L .
O u t lo o k
At home on the Leeds & Liverpool
AT HOME on the Leeds
and Liverpool Canal! It may not be your idea of
a domestic refuge, and to be honest it never really was mine, but for a growing number of people - young and old - there’s nothing better than to cast off and sail away in a narrow boat along Britain’s waterways. A number of companies
VIVIEN MEATH meets a couple who ‘live’ for the canal
currently nearing comple tion on “Rosie”, a 56 ft ves sel which will be available to hire from this month.
it has all the touches nor mally reserved for the pri vate buyer and offers luxu rious cruising.
The boatyard’s flagship,
now specialise in canal cruising. Pennine Boat Trips of
A well-established old
Skipton offer evening cruises, private party hire and even folk night eve nings; there’s a “hotel” boat operating from nearby Bradley and at Shipley, Apollo Canal Carriers Ltd has restored a number of cargo carriers dating back to 1907 for public cruises including educational char ter and bulk transport via Humber Ports. Here in East Lancashire,
boatyard which specialised in wooden short boats, it
meant a move from their terraced home. “We sold it for the finance,” recalls Marie. “We lived on a boat for 15 years and brought our two children Zoe (16) jind Alex (13) up on one.
is improving vast sections of the canal network, the powers that be still don’t approve of people living permanently on boats.
While British Waterways
•' “We know all the prob lems associated with living on a boat,” laughs Marie. “One New Year’s Day we
Doug and Marie Moore cer tainly know the pitfalls, problems and pleasures associated with life on a canal boat having lived on one for 15 years. It was a move which was
of the argument. “People tend to think all their cares will go once they get a boat — it’s a romantic notion,” she says.
Marie can see both sides
awoke to find the water and calor gas frozen and a burst pipe. Life was never dull.” Thirty boats later, the
“It gives a new outlook, a
f a m i l y m o v e d t o Barnoldswick. The result is Lower Park
somewhat enforced at the t im e , but one which strengthened a relationship with the canal which has now expanded into Doug Moore (Boatbuilders) Ltd. Today, 4S boats later, he
and his wife have a suc cessful business, live on dry ground in a bungalow, but still cannot bear to part with “Dee,” their ample girthed, broad-bottomed traditional boat still strad dled beside the marina and a permanent link with life gone by. Doug’s involvement with boats stretches back many
years. Recalls Marie: “We were
nearly divorced before we were married while he was building a small cruiser style boat with his father. It was something he always wanted to do and I have gone along with it.” In 1974 the couple went
Marina, off Kelbrook Road, where they have plans for an 80 boat marina and a site manager’s house. During seven years they have built 18 boats, established an ex tensively-stocked gift, craft shop and hire base, and an enviable reputation for building distinctive, reliable steel narrow boats. One of the few yards
different scene every day and a new interest. But in some ways, people wanting to live on a boat are just exchanging one set of prob lems for another.
selling everything to live on a boat. Winter can be hard. You need a certain measure of fitness to cope with the locks. Windy weather can be a problem and some nights it proves impossible to sleep.”
“I don’t agree with people Doug, Marie and three
capable of designing and b uilding a boat right through, the finished pro ducts have twice won the premier award at the N a t io n a l W a te rw a y s
Festival. It certainly sounds a little
bit like “Howard’s Way,” but in reality Marie assures her customers life by the canal on the outskirts of Barnoldswick is a far cry from the television serial. Interest in boating has
into partnership with J. J. Crook Boatbuilders at Riley Green. Blackburn.
permanent emp loyees including an apprentice, build boats destined for the top end of the market.
certainly increased in recent years, which is good news for all those whose liveli hood depends on the new- look Leeds and Liverpool
Canal.
enquiries from people who have some extra property to sell and enjoy narrow boats; people who are perhaps retiring and moving from a larger property to a smaller one and want a boat for lei sure purposes and people in business. It’s very rare that we deal with young cou ples,” admits Marie.
“ We h av e a lo t of
new narrow boat can cost £50,000 plus and work is
That’s not surprising for a
Barnoldswick “sail away,” and although they are float ing advertisements for the boatyard, Doug and Marie wanted a luxury vessel which they could show to customers at the marina.
Most of the boats built at “Rosie” represents 2,500
hours of work and would have taken one person more than a year to build.
commit themse lve s to £50,000 plus, the yard also offers a “do it yourself’ package for around £15,000 in which customers buy the hull and then fit it out themselves. “Rosie” joins “Mr Punch”
For those not wanting to
and “Judy” in the Doug Moore fleet, “Mr Punch” being the day hire boat and “Judy” available for short breaks. “One person organised a
Our Chantry Hotel co n te s t winners
HERE’S a photograph of the Gidley family, winners of last year’s competition to win a holiday at the Chantry Hotel, Dymchurch, Kent, which is owned by former local man
Paul Airey.
Paul, everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the children “who had a great time”.
The Gildeys took an Easter break at the hotel and, says , , , . , , Luxury Boat Hire
| \ A I I O A O T C The finest self-drive boats available for diy, short ISI1T l#Vr l l I J torn or weekly holidiy hire, suiting from the picturesque summit pound of the leeds/bvcrpool
\ n m o H 7 a ru l ncirSkipion, bordering both ihc Yorkshire 1 —1
—^ Dales and Pendle Witch Country * and
T h e C a n a l S h o p —for that Sptdal Gift
Hand painted canalwarc by selected artists. Ship's lanterns and ship's bells, marine clocks and barometers, inclinometers, books and maps, plus fun gifts and children's gifts, films and ice cream.
Plus: Calor Gas • Diesel • Pump-out For further information, brochure and bookings, contact:
Doug Moore (Boatbulldcrs) Limited, Lower Park Marina, Barnoldswick • Tel: 0282 815883
balloon trip in the morning, a canal trip with a buffet on board and then a flight around Squires Gate, as a surprise for a special occa sion,” says Marie. Doug and Marie spend
DAY & EVENING CANAL CRUISES
Discover the Romance of the Waterways aboard our superbly appointed, all-wcaihcr, passenger vessels
"WATER PRINCE" & "HEBBLE"
their own holidays boating. “We can't do enough boat ing. We like looking at other people’s shops and marinas. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is underrated. It’s a wonderful canal,” they proclaim. And, although I started
Dinners, Lunches, Buffets, Teas, Basket Meals, Licensed Bar Party 'Outings' * Receptions * functions * PublicTrtps * Children's Birthdays___________________
Also Passenger Narrow Boat "APOLLO"
PUBLIC- WATERBUS SERVICE, Shipley - Salta'ire - Binglcy (Daily May 26th - June 2nd) Educational Cruises a speciality
"SUNSET SUPPER CRUISES"
out by saying that canal cruising is not my scene. Nothing ventured, nothing gained — I intend to give it a chug, if only for a day. After all you can’t go too far wrong in a water lane — or can you? Who knows, on my second attempt they may even allow me through the locks!
• See pictures, Back Page A d v e n t u r e s o f N i c k O ’ P e n d l e
Sat/Sun Evenings (also Fridays fromjune 21st) PARTIES WELCOME - LARGE OR SMALL
W h a r f S t r e e t , S h ip l e y ’ » T e l : B r a d f o r d ( 0 2 7 4 ) 5 9 5 9 1 4
CRUISE THROUGH THE DALES _______ FROM SKIPTON________
On our passengerboat "COBBYDALE" PUBLIC TRIPS
Are ru n almost every day lasting l'A hours EVENING TRIPS
You can book by phone fo r all public trips PRIVATE CHARTERS
Lasting 2 or 3 hours are run on WEDNESDAYS at 7 p.m. and SUNDAYS at 6 p.m.
Something different for your club outings, birthdays, office parties etc. l'/t hours to 5 hours
* Well Stocked Bar on Board *
Send for our brochure which will give you all the details including menus, ideas etc.
PENNINE BOAT TRIPS OF SKIPTON Co ach S t re e t , S k ip to n , N . Y o rk s B D 2 3 1 L H 0 7 5 6 7 9 0 8 2 9 /7 0 1 3 2 0 ______________
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