Timothy West dies

TIMOTHY WEST, synonymous with the waterways and surely its best known boater, has died aged 90

Though he was one of the country's best known actors, appearing in virtually everything from Shakespeare to popular comedies on television and stage, he has now received many plaudits for his acting capabilities.

But it was as a boater he must be surely be most remembered to readers.

Cruised the Kennet & Avon

We had the pleasure of meeting Timothy and Prunella in 2001 when we cruised the Kennet & Avon through four of its many locks. together with his wife Prunella Scales. They moored their own narrowboat on that canal for many years.

We found the pair, and particularly Timothy most entertaining as we shared the locks on that day.

Even now his ventures on the waterways are being regularly shown on television and not only in this country but his boating in others, and always accompanied by Prunella, to whom he was married for 61 years.

In recent years 10 series of Channel 4's Great Canal Journeys. He will surely go down in waterways history.