Wanted 20' Steel Narrowboat

Wanted 20' approx narrowboat to use as a butty at UKCanals

Guest Articles

Guest Articles now at UKCanals

Wanted to Rent in Droitwich Area

Phone: 01884 860693

Email: mark@flinton1.freeserve.co.uk

Wanted to rent in Droitwich area - houseboat/narrowboat.

For 6 month period

For one person (none smoker) working in the area.

Please phone or email.

THE ADVERTISER HAS NOW BEEN FIXED UP

Wanted 20' Wideboat

Email serenarosesinclair27@gmail.com

Wanted 20' wide beam boat

Please email

Wanted 40' Trad

Phone 07796186143

Email jepjag@hotmail.com

Wanted 40' traditional narrowboat.

To be used as a liveaboard.

With a recent survey and fixed double bed.

Price range £25k - £30k

Please phone or email.

A 'Chance' Meeting With The Vicar

Barry who owns the narrowboat 'Chance' sent me this account of his meeting with the hotel boats 'Oak & Ash' as a warning to other boaters.

We had the misfortune to meet the twin hotel boats ‘Oak and Ash’ – operated by the ex Rev. Martin Reed, coming up the flight as we were going down.
Cutting the details of this story to a reasonable length, he decided to come out of his lock (with his motor and butty sensibly tied together) and, instead of waiting for James to bring ‘Chance’out of the lock, he decided to try and ram us out of the way! James hastily reversed back into the lock while the “vicar” aggressively manoeuvred his boats to the side of the pound.
As James gingerly took ‘Chance’ past the hotel boats and asked “Why the hell didn’t you wait for me to give you priority!?” the kind reverend screamed back (with obscenities) his version of narrow boat etiquette and then promptly pointed his rudder towards ‘Chance’ and gave the engine full throttle! The effect, which was intentional, was to shoot a huge quantity of water straight into the back door of ‘Chance’, flooding the bedroom! The rest of the story is not repeatable! safe to say that the lock keepers and there supervisor came to scene and took control.
We must say that they were incredibly concerned for us and very helpful. They are now in the process of issuing a formal complaint against Mr Reed as they are well aware, from their own experiences and that of many others, of the antics of this most dangerous and angry man.

Chance's Blog

UKCanals Website Updates

04/10/12  Star Narrowboat Holidays added to the Hire Boat list

Surrey Care Trust added to the Training & RYA Handling Course list
& Otters Boat Hire added to the Hire Boat list

UKCanals Website Updates

03/10/12 Boaters Blogs list updated

& Pintail Boats added to the Hire Boat list

Facebook Groups Updated

FaceBook Canal Groups & Pages list updated.

Trading Boats list

There is a new listing at UKCanals Network, Trading Boats is a list of boats currently trading on the waterways of the UK. If you are trading on the canals and are not on the list then e-mail me with the details.

Updates at the UKCanals Website

Canal & River Trust article updated.

Updates at the UKCanals Website

L R Harris added to Chandlers list.

Boat Builders list now includes addresses (suggested by a visitor to the site)

Updates at the UKCanals Website

Acier Narrowboats and Jaisalmer Spa Boat added to the Hire Boat List

Shadow Cruisers added to Hotel Boat List

Google to be a launch partner of the Canal & River Trust

Google is to be a 'launch partner' of Canal & River Trust, see the full story at Waterways World

Drought Restrictions Lifted

Drought restrictions lifted on GUC & Oxford Canal, still some restrictions on the Northampton Arm http://www.ukcanals.net/drought-restrictions#ukcanals

Burscough Heritage Week

Canal boat trips at the Burscough Heritage Week www.burscoughheritage.ukcanals.net

Coombeswood Canal Co

Coombeswood Canal Co added to Recycling and Marinas & Moorings lists.

Amended Stoppages - Northampton Arm GUC

NORTHAMPTON ARM GUC

Monday 28 May 2012 until further notice
Based on the latest water availability (including feeds from the River Tove and Ouse) we will commit to the following opening windows over the next 2-3 months.

    a) Friday 1st June at 10am through to Wednesday 6th June 4pm. (Last boat in 12pm)

   b) Friday 29th June at 10am through to Monday 9th July 4pm. (Last boat in 12pm)

   c) Friday 27th July 10am through to Monday 6th Aug 4pm. Last boat in 12pm

Please note therefore the Arm will be fully open within the above windows - a BWB key will be required to operate the locks.

We will continue to carefully monitor our water situation on a weekly basis and if there is the prospect of further additions to the above we will communicate directly.

Enquiries: 01908 302 500

Vote For Timothy & Shane

Vote for Timothy & Shane Spall: Back At Sea/All At Sea in the Best Factual Entertainment Show at TV Choice Magaxine Awards - Vote Here

Horse Boat Crew Needed

Would you like to help crew the horse boat Eland on it's journey from Leeds to Liverpool. Go to http://www.burscoughheritage.ukcanals.net/prev.html for the details

UKCanals Launderette List

The UKCanals Launderette List is available in pdf format again, any additions to the list are most welcome. http://www.ukcanals.net/facilities

Zidon 2 Boatshare

A one eighth share in Zidon 2 a 55' narrowboat for £4,950 at http://www.ukcanals.net/sales/649-zidon-2-18-boat-share #ukcanals

Oxford Canal Closed

The Oxford Canal is closed at Perrys Lift Bridge 234, and will be closed till further notice due to a truck becoming stuck on the bridge and damaging the deck.

BW are assessing the damage.

Enquiries 01908 302500

The canal is now open and the bridge will be fully repaired by the end of the day!

Burscough Heritage Week

Leeds & Liverpool boat 'Kennet' to be relaunched at the Burscough Heritage Week - 18th - 24th June. www.burscoughheritage.ukcanals.net

Coventry Canal Closed

The Coventry Canal has been closed between Hodge Lane Bridge 63 and Bridge 56  until further notice due to a police incident the canal and towpath has been closed between the two stated locations.

Winding  at Bridge 63 and  Bridge 55
The towpath is also closed

THE CANAL HAS NOW RE-OPENED

Enquiries: 01827 252000 during normal office hours

The Scarisbrick Arms is now 'The Gastro'

Many boaters and locals have visited the Scarisbrick Arms on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal over the years. Recently the pub has been shut for several weeks for a full refurbishment. Due to re-open soon but not as the Scarisbrick Arms, the new name is 'The Gastro'. Hopefully it will be a success for the owners, but I doubt if it will be two meals for a tenner in the future.

Updated Restrictions: Northampton Arm

The Northampton Arm is now fully open from Locks 1-17 for a period of 6 days.

The Northampton Arm Locks 1-17 will be closed again as of Saturday 19th May at 4pm.


Please note the last entry into the flight from either Lock 1 or Lock 17 on the Northampton Arm will be 12pm in order to clear the flight before 4pm.

The next opening of the Arm will be from 1st June* - 6th June* inclusive.
*booked passage only, email enquiries.southeast@britishwaterways.co.uk with required day/time of passage and entry along with your boat name and index number.

River Severn Re-opens

Upper Lode Lock and the River Severn has now re-opened.

The Heron Corn Mill

The Heron Corn Mill at Beetham to restart flour production | Lancashire Life

lancashire.greatbritishlife.co.uk

Upper Trent No Longer In Flood

Cranfleet Flood Gates are now open and the Upper Trent is no longer in flood.

Two Missing After Weir Boat Accident

Two missing after weir boat accident http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16226880

Amended Stoppage: Northampton Arm

UPDATE (10 May 2012): Latest information from the Environment Agency indicates that the strong stream advice may not be lifted for a few days yet.

When strong stream advice is lifted on the River Nene, we will open the Northampton Arm daily (10.00am - 3.00pm) for a period of six days.

Until that time the Northampton Arm will remain closed at Lock 17.

Monmouth & Brecon Canal Anniversary Calender

Link to the Monmouth & Brecon Canal Anniversary Calender  http://www.ukcanals.net/festivals-a-events/2-uncategorised/648-monmouthshire-a-brecon-canal-anniversary

Amended Restriction: Leicester Line - Kibworth Top Lock - Kings Lock 18

Grand Union Leicester Line Kibworth Top Lock 18 - Kings Lock 38


UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are lifting the closure currently in place on this section of the Grand Union Leicester Line.

From Friday 11th May 2012 this section will be open daily between 9.00am - 4.00pm until further notice.

Locks 18,30 & 38 will be padlocked to ensure there are no abuses/unnecessary water losses.

We will continue to monitor the reservoir situation closely and if we get further improvements we may lift the overnight locking altogether.

Amended Restriction: Calcutt Locks 1 - 3

Grand Union Canal Calcutt Locks 1-3


UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are widening the opening times at the above location.

From Friday 11th May 2012 the flight will be open daily between 9.00am - 5.30pm until further notice.

Last entry into flight is 5.00pm.

Amended Restrictions: Foxton Flight

Grand Union Leicester Line Foxton Lock Flight 8-17


UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are widening the opening times at the above location.

From Friday 11th May 2012 the flight will be open daily between 9.30am - 5.00pm until further notice.

Last entry to flight is 4.15pm

Amended Stoppages: Braunston Flight

Grand Union Canal Braunston Lock Flight 1-6


UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are widening the opening times at the above location.

From Friday 11th May 2012 the flight will be open daily between 9.00am - 5.00pm until further notice.

Last entry to flight is 3.30pm.

No overnight mooring in flight.

Amended Restrictions: Buckby Flight

Grand Union Canal Buckby Lock Flight 7-13


UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are widening the opening times at the above location.

From Friday 11th May 2012 the flight will be open daily between 9.30am - 5.00pm until further notice.
Last entry for through traffic 3.30pm.

Overnight mooring only permissible in pound between Locks 7 & 8

Padlocks will be in place on locks 7, 8 & 13.

Amended Stoppage: Northampton Arm

Grand Union Canal Northampton Arm Locks 1-17


UPDATE (08 May 2012): Navigation conditions remain dangerous on the Nene currently. This situation is set to continue until the forthcoming weekend - i.e. Sat 12th/Sun 13th May.
Accordingly, we need to lock the Northampton Arm at Lock 17 with immediate effect to protect boats entering an unsafe environment of the River Nene.
We will liaise with the Environment Agency regarding conditions on the River Nene and will open the Northampton Arm when safe through passage is possible.
At this stage indications are that the River Nene will be passable from Saturday 12th May – if this is the case we will open the Northampton Arm at the same time for four days. This will be confirmed before Friday 11th May, depending on the Environmental Agency status.

Amended Restrictions: Watford Flight

Grand Union Leicester Line Watford Lock Flight 1-7


UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are widening the opening times at the above location.

From Friday 11th May 2012 the flight will be open daily between 9.30am - 5.00pm until further notice. Last entry to flight is 4.15pm

Amended Restrictions: Stoke Bruerne Locks

Grand Union Canal Stoke Bruerne Locks 16 - 20


UPDATE (09 May 2012): Due to improved reservoir holdings we are widening the opening times at the above location.

From Friday 11th May 2012 the flight will be open daily between 9.30am - 4.30pm until further notice.

Last entry into flight is 3.30pm.

No overnight mooring in the Flight (locks 16 - 20).

Grand Sluice Re-opens

The water levels on the River Witham have fallen to a point where it is now safe to navigate through the Grand Sluice Lock safely.
The Grand Sluice re-opened to users at 6.00am today 08/05/12.
Care should still be taken as there are still some moderate flows on the river, at low water on the tidal side.

Enquiries at Boston Lock 01205 364864

Boaters Ignore Restrictions

It is reported that boaters have been ignoring some or the restrictions on the Grand Union Canal. Narrowboats were seen going through the locks at Stoke Bruerne as late as 19.30 last night (Sat 05/05/12).

The last entry through the locks as requested by BW is 14.00, so that the flight is cleared by 15.00.

"Are these boaters simply ignoring or are they unaware of the restrictions", ask other boaters.

Well if the flight is not locked at the top and bottom lock, and/or their is no official there to stop the use of the locks, then a lot of boaters will carry on through.

There has been a lot of rain since the restrictions were put in place, but the official word from BW is still that the flight can only be used between 10.00 and 15.00, with the last entry into the flight at 14.00.

Are BW making all boaters aware of the various restrictions? The restrictions notices are put on the internet, and although there are lots of boaters now who make use of the internet, there are many thousands who don't!

Festivals & Events

Check out all the festivals and events at http://www.ukcanals.net/festivals-a-events #ukcanals

Northampton Arm - Updated Restrictions

Northampton Arm will not be open 3rd - 8th May as planned due to flood conditions, revised opening dates are 7th May - 12th May

Worth a Read

This blog/website is well worth a read http://www.foodieafloat.com/foodieafloat.com/Welcome.html #ukcanals

List your Website at UKCanals

If you have a website that is anything to do with canals, waterways, narrowboats etc. then contact me for a link to your site.

Skipton

About the Website & Blog

The UKCanals Network website was started in 1999 - 2000.
The website was started because of my love of canals, rivers, waterways and boating in general. At that time there were very few websites about canals, it was the days before broadband, and accessing the internet then was very slow and quite expensive. I remember having some very heavy phone bills after I started building the website as all the editing had to be done on-line.
OK so I started the website, but then the question, 'what to put on the website'.
I decided to make it an information site, and to make lists of all the other canal related websites that I could find.
Over the years the website has grown with lots of new lists added as the number of websites grew.
Information articles were added, and now the website has grown into many hundreds of pages, and features top on the Google search pages in many areas; and features high on the UKWRS rankings.
I work on the website almost daily, adding new features, articles and adding to the listings.
The main reason for starting this blog is to keep regular visitors informed of updates to the website, to provide news on canal related things and sometimes I may have a rant about things in general.
Your comments good or bad are always welcome.
Ken