Search the Community

Hello everyone! My name is Megan and I’m currently completing my Master’s degree in Public Histories and Heritage at Birkbeck, University of London. I’m posting here today as I'm hoping to connect with people from the boating community who are interested and willing to take part in an informal, oral history interview to help me with my dissertation research. My dissertation is currently titled: “From Industrial Artery to Leisure Landscape: Exploring the Changing Interpretation, Heritage Practices and Usage of England’s Canals via London’s Regent’s Canal.” To slightly better explain my topic, I’m analysing the current heritage practices surrounding Britains canals and exploring how the modern canal community engages with, understands and experiences the canals unique history. If you are interested in taking part please be reassured, this is NOT a test of historical knowledge! There are no right or wrong answers and I just want to hear YOUR story in your own words. Academic and institutional accounts can only tell me so much, and I would really like the first hand voices and experiences of the people actually using the waterways to form part of the research. As it is these users who are the driving force behind continuing the rich and wonderful legacy of the canals. The 'interview' is more like a relaxed conversation and covers things such as: How and why you became involved with the canals Your experience of boating and the canal community What the canals and their history mean to you personally (specifically industrial and working boat/class histories) How you feel canal history is presented and understood today in regards to heritage practices How you view and feel about the canal landscape What would taking part involve? The interview will last up to one hour although it can be shorter depending on how much you would like to discuss. I am hoping to conduct interviews remotely via Microsoft Teams so there is no need to travel, however in person interviews can be arranged if requested. Participation is entirely voluntary and unpaid. There will be no transferring of sensitive information or bank details. You will NOT be required to provide any personal or identifying information or discuss any topics you feel uncomfortable with. Any information from the interview used within my dissertation will be anonymised completely within the final craft. If interested, participants will receive the appropriate university information and consent documentation which must be signed and returned via email prior to interview. Who am I looking for? Preferably people who have previous connections with or have considerably used London's regents canal. - Liveaboard boaters! Both continuous cruisers or permanent moorings users. And regardless of wether you have lived aboard for many years or have only recently joined the community, you are welcome! - Leisure and holiday boaters including regular and/or occasional users - Working, business and trading boat operators!!!! - Tour and passenger boat operators - People with long-term or generational connections to the boating community If you would like to take part, have questions, or simply want to find out a little more before deciding, please feel free to contact me at my university email: [email protected] Thank you very much for taking the time to read my post and I hope to hear from some of you soon! Kindest regards, Megan (She/Her)

I'm trying to track down an old working boat that I was born on in 1974 (well we were in Leamington Spa when mum had to dash off to the hospital to give birth) I'm not a boater now but I was born onto the canals and spent my earliest years between Rickmansworth and the Midlands, and living at Braunston for a short time. My dad, Kim McGavin, ran coal up and down the GU on boats Grace (Originally no.88 of the Samual Barlow fleet), then Avon (?), then the boat I lived on, Sirius (Built in 1934 by Walker's of Rickmansworth), which is the boat I'm trying to track down if it's still afloat. He then switched to group tours on Hawksbury (which I believe is still around). The photo attached here was a postcard made without mum's knowledge or permission (Braunston 1975) and was found much later by accident in a shop (surprise!) but it's where the information comes from, leading me to the Historic Narrow Boat club website. https://hnbc.org.uk/boats/sirius So any information or leads on Sirius would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Joe

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone knows of and websites/ specific marinas/current owners that deal in historic narrowboats. I already have one but am looking for another. So far apart from the obvious apollo duck searchs I've only found bates boat yard. All suggestions welcome. Thanks. Darren

They're in Berkshire at the moment. The advert looks interesting... apolloduck.net/414565