Syntan had great difficulties getting to many festivals last year because of the flooding. We did however manage to get down to the Shanty Festival at Hull, and this is what gave Nev the idea for the gathering in May.

I've been out on the Humber in Syntan on a trip to Stainforth, and I must admit I am glad we had a number of experienced barge skippers aboard, though the conflicting instructions made steering rather "interesting".

Syntan is soon to be joined by another barge "Sun" a former British Waterways Maintenance boat, which should have better views from the cabin than you get with Syntan. This will allow Syntan to be used for its original (sinc erestoration) purpose of being a travelling museum celebrating and recording the various trades for which it carried cargo.

John