Richlow Info

Updates - February 2012 (2)

2012-02-17T09:50:00.000Z

Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 36 Keadby Lock Size. Length Restriction. About 60ft is the normal length restriction on boats using Keadby Lock. The chamber is 67ft according to the lock-keeper, but other considerations are the wide walk-overs within the chamber on the river-end gates, which tillers can rise up under. Longer craft can only pass through when the tide in the Trent makes a level with the canal and all gates can be opened, by prior arrangement with the lock-keeper. This means waiting outside on the tideway for appropriate conditions, and is not recommended. Note, that such craft will only be able to proceed as far as the similar-sized Thorne Lock.

The chamber of Keadby Lock is wide enough to accommodate three narrowboats abreast.

Narrowboats, having come in from the Trent. The centre one is 60ft long, plus fenders. On the right is Richlow's flagship Madeley Wood, with John Lower on the roof. Note, he is wearing a life-jacket.

Narrowboat on the Trent www.richlow.co.uk Post Free

Updates - February 2012

2012-02-02T15:05:00.000Z

Lincolnshire Waterways

Page 26. Geordie's Chandlery and Boat Sales. New owners, David and Sue Ball. Boat services are now - Pump-out, diesel, petrol, Calor Gas, water, chandlery.
General supplies include groceries, newspapers, coal, logs, stamps, ice-cream, fresh and frozen food, pharmaceuticals. 01205 280311

Pages 26 and 52. Witham and Blues. The Ferry Boat Inn at Langrick Bridge has been transformed into the Witham and Blues - restaurant, coffee-shop, bar. http://www.withamandblues.com/

Updates - January 2012

2012-01-24T12:35:00.000Z

Chesterfield Canal - A Richlow Guide

Page 12. White Swan pub. Walkers can use the pub's car park.

Page 30, and Map 11. The canal is now in water from Mill Green Bridge to the new Staveley Town Basin. The towpath along this stretch was resurfaced in January, thereby removing the mud created by the recent canal restoration work.

Page 40. The Angel pub at Killamarsh has closed once again.

Page 41. The police non-emergency number changed to the new national 101.

Guides available from our website http://www.richlow.co.uk/ Post free.

Inland Waterways Information http://boaters-web.com/

Images of - River Trent (tidal)

2012-01-03T14:45:00.000Z

Narrowboat on the Trent - available from http://www.richlow.co.uk/

The tidal River Trent between Cromwell Lock and Keadby Lock

These images are of the tidal section of the River Trent, for those who do not have a clear idea of the nature of these waters, nor what it would be like to navigate them.

We cannot cover here all that is needed to be known. But subjects such as equipment, ropes, anchors, tide calculations, charts, moorings, etc have been collected together in our book Narrowboat on the Trent, based on Richlow's 30 years of cruising the tidal Trent, and regularly updated.
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The book covers the whole of the navigable Trent, but in this blog we have only covered the tidal section because those are the waters about which boaters need the most information.

Many narrowboats navigate the tidal Trent. They do so because it gives access to canals and rivers not otherwise reachable, or as an alternative to climbing across the Pennines to reach the waterways east of those hills.

And often because they want a change, a challenge.

Approaching Cromwell Lock, from upstream.

The Trent flows over the adjacent weir, the structure which prevents the tide from progressing further upstream.

All locks on the tidal Trent are operated by lock-keepers.

The exit from Cromwell Lock, onto tidal waters.

At first the tidal Trent is narrower than expected, with charts necessary to avoid shallows, but it opens out into wider channels.

When used to seeing and handling narrowboats on the confined waters of canals it takes a while to get used to the scope of a major river.

Yes, large commercial vessels also use the Trent. But good planning, common sense and preparation will make the experience something to savour.

A scene often seen on the tidal Trent.

The first "port of call" is Torksey, the entrance to the Lincolnshire waterways - the Fossdyke, the River Witham and their links to other canals and rivers. An "Images of Lincolnshire Waterways" section is available on this website.
This scene is from Torksey Lock, along the approach cut, with the Trent in the background.

Further downstream is Gainsborough. This scene is from the town's bridge, one of the few road crossings this far downstream.
Two narrowboats cruising downstream on the ebbing tide. Save diesel, let the river help you along whenever possible.

Before railways, when the waterways were the main transport routes, Gainsborough was a major inland port. It was the point where cargoes were transhipped between large coastal vessels and smaller boats which could navigate further upstream.

On any flowing water - always turn into the current before manoeuvring. As here, approaching a mooring.

Remembering this important fact makes life so much easier on any river. And if it's tidal? Know which way the river is going!

The next junction is West Stockwith Lock, the entrance to the pretty and secluded Chesterfield Canal - the only narrow canal in the area.
The narrowboat is going downstream on the ebb tide, the cruisers have turned into the flow, waiting to enter the lock as the one in the foreground is doing.

West Stockwith Lock entrance. Although it's a narrow canal the lock opens into a basin for larger craft.
An "Images of the Chesterfield Canal" section is available on this website.

Just downstream from the Chesterfield Canal is the River Idle, into which is cruising Richlow's Madeley Wood. There is a right of navigation on the Idle but there are sluices at the entrance - for passage of which a high fee is levied.
Richlow is campaigning for the resolution of the Idle navigation problems.

The distinctive Keadby Bridge.

Beyond Keadby Bridge, the Trent becomes wider.

There are wharves on both banks...

...regularly used by shipping.

Near the bows of the coaster is Keadby Lock, the entrance to the Stainforth & Keadby Canal.

This is the furthest point downstream regularly navigated by narrowboats. It is possible to cruise down to the Trent's confluence with the River Ouse - and then up that river, or down the Humber estuary to Hull and other waterways. It needs very specialist local knowledge to safely do so in a narrowboat and Richlow guides do not cover those waters - our guides are "Written by People Who Go There" - and we've never been there - yet. And when we do, it will be in convoy.

So respect the River Trent - don't fear it.

Narrowboat on the Trent is available, post free, from our website. Study it, do your homework, make your boat ready for these waters - and enjoy yourself.

Images of - North Yorkshire Waterways

2011-12-30T15:57:00.000Z

North Yorkshire Waterways guide - available from http://www.richlow.co.uk/

The rivers Ouse, Ure, Foss and Derwent, and the Ripon and Pocklington canals.

There is a wide variety of navigable waterways in North Yorkshire, and the same can be said of the locations reached thereby. They are well worth cruising and visiting for their wealth of wildlife, countryside and history.

These waters are little cruised by visiting boats, but the attractions of York and Ripon should not be missed. Public transport is easily available for visits further afield.

Further downstream on the River Ouse are the River Derwent and the Pocklington Canal - both are waterways needing more visiting boats.

The following pictures were taken in 2011, on a group cruise, led by Richlow's narrowboat Madeley Wood. Richlow guides - Written by People Who Go There!

Selby Lock, with boats waiting to descend to the tidal River Ouse. The lock-keeper decides when locking takes place, depending on the time of the tides, and the destinations required - upstream on the Ouse to York, and the Ripon Canal - downstream to the River Derwent and the Pocklington Canal.

Exiting Selby Lock, and turning downstream towards the River Derwent.

At the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Derwent is Barmby Barrage, which controls the levels of fresh water in the Derwent, and prevents salination of those waters by the Ouse tides.

Approaching the Barrage lock, for access to the River Derwent.

On the River Derwent, the Barmby Barrage pontoon moorings.

If you hear that the River Derwent has an over-hanging trees problem, then rest assured. The trees were cut back in 2011.

River Derwent - Sutton Lock.

River Derwent. Head of navigation at Stamford Bridge.

Pocklington Canal. An example of its distinctive paddle-gear.

The Pocklington is a quiet rural canal, in sharp contrast to the rivers of the region.

The Pocklington provides surroundings more familiar to those used to the main canal network.

Pocklington Canal - head of navigation.

Back to the River Ouse. Upstream from Selby Lock is Naburn.

On the left is the weir which prevents the tide from progressing further upstream. Naburn Lock is on the right.

The home of the Archbishop of York, alongside the River Ouse.

York is the highlight of cruising the River Ouse. This historic city needs a number of days exploration.

Ripon Canal. After the rivers, the canal is a quiet haven.

Approaching the basin at the head of the canal. The small city of Ripon is a lovely place to explore.

These pictures are only a brief depiction of North Yorkshire's waterways, but they do give an indication of the types and sizes of the rivers and canals in this north-eastern corner of the network. Yes, boating here need planning, but with the help of Richlow's North Yorkshire Waterways guide you will find there is much to see and the challenge is worthwhile.

Richlow guides - Written by People Who Go There!

Updates - December 2011

2011-12-28T12:52:00.000Z

The South Pennine Ring - Part 2 of 2

Map 16, and text on pages 28 and 30. Sellers Tunnel.

While the canal was derelict most of its route between Longroyd Bridge 25 and Queen Street was filled in. The site was used industrially and several buildings were built on the line of the canal. As a result the restored canal was built at a lower level in a tunnel, and locks 3E and 2E were moved. Now the surface site is being redeveloped, the tunnel roof is being removed, the locks resited, and the water level raised.

This will make the route more attractive to boaters, and re-open the towpath as a through route. These major works on still on-going. When they are complete we will, of course, update the guide-book, but in the meantime we took the following photographs on 27 December - but it is a site closed to the public so we couldn't get as near as we would have liked. And being a Bank Holiday there was no one to discuss things with, which the civil-engineering half of Richlow likes to do.

The roof of Sellers Tunnel removed, just beyond the excavators.

From above what was the "new" lock 3E looking east. The gates have been removed from the lock, but the tail bridge is still in place. Beyond, the roof of the tunnel has been removed, and a new waling can be seen on the pile tops which previously formed the tunnel walls.

An emergency access point in Sellers Tunnel - which is actually at the site of the original lock 3E, just upstream (west) of Chapel Hill Bridge.

Updates - December 2011

2011-12-21T12:36:00.000Z

Chesterfield Canal

Map 11. Staveley. The canal now has water in it from Chesterfield to the new Staveley Basin. It will take until approximately the middle of January 2012 to fill the basin. Meanwhile the towpath remains officially closed in the area - however, walkers and cyclists have continued to use it. Those doing so should note that in the vicinity of Hall Lane Bridge (12) the path is very muddy across its entire width, and for a considerable distance. This is a result of the heavy machinery working in the area.

If you wish to see the new basin, there is a good view from Hall Lane, Staveley (down the hill from the Library).

The whole project is another success for the Chesterfield Canal Partnership - and the gap between the two restored sections is reduced yet again.

The new basin at Staveley beginning to fill. The water is still shallow, but it shows what the Chesterfield Canal's latest feature will look like.

Images of - Lincolnshire Waterways

2011-12-19T17:24:00.000Z

Lincolnshire Waterways guide - available from http://www.richlow.co.uk/

Guide books "Written by People Who Go There"

These images were taken on a 2011 cruise, led by Richlow's flagship Madeley Wood.

_________________________________________

The waterways of Lincolnshire are some of the quietest in the country - but we must be honest in saying they are an acquired taste. For those who favour exploing new waters, and those who enjoy walking or cycling, they are without parallel. And anyone with an interest in railways and/or the RAF will also find much of interest.

The Fossdyke and the River Witham form a route giving access to the Black Sluice Navigation, the Slea, and the enigmatic Witham Navigable Drains, a network where another moving boat may not be seen. And the Black Sluice Navigation now gives an opportunity for inland craft to cruise down The Haven at Boston - a highlight of any holiday on the Witham. The county is generally flat so there are only a few locks, all of which are of wide dimensions.

These waterways have wide open skies, and to be enjoyed they need wide open minds - hear the bird song, notice the fruits of the bushes, query the crops in the fields, appreciate the quietness, and feel the thrill of a Lancaster bomber overhead with escorting Spitfires as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight climbs from its nearby RAF base.

A new path, the Water Rail Way, links Lincoln and Boston. It has 20 miles off-road and 13 miles on country lanes, using the banks of the Witham, and is clearly marked on the maps in our guide Lincolnshire Waterways.

Approaching Torksey Lock, the entrance to the Fossdyke, from the River Trent.

In Torksey Lock.

A section of the Visitor Moorings at Saxilby.

Brayford Pool in Lincoln, with the cathedral beyond.

The High Bridge (or Glory Hole) at Lincoln.
The oldest bridge in this country, with buildings still upon it.

Stamp End Lock at Lincoln.

Bardney Lock.

The River Witham is wide - no need to look for a winding hole here. We once saw a narrowboat circling - just because they could!

Not all of these waters are of the same width. Some of the by-waters, such as Billinghay Skirth and Timberland Delph have "pointing doors" at the entrance - as shown in the following picture.

"Pointing doors".

Pontoon moorings such as these are the normal standard for Visitor Moorings on the River Witham.

Anton's Gowt on the River Witham - the entrance to the Witham Navigable Drains. Pictures of Richlow boating on those waterways are on this blog, via the Images - Navigable Drains label on the Home Page.

The new Visitor Moorings at Boston. In the distance is the tower of St.Botolph's, a feature which can be seen for many miles around the town.

At Boston the Grand Sluice (in the background) keeps the tidal waters of the River Witham at bay.

This boat is on the tidal sectionof the river, approaching the Grand Sluice on its return from the Black Sluice Navigation.

The tidal Witham passes through Boston.

Boats in The Haven at Boston, waiting for the entrance lock to the Black Sluice Navigation.

On the right are Boston's busy docks.
Entering Black Sluice Lock, with Boston docks in the background.

On the Black Sluice Navigation. This newly navigable waterway will eventually be a link through to the River Glen.

The Slea Navigation. Richlow's flagship Madeley Wood at the refurbished Bottom Lock, with pontoon moorings.

On the Slea conditions vary.....

.....but mostly it's another peaceful waterway where contemplation of boatie things comes easily.

Throughout the area, memories of the RAF are numerous. Every village, town, city has a reminder of the many airfields from which flew many World War 2 operations - including the Dam Busters.

This is why the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is still based in Lincolnshire - near the River Witham.

2011-12-08T16:55:00.000Z

North Yorkshire Waterways

Page 7. Locks - Maximum Craft Sizes. Experience shows that narrowboats 60ft long can pass through all the locks in this guide (sometimes diagonally).
Also wide-beam (14ft) craft up to 57ft, but bear in mind the following - River Derwent, Sutton Lock - 58ft x 14ft but obstructed by a ladder near bottom end, so width at that point is about 12ft 6ins. Guillotine-gate air draught approx 10ft 6ins.

Licences. A BW Rivers Licence covers the Ouse and Ure from Goole to Ripon. With a Rivers Licence boaters can transfer between the Trent and Ouse, via the canals, provided the transit takes no longer than 72 hours.

Page 9. Holiday Boat and Narrowboat Hire. Add, Shire Cruisers (Sowerby Br) 01422 832712.

Page 10. River Derwent Distance Table - Sutton Lock added. From Barmby Barrage 15.5 miles. From Cottingwith Junction 4 miles. From Stamford Bridge 10.5 miles.
Page 12. Nav Notes. Head of Navigation Plaque. Ripon Canal Basin, Wharf Services Ripon, 01765 609777 £9.95 in 2011.

Page 16. Nav Notes. The River Nidd joins the navigation from the south at Nun Monkton. There are moorings here, but they are bows into the bank in front of the Alice Hawthorn pub sign (see picture).

Linton Lock - the bottom paddle gear is NOT hydraulic, although signed by Adams Hydraulics Ltd. It can be heavy to work, and needs many turns to operate.

General Text - Linton Lock cottage. This is a licensed cafe with tables outside in good weather. 2011-07-0173.

Page 26. Nav notes. Cawood Swing Bridge - take care - motor cruisers may be milling about waiting for a delayed bridge-swing to open (not necessary for narrowboats).

Page 28. Nav notes. The river passes under two swing-bridges which open for large craft. Take care - be aware, cruisers may be milling about, waiting for a delayed bridge-swing to open (not necessary for narrowboats). Boaters should take the eastern span, but beware of the strong flows from the east.
Commercial barges coming up from the Humber are rare at Selby but they still do so. It is important to note that they are required to pass stern-first, facing the current, through the Selby swing-bridges. If following one, be warned, it will take up the whole of the river when turning to do so. Consider turning also, to stem the tide, until the barge is once again underway.

Page 38. Nav notes. Particularly in the summer, weed is a general problem if the weed-cutter boat has not been operated. The weed is less between Gardham Lock and Melbourne, as the trip-boat operates there. For the same reason, that stretch has landings at the swing-bridges. Both locks now have landings above and below.
Head of Navigation Plaque - from trip-boat crew, or Rose Cottage opposite the pub in Melbourne. £8.50.

Page 40. Canal Head. The PCAS information centre is open Sundays and Bank Holidays during the summer.

Page 42. Nav notes. The only moorings on this section are 40ft on the east bank above Sutton Bridge for Elsan disposal (BW key) and water. If no water flows, turn on the stop-tap.

Images of - the Chesterfield Canal

2011-12-08T16:10:00.001Z

Chesterfield Canal guide - available from http://www.richlow.co.uk/

"Written by People Who Go There"

One of England's most pleasant waterways. Its 46-mile course passes through quiet and unspoilt scenery, yet it remains easily accessible. Land-based visitors have the benefit of the towpath, sign-posted as the Cuckoo Way, a reference to the nickname given to the uniquely-styled working boats of the canal.

Access for boaters is via the River Trent or a number of slip-ways, and hire-craft are also available. In addition there are two trip-boats operating on the canal.

Only nine miles await restoration, the planning of which is actively promoted by the Chesterfield Canal Trust. Examples of what has already been achieved are the beautiful and historic Thorpe and Turnerwood flights of locks, restored in 2003.

Richlow's Madeley Wood in the entrance lock at West Stockwith - locking up into the canal's basin. The warehouse in the background is 18th century and houses the lock-keeper's office.

Stockwith Basin. The entrance to the Chesterfield Canal is through the bridge in the centre background.

The first five locks are wide, up to Retford. The reason is that when the canal was built in the 1770's Retford wanted the waterway to be capable of bringing large Trent craft up to the town.

A view from the portal of Drakeholes Tunnel, showing the countryside typical of the eastern end of the Chesterfield Canal.

Hayton, typical of the small villages skirted by the Chesterfield Canal.

Eventually the canal has to climb the flank of the limestone ridge which is must cross to reach Chesterfield. These locks at Shireoaks are the last before the steep climb begins to the summit level.

The culmination of the climb to the summit are the seven locks of the Turnerwood flight, and the fifteen locks of the historic Thorpe flight - which includes two double staircase sets, and two treble staircases. They are of the pioneering early 1770's era of canals in this country, and were designed by the great engineer James Brindley. Their sympathetic restoration, completed in 2003, was a major addition to the canal network.

The by-washes of the Thorpe flight are unchanged since they were created, and are thought to now be unique. They are unlined, and instead use the natural clay of the area.

Visitor moorings on the summit level, at Pennyholme. A feeder from the reservoirs provides a turning point.

Beyond the still-to-be-restored Norwood Tunnel, through the limestone ridge.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is successfully restoring the waterway at the Chesterfield end. This is the new Staveley Basin, due to be watered in late 2011. This a new feature, not a restoration.

And all of the above is accessible for walkers by using the Cuckoo Way towpath - as here on the Turnerwood lock flight.

And access for boaters? Yes, it is via the River Trent - but give it a try - many boats do, and are rewarded by the delights of the Chesterfield Canal.

Richlow's guide to the Chesterfield Canal, and our Narrowboat on the Trent, are both available via our website - post free. Go on. At least find out what's involved by visiting www.richlow.co.uk

Updates - September 2011 (2nd post)

2011-09-04T14:47:00.048+01:00

Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 13. Trent Charts - For many years the TBA has published Trent charts as easy to follow, clear line- drawings, and I (John Lower) have always recommended them as a “must have”. However, their latest update (version 10 published in 2011) is an entirely new format based on aerial photography and, in my view, the pages are cluttered and difficult to follow, and therefore look very off-putting. On balance, I would say boaters do need a copy, but better still, try to obtain a copy of an old edition. See p37 for where to purchase the current version).

New format

Preferred
old format

North Yorkshire Waterways

Page 7. Locks - Maximum Craft Sizes. Experience shows that narrowboats 60ft long can pass through all the locks in this guide (sometimes diagonally).
Also wide-beam (14ft) craft up to 57ft, but bear in mind the following - River Derwent, Sutton Lock - 58ft x 14ft but obstructed by a ladder near bottom end, so width at that point is about 12ft 6ins. Guillotine-gate air draught approx 10ft 6ins.
Licences. A BW Rivers Licence covers the Ouse and Ure from Goole to Ripon. With a Rivers Licence boaters can transfer between the Trent and Ouse, via the canals, provided the transit takes no longer than 72 hours.

Page 9. Holiday Boat and Narrowboat Hire. Add, Shire Cruisers (Sowerby Br) 01422 832712.

Page 10. River Derwent Distance Table - Sutton Lock added. From Barmby Barrage 15.5 miles. From Cottingwith Junction 4 miles. From Stamford Bridge 10.5 miles.

Page 12. Nav Notes. Head of Navigation Plaque. Ripon Canal Basin, Wharf Services Ripon, 01765 609777 £9.95 in 2011.

Page 16. Nav Notes.

The River Nidd joins the navigation from the south at Nun Monkton. There are moorings here, but they are bows into the bank in front of the Alice Hawthorn pub sign (see picture).

Linton Lock - the bottom paddle gear is NOT hydraulic, although signed by Adams Hydraulics Ltd. It can be heavy to work, and needs many turns to operate.

General Text - Linton Lock cottage. This is a licensed cafe with tables outside in good weather.

Page 26. Nav notes. Cawood Swing Bridge - take care - motor cruisers may be milling about waiting for a delayed bridge-swing to open (not necessary for narrowboats).

Page 28. Nav notes. The river passes under two swing-bridges which open for large craft. Take care - be aware, cruisers may be milling about, waiting for a delayed bridge-swing to open (not necessary for narrowboats). Boaters should take the eastern span, but beware of the strong flows from the east.
Commercial barges coming up from the Humber are rare at Selby but they still do so. It is important to note that they are required to pass stern-first, facing the current, through the Selby swing-bridges. If following one, be warned, it will take up the whole of the river when turning to do so. Consider turning also, to stem the tide, until the barge is once again underway.

Page 38. Nav notes. Particularly in the summer, weed is a general problem if the weed-cutter boat has not been operated. The weed is less between Gardham Lock and Melbourne, as the trip-boat operates there. For the same reason, that stretch has landings at the swing-bridges. Both locks now have landings above and below.

Head of Navigation Plaque - from trip-boat crew, or Rose Cottage opposite the pub in Melbourne. £8.50.

Page 40. Canal Head. The PCAS information centre is open Sundays and Bank Holidays during the summer.

Page 42. Nav notes. The only moorings on this section are 40ft on the east bank above Sutton Bridge for Elsan disposal (BW key) and water. If no water flows, turn on the stop-tap.

Updates - July 2011

2011-07-11T11:07:00.001+01:00

Chesterfield Canal

Page 9. Bus route 271 - delete Kiveton Park, insert Harthill. Does not run on Sundays.

North Yorkshire Waterways

Page 30. Approaching Barmby Barrage. The lock gates will normally be open because the Barrage-keeper will have been advised of your approach by the dispatching lock-keeper. In addition, there are traffic lights indicating if the lock gates are open or closed, but these can be impossible to see on sunny summer mornings when the sun is behind them.
Boats from Selby may not arrive at slack-water if they are the last of multiple lockfuls leaving, therefore all boats approaching Barmby Barrage should be aware of the flow on the Ouse, and turn into the flow before approaching the lock gates.

This photograph was taken from Barmby Barrage in July 2011, with the ebbing River Ouse flowing right to left.

The boat in the foreground is Richlow's Madeley Wood.

Just upstream of the Barrage, John turned into the flow of the ebbing River Ouse, and is now allowing the river to push Madeley Wood backwards - while using the engine in slow-ahead so the tiller will steer the boat to keep it straight.

Narrowboat Kano newly arrived on the River Derwent, emerging from the lock-chamber of Barmby Barrage.

The buoys in the foreground guard the sluices which control the Derwent's water levels.

The green sloping installation in the left foreground is a lamprey-ladder, said to be the only one in this country. Newly-installed it is designed to allow the eel-like lampreys to bypass the Barrage on their quest to reach the fresh water of the Derwent.

On the Derwent. Narrowboats Kano and Madeley Wood, immediately upstream of Barmby Barrage. A good pontoon is just out of sight around the bend, to moor and visit the Barrage-keeper to pay for the EA Certificate of Permission to Navigate.

In the summer, there are usually swallows and house martins swooping around the Barrage-keeper's control-cabin. The martins often build nests under the eaves.

Narrowboat on the Trent

2011-06-16T16:42:00.000+01:00

Dunham Bridge Moorings

Page 29. Notice of a restriction. Many of our customers have dogs with them, and rivers such as the tidal Trent offer few opportunities to get them ashore. Therefore, please note that BW has issued a warning that a problem has been identified with the access ramp connecting the pontoon moorings at Dunham Bridge to the shore. The moorings remain in use, but the ramp to the shore is out use until the problem can be identified and solved.

Updates - June 2011

2011-06-09T09:33:00.003+01:00

Lincolnshire Waterways

Page 8. Diesel   Torksey, Tongs (Saxilby) in cans, Burton Waters, Geordie's Boat Sales, Boston Marina. Prices vary. Contact ahead (p53) to check availability.
Page 8. Maximum Boat Dimensions   Stamp End, Bardney and Anton's Gowt locks - 72ft. Grand Sluice Lock 45ft x 30ft, but larger craft may pass through when tide makes a level.
Page 8. Speed Limits   Black Sluice Navigation 7mph.
Page 10. Navigation Notes   Delete "rubbish by the footbridge". There are Elsan toilet disposal facilities, and showers, in the public toilets.
Page 36. Navigation Notes   South Kyme - it is just possible to turn a 42ft craft in the village.

North Yorkshire Waterways

Pages 6, 42, 44 River Derwent - trees   We have been reliably informed that the overhanging trees have been cut back on the whole navigable section. This will be confirmed when we boat the river in July.
Page 48 River Foss - Castle Mills Lock   The lock is currently closed for adjacent engineering work, due to re-open 26 August 2011. For information regarding the closure telephone 07588 236 597 (24hr voice message service).

Chesterfield Canal

Map 7 - Nav Notes. The moorings above Town Lock (50), next to the car-park, give easy access to the new Priory Shopping Centre which includes an M&S food store, Costa Coffee, and other useful shops. The car-park exit also gives easy access to the shops of the town.

Map 8 - Stret Lock (48) and Shireoaks Middle Lock (43). Passage through these locks can be difficult for a few boats, but most pass through without problems. However, BW is investigating and the following is from its web-site -
"We would like to advise boaters that following correspondence from several users, we are working with boating organisations to investigate and define the maximum craft dimensions for boats from Stret Lock to Norwood Tunnel. It is apparent that some boats that are within the publicised 6’ 10” beam and 2’ 6” draught are unable to navigate through Stret Lock or find it extremely difficult and have similar problems at Shireoaks Middle Lock. Whilst we complete our investigations, please contact the Newark office for up to date information."(Enquiries: 01636 704481)

Maps 11 and 12 - Hollingwood Hub   Alongside Hollingwood Lock, this is the new headquarters of the Chestefield Canal Trust. It includes Nona's Coffee Shop, which used to be near Shireoaks Bridge (Map 8) and has closed at that location.
Page 41 - Contacts Chesterfield Canal Trust, Hollingwood Hub, 22 Works Road, Hollingwood, Chesterfield S43 2PF. Tel: 01246 477569.

Hollingwood Hub. For the first time in 35 years the Chesterfield Canal Trust has a headquarters of its own. The new wing in the foreground contains Nona's Coffee Shop, and a meeting room. At the far end the original lock-house has offices for the Trust, and an archives room.

Hollingwood Hub. Nona's Coffee Shop.

Open 09.00 to 16.30 Wednesday to Sunday,
and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Hollingwood Hub. What it's all about - a headquarters where the Trust can get its message across. Here by giving a presentation to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

But this room can also be hired by community groups.

Updates - May 2011

2011-05-18T14:45:00.000+01:00

Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 31. Keadby Lock, both pubs near the lock have closed.

Lincolnshire Waterways

Map 1. The Bridge Inn at Saxilby is presently closed.
Maps 5 & 6. The White Horse Inn at Dunston Fen - is reported to be re-opening June 2011.
Map 10. The Witham Tavern at Boston is presently closed.

Chesterfield Canal Guide

Map 12. The towpath has re-opened past Hollingwood Lock.

Updates - April 2011

2011-03-30T14:30:00.000+01:00

North Yorkshire Waterways

Page 48, and Map 15. River Foss, in York. The navigational text refers to "very tight height restriction under Layerthorpe Bridge". For clarification this is a photograph of a blue-painted footbridge, with the low Layerthorpe Bridge in the background.

A Second New Guide - March 2011

2011-03-30T14:14:00.000+01:00

North Yorkshire Waterways by Fiona Slee

This guide covers the rivers Ouse, Ure, Foss and Derwent, and the Ripon and Pocklington canals. Experienced boater Fiona Slee, and her husband John, cruised these waters in the summer of 2010, in their narrowboat Epiphany. http://www.nbepiphany.co.uk/ The guide is based on their findings, maintaining the Richlow ethos of "Written by People Who Go There!"

Now available from our website. The same format and price as our other guides. £7.50.

Updates - February 2011

2011-02-24T08:26:00.000Z

Chesterfield Canal Guide

Map 11. Staveley Towpath Closure. To allow construction of the new basin at Staveley, the towpath will be closed between Constitution Hill (bridge 11) and Eckington Road (bridge 13). There will be no access to the towpath from Hall Lane (bridge 12). The closure will be from 21 February to 21 August 2011.

Updates - December 2010

2010-12-04T09:37:00.000Z

Norwood Tunnel - Four Centuries of Challenge

The restoration of the tunnel from its eastern portal has been complicated by the Heritage Lottery Fund removing financial aid - the result of tighter restrictions on funding caused by the national economic situation. The Chesterfield Canal Trust will, of course, be working to change this decision by the HLF. The "Four Centuries of Challenge" continue.

Updates - November 2010

2010-11-02T12:55:00.000Z

Lincolnshire Waterways

Page 28, Map 10. Boston. New Visitor Moorings have been installed at Boston, and are a vast improvement on previous facilities. They are floating pontoons and cater for various types of craft, especially narrowboats. The previous moorings were short and didn't suit the growing number of longer narrowboats visiting the town, which had to moor at right-angles to the bank and therefore partially obstructed the channel. The new moorings are also easily extendable to cater for future growth in boating. The £160,000 scheme has been developed by the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership to encourage boats to visit the town before going on to the Black Sluice Navigation which is the first part of the future Fens Link Project.

Chesterfield Canal Guide

Map 12. The towpath between Dixons Lock and Hollingwood Lock is closed until 31 March 2011. For the latest information contact Tapton Lock Visitor Centre 01246 551035 - only weekends and Bank Holidays after the end of October, until Easter. Or Derbyshire County Council 08456 058 058.

An alternative route via Station Road is signed on-site. This closure also applies to the Trans Pennine Trail.

The closure is necessary as work is undertaken to construct Hollingwood Hub, a building which will extend from the old Hollingwood Lock-house to half of the length of the lock. This will provide many facilities for the local community as well as canal users.

Hollingwood Lock, with the steelwork in place for the Hollingwood Hub building.

Updates - August 2010

2010-08-05T10:42:00.000+01:00

Lincolnshire Waterways

Page 28. Boston moorings. During August BW is working on improving the moorings. This is due to be completed by the 25th. Contact Boston lock-keeper for progress (see p53).

Page 30b. Cafe at Black Sluice. It is reported, but we have not yet seen, that a cafe is soon to begin trading alongside the moorings on the Black Sluice side of the lock.

Page 38. Sleaford. A new slipway and moorings for trailable boats has been installed on the river Slea in the centre of Sleaford. The new facilities give access to one-third of a mile of navigable river, down to the un-restored Cogglesford Lock. Contact Sleaford Navigation Trust for details (see p53). It has been reported that rowing boats may soon be for hire at the same location, but check with the local Tourist Information (see p53) as this is not yet confirmed.

Page 53. Boating Contacts. The online aegre timetable is available from http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/, then search the site for "aegir" (the spelling they prefer).

Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 37. Trent Boating Association Charts (Sissons charts). These charts are now published by The Boating Association, and available online from http://www.theboatingassociation.co.uk/, then click on the Merchandise box halfway down the right-hand side of the Home Page. The charts are £5.00 each, but care - the postage is a hefty £3.00 for one chart, £5.00 for two charts).

Page 38. The online aegre timetable is available from http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/, then search the site for "aegir" (the spelling they prefer).

Chesterfield Canal Guide

Page 8. The future restoration reports Next Navigation - East, and - West, are available online at www.chesterfield-canal-partnership.co.uk/restoration_map1.html

Page 16. The Hop Pole pub, by bridge 59 at Retford, has re-opened after extensive interior renovations, and improvements to its moorings.
The Gate pub, near bridge 62 at Clarborough, is said to be re-opening in the near future but nothing has been confirmed.

Page 41. The online aegre timetable is available from http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/, then search the site for "aegir" (the spelling they prefer).

Sleaford - New Waterways Area

2010-07-05T13:14:00.000+01:00

A Lovely Day for Trailable Boats, and Canoes

On a sunny 3rd of July the official opening took place of facilites to give trailable boats and canoes access to the Slea Navigation. Sleaford is still isolated from the main network by the four miles and six locks still awaiting restoration, but now the campaign will be promoted by residents seeing craft using the river in the town centre.

A ribbon across the new slipway was cut, and Richlow's trailable flagship Schandelle was the first boat to descend to the river Slea. The new liftbridge was raised and Schandelle had the honour to pass beneath. By the slipway new moorings have been installed, there two Wilderness trailboats added to the colour of the event, as did a number of canoes.

Richlow's Schandelle launched at the official opening of Sleaford's new slipway.

Sleaford now has a lovely riverside area, with easy pedestrian access and adjacent parking off Eastgate.

Schandelle passing under the liftbridge, just downstream of the new slipway and moorings. The new bridge, in a busy pedestrian area, also allows usage by pushchairs and wheelchairs which the old bridge did not.

One of the Wilderness trailable boats which added to the event, on passage back from Cogglesford Lock.

Updates - June 2010

2010-06-15T10:29:00.000+01:00

South Pennine Ring - Part 1

Map 8. Navigation Notes. Access to lock 86 has always been difficult. Now a new fence along Canal Road, constructed to prevent drunken revellers from falling in the canal, prevents lock crews getting to the lock!

This is a picture of the original lock access point. Although there is a gate in the fence, we cannot recommend using it to access lock 86. Instead travel there by boat.

Map 9. Navigation Notes. Swing bridges 14 and 15.   When we surveyed this earlier in the year, the swing bridge locks were broken and a Watermate padlock and chain were fastening each bridge. Permanent locks have now been fixed which are opened using a handcuff key.

Generally the Ashton Canal was in good condition for an urban waterway and we had little difficulty navigating it. A number of lock paddles were inoperative (for some unknown reason these were always on the bottom gate on the towpath side!) We only had to go down the weed hatch once.

Updates - May 2010

2010-05-05T11:39:00.000+01:00

Lincolnshire Waterways

Page 10. Torksey Lock Tea Room. Open 11.00, until at least 17.00, maybe later. Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays). Home-made cakes, pastries, jams, pickles. No hot food.

Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 29. Torksey Lock Tea Room added to facilites (see above). New picture of Torksey lock cut.

South Pennine Ring - Part 1

Map 9. Droylsden Marina. Boater facilities - add WC, and Elsan Disposal.

Chesterfield Canal

Map 11. Footpath closure notice.   We've been informed of an emergency footpath closure around Staveley from Bell House Lane to Norbriggs Cutting.

The closure will last for three weeks from Mon 17th May 2010. Please contact Derbyshire's Rights of Way team for more information. (Sorry, I don't have a link for this yet.)

The closure is to enable investigative work to be carried out related to the design of the new Doe Lea aqueduct, a crucial part of the canal's restoration. The closure notice hasn't been published yet on Derbyshire Council's web site, but as soon as it is, we'll include a link to the document which indicates an alternative route.

Images of - the Witham Navigable Drains

2010-05-03T16:08:00.001+01:00

These pictures were taken during Richlow's cruise of the Witham Navigable Drains on 26 April 2009, to update our knowledge of those enigmatic waterways.

As we state in our Lincolnshire Waterways guide, "these are adventure waterways and we recommend trying the easier routes first." Available from http://www.richlow.co.uk/

There are approximately 40 navigable miles of a 90 mile network. The Witham Navigable Drains are a world of their own, one of the few places where a cruise on a hot August bank holiday can be completed without seeing another craft. Nevertheless, they are an acquired taste - some find them remote and boring, others finds them remote and peaceful.

Pontoon moorings on the River Witham, at the entrance to Antons Gowt lock. The entrance to the Witham Navigable Drains.

In Antons Gowt lock. A rare chance to lock down from a river.

Exiting Antons Gowt lock. Entering Frith Bank drain, the waterway on the network with the most bends.

On West Fen drain, one of the widest waterways of the network. Heading towards Frithville.

Richlow's Madeley Wood continuing along the West Fen drain, at the Frithville junction.

Our friends' boat Woolwinder, jammed by its ornate tiller-pin (of all things!). Extra crew from Madeley Wood, for added ballast, and the skipper grazing his fingers eventually got the boat through.

Having moved his crew to Woolwinder to help as above, John was left alone on Madeley Wood. With the benefit of experience, he had already replaced his boat's usual tiller-pin with one of a low basic design.

Richlow attention to detail. Measuring the air draught at the troublesome bridge on the West Fen Drain. The water levels on the drains differ at various times of the year. Our Lincolnshire Waterways guide gives details of how to check. http://www.richlow.co.uk/

Madeley Wood turning on to the Newham drain at Westville, taking care about the over-hanging tree branches.

Newham drain, on the way back to the River Witham, via Antons Gowt lock.

http://www.richlow.co.uk/ - "Written by People Who Go There"

Phyllis of Barton

2010-04-15T12:29:00.000+01:00

Phyllis is a Humber sloop, but rigged for sea-going trade on the Humber estuary and up and down the east coast. She is typical of hundreds of sailing sloops that carried cargoes on those waters. She is privately owned by two members of the Humber Keel & Sloop Preservation Society, and can often be seen in company with the HKSPS's keel Comrade and sloop Amy Howson.

Photograph by Kate Smith

Built 1907 by Warrens of New Holland for James Barraclough of Barton, Phylllis is 68ft long by 16ft beam and iron construction. She was engined in1943 and stayed with the same owner all her working life until sold off with the rest of the fleet in 1974. After an excursion to Scotland with a new owner she was bought by her present one, towed back to the Humber and is now being restored to her former self as a cutter-rigged Humber sloop of her time. Full details from http://www.sloopphyllis.com/

Phyllis (left) and Amy Howson (right). The two sloops at their winter moorings at Barton Haven, in March 2010. (The wheelhouse near the stern of Phyllis belongs to another vessel beyond her). This picture was taken during an exceptionally low tide and shows extensive mudbanks on the Humber.

Syntan of Beverley Beck

2010-04-15T10:55:00.000+01:00

Syntan is owned by the volunteers of the Beverley Barge Preservation Society. http://www.syntanbarge.org.uk/

Beverley Beck is an off-shoot of the River Hull, and Syntan may be chartered for trips down to the Humber Estuary, with a crew of 4 and a maximum of 12 passengers. The trips are tide dependent and last for a maximum of 6 hours. She operates April to October.

Syntan was built 1949 in Beverley, and was one of a fleet of 16 barges based in that town, owned by Richard Hodgson Tanners. The fleet carried coal and hides into the tannery, and collected from Hull docks raw materials used for tanning from India, South Africa and Paraguay. As well as trading between Hull and Beverley, they also carried general cargoes such as grain, flour, paper, and nuts, to South and West Yorkshire. Therefore, Syntan is a "Sheffield size" barge, 61ft 6ins long, and 15ft 6ins wide.

Syntan was bought by the Beverley Barge Preservation Society in 2001 and after years of hard work she has been restored to her original condition, and is once again moored in, and operates from, the town where she was built.

Syntan on her moorings near Beverley minster

Entrance to the Black Sluice Navigation at Boston

2010-04-05T12:27:00.000+01:00

Why boats cannot stay on the pontoon moorings

This picture shows the pontoon moorings in the tidal River Witham at Boston, called The Haven, where boats moor before entering the lock at the entrance to the Black Sluice Navigation (left foreground). But it shows what the conditions are at low-water, when the mud-banks are plain to see. Of course, boats will not be (cannot be) sent down from the Grand Sluice Lock at this time of the tide but it adds to crew information to see the image.

In the background, upstream, Boston's fishing fleet is on its moorings. On the right, the frontage of Boston docks where sea-going coasters are often moored for cargo handling.

Updates - April 2010

2010-04-05T12:06:00.000+01:00

South Pennine Ring - Part 1

Maps 5 and 7. A new bridge will be constructed at Newbold between Tuesday 8th and Monday 14th June 2010. Between 11.00 am and 4.00 pm on each of those days the canal will be closed to boats. Outside of those hours, passage will be available but there may be delays of up to 30 minutes. Boaters should moor up if necessary and await the direction of the banksman.
In Failsworth the railway bridge just above Lock 65 (Wrigley Head) will need to have a new bridge deck fitted. Between 10.00 am and 3.00 pm on each of those days the canal will be closed to boats. Outside of those hours, passage will be available but there may be delays of up to 30 minutes. Boaters should moor up if necessary and await the direction of the banksman.
This bridge is immediately upstream of the section that is kept locked except for booked passages. Boaters heading westwards into Manchester will have passed the railway bridge before the stoppage starts each day. Boats heading east from Manchester will not usually arrive at this point until 2.00 or 3.00 pm so are unlikley to be delayed for too long.

Narrowboat on the Trent

Page 13. Ensure you have an on-board facility to re-charge the batteries of communication systems, either VHF or mobile phones. On the Trent these systems must be permanently available for use.

Pages 26 and 38. Diesel and Flo Gas are now available above Torksey Lock, seven days a week, but check ahead for availability. 01427 718243 and 07970 936959. Cash or cards only, no cheques.

Above Torksey Lock, on the Fossdyke

The lock is to the left, the diesel is available at the white sign on the right of this picture.

Lincolnshire Waterways

Pages 8 and 53. Diesel and Flo Gas now available at Torksey, see above.

Page 53. The Bardney Heritage Centre, on Map 5, now does B&B as well as Cycle Hire and Cafe (their Friday fish-and-chips is very popular).

Updates - March 2010

2010-03-05T17:06:00.000Z

South Pennine Ring - Part 1.

British Waterways has re-organised the responsibilities of its national offices.

Page 7. The four references to "BW Wigan" should now refer to the Manchester & Pennine Waterways office in Stoke-on-Trent, details on page 41.

Page 7. Manchester 19 Locks (Failsworth - Ducie Street). BW supervised passage is now available on every day except Wednesday.

Page 41. Navigation Authorities - British Waterways. Is now "Waterway Manager, British Waterways, Manchester & Pennine Waterway Office, Congleton Road South, Church Lawton, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 3AP. Telephone 01782 785703.

Also the following other changes.

Page 41. Boating Contacts. Portland Basin Marina is also the contact for Droylsden Marina.

Page 41. Canal/Waterways Groups.
Hollinwood Canal Society. Delete the postal address, add telephone 01457 836273.

Chesterfield Canal Maps - Improved and Re-styled

2010-02-25T11:36:00.000Z

The maps in our Chesterfield Canal - A Richlow Guide have been improved to the standard of our other guides.

The Chesterfield Canal was the first Richlow book and it reflected our design capabilities at the time. But now John Lower, our Map Master, has used the skills he acquired in the production of subsequent guides to replace all the maps in our initial publication.

Updates pre-February 2010

2010-02-22T16:01:00.000Z

Narrowboat on the Trent - A Richlow Boaters' Companion
Page 15     Channel Markers. Picture caption - "green" cones now mark the starboard side.

Lincolnshire Waterways - A Richlow Guide
Page 8      Navigational Information. Be aware of the Boston Rowing Marathon Race - Third Sunday of September, annually over the 31 miles from Lincoln to Boston, with often 200+ boats taking part. The start is below Stamp End lock, Lincoln, usually from 09.00 onwards. www.bostonrowingmarathon.org.uk

Page 17 (Map 4)     We are told, but have not seen, that the Barn Nursery Tea Room, 1 mile from Five Mile House bridge (no.9) has re-opened - and is popular with users of the Water Rail Way path. 01522 793727

Pages 22-27     The Water Rail Way (footpath/cycleway linking Lincoln and Boston) has been completed. On maps 7, 8, 9 the route uses a quiet lane on the west side of the river from Kirkstead Bridge to Langrick Bridge. Walkers can also use the footpath along the flood bank.

Page 28    There is now a mooring pontoon at Anton's Gowt on the River Witham.

Pages 28, 49     Access to the South Forty Foot Drain via the Black Sluice Lock at Boston is now possible. The South Forty Foot Drain is now known as the Black Sluice Navigation. Richlow has already boated these new waters and, as a result, newly supplied copies of this guide include four extra pages of information.

Page 29 (Map 10)   The Black Sluice Navigation coloured as "navigable".

Chesterfield Canal - A Richlow Guide
These updates refer to the guides published 2008-10

Page 10 and Map 1     Navigational information - Visitor Moorings at Wharf Bridge (81). No overnight mooring.

Page 14 and Map 3     The Post Office at Clayworth has now closed.

Page 16 and Map 4     The convenience store and Post Office at Clarborough has re-opened. The Gate Inn, near bridge 62, has closed for conversion to housing. The Hop Pole pub, near bridge 59, is due to re-open Easter 2010 after renovation.

Map 9     The pub at the head of navigation, near Dog Kennel Bridge (31), has re-opened after renovation.

Page 30 and Map 11    Early 2010. The towpath has re-opened at Staveley, after major road construction, but a temporary surface and/or diversion may be experienced until work on the new Town Basin has been completed.

Page 40    In the current financial turmoil the status of the pubs on the canal is changing continuously. Some are closing for the winter, others are closing "for refurbishment" with unclear opening dates. We recommend that visitors contact a pub in advance.

Page 41     Tapton Lock Visitor Centre. Closes for lunch 1300 - 1345 all days.

Yorkshire Stone to London - to Create the Houses of Parliament

Pages 15, and 31   Two information panels installed. One in South Anston village, the second on the towpath of the Chesterfield Canal at Kiveton Park, where the stone was loaded into the boats.