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A rather belated Happy New Year to all our readers ! Looking back on 2003, the Society had another extremely busy time, running two rallies, work parties and a full programme of Social events as well as all the work which goes on in the background, trying to do our best for the BCN.
It is always sad to have to report the deaths of friends of the Society. Selwyn Jordan was a stalwat supporter in the early days and Edward Paget-Tomlinson made a great contribution over the last few years. We remember them both in this edition.
I asked for articles last time and have amply answered. Indeed this is a bumper edition of 32 pages and I haven't even been able to fit everything in. Please keep it up! In this issue I have concentrated on reporting what the Society has been up to in the last few months including an update on our ongoing Work Parties and articles about the highly successful Festival of Water and Light and our own Bonfire Rally.
Things don't happen overnight but sometimes, once a spark has been lit, it can flame to full fruition later. Several years ago I remember a work party at the end of the Engine Arm where Eric Foakes conducted a stillin test to see whether the ground was suitable for the excavation of a winding hole. For the uninitiated this highly scientific procedure consists of pouring water into a hole and returning later to see if it is......you've got it ! So, it was with great satisfaction that I took Marsh Harrier to the end of the Arm at the last Bonfire Rally and turned in the new winding hole constructed by BW as part of their improvements and residential mooring developments.
Some people would have it that the days of pioneering on the BCN are gone. I urge then to read Ernie Lawrence's account of his BCN Challenge and Ivan Cane's article about the Fakenham College Canal Club Cruise of last year in support of Red Nose Day - we can still do our own pioneering. It is hoped that the BCN Challenge will run again this year, albeit in a slighly different form and with fewer rules than the twelve pages mentioned by Ernie.
Terrible thing being an editor, you start to spot errors in other people's publications, though usually miss hem in your own! The one I liked most last year was on a map in a glossy brochure which was labeled with " Spoon Lane Locks". Each succeeding generation can make of that what it will. Anyway, enough is enough. After 35 Boundary Posts I find I'm into my ninth year. I don't intend going into double figures and so BP 166 will be my last effort. That should give enough time for someone to take the job over before this year's AGM.
Memories of Selwyn Jordan
Selwyn Jordan was a pattern maker. This I know, as he made the patterns for the pair of gun-metal windlasses which hang on the wall beside me as I write.
He was a well known, well liked, and well respected member of the society, and was elected to serve on the committee of the BCNS for a number of years at the time when I was chairman. His time was very fully committed, and in consequence, he was rarely able to undertake duties beyond attendance at meetings, but he was a most regular in his attendance at meetings, and his knowledge of the canals, the boats, and the people, was invaluable.
As a result of a series of misfortunes, I found myself, one afternoon, clad in a business suit covered by overalls, steering the Birmingham tug Christopher James towards Wolverhampton Top Lock, as fast as we could go. I had two good reasons to hurry. In less than one hour I had a business meeting in Birmingham, and Christopher James was rapidly sinking.
When in real trouble, head for Selwyn.
With the engine awash, and a fountain of filthy water cascading off the fywheel, I grounded on a scour conveniently situated at the entrance to the dock. No trace of Selwyn, so to Birmingham I did go.
Weeks later the young man who, at that time, worked with Selwyn, told me that as they drove onto the dock Selwyn suddenly shouted "Hurry up and get the pump, we've got a diver". He added that he had never seen Selwyn move so fast. If C.J. still exists it is surely due to his efforts then and in the nights and days which followed. Furthermore, if memory serves me right, I have yet to receive his bill.
Ever a canal man, and a one man bridge from commercial carrying to liesure boating, he will be missed by many who knew him. Another grand supporter of our Society in its earlier days is no longer with us. We remember him with affection and respect.
John Phillips