Historic Boats

Each year several historic boats make the journey to be part of Crick Boat Show. These are the boats that are confiemed to be on display in 2022 and more boats will be added as information becomes available.

Nutfield & Raymond

Raymond was built on Barlow's Dock in Braunston in 1958 and was the last wooden working boat to be built in the UK. It was launched the same year, in the hands of Arthur and Rose Bray and Rose's son, Ernie Kendall. Nutfield was built in 1936 by W.J. Yarwood & Sons of Northwich, for the Grand Union company.

Picture: Summer 1969, Winkwell top lock. Rose Bray on board Raymond

The two boats were brought together by Blue Line in 1968 when the aging motor boat, Roger was replaced by the ex-GUCCCo Nutfield. Following the contraction in the use of the waterways, eventually only one contract remained for the pair: the delivery of coal from Warwickshire to the jam factory of Kearley & Tonge Ltd, in Southall. This too came to an end in 1970 with the closure of the factory and, with it, the era of cargo carrying on the canals.

After the end of the 'Jam 'Ole' contract, Nutfield was sold and used as a passenger trip boat. The Brays continued to live in Raymond for many years, eventually passing it on to Jim & Doris Collins. By 1993, Raymond had deteriorated to the point of sinking and was towed away for eventual restoration.

The Friends of Raymond was formed in 1996 and took over ownership and responsibility for Raymond, which was in such poor condition that it had to be dismantled in situ at the Black Country Museum. In 2000, Phil Babb completed a total rebuild and, for several years, the restored boat was shown around the canals in its original Barlow's livery. In 2003, the Friends also acquired Nutfield and reunited one of the last pairs to work on our canals. Raymond was repainted in Blue Line colours in 2007 and now awaits a complete repaint. Restoration of Nutfield is progressing slowly, as funds become available, but is now resplendent in the old Blue Line livery from 1968.

Find out more about Nutfield and Raymond at The Friends of Raymond website

Sandbach

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 25 feet 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).