away behind the glass door - was it ever hot in there! Water came out of the taps scalding hot and plenty of steam with it. But no-where was any excess heat causing any kind of problem around the stove. The Squirrel sat on an ordinary paving slab, and bolted to it. The slab sat on the wooden floor and was kept from moving by corner pieces fixed to the floor. There was no metal, or tiled fire surround, the stove sat about eight inches from the plywood panelling at the side of the boat, and about eighteen inches from the hot water cylinder situated behind it (the stove was set slightly angled to face the centre point of the cabin). NOTHING around that stove was in ANY danger of catching alight. There were no flammable materials within eight inches, and the nearest - the plywood panelling - was warm to the touch, no more. Excellent stove. But it would not have complied with the proposed regulations in BS 8511. There is no need for BS 8511 - advisory - possibly on some points, but not compulsory. Most of those fancy double walled chimneys are fine for houses and wide boats, but are completely unecessary in craft where a sensible approach to fixtures and fitting in and around very hot areas are concerned. The tragedy of Lindy Lou may well have been avoided if flammable - moveable - objects had not been placed so close to the stove, and proper quarry tiles been used on fireproof backing in place of 4mm thick decorative tiles on plywood. It would appear, from the statistics shown in the MAIB report (which are far from concurring), that eight fatalities have occured through boat fires between 2003 and 2007 inclusive (I include the Lindy Lou fire and the elderly man who died from smoke inhalation in hospital after a boat fire in Shardlow). We must set this against the number of people cruising and living on the waterways over that period of time - figures which are not to hand - and whether existing regulations or even simple safe practices were in use, and PREVENTING any tragedy occuring. The latter will be an impossible factor to calculate, as we cannot really state at any point: "I am alive today, because I didn't park my coat by the fire" with absolute certainty. Had we done so of course, someone else would be able to say he would be alive today, if he hadn't . . . " A balance of probabilities. Most of the time we are in a safe situation because we PROBABLY took some action or another, most likely without thinking about it, but we cannot PROVE it. Whereas, if we are killed, there will be a PROVEN reason for the cause of death. Food for the clip-board brigade. But here I am, preaching to the converted!! I just get so wound up about unecessary regulations stopping you doing something you've done all your life without a problem!

I'm sure he'll be along soon . . .