Stuart Allen Posted March 10, 2021 Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 Hello, I am a historian from Runcorn. I am putting together about the life and work of Charlie Atkins. If anyone reading this has any photographs or memories of Charlie to share with me then please email me at: Stugrams1@yahoo.co.uk Many thanks, Stuart Allen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chagall Posted March 10, 2021 Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) A few have asked over the years: Edited March 10, 2021 by Chagall further info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray T Posted March 10, 2021 Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 (edited) Some good pictures, but the song? (5) 'Chocolate Charlie' by Bill Malkin | Charlie Atkins -- Legendary Narrow Boat Man - YouTube Photo credit Mike Clarke flickr. Charlie Atkins | Mike Clarke Barlic | Flickr Edited March 10, 2021 by Ray T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted March 10, 2021 Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 10 minutes ago, Stuart Allen said: Hello, I am a historian from Runcorn. I am putting together about the life and work of Charlie Atkins. If anyone reading this has any photographs or memories of Charlie to share with me then please email me at: XXXXXXXX@yahoo.co.uk Many thanks, Stuart Allen. Welcome aboard, I would suggest you remove your email address from a public forum, people on here can contact you without it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted March 10, 2021 Report Share Posted March 10, 2021 There is more to the history of crumb carriage than Charlie Atkins and there were more people associated with the trade included the Cadbury family who decided to use this form of transport in place of milk by train to Bourneville. The problem of milk going off on a goods train was considered a factor in the milk condensing process which led to canal transport from Knighton and Framilode. Then there is the innovative use of the Bolinder engine in their own craft and also the establishment of the Mary Vale Road depot. All this was going on when Charlie Atkins was still a child. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Booth Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 21 hours ago, Stuart Allen said: Hello, I am a historian from Runcorn. I am putting together about the life and work of Charlie Atkins. If anyone reading this has any photographs or memories of Charlie to share with me then please email me at: Stugrams1@yahoo.co.uk Many thanks, Stuart Allen. He is in the TV series "Flower of Gloster" https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/402614630571?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&itemid=402614630571&targetid=1139674279347&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9045667&poi=&campaignid=12125451035&mkgroupid=118098821498&rlsatarget=pla-1139674279347&abcId=9300480&merchantid=113732517&gclid=Cj0KCQiAnKeCBhDPARIsAFDTLTINqY3PqhffQcX_XG0fyN_PNG828veFsJsBZouw4e_YFu5skFmxzp4aAkx5EALw_wcB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 (edited) It's pleasing to see that Stuart is getting some useful information for his research. "I am a historian from Runcorn" sounds like the first line of a limerick. I wonder if he's written the rest of it yet. Edited March 11, 2021 by Athy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Vectis Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 "From where the old canal hasgorn.............." "The locks are still there, But in need of repair............." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Victor Vectis said: "From where the old canal hasgorn.............." I'd quite like to parley Regarding old Charlie... Edited March 11, 2021 by Athy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 (edited) If I can't, I shall feel quite forlorn. No offence meant, Stuart: this forum is a good place for garnering and exchanging information, but humour does break out from time to time. Edited March 11, 2021 by Athy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 37 minutes ago, Athy said: If I can't, I shall feel quite forlorn. No offence meant, Stuart: this forum is a good place for garnering and exchanging information, but humour does beak out from time to time. Yes, it gives some people the bird! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 1 minute ago, cuthound said: Yes, it gives some people the bird! ? Oh bumblies. Now corrected. Just send me the bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 5 minutes ago, Athy said: Oh bumblies. Now corrected. Just send me the bill. Only if you promise not to claw the money back! ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pluto Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 On 10/03/2021 at 15:07, Ray T said: Some good pictures, but the song? (5) 'Chocolate Charlie' by Bill Malkin | Charlie Atkins -- Legendary Narrow Boat Man - YouTube Photo credit Mike Clarke flickr. Charlie Atkins | Mike Clarke Barlic | Flickr That would be 1975, when I was moored at Preston Brook, and Tony Lewery had just recovered Mendip's cabin. Charlie lived on Gifford whilst the repair was going on, commenting that the range was really good, and you could 'get your chops bouncing in the pan'. In 1972, I worked with Charlie for Peter Froud on the trip boat Lapwing, based at Preston Brook and working from Weston Point, up the Weaver, and back to Runcorn. I learnt a good deal about boating at that time. Charlie told me that many of his family came from around Barbridge, with some on the bank who he lived with for a couple years so he could go to school. He became a captain around 1922, working for Midland & Coast on former SUC boats, sold off when they ceased carrying. At that time he was not the best of boaters, and was called in to the Midland & Coast office and shown the incidents page for his boat, which was full. He was then shown the page of an older boatman which was blank, and told that if his page was not like that in the future, he would be out of a job. It was at this time that he got his old nick-name of 'Ruggy', because his boating was so rough. By the time I got to know him, he was a first-class boatman, and I can recall him running Lapwing against the edge of the channel on the T&MC to stop the boat being rocked by our passengers. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 1 hour ago, cuthound said: Yes, it gives some people the bird! ? You're just being pecky now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted March 11, 2021 Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 33 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: You're just being pecky now I was only trying to feather my nest ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Allen Posted March 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2021 2 hours ago, Pluto said: That would be 1975, when I was moored at Preston Brook, and Tony Lewery had just recovered Mendip's cabin. Charlie lived on Gifford whilst the repair was going on, commenting that the range was really good, and you could 'get your chops bouncing in the pan'. In 1972, I worked with Charlie for Peter Froud on the trip boat Lapwing, based at Preston Brook and working from Weston Point, up the Weaver, and back to Runcorn. I learnt a good deal about boating at that time. Charlie told me that many of his family came from around Barbridge, with some on the bank who he lived with for a couple years so he could go to school. He became a captain around 1922, working for Midland & Coast on former SUC boats, sold off when they ceased carrying. At that time he was not the best of boaters, and was called in to the Midland & Coast office and shown the incidents page for his boat, which was full. He was then shown the page of an older boatman which was blank, and told that if his page was not like that in the future, he would be out of a job. It was at this time that he got his old nick-name of 'Ruggy', because his boating was so rough. By the time I got to know him, he was a first-class boatman, and I can recall him running Lapwing against the edge of the channel on the T&MC to stop the boat being rocked by our passengers. Many thanks. Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Lewis Posted March 12, 2021 Report Share Posted March 12, 2021 On 10/03/2021 at 14:56, Stuart Allen said: Hello, I am a historian from Runcorn. I am putting together about the life and work of Charlie Atkins. If anyone reading this has any photographs or memories of Charlie to share with me then please email me at: Stugrams1@yahoo.co.uk Many thanks, Stuart Allen. You need to chase the Mace Archive to digitise this!! ATV Today: 04.08.1965: Anderton Boat Lift | MACE Archive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Posted March 20, 2021 Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 He appears on the Flower of Gloster, is the location Preston Brook Junction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie Booth Posted March 20, 2021 Report Share Posted March 20, 2021 32 minutes ago, Philip said: He appears on the Flower of Gloster, is the location Preston Brook Junction? Sorry I don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 This is a 1978 image said to be Charlie Atkins on the stern of Cactus, then a Malcolm Braine boat, I gather It is taken at Wolverhampton Locks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave moore Posted March 27, 2021 Report Share Posted March 27, 2021 If that’s Cactus, then it’s highly likely that the chap is Young Charlie, the son. He did a lot with Malcolm. Looks like him too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 That is helpful. Here is an image of two Charlies on the BCN in June 1978. Is the one the right the son, David ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave moore Posted March 28, 2021 Report Share Posted March 28, 2021 Young Charlie is the steerer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heartland Posted August 23, 2021 Report Share Posted August 23, 2021 In 1965 CACTUS was taking trips of people on board from its base in Wolverhampton again with Charlie Atkins steering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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