Heart of the Water podcast

NB Maggie-Anne has become our very own Radio Caroline. Instead of broadcasting from the coastal waters off Felixstowe, Anna is in the relative comfort of Heron Pontoon, although on windy days the similarity is more marked!

Anna, the owner of Maggie-Ann, is a compulsively creative person and Heart of the Water is her latest passion. You can read more about her on her own website http://www.annalovatt.info/ and a nice resume of the show on http://www.grannybuttons.com/granny_buttons/2010/09/heart-of-the-water-is-it-the-first-canal-podcast.html.

The show is well worth a listen as Anna is an excellent broadcaster. If you know of any local musicians, please suggest they get in touch.

The show is all Anna's own work. Mercia Marina's connection is simply that we are fortunate to have her as a moorer and so bathe in the reflected glory.

Winter 2010/11 Closures

Despite budget cutbacks, British Waterways have some extensive maintenance programmes planned for this winter which will result in closures. The map above, which you can click to enlarge, is from Waterscape, one of British Waterways' websites and can also be found on http://www.waterscape.com/media/documents/Map_C.pdf.

Although each year many stoppages are planned, and so boaters are forewarned, in reality if the first ones overrun in time and/or money, it is not uncommon for the planned stoppages to be cancelled.

Celebrating reopening Bridge 20

Findern Footpaths Group, a redoubtable local charitable body committed to maintaining and improving footpaths and around which both local politicians and landowners tread carefully, today announced a special event to celebrate the reopening of bridge 20 on the T & M.

Many will remember the stink caused when a wayward tractor-drawn trailer load of manure was dumped in the cut in Oct 2008 and much of the bridge parapet was demolished.

The 240 year old Bridge 20, also known as Hicklins Bridge, was rebuilt at the reported cost of £250,000 although whether BW or the insurance company paid is not known. The bridge was rebuilt to make it as authentic as possible and was strengthened at the same time.

As can be seen from the Findern Footpaths Group photo above, BW's contractors did a wonderful job.

If you fancy attending what must be a very rare event, celebrating the reopening of a canal bridge, Findern Footpaths Group welcome you to attend on Saturday Oct 2 at 11:30. There will be speeches and a cake in the shape of this now famous bridge, which has gone from the ignominy of almost being demolished thanks to a load of manure to having its very own celebration.

Western Evening at the Tea Rooms

The second face of

The Willow Tree

7:30 SEPTEMBER 18^TH

WESTERN NIGHT

3 COURSES FOR £12.95

(DEPOSIT OF £5.00 PER HEAD TO SECURE PLACE)

BOOKING ESSENTIAL

(NUMBERS LIMITED)

LIVE MUSIC

FANCY DRESS OPTIONAL

BRING YOUR OWN WINE – CORKAGE £2.00

JOIN OUR EVENT MAILING LIST

(caroline@morrowbrown.plus.com)

TEL: 07866960008 FOR DETAILS

Payment by Cash or Cheque only

Mercia Marina

Findern Lane

Willington

DE65 6DW

IWA National on Our Doorstep

The Inland Waterways Association (http://www.waterways.org.uk/)have announced that the National Festival and Boat Show will be held at Burton next year on the 29-31 July. The last time this travelling event was held at Burton was about 5 years ago.

The final choice of location was between ourselves and Burton. Unfortunately, the Committee decided that the town centre site was preferable to our rural location. However, there is still a possibility that we will host it in the future as the organisers visited us many times and had already planned the site layout.

As the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Society are seeking volunteers, so will the IWA for the show. Although most of the work is done by the indefatigible WRG army, stewards and the like will be required.

The Derby Ring

Since 1994 the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Society volunteers have been working to reopen the 12 mile Derby Canal which was built in 1796 but abandoned in 1964.

Three local planning authorities need to be appeased as well as BW itself. It was hoped that a decision by Derby City Council on part of the route would be forthcoming last week, but as NarrowboatWorld reports (http://www.narrowboatworld.com/index.php/leatest/2233-derby-decision-delayed) the decision on outline planning permission was delayed seemingly by BW needing more information.

Despite the canal being infilled, unlike most abandoned canals which are simply left neglected, over 90% of the land required has been has already been promised for the restoration. The cost of the whole project is estimated to be £45m plus a further £10m for the Midlands equivalent of the Falkirk Wheel.

The end result would be a 25 mile ring with the reinstated 12 mile Derby Canal stretch running from Swarkestone on the T & M to Sandiacre on the Erewash. Most of the infilled canal is now bridleway, cycle routes and the like so the route can be explored now. So far so good but a major stumbling block exists on crossing the Derwent to access the Derby Arm and so to the city centre by the Silk Mill.

To cross the Derwent an innovative design has been proposed to rival the Falkirk Wheel. The design is based on a medieval siege engine or trebuchet which can be likened to a catapult. The idea is that a boat would enter a cassion, or chamber, which would then be lifted 100ft upwards, swung 200ft and then deposited on the other side, after dropping 100ft. An ingenious, elegant and inexpensive to operate solution but expensive to build.

The Derbyshire and Sandiacre Canal Society is reliant upon volunteers. Some of Mercia's moorer's are already involved but they need more help. Or you can simply support their aims by joining the Society. They can be contacted via their website http://www.derbycanal.org.uk/ and leaflets are available in the Mercia Marina Office.

Historic 1908 NB Tasmania for sale at Mercia

As Aqua Narrowboats fit out a brand new shell by Graham Edgson of Norton Canes, Mercia Brokerage is selling the historic Josher F.M.C. Tasmania, dating from 1908. Originally an unpowered horse drawn boat she has a fascinating history.

F.M.C TASMANIA

£40,950

Length: 50 Status: For Sale

Builder: F.M.C Josher Lying at: MERCIA

Year: 1908 No. of berths:

Stern: Traditional Beam: Narrow Beam

Real head turner ! which is a very practical and comfortable cruising boat. Painted panels forward of

the the engine room with a light oak laminate flooring gives it a light feel to the living space. Good spec

including - Water heater - Heron stove - Shower cubicle - Thetford toilet - Fixed double bed.

GENERAL SPECIFICATION

Engine: Water cooled Lister FR2 with Blackstone gearbox with 2.1 reduction.Diesel day

running tank. 3 domestic and 1 starter battery. Sterling 4 step alternator to battery

charger. Advanced alternator /regulator display & diagnostic panel. Durtic 1500w

inverter.

Construction: Started life as a horse boat built in Saltley in 1909 for F.M.C.Originally believed to

be named Rumania. In the 70's she was converted to a 40' motor boat by ME

Braine. Further refurbishment was carried out by Five Towns Carrying in 1990.

Further work was carried out by Keith Ball(Industry Narrowboats) in 1998 which

which included extending her to her present length of 50'. In 2009 after a poor survey she

was taken down to Paul Barber's yard on the Erewash and had considerable work

carried out to comply with all survey requirements. Today she is offered for sale as

a very practical historic vessel.