Boating like it’s 1976
Back in the day the average house cost under £12,000, a new Austin Allegro was around £1,700, and a pound could stretch to a couple of beers, a pint of milk and a loaf of bread – with change in your pocket!
Whilst we can’t bring those days back, our National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port is marking its 50th anniversary with a special weekend celebration on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June, where we can roll back entry to 1976 prices!
For this one-off event, adult tickets will be just £1.95 and children and concessions £1.50. It’s a great chance to spend time among one of the UK’s finest collections of historic canal boats and soak up the heritage we all share.
The celebrations will follow a VIP launch on Thursday 11 June, including a ribbon-cutting by canal campaigner and author Sonia Rolt for a brand-new exhibition marking the museum’s opening back in June 1976.
Across the anniversary weekend, there’ll be plenty for you to enjoy. You can take in talks on the museum’s history, watch traditional craft demonstrations, and enjoy live music. Renowned canal boat artist Phil Speight MBE will also be sharing illustrated talks on canal art – something many of you will especially appreciate.
There’ll be commemorative souvenirs available too, along with a selection of craft beers and food in the café – perfect for a relaxed day by the water.
Jannette Warrener, national destinations and attractions manager, said: “This museum has played such an important role in preserving our inland waterways heritage, including many of the boats and stories that mean so much to today’s boating community. It’s a real pleasure to celebrate 50 years and to recognise everyone – volunteers, supporters and enthusiasts – who have helped keep this heritage alive.
“The dedication shown by those who saved historic boats and buildings here in the 1970s is something many boaters will recognise and relate to. We’re excited to build on that passion as we look ahead to the future of the waterways and the next 50 years.”
The anniversary also highlights ongoing restoration work around the site, including the renovation of the Grade II listed pumphouse and its impressive Victorian steam engine.
There’ll be the opportunity to see some of the heritage craft being cared for, including the horse-drawn boat Gifford, recently repainted by Phil Speight to mark its 100th year, and upcoming work on Basuto – the oldest surviving Forth & Clyde puffer boat.
Set at the junction of the Shropshire Union Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal, the museum makes an ideal stop or day out for anyone on the water. There’s even more to look forward to later in the year, including a Vintage Vehicle Weekend, World Chocolate Day celebrations, and Canal Town Sundays where the old docks are brought to life.
Whether you’re cruising nearby or planning a visit, it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the shared history of our waterways and enjoy a good day out with fellow boaters.
Have you got their back?
As the weather warms, as it did in record-breaking style last week, more young people are drawn to rivers, lakes and the sea to cool off — but these natural waters can be far more dangerous than they appear.
I talked to our in-house expert, Claire Gauci, about how we can have open, honest conversations with young people about the risks, helping them understand the hidden dangers and make safer choices around water. By talking early and listening well, we can all play a part in keeping everyone safer this summer.
Here’s a snippet from the conversation where Claire reminds us of what to do if we ever find ourselves, or others, in trouble in water. To find out more about how to talk to those more likely to be at risk, including the research behind it, follow this link to watch the full interview (and hear Claire sing!):
