BCN Explorer Cruises
AFTER the success of the two cruises last year it is the intention of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) to hold two cruises again in 2014 to encourage boaters to explore the Birmingham Canal Navigations, its Chairman Brenda Ward tells us.
As it has been discovered that many boaters prefer the additional security of cruising in company with other boaters and also enjoy the social side of informal gatherings and organised activities at the designated mooring locations, this will become a feature next year.
Different routes
Brenda tells us that the Explorer Cruises will take different routes as listed below, and will continue to encourage the use of the less travelled parts and to enjoy the little used pleasures of the northern BCN. Priority will be given to boaters who have not been on a BCNS Explorer Cruise before.
The first cruise will meet on Friday 9th May on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Wigginshill Road Bridge, Curdworth, adjacent to the previous Kingsley Arms for an informal evening gathering, to hand out the itinerary and discuss the cruise.
The second cruise will meet on Sunday 18th May, after the Titford rally to hand out the itinerary and to discuss the cruise. Bradley Workshops will be visited on both cruises along with guided walks, talks and social evenings.
The planned routes
Stops for the night:
First cruise Saturday 10th May Top Perry Barr (16 Locks), Sunday 11th May The Manor Arms, Daw End canal (9 Locks), Monday 12th May Pelsall Common (0 Locks), Tuesday 13th May Walsall (8 Locks), Wednesday 14th May Moorcroft Junction (0 Locks), Thursday 15th May Tipton (11 Locks), Friday 16th May Titford (6 Locks)
Stops for the night:
Second cruise Monday 19th May Wolverhamton (6 Locks), Tuesday 20th May Walsall (8 Locks), Wednesday 21st May Moorcroft Junction (0 Locks), Thursday 22nd May Longwood (9 Locks), Friday 23rd May Anglesey basin (0 Locks), Saturday 24th May Pelsall Common (0 Locks), Sunday 25th May Tipton Green (0 Locks)
Applications from:
Stuart & Marie Sherratt email:
phone: Marie 07709165073. Stuart 07510167288
Addendum:
If you have not cruised the whole of the BCN and maybe you are anxious about travelling there by yourself give this a go. The Explorer Cruises as we know them now have been going seven years and we must have introduced a few hundred boaters to the BCN. Quite an achievement of which we are very proud. The BCN Society wish to thank Stuart & Marie for continuing this in a very enthusiastic way including visits to Bradley Workshops and organising walks, talks and social gatherings in their cruises. Plan your year to include one of these cruises.
Brian Holmes. Brian's photographs show Longwood Junction in the top one and Ryders Green Junction, Walsall Canal in the bottom one.