Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)

Subject: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 28 May 15 - 02:51 PM

You may have heard of the legendary folkie boat trips that gained fame cruising on the Leeds Liverpool Canal in the late 1990's. Well, they are back, but with a different boat in a different, but equally beautiful, part of England!

The 2015 Revival of Folk Afloat will be a relaxing two week cruise around the wonderful Leicester Ring aboard a traditional narrowboat. The varied route taking in parts of the Oxford Canal, the Grand Union Leicester Line, the River Soar, a short section of the River Trent, part of the Trent & Mersey Canal, and the Coventry Canal. The route includes five tunnels, several aqueducts, and numerous locks. Crewing the boat will be communal with full instruction and advice provided by a very experienced commercial narrowboat skipper.

The boat will travel through countryside that is stunning, but of equal interest will be the opportunity to visit Leicester, Coventry, Loughborough, Rugby, Tamworth, Nuneaton, Burton, Market Harborough, Braunston, Fradley and Fazeley. The boat will also pass through the outskirts of Nottingham and Derby.

Each evening the boat will moor up close to a welcoming canalside hostelry where we will enjoy a delightful session of music and song in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The venues for the sessions are to be confirmed.

Food for all meals, inc full breakfast, lunch and the majority of evening meals is provided for on a communal catering basis.

Total cost including
Boat Hire for TWO WEEKS and Food is
Only £350 per person

18th September – 2nd October 2015

For further details contact
Neil Cardwell [e-mail]
PLACES VERY LIMITED!!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Jack Campin
Date: 28 May 15 - 03:21 PM

How many people can you take?

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 28 May 15 - 03:30 PM

sounds delightful. only 25 euros per day. would come if i could.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 28 May 15 - 07:25 PM

i have one boat booked that there are 5 spaces on, but it would be possible to book other boats if the demand was sufficient. Neil

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 15 - 08:50 PM

I'm really taken by the thought of a whole flotilla of narrow boats full of lovely folkies. Hope the project flourishes and that we are able to join in on our next visit back to the UK.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 May 15 - 03:21 AM

When 'Admiral' ran annual Canal Cruising holidays based on membership of Maidenhead Folk Club we had a lot of trouble on the Leeds Liverpool because of the activities of the original Folk Afloat organiser . He was , apparently , charging landlords to bring his people to their pubs to sing , then demanding that the locals 'Shut Up and listen' and NOT carry on their normal socialising in THEIR pub .
If the current scheme is anything like the original , all it will do is antagonise landlords and make it difficult for other Folk enthusiasts to have a singing holiday on the Britain .

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 29 May 15 - 06:07 AM

I don't know who 'Admiral' is and I am unaware of the activities of the Maidenhead Folk Club. Neither do I know if anyone else has organised holidays on the Leeds Liverpool canal similar to the ones that I organised in the 1990's. I can only assume so, as the comment posted by Leadfingers could not be further from the truth with regard to the trips that I used to organise. Pub landlords who welcomed us to their establishments were never charged and there was never any suggestion that they would be. The pubs that we used all welcomed us with open arms as we boosted their trade substancially, not only from the revenue provided by the crew spending their money behind the bar, but also from the increased trade from locals who used to turn up to participate in these friendly relaxed sessions. No one was ever told to 'Shut Up and listen' or prevented from carrying on their normal socialising activities. To suggest so is absolutely ludicrous. I can only assume that the comments posted by Leadfingers have arisen as a result of some other similar trips. If so I would strongly advise Leadfingers to check the facts of the issue before posting such defamatory comments.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 29 May 15 - 06:10 PM

I should have mentioned that if the 2015 revival of Folk Afloat proves to be successful I hope to organise more boat trips in 2016. If anyone would like to be included on a mailing list for these events please email me. Thanks Neil

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 30 May 15 - 04:09 AM

We are often on a boat - so it would be good to have a list of welcoming establishments.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 30 May 15 - 12:54 PM

Thanks for posting FloraG. I will keep you posted of any that I come across. Neil

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 30 May 15 - 12:54 PM

Thanks for posting FloraG. I will keep you posted of any that I come across. Neil

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,JHW
Date: 31 May 15 - 06:23 AM

There was no antagonism of landlords or anyone else on the trip I did on the Leeds-Liverpool about 97 or 98. Cracking organisation of places to sing each night and the boat all stocked up with scran etc.
One of the best things I ever did.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 09:40 AM

Thanks for your comments JHW. Much appreciated, particularly as they are from someone who actually experienced one of the trips I organised rather than from someone who it would seem only wishes to cause trouble by posting untrue comments about something they obviously know nothing about.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Raggytash
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 10:27 AM

Neil me old love, calm down, don,t have a heart attack. We know you,re a good man and I,ll say it again after you buy me a pint at Whitby

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 11:32 AM

I can only go on personal experience - And as a regular 'sounder out' of pubs on our trips , I was asked a number of times " You're nothing to do with that Folk Afloat ***** are you ? - Insert various deleted words there !

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 11:44 AM

FloraG - I found that (Over twenty years) there were very few canal side pubs that didn't welcome boaters who were singers/musicians and IF there weren't a couple of dozen , there was a reasonable chance of s free beer or two - Obviously . three or for 65 foot boats full was a bit heavy !!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 12:10 PM

I just wonder why up until now I've always avoided social networking sites like the plague? And I'm beginning to wish I had continued to do so. In reverse order :- I think agree with FloraG's comments but I'm not sure what the bit after the hyphen meant. I hope the fact that the trips I used to run only ever involved one boat clarifies matters. As for Leadfinger's personal experience perhaps if you stated which landlords, or in which pubs, these comments were made it might be possible to ascertain if these comments applied to anything to do with me. As for you Nick I reckon it's your round this year!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 01:45 PM

Oh bugger, is it really!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 02:24 PM

Nick you are welcome to a pint anytime. The work you do for the Runswick Bay RNLI makes you well worth it alone, not to mention your Sunday afternoon jolly on the train being one of the most enjoyable days out of all the Whitby week. Wouldn't miss it for the world.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 01 Jun 15 - 02:30 PM

Would love to join this 'cruise.' Went on Maidenhead's 4-boat / 2 week ring cruise via the GU and Thames many years ago. 4 narrowboats locking through Camden on market day sure attracted attention - especially since someone fell through the hatch at the rear on one boat whilst step dancing on the cover.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 02 Jun 15 - 04:19 PM

CJB you would be very welcome to come with us. Send me an email if you are interested or want any more information. My email address is [e-mail] Cheers Neil

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Leadfingers
Date: 02 Jun 15 - 06:56 PM

GUEST CJB - It was the musician , not the dancer who did the Hatch Dance ! I played whistle for one of the Reading Cloggers , and missed my step as we finished and fell across the hatch ! I think it was the same rib I cracked water skiing that slowed me down for a few days !
Doing The Great Ring in a fortnight was a great experience !

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jun 15 - 09:59 PM

GUEST.CJB
I think that was Leadfingers, Own up then Terry :>)

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Richard Atkins
Date: 02 Jun 15 - 10:08 PM

Oops he has :>(

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 03 Jun 15 - 07:39 PM

The itinerary for the holiday is almost complete. Once it has been finalised I will post it on this thread.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Teribus
Date: 04 Jun 15 - 06:52 AM

Didn't Tom Lewis used to organise similar sorts of trips?

Tom Lewis - Canal Trips

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 04 Jun 15 - 07:39 PM

I'm sorry I can't answer that question. I don't know of the gentleman so I don't know if he organised canal holidays or not.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 05 Jun 15 - 07:31 PM

Info about Tom Lewis here - not only about organising canal holidays but with lyrics for songs that Tom has written and/or recorded, including Marching Inland... good to see that the tradition of canal boating with folk sessions at stops en route (which I first experienced with Maidenhead and Herga folk clubs in the 1980s) is continuing!

Kitty

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 06 Jun 15 - 03:18 AM

Advice if you have not yet booked the boat
Get the largest one you can afford ( eg 8 bed for 6) storage can be a problem
Needs 2 loos
Get one with a bench bed - like in a caravan - so 6 people can sit opposite each other. Its more social that way with instruments rather than sitting round a table.
Enjoy.
FloraG

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie
Date: 06 Jun 15 - 05:17 AM

Best wishes on your trip. I've tried that route a couple of times but never quite made it - having been thwarted by the rivers in flood!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,Ian Hendrie
Date: 06 Jun 15 - 05:52 AM

By way of an aside, Tom Lewis (mentioned previously on this thread) will be appearing at Bollington Folk Club on Friday 17th July 2015. The folk club is held in the Dog & Partidge, just 3-4 minutes walk from Bollington aqueduct on Macclesfield Canal.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 08 Jun 15 - 12:04 PM

The boat I have booked is an 8 berth, but it does have 2 toilets!. There are 4 permanent single beds and 1 double. The dining area can be made into a double or two singles. Neil

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 01:48 PM

The Itinerary for the boat trip is as follows. I would welcome any comments or local input

Date               Pub
Fri 18th Sep        Admiral Nelson        Braunston
Sat 19th Sep        The Wharf Inn        Welford
Sun 20th Sep        The Black Horse        Foxton
Mon 21st Sep        The Black Horse        Aylestone
Tue 22nd Sep        The Navigation        Barrow Upon Soar
Wed 23rd Sep        The Navigation        Shardlow
Thu 24th Sep        The Navigation        Burton
Fri 25th Sep        The Plough Inn        Huddlesford
Sat 26th Sep        The Gate Inn        Tamworth
Sun 27th Sep        Maid Of The MillAtherstone
Mon 28th Sep        The Greyhound        Hawkesbury
Tue 29th Sep        The Barley Mow        Newbold On Avon
Wed 30th Sep        The Bridge        Napton On The Hill
Thu 1st Oct        The Boat        Stockton

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 15 - 04:49 AM

Rather a lot of Navigation pubs there - it reminds me of The Navigation Pub Song

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Roughyed
Date: 11 Jun 15 - 02:21 PM

I went on Neil's boat back in 1998 and I have many happy memories of a great week with great people. I loved everything about being on the canal and the music was great. We were welcomed everywhere we went by both landlords and locals and did our best to pay them back by drinking lots and lots of their beer and singing and playing our hearts out. It's great that Neil has started it up again and although we can't make it this year we hope we get the opportunity again in the future.

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 01 Jul 15 - 07:36 PM

If it is of interest to anyone I have now been able to split the original cruise into two separate weeks as follows

One Week 18th Sep – 25th Sep £200 per person
One Week 25th Sep – 2nd Oct £200 per person
These costs are inclusive of boat hire, food etc but also taxi transfer between the boat and the boatyard on Friday 25th Sep.

The cost of the full two weeks 18th Sep – 2nd Oct remains £350 per person

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 03 Jul 15 - 08:49 AM

I'm interested ;)

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jul 15 - 04:11 PM

Please get in touch if you are interested my email is [e-mail] or phone [phone] ta Neil

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 05 Aug 15 - 08:23 PM

Due to a cancellation for an extremely good reason there is now a limited number of vacancies available for anyone wishing to come on the trip. Get in touch for further details. Ring Neil on 07887 607008 or email [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 05 Aug 15 - 08:23 PM

Due to a cancellation for an extremely good reason there is now a limited number of vacancies available for anyone wishing to come on the trip. Get in touch for further details. Ring Neil on 07887 607008 or email [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 07 Aug 15 - 01:19 PM

Neil, I wonder if you've thought about encouraging people to come and join you in the pubs where you are singing and playing? Or could it feel a bit like a takeover for a pub that doesn't have regular folky evenings?

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Nancy King
Date: 08 Aug 15 - 12:47 AM

I went on the very first canal holiday organized by Tom Lewis and his wife in 1997. It was absolutely wonderful -- I have many great memories!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Carol
Date: 08 Aug 15 - 06:13 AM

Hi Neil, sounds marvelous, I had heard about the Admiral's canal trips many years ago. How fit/able do you need to be? Anyhow please keep me in mind for next year as perhaps I could bring my able partner along as my carer!!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 15 - 07:37 AM

Don't forget torches and your Wet Weather Gear

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 06:23 AM

Wet weather gear, sensible footwear and a torch are a good idea. When I used to run the trips on the Leeds Liverpool canal one chap even brought a spare pair of socks as he thought he might need them on our week long cruise, which he did after falling into the canal on the second day!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 06:27 AM

I have just thought, I should mention that as the canal was like most other canals in that it was only a few feet deep, he came to no harm and the only difference was that he was slightly cleaner after coming out than before he went in!

Subject: RE: Folk Afloat Reborn (Canal Holiday)
From: Rivermusic
Date: 10 Aug 15 - 04:38 AM

I have received a message asking if there are any places available on the boat trip. Just to let anyone reading the thread know, yes, due to a cancellation, there are places available either for the first week, the second week or for the full two weeks. Get in touch for further details. Ring Neil on 07887 607008 or email [e-mail]