Monday 16September 2013
PRESS RELEASE
Visitors Leg it to Historic Boaters Gathering
at Black CountryLivingMuseum
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September
- Gathering ofregion’s most extraordinary narrow boat vessels.
- Historic working boats demonstrate way of life on the water.
Narrow boat enthusiasts will be 'legging it' to Black Country Living Museum’s Historic Boaters Gathering on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September, 2013 to take part in one of the most atmospheric inland waterway events of the year. The event, which brings together some of the region’s most extraordinary vessels, rekindles a unique way of life that has long since vanished.
One of the oldest boats attending the gathering will be 134-year-old tug boat ‘Coventry’. Coventry began life as a horse-drawn ice boat and, in the early days of canal transport, was used to break ice and keep the waterways open in winter.
The 115-year-old former Fellows, Morton and Clayton working boat,‘Marquis’,
will also be present and is the second oldest originally steam-powered narrow boat still afloat today.
Jo Moody, Senior Curator, Black CountryLivingMuseum, said: “In its heyday a typical steamer would have usually worked 'fly' (day and night) on the canals between London, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. Cargoes would have been valuable spices, tea, wool, cheese, soap, sugar, wheat, barrels of beer and spirits, tinned goods and even bedsteads and bicycles.”
Visitors can navigate their way to colourfully decorated working boats which depict life aboard a traditional narrow boat; cargoes are trans-shipped and fender making demonstrations take place as the clock turns back to a time when the waterways were the equivalent of our modern-day motorways. Canal art themed hands on heritage projects takes place in the Museum’s St James School.
-Ends-
Photo Opportunities
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Caption: Costumed demonstrator Mike Dunn.
Journalists and photographers are invited to attend the Museum on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September, 2013.
Note to Editors:
About the Museum’s Boat Collection
The Museum boat collection represents a range of construction and boat type. The oldest boat, Bessie, now permanently out of the water is the oldest boat in the collection, dating back to 1895. The youngest boat, Birchills, was built in 1953 and is also one of the most important, being the last surviving wooden joey boat with a day cabin. The collection also includes Steam boat President and its butty boat Kildare; composite boat Diamond, and Stour – a fine example of a long distance, wooden built motor boat.
About the Museum
Established in 1978, Black CountryLivingMuseum is one of the UK’s leading open-air museums. Designated by Arts Council England for the quality and national significance of its collections, it is a remarkable place to explore, enjoy and spend time. Set in 26 acres with over 150 historic buildings and features, and attracting c250,000 visitors each year and almost 8m people since it first opened, it offers a glimpse into 200 years of history like no other. The Museum (a registered educational charity) records and exemplifies the contribution and impact of the Black Country region since the 18th century to the development of the modern industrialized world. Black Country folk changed the world, and the Museum tells the story of a very special time and place in history and some of the most hard-working, ingenious and influential people you could imagine. It offers a visitor experience that few others can match.
For further information please contact:
Fiona Carding, Public Relations Assistant, Tel: 0121 521 5692 Mobile: 07901 575995