Latest news

As a first stage in bringing our new web site up to speed, we will be publishing all future news direct on this site.

In future, you'll find all our new news here.

Christmas membership packages

If you never get any further than this page, you may not have noticed the article on the home page about our special Christmas Membership packages.

Designed for the friend or relative who has everything, these are the perfect stocking filler that lasts all year round.

There's more information and an application form on the home page. Also, look out for the James Brindley trailer out and about in the local major town centres on the run up to Christmas where we'll be placing a special emphasis on selling these Christmas packages.

Notification of site downtime

Over the coming weeks we will be migrating this site to a new home.

The new location will firstly allow us to consolidate several new and upcoming sites in a single hosting package, but perhaps more importantly, move the Trust web sites on to the next generation so we can engage even better with our growing membership.

The new site has been several months in the preparation (not full-time I hasten to add!) and we're almost ready for the final push.

So, if you do happen to notice an odd error message when you visit, don't despair. Try again in a few hours; it's the nature of the Internet that these things don't happen immediately.

Python latest (01-Oct-2009)

Despite the fact Python's safe on her moorings at Shireoaks now, there's still a stretch of the canal that she's not had a go at, and with the prospect of attending an event at Shireoaks Marina, it was appropriate that her crew take her through Shireoaks Locks, just to test the water.

It was a good job they did, because there were problems. Python made it through the bottom lock but stuck fast in the middle one. This was despite some work being done with an angle grinder on the rubbing strakes. It's also possible that there is something below the waterline on Python causing the jam. BW have been informed.

On a lighter note, and what I believe is a first for the Trust, we have some video of Python's last trip on the Trent from Torksey to West Stockwith. the video is hosted on YouTube. This might create a problem for anyone viewing from a corporate network, but hopefully you will be able to view this and enjoy the trip as much as we did that were crewing. To view the video, click here.

Bankside repairs (24-Sep-2009)

It's all go at Turnerwood at the moment. BW have moved their maintenance fleet up to just below Turnerwood and are doing bank repair work, installing sheet piling.

Thanks to Cuckoo Way oficer David Blackburn for the pictures

(That's a very nice gang plank they've got there....)

Python makes it to Shireoaks

Arriving relatively unscathed (a near miss at Stret Lock removed a bit of paint!), Python is now on her new moorings at Shireoaks after negotiating the River Trent and West Stockwith lock. (Your website editor together with Trust member Arthur Naylor managed to get Python in to West Stockwith without losing any paintwork!)

The photo below shows David and Arthur on Python, sharing the lock with Trust member Mick Cheshire's boat Phoenix. Mick is another member that's given a lot of time over to this project, riding 'shotgun' for all Python's movement. Mick's experience navigating the Trent was invaluable and the Trust have to extend thanks to everyone who has helped in any way towards making it possible to get Python safely to her new home.

Heritage Weekend events (08-Sep-2009)

There's lots to do this weekend around the canal for Heritage Weekend 2009.

On Saturday 12th September, Seth Ellis will be running public trips from the Bay Tree in Retford from 10am to 5pm. Advance booking is not available - strictly first come, first served.

In Chesterfield at Tapton Lock Visitor Centre on Lockoford Lane on Sunday 13th, you can come and meet canal characters from the past and present at roving theatre performances. Find out how the canal was built and who used it in it's heyday by listening to tales from the Navvies and boatmen of yesteryear. Take a walk with us and you can hear the story of the canal and ask questions of the characters in these interactive performances.

Performances will go ahead whatever the weather so make sure you have suitable clothing and footwear. No booking necessary - just turn up and join in! There will be performances at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.

More information on the Tapton Lock event on this PDF poster.

WRG present cheque for Staveley Town Lock fund

Click for full image. L-R: Dr. Geraint Coles (Chesterfield Canal Partnership Development Manager); Mike Chase and David McCarthy MBE (both Waterway Recovery Group); David Fox, Terry Berridge and David Trickett (all Chesterfield Canal Trust).

On Sunday 30th August, David McCarthy MBE of the Waterway Recovery Group presented a cheque for £500 to David Fox, the Treasurer of the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The cheque is a contribution to the Trust's Staveley Town Lock Fund. The presentation took place at the Inland Waterways Association National Festival at Ratcliffe-on-Soar.

The Waterway Recovery Group have worked on the Chesterfield Canal many times. They had a week's workcamp in the middle of August, building a new washwall at Renishaw. In May they had attended the Chesterfield Canal Festival at Kiveton Park.

Mike Chase was in charge of the workcamp and attended the cheque handover. When asked the reason for this generosity he replied that "We always receive a wonderful reception from our colleagues at the Chesterfield Canal, we read about the appeal and decided that this was a good way to show our appreciation".

David Trickett, Vice Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, said "We are surprised and delighted to receive this cheque. We have long admired the dedication of the Waterway Recovery Group and are very grateful for all the hard work they have put into the restoration of our beautiful canal. We look forward to further cooperation in the future."

Funding is already in place for the new Staveley Town Basin, work upon which will start after the imminent completion of a road scheme that has involved the restoration of half a mile of canal. However, in order to lower the canal so that it can get under the railway bridge further east, a new lock must be built just beyond the new basin. This will be Staveley Town Lock. It will be lock number 5a.

The Trust's appeal has already received several other donations. The most poignant of these arrived in the post. It was from a well-wisher who had seen the rebuilding of Tapton Lock in 1990 – the first bit of major restoration on the canal. Despite moving away from the area many years ago, he had followed the canal's progress ever since and sent the Trust £100 to put towards the fund.

Python resplendant (31-Aug-2009)

Click for full image

Python's paint job was finished just in time for the IWA Festival at Ratcliffe on Soar over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Now having seen the boat 'in the flesh', the pictures don't do the job justice. If you're down at the festival today, it's a 10 minute walk from the main showground, but you really must go down and see her. The team at Clean Sailing have done a fantastic job and we thank them for their hard work. (Ed's note: Clean Sailing are in the process of releasing their web site. It wasn't working at the time of writing but I've included the link anyway).

Santa Specials

The John Varley and the Seth Ellis trip boats will once again be running the popular Santa Special trips on the run up to Christmas 2009. For more information including details of the publicity days, have a look at the recently updated tripboat page.

Towpath refreshments and events(23-Aug-2009)

Three updates in one today!

Firstly, news of one established and one new source of refreshments along the towpath.

Nona's Cafe at Shireoaks is taking bookings for Christmas lunch served from 1st December. There's only space for 16 diners, so you may need to book soon to avoid disappointment. Nona's can be contacted on 01909 509684 and opens Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

Now a new venture serving cyclists, walkers and boaters. Diane and husband Mick have recently opened an ice-cream kiosk next to their canal-side former lock-keepers cottage at Turnerwood. Dianes range includes some of the excellent locally produced Thaymar icecreams as well as hot and cold drinks. Mick takes after his father: both were born in another of the cottages at Turnerwood.

Diane will also be carrying a small supply of Trust leaflets, so don't forget to drop by.

(Editors note: Diane serves a cracking cup of tea - I was there this morning and can vouch for it!)

Thanks to Walks officer David Blackburn for the photo and info.

If anyone else has any canalside news for inclusion here, please email me.

IWA National Festival (23-Aug-2009)

Don't forget that next weekend (August Bank Holiday weekend) is the IWA National Festival at Ratcliffe on Soar, only a few miles from M1 J24. If you've been following the updates on Python over the past few weeks and would like to see her "in the flesh", the National is the ideal chance.

The Trust will there in some force. Not only will Python be on display, but the James Brindley publicity trailer will be there, staffed by members of the Trust. If you're going to be there as a visitor, don't forget to drop by, say "hello" and catch up on the latest restoration news and other happenings.

Restoration latest (16-Aug-2009)

Just to prove the Trust has projects underway other than Python, here's an update from our work party who are currently working in Renishaw ( click for aerial view). The current effort is to put the footings in for a retaining wall that will provide a new section of canal to join the restored section around the back of the housing estate (towards the right of the image link above) to the rewatered section under the A6135 Main Road bridge. This new section will provide moorings for a few boats and ultimately be wide enough to ensure sufficient sight lines to enable safe navigation around the tight bend.

More work on this will be done in the next months by the Waterway Recovery Group.

Python gets her BSS (13-Aug-2009)

We heard today that Python has got her Boat Safety Scheme certificate - the MOT for boats. This means we can now get her licenced and insured. She has had an ultrasound exam and the average base metal thickness is 8mm and hull thickness 9mm.

We should add (with apologies for not doing this sooner) that we are indebted to Redhill Marine, Clean Sailing and Soar Valley Boats for their sponsorship and assistance in allowing us to get to this stage with Python's restoration.

Anyone wanting to see Python 'in the flesh' will be able to do so at the IWA National Festival over the August Bank Holiday Weekend at Redhill Marina.

Python gets a lick of paint (11-Aug-2009)

Still in dry dock at Soar Valley Boats, Python is really starting to look the part with a new coat of blue paint. We've also got someone lined up to do the lining to restore her to her BW working livery.

(Click images for larger photo)

Additionally, you can see the new deck that's been laid now all the internal work has been completed. It's our intention to kit her our with a full set of 'traditional' tarpaulins. If you know anyone that might be interesting in sponsoring these, we'd love to hear from you!

Python latest (31-Jul-2009)

(Click for larger photo)

Python has had a side hatch inserted to enable us to get the boat through the BSS tests.

As you can see, the hull is looking in great condition now it's been blacked. Additionally, a deflector plate has been fitted on to the stern to cut down on the water spraying out when she's put in to gear.

When all the engineering work has been completed, she'll be getting a new paint job, but rather than being painted in GUCCC or similar colours, Python will be carrying the blue with yellow lining BW colours that she spent a fair proportion of her working life in. This will make her quite a distinctive boat on the cut.

For anyone interested in getting involved with the Python Learning Boat project, there's a steering group meeting on Tuesday 4th August 2009 at the Station Hotel, Kiveton Park starting at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

We're twittering!

If you're in to social networking and all the latest technology fads, you might be interested to know that we'll be trying to post our latest news snippets on twitter as well as in more detail here.

If you're interested in following the news from the Trust on your mobile or desktop, please follow @cctrust on http://twitter.com/cctrust.

Update: This article explains how to use twitter in nice simple terms. Read and enjoy!

Python - latest 22 July 2009

(Click for full image)
Python is now out of the water and as you can see from the shot taken earlier this week, is looking resplendant with its new blacked hull. Whilst out of the water, it's having the diesel tank moved forward and made smaller to lift the stern out of the water. Also, we're having a weed hatch fitted. It's either that or send one of the crew in to remove the weed, and we were struggling to find a volunteer.

Please keep checking back. We'll update as we have more news.

Python nears new home

(Click for full image)
A crew from the Chesterfield Canal Trust have sucessfully delivered the Trust's new learning boat, 80-year-old ex-working boat Python to what will be its temporary home for the next few weeks at Redhill Marina. Whilst at Redhill, essential maintenance work will be carried out including hull blacking and the the boat will get its BSC.

Learning Boat for the Chesterfield Canal

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is about to take out a five year lease on a historic ex-British Waterways workboat called Python. 53' long, she was built in 1929 by Yarwoods in Northwich. She came into the hands of the British Transport Commission (which eventually became British Waterways) in 1949. She has been out of service for a year. Her sister boat, Panther, is owned by the Coventry Canal Society.

In late May, Arthur Naylor of the Chesterfield Canal Trust and Tony Mann of the Coventry Canal Society collected Python from Adelaide Dock in London. They took her up the Grand Union to attend the Stoke Bruerne Festival and the Braunston Historic Boat Rally in partnership with Panther as they are 80 years old this year. She will then be taken to Redhill Marina on the River Soar to be taken out of the water for a thorough check over and to have essential work done.

The official handover from British Waterways to the Chesterfield Canal Trust is planned to take place on Monday 13th July at Redhill Marina. Thereafter she is to attend the IWA National Rally before being taken down the River Trent to the Chesterfield Canal and her permanent mooring near Shireoaks.

The Learning Boat Project is a long-held vision of Dr. Geraint Coles, the Development Manager for the Chesterfield Canal Partnership. The plan is to use Python as a resource, not a trip boat. She will stop at village and town wharves along the length of the canal and will be used as a flexible, multi-purpose platform with workspace, exhibitions, artefacts, a stage and lockers full of resources, costumes and props.

Over the coming months, a whole series of modules in drama, history, science & technology, ecology etc. will be developed for children of different ages. Eventually there will be resources for adult learning as well.

In the age of high speed internet games, many children are not inspired by a cruise down a waterway, however beautiful, at 4 m.p.h. However, get them to re-enact a scene from 1879 when the murderer Charlie Peace jumped out of a train window right by the canal or teach them some physics by getting a six stone girl to open a two ton lock gate or pull a fifteen ton boat and we may catch their interest and imagination.

Python will probably be used for canal work in the winter and as a learning resource in the summer. She will also be on hand for rallies and festivals, performances and events. It is hoped that by the time the five year lease is up, the people living on or near the Chesterfield Canal will insist that she stays having become an essential part of their lives.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Stavely Town Lock fund opens

The Chesterfield Canal Trust has opened a fund towards the costs of building a new lock in Staveley.

At the eastern end of the five restored miles of the canal in Derbyshire there is currently a major roadworks scheme installing the Staveley Northern Loop. These works should be complete by the autumn. They include three new canal bridges that will bring a further half mile of restoration.

When the road is complete, the new Staveley Town Basin will be built. Funding for this work is already in place.

In order to lower the canal so that it can get under the railway bridge further east, a new lock must be built just beyond the basin. This will be Staveley Town Lock. It will be lock number 5a.

At the very successful Chesterfield Canal Festival held at Kiveton Park at the end of May, �900 was donated by the public to aid restoration of the canal. This money has started off the Staveley Town Lock Fund.

�800 donated by the Retford and Worksop Boat Club was added to the fund.

Anyone who would like to donate should write to David Fox, The Chesterfield Canal Trust, The Old Parish Rooms, Church Street, Eckington, S21 4BH.

(Click to enlarge photos)

Archived News

Our news page was starting to get a bit long, so we've split it. If you're looking for older news, you'll find it here.

Campaign Festival Day One (24-May-09)

If you've not been able to get to the Festival so far this weekend, there's still chance. To give you an idea about what you've been missing, here's our photo stream from day one.

The weather is still looking good for the remainder of the Bank Holiday weekend, so come on down, say hello and have a look what's on offer. There's more information on how to get there on the Festival web site.

See you later!

Updated event list (13-May-09)

Our events page has been updated with the 2009 Publicity Events list. Plese take a look - if you think you can help with our Publicity Event programme, there's an email address there for you to contact the relevant Trust officer.

Retford Ride and Ramble

Dave Blackburn has sent in details of the Cnal Walks programme for 2009. These include the popular Ride and Ramble walks which are done in conjunction wth the Seth Elis trip boat. For more information the walks programme in general, please visit our towpath walks page.

If you can help with publicity, please print off this poster which has more information about the Retford Ride and Ramble programme.

Memorial Service

At a Memorial Service to Sir Reresby Sitwell held in the Parish Church of St. Peter's & St. Paul's, Eckington on�20th. April, the Canal Trust was represented by Vice-President, Keith Ayling.

Stone to Westminster

No doubt, as many regular visitors know, the canal was used to transport stone to London from Kiveton for the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster following the fire in 1834.

To mark this major event in the history of the canal, on Saturday 25th April 2009, a new commemorative panel was unveiled at Alberts Dock close to Kiveton Park. As canal historian Christine Richardson explained to the assembled invited guests and Trust members, Alberts Dock was the location where stone was moved from road transport on to narrowboats at the start of the stone's journey by water to London.

After a welcome from new Trust chairman Robin Stonebridge, outgoing chairman Keith Ayling said a few words and local MP Kevin Barron read out a letter from the current Speaker of the House, Micheal Martin MP which reinforced the historical significance of the location. Kevin Barron then unveiled the panel.

After a buffet lunch for the guests, Trust trip boat Seth Ellis was on hand to provide short trips on the top pound of the canal for the guests. The boat and crew made the trip through the 21 locks from Shireoaks that morning.

A second panel recounting the parts played by the villages of North and South Anston in the history of the Houses of Parliament was also unveiled in the Garden of Remembrance in South Anston.

Sir Reresby Sitwell

It is with sadness the Chesterfield Canal Trust notes the passing on 31st March 2009 of its President Sir Reresby Sitwell Bt.

Sir Reresby was a great supporter of the Trust and its ambition to see the Chesterfield Canal fully restored from West Stockwith on the River Trent through to Chesterfield. The route of the canal passes close to the family home at Renishaw and has recently been the location of a major restoration scheme.

The Trust wishes to convey its condolences to Lady Sitwell and to the family at this difficult time.

Chesterfield Canal Trust Chairman retires

Keith Ayling retired as Chairman of the Chesterfield Canal Trust on Monday 30th March. Keith had held the job for eighteen years. His period of office saw a small organisation with an apparently impossible dream become a major player in canal restoration. A recent Inland Waterways Advisory Council report said that the Chesterfield Canal was in many ways a model restoration project.

The Chesterfield Canal runs for 46 miles from the River Trent to Chesterfield. When Keith became Chairman of the Chesterfield Canal Society in 1991, only the easternmost 26 miles to Worksop were navigable. He was one of the leaders in the formation of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership which has representatives of all the councils on the canal plus waterways bodies and conservation concerns.

Keith oversaw the transition from Canal Society to Canal Trust Ltd. with its extra responsibilities and professionalism. Within the last ten years, five miles of the canal have been restored in Derbyshire and five miles, including thirty one heritage listed locks, have been restored in Nottinghamshire and Rotherham. Further work is currently underway in both Staveley and Renishaw. Much of the rest of the missing nine miles is in the planning stage.

Keith's final duty as Chairman was to conduct the Trust's Annual General Meeting. He thanked the huge number of members who have given their time working for the project. He said that he would miss the support and friendship that he had received during his long period of office.

David Trickett, Trust Vice-Chairman, and Geraint Coles, Partnership Development Manager, both paid warm tributes to Keith. Both were unequivocal in their belief that his drive and enthusiasm were key factors in the Trust's success. Both doubted that as much progress would have been made without his leadership.

Keith was presented with a framed certificate commemorating his service and a satnav to guide him on his walking and boating in the future.

Limited opportunity : climb the Giant's Staircase!

It's not often the Seth Ellis gets a chance to cruise the upper reaches of the canal, and even less often that we get a chance to take passengers up there, but if you want the chance to witness some of the most scenic canal this area of the country has to offer, and some of the oldest flights of locks, here's your chance!

All these four hour trips are £10/person or £120/group and the boat for your own group (we still get to crew!):

• Tuesday 19th May : Shireoaks to Kiveton
• Wednesday 27th May : Kiveton to Shireoaks
• Thursday 2nd July : Shireoaks to Kiveton
• Monday 6th July : Kiveton to Shireoaks

If you're interested in any of these trips, email info@sethellis.org.uk or phone Pete on 01246 280660 as soon as possible to reserve your place.