We (Fakenham College Canal Club) took the Birmingham Canal Boat Services full length motor "Collingwood" to the end of the branch in October 2004. We decided, wisely, to leave the butty "Ash" at the top of Ryder's Green.

 

Despite her draught, the trip was fairly easy - although stirring up the black stuff. We did get stuck on a large object under the last bridge for a time - but nothing unusual for the BCN, and we avoided it on the return. Winding was fairly easy - even for a 72 footer Admiral Class boat, at the "stub" near the end. In fact the trip was a bit of a reminder of the old BCN as one wended between the factories.

 

Ivan Cane