Solid Fuel Stove Reminder

Photo of burner before renovation service

Do you have a solid fuel stove? When did you last sweep your flue or check your burner? There were two bad fires on boats last winter - both boats completely burned out. The cause has not been specified BUT it does tend to be burners that cause fires on boats. If you haven't swept your flue this winter - do it now. Signs that your flue needs sweeping - no draw, smokey fire, glass gets dirty quickly, fire is more smelly than usual. If you burn mostly wood you should be sweeping every few weeks at the very least. Useful links below (please add any more useful links if you find them).

Just a few woodworking tips...

Photo of See Jane Drill youtube channel

See Jane Drill's Leah Bolden has some handy tips you might not know about...

- How to sharpen a carpenter's pencil and why is it that shape and flat?

- Making and using a tick stick, and what it is for...

- How to repair your oscillating multitool blades!

Useful information for Boaters

Copied from the London Boaters facebook group's pinned post, here are some more useful contacts, regulations and information about boating in London.

EMERGENCIES

In an emergency dial 999 (i.e. crime in progress) for non-urgent or after event 101. You can add to crime incident map below: Crime incidents or accidents or any other similar incidents anywhere on canal or towpath should ALSO be reported to CRT using this form CRT safety-near-miss-reporting-form

King's Cross/Granary Sq area - for their private security dial 0207 664 5700 and ask for 'control'

To get help for a boater in need, call the Waterways Chaplaincy 07717813682

If a boat is listing badly or in danger of sinking contact CRT: 0303 040 4040 during office hours or 0800 47 999 47 out of hours, give the boat name, number and location. They will contact the owner. Try and fix the problem if you can, but if you can’t at least call CRT

FREE REMOVAL OF ANY WASTE ELECTRICAL ITEMS as long as they are difficult to handle or bulky

In the London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Hackney, Islington, Waltham Forest: https://www.clearabee.co.uk/free-weee-kerbside-service/

The London Boaters BOATING SERVICES DIRECTORY

has a list of tradesmen, with many BSS examiners, Marine Surveyors, Gas Fitters, Electricians etc - it is kept up-to-date by the tradesmen themselves. Please consult that list for these services.

IF YOU FIND AN OILY/INJURED/SICK WATERBIRD

Call 01932 240790 for The Swan Sanctuary or 03001234999 for rspca emergency.

Will you be falling-in this winter?

Photo from video about falling through ice

As always, try to remain calm and think things through in an emergency.
1 - Never leave your boat in gear and step off, even for a second, she's faster than you think and will run away.
2 - Never voluntarily go in the water fully clothed, chances are, no one is THAT good of a swimmer.
3 - Keep your ropes in good order, don't let them trail in the water
4 - Never ever swim up to the business end of any boat that is in gear. The prop will pull you, catch you, mangle you.(see point 2)

Bottle gas delivery

For fast bottle gas delivery service call B Ernest gas 07704136871 for quick same day delivery service. We also sell coal, fire lighters, heat log, wood kindling, Firelog, wood logs etc.

You can also order online at : www.bernestgas.co.uk

Anti-boater fight for land at Hampton Court

Photo of the River Thames near Hampton Court

A report by BBC London published on 15 Feb 2019, explains how another 'land grab' controversy is taking place, this time on the Thames just outside London.

"A battle has broken out on the River Thames about who owns and controls a huge section of river bank near Hampton Court. No-one had ever previously tried to register ownership of the land, but now the Environment Agency is attempting to, they face a legal battle with a tight-knit boating community based there who are worried about their future. Gareth Furby has the story. "

A new boat yard at Stonebridge N17

Photo of Stonebridge Boat Yard

LET US EMPTY YOUR OILY BILGE WATER
Just bring your boat to Stonebridge and ask us to empty your bilge. If you do it Wednesday to Sunday you can go to Steve and Christine's cafe while you wait.

LET US OIL CHANGE YOUR LISTER SR OR BMC
The busy little boat yard is pleased to announce our new offer. Lister SR and BMC engines oil and filter changes 90 pounds. Beta/Isuzu etc from 100 depending on model (yes that includes the parts). All offers include a free alternator charging check up. Call 07909520920 to book.

BATTERY TESTING CHARGING MAINTENANCE and DISPOSAL - We now have electric supply onsite, so if you want to know the condition of your battery, want to put it on charge overnight or have a dud you want to try and recover, give us a call or pop into the boat yard above Stonebridge lock.

Aire and Calder Barges - VIDEO

Support the Yorkshire Ex-Commercial Barge Club

All the craft are privately owned and on the National Historic Ships Register, saving the past for the future, but not getting any help from C&RT. They are trying to impose huge 25% cost increases on us for less than 5% access to the network.

All boaters need to unite and look after the interests of each other no matter what their craft type, we all have a place on the waterways that belong to us already. United we stand, divided we fall.

Giant Hogweed identification and dangers

Ever forage for wood or kindling? Common around waterways, beware that the sap from Giant Hogweed seriously burns you via Phytophotodermatitis, even for many years after initial exposure.

Yes you cannot overstate the danger of GIANT HOGWEED! Watch this super informative video show you just how - Go to 14:40 in the video to learn how to spot the young plants as well as when fully grown.

An Oral History of the Thames Lightermen

Photo of a Thames lighterman at work

"Tales from the Thames" is an oral history project focussing on the Thames Lightermen and Watermen, the people who have operated the boats on the Thames with a history going back hundreds of years.

Things to know when thinking about buying a narrowboat to Continuously Cruise - VIDEO

Jasmin's excellent "Thinking of Buying A Narrowboat To Continuously Cruise? My HUGE list of PROs And CONS" video

Here are links to videos about each topic, and a play list with all these videos and a few bonus.

Example questionnaire

Site admin can now create questionnaires! If you would like to submit a questionnaire for publishing, feel free to comment here or message Site Admin.

Here is an example webform questionnaire, now with conditional fieldsets as featured in Cosmic's original test spec.

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