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Parker boatbuilder

wandering snail

By wandering snail,
in History & Heritage

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Paul H

Paul H

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Posted

Graham Parker was based at Norton Canes alonside Malcolm Braine and Canal Transport Services and build mid range no nonsense boats.  I think he was later associated with JD Boat Services iirc.  He may have partnered with Neil Butlin at some stage.

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John Brightley

John Brightley

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As the original post suggests, Graham Parker started building steel boats in the mid to late 1960's, and they were quite good quality for the standards of the time- when there were only a small number of companies building new steel boats. His boats always seem to be well regarded. I think most went to private owners but a handful might have served in hire fleets. If you post a photo I might be able to identify it from my collection of hire boat brochures. I'm sure Dave Moore will be along in a minute to give us more details of Graham's boatbuilding.

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OldGoat

OldGoat Donate to Canal World

Posted
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1 hour ago, John Brightley said:

As the original post suggests, Graham Parker started building steel boats in the mid to late 1960's, and they were quite good quality for the standards of the time- when there were only a small number of companies building new steel boats. His boats always seem to be well regarded. I think most went to private owners but a handful might have served in hire fleets. If you post a photo I might be able to identify it from my collection of hire boat brochures. I'm sure Dave Moore will be along in a minute to give us more details of Graham's boatbuilding.

Graham built my hull, together with Neil Butlin, trading as 'Narrowcraft '  IIRC. They did me a lovely hull - except for that the bits that they said 'would not work' and for which I was very grateful (no b*** good saying I want this or that - if those who know won't work). I was going to wibly-wobly-boats of Walsall - Bob Allen (son od Les) but he never answered the 'phone...

 

I still have the boat, she swims exactly as I wanted  - pushes her up the Thames and glides quietly up the canals. Solid construction without being clumsy. I love our hull and an eternally grateful for being put in my place through my ignorance.

 

AFAIK  Graham spent   some years at Norton Caines  - but I did see an article in WW some years ago where he did some work in the potteries. Being based Darn Sarf, I never managed to have a long discussion with either Neil or Graham - a pity.

 

Those were the days when boatbuilding was a craft industry. Each hull was an individual, but with the knowledge, skill and expertise of the builder. Sadly long gone.

As a further tribute all my knowledge and love of the canal system, the people and boats were nurtured by the Milwards of Teddesley fame   - without of them I would have stayed with horses....

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Liam

Liam Donate to Canal World

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A friend has a boat built by Graham Parker. You do see them advertised once in a blue moon on the Internet. They seem to have a shorter than average bows which is short and upswept.

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  • 6 months later...
glenn1

glenn1

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We have a Graham Parker boat which he originally built and fitted out for himself some 25 years ago at his workshop in Coven Heath. Very sturdy boat with steering via a funnel / tube around the propeller which provides excellent reverse steering. We still own the boat, Graham retired to a bungalow on an old coal wharf arm near Wolverhampton. Wonderful guy who produced great shells.

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dave moore

dave moore

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I’ve just found this old thread. Neil Butlin finished his building days at Norton Canes, working with Graham Edgson and Tony Bate. In retirement he lived on site, I’m sorry to report his death in March. Another fine craftsman gone. I was in awe of his welding skills!

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  • 1 year later...
Ben Eggleton

Ben Eggleton

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Hi, I have a Graham Parker boat, 1961 as per one survey, 1966 as per another. Steel hull and superstructure, iv been searching for info and history, and confirmation of where it was launched, 1 survey says Norton Canes.

Any more information or history would be very much appreciated. Many thanks

On 04/10/2018 at 18:26, John Brightley said:

As the original post suggests, Graham Parker started building steel boats in the mid to late 1960's, and they were quite good quality for the standards of the time- when there were only a small number of companies building new steel boats. His boats always seem to be well regarded. I think most went to private owners but a handful might have served in hire fleets. If you post a photo I might be able to identify it from my collection of hire boat brochures. I'm sure Dave Moore will be along in a minute to give us more details of Graham's boatbuilding.

 

IMG_20180614_131156.jpg

DSC_0020.JPG

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  • 11 months later...
Humphreys

Humphreys

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Jasmine was launched in 1964. Build at a boat builders in brownhills by my dad. I have been searching for her for years and I am so happy to see her still  in one piece. If you would like more info I will be happy to help. I have loads of pictures etc…

caron

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Derek R.

Derek R.

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I remember JASMINE, which for a while was at Aylesbury basin and owned by an affable fellow whose name I don't remember, around the early eighties. She had a big old fender wrapped around one end or the other. Went well.

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Humphreys

Humphreys

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If anyone knows where she is now I would love to share her early days.

The big fender was at the back. When I was little our job was to make sure the ropes were all rolled like a big flat Catherine wheel. 
Caron

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Humphreys

Humphreys

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Hi sorry got that slightly wrong just read the newspaper cutting from when she was launched. (I wasn’t born) 

Jasmine was built at my dads factory by my dad and launched at yates boat yard in Easter 1964. My mum has recently passed away so I now have the scrap books. If anyone can help me find her owner now I would love to share pictures of her build etc that I have. Thank you

caron

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Ogwr

Ogwr

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6 minutes ago, Humphreys said:

Jasmine was built at my dads factory by my dad and launched at yates boat yard in Easter 1964. My mum has recently passed away so I now have the scrap books. If anyone can help me find her owner now I would love to share pictures of her build etc that I have. Thank you

caron

Hi Caron,  As Max Sinclair wrote I remember a "Jasmine" at the Stourbridge  Rally in 1962  that  was wooden,  did he build the steel boat to replace it? 

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OldGoat

OldGoat Donate to Canal World

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2 hours ago, Ogwr said:

I am pretty sure Graham Parker was working for Malcolm Braine in 1967. I am not sure of the exact year he started out on his own

FWIW - it was pre 1990, which was when we ordered out hull from him..

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