Collecting timber, CAATs assessments and some VIP Passengers

Loading the timber for the
interpretation project

Rolling back the clock a little were were asked to collect the timber for the Stoke Bruerne Interpretation Project recently.  That involved going down to wind at the A508, reversing through Lock 18 and coming alongside in Lock 19 in order that the timber (11 pieces of 9x9x60 - inches - of Oak) could be loaded easily. We were amazed that we should arrive at Lock 19 and the same time as the lorry which had come up from Devizes - the timber remains in Sculptor as the best (and probably safest) place to keep it.

The Sculptor crew with Ben Gordon
and Vicky Martin at the Northern portal

On the same afternoon we had the pleasure of the company of Vicky Martin (the new South East Waterways manager) Ben Gordon (a new trustee for CRT) and Louise from the museum on a trip through the tunnel.

Heading off for CAATs assessment

The Friday heralded CAATs assessments for four of us with Mike Dalzell from CRT.  We undertook a couple of pirouettes at the winding hole and then it was off through the tunnel to the top of the Northampton Arm and up and down Lock 1 three times followed by a return to Stoke Bruerne - a long day.  We understand we passed.

Richard Parry and Rob Westlake
bringing Sculptor through
Blisworth

2-May was the celebration of 200 years since the Northampton Arm was opened which was celebrated by an event at Gayton Sanitary station.  A good do all round put on by the IWA with a number of senior CRT people present including Richard Parry on his return from Canalway Cavalcade in London.  There had been some issue with the trains (it is a Bank Holiday weekend) and Richard was keen to delay his return home so we had the pleasure of his company from Gayton to Stoke Bruerne on Sculptor.

Volunteer hours 38 (total 741 to date)