Braving the New Year downpour

BOTH the waterways and their towpaths were virtually deserted on New Years Day, with the exception of boaters on the Cam in Cambridge.

The constant rain did little to prevent narrowboats taking to the Cam in the city for what has become their annual event, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Continuing their tradition

The downpour however cut the numbers right down to just three boats whose crews intended the weather would not prevent them continuing their tradition, even though it was agreed it was the worst weather ever. Photograph by Dave Harwood.

The three narrowboats started at Jesus Lock and cruised to  Mill Pond and returned back to the lock.

Banned narrowboats

The Cam Conservators have banned narrowboats from using this central section of the river in summer, and even now the boaters had to have permission to make the trip.

Jim Ross, Chairman of the boating group Cam Boaters told Cambridge News:

"It's been a turbulent year for the people who live on the Cam's narrowboats, as Cambridge City Council launched a consultation on reducing the number of moorings available on the river. Our hopes for 2017 are that that doesn't happen, and we get lots of support from the people of Cambridge."