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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
 Posted - 28 May 2012 : 09:43:55
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Shameless promotion time.
This coming weekend is the Stroud On Water Festival, which incorporates the 2012 IWA National Trailboat Festival.
www.stroudonwater.org.uk
There will be about 4km of navigable canal seeing the first significant boat traffic for 70-80 years, including the newly-restored Ryeford Double Lock. We're expecting 30 to 40 visiting boats, including Wilderness boats ("Narrowboat Lite"), 20 foot steam launches and smaller GRP craft, plus 3 or 4 trip boats and a plethora of canoes and stuff. The festival site is canal-side and is the usual mix of beer tents, music stages, beer tents, trade stands, bouncy castles and beer tents.
Jo and I are construction volunteers for the Cotswold Canal Trust and we've been spending every spare minute beavering away on brickwork and slipway construction. Not that we are cutting it fine or anything but today Jo has taken the day off to help with the final concrete pour at one of the slipways. Then it's just a small matter of laying coping stones, constructing the paths, installing the bollards, levelling the spoil heap, landscaping the site, clearing the rubbish and removing the fencing in time for the first boats on Friday. There may be a few late evenings this week...
So cross your fingers for the weather and if you are in the area, come and look at the boats. We're very excited! |
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Jimbo
United Kingdom
585 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 14:22:32
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Ian, great news about the festival However please could you give details of date and where abouts please?
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 15:05:12
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The festival is about 15 minutes drive from M5 Junction 13.
Address:
Marling School,
Cainscross Road,
Stroud
Gloucestershire
GL5 4HE
The event runs for three days starting at noon on Saturday 2nd June and culminating in a firework display at 10.30pm on Monday 4th June.
Opening times:
Sat 12 noon to 9pm
Sun 11am to 9pm
Mon 11am to 11pm
Boats will be on the canal from Friday onwards and I'd guess some will remain for a few days after the festival ends. |
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Lester Mayo
United Kingdom
289 Posts |
Posted - 28 May 2012 : 16:59:20
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Would love to visit but live to far away so cant make it. I am going down the Anderton boat lift sat AM for 3 days on the river weaver.
Its very much appreciated the work you do for people to be able to enjoy the canals and rivers we all love so much.
I am involved with saving old wooden canal boats to be used in community projects and helping people suffering with depression. We are setting up as a NCBA training centre to train people to work the boats as they were when they carried trade and allow them to gain a community boat licence.
www.wcbs.org.uk
Hope the weather is kind to you and wish you every success
thats my back end on the home page probably my best side
Don't take life too serious, it's not permanent |
Edited by - Lester Mayo on 28 May 2012 17:07:37 |
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ken cattell
United Kingdom
192 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2012 : 01:49:45
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I saw this event mentioned a year ago and aimed to trail the Conquest to it from Swindon, but that rebuild project goes on, and on....(should of bought a ready to use one it would of been cheaper)!
However I do have days off this Saturday AND Sunday so would like to come along for one of them with the Canadian canoe just to paddle the canal, whats the rules re insurance, licences etc? Can we turn up on the day or is it pre-booked?
If you see 2 people with a cream 17+ foot Atlantic Trapper canadian canoe please come and say hello. It would be so nice to meet a fellow Norman masochist! (where is the spell check!!)
Good luck with the event and thankd for your efforts.
Ken |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2012 : 07:18:12
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The "proper" trailboats are pre-booked. I don't know what the official line is on canoes but I don't see how anyone can stop you launching a canoe and it would be great to see another boat on the water. And I'm sure you won't be the only one. If you see a fat bald bloke labelled as "Steward", avoiding his duties down by the water, give me a wave...
We might be in danger of having an impromptu Norman meet. |
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adi-n-chez
United Kingdom
1980 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2012 : 22:32:20
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quote:
Originally posted by IanM
The "proper" trailboats are pre-booked. I don't know what the official line is on canoes but I don't see how anyone can stop you launching a canoe and it would be great to see another boat on the water. And I'm sure you won't be the only one. If you see a fat bald bloke labelled as "Steward", avoiding his duties down by the water, give me a wave...
We might be in danger of having an impromptu Norman meet.
At the bar ???
Well nothing new there then - A Norman meet with no Normans !!  
Hope it all goes well Ian !
Adi
Sewer Tubes ? I'd rather have a D**ncr*ft (Only Kidding) |
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Stan the Man
United Kingdom
134 Posts |
Posted - 29 May 2012 : 23:43:40
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ken cattell
Great to hear you're going "on the water" at Stroud. My wife and I are attending on the Sunday/Monday and I'be been exchanging emails with IanM about meeting up. Perhaps we all ought to carry a rolled up copy of the "Times" so that we can congregate for a tonic water or three.
As you apparently live in Swindon (I grew up and went to school there in the days when the town still built railway engines) perhaps you know the T&S and Stroudwater well?
The Read Admiral and myself were both involved with the Thames and Severn Canal Trust (as it then was) in the mid-seventies when there were few volunteers and no money at which time we worked on Bowbridge Lock and Kings Reach at the eastern end of Sapperton Tunnel. All a bit different now and we organised a couple of walks recently with some friends from the Ocean at Stonehouse to Stroud and Stroud to Bell Lock. The weather was beautiful and the amount of work going on very impressive. Got chatting to Clive Field at the Stroud visitor centre and he invited me to operate the paddles on the restored Wallbridge Upper Lock - I only wish the GU paddle gear was as easy to use!
I know from his emails that IanM has been involved recently on the permanent slipway currently being built and he certainly deserves a refreshing pint or two for his efforts in the heat of the noonday sun!
I'm looking forward to seeing the part of the Stroudwater which was narrowed many years ago as part of a flood relief scheme and which is now being re-excavated to full width almost 24/7 (delays due to wildlife issues I believe) ready for the festival.
As Adi says, perhaps a Norman meet without any Normans but a great weekend beckons. I know from IanM's emails that he and his wife have been involved recently with building the permanent slipway and I think refreshments are are in order for such dedicated efforts in the noonday sun!
Keep in touch via the forum and don't forget the rolled up "Times".
Regards, Stan |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 30 May 2012 : 23:21:35
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I was over at the temporary slipway site this evening, watching the first boat launch - a Sea Otter being towed by a Unimog. A proper boat. On "our" canal. We actually applauded.
The permanent slipway site is now completely functional. If we had another week the paths would be topped with nice stone chippings and the parking area would be well on the way to completion but as it stands it has all the essential elements of a slipway. Concrete ramp, winch ring, bollards, small child on bicycle waiting for the first boat etc. It's been built from scratch in just 5 weeks by a rag tag bunch of volunteers. I wasn't really prepared for the size of the thing. The "team" has poured about 22 cubic metres of concrete and laid around 6 tonnes of concrete blocks and coping stones.
And now it's on to the festival itself. I've foolishly agreed to organise the stewards for the entire 3 day event. So if anyone fancies stewarding I can offer you free entry, a limited edition t-shirt to keep forever and my eternal gratitude....
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ken cattell
United Kingdom
192 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 01:21:41
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Right had a word with my son tonight, we can both make it on the Saturday only so we will just turn up and see how we get on.
I assume its just the festival site that opens at 12 but it will be ok to paddle down the cannal to the festival site prior to that.
good luck for the event.
Ken
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Stan the Man
United Kingdom
134 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 05:18:26
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IanM
It must have been really satisfying to see a visiting "real" boat on the Stroudwater for nigh-on sixty years!
When I win the lottery, I'll splash out on a Sea Otter and moor it at Brimscombe so hurry up and finish Phases 1A/1B.
Regards, Stan |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 07:30:42
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quote:
Originally posted by ken cattellI assume its just the festival site that opens at 12 but it will be ok to paddle down the cannal to the festival site prior to that.
Yep, as of today that stretch of canal is "open" and will stay open forever (or at least until it falls into disrepair again...). Dudbridge locks have not been completed so the canal consists of a short 300m stretch beside the festival field plus around 4km from west of Dudbridge all the way out to The Ocean at Stonehouse, where there is a shiny new swing bridge. So come, canoe, enjoy! |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 18:11:13
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Some rubbish phone pics from yesterday.
Any 'mog fans out there?
That combo is 57 foot and 11 tonnes. I'm told he travelled from the east of England. Maybe he owns an oil refinery....
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 31 May 2012 : 19:40:42
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No interest in canals or sewertubes but unimogs? Now you're talking
When I win the lottery....
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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ken cattell
United Kingdom
192 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2012 : 23:57:38
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Went to the event yesterday used the Canadian canoe to paddle a very pleasent 1 1/2 mile to the event venue. A great mix of stalls, entertainment and displays to see. Sampled a couple of pints of Stroud brewerys offerings (the Buddling was very good and not extotionate at £3.00 a pint) Met with IanM for a brief chat as he was working around the site. A good day, thanks to all who must of worked so hard to make it sucsessful.
Ken |
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Stan the Man
United Kingdom
134 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jun 2012 : 05:02:47
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Ken Cattell
Ditto to that. The Rear Admiral and I were at the show Sunray and, despite the rain, had an excellent time. Also managed to catch up with IanM who was looking a little stressed after all the hectic efforts of the last few days but they had paid off and we saw a real canal with boats on it! In fact. At times the traffic made the cut seem busier than the GU main line.
After experiencing a short "pootle " on one of the trip boats at the show, we returned on Monday to walk some of the lengths we were unable to see during our last visit some weeks ago. Whilst standing and watching a little wooden steam launch, Grace, locking up at Ryeford, I got chatting to her skipper who enquired if the Rear Admiral and I would like a trip up to the showground. Pausing only to bite off bis arm, two minutes later we were aboard and holding mugs of tea. Out trip was probably only a mile and a half but what a wonderful surprise. It is unlikely that the skipper, Mark, will ever read this but if anyone knows the gentleman concerned, please pass onto him our thanks once again for making our visit so memorable.
Thanks also to IanM, the rest of the CCT team and all those involved in this wonderful event. I realise that IanM's Ferrous Norman 55 does indicate a move to the dark side, but I can now forgive even that! Seriously Ian, you now deserve some quality boating time - you've earned it.
Regards Stan |
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Stroud On Water Festival
