AWCC News

Lichfield Cruising Club has now been granted planning permission for the construction of a new mooring basin and dry dock facility to replace the moorings and slipway being lost due to the imminent construction of the HS2 railway line.

The line of the new HS2 passes directly through the existing Cappers Lane bridge which was rebuilt in 2006 as part of the restoration of the Lichfield (ex Wyrley & Essington) Canal. It also obliterates the existing slipway and, along with the consequent realignment of Cappers Lane, causes the loss of 12 of the Club's moorings and the associated car park. The new development, funded by HS2, will provide replacement for these facilities on a like-for-like basis. It is hoped that construction will start soon so that the moorings can be relocated before work starts on the construction of the rail line.

Stoke on Trent Boat Club was involved with an event organised by the village of Endon to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of peace in 1918.

The club displayed large poppies on the entrance gates, on various internal sites and on the bridge carrying the towpath over the entrance to our premises.  We also had a display of poppies with the floral display in an old boat, which marks the club's entrance.

In the evening, a beacon was lit with the help of an Endon resident, a veteran of 102 years old.  The last post was sounded, church bells rang, and the town crier gave out the Cry for Peace. This took place on a field adjacent to the village hall, into which the huge gathering of villagers then made their way where they could examine the many displays - memorabilia from the village, and work from the three local schools, including poems and artwork.  Refreshments were enjoyed before the audience settled to enjoy performances from the local community choir, and many other contributors.  There was music from solists, harmonica, accordion and guitar; readings both light hearted and serious, including contributions from two Young Poets Laureate [both Endon girls].

Representing Stoke on Trent Boat Club, past Commodore Erica Martin delivered The Sailor's Prayer.  Erica, her husband Brian, and Barbara Wells were the official photographers for the event, and prepared a portfolio of several hundred images to mark this one-off event.

Many clubs of the AWCC are involved with the communities in which they are based offering social and fund raising events. It is sometimes possible to extend that cooperation onto the international stage. One such event took place recently when Black Buoy Cruising Club provided a day on the water for children from the Chernobyl Area who, aged between twelve and fifteen, are in remission from cancer. Following the day's boating the children were provided with a barbecue supper at the clubhouse. The outing was funded by Solihull Lions Club.

Each year, a group of children are hosted for a month by families in the Knowle-Solihul Area as part of the Chernobyl Children’s Project UK. Keith Yeomans, commodore of BBCC said, " We are delighted with the success of this joint venture. The Chernobyl Childrens Project provides recuperative holidays for cancer sufferers. Doctors say this helps boost their immune system helping them resist or recover from serious illness".

BRIAN’S FINAL PASSAGE THROUGH HARECASTLE TUNNEL It was an emotional time as friends and family gathered at the north portal of Harecastle Tunnel to watch long-time Stoke on Trent Boat Club member, Brian Curry, embark on his last passage through the tunnel. Brian, for many years tunnel keeper at Harecastle, passed away on 2nd November, age 72. His final journey began on nb Patricia Jean which carried his woven willow casket through the tunnel towards Bradwell Crematorium in Newcastle under Lyme, where the service was taken by Father Brian Williams, a fellow boater.

Brian’s niece Jenny had recorded his wishes for this final journey, planned whilst he was in hospital. Jenny had spent many happy times with ‘the best uncle’ on his boat and said he was happier on water than on land! He was a skilled single handed boater. Fellow club member, Dave Rushton who had known Brian for many years called him a ‘smashing bloke’ with a good sense of humour, and the nicest person. Another life-long friend said of Brian that he would do anything for anyone, and was always up for a laugh.

A wicked sense of humour helped Brian deal with some of the more awkward boaters he encountered. One lady, demanding details of the part which Brian said he was waiting for, to repair a lock, went away quite happy to learn it was the ‘giggling pin’.

Brian had many boats but perhaps the most unusual was one built from two ex-army pontoons onto which he added a cabin created from the tops of two Bedford vans! When one of his boats was sold, the new owners were forced to change the boat name; Brian had been a very early riser, and people recognising the boat but not knowing it wasn’t his now, were most unpopular when they woke the new owners for a brew at first light!

Brian Curry was a legend of the waterways in Staffordshire, and he will be sorely missed by SoTBC and all who knew him.

Lee & Stort Cruising Club will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary on 18th/19th June 2016.

See here for initial information.