No 230  September 2020

ERW T AY A S W

M Y U S T E IE U M S O C SPECIAL

FINAL EDITION THE WATERWAYS MUSEUM SOCIETY

President: Di Skilbeck MBE

Vice Presidents: Tony Hales CBE, Alan Jones, Tony Lewery

DIRECTORS Chairman Barbara Kay Vice Chairmen Jeff Fairweather, Will Manning Interim Treasurer Chris Kay Secretary Chris Kay

Other directors Di Skilbeck MBE, Nigel Carpenter, Dave Ditchfield, Barry Green, Lynn Potts, Bob Thomas, Cath Turpin, Mike Turpin MEMBERSHIP SECRETARIES Dave Ditchfield & Ailsa Rutherford OTHER CONTACTS RE:PORT Editor Ailsa Rutherford 01352 756164 14 Tai Maes, Mold [email protected] Website Steve Sunley

EMAIL CONTACT Please send all communication via the Chairman: [email protected]

Those not on email can contact: Waterways Museum Society, c/o National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port CH65 4FW Telephone 0151 355 5017

The Waterways Museum Society is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 1028599. Registered Charity Number 501593 Visit our website www.waterwaysmuseumsociety.org.uk

All views expressed in RE:PORT are those of the contributors concerned and should not be taken as being the policy of The Waterways Museum Society, The National Waterways Museum or The Canal and River Trust.

Cover: Ellesmere Port site in 1971 Number 230 September 2020

Chairman’s Report 29th September 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of our founding members having their first meeting to discuss setting up a museum which would showcase historic boats and ensure that the history of the waterways was not lost for future generations. Fifty years on, the country has an accredited National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port with collections and archive facilities. Over the years the society has developed and supported the museum and produced many written works, talks, exhibitions, outreach to spread the waterways story. None of this would have happened without the support of the society’s members over the last half century and every single member has contributed their part to this, no matter how large or small that contribution. Inevitably after 50 years, some of those members are no longer with us but the impact they had is a lasting legacy. For those of us who are still here, this is a time to celebrate the achievements of the society and this celebratory edition highlights some of the best memories and milestones of the society. With the closure of the society comes some sadness but as individual museum volunteers we can still carry on those initial aims of promoting an appreciation of the rich waterways history, whether that is through our work at the museum, spreading the story to a wider audience or engaging our local communities. Friendships made will continue. The society will leave the museum and its waterways history story in the safekeeping of the Canal & River Trust for future generations to enjoy. On behalf of the Society, I would like to thank each one of our members, past and present, for their contributions which has led to such a successful ending. As a nation, we are not good at praising ourselves but on this occasion, I think we should – so well done to us all. I hope you enjoy reading this special edition and I wish you all the very best for the future. Barbara Kay

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In the beginning… The following is an extract from the late Dr David Owen’s History of the Formation of the Museum at Ellesmere Port 1970–74. David Owen was one of the five founders of the North Western Museum of Inland Navigation which was renamed The Boat Museum Society, and more recently the Waterways Museum Society. At the time of the first meeting on 29 Sept 1970, he was Director of Manchester Mu- seum and was elected Chairman of what became NWMIN – a position he held for nearly 12 years. He was Vice Chairman of the Council of Trustees of the Boat Museum Trust when it was formed in 1981 and, also, the first Chairman of the Board of Management. He was created the Society’s first President in 1982. He died suddenly on 9 April 1987, just a day before the opening of Nos. 9, 11 and 12 Porters Row cottages.

Dr David Owen

David was inspirational in the establishment of the Museum. As Tony Lewery said in his obituary for David, “We all knew that we needed a figurehead person, a canal enthusi- ast with some clout, someone respected in the museum world, and the academic world, someone with contacts. There was only one obvious choice…“ David was far more than a figurehead. He worked hard behind the scenes and was pivotal in negotiations with the local council and other official bodies.

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It was in the mid-summer of 1970 that discussions started on the need to do something quickly to save the significant boats that were fast disappearing from the inland navigation scene. Duchess-Countess, the last of the fast packet boats, which had lain on the bank of the Shroppie, had been broken up in the early 1960s. The Earl of Ellesmere’s state barge, which had once carried Queen Victoria from Patricroft to Worsley, had suffered the same fate. Daresbury, the last of the Weaver sailing flats, was sunk in the Sutton Weaver boat graveyard in 1957. Harry Arnold suggested a meeting on 29th September 1970 at the Ring-o-Bells, Daresbury to discuss what should be done. Edward Paget-Tomlinson called the meeting and provided an agenda and a document for discussion and agreed to act as secretary. The meeting was also attended by Tony Lewery and Peter Froud. David Owen was voted Chairman, though he asked to hold this office for one meeting only – he was to hold it for ten years! (Harry Arnold was unable to attend because of ill-health.) The discussion document was well thought out. The need was accepted and the theme was stated as first to secure working boats in their correct guise and second to illustrate the history of navigations in the north west. Four sites were considered – Ironbridge, Dudley, Ellesmere Port and Preston Brook. The first two could only cope with narrow beam craft and were dismissed and Ellesmere Port was said to be ‘excellent in theory but because of its great size, financially impractical’. It was also ‘a dead end from the pleasure boating point of view’. Preston Brook was recommended as having all the advantages – two gauges of canal, proximity to the motorway, an amenity to Runcorn New Town, on a pleasure cruiser route, still used by working boats and having an arm ideal for boat display and ancillary sheds. The sequence of work was then discussed – the need to acquire a site and the boats that needed saving, the raising of money and the establishment of voluntary working parties. These proposals were accepted, and it was resolved to seek a meeting as soon as possible with Runcorn Development Corporation or, failing this, with Cheshire County Council. An approach was to be made to Mr Alfred Hayman of the Bridge- water Canal who was later to prove a valuable friend and to Sir Frank Price of British Waterways to ask if there were any suitable narrow boats which might be acquired. It is interesting when studying the original document to see how closely we have followed its recommendations and where we have differed. We have become national rather than regional and our home is now the ‘financially impractical’ Ellesmere Port.”

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Timeline 1970–2020 North Western Museum of Inland Navigation – The Boat Museum Society – The Waterways Museum Society It is difficult to put together a timeline for the Society without including developments at the Museum, as the organisations have been so closely intertwined. Until 1981, and the establishment of the Boat Museum Trust, the Boat Museum as it was known then, was run by the North Western Museum of Inland Navigation (NWMIN), the entirely voluntary organisation which founded and opened it in 1976. The Boat Museum Trust (BMT), with NWMIN representation, took over the management of the Museum in 1980. The details of the history of the society are recorded in the NWMIN Newsletter, renamed RE:PORT. A full set of these is in the Waterways Archive.

29 Sep 1970 A meeting was held in the Ring-o-Bells, Daresbury to discuss the for- mation of a Museum of Inland Navigation. Gifford, ice boat Marbury, Mossdale, a starvationer, Scorpio were suggested as boats that could be loaned/acquired. Present were Peter Froud, Tony Lewery, Dr David Owen and Edward Paget-Tomlinson. 8 Oct 1971 First public meeting in the Roscoe Building of Manchester University. 26 Oct 1971 Incorporation of NWMIN Ltd, a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital.

6 Feb 1972 First working parties – work on Mossdale at Northwich, Scorpio at Bur- scough. 1971 – 1974 Discussions on a site for the Museum. Runcorn/Preston Brook/Anderton were considered. Ellesmere Port was rejected as being “excellent in theo- ry but because of its great size, financially impractical”. 1974 Worcester acquired though a bequest. Summer 1974 Worcester and Gifford attended the IWA rally in Nottingham.

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Lower Basin after the demolition of Telford's Warehouse early 1970s

Summer 1974 Ellesmere Port was finally chosen as the site for the museum, with strong support and backing from Councillors and Officers of the local authority, Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council (EP&NBC). Sep 1974 Leeds & Liverpool short boat George was bought for £60, funded by sale of newspaper collected by Di Ascott. Tony Hirst was appointed Working Party Organiser. 7/8 Dec 1974 The first working party at Ellesmere Port started to secure the Toll House and Island Warehouse. Di Skilbeck’s group of girls from Wirral Grammar School started digging out mud from the upper basin. Further extract from Dr. David Owen’s History of the Formation of the Museum: We’re in! Tony Hirst organised our first working party on site and some 20 people turned up on both Saturday and Sunday and set to work to seal windows and block doorways. The Local Council and the Canal Company had been most helpful in providing timber, breeze blocks, sand and cement and a power line was run from the ‘Horse & Jockey’. Di Skilbeck brought a party of girls from the Wirral County Grammar School and started clearing the area and were soon joined by local people. There was so much to be done but we felt that we had made a start and nothing was going to stop us.

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Four of the founding members [left to right] Tony Lewery, Peter Froud, Dr David Owen, Harry Arnold with Tony Hirst, Working Party Organiser and subsequently first director of the Museum.

The End of the Beginning So we ended 1974 with a growing society, active working parties, a few important boats, some money coming in and a suitable home which, despite all its problems, had enormous potential. We were not on site legally but, with good will all round, we were there to stay. It was from this moment that we all knew that we should build a great museum and fulfil our first aims of collecting, restoring and using the signifi- cant boats of the inland navigation scene. Furthermore, we felt that we could revive this unique trans-shipment port and bring it back to life. The National Waterways Museum was on its way. Jan 1975 Working parties were held at Preston Brook to acquire timber and a large quantity of slates from a warehouse to be demolished. These were taken to Ellesmere Port aboard Gifford and used to re-roof the Toll House. 1975 To commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Anderton Lift, a limited edition of 2000 plates was commissioned by the Society from Wedgwood as a fund raising excercise. (The early restoration of the Toll House was funded entirely by NWMIN from the substantial profit made by the sale of these plates.) Summer 1975 The Calder & Hebble coal barge Ethel was acquired and represented NW- MIN at the IWA National Rally in York.

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Anderton Boat Lift plate.

1975 – 1976 The first stage of the restoration of the Toll House – formerly the offices of the Shropshire Union Railway & Canal Company was carried out, most- ly at weekend-working parties. Jun 1976 Worcester, Mossdale, Ethel, Gifford towed by Spey and other boats arrived at Ellesmere Port. 11 Jun 1976 Crowds attended the opening of the first stage of the Boat Museum in the partially restored Toll House. Scorpio & George arrived by road and were craned in. Sep 1976 The Boat Museum closed for the winter. Chris Leah lived on his boat Lilleth in the upper basin. He acted as a guide and provided security. Winter 1976/7 There were regular Sunday working parties during which further resto- ration work was carried out on the Toll House and work on the boats, during which the local fire brigade helped to raise boats which regularly sank. NWMIN took over the maintenance of Mendip, with Charlie Atkins still liv- ing on board at Preston Brook, outside Tony Lewery’s house. Much work needed to be done on the cabin. Jan 1977 A successful bid, supported by the Coventry Canal Society, was made to acquire Friendship.

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Toll House, Winter 1974/75

Toll House first floor, minus roof

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Sonia Rolt performs the opening ceremony of the first stage of the Museum

Part of the first exhibition in the Toll House 1976

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Easter 1977 First Easter Gathering of ex-working boats. The Museum reopened on Easter Saturday with a new exhibition in the Toll House. Friendship was towed to the museum. April 1977 Bigmere was donated to the museum by Les Crampton of Frodsham. EP&NBC was awarded a £124,000 Department of the Environment Dere- lict Land grant for the restoration of the Island Warehouse. Summer 1977 Construction of a dry dock in the pound between the wide locks.

Building the dry dock between the wide locks

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August 1977 Gifford, towed by Spey attended the IWA National Rally at Reading on the Thames, after delivering Silver Jubilee greetings from Ellesmere Port and other local authorities to Windsor Castle. Autumn 1977 Ethel was the first boat on the dry dock, followed byMossdale . Summer 1978 The Museum opened seven days a week, with the help of a Government Job Creation scheme. It was recommended that a Trust should be set up to administer the Museum.

Gifford and Spey on the Thames

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1978 – 1979 Worcester’s engine was restored by Ray Woodland. Aug 1979 Bigmere represented the Museum at the IWA National Rally at Northwich. 1979 Further boats, including Box Boat 337, ice boats Aspull & Wappenshall, the starvationer, Shad, were added to the collection. Oct 1979 The engine in the upper Pump House, restored by Bill Robinson was in steam for the first time. A grant of £167,000 from the English Tourist Board was announced to set up an exhibition in the Island Warehouse. EP&NBC committed to provide a grant for 7 years to fund the appointment of a full-time director for the Museum. 2 Nov 1979 HM the Queen and HRH Duke of Edinburgh visited the Museum. 1 Jan 1980 NWMIN bought Gifford from Edward Paget-Tomlinson with the aid of a Science Museum grant. 1 Jan 1981 The Boat Museum Trust (BMT) came into being to administer the Mu- seum. A Board of Management, with representatives from EP&NBC,

Visit by HM the Queen

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Cheshire County Council and NWMIN was created. Cllr Peter Jones be- came Chairman of the Board of Trustees. All subsequent boat and archive acquisitions were by BMT. 1 Feb 1981 Tony Hirst was appointed as the first Director of the Boat Museum. Di Skilbeck became Working Party Organiser. 19 Feb 1981 10 Porters Row was purchased by NWMIN from Hugh Williams, the last resident of Porters Row, for £750. Mr and Mrs Williams had bought the house from the British Transport Commission in November 1953 for £150. Mrs Williams died in the house in January 1955. 1981 – 1982 The restoration and fitting out of the Island Warehouse as the major exhi- bition area of the Museum was carried out. Jim McKeown was appointed as assistant to the Museum Director. Further boats including Basuto and en- gines were acquired. Lord Leverhulme became President of BMT. Michael Heseltine MP, who headed the Merseyside Task Force following the Toxteth riots in Liverpool, visited the Museum and approved a plan to restore the remaining buildings and dock area in the ‘wider historic port’. £2m was allocated for this work, which was carried out in 1982 and early 1983.

Island Warehouse prior to restoration

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The Duke of Gloucester [far right], standing next to Tony HIrst, on the occasion of the opening of the Island Warehouse exhibition. On GIfford [left to right] Liz Robinson, Kerry Turpin, Di Skilbeck, with Lizzie Milward in front.

Easter 1982 Opening of the exhibition on the first floor of the Island Warehouse by Cllr Peter Jones. Jun 1982 Official opening of Island Warehouse by the Duke of Gloucester. David Owen stepped down as Chairman of NWMIN and was created President. Ray Woodland became Chairman. Alan Jones’ boat Clematis was fitted out to be used as the Museum’s first trip boat. A dedicated Archive room was created on the ground floor of the Island Warehouse. Shirley Kitching becomes the Museum’s first Archivist.

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Memories of the Museum 1972 to 1983 Di Skilbeck My early memories are of the times I brought students, from the school from where I taught, who volunteered to do conservation work: this occurred between 1972 and 1983. In 1983, I moved to Sheffield so, no more work parties! Some of the girls were brought by their parents, others I collected. We aimed to be at the museum by 10am, the same time as adult volunteers. We identified areas of work which were within the capabilities of the girls. None of this would be possible today, but the world was a very different place then.

Clearing silt and rubbish from the Upper Basin, 1975.

We cleared the areas around the crane near Porters Row, some worked on the crane and others cleaned and later painted warning signs. We hauled some amazing things out of the water including tyres, a safe, and a scooter. We also ventured out on the mud and dug it out. At lunchtime we lit a fire and heated up soup which the girls had for lunch. We discovered a little rowing boat which was sunk in the wide lock. Once the lock was drained, we got on to the boat and discovered that the stern tube needed blocking so that the boat would float. We used her to collect lumps of wood out of the water. We had to watch for eels which were abundant. We named the boat Rising Damp. She is currently sunk in the lower basin under the cathead crane platform. On one occasion the girls unearthed a ramp of setts which had been covered in concrete. This is in use today where the path from the top basin goes down to Porters Row. Another activity was working on the brick line! The foundations of the Toll House needed strengthening and this was to be done by filling up the void with bricks. These were thrown up from the lower basin so many of us were in the ‘brickline’ with adult 17 Number 230 RE:PORT volunteers (all the bricks are under the meeting room in the Toll House). The girls were at the museum when the Queen visited. They were on Gifford and were terrified in case the Queen spoke to them! She did not but did pass very close. An interesting spin-off, two of the girls applied to university to read medicine and were interviewed at Birmingham. They were amazed that the interviewing professor talked to them about canals (this was in their CVs). It transpired that he was a boat owner and enthusiast – the girls obtained places!! The parents were very understanding, they had been warned that the girls’ clothes would be covered in mud and might be beyond washing.

Jan 1983 Bill Robinson was awarded the BEM in the New Year’s Honours list, in rec- ognition of his services to the Boat Museum. The ownership of 10 Porters Row was transferred to BMT. Easter 1983 An exhibition on the History & Development of Ellesmere Port was opened by Joe Mercer in the Pattern Shop. Winter 1983/4 Dave Potts became Working Party Organiser. 1984 – 1985 During these years, there was considerable discussion on the role of NWMIN and its relationship with BMT. Working parties were set up and accounts of their deliberations were reported in a special edition of RE:PORT prior to the AGM in November 1985. Sep 1985 Ray Woodland stepped down as Chairman of NWMIN and was succeeded by Di Skilbeck.

Bill Robinson and the newly restored steam pump – early 1980s. 18 RE:PORT Number 230

The late Ray Woodland, Chairman 1982–1985 Notes prepared by Mike & Cath Turpin, and Di Skilbeck David Owen stood down during 1982 as the Society’s first Chairman after 11 years from its foundation through to its establishment as a recognised Mu- seum of national standing. Ray Wood- land’s chairmanship of four years was one of major consolidation and began the period of adjusting to the changes and challenges of day to day running of a Museum with staff and volunteers working together. Following the Tox- teth riots of 1981, Michael Heseltine MP visited the area and, in conjunction with the Local Authority, we were able to show him plans for the future of the Museum, and the wider area, that so impressed him that £2m for regenera- tion was made available, and the plans were rapidly implemented. There were Manpower Service Commission and related schemes which increased staff- ing considerably on site, until these started to come to an end and more work fell to volunteers. Ray Woodland In 1983, heritage workshops were held and an open day for over 2000 residents of Ellesmere Port. We attended the National Waterways Festival in Wigan with four boats including Scorpio; Cuddington took part in the Mersey River Festival. Joe Mercer opened the exhibition in the Pattern shop, but his ceremony was interrupted by the noisy arrival of Basuto. The museum remained open throughout the winter for the first time. In 1984, a NWMIN working party produced a document giving proposals for the development of the dock area. Subsequently, this group joined forces with the Local Authority and County to discuss future developments. Work started on setting up Porters Row housing. In 1985, a three-day International Festival was held with over 200 boats attending, one was a Chinese Junk! Agreement had been reached regarding the fencing of the site, but a delay meant that vandals were able to enter and set fire toPluto and damage other craft. In Ray’s last year as Chairman, the Society set up two important working parties. One, to look at the Boat Museum Trust, under the lead of Alan Jones, the carefully established partnership set up in 1980-81 for the running of the Museum involving the Society, the Local Authority, Cheshire County Council, and British Waterways. This involved the Trust itself, but also established a Board of Management which deliberately had a majority of 19 Number 230 RE:PORT

Society representatives to support the Director. This report explained the arrangements to Members and recommended the continuation of this with no change. The second working group, lead by Mike Turpin, looked at many aspects of the practical running of the Museum with volunteer support and made several recommen- dations for improvements in practical operation. It noted that the articles of the Society were about the establishment of a Museum and not especially a boat restoration society. It recommended that working activities of volunteers was encouraged across a much broader spectrum of tasks and that more attention needed to be given to planning and communication of tasks. For the first time there was recognition that there would need to be some rationalisation of the growing boat collection if it were to be sustainable in the long term. There was no point in keeping duplicates. However, the Trust continued increasing the boat collection so some of these changes have taken over two decades or more to be accepted. Ray had initially become involved through committing to the restoration of the tug Worcester, and its 30hp Bolinder spent some considerable time in his garage until rein- stated back working in the tug. When Ray handed over the reins to Di Skilbeck this gave him time to concentrate on the restoration of his 88ft wooden launchLaughing Water, and also to lead on the establishment of the Power Hall and installation of many of the engines still working there now.

1985 The Museum receives 100,000 visitors during the year. 10 Jun 1986 Opening of the restored 10 Porters Row, furnished as it would have been in about 1900. The official opening was in August. 9 Apr 1987 Dr David Owen, one of the founders of NWMIN and its first Chairman and later President, died suddenly. 10 Apr 1987 Opening of Nos. 9, 11 & 12 Porters Row by Neil Cossons, Director of the Science Museum, London. Apr 1988 Opening of David Owen Archive & Resource centre in the ground floor of the Rolt Conference Centre.

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From our loft to the National Archives Tony and I were always interested in heritage and when our daughters Jackie and Debo- rah were fairly young we would regularly walk the canal towpath. Tony would carry a book under his arm and we would collect wild flowers which the girls would duly put into said book for pressing. Fast forward to the 1970s, we read about the open day of the canal basin in Ellesmere Port and decided to visit. We met and talked with such interesting and enthusiastic people, we became members on that day and the rest was history! We relished our new involvement, every Sunday working to clear the site, so many children all helping in so many ways. Tony Hirst was our leader!! Organising on site work, such enthusiasm was infectious. Over the years we heard that British Waterways was starting to reorganise their records, most of which were paper based – invoices, cargo details, boat schedules and destinations, journey times, boats and their owners. Nothing was overlooked, everything was considered as a possible archive asset. Without this com- mitment the history contained in all of these materials would have been lost. Previous to this Tony, Tony Hirst and Keith Robinson had become known as the three musketeers. They realised how important past artefacts and paperwork were to the developing museum. Being totally committed they started travelling around the canal depots, offices, asking for any contributions to what was to become the archive collection. Many weekends were spent gathering material of any type, not forgetting that the musketeers were all in fulltime work, and obviously with very supporting wives!! Tony would arrive home with quantities of items. He once brought a tin chest home full of paperwork. A lot was stored in the loft, which complemented the dining room full of ex- hibition boards, and then we saw a slight movement in our bedroom ceiling. He boarded the loft floor which seemed to solve the problem and when we moved south I banned all loft storage! Of course, by the 1990s we had the base for what is now the well respected National Waterways Archive. The archives to me have given enormous gravitas to the museum. In those early days before we joined and later, the range of talent, knowledge and expertise was there in those founding members. Nothing defeated them. Many have sadly depart- ed but it was an absolute pleasure to be in their company. It was hard work; team work, fun, great humour and friends for ever. Jan Burnip

1992 – 1995 Significant restoration work was carried out onGifford by Malcolm Webster at his boatyard at Malkins Bank, near Wheelock. Won the Alfred Richie award for the best turned out working boat at the IWA National Rally in Chester, August 1995. 1994 A Curatorial Review, by consultant Rob Shoreland-Ball was commissioned by BMT to make recommendations for the collections. One of these was that it was ‘illogical that NWMIN holds any collections and that they should be transferred to BMT ownership’. This proposal caused consid- erable debate within NWMIN. It was not until 1996 that a formal loan 21 Number 230 RE:PORT

agreement was signed to transfer the NWMIN collection, except Gifford & Worcester to BMT. This would enable BMT to raise funds to work on the NWMIN collection. The ownership of the NWMIN collection (except Gifford and Worcester) was transferred to BMT in 1997. 7 Jun 1995 The name of NWMIN was changed to The Boat Museum Society Limited, affectionately known as BMS.

The Tollhouse in Spring 1976 just after the completion of the new roof, only weeks before the opening.

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Di Skilbeck, Chairman 1985–1996 I took over as Chairman in 1986 when we were still NWMIN, (North Western Museum of Inland Navigation). 1986 was an exciting year, we held a Spring Festival with the lower basin full of boats – all afloat! In June, the first cottage in Porters Row, No 10, was opened officially to the public and the Museum gained a Heritage Educational Trust Award and a Shell Research Award. The superb range in No 10 enabled us to cook food and roast meat on the bottle jack. We had a fight to get the concrete barge into the museum – she ran into red tape! In 1986 the Daniel Adamson entered the lower basin and caused headaches trying to look after such a large craft. There is a recurring theme throughout my 10 years as Chairman, and this was an ongoing appeal for volunteers. Each of my reports ended with a plea “come and do in ‘92”. In 1987, we were sad to lose David Owen who died on 9th April, a day before the remaining three cottages were opened. David was the inspiration behind the establishing of the museum and gathered like-minded enthusiasts. He was passionate about the res- toration of the Weaver flat,Daresbury . The big fundraising scheme was to sell Daresbury plates commissioned from Wedgwood but, without the ‘drive’ of David, the committee reached the conclusion that the restoration was a massive undertaking, and it was decid- ed to leave Daresbury where she is, sunk in Sutton Weaver disused lock. On the demise of the project, there was little demand for the plates and still, in 2020, we have plenty left!! In 1990 there were troubles with the Local Authority over the future of Nickerson’s Yard and the Raddle Wharf. The idea of a canal village disappeared under housing pro- jects. The Manpower Services Scheme* finished so volunteers help became more essential. Funding for boat restoration was needed so we ran the Pattern Shop as the Boatman’s Rest serving light lunches. The proceeds were divided between the museum and the Society. We collected newspaper, aluminium cans and Green Shield stamps. In 1990, the dry dock by the Toll House was fitted out so that boats could be docked and repaired. The 200 Club was launched in 1990. In 1992, the exhibition of engines was developed in the power hall and in June of that year, Cuddington participated in the Mersey River Festival. Gifford had been at Malkins Bank, Malcolm Webster's yard, since 1992 for major restoration; in 1994 she was back in the water but needed fitting out. In January 1995 Box Boat 337 received £500 from the Transport Trust to start her restoration. In 1995, the NWMIN renamed itself the Boat Museum Society. This was to reflect our close links with the museum. It was welcomed by some and objected to by others!

* Editor’s Note: The Manpower Services Commission (MSC) was a non-departmental body of the Department of Employment created in 1973. The MSC was closely associated with the management and funding of the Youth Training Scheme and various other training programmes intended to alleviate the high levels of unemployment in the 1980s. The training programmes enabled the Museum to employ a number of staff at the Museum in posts that, sadly, could not be supported when funding ceased in 1987 on cessation of the scheme. 23 Number 230 RE:PORT

The handing over of the Society’s collection of boats and artefacts to BMT provoked a lot of discussion. The committee needed re-assurances that all the artefacts, boats and objects would be cared for by BMT and pressed for the appointment of a Keeper of Collections. The proposal was that the Society’s collection would be handed over to BMT, apart from Gifford and Worcester. The advice was that if BMT owned a significant collection, they were in a better position to attract grant money. In 1995 Gifford returned from Malkins Bank and was painted in time to attend the IWA rally in Chester where she won the Alfred Richie Cockerel award for the best turned out working boat. She subsequently received the Ken Keay award for the most improved wooden boat and gained an award from British Marine Industries Federation for the dis- play on the deck. NWMIN/BMS were exciting times, and this can be seen from the memories in this account.

1995 Tony Hirst was awarded the OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for Services to Museums. Di Skilbeck resigned after 10 years as Chairman. Mike Turpin was appointed in her place. 1997 The Society’s collection, with the exception of Gifford and Worcester, was formally transferred to the Boat Museum Trust Spring 1999 An agreement was signed by The Boat Museum Trust, the National Wa- terways Museum Trust (Gloucester) and British Waterways to form the charitable trust, The Waterways Trust (TWT). The Museums were now under WATERWAYS JOURNAL - MAY 1999 T HE BOAT MUSEUM the management of TWT. THE BOAT MUSEUM SOCIETY Boat Museum Society members work in M AY 1999 conjunction with the staff of the Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire to accurately research, April 1999 Volume 1 of Waterways Journalrestore and exhibit wasthe working craft of thepub British - In this issue: canal and river network, and to demonstrate their proper use wherever possible and thus to preserve some of the professional skills of the boat Steam and Diesel on the lished by BMS, Theedited Boat Museum is a living museumby with Tony a population who Burnip. use to work them. Bridgewater Canal unique collection of boats, exhibitions, engines Will you join us and help to pass on our fascinating and many other attractions related to Britain’s waterway heritage to future generations? We canals and waterways, and to the town and port always welcome the help of new members British Canal History in of Ellesmere Port. whether by active practical work or simply by Opening times are; subscription and donation. Please write for more Perspective information to: Autumn 1999 Tony Hirst retiredApril to October, after 10am to 5pm every day. being Director of The Boat Museum Society November to March, 11am to 4pm, closed Dockyard Road Cruising the Llangollen & Thursdays and Fridays, Christmas Eve, Christmas Ellesmere Port Day and Boxing Day. Shrewsbury Canals, 1939 L65 4EF the Boat MuseumFor more details since contact: 1981. The Boat Museum ISSN 1466-3732 ?=æ;æ.Ë.„+÷,÷.„*„;æ=ƒ?æ;æ;æ;–;æ;æ;æ?æ;÷,÷+æ?æ;„.„*„.„*˛;æ:æ;æ?= The Canals of England Ellesmere Port ?=æ;æ.Ë.„+÷,÷.„*„;æ=ƒ?æ;æ;æ;–;æ;æ;æ?æ;÷,÷+æ?æ;„.„*„.„*˛;æ:æ;æ?= L65 4FW ?=æ;æ.Ë.„+÷,÷.„*„;æ=ƒ?æ;æ;æ;–;æ;æ;æ?æ;÷,÷+æ?æ;„.„*„.„*˛;æ:æ;æ?= and Wales - Tel: 0151 355 5017 £5-95 ?=æ;æ.Ë.„+÷,÷.„*„;æ=ƒ?æ;æ;æ;–;æ;æ;æ?æ;÷,÷+æ?æ;„.„*„.„*˛;æ:æ;æ?= ?=Ó;Ó.Ë.„+÷,÷.„*„;æ=ƒ?æ;æ;æ;–;Ó;Ó;æ?æ;÷,÷+æ?æ;„.„*„.„*˛;æ:Ó;Ó?= The Future They Never 9;;;771466;;;;;373229;;;< January 2000 Tracy McNaboe was appointed as Opera- Had tions Manager of the Boat Museum.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, considerable work was carried out on all the vessels in the Museum’s collection. Much of this was carried out by NWMIN/BMS and other volun- teers, as well as members of staff.

24 RE:PORT Number 230

A quarter of a century I would not have missed Tony Hirst, former Director of The Boat Musuem (This article was first published in RE:PORT February 2000 following Tony’s retirement in Autumn 1999.) What a delightful surprise it was to open and read the last edition of RE:PORT. Thank you to all the contributors who wrote such nice things about my time at the Boat Museum. It was even more poignant as I collected my copy at the Craft Fair (one of the few things I am glad that I don’t have to help organise) and read it on our boat moored in the arm behind the Pump House. Even more was that within a week it was a quarter of a century since the first working party when we celebrated Frank Ascott’s birthday with a bit of a party by the boiler house. What memories it brought back. One certainly could not have had a boat floating there at that time; it was a reed filled, marshy, muddy dumping ground. The only good things there were the remains of a Shropshire Union fly boat (the knees are still in store). It seems amazing that I have spent nearly half my life working for the project, a time I would never have missed. Many friends and family thought I was mad to leave my previous job. How little vision some people have, not only did the company I worked for go bankrupt (they must have missed me) but I would never have experienced the exciting times helping to develop and run the museum. I have met so many interesting people, made so many friends, went to so many interesting places and finally had the satisfaction of seeing the changes at Ellesmere Port create the museum we have today, not only conserving part of our waterways history but creating a place for people to come to, learn about the waterways and enjoy themselves. Supporting the local community There are many hidden ways in which the museum has helped the town and local people. In the eighties in the time of high local unemployment the museum employed hundreds of people, most then finding permanent jobs with the benefit of their time at the mu- seum. Many people with learning difficulties and other problems have benefited from time at the museum. There are so many spin off benefits, all of which bring satisfaction to those involved in providing them. Would there have been three boats providing trips for the disadvantaged without the museum? Would there have been the commercial de- velopment around it or even the Cheshire Oaks and Blue Planet Aquarium if the museum had not brought tourism to the town? They were exciting times with a real challenge and mission to life. The Seventies were a time that such enterprises could flourish; there were the beginnings of the bureaucracy that today would have made what we did impossible. Per- haps this is one of the reasons behind the lack of young people now becoming involved with such projects. Two things that are essential for success are a leader with vision and determination and for all concerned not to be put off in achieving their goal; there always has to be a way. Our leader was the indomitable Doc Owen. He had done it all before on the Rochdale and 25 Number 230 RE:PORT

Peak Forest canals and with his authoritative charm and persuasiveness would not ever turn back from an objective. It was he, who had the vision, was the credible front for the Local Authorities and led us all to success. It was my privilege to help execute his vision. Rats’ nests and wet rot Many members today will not remember the early days but, for those that do, think back to discovering the joys of the wet and dark ground floor of the Island Warehouse with its rats’ nests. Blocking up the doors and windows, how the breeze blocks nearly landed on David Owen. Discovering the best examples of wet rot ever seen in the Toll House, digging out the cellars so as to fill them in again with bricks from the Telford Warehouse, salvaged from the lower basin; all to comply with the current building reg- ulations. Digging out the corner of the upper basin, wrecking some brand new tipper trucks which were obviously not built for the loads we put on them. Nei- ther was the Salford Van Hire lorry (nor Patrick Crecraft’s car) that carried the ex RAF classroom, that became “Crecraft’s Folly”. But it did provide valuable storage space and the home of the Mark 2 café. Mark 1, designed by Eric (Garner), was run by Di (Hirst) and Mo (Crecraft) and was a plastic sheet slung off poles and off the wall over a table on the site of the present shop. The hold of Bigmere, which became Mark 3, was by contrast, sheer luxury. I could go on about Sunday working parties. This dedicated band of volunteers would arrive about ten from all over the North West and Wales, wet or fine. Prodi- Friendship being moved into position in the Island gious amount of work would be achieved Warehouse be it on boats, the site, or exhibitions. The majority of the Toll House was rebuilt by them in 1975 and 1976; there was just so much going on. Sundays will never be the same. At the end of the day, a dirty, tired and hungry group, children in tow often descended on the rather dodgy Greek Chinese chip shop in Station Road. For those who have not been for some time it is still there, but I haven’t tried the cuisine of late! The collection was unrecognisable from today’s, the core boats and some of the most important were soon there, regularly sinking. A call to the Fire Brigade often sorted

26 RE:PORT Number 230

[left]The arrival of Crecraft’s Folly; [top right] Di Hirst and Mo Crecraft in the Mark 1 café; [above] Sunday working party.

that problem, except for those that sunk with their gunwales below the water when more sophisticated action was required. Oh, what wonderful fun on a cold windy day when the pump would not start or prime; not a thing I want to do today thank you. I must admit though that I was inveigled into helping to pump a boat out in Belgium a couple of years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. The early days owe much to those that lived on site. Led by Chris Leah they kept our work safe and the boats afloat. They are almost a forgotten part of the past but a lot is owed to them; they and their boats may not fit today’s museum but they were the right people for the time. Again they had a vision and would not be put off achieving it. Life at the museum was not just about site work or getting dirty, much was done at home or at rallies promoting the new museum and raising money. We will never forget Ray’s (Woodland) caravan or the hospitality of Auntie Ivy (Woodland) to keep us all fed and wa- tered. The archive was another behind the scenes job ably undertaken by Shirley. Again 27 Number 230 RE:PORT

A regular Sunday morning job

Cath Turpin and Jan Burnip varnishing the Island Warehouse floor

28 RE:PORT Number 230

David Owen’s vision was to ensure that the collection of paper in the form of records and photographs was given the same importance as the boats. How right he was, that early work set the basis for what is regarded as the best waterways archive in the country, not only in its collection but just as importantly that it has always been and must remain customer focused. It is of little point keeping the records if they are not easily accessible through knowledgeable and helpful staff. Exhibitions then and now Today the museum is preparing to produce new exhibitions for the two floors of the Island Warehouse, a long-standing aspiration which we have been unable so far to fund. An expenditure of around £750,000 is planned, how different from the £21,000 spent on the first floor exhibition in 1982 or the £500 as the top budget for the exhibitions on the ground floor of the Toll House in the seventies. Until the Island Warehouse exhibition opened in 1982 the Toll House was the only habitable building, (the toilets were in a Portacabin by Oilsites Road) and housed the exhibition and shop. These were renewed each spring in time to open on Easter Saturday. As most of those working there had full time jobs, Good Friday was the “put it all together day”. The day’s work ended in the early hours of Saturday morning as late as 4am, by painting the floor finally exiting through and locking the front door, ready to open at ten. Easter Gatherings The Easter Gathering of Boats has become a waterway institution, it has just grown and prospered with minimal organisation, and people just turn up either by traditional or modern boat or by car and public transport. The pattern has remained much the same, new exhibitions, boatman’s games, a search in the Archive, old films, the Saturday night party and hours and hours of talking, putting the world to rights. What fun we have had over the years, who would have thought that there was so much thespian talent around. The only failing has been the weather which is traditionally cold with an icy westerly wind and even snow. Nevertheless it has flourished for twenty two years and I expect will go on for ever as long as it remains fun for all those involved. The only real difference from the early gatherings is that we have all got older, the once young children have grown up, some even have their own children. Those in middle life at the start have now got less and grey hair, but they nearly all still come every year. We have though lost many of our friends, but their contribution and memory lives on in what has been created at Ellesmere Port. How chuffed David Owen would be if he could see the museum today, a restored unique complex of basins and building, with an unrivalled collection in far better condition than since it was in commercial use, some better than then. All being part of one of the few designated museums with nationally important collections, now with a financially secure future. Museums are often judged by how effectively they reach their local community. We have had mixed success with local population traditionally regarded as the museum’s community but I believe our main community are those who have lived and worked on the waterways in their commercial carrying days. Here we have succeeded creating strong friendships and support, never better demonstrated by such events as Easter, donations

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Boats at an early Easter Gathering to the Archive and general collection, and by so many coming to the museum to pay tribute to the late John Jinks†. I could go on and on, to the point of probably boring most readers (perhaps I have done so already). One day I suppose I should sit down and go through all the records, (we have archived the relevant records for future generations to wonder at these crazy peo- ple). A good project to write it up while spending time on our boat, all I need is a laptop computer. There were lots of volunteer led projects in the seventies, the pioneering Boat Museum, I believe, has been one of the most successful. This is due in the main to the dedication and work of those who put in so much time to make it work. We now all have something to look back on with pride and enjoyment. BMS and BMT still have a vital role in the new arrangement but overall it is up to the new management team to continue the work with the same ethos that has driven the museum forward over the last quarter century creating its enviable reputation for quality, drive and friendliness. Finally thank you to all those who have helped and supported me over the years and gave me such a great leaving party. Di and I can now go off on our boat and enjoy parts of the canals we have never had the time to explore and reminisce about

† John Jinks was an ex-working boatman, from a boating family who was a great support- er of the museum. He passed on his considerable boating skills by example. He didn’t tell people what to do – he would say “we do it this way”. A real gentleman. 30 RE:PORT Number 230 the great times we have had at the museum. We shall though be back from time to time and be keeping in touch.”

Sep 2000 Death of Lord Leverhulme, President of the Boat Museum Trust. The Waterways Trust submit an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the £1.25 million project to revitalise the displays in the Muse- um. Nov 2000 BMS submit an application to the HLF for the restoration of Worcester. BMS donate £500 towards the funding towards the making of two boxes for Box Boat 337. February 2001 BMS awarded 75% grant funding by HLF for the restoration of Worcester. Total project estimated at £46,300.

Worcester in 2005, after restoration

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Mike Turpin, Chairman 1996–2001 When I became Chairman at the end of 1995 we were at a pivotal point in the devel- opment of the Society and the Museum. We were celebrating 25 years during which we established the beginnings of a professional Museum with a Director and paid staff sup- ported by an active group of volunteers I had several targets. I wanted to: Ѽ continue to provide volunteering support and to be involved in the Museum’s Board of Management and Trustees in partnership with the local authority. With a lease signed at last, the Museum was able to gain formal registration and thus begin the long process of dealing with a whole range of curatorial improvements. My period of office will be remembered by the transfer of the NWMIN Collec- tion (except Gifford and Worcester). This was only a means to making progress as we and the wider world were pressing for higher standards of care. We had just partaken in a curatorial review highlighting for us the need for the transfer but also for the Museum to appoint a senior museum professional – a key point for us. This was achieved and opened the way to working together with British Waterways and their Museums and, in turn, led to Designation as a collection of national importance. Quite an achievement by the end of the Millennium. Ѽ see the Society looking outwards rather more, by working with other like-mind- ed organisations. This would help progress many of our aims and at the same time provide a wider perspective of support to the Museum. We would also take advantage of a wider range of professional and technical skills that volunteers have, if they are engaged properly. In this area the following can be mentioned – the SightSeen recordings, establishment of Waterways Journal, successful HLF bid for Worcester, Taylors Yard, supporting establishment of the Horseboating Society – many others. Ѽ establish working groups in teams lead by the museum, a change that would come slowly, requiring good managers. In this period I was very conscious that our articles and early members’ views, who I most respected, were very much about a museum and not just about boats, and this grew in importance to me and others over the decades after my Chairmanship ended. The boats are simply large objects in the collection and presented major challenges for a sustainable future. Mike Stammers, amongst others, understood that we simply had too many boats afloat to be sustainable: it has taken considerable time for this nettle to be grasped. After the excellent work that was undertaken during the years I was Chairman, and continued by recent work by our Collections Managers, we are getting the balance right. I would be amiss if I did not mention the leadership and tenacity shown by our first Director, Tony Hirst. We may not always have agreed but Tony, with the team of staff and volunteers around him, achieved things we as volunteers and staff, and now the Trust, should be very proud of and committed to continue the journey that started 50 years ago here in the North West. Alongside that are all the members and officers of the Society’s Committees over the years who have unstintingly served the cause of our Museum.

32 RE:PORT Number 230

Though the formation of TWT was not what had been indicated by BW, and was a last-minute change, we had high hopes as I handed over to Ken Catford. I said in my first Chairman’s report that we would be able to look back in another 25 years with the Muse- um in a more sustainable long-term position. Within the Trust that is certainly true, but the Museum and the Trust continue to face challenges that we look forward to meeting together. I take heart from Richard Parry's call to re-imagine our ways of working and to call for that to be applied wholeheartedly to the Museum. Once again, a time of great opportunity and challenge, just needing good people to work together and deliver. What comes through is that it is all about leadership, good people, and cooperative work in and between teams It still is and it should be simple. After all these years, time and history as usual will give us the answers.

Apr 2001 Easter Boat Gathering cancelled because of Foot & Mouth Disease which closed the waterways network. Celebration of 25th Anniversary of the Easter Boat Gathering postponed until 2002. BMS and BMT make representations to the Museum management re- garding the proposal to remove the availability of the Porters Row flats with the result that two of the flats remain open. BMS donate tactile maps of the site, created by Ann Gardiner, to the Mu- seum. Jun 2001 BMS commission John Caley to construct a model of the River Weaver flat,Daresbury . TWT consults with BMS with a ‘visions and issues’ paper on the future of the Ellesmere Port site. Sep 2001 Nigel Bromage resigns as Chairman of the BMT. BMS submit application to British Telecomms Community Awards for a new computer and one year’s connection to the internet. Dec 2001 TWT awarded first stage grant of £1 million towards enhancing the Muse- um’s exhibitions. BMS awarded a computer and one year’s connection to the internet by British Telecomms Community Awards. Dec 2002 BMS commits a contribution towards the ‘balance fund’ for the Archivist post at the Museum. Sep 2003 The Boat Museum Trust disbands its Board of Management and strength- ens its Board of Trustees. Dec 2003 Death is announced of Edward Paget-Tomlinson.

33 Number 230 RE:PORT

Mar 2005 BMS web site is launched. Jun 2006 Gifford celebrates her 60th birthday. Nov 2006 Death is announced of Ray Woodland, former Chairman of BMS Jan 2007 BMT reviews how it can contribute positively to the future of the Muse- um.

Gifford, with Sue Day of the Horseboating Society, in a demonstration of horseboating at a Horses at Work event

34 RE:PORT Number 230

Ken Catford, Chairman 2001–2007 When I first arrived in this area some 40 years ago, I had hardly sat down at my desk in Liverpool when one of my new colleagues started to enthuse about a canal museum at a place called Ellesmere Port. He said that he was a volunteer there, and told me that I should get involved. This was the late Keith Robinson of whom many of you will have fond memories. So, I visited, was fascinated, and joined the Society. I have been very glad that I did, and twenty years later I was delighted to become Chairman. This was 2001, and the first major event looked like being a non-event. Foot and Mouth disease prevented the movement of boats with the result that the ‘boat gathering’ became instead a lively, informal festival which was well supported by the waterways fraternity. It was a time for breathing a huge sigh of relief. By the end of the 1990s the Muse- um was in dire financial straits. Final closure seemed imminent – until suddenly, as if from nowhere, the new Waterways Trust came to the rescue. Although TWT has now gone, we must not forget that they saved the Museum. The future now seemed secure with the new manager producing a forward-looking “Vision” document, but within a year or so that manager was gone. A new one was ap- pointed, and then another one, and this discontinuity continued. However TWT obtained Heritage Lottery Funding “Project 25” which was a major upgrading of the island ware- house, shop and café. But still no money or priority for the steadily deteriorating boat collection, and volunteers still discouraged from maintaining the boats. Going back to 2001, also that year the Horseboating Society was formed and that gave the opportunity for our horseboat Gifford to be operated as she should be – pulled by a horse. Gifford visited several Cheshire canal towns to demonstrate “what the tow- paths were for”. School visits were arranged (and this work continues now by the Saturn Group). At the Museum it led to the annual “Horses at Work” events during the 2010s. I suppose that I have a bee in my bonnet about horses and canals, but the Museum doesn’t emphasise enough that for 200 years the boats were powered by horses, not boat engines. I would like to put on record a little-known intervention which at the time I didn’t feel was particularly helpful but which on reflection I think had significant effect. In 2005 the late Andrew Miller (MP for Ellesmere Port) secured an adjournment debate in parliament on funding for the three waterways museums. I briefed my local MP (Frank Field) with a letter extolling the importance of the nation’s waterways heritage and he agreed to take part in the debate (I recognised extracts from my letter quoted in Hansard afterwards). In fact the Hansard transcriber mis-heard a key phrase, and we are recorded for posterity in block capitals as the “NATIONAL WATER MAZE MUSEUM”. It was a minor debate, but it seems to have alerted the influential board members of British Waterways (TWT’s main funder) to the dire situation, and I believe that a change of attitude in TWT became discernible from then on. All that seems a long time ago now.

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Jun 2007 BMS launches its Action Plan and “Tender Loving Care” project for the boats. Mar 2008 Start of the BMS “Tender Loving Care (TLC) Project” in collaboration with the Museum. Jun 2008 BMS reach 1000 volunteer hours on the TLC project. Mar 2009 BMS launch volunteer recruitment drive. Jul 2009 Volunteer recruitment drive results in 50 new volunteers. BMS announce working boatyard project, to be known as the Heritage Boatyard and a BMS and Museum partnership, at an estimated cost £30,000, £5000 of which to be donated by the Society. Mar 2009 Official opening of the Heritage Boatyard by Tony Hales, Chairman of British Waterways. May 2009 BMS, in conjunction with the Horseboating Society, organise a day of horseboating and horse related activities at the Museum, which subse- quently becomes an annual event in the Museum’s calendar. Sep 2010 Based on a photograph by Harry Arnold, a limited edition print of a paint- ing by Dusty Miller entitled “Last Traffic on the Mersey” goes on sale by BMS for the future maintenance of Mendip. Mar 2011 BMS makes a further donation of £5,000 to the Heritage Boatyard, bring- ing the contribution to date of £17,000.

Acknowledgements Capturing 50 years of the Society’s history in one small volume has been something of a challenge, and we hope it has brought back memories for our long-standing members and, for those of us who have come latterly to the Society, a greater appre- ciation of the achievements of those early ‘pioneers’. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to, and assisted with, the produc- tion of this celebration edition. Images courtesy of: The Waterways Archive, Canal & River Trust, Waterways Images, Cath & Mike Turpin, Tony Lewery, Di Skilbeck, Jeff Fairweather, Steve Stamp, Chris Bacon, Chris Griffiths, Chris Kay. .

36 RE:PORT Number 230

Steve Stamp, Chairman 2007–2011 To prepare this note I looked at the 3000+ photographs I took while I was at the mu- seum, a record of the ambition and hope that energised many people to volunteer. I was honoured to be the Chairman during such an exciting time in the museum’s history. Upon taking over as BMS Chairman, I recall being offered support from one long standing member to continue what for many years had been a gladiatorial relationship with The Waterways Trust. Surely, I thought, the answer was to work with them if we were to bring about any lasting improvement. Luckily others thought the same. I continued to take photographs at a furious rate, looking through them now I see a gradual shift over time from unloved artefacts and sunken derelict boats to smiling, cheerful, hard-working people who came together to reverse the decay and to ‘improve’, (we were never allowed to use ‘restore’ – amateurs can’t do that sort of thing) the displays and the boats and with it the reputation of the museum. My photographs are testament to the positive energy that gained momentum and, fuelled by optimism, produced real change. In a short note it is difficult to mention all the milestones, but if probed I would offer the ‘Heritage Boatyard’ as my strongest memory of those years. To go from a few volunteers doing what they could with simple tools and basic skills to a fully functioning boatyard operation within a very short time was a significant success. I’ll struggle to tell

Some of the Tuesday regulars in the Boatyard take a break

37 Number 230 RE:PORT the whole story in this space and equally, to pick out individuals could risk offending others. It was a truly team led operation. The ‘Tender Loving Care’ project started it all with the purchase of some small tools, materials and a magnificent pressure washer. We began in the most humble way with the simple aim that the boats should look clean and float; bizarre to think that to have a boat floating was regarded as a great success. Over one winter we worked on the yard re- moving the years of accumulated junk and clearing out the buildings. To our amazement, hidden under the rubbish was a well-equipped boatyard which soon employed a skilled craftsman. We were the first UK group to receive a grant from the Heritage Skills Fund to employ and train young people in boat repairing skills, and we restored (we could use that word now) several historical boats. Heady days. What a privilege to be part of such a wonderful idea, to work with people using all their skills whether that was in practical work, administration, historical research, providing funding, or making soft furnishing for the boats. In focusing on the Boatyard it would be quite wrong to ignore the many other volunteers who were going about the site with energy and commitment. Porters Row cottages, the gardens, the stables, the lime shed and the archive, all had equally enthusi- astic groups of volunteers making their own contribution to the success of the museum. Groups demonstrated locking, craft skills, gave guided tours and supported the museum in the shop and cafe. At one point we had in excess of 100 volunteers each week giving their time – if I may, a moment to remember friends no longer with us. As the museum went from strength to strength, the real winners were us volunteers. The fruits of our labours materialised before our eyes. Boats floated, chimneys smoked,

Box Boat 337 being craned back into the water following restoration in the Heritage Boatyard

38 RE:PORT Number 230 brass shone, visitors came, and history was celebrated. We were part of a winning team and volunteering was what it should be – good fun.

Sep 2011 Mendip travels from Knighton to Bournville to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the last cargo of chocolate carried by her and Skipper ‘Chocolate’ Charlie Atkins. The event was a collaboration between the National Waterways Museum, the Boat Museum Society, Kraft Foods, and British Waterways. Nov 2011 Tony Lewery and Harry Arnold, founder members of the Society, made Vice Presidents. Dec 2011 Death announced of Tony Burnip, former Vice President of the Society and a member who played a major role in the foundation of the Archive. Jan 2012 Launch of the BMS Business Plan. Team of BMS members provide technical support to the Museum in re- spect of the final stages of an HLF bid for funding the restoration of George, and conservation for Mossdale. May 2012 The Heritage Boatyard, restoration of Mendip, and the commemorative voyage to Bournville, a partnership between the Museum and BMS, win the TWT Renaissance Award in the category of Historic Environment. Jun 2012 Di Skilbeck, President of the Society, awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for Services to Heritage and Education. Jul 2012 Formation of the Canal & River Trust as a charity to replace British Water- ways and The Waterways Trust. Sep 2012 Stage 1 HLF awarded for the restoration of George and conservation of Mossdale. Ilkeston travels to the London Canal Museum following restoration work in the Heritage Boatyard.

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Chris Kay, Chairman 2011–2013 Looking back, I initially saw my role as incoming Chairman being one in which I could consolidate and protect the excellent work done by my predecessor Steve Stamp as we moved forward into the new and uncharted waters of becoming part of the soon to be created Canal & River Trust. Did I achieve that? Well I suppose the honest answer is perhaps yes to a limited degree but only really where the Society had a recognised and respected voice and some of those avenues were beginning to close even before the time I came to the end of my tenure. Nonetheless, back in September 2011 I saw the Society as being a body that still played a key role in delivering the museum services, built on its long and distinguished history. I also saw the future of the Society as being a strong and meaningful partner in the National Museum & Attractions Group of which the museum was part. We were cele- brating the Society’s 40th Anniversary that year and I hoped we would go from strength to strength. The Society at that time had a seat at most of the policy making forums at the museum and was jointly responsible in 2011 for hosting the first facilitated awayday workshop for staff and volunteers. It was heralded as a success and a promise was made that it would become a regular feature in the future but for various reasons that never came to fruition. The early discussions with The Waterways Trust (TWT) about the forth- coming transfer to Canal & River Trust promised that it would be “business as usual” in the new organisation and there would be a 15 year budget provision to safeguard the

Mossdale, in her cradle, being craned into position alongside Porters Row

40 RE:PORT Number 230 future of the then National Museum and Attractions Group. This was another strategy that would eventually fail to align itself with the future development plans of the Trust. During the time I was Chairman, I and other members of the Society were heavily involved with TWT in the initial bid preparation for the Window on the World project which would see the conservation of Mossdale, the restoration of George with an associated outreach programme and the development of the former slipway into a museum display area. We also continued to support the Heritage Boatyard, both with members support and financial contributions. I proudly reported that some of the boat yard trainees had won a national award for their training. Sadly, of course, further down the line, the Heritage Boatyard proved to be uneconomic and impractical to run so was closed down. In 2013, I reported the appointment of the first Trust Volunteer Co-ordinator ded- icated to the Museums and Attractions Group. Although not realising it at the time, this would mark the start of the general transfer of volunteer management responsibilities at the museum from the Society to the Trust. I also represented the Society as a member of the National Museum & Attractions Partnership where we were also advised during that year that a major review of the partnership working was to be undertaken. The rest is history, as they say. In reflecting on the time that I was Chairman, I suppose I covered the period when the then traditional role and responsibilities of the Society began to change as the management by the Trust was being developed and consolidated. I suppose the other key factor, which has led the Society to the point that it is at now, is the reducing level of active member recruitment and involvement. On reviewing my Chairman’s Reports, I note that on a number of occasions I was warning about my concerns in the falling membership and active participation of the Society’s members. On one occasion in 2013 I wrote that “Chairmen will come and go, but that a dedicated body of active members is crucial in making the Society a success”. Sadly, it has been that very issue that has forced the Society to close. Let’s hope that something just as worthy can rise out of the ashes of the present Society’s demise.

Mar 2013 Confirmation of grant Stage 1 funding from the HLF for the Window on the World Project.

Oct 2013 Tony Hales CBE appointed Vice President of the Society. Mar 2014 Heritage Boatyard Partnership (National Waterways Museum/Boat Muse- um Society/National Historic Ships) presented with the Ken Keay Award by the Historic Narrow Boat Club for the restoration of Box Boat 337. 14 Apr 2014 Memorandum of Understanding between BMS and CRT signed by Rich- ard Parry, Chief Executive of CRT, on 14 April. Mar 2015 Confirmation of HLF grant for the Window on the World project, and the lifting ofMossdale , plus over £50,000 from the Wolfson Foundation. Opening of the Tony Burnip Reading Room in the Archive.

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Jun 2015 BMS donate £12,000 to the Window on the World project. Nov 2015 Di Skilbeck awarded an Honorary Master of Arts degree by Chester Uni- versity for her Contribution to Education and, in particular, in her role as President of the Boat Museum Society. Dec 2015 Harry Arnold given the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Living Waterways Awards. Jun 2016 The Society and the National Waterways Museum celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of the museum.

Sep 2016 Di Skilbeck MBE given the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Living Waterways Awards. Mar 2017 Dissolution of the Boat Museum Trust and transfer of the boat collection to the Canal & River Trust. Proposal to change the name of the Society to Waterways Museum Soci- ety, and to amend its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Richard Parry, Tony Hirst, Harry Arnold and Di Skilbeck cutting the cake at the 40th Anniversary celebration 42 RE:PORT Number 230

The Boat Museum Trust 1980–2017 An appreciation by Ken Catford The inspiring story of the pioneering group of enthusiasts who first established the Museum has been well recorded in previous issues of RE:PORT. From its opening to the public in 1976 the Museum was run entirely by the volunteer society: the North Western Museum of Inland Navigation (later, thankfully, renamed the Boat Museum Society). Their efforts were recognised by the visit of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in 1979. It was clear that the project was fast becoming beyond the scope of volunteers, and the local authority who had made available the Museum’s magnificent site understand- ably wanted to formalise the lease with a proper corporate body. So the Boat Museum Trust was formed as a charitable company, and held its first meeting in 1980. The Trustees were nominated by Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council, by Cheshire County Council, and by the Boat Museum Society. In addition, the BMT trustees could choose to nominate further individuals. All of the local authority nominees were elected local councillors. One of BMT’s first actions was to appoint a professional Museum Director, and a small team of paid staff was established. Real progress could now be made. Key among BMT’s trustees were renowned experts in the history of the canals. This source of knowledge was a valuable asset to the Museum’s various management teams in the future, although not always recognised as such. The establishment of BMT enabled NWMIN to pass the ownership of its collections of boats, artefacts and archives to the Trust, and BMT continued to expand the collec- tions. The policy of rescuing different examples of historic boats, without actually having the funds to restore them, was later to be much criticised by museum professionals. Yes it did lead to the Museum having a number of “unsightly wrecks”, but it would have been no good procrastinating over their original acquisition – they would have been gone, and the collections would have been much the poorer and less representative. By the mid-1980s the expanding collections and the sensitively restored historic site were combining to give the Museum national and even international recognition. At a ceremony in Strasbourg the Council of Europe awarded the Boat Museum the accolade of “European Museum of the Year 1984”. This was an impressive achievement for an inde- pendent museum run by a small charitable trust. Money, or the lack of it, was a major issue throughout the 80s and 90s. There was little opportunity to improve the Museum’s facilities, to restore the boats, or to attract new visitors in spite of initiatives such as youth employment schemes and the like. The deteriorating situation led to much despair and frustration by BMT Trustees. The local authorities felt frustration too, and the joint representation at BMT’s Trustees’ meetings helped to calm the waters and to keep the councils on side. By the late 1990s the financial situation was dire, and unknown by most people at the time, BMT was on the brink of issuing the redundancy notices, closing the Museum, and dissolving the Trust. Then suddenly – the cavalry appeared over the hill in the form of The Waterways Trust. This newly formed off-shoot of British Waterways brought new 43 Number 230 RE:PORT

The new exhibitions in the Island Warehouse – the outcome of Project 25 – are opened in July 2005 by the late Ken Dodd, watched by Roger Hanbury [left], then Chief Executive of The Waterways Trust. funding as well as improved pay and conditions for the staff. The agreement was made that BMT would retain ownership of most of the collections, and TWT would take respon- sibility for maintaining the collections and operating the Museum. Many frustrations lay ahead, but don’t forget that TWT saved the Museum. With the original Director’s retirement, an eclectic series of new managers came and went over the next few years. BMT’s hopes that money would now be found for restoring the boat collection were dashed, although it must be said that at that time grant aid was much easier to obtain for permanent buildings rather than boats which were seen to be too ephemeral to justify public investment. Thus, TWT obtained Heritage Lottery funding for “Project 25” centred on the island warehouse exhibitions, but not the boats. BMT Trustees’ constant pleas to TWT to make efforts to stem the relentless deterioration of the boats simply led to exasperation on both sides. TWT’s own Board of Trustees were pursuing more ‘glamorous’ projects elsewhere, and also for a while were fixated on the idea of relocating the Museum to Birmingham. Subsequently this situation improved. The potential role of volunteers, who had been effectively banned from working on the boats or in the archive, began to be ap- preciated once again. The “Heritage Boatyard” was created with BMS collaboration, but sadly this promising initiative could not be sustained. BMT was represented on TWT’s Museums Management Board. A Curatorial Committee was formed with TWT, BMT and BMS expertise, and put much effort into the systematic analysis and prioritisation of the boat collection. This was preparation for a major Heritage Lottery bid under the guidance

44 RE:PORT Number 230 and encouragement of HLF, until they suddenly changed direction and dropped their support. However, the groundwork paved the way for the later successful “Window on the World” lottery bid. In 2012, a really positive development: the government created the Canal and River Trust which absorbed both British Waterways and TWT into a new charitable trust, and as a result took over the management of the Museum. A new level of professionalism was injected into the Museum operation. After only five years of working with CRT, the BMT trustees felt they now had sufficient confidence in the future to realise their long-term ambition to relinquish their ownership of their collections, and to pass them to the Canal and River Trust for posterity. This happened in 2017 and the Boat Museum Trust has been dissolved. We must now acknowledge with gratitude all those past members of the Boat Museum Trust – none of whom has been mentioned by name in this summary – whose commitment and perseverance achieved the long-term security of the National Water- ways Museum and its irreplaceable collections.

19 Apr 2018 Following agreement at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Society in March 2018, the Society changes its name to Waterways Museum Society and adopts a new logo. The amendment to its Memorandum and Articles of Association was also agreed at the same meeting. ERW T AY A S W

M Y U S T E IE U M S O C Dec 2018 Death announced of Harry Arnold, Vice President of the Society, and founding member. Gifford is awarded the Ken Keay Award by the Historic Narrow Boat Club for the second time.

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Jeff Fairweather, Chairman 2013–2018 1764 days, where do I start? The calm swan above the water but paddling for its exist- ence underwater comes to mind. I was walking in the shadow of the giants of the society that had given 30/40 years of their lives to create and sustain its vision and aims, and still are. I vividly remember my first committee meeting as Chairman, a role that I had never taken on before, looking around the table at 16 people, 5 of which were ex-chairmen, looking at me waiting for me to spring into action. ‘What on earth have you got yourself into this time’ went through my mind. However, I need not have worried, they were all very helpful and supportive When I took on the role of chairman, in the early days of The Canal and River Trust, it soon became very clear to me that if we wanted to continue as a Society working with the Trust, we had to become a society that the Trust wanted to continue working with. It was also very clear the Society was still capable of being strong but needed to change its approach, and renew its sense of purpose and direction. This led to an 18-month review which took the Society through quite a transitional period in its history. I am proud of the work we did together for the Society, and know that we made some very positive changes which wouldn’t have been possible without the full support and guidance of a strong committee, and I thank them all most sincerely for that. One of the greatest challenges to all of this, was finding a date when all the committee members were available on the same day for a final away-day meeting, it necessitated a six month wait for that to be possible. As Chairman of The Boat Museum Trust I was able work with the Directors to see through the completion of the transfer of the collection and the house in Porters Row to the Canal and River Trust. For a temporary period, I took on the role of RE:PORT editor and signed the first Memorandum of Understanding with the Museum and Canal and River Trust.

George and Bantam [left to right] David Oxley, Allan Finch, David Hargreaves, Sue Finch, Sam Marine, John Evans, and on Bantam Jeff Fairweather

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On the more social side of things I was very pleased to have been given the oppor- tunity to take on the role of Lead Volunteer for the movement of George and Bantam during 2017/18: this really showed volunteering at its best, with the combined efforts of volunteers from the Museum and the Wigan group, bringing a very successful conclusion to a 4 year project inspired by volunteers from the Heritage Boat group. It was also a great privilege to have taken part in the filming of Peaky Blinders, the Hairy Bikers and finally with Timothy West and Prunella Scales on their journey from Stoak to the Museum.

Apr 2019 Gifford returns to the Museum having been away from the Museum since September 2017 for restoration work. 6 Jun 2019 Memorandum of Understanding renewed and signed. Sep 2019 The Society has a presence at the Festival de Loire d’Orléans in partner- ship with the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society. Mar 2020 50th anniversary of the fire that destroyed Telford's Warehouse. Jun 2020 The Society directors announce the decision to close the Society in 2021 as a result of the difficulties in finding members to take an active role in its management.

Jeff in his Peaky Blinders costume

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Barbara Kay, Chairman 2018 to date Within my short term as Chairman, we have gone from promoting the society to a world- wide audience via the Festival de Loire d’Orleans to a pandemic which has confined us, in the main, to our own homes. When I took over from Jeff, I was looking forward to taking forward the work of the three sub-groups that had been established under his chairmanship. Initial discussions and debates had generated some great thinking and new ideas. However, when it came down to practicalities, our active members were often already time committed with on- going projects and no-one new could be encouraged to take any of these forward. On the positive side, we were at least able to continue with the current activities and we didn’t lose anything on the way. Nonetheless, difficult times. And then came lockdown. Being Chairman of a society, that supports a museum that was forced to close temporarily brings new challenges in itself. Never did I think I would be chairing monthly committee meetings via Zoom although there was a plus in that it was a lot easier to get people together as everyone was at home! We just had to get the scheduling right to ensure we didn’t clash with family zoom parties, quizzes, webinars and the like. A new world indeed. Meetings with museum staff took place experimenting with Microsoft Office and Skype and if any of that failed, we reverted to the telephone. It’s all down to bandwidth apparently! Fond memories of my tenure include: Ѽ welcoming Gifford back to the museum following her refurbishment works to the rousing music of a brass band with Union Jacks flying and the sun shining. Ѽ being able to promote the society and museum at the Festival de Loire d’Orleans Ѽ seeing the new society webpage come to fruition for its soft launch.

Festival de Loire d’Orléans, September 2019

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Ѽ hearing new speakers at our Friday evening meetings, reading new articles in Waterways Journal and Re:Port. Ѽ seeing the society play its role in developing the “Best practice in the mainte- nance of historic inland waterways vessels” project led by the museum. Ѽ appreciating the time and effort that individuals put into specific activities. Ѽ ensuring we celebrate our fifty years of achievements. Ѽ What of the future? In an ever-changing world I am looking forward to seeing the museum flourish and grow from strength to strength.

Gifford returns to the Museum

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50 years from the perspective of a Treasurer In a corner of my house is a treasure trove comprising the society’s accounts from 1st October 1971 onwards. The society’s financial year runs from 1st October to 30th Sep- tember. Back in 1971, all transactions were recorded in a cash book – the first entry dated 8th October 1971 is neatly written by Jennifer Hindshaw who was the first Treasurer and stayed in post until around 1987. Subsequent entries are made by Dave Potts (1988- 1993), Jan Burnip (1993-1996) and Les Osborne (1997). Post 1997, Stuart Gardiner (1998- 2010) used an electronic spreadsheet which I continued with from 2011 to 2018 and which is still used today by Chris Kay (2019 to date), albeit with a couple of tweaks to make life easier. The initial sets of final accounts were typed and with the assistance of carbon paper additional copies were produced and duly signed by the Treasurer and the Auditor of the day. Later accounts appear to have been copied using a duplicating machine, photocopier and in later years printed electronically. Over the years, the approved final accounts demonstrate the sorts of fund-raising activities and expenditure incurred although in latter years, this level of detail is not in- cluded in the final accounts as changes in legislation reduced the amount of information needed in the formal final accounts. However, that information is still there in supporting documentation. I was fascinated by some of the entries – I wonder what the “special efforts” were to generate £434 in 1977? Other fund-raising events included carol concert (started in 1987 and continues to this day), barn dances, sale of waste paper and scrap metal, jumble sales, sale of literature, Wedgwood Plates, Daresbury plates, ties, t-shirts, Dusty Miller prints, crochet products, fender making and craft courses and income from refreshments. Expenditure to go to festivals such as Ashton Rally, York Festival (Ethel) and a spe- cial horse-boating event at Middlewich in 2004. Other expenditure included the removal of cast iron pillars and crane from Dewsbury, preparation of plans for proposed original site of Preston Brook, Marbury Park Scheme, renovation of boats including the Stratford Ice breaker, film of the Royal Visit. Contributions to the museum under TWT and later included the Boat Art Project, TLC project, Heritage Boatyard, Window on the World – slipway project, Porters Row, Raising of the Boats, refurbishment of the café, Marlyn, recording conservation scheme. The finances of the society have not always been easy – in the late 1980s a loan was taken from Cheshire County Council and in the mid to late 1990s private interest free loans totalling £9,000 from society members. All were repaid. This is just a tip of the iceberg and each of the items mentioned have their own story to tell. So much time and effort put into all of the above and more besides. The ac- counts will all be lodged with the Archives for future generations to dip into the business of the society. Barbara Kay

50 Tony Lewery's recreation of a boat painter's workshop occupied part of the ground floor of the Toll House when the Museum opened to the public in 1976