Formed in 2006 CanalScape-BCN is both an active online group and a realtime volunteer led watchdog for the Birmingham Canal Navigations and adjoining Midland waterways. We strive to conserve as much of the "Canalscape" as is possible and activly cruise the lesser used parts of the system with our deep drafted work boat "Barnet"
To join Canalscape-BCN simply go to our online yahoo group and register there Its free to join and the site holds much of interest.
The Diary of Narrowboat Barnet and the CanalScape-BCN members From everyday cruising to helping conserve the BCN and adjoining waterways
The next trip was to see 109 return to the Walsall. Forewarned we descended Ryders Green and knew we were up against the "thing" at Asda's bridge, however with a bit of nifty steering and cutting power we mounted and slid over said obstruction and were away. The canal was as before, very littered and we chose to stop for lunch at the stop place under the old railway at Great Bridge, here CS-BCN members cleaned up the offside whilst lunch was prepared. Turning into the Tame Valley it still impresses how purposeful this waterway seems, double arch bridges and very straight, a few bumps and grinds and a trip down the weedhatch but nothing too serious and the sun was shining. locals here seemed quite friendly as we headed to the slowing traffic of the M6. I always find it great to be travelling faster in a narrowboat than lorrys can on the M6!
Entering the Rushall one is struck by the amount of weed, the waterway depth isnt too bad but the weed is becoming a problem. The flight is in lovely order and the character of this canal changes as you proceed along its length, no real problems here at all. We moored at the top alongside Longwood boat club, a very tidy mooring well kept by the members. Overall a good trip, once again we accompianed by Dean Davies BW manager who made plenty of notes as to where his workforce is needed.
Walsall Canal, A CanalScape-BCN inspection cruise with Dean Davies from BW aboard.
Boat drafted to pull 3ft 3” underway.
The 21st of May saw 109 leave Walsall town wharf at 11.45AM, our destination was Birmingham.
Immediately entering the Pleck area the vast amount of household waste dumped in bin liners started to amaze us, it was next best to boating through a cess pit. Not only was this just rubbish, but also food waste deposited over walls, over bridges and even over the back wall of a mosque.
Worrying too was the sighting of several dead dogs in a short stretch as we headed towards James Bridge, the dog sizes would be a possible by product of dog fighting. Such were my concerns on this stretch that post the cruise I have made the knowledge of our finds available to Walsall council who are going to monitor this area and if necessary investigate the rubbish contents. Going down the weedhatch here was very unpleasant.
We continued onto Spinks bridge alongside the former copper works site, here we grounded and were halted for some 40 minutes on solid concrete laying in the bridgehole. Although we called the “hit squad” we managed to free ourselves and they stood down, this bridge must be cleared of debris for safe passage.
Darlaston and the environs through much more rubbish at us, numerous prop clearances and trips into the hatch. Whatever cleanups have achieved here in the recent past, nothings now shows any change. Moxley was a bumpy ride, again with much debris, however we managed a act of rescue at Moorcroft, where we untangled a duck from fishing line (see picture).
The depressing trip continued through the “revamped” section at Wednesbury, sadly here, every towpath light, fixture and fitting has been wrecked and there’s graffiti everywhere.
Ryders Green locks are neat and tidy and we thought well kept, everything was fine until we grounded under Asda’s footbridge, we were on a very solid object and we stayed that way for some hour or so, much flushing down the flight eventually freed the boat.
Leaving the top of the flight we proceeded through Greets Green to Pudding Green Jcn encountering on the way much debris and more weedhatch requirements, even on the main line we picked up badly just before Smethwick stop, in that case very thick wire requiring a hacksaw!
So what is a summary of the Walsall? It is a deep canal, however the debris and rubbish is the severe problem. There also seems to be a strong antisocial attitude to the navigation in the Pleck area of Walsall. Is there much to see today? To be frank, very little, the canal doesn’t have much to offer at all other than a through route. Spinks Bridge is a serious hazard and I would advise any deep drafted boat to be very aware of this location.
If Walsall basin is to be the new “Brindley Place” then its approaches need serious consideration as to the attitude of the local population, the same should be said for Sandwell’s section too, this IS a neglected and overlooked assett.
Tug gathering at Black Country living Museum. Barnet attended the tug gathering this weekend, during the 1970's 109 spent several years as a carrying tug working with a station boat on dredging (see picture). She carried the much disputed very dark blue and gold livery. Today we welcomed Sophie and Mark Pullinger abroad for a run on the old main line.
Laurence and Mark worked together for a few years during Boatmans Cabin Ltd existence at Iver Bucks, Mrak has shot to fame as the man who last year has rediscovered the Harefield boat graveyard, he together with Laurence are piecing the story and remants of this place together assisted by BW and TWT.
Posted by Barnet at 22:05 1 comments
Friday, 30 April 2010
First Cruise of 2010
BW's Dean Davies steers Barnet
Super little duck house.
Canalscape_BCN first cruise for 2010 was from Norton Canes Docks on the Cannock Extension Canal to Broad St depot in Wolverhampton. Crewing with us was Dean Davies local BW waterway manager.
The journey was completed in 4.25 hours. We also nosed into the cleared Holly Bank basin and stopped off at the United Kingdom mooring at Lane Head.
British Waterways spot dredging, tree cutting and weed eradication has transformed the Wyrley & Essington, Barnet was drawing 3ft 3” today underway and we had no need to go down the weedhatch even once!
The W&E is a fully useable waterway without any of the former problems so often reported. Along the route there is a number of good pubs, good overnight moorings at Lane Head and the a suprising lack of boats! We saw not one other boat moving.
There is no reason for any boater to worry about navigating this stretch of canal now, it is in better condition than some more well used canals.
Hollybank basin is superb and surely must be a candidate for become a marina or moorings, there are also many other sites which could well become moorings with a little foresight.
Hollybank is once again an inviting rally site.
Posted by Barnet at 23:41 0 comments
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Ready to go
After the serious winter which saw 109 firmly iced up maintenance has been carried out to ready the boat for duties this year, A little later than expected start to her season due to unforeseen difficulties arising which reduced the crewing availability. We intend to add more ballast this year and one of the first runs will be the Wyrley and Essington to Wolverhampton to see what impact the BW dredging and clearing has had. Attendance of local events is expected and we will continue to use the lesser navigated parts of the BCN.
Below: Two Grand Union Town Class Narrowboats together, Barnet alongside Large Northwith "Thaxted".
Congratulations to Canalscape-BCN Secretary, Sarah Edgson. Sarah acquired the Yarwoods fish class Josher “Ling” in the recent British Waterways Tender process. I’m sure we’ll see Ling joining Barnet on the BCN very soon.
posted by Barnet at 22:22 0 comments
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Pelsall Junction
Posted by Barnet at 20:34 1 comments
Cuts Froze!
Lets go boating on boxing day, err no, "cuts froze", New Years day....err no, cuts froze!. The cut is solid at Norton Canes and "Barnet" isnt going anywhere. So today was just a day to fire up the engine, make sure the batteries are up and warm up the cabin, with the range. The canal is quite exposed at the dock and despite "avving a go" I couldnt break the ice with the shaft.
Posted by Barnet at 19:53 0 comments
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Barging Along
After a uneventful three weeks moored in Walsall wharf 109 returned via the Walsall locks to the Wyrley and Essington where she headed for her Xmas break at Norton Canes Docks. On the same day Mark Pullinger of CanalScape-London sent out some screen grabs from the film "Barging along", he wanted the boats identified. So I got to work on them and WOW suddenly I as looking at "Barnet" loading!
The shot is in Limehouse dock and steel coils are being put aboard, next to her is the original paired butty "Barrhead". She was identified by the public health number which shows up as 181 on a high res scan.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Barnet to Walsall Town Wharf
Barnet made her way along the Wyrley and Essington to Walsall wharf today. the effect of the part dredging in Wednesfield was noticed, the improvement is very good. 10.30AM start was in Walsall wharf at 3.00PM!
Posted by Barnet at 22:42 0 comments
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Back to Base
Thursday 15th October saw 109 leave Broad St basin and head along the Wyrley & Essington to Norton Canes Docks.
To our suprise the latest dredging and clearout operation was encountered working in Wednesfield, it is really good to see the W&E being maintained in this way, something we have all wanted for a long time.
If this clearout is as effective as the one last year then the W&E will be better than some so called "cruisway" status canals!
Posted by Barnet at 20:36 0 comments
Saturday, 10 October 2009
Wolverhampton: Broad St Depot
After a sojourn in Gas St 109 moved via the new main line to Wolverhampton but not before we had a look at the entrance to the neglected and listed interchange basin.
From here we went onto Broad St depot. The approach to Wolverhampton is dismal to say the least, even new developments are in a semi state of decay, so much for the city's canal quarter!
Posted by Barnet at 23:26 0 comments
Thursday, 8 October 2009
BW AGM
109 travelled to birmingham to attend the BW AGM, the only boat to do so! There it was moored outside and the meeting saw the reunion of two L&H Patrons, vhris Coburn MBE and Dr David Fletcher CBE seen here with L&H chairman Brian Kingshott.
Posted by Barnet at 21:42 0 comments
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
W&E Survey
Yesterday 29th CanalScape-BCN undertook a private survey of the Wyrley and Essington from Wolverhampton to Sneyd, the findings are published on the group website http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanalScapeBCN/
Posted by Barnet at 21:53 0 comments
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Black Country Living Museum
109 moved from Birmingham last Thursday to a mooring just outside the Black Country living museum, on the way she encountered a nasty obstruction at Summit tunnel, quite literaly part of the embankment had slipped and was floating in the canal! A massive piece of weed and roots which was only partly visible! 1.5 hours and with two boats pulling she got free, we reported the problem to BW.
The boaters gathering was superb with around 50 boats attending. A very full canal arm to say the least. Great atmosphere, boat, trains and good ale - and of course fish and chips, faggots and peas!!
Posted by Barnet at 22:05 0 comments
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Deja Vu
Today the trusty 109 set of from "The Boat" at Minworth to Birmingham, The B&F was well down and boat traffic was intense, a slow journey into the city. Arriving at Farmers Bridge top lock there was a sense of deja vu, this was the first time back in Brum since 2002, before mooring up we did the grand half mile down to Salvage turn (the Mailbox) and winded. Sunday, 20 September 2009
Huddlesford Gathering
The gathering at Huddlesford organised jointly by the Lichfield cruising Club and the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Resoration Trust was a great success. Barnet reached the mooring via the Tame Valley and Birmingham and Fazeley canals. On Sunday she moved on to Fazeley where she spent the night in the safe haven of BW Peels wharf.
Posted by Barnet at 21:35 0 comments
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
En-route to Huddlesford
Monday 14th 109 set out from NCD on its way to huddlesford for the LHCRT gathering. Route was NCD to Catshill, Daw end, Rushall, Tame Valley, Bham and Fazeley. Monday saw a Longwood overnight stop, tuesday they reached "the Boat" at Minworth. Daw End was sticky, depth OK but reed growth choking the sides after Aldridge so making little water available.
Rushall locks had an obstruction fouling the bottom lock gate, crew got this shifted and no further problems were encounterd, boat is currently drawing approx 3ft 2" so all those 2ft drafted boaters who complain about the Wyrley may need to think again!
Posted by Barnet at 21:50 0 comments
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Gearbox Troubles
Three months after commissioning the Blackstone gearbox failed, luckily sticking in ahead. This warranted a complete removal and strip down.
Parts were sourced from Peter Thompson at Uxbridge and a repair executed. Bob and Laurence worked on this over a period of six days but mention must be made of Brian Davis and Stefan Schulz who both helped with the work and also to Mark Williams who fashioned a special tool needed. Graham Edgson helped source the parts and provide workshop facilities.
Posted by Barnet at 21:57 0 comments
Monday, 10 August 2009
Vienna on Tow
Posted by Barnet at 20:03 0 comments
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
System in Blue
Posted by Barnet at 18:02 0 comments
Monday, 29 June 2009
Brownhills Canal Festival
A few trial runs but very few problems saw 109 ready for service. Final jobs were to equip the boat so it could be used at rallies and shows to promote the BCN, to this end the boat has a TV which sits in the engine room and plays BCN related films. The first event to be attended was Brownhills waterside show, so 109 and its new lady friend "Vienna" 203 set off and enjoyed a hot weekend in the sun
Returning to NCD the final jobs on hand will be to finish fitting a washing facility in the engine room and to sign write the cabin.
Posted by Barnet at 21:26 0 comments
Monday, 25 May 2009
CanalscapeBCN Livery
Over the bank holiday weekend 109 had a livery change. Canalscape is adopting a dark blue and golden yellow livery, reminisint of BW but alterered to suit the boat. The boat is in its final stages of prep before being cruised around the BCN's lesser used waters.Friday, 22 May 2009
Friends Re-United
Further commisioning runs have been made to shake down 109 before more extensive ventures are made. Some problems showed up which had previously missed our eyes, these have now been rectified and join the long list of repairs which have been attended to.
Friday 22nd may saw Keith Grice on a training run down the arm, put back on board to was "Barney" the black squeeky rat, Barnet's former mascot and now returned to the cabin! Mr Morse the yard cat was not impressed.
Posted by Barnet at 19:31 1 comments
Barnet Makes a New Friend - Beauty and the Beast
With repairs to the cabin complete I haven't had much to blog about. So I thought I'd post a photo of Barnet with the other resident working boat at Norton Canes, Sarah's Josher, Vienna.
Posted by Barnet at 19:25 0 comments
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Trials
The first week of May saw several trial runs of 109 down the Cannock extension, these were undertaken to ascertain the amount of removable water ballast required before more solid loading is put in place.
We need more 50 gall drums for sure so the search is on.
Sparky winding Barnet at Pelsall Junction
Posted by Barnet at 21:30 0 comments
Cabin Works Completed
Cabin and engine room interiors are now finished, decoration saw both laurence and is ex working in unison! Laurence scumbling and painting castles, Gill adding the Roses. The Roses were all finished in just 2 hours!
Our attention will now focus on the exterior of the boat, converting the Challenger renmants of livery to Blue and Gold CanalScape - BCN livery.
So far all the work has been funded by the core members, Laurence clocking up some 350 hours working 7 days a week over the last two months or so in order to push the project forward. May was the intended completion date for all scheduled work, this was concluded by May 3rd.
Posted by Barnet at 21:14 0 comments
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Roses ... and Castles
Barnet at Pelsall Common
Castles by Laurence
Roses by Gill Hogg
Posted by Barnet at 21:35 0 comments
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Photo Update
Wednesday 22nd April
Tuesday 21st April
Posted by Barnet at 19:42 0 comments
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Back Cabin Scumbled
Laurence today completed graining of the Back Cabin in a record time of 5 hours.
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Back Cabin Undercoated
Saturday 18th April
Today Laurence finished the preperation of the back cabin and managed to apply a coat of undercoat. The cabin is now ready for graining tomorrow. As you can see the ceiling has been painted white, to make the cabin lighter.
Posted by Barnet at 19:10 0 comments
Cabin, Engine Room, Back Cabin & Rudder Repairs
Since the 5th of April Laurence has worked on the boat whenever possible. This has ensured the wiring is finished, the engine room and cabin cleaned and repaired where necessary. Graham Edgson investigated the rudder problem and found it was out of the cup and wedged aft of the skeg, it has been refitted and is fine.
Repainting of the engine room has commenced and Laurence was joined by Bob Williams who started the prep of the boatmans cabin for re-graining and decoration.
Posted by Barnet at 19:05 0 comments
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Shake Down Day
After some three weeks working on the boat Laurence had all but finished the rewire and equipment fit out. Just a few minor jobs to do before re-decoration could start. Mindful of the hammering the boat had experienced in the hands of BW, Sarah suggested a trial run to see how the boat would perform.
Sunday April 5th was a fine sunny day, the boat was run astern to the Grove basins, the repairs to the flight plate immediately were noted as the boat steered very well – astern. Winding at the Grove a run was made for Pelsall Jcn, stiffness in the rudder at around 100 degrees became very obvious, this may be due to a bent stock or a problem with the bearing.
Winding and returning to the yard the boat performed well with no significant issues. Work can now be done to see the boat through the BSC and re decoration is expected to start very soon.
Posted by Barnet at 22:23 0 comments
Saturday, 21 March 2009
The Inspector Came to Call
Morse the cat, inpects the stern tube.
Posted by Barnet at 19:36 2 comments
Monday, 16 March 2009
Update
Keith and bob have completed the new false floor which now makes the hold very servicable. In the cabain Bob and Laurence have been scratching heads over sorting out engine controls.
Laurence found out that he had forgot how to read his micrometer - having last used it in the 6thform! The bilge was a nasty surprise, BW employees had been emptying the stove ash and other waste into the bilge for a long time, this has caused a build up of damp and is not being viewed as the next most desirable job to undertake.
Posted by Barnet at 20:48 0 comments
Saturday, 28 February 2009
Masts and Stands
With the false floor down some of the standard running gear could be put back into Barnet. The Masts and Stands were fitted yesterday by Keith and Bob.
Posted by Barnet at 21:47 0 comments
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
False Floor
Bob and Keith started putting down the false floor today. The floor is being made using bases that have been reclaimed from the previous floor and around 40 brand new scaffold planks. The planks were a bit of an eBay bargain!
Thanks to Laurence Hogg for the images.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Friday, 12 December 2008
Update
Last week saw further progress on Barnet. Stuart of Barnowl Narrowboats, and his friend Damien came to the yard to start work on Barnet’s Back Cabin. You will have seen in previous posts the extent of work which needs doing in the Cabin, all of this will be repaired by Stuart and Damien. Well done lads.
Today Bob and Keith started work on the false floor in the hold. The previous floor was properly designed for the hold of Barnet and made at Bradley. The ply was rotten but the hardwood bearers were salvaged and we are able to use them for our new false floor.
Unfortunately access to Barnet isn't easy at the moment due to the weather but I will upload photographs as soon as I gain access.
Posted by Barnet at 19:03 0 comments
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
Progress
I’ve been doing a bit of work on Barnet over the last couple of days. Barnet was craned out onto the dock last week so that we can get the hull checked out and black it. Here’s a fetching picture of me pressure washing the hull off.
As well as blacking we've decided to get rid of the Challenger Livery, the first step taken to remove it was sanding down the bands on the counter, I managed to get a coat of undercoat on today. As you can see the Livery will be based on British Waterways Livery, but will carry the name of Canalscape-BCN with the three diamonds of Yates Brothers on the bows.
Posted by Barnet at 17:17 0 comments
Tuesday, 11 November 2008
Barnet Cabin Repairs - Can You Help?
As some of you may know the ex Grand Union motor boat "Barnet" has been aquired by the Canalscape-BCN Society (no affiliation with the BCNS). This is an operating group which is going to put the boat outonto the Northern waters of the BCN in a loaded condition, this will help prove our system is still capable of traffic. A considerable amount of time, money and effort has gone into the restoration but currently we are looking for some help with finishing the boat off. We need some repair work to the boatmans cabin interior, also the boat needs re wiring. Are there any members out there who could help with these two items? All materials can be provided and travel costs met, the boat is at Norton Canes Docks.
The boat will carry the group name and its activites will be advertised through the Canalscape website and a online blog. the first proposed cargo involves movement of sandstone held for sale by the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals trust, for this the boat needs to be fully operational by early 2009. For more details contact either Laurence Hogg 01902 602180 or Bob Williams 01543 671427.
More photographs of work required can be found here: http://uk.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanalScapeBCN/photos/browse/a390
Monday, 10 November 2008
Posted by Barnet at 20:36 0 comments
Saturday, 8 November 2008
Valencia Wharf - Update
I have been down to Oldbury at lunchtime to have a look at what has gone on. It appears that only half (roughly one boat length) now remains of the wharf, the covered section has gone. Infill is visible at the end, but Holloway's have parked trailers on it to disguise it. The whole scene looks very intimidating to anyone mooring there with lorrys parked as near as possible to the boats. A sad sight indeed.
There did seem some discolouration in the water which probably is the deposit from the arm. Some boats showing a white line at the waterline which could well be disturbed phosphorus waste from the bottom. In view of this I called the enviroment agency and logged the issue, at least three other people have done the same. There is a real danger of pollution here as this stretch of canal was heavily polluted for years coutesy of Albright and Wilson and a few others. BW also informed at senior level.
It is with regret that I have been informed that Valencia wharf has been filled with approx 1000 tons of rubble today, it appears the Hollway's did this themselves with one driving a JCB all day.
They are almost certainly in breach of council planning rules. Worse there is a high probability that Phosphorous deposits unmoved for years may now enter the canal, for those old enough to remember the canal here was highly polluted by Albright and Wilson with waste. I urge you to pressure Sandwell council on this matter.
Sandwell MBC.
Sandwell Council House, Oldbury,
West Midlands
B69 3DE
Telephone: 0845 358 2200
Email: contact@sandwell.gov.ukThursday, 6 November 2008
Canalscape-BCN Society Formed
In 2007, Challenger Syndicateships acquired a lease on the ex Grand Union motor boat "Barnet". The intention was to restore the boat foruse on the Northern BCN and adjoining waterways.
Challenger went into administration in December 2007 and in the intervening months, negotiations by persons with an input into the boats' restoration have taken place with British Waterways. Formation of CanalScape-BCN Society has now led to the acquisition of the craft on a new lease with its purposes mirroring those intended previously.
A considerable amount of capital has already been spent on the project with grants and donations actively being sought to finish the boat to a good standard to sustain the operation in the coming years. Inherent in this new venture will be an opportunity for wider operational participation through a membership scheme. Agreed with British Waterways is an intention to use the boat to demonstrate that the Northern BCN is not only navigable but also could be used in a wider fashion. The boat will carry the name of the Society which is affiliated to the CanalScape-BCN online community and will be promoted at forthcoming events.
Further details of the society will be announced shortly.Contact 01902 602180 for further information.
For the boat enthusiast here is some background information.
· Built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Co by Harland and Wolff at the Woolwich yard.
· GU type "D" "Town" class boat, commonly known as a "Large Woolwich".
· Launched September 1937, fleet No 109, registered for public health at Rickmansworth No181. · Length 71ft 6 ins, beam 7ft ½ inch, draught 3 ft.
· Max load tonnage 27 tons
· Transferred to British Transport Waterways on nationalisation working as a single motor until transfer to maintenance fleet.Restored in 1998 at Bradley for private use, returned to BW in 2003.
