The Bow Knife - 6
Newsletter of the ‘Duchess Countess’ Packet-boat Trust
Extracts from the Spring 2006 edition
Llanymynech Length
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Work is progressing well on the canal to open the Llanymynech Length; 600 m with a winding hole at both ends, one in England and one in Wales! This work will be finished in time for the opening on May 6th
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Porthywaen
Silver Band Concert The
concert on 28th January was a great success, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone
in the packed hall. Over
£780 was made for the Trust. |
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Trip
Boat Training
All
the volunteer “drivers” of GWB must hold the RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman
Certificate. Courses are run by Terry Robertson of T.R.Boathandling aboard
“The Shropshire Lass” based at Norbury Junction.
The
first four candidates to attend, on Feb 16, were Gillian Poole, David Aylwyn,
Michael Bossen, and myself, Alan Hill. The boat was at Fazeley Junction between
the Coventry
Canal and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the weather was bright and
dry. We
arrived early for a full day of manoeuvres and were welcomed aboard by
Terry. After a swift cup of coffee and a familiarisation tour of the vessel we
were shown how to leave the moorings (no pushing off or bow thrusters for us)
and then left the Coventry and turned right into the B & F. Although we were
all experienced boaters, there was much to learn as we were instructed in the
art of steering and speed control, particularly in reverse,
refloating after grounding, collision avoidance and winding. After a full
morning of exercises and with the old dogs having learnt quite a few new tricks,
we moored up below Curdworth bottom lock for lessons in ropework .
Lunch
was provided by Terry and eaten ‘on the hoof’ as we retraced our route via
two bridges adjacent to Drayton Manor Park Zoo. These were a conventional swing
bridge and an elevated footbridge suspended between two castellated and
whitewashed towers with spiral staircases.
In
the afternoon we practised locking and learnt about boat and personal safety,
the rescue of ‘man overboard’ and signalling to other craft. We then
returned to the Junction where, after further practical tests, we covered the
remaining theory and received our certificates.
Thanks
go to Geoff Gilman for arranging this training.
Alan Hill
George
Watson Buck -
The
interior of the boat has now been stripped out by
removing the seats and seat frames and tables. The new wall carpeting was
fitted towards the end of January and the
floor carpets have been cleaned.
The
boat insurance has been paid by us through the SUCS. An inspection of the
wheelchair lift is being arranged.
Les
has repairied the table-supporting strip at gunwale level and found more
appropriate hinges for the tables.
Eight of the seats have been reupholstered by Perfect Harmony in
Llanymynech. Lyn has undertaken the painting of the frames. Eight of the seats
have been sponsored for refurbishment. Four more sponsors are needed.
A new battery, sponsored by Pant Motor Bodies, has been installed in the
engine compartment.
Eight volunteer skippers spent a day with TR Boat Handling and now have their
Helmsman’s Certificates. We are grateful to Stephen Lees, BW, for obtaining
the necessary funding.
“George Watson Buck” is on target to commence service early in May.
Once GWB is up and running serious fundraising can start for the Duchess-Countess project.