My Youtube video "System in Blue" has certainly been round the world, click on
the link and view "Statistics and data", look at particulary the map.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4D63-5ODz0

http://www.expressandstar.com/2009/12/23/icy-midlands-in-pictures/2/

I just thought you might like to see these lovely photos of Park Head Locks on
the Express & Star site. They call them Blowers Green but.....
Steve Bingham's house is visible so we know where it is!
Here's to an excellent 2010!! Happy New Year to all.

JH is mentioned in Alan Faulkners book "The Regents Canal", as the builder of 3
wrought iron barges in 1863, for the Regents Canal Co. These were hired out to
traders to assist build traffic on the canal. Brgds, Mark

--- In CanalScapeBCN@..., "RayShill" <heartland@...> wrote:
>
> Some Canalscape contributors are also members of the RCHS Waterways History
> Research Group and they may recall the reprint of an article published in
> the last mailing concerning early iron vessels on the Mersey.

>
> Mention was made of Joshua Horton of Tipton who built an iron pleasure boat
> for Thomas Jevons, a Liverpool iron merchant in 1815.
>
> The contribution of  Birmingham & the Black Country boat builders in these
> early years is perhaps not fully appreciated. The building of the Aaron
> Mamby (1822) by the Horseley Company is perhaps the most well documented.
>

> Horseley supplied steam engines for boats over a span of the years. The
> earliest recorded being in 1817 for the Henry Smith of Gainsborough.
>
> Such craft seemed to be for estuary use and river navigation. Pioneer
> craft seem to have first seen service from Glasgow to Paisley. But during
> 1815 a steam boat also started to operate from Liverpool to Runcorn.
>
> Hortons pleasure boat evidently had a short existence, but then Horton made
> an iron life boat for Jevons.
>
> Joshua Horton is listed in the article as of Tipton, and there was a Joshua
> Horton of Great Bridge gasometer and boiler maker of Great Bridge who moved
> his business to Taylors Dock Spring Hill, Birmingham in 1831. It was here
> according to John Allen, they operated the Swallow Foundry
>
> On Hortons death the Spring Hill dock was operated by the Trustees of the
> estate and had Thomas Piggot as manager. Later the business passed to Thomas
> Piggot, and the works became the Atlas Works.
>
> Any study of BCN gauging tables, newspaper adverts and archive sources soon
> turns up the use of iron narrow boats on local waterways from the early
> 1800's. John Wilkinson who was credited withg launching the first iron boat
> on the Severn, had a number of iron narrow boats in his fleet. The question
> that needs to be determined was who built them.
>
> Was Joshua Horton a leader in this field?
>
> And should this subject receive further attention ?#
>
> Compliments of the season
>
> Ray Shill
>

Made after the infamous "Cut to Caernarfon" trip which included the Menai
Strait.
Heres a private spoof from the "Progress" teams boozy past, just for
entertainment, as Chris said yesterday "we had fun times back then" .......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rR1VLUnRGo

Merry Christmas everybody and I hope a prosperous new year. Just to end this
year with a crunch of another sort heres an icebreaking film:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DvgCiLl5BM

Some Canalscape contributors are also members of the RCHS Waterways History
Research Group and they may recall the reprint of an article published in
the last mailing concerning early iron vessels on the Mersey.

Mention was made of Joshua Horton of Tipton who built an iron pleasure boat
for Thomas Jevons, a Liverpool iron merchant in 1815.

The contribution of  Birmingham & the Black Country boat builders in these
early years is perhaps not fully appreciated. The building of the Aaron
Mamby (1822) by the Horseley Company is perhaps the most well documented.

Horseley supplied steam engines for boats over a span of the years. The
earliest recorded being in 1817 for the Henry Smith of Gainsborough.

Such craft seemed to be for estuary use and river navigation. Pioneer
craft seem to have first seen service from Glasgow to Paisley. But during
1815 a steam boat also started to operate from Liverpool to Runcorn.

Hortons pleasure boat evidently had a short existence, but then Horton made
an iron life boat for Jevons.

Joshua Horton is listed in the article as of Tipton, and there was a Joshua
Horton of Great Bridge gasometer and boiler maker of Great Bridge who moved
his business to Taylors Dock Spring Hill, Birmingham in 1831. It was here
according to John Allen, they operated the Swallow Foundry

On Hortons death the Spring Hill dock was operated by the Trustees of the
estate and had Thomas Piggot as manager. Later the business passed to Thomas
Piggot, and the works became the Atlas Works.

Any study of BCN gauging tables, newspaper adverts and archive sources soon
turns up the use of iron narrow boats on local waterways from the early
1800's. John Wilkinson who was credited withg launching the first iron boat
on the Severn, had a number of iron narrow boats in his fleet. The question
that needs to be determined was who built them.

Was Joshua Horton a leader in this field?

And should this subject receive further attention ?#

Compliments of the season

Ray Shill

this canal cottage and land

http://www.caldecottegroup.com/propertydetail.aspx?id=ttDC2%2bFCiM0%3d

CanalScape-BCN is not the place to air views on magazines, I understand from
WATERWAYS WORLD that a mistake has been admitted and a public apology and
correction will be made in the next issue. Use of this group is for serious
discussion on Midlands waterway items, news issues and events.

--- In CanalScapeBCN@..., "RayShill" <heartland@...> wrote:
>
> RE Olga Kevelos,
>
> Mike Constable has mentioned that his letter to Waterways World, has the
> wrong date of death quoted. This was not his mistake as he did not quote in
> his summary of the Idle Woman's achievements.
>
> Perhaps the magazine is living up to a new nickname - is it wobbly word, or
> wobbly world?
>
> Ray Shill
>

NEXT YEAR WE ARE LINKING THE BCN EXPLORER CRUISE TO THE FESTIVAL AT PELSALL -
details as follows:-

BCN Explorer Cruise organised by
Birmingham Canal Navigations Society
5th – 11th June 2010

After the success of the cruises of the past three years it is our intention to
hold a cruise again this year to encourage boaters to explore the Birmingham
Canal Navigations.  We have found that many boaters prefer the additional
security of cruising in company with a number of other boaters and they enjoy
the social side of informal gatherings at the designated mooring locations.

The Explorer Cruise will take a slightly different route this year to last, as
we continue to encourage the use of the less travelled parts and to enjoy the
little used pleasures of the northern BCN. Details of the route are given below.
The cruise will commence from The Waterfront at Merry Hill on the morning of
Saturday 5th June finishing at the BCNS Summer Rally at Pelsall Common, known as
"Canal Festival – Pelsall 2010".

  The planned route is as follows:

Meet at the Waterfront, overlooking Merry Hill on the evening of 4th June

Stops for the night:-
Saturday 5th – Hawne Basin, Sunday 6th – Titford Pump House,
Monday 7th – Wolverhampton, Tuesday 8th – Walsall Town Basin, Wednesday 9th –
Longwood, Thursday 10th - Anglesey Basin,
Friday 11th – Pelsall.

Application from: Brenda Ward, 9 Wylde Green Road, Sutton Coldfield B72 1HB
tel: 01213556351 or email: boundarypost@...

CANAL FESTIVAL - PELSALL 2010

Below is the press release for the BCNS gathering at Pelsall next year:-

The Birmingham Canal Navigations Society is pleased to announce that its main
Summer event next year will be held on the northern section of the Birmingham
Canal Navigations. (BCN).  The Festival is supported by the Inland Waterways
Association, Lichfield and Birmingham Black Country & Worcestershire Branches,
Longwood Boat Club and the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust.

The dates will be 12/13th June 2010 and the location will be Pelsall Wood
Common, off Wood Lane, Pelsall.

The  campaigning aims of the event are to increase the profile of the northern
BCN and to contribute to the fight against the current reduction in funding for
the Inland Waterways. This could put at risk the future of the canals in this
area unless their benefits for visiting boaters and the local communities can be
demonstrated.

The location has been used previously for successful waterways events and the
organisers are confident that a warm welcome and full support will be received
from the local community.  Boaters will have the opportunity to join a BCN
Explorer Cruise on their way to the Festival.

The Festival will include stalls, entertainment, displays and refreshments for
the public as well as being a gathering of boats from all over the country. 
Entry for the public will be free.   Boaters and exhibitors are welcome to
attend, for further information and an application form please contact;

Brenda Ward, tel. 0121 355 6351  email boundarypost@...

For general inquiries please contact;

Ivor Caplan,  mobile 07778 685674   email  ihcaplan@...



The BCN Society formed in 1968, exists to conserve, improve and encourage a wide
range of interests in the 100 mile network of Birmingham and Black Country
waterways known as the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

Hello all, on behalf of a third party I am selling on ebay some interesting
documents of Midlands canal interest, they include a plan of Farmers Bridge
locks, lowesmoor wharf and letters and a share certificate from the Stourbridge
Navigation Co and more:

See the items here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160385054810&ssPageNam\
e=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=350289797920&ssPageNam\
e=STRK:MESE:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160385069736&ssPageNam\
e=STRK:MESE:IT

http://search.knightfrank.com/office/property-for-sale/united-kingdom/central-la\
nd

URGENT-  Inland Waterways Association News Flash



BRITISH WATERWAYS PROPERTY PORTFOLIO



You may know about the media speculation that the Government intends to include
the British Waterways' property portfolio as a component of the £16bn asset
sale.



The Government has made no announcements and is steadfastly refusing to be drawn
on the subject.



We have been using this period of silence as a window of opportunity to lobby
Ministers.  We have orchestrated a political lobby in both the Commons and
latterly the Lords to pressurise Government, and have briefed radio and national
TV, using an array of reasons to support the argument that a sale would be in
no-one's interest.



We stand the best chance of preventing this sale if the Government can be
persuaded not to do so, during this period of Ministerial silence. Whilst no
announcements have been made, it is easier for Government to back away as it
involves no public reversal of policy.



However, an e-petition has appeared on the 10 Downing Street website;



http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/protectourcanals/



IWA supports the statements in the petition. The worst outcome now that this is
in the public domain, would be if this petition receives scant support. That
might give Ministers the impression that there are few waterways supporters who
care very much about the issue. On the other hand, if it is well supported, the
Government, this close to an election, is very sensitive to actions it might
take which may lose votes, and would probably take notice.



I am therefore urging you to sign up to this petition - if you agree with it,
and ask that you encourage everyone that you know, to also sign up.


We need more signatures than our membership, or even the total number of boaters
in the UK – So please ask all of your colleagues, friends and family and
e-mailable contacts to help us today! – and ask them to pass this message on as
well - we need all of the UK to know about this and to respond on line .



The future of the waterways could depend on your actions today – Please act, and
pass this message on.



Thank you



Clive Henderson

IWA national chairman

nationalchairman@...

I am disposing of some of my relics, these include BCN register 12001-12600
recording boats still extant in that series in 1905 and the BCN plate from LMS
railway boat "Rat".


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160377771084&ssPageName=ADM\
E:L:LCA:GB:1123

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350278422912&ssPageName=ADM\
E:L:LCA:GB:1123

Shot on and around the BCN and West Midlands 1948 onwards to early 1950's with
some vierws of Whatcroft graveyard on the T & M. Peter Froud features in this
film. For your enjoyment please watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBrYBTevbTE

Hello everyone, this is the latest offering:

This volume is intended to give the viewer a basic knowledge of the types of
working narrowboats which were once common on our waterways. It is not a
definitive volume of all types and sub types of craft but a guide to features by
which you cam learn to understand where the boat was built and who owned it and
what it did.
The film covers, Fellows Morton & Clayton, The Grand Union canal Carrying
company, Severn & Canal Carrying Company, Nursers Dock, Thos Clayton, The
Northern boats, the BCN tugs, station boats, Bantocks, Admiral class and more.
I try to describe in a simple way how the boats differ and guide the viewer to
the distinctive features.
The film also features plans of craft and some of the graveyards that existed
with many discarded boats.
Separate to the main film is a in depth view of a Grand Union motor boat plan.
Also included is a film of a large boat parade in Birmingham to allow you to
test your knowledge of what you are seeing.

Running time 91 minutes.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NARROWBOAT-IDENTIFICATION-NEW-NARROW-CANAL-BOAT-DVD_W0QQit\
emZ350272222989QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Collectables_Nautical?hash=item518dd9f70d<p\
>

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wnOPCnCBNA

I am really pleased to announce the formation of CanalScape-London, a group
based on the idea of CanalScape-BCN. This will encompass all aspects of
preservation, conservation and heritage matters within the London area. Being
open to all it is hoped the group will attract membership from all user groups
and operating staff of the navigation authorities involved.
Click on this link to become member:
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanalScape-London/

Having been at Dudley Library for a talk I passed Swan Bridge, Great Bridge
Street that crosses the Balls Hill Branch, contractors have een working on
the bridge and there is a platform in the canal that restricts navigation-
not that many boats want to go up there, of course.

Ray Shill

Thursday 15th October saw nb "Barnet" leave Broad St basin and head along the
Wyrley & Essington to Norton Canes Docks. To their suprise the latest dredging
and clearout operation was encountered working in Wednesfield, it is really good
to see the W&E being maintained in this way, something we have all wanted for a
long time.
If this clearout is as effective as the one last year then the W&E will be
better than some so called "cruisway" status canals!Barnet is regulary cruising
the W&E and we can confirm the stretch from Sneyd onwards to Catshill is mostly
a pleasure to cruise, providing you are sensible in your method of cruising and
aware of what an urban enviroment can produce you will have no problem. We draw
3ft 2 " underway. See pics in "W&E Dredging" taken by Bob Williams.

I have heard of the demolition of the Battery Company offices at Selly Oak
from the Victorian Society.

Seemingly this has happened in the last 3 months. The original agreement
made with Sainsbury was to keep and restore these unlisted structure, but
Sainsbury cancelled their original building application and the cancellation
left them free to demolish this rare heritage structure.

I have often thought about the role portrayed by developers and have formed
the following heirarchy-

1    Positive
2    Concerned
3    Neutral
4    Hostile
5    Ruthless

I rank the loss of Albion Wharf at Wolverhampton as a Ruthless act, I think
the same can be applied to Sainsbury's.

If this is the case, then any hopes of restoring the Lapal Canal have
suffered a serious backwards step.

Regards
Ray Shill
Industrial Historian

available from today-
"BRITISH CANAL HISTORY IN COLOUR" - Featuring archive colour and black and white
film from the 1950's and 60's. See working boats on the BCN, Grand union and
north Western waterways. Incredible scenes never to be witnessed again. Willow
Wren, Samuel barlow, Thos Clayton, Leicester canal transport, Anderton Canal
carrying co, BW, Elements, Leonard Leigh etc are all featured. Plus Mr Milners
Grand Junction pictures, Peter Froud on Acturus, the "Iris Abbott" Duker barge
and ICI Brunners. Working boat enthusiasts dont pass this by. Also includes a
free bonus track of the YouTube hit "System in Blue". 100 minutes DVD region
free.

view preview trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bcjwNZluos


£14.95 go to www.laurencehoggproductions.co.uk
or visit ebay shop TRAIN-BOAT-DEPOT

 
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRITISH-CANAL-HISTORY-IN-COLOUR-NEW-NARROWBOAT-DVD_W0QQite\
mZ350264409972QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CDsDVDs_DVDs_DVDs_GL?hash=item518d62bf74&_tr\
ksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262

Approaching Wolverhampton today we took a boats view of Chillington wharf (see
heading picture). The approach to the city is so depressing, first there is
acres of derilict factories, then you see the probation service wharf with its
scruffy boats, after that more derilict buildingg with skips burning rubbish
which is slowly slipping into the cut, then comes Shiptons warehouse, inkempt
and decaying! Then oh yes then comes the redevelopment, it too showing definate
signs of decay and with overfowing rubbish bins, the waterside too is unkempt
with plants and weed growing alongside the "desirable" apartments. What a
contrast to Birminghams "golden mile". At least BW maintain a clean and very
well equipped depot and facilities at Broad st, I think the city council should
question there "desirable living in the canal quarter".
See "canal quarter" album in photos.

Please click on the attached if of interest

http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.showadvert/index-1032017127/2204772\
9.html
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Would this be the reason I saw two dumb hoppers on the back of a lorry heading
off J10 M6 towards Bilston on the black country route saturday morning maybe??
Very strange looking boats very round ends with white lines about a foot of the
top of the boats and they were stacked one on top of each other on the back of
an articulated lorry...thought it might be land and canal or whatever the
company is called.

Andy

--- In CanalScapeBCN@..., "Laurence" <lhpvideo@...> wrote:
>
> I have been informed that spot dredging, overhanging tree removal work and
removal of floating Pennywort is to commence this week. The section is Sneyd to
Horseley fields.
> An inspection of Chillington wharf has revealed it has new owners DB SCHENKER
(German railways) and the deteriation continues with more roof missing and face
timbers falling away. It seems Wolverhampton City Council are not enforcing the
listed building protection as they said they would.
>

I have been informed that spot dredging, overhanging tree removal work and
removal of floating Pennywort is to commence this week. The section is Sneyd to
Horseley fields.
An inspection of Chillington wharf has revealed it has new owners DB SCHENKER
(German railways) and the deteriation continues with more roof missing and face
timbers falling away. It seems Wolverhampton City Council are not enforcing the
listed building protection as they said they would.

Horseley Fields Jcn to Sneyd. Following much discussion in the state of this
section we decided to investigate it ourselves in detail and make available our
"on the spot" findings. Detailed logging maps were requested from and supplied
by British Waterways to whom we intend to send our findings to as further
evidence of the actual state of the navigation. Photos are posted in the photo
section under "W&E Survey 1"

Boat 71ft 6" GU motor boat "Barnet"

Crew: Bob Williams, Brian Davis, Brian Beeston, Keith Grice.
Skipper: Laurence Hogg

The report.

Level was OK, dry clear day.

Horseley Fields to Pipe bridge offside tree intrusion.

Pipe bridge to Deans Rd bridge serious debris and a solid obstruction at
entrance to bridgehole.

Deans rd to Bentley new bridge very serious amount of debris, mainly plastic /
wrapping material. Trees intrusion between here and the Wednesfield Jcn.

Wednesfield jcn to Rookery Bridge is mainly small debris, after Rookery bridge
amount of rubbish and debris increases dramaticly, near the site of the new
footbridge is excessive hard debris possibly from the old bridge? This whole
section needs dredging.
Pinfold bridge has much rubbish and debris in its vicinity and needs clearing.

From Pinfold bridge to Devils Elbow is ok, the Devils elbow turn needs dredging.
Heading to Wards bridge and after it some offside trees need cutting back.

Approaching Moat House bridge debris worsens and the bridgehole was obstructed
enough to prevent passage. We cleared a heater out of the canal and got through.
Dredging the approaches to this bridge useful!

After here some offside tree cutting required.

The former bridgehole is full of debris and needs dredging, some offside tree
cutting required.

From Devils elbow bridge to Olinthus bridge is shallow and requires dredging,
the bridgeholes require clearing.

From Olinthus bridge to Castle bridge the canal is shallow and some large reed
beds intrude heavily from towpath side, these need cutting back.
Just before Castle bridge concrete lumps have been dumped into the canal from
the towpath, there appears to have been recent work here on the towpath??

From Castle bridge to Perry Hall bridge the canal is shallow and requires
dredging, debris is also a problem. Perry Hall bridge is in need of dredging
with much debris.

After Perry Hall debris is much in evidence, some basins on the offside if
cleared would make nice moorings. As the canal turns towards Pool Hayes bridge
the weed appears. This virtually blocks the canal and is a intimidating sight
even to a seasoned boater.

The weed growth extends right round the bend and is extremely difficult to
penetrate, a smaller lesser powered craft may not get through. This needs
removing and eradicating.

Note: I was brought up in this area and even as a child remember excessive weed
on this stretch.

Pool Hayes to Knights bridge is shallow and needs dredging.

After Knights bridge is Hollybank basin, choked with the offending weed.
Note:
Is this the source of this weed?? After here little is seen of this weed,
waterflow is always east west??

From Hollybank basin through Lane head to Adam and Eve bridge canal is shallow
with some debris. At Lane Head a wall was being demolished and bricks were being
dumped in the canal.

From Adam and Eve bridge the canal has debris to an extent but is ok until
Bentley wharf bridge and the dead bridgehole a little further on which need
dredging and clearing. From here to Sneyd is ok again with debris to an extent.

Summary.
The canal still retains a reasonable depth in places, however Wednesfield needs
serious attention in regard to rubbish. The short excessively weeded section in
Willenhall is the worst feature on the canal, this needs urgent attention before
it gets to the point where it closes the canal. Holly bank basin seems to be the
source of the weed.
Given a clear up and some local co operation the canal through Wednesfield could
be made very pleasant adding a nice touch to a not unattractive town centre. The
Basin complex at Perry Hall bridge would make nice moorings in what is a fairly
decent neighbourhood. Lane head, a true "canal hamlet" is again overlooked as
such and development here would be a good feature as there are two genuine canal
side pubs and shops.

Have posted a few photos from last weekends working boat gathering at:

http://www.pbase.com/timlewis/black_country_museum_working_boat_gathering_&page=\
\
all

Enjoy

Tim

Ps - Should you have difficulties with the above link the photos can also be
seen at:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=127846&id=716697340&l=cbdbc824dc

Tim



--- In CanalScapeBCN@..., "Laurence" <lhpvideo@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> Its going to be quite a spectacle at the Black Country Living Museum this
weekend. With over 40 tradtional historic boats in the museum and outside the
canal will be as crowded as the commercial days, Several boats will be doing
short runs and tugs with joey boat trains will be also active. Why not enjoy a
few days on the BCN, nowadays the Wyrley and Essington is getting better reports
than some of the main canals, come and see. This video was shot on the W&E.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4D63-5ODz0
>

Between now and Spring 2010, TV producers Isis Media are making a leisure and
heritage series for Discovery Real Time channel, looking at places of interest
on The Stourport Ring. They're keen to hear from anyone with interesting stories
on the route or any unusual narrowboats or working boats that they could look at
and perhaps film for the series.  They will be attending the Black Country
Living Museum tomorrow.
If you're interested please email Catherine at  cek@... or ring 0845
456 9936.
Many thanks
Elizabeth Turner