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Saturday 30 March 2013

A Boat Like No Other (Part 2)

 
The Covers Removed
 
On 22 November 2012 an item was posted on this blog about the creation of a working boat of the type unique to the Chesterfield Canal  -  the New Dawn project.
 
This is a tremendous undertaking totally manned, and funded, by members of the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
   
In November the boat was still draped in tarpaulins, but since then the covers have been removed and the scale of what has been achieved is plain to see.
 

They worked throughout the wet summer of 2012, and now the late bitter coldness of winter/spring 2013, but by early February the volunteers could take delight in seeing what they had achieved.



By late March the major task was caulking.  This means forcing the caulking (created from woven strands of old and new ropes and soaked in Stockholm tar) into the joints and seams, and the gaps between the planks, to make the timbers watertight.
 



At the bows  -  both sides of the stem post are being sealed.
 
Harry, on the left, is cutting out a slot using a brace, and on the right, Richlow's John is caulking the joint with a wooden caulking mallet. 





Friday 22 March 2013

Updates - March 2013

 
All Richlow Titles
 
Contacts Pages.  CRT Telephone Numbers

With immediate effect the telephone number for all CRT regional offices will be 03030 404040, only.  A central hub will redirect calls to the required region.  Calls to the previous numbers will result in having to redial.  Signs along the waterways will gradually be changed.
 
Direct telephone numbers for lock-keepers, to ascertain tide times etc, will remain in use.
 
 
South Yorkshire Waterways
 
Map 12.  Long-term Towpath Closure, Rotherham
 
From 15 April 2013 to 23 December 2013  -  the towpath will be closed for land-based visitors between Centenary Way Bridge (Rotherham) and Halfpenny Bridge (at the foot of the Tinsley lock flight, Sheffield)
 
The lock-landings at Ickles Lock, Holmes Lock, Jordans Lock, and Tinsley no.11 Lock will still be open for boaters to use.
 
The closure is to carry out major towpath improvements by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, to create a cycle route between the town and Sheffield.  A 2.5 metre-wide path, with a waterproof hard surface, will be installed.  Signposts will be installed along the route, and in adjacent areas, to spread awareness of the waterway.
 

  


This the first phase of a project which will eventually lead to more towpath improvements at both ends of this first section. 
 



South Pennine Ring  -  Part 1
  
Page 6.  Summit Pound of the Rochdale Canal
  
First paragraph.  Delete the requirement to book passage of the summit pound of the Rochdale Canal (although CRT do ask that boaters check with them about water supplies after a dry period of weather (oh, if only!!)
 
Page 7.  Summit Passage of the Rochdale Canal.
Page 20.  Summit Navigation Notes
 
From 2013 there is no need to pre-book passage over the summit, between Locks 36 and 37.  Please note, there is strictly NO MOORING between Locks 38 and 44.
 

South Pennine Ring  -  Part 2
 
Page 7.  Standedge Tunnel
 
Final paragraph.  Addition  -  CRT do not allow petrol-powered, or fibreglass, boats to pass through the tunnel.
 
Page 7.  Bookings for the South Pennine Ring
 
Second paragraph.  Delete  -  the summit pound of the Rochdale Canal.
Amend  -  to Manchester 17 Locks.
 
Page 10. Cycling
 
CRT has recently allowed cycling along all of their towpaths unless there are specific "no cycling" signs.  As a result cycling is now allowed on the towpath of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, however some sections are narrow and there are a lot of low bridges and blind spots.
 
If cycling the South Pennine Ring, we do not recommend using the river bank between Cooper Bridge and Kirklees Locks on the Calder & Hebble Navigation.  It is too uneven, narrow and dangerous.
 
Please be aware, pedestrians have priority on towpaths.
 
Page 20.  Standedge Tunnel
 
Add  -  as above for final paragraph of page 7.