Waterways World Beginner's Course
Friday 23 May
Just £189 per person or £328 per couple (saving £50)
We are pleased to announce that after our successful one-day course in 2024, Crick Boat Show 2025 will again feature a one-day, intensive course on Friday 23 May, aimed at those aspiring to become boat-owners.
COURSE PARTICIPANTS WILL ENJOY
- Complimentary tea and coffee
- Lunch included
- Free 6-month Waterways World Print + Digital subscription*
- A Guided tour of Crick Boat Show
- Free Crick Boat Show Trade & Preview Day entry
- 50% discount on Crick Boat Show tickets, camping and boat handling sessions (Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May, subject to availability)
PLUS EXTENDED BOAT TOURS OF A VARIETY OF BROKERAGE BOATS
COURSE INCLUDES SIX TAILOR-MADE PRESENTATIONS:
Introduction
What are the main issues you need to think about (location, type of mooring, type of boat, costs of ownership)? Why do you want to buy a boat? Have you any experience? How much will you use the boat? What are the key factors to consider?
Buying New vs Old
What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a new boat against a previously-owned boat? What factors do you need to consider whether new or old (layout etc)?
Design Considerations
What do you need to consider when looking at the layout of your new boat (number of bedrooms, cooking facilities, laundry, entertaining, workspace)?
Essential Maintenance
What maintenance will be needed each year and at what cost?
Practicalities & Top Tips
Getting supplies to your boat (fuel, food etc), waste disposal, how do you receive post, what are the broadband options? Alternatives like shared ownership & where to cruise
Choosing a marina
Where would you like your 'home' mooring to be located? Are there options other than a marina? What to consider when choosing a marina
PLUS EXTENDED BOAT TOURS OF A VARIETY OF BROKERAGE BOATS
The course is limited to just 30 people to ensure personal attention and the opportunity to meet fellow aspiring boat-owners, and costs just £189 per person, or £328 per couple.
Your course host
Mark Langley, Waterways World Technical Editor Mark is a self-confessed boating geek (we prefer the word 'expert'), has written for Waterways World for 20 years, been a boat-owner for 28 years and designed the Aintree Boats 'Beetle' model of small narrowboats. A highly-experienced speaker, he's the perfect host for your course.
Your course sponsors
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| Finance specialists for Inland boats, providing a fast and personal finance solution for boat ownership. We are boating enthusiasts helping like–minded people to buy the boats they really want. We offer a personal, tailored solution, and are flexible around our customers’ circumstances and requirements. marine-finance.org |
Kingsground have been building boats since 1995. With over 120 boats built in the following 30 years, they have a reputation for outstanding workmanship as evidenced by winning Favourite Boat in Show at Crick Boat Show 3 times since 2000 – including for Highgrove presented by Lakeland Leisure Estates at the 2024 Show. Based at Enslow Marina on the South Oxford Canal, Kingsground also offer a full range of boat maintenance and repair services. |
Haven Knox-Johnston, part of the Howden Group, is an award-winning canal boat insurance provider, catering to the often unique needs of canal boat owners across the UK since 1992. Their friendly crew pride themselves on delivering the highest levels of customer service, making all stages of the boat insurance journey a straightforward process. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a new boat owner, Haven Knox-Johnston ensures your boat is protected with comprehensive and tailored insurance solutions. |
25th Crick Awards Evening
This year's Crick Boat Show promises to be particularly special as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. The boat show first took place in 2000 and has been held every year since, except for 2020 when the Covid pandemic forced its cancellation.
To mark this milestone, we will be hosting an awards event - on the evening of Friday 23 May at the Show - to celebrate the exhibitors, visitors, volunteers, Crick Show team and the inland waterways industry as a whole.
The 25th Crick Boat Show Awards:
Most Favourite Boats In Show - Sponsored by Haven Knox-Johnston
Best Vlogger or Social Media Coverage of Crick - Sponsored by Water Freedom
Best New Product for the Inland Waterways - Sponsored by Waterways World
Best Marketing Campaign for the Inland Waterways - Sponsored by Canal & River Trust
Longest Standing Exhibitor - Sponsored by Kn8t Agency
Crick's Biggest Fan - Sponsored by Midland Chandlers
Longest Serving Volunteer - Sponsored by Fischer Panda UK | Power Solutions
Crick Lifetime Achievement Award - Sponsored by Vetus
Tickets for the event cost £25 for a standard seat and £35 for a premium seat which guarantees a place on the first 4 rows.
Every ticket includes a free glass of prosecco or juice but there are just 120 seats available so book now and mark this special occasion with us.
Book your seat at the 25th Crick Awards Evening
Our 25th Awards Evening takes place at 7.30pm on Friday 23rd May in the Masterclass Theatre. Your Awards Evening Ticket will admit you into Crick Boat Show from 6pm if you do not have a Preview Day ticket. Doors open 7pm.
Book Premium Seat - £35 (First Four Rows)
Boat Handling Taster Courses 2025
If you have been hankering to own a canal boat or try a boating holiday but are nervous about how to navigate the waterways, the Boat Handling Taster Sessions at Crick Boat Show 2025 are an ideal way to build confidence and get a feel for what’s involved. They are also useful for anyone who may want to refresh their skills after a break from boating. The Sessions are 2 hours long and take place throughout the weekend, expertly led by RYA accredited trainers, Watercraft and Narrow Boat Skills Centre.
Sessions will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The trainer will talk you through the basics of casting off, mooring up, boat etiquette, rope handling, breaking down boat jargon as well as the dreaded lock navigation! There’ll be an opportunity to take the tiller and steer the boat under the supervision of an experienced boater.
Each session can accommodate up to four people, so the whole family can enjoy the waterways together (children must be aged 12 and over). Bookings of fewer than four people will share the session with others booked on to the session.
Places are extremely limited, so advance booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. Sessions are £45 per person and take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Bookings for 2025 courses are now open at £45 per person
Courses for 2025 are 2 hours long. Please note, that Boat Handling bookings do not include entry to the Show, tickets for which need to be purchased separately.
Boat Handling Taster Sessions are provided by RYA accredited Training Centres Watercraft and Narrowboat Skills Centre
Trade & Preview Day
Friday 23 May 2025
In association with
Exclusive early access to the Show
For just 1,000 pre-booked visitors, the gates to Crick Boat Show open a day early with a Trade & Preview Day before the three days on which the Show is fully open (Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May 2025).
This exclusive day will take place on Friday 23 May 2025. Preview Day tickets are available only by booking in advance and not at the Show gate – so book early to make sure you’re one of the 1,000.
Trade Ticket applications (free to qualifying waterway related businesses) open in March 2025.
Why come to Crick Boat Show on Preview Day?
With no crowds, Preview Day gives you the opportunity to talk in-depth with companies offering equipment and services for inland boating and to see the boats, before everyone else.
To add to your enjoyment of the day, you will receive a free hot drink and access to the VIP marquee and can pick up a Show Gift Bag on arrival.
The Show is open to Preview Day ticket holders from 10 am to 6pm on Friday 23 May.
All boats - boatbuilder and brokerage, all quayside and boating-related companies in the Show Village and most of the Waterways World Boating Marquee will be fully open on Friday 23 May. The Food & Craft Marquee, an area of the Show Village reserved for general traders and charities, and a the full Boating Marquee will open on Saturday 24 May.
Trade Tickets
Trade registrations are now open.
If you are a boating or waterway-related businesses, do not already receive emails about Crick Boat Show, and you wish to apply for Trade Tickets to Trade & Preview Day on Friday 23 May, please email cricktradetickets@wwonline.co.uk, giving your company name and brief information about your business.
For pre-registered Trade visitors, the Show will be open on Friday 23 May 10am – 6pm.
All trade visitors will require formal accreditation in advance and will be issued individual name badges, which are not transferrable.
Favourite Boats in Show - sponsored by
The Favourite Boat in Show award is a tradition of Crick Boat Show. The competition is sponsored by insurance company Haven Knox-Johnston. Two trophies are awarded - one for the most admired narrowboat and one for the most admired wide-beam.
The winners are determined by a public vote, which takes place during the show at the Haven Knox-Johnston marquee on the Quayside and an expert judging panel.
Voting takes place during the Show at the Haven Knox-Johnston marquee on the Quayside. All voters are entered into a draw to win £100 M&S vouchers and voters can choose to also enter a draw to win a year's free boat insurance from Haven Knox-Johnston (T&C apply)
The winning boat is announced at Crick Boat Show in the afternoon of Monday 26 May and the prize draw takes place on 4 June 2025.
2024 Winners
Narrowboat
1st place: Highgrove – Kingsground, presented by Lakeland Leisure Estates
Runner up – Stone Bespoke Narrowboats: Albert Ross
and tied in 3rd place – Braidbar: Est Tempus - No 207 and Boating Leisure Services Curiosity
Widebeam
The favorite widebeam is Lunar – The Bespoke Boat Company
Seminars
Boat Ownership Seminars
Whether you're just considering getting afloat, a novice or a seasoned boater, there is a seemingly endless amount to be learned about boat ownership and boating. Mark Langley, Technical Editor of Waterways World, hosts a series of Seminars to support both new and experienced boaters.
Seminars will take place on Saturday, Sunday and Monday;
Seminars are designed to cover the most pertinent questions to consider when
- buying a new or second hand boat
- designing a new boat or refitting an older one
- designing, improving and maintaining electrical systems for best performance
- reducing your impact on the environment with green boating
- living afloat
- maintaining your boat - its engine and services; upgrades and safety
All talks are followed by an open question and answer session.
For more information on these talks click on the button below.
Guarantee your front row seats at the Seminars
The seminars at Crick Boat Show are completely free to attend. However, as the seminars can get very busy you can guarantee a seat near the front of the Seminar Theatre by reserving a place at the Show Information Point for a nominal fee of £1. Bookings can be made ONLY ON THE DAY of the seminar, and are on a first-come, first-served basis and close 20 minutes before the Seminar starts.
Masterclasses 2025
Come to a Masterclass to learn from the experts...
Running throughout the weekend of Crick, Masterclass talks gives those considering a boat purchase or current boat owners looking to upgrade their boat’s fitments the advice and confidence they need to make the right decisions. The Masterclasses are led by exhibitors, providing expertise in their field. Each talk is no longer than 20 minutes with time for Q&A’s after. Below you will find information about the Masterclasses taking place at the 2025 Show.
Our masterclass timetable will be available to view here in May.
Busting Some Myths About Lithium Batteries
Haven Knox-Johnston - Paul Knox-Johnston
E-Propulsion - Steve Bruce
Paul Knox-Johnston from Haven Knox-Johnston and Steve Bruce from E-Propulsion explore the world of power and lift the lid on modern Lithium Batteries and how far technology has moved on with a view to a much brighter, safer future. From Lithium Ion to Lithium Phosphate, from professional installations and why you shouldn’t do this on your own, they hope to cover all your “burning” questions in this session.
Powering Your Journey: Mastervolt & Lithium Systems
LKQ Leisure and Marine – Joe Cleave
Join Joe Cleave, Technical Account Manager – Marine at LKQ Leisure and Marine, for an exclusive insight into the world of onboard power systems. Joe will dive into three essential topics every boater should consider when upgrading their power setup:
- Mastervolt Power Systems
- Lithium Batteries
- System Integration for Modern Boats
Whether you’re a hands-on boater, a curious cruiser, or just exploring options for your boat’s future power needs, Joe’s session will equip you with the key facts, product insights, and upgrade possibilities available through LKQ.
Common Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them
Haven Knox-Johnston – Paul Knox-Johnston
None of us want to make an insurance claim – it takes time and can cost us money by affecting our no claims bonus. Paul Knox-Johnston from Haven Knox-Johnston speaks about the most common insurance claims from owners of boats on the inland waterways and how best to minimise the risks that lead to a claim.
Boat Covers - all you need to know
Kinver Canopies – Ian Underwood / Vicki Jones Ward
If you are a current or prospective boat owner who hasn’t yet considered their boat cover then this talk is for you. Ian Underwood and Vicki Jones Ward of Kinver Canopies will help you to understand what canopy will work for you. They will discuss the pros and cons for all cover types including the different materials, colours and fixings. Subjects will include general aesthetics, cleaning, repairs and on-going maintenance. The session will finish with top tips, plus a question and answers round for you to take advantage of their experience within this field.
Protecting and blacking your narrowboat hull
Bluewater Boats
Properly shot blasting and preparing a steel hull is essential to prevent corrosion and pitting, which can significantly shorten the lifespan of the vessel. The process removes old paint, rust, and contaminants, creating a clean surface that allows for better adhesion of the two-pack epoxy blacking. If this preparation is neglected, it can lead to uneven coatings, premature deterioration, and costly repairs down the line. Demonstrating these steps effectively will illustrate the long-term benefits of investing time and resources into proper steel hull maintenance.
The HDPE Narrowboat – a world first
Formation Plastics – Shaun Moir
Adrift Boats - Curtis Oyadiran
Shaun Moir of Formation Plastics and Curtis Oyadiran of Adrift Boats will be unveiling a world’s first at Crick Boat Show 2025 – the HDPE narrowboat - bringing unparalleled durability, sustainability, and ease of ownership. This masterclass will talk you through how, unlike traditional steel boats, the HDPE narrowboat will never rust, never require blacking, and is fully resistant to osmosis and rot, offering a lifetime of low-maintenance cruising. Constructed using high-density polyethylene (HDPE), this vessel is lightweight yet incredibly strong, enhancing efficiency and manoeuvrability. Designed for modern boaters, it features custom layouts, solar integration, and advanced off-grid capabilities. Make sure you attend to find out how this collaboration is setting a new standard for canal boating.
Onboard Internet
Wifionboard – David Walker
David Walker of Wifionboard discusses the issues and solutions surrounding onboard internet for leisure and liveaboard users. Being connected onboard is no longer a luxury. With home working, TV streaming or just booking a table at the pub requiring internet access, it is essential to modern life whether we like it or not! Being able to get high speeds to access these services is key, and sharing marina wifi just doesn’t give full-service internet all day long. This masterclass will cover the basics:
- 4G vs 5G
- Mobile vs Satellite
- Running costs
- Power requirements
Working from your boat: Internet for boaters living and working from their boats
Wifionboard – David Walker
David Walker of Wifionboard will also present a second masterclass covering internet for boat-based workers. Working from your boat accentuates the internet access issues of the leisure or infrequent user. Constant, reliable connections are more important if your livelihood relies upon it! This masterclass covers:
- High availability, high speed internet
- Working using Zoom, Teams etc
- Streaming from the boat
Free Boat Trips
Sponsored by ABC Boat Hire
At Crick Boat Show, visitors can take a free trip out onto the water to experience the Grand Union Canal on one of our trip boats. Trip boats run every 10 minutes from 10.10am each day of the show and each trip lasts 30 minutes.
All trips are run by LNBP Community Boating who will be collecting small donations.
This is a popular attraction, so we advise that you book your free trip at the Trip Boats Marquee on the Quayside soon after you arrive at the show.
Find out more about LNBP Community Boating
Real Ale and Cider Festival 2025 - sponsored by
Following the enormous success of previous years there will once again be a Real Ale and Cider Festival in the The Crick Tavern marquee at Crick Boat Show. Sponsored by Lee Sanitation, this year you can enjoy the choice of 49 cask ales, as well as ciders, perries and gins.
This year, in a bid to reduce plastic waste and be more environmentally friendly, the bar will be running a cup return scheme for all ale and cider sales. This allows you to pay for a plastic souvenir pint cup which can be hygienically cleaned between each use. Choose to take it home or return it for a refund.
Remember - the widest range of beers and ciders will be available on Saturday and Sunday, so don't leave it too late to visit The Crick Tavern the for the greatest choice.
There will be live music in The Crick Tavern each afternoon and evening with headline tribute bands on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Crick Music Festival 2025 - sponsored by
Crick is proud to be Britain's biggest inland waterways festival, but the Crick experience wouldn't be complete without a full weekend of live music entertainment. Enjoy a wide selection of music performed in the Crick Tavern Marquee in the afternoon and evening. On Saturday and Sunday, the evenings build to the appearance of a headline act.
Entry to the evening entertainment is included in the price of your ticket - making a trip to Crick Boat Show incredible value for money.
Headliner Saturday 24 May
ABBA Revival
On Saturday night, Award winning ABBA Tribute Band 'Revival', who have recently been voted as the UK's Official No.1 ABBA tribute act by the Agent's Association of Great Britain, will be wowing the Crick audience.
The show includes faithful choreography, spectacular and authentic costumes, stunning production and, most importantly, excellent musicianship.
ABBA Revival takes their audience on a musical journey back to those heady pop-tastic disco days when ABBA ruled the dance floor!. They'll guarantee to get everybody dancing - even the biggest party grouch will be throwing shapes in no time.
Headliner Sunday 25 May
Dan Budd as Robbie Williams
When it comes to an authentic Robbie Williams experience it’s fair to say that Dan Budd is “the one”!
Dan and his incredible band of musicians (The Eleventh Hour) have been wowing audiences all over the UK and Europe for the past 13 years and have perfected the live feel and experience of an actual Robbie Williams concert, covering all the hits, fan favourites and bits of the Take That catalogue too; it’s fair to say you’re going to have a night you’ll “Never Forget”!
So Let.. HIM.. entertain.. YOU! "
All evening entertainment is included in the price of your day/weekend ticket, making a visit to Crick Boat Show excellent value for money.
See our full list of acts for 2025
The Waterways World VIP marquee
The VIP Marquee is a quiet space to relax and purchase lighter bites, salads, savouries, homemade cakes and a selection of teas and coffees. Food and drinks purchased from the food court may also be taken into the marquee.
Entry to the VIP Marquee is exclusively for wearers of the following wristbands:
- VIP*
- Exhibitor
- Show Volunteer.
*To have a VIP wristband you need to be one of the following:
- A subscriber to Waterways World magazine (to subscribe, visit waterwaysworld.com. As a subscriber you also receive 10% discount off advance ticket prices)
- An IWA member (you should show proof of membership at the marquee entrance)
Saturday and Sunday evening
For Saturday and Sunday evenings the VIP Marquee will transform into The Crick Snug - a quiet, music-free bar for those who wish to enjoy an evening apart from the bustle and live music entertainment in the much larger Crick Tavern marquee (formerly The Wheatsheaf Bar). The Crick Snug will be open to all.
The Crick Snug
On Saturday and Sunday evenings the VIP Marquee will transform into The Crick Snug - a quiet, music-free bar for those who wish to enjoy an evening apart from the bustle and live music entertainment in the much larger Crick Tavern marquee. The Crick Snug is open to all, serving a smaller range of real ales, wines, ciders and soft drinks.
Enjoy an evening meal in the Snug
After the success of our first Pie & Mash evening in the Snug on Saturday last year, we have extended our table-service offering in the snug, meaning more of you can enjoy a cosy meal, served on proper crockery in the quiet and relaxed atmosphere of our Crick Snug.
We are now hosting two sittings on both Saturday and Sunday evenings, so you can choose whether to join us for your table between 6 and 7pm or between 7 and 8pm.
On Saturday evening we'll be serving Pie & Mash like last year, and on Sunday we'll be offering Sausage & Mash.
Like last year, you can choose to book a Private Table (for between 2 and 8 people) or a Mixer Table, which this year will be one long communal table - a great place to meet others and spark conversation! (Mixer bookings are available for between 1 and 3 people).
We'll be listing on this page shortly the Pie and Sausage choices that will be available, and meal choices will be asked for a few weeks in advance of the show by email form.
All meals are served with a choice of chips or mash, peas or mushy peas, delivered to your table on proper crockery together with a jug of delicious hot gravy.
The Crick Snug offers its own bar with beer, cider, & wine. (Drinks to be purchased separately and to be ordered at the bar).
Our Pie & Mash and Sausage & Mash costs £19 per person.
Saturday 6-7pm is now fully booked. We still have tables available Saturday 7-8pm and Sunday.
The Crick Snug tables will all be reserved for dinner guests between 6pm and 9.30pm on Saturday and Sunday evening.
The Canal & River Trust Marquee
National waterways and wellbeing charity Canal & River Trust is delighted to be a part of Crick Boat Show, Britain’s biggest inland waterways event.
We look forward to welcoming visitors to our Marquee to find out about the recreation, health, and wellbeing opportunities available on our waterways. And to learn about ways to support our #ActNowForCanals campaign, ensuring our network is secured for the benefit of current and future generations.
At Crick 2023, the Canal & River Trust Marquee hosted a ‘national treasures’ exhibition, shining a light on the 2,000 miles of historic and natural treasures in our care. We’ll have some examples on display of the 15,000 historic artefacts in our collection, as well as archive images. And, following extensive restoration work, the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne’s historic working boat ‘Sculptor’ will be moored in the Marina for visitors to see.
We’ll be providing extra information on our local East Midlands waterways. Stretching for over 295 miles, these ‘national treasures’ include 11 reservoirs, over 1,700 bridges, culverts and locks, and two major visitor destinations - Foxton Locks and the Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne.
Visitors to the Canal & River Trust Marquee will also be able to try their hands at traditional canal arts, see how a lock works and find out what it takes to care for this fragile, aging network. There will be opportunities to talk to members of our boating, East Midlands and Museums teams, including some of our volunteers.
For more information about the work of the Canal & River Trust, go to www.canalrivertrust.org.uk, call us on 03030 404040 or email customer.services@canalrivertust.org.uk
You can find out more about Canal & River Trust in this short video:
For Children
Free entry for children
There is free entry for children on Saturday 24, Sunday 25 and Monday 26 of the Crick Boat Show 2025 so bring along the whole family on these days, and pay only for the adults, providing excellent value for parents, grandparents and carers.
There is no free entry for children on the Trade and Preview Day (Friday 23 May 2025) so if you wish to bring children on this day, they will need a ticket to enter the Show.
Children's activities
In the Children's Area of the Show Village there will be inflatables.
Canal & River Trust will be providing many fun activities for all ages in the Canal & River Trust marquee.
Historic Boats
Sponsored by Norton Canes
Each year a number of historic boats make the journey to be part of Crick Boat Show and for 2025 we have a total of nine historic boats joining us, including two new boats to explore.
The boats on display are owned by members of the Historic Narrow Boat Club, which works to preserve the working heritage of UK canals from the boats themselves to details of the waterways on which they travel. We are grateful to them for their support in making it possible to bring so many boats.
Lamprey
Built in 1934 by W. J. Yarwood and Sons of Northwich for Birmingham-based carrier Fellows Morton and Clayton, Lamprey was one of a batch of boats powered by 9hp Bolinders and named after fish. Lamprey was one of very few motorboats to carry a forecabin, but this was removed in 1953 when the boat was purchased by the British Transport Commission (Docks and Inland Waterways Executive, North West Division Fleet).
Lamprey was later hired to Willow Wren Transport Services and Anderton Canal Carrying Company and continued to be used as a carrying boat, before being abandoned in the early 1970s. In 1979 she was sold into private ownership and was restored at Ellesmere Port by Ian Kemp.
Lamprey came into its current ownership in 2012 and has since been undergoing further restoration and was awarded the HNBC’s Hemelryk Award in 2020.
Sandbach
First seen at the 2022 Show, Sandbach makes a welcome return to Crick this year.
Sandbach was built in 1946 for the London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS), which owned the Trent & Mersey and Shropshire Union canals at the time.
One of a pair of tug/icebreakers built with wheel steering and a wheelhouse by W J Yarwood & Sons of Northwich. Sister tug was Beeston, both built 25ft long, although Sandbach was lengthened to 35ft less than a year later.
On the nationalisation of the waterways in 1948, Sandbach was transferred to the British Transport Commission (later British Waterways Board) as part of the maintenance fleet, based initially in Middlewich, and later (by the 1970s) on the River Weaver.
Later abandoned and sunk, she was rescued by Malcolm Braine in 1982, and restored at Norton Canes. The original engine was a Russell Newbery DM2 but now has a 1953 Bolinder 1052, (two cylinder 23 hp).
Purton
Purton makes a welcome return to the Show.
Built by W. J. Yarwood & Sons Ltd at Northwich Cheshire in September 1936. Purton is one of 38 all-steel motors known as a Large Northwich built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company Ltd.
Her fleet number was 162. Originally fitted with a National diesel, Purton was re-engined in 1962 with the present Lister HA2 and also shortened to her present length of 57ft 6 in by British Waterways at Knottingley Yorkshire where she worked until 1989. Purton then went into private carrying with West Riding Canal Carriers until she was purchased on the Kennet and Avon Canal by the current owners in 1998, since when time a considerable amount of work has been carried out throughout the boat.
Purton was originally paired with butty Purley, one of 62 built by Walkers of Rickmansworth.
Aldgate
After nationalisation in 1948, Aldgate was transferred to the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive of the British Transport Commission (later British Waterways) and leased to Willow Wren Canal Transport Services. Working in the South Eastern division until well into the sixties, Aldgate was at one time paired with the butty Brighton working up to Whitworths flour mills at Wellingborough with Ron Green as steerer. After the decline of Willow Wren she was sold to Alfred Matty & Sons of Oldbury, and used on the phosphorus waste run from Allbright & Wilson to Dudley Port. Following Alfred Matty's death, Aldgate was abandoned on a disused arm in Oldbury and allowed to sink.
She was recovered in the early 1980s by Steve Priest, and after substantial rebuilding was sold to P. Ayres who used her, trading as Colne Valley Carriers. In 2007 Aldgate and Angel were bought as a pair by Nick Wolfe, whose care, time and money (aided by a grant from the Register of National Historic Ships) has brought Aldgate to the condition she is in today. Nick now works Aldgate under the name Nick Wolfe Canal Carrying. Aldgate parted company with Angel in 2008 but the two boats can occasionally be seen together at Badseys Wharf, Hillmorton.
Technical data: length 71ft 6in; width 7ft 0.5in; draft: 3ft (empty), 4ft plus (loaded); gauged for 41 tons; engine - air cooled Petter PD 2 (20hp @ 1500rpm); gearbox - Parsons 3:1
Sculptor
Crick stallwart Sculptor is maintained by Friends of the Canal Museum who will be at the Crick Boat Show to talk to visitors about the history of the boat and canal carrying.
A Small Northwich motor boat by W.J. Yarwood, Sculptor was built in 1935. It was registered on 5th May 1936 and its cabin was described as a dwelling to accommodate 'three persons or man, woman and two children'. It was paired with butty Toucan and delivered to the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company as part of a fleet of 12 pairs. Sculptor and Toucan began their cargo carrying days taking general goods from the Midlands to London.
Sculptor was commissioned by the Ministry of War Transport department in 1943 to be used as a fire fighting facility based on the Grand Union Canal in Greenford, Middlesex. The alterations made to accommodate pumps are still evident on its hull.
After the end of the war Sculptor was returned to the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company and in 1948, when the canals were nationalised, was passed to the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive's South Eastern Carrying Fleet where extensive work was carried out on the boat's bottom and keelson. Shortly after it became a maintenance boat for the Engineering Department at Northwich. Its engine was replaced in 1960 with a 2-cylinder air-cooled Lister HB2 diesel engine.
Sculptor retired from the maintenance fleet in 1985 and was restored at Ellesmere Port, returning to its Grand Union Canal Carrying Company black and red wartime livery. Since 1986 the boat has been located at the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne as a floating exhibit. In 2012 it was re-bottomed with a wooden hull and is now one of very few composite boats in existence.
Renfrew
GUCCCo ‘Big Northwich’ town class Motor Narrowboat
Renfrew was built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company by Yarwoods at Northwich and launched in October 1936, fleet number 165, paired with butty ROMSEY.
Renfrew worked for the GUCCCo, DIWE, BWB and Willow Wren up to 1965. In1968 she was purchased by Blue Line Canal Carriers who rebuilt the cabin and fitted the Lister HB2 engine. Finally she towed the wooden LUCY on the Jam Ole coal run. In 1970 she transferred to a family who used her for 40 years for camping trips. In 2011 the present owners returned her to carrying. She has carried elm and oak timber for use in the restorations of LUCY, CLENT and JAMES LOADER.
Between 2012 and 2014 she was chartered by the Dog Kennel Hill Project for their experimental dance show “TUG”, in Nottingham, Watford, Kings Cross and Sale.
The present livery is from the new ‘Wonka’ film, when we spent six weeks working for Warner Brothers on the River Thames at Goring and Culham. Much money was spent on carpentry, painting, filming, safety, catering, lighting, for less than a minute’s appearance. Photographs from the filming are displayed on the boat.
Effingham
Effingham was one of the first boats to be built to 6ft 10" beam, which allowed passage through bulging locks awaiting rebuilding! She is one of the Admiral class of boats, built at Northwich by Pimblotts in 1959. Effingham was considered to be modern, having opening portholes, toilet and electric lighting throughout.
The hold was covered in cloths laid over hoops and secured with chocks. The hull design is a hydrostatic curved bluff bow. This unique design allowed the vessel to carry a maximum load of up to 29 tons on a badly maintained canal, by creating a bow wave which forced water under the craft, lifting the stern and assisting prop throughput.
Following her rescue as a sunk boat in 2007, major restoration processes have been completed including a new bottom and footings to the side plates, replica boatmans cabin and most recently new stern tunnel bands. Effingham was bought by the current owners in December 2019 and they are continuing her preservation.
Cyprus
Cyprus was built in 1935 by W.J. Yarwood & Sons at their yard on the River Weaver in Northwich, Cheshire. She entered service with the Erewash Canal Carrying Company on 26th September 1935, alongside her butty Cedar. A second pair, Elm and Ash, completed the order—remarkably, all four boats survive today. As the other three boats are named after trees, it has been speculated that Cyprus may have been intended as Cypress, though the reason for the naming remains unknown. Constructed from a mix of steel and wrought iron, Cyprus was hot-riveted throughout and originally fitted with a 3” elm bottom, now replaced in steel. Her hull, engine room, and rear cabin remain largely original. At £2,506 per pair, the boats exceeded their £2,440 tender. Shorter than the GUCCC “Stars,” the Erewash boats were built a foot shorter to suit a River Soar lock. In 2009, a near-original National DM2 engine was reinstated. Cyprus now carries her historic 1935 livery, with a converted hold beneath the cloths.
Bristol
Bristol is a Large Woolwich motor, originally built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company (GUCCC) and paired with butty Brighton. She entered service in the late 1930s and was transferred to Willow Wren in January 1962, renamed Dipper, and underwent significant repairs including re-bottoming and re-footing by British Waterways. Her original National engine was removed during this period and replaced with a Lister HB2, which remains serviceable. In the late 1960s, she joined the Black Prince hire fleet, gained a full-length cabin conversion, and reverted to the name Bristol. The hire conversion preserved her structure well until she passed into private hands in the 1980s as a leisure boat. Under current ownership, she has been returned to carrying condition. Her original wooden back cabin has been replaced with a historically accurate steel replica by Braunston Boats Ltd, and her back cabin and fittings have been finely refitted by the present owner, a skilled cabinetmaker.
