Weaver lock keeper gets award
THE Hotel Boat section of the Association of Pleasure Craft Operators (APCO) has awarded their prestigious Lock Keeper of the Year award for 2011 to Bryn Jones, British Waterways' Lock Keper at Saltersford Locks on the Weaver, writes Harry Arnold.
Recipients are nominated and voted for by all APCO Hotel Boat operators so that they can recognise the support and assistance they receive from the people working ‘on the ground' as they take holidaymakers around Britain's inland waterways.
Llangollen
The award was presented at the Association's recent national AGM, held this year in Llangollen at a hotel beside the Dee, with views to the town's historic canal wharf and horse drawn trip boats.
In the photograph by Waterway Images—Lock Keeper Bryn Jones (centre) is presented with the APCO Lock Keeper of the Year Award by Neil Thomsett and Gill Cookson, joint Chairmen of the Hotel Boat section of APCO, with British Waterways North Wales & Borders colleagues, (right): Wendy Capelle, Waterway Manager, and (left): Stephen Maguire, Customer Service Supervisor.
Neil thanked Bryn for all his hard work, great humour and invaluable information, commenting:
"The Weaver Navigation is such a lovely river—beautiful Cheshire countryside, fascinating industry and the drama of descending the Anderton Boat Lift and entering the vastness of Saltersford Lock. Bryn is always on hand to answer holidaymakers' questions and help hotel boat crews as he works us through. Saltersford is a big deep lock and our safety is paramount for Bryn, whilst he imparts amazing statistics and history to our clients marvelling at the 1.4 million gallons of water the lock holds.
"Meanwhile he is a fantastic ambassador for the area around the Weaver, showering holidaymakers with tourism information and guiding us to local amenities. Plus anything he doesn't already know he will find out and pass on as we return up river! A great welcome, a wealth of information and fantastic support in maintaining our schedules as hotel boat holidaymakers enjoy the excitement of the Weaver."
Almost 30 years
Bryn has worked for British Waterways for almost 30 years, and has over 20 years experience as a lock keeper. He is familiar with the whole of the Weaver Navigation, working as relief lock and bridge keeper before taking responsibility for Saltersford Locks. Bryn was delighted to receive the award explaining:
"I am honoured to win the award on behalf of the Weaver team, it is a first for the river and it is wonderful to hear how the experience of boating the river, and the service that British Waterways give is so appreciated by the hotel boat holidaymakers and crews."