Films from Francis Stapleton:

“299 Miles & 199 locks”
Part 1: Filmed in 1975 The family set out with a Cathedral cruisers boat from Worcester onto a choppy River Severn en route to the Avon and Stratford. It sup the Stratford canal to join the Worcester Birmingham canal into Birmingham. From here they head towards the Tame Valley canal, turning into the Rushall canal and on round the Daw end and Wyrley & Essington to Wolverhampton. Down the Wolverhampton 21 locks along the Staffs & Worcester to join the Stourbridge canal. On through Netherton to Tipton using the old main line to Smethwick. A trip round the Icknield port loop and then back to Worcester.

Part 2:
Filmed in 1973 aboard a Canal Cruising Co boat. Stoke on Trent to the Caldon, then up the Leek branch, returning through Harecastle to Anderton, using the unique Thurlwood steel lock en route. Then to Middlewich, across to Chester, a trip to Llangollen, a look at Welsh Frankton before the run to Autherley. From here its up to the Trent and Mersey with a look at Armitage tunnel before returning to Stone.

“Camping boat trip”
Shot in 1974 aboard Union Canal Carriers “Admiral class” motor “Lindsey”. Newbury scout troop take a run to Lapworth and down to the Avon. How times have changed, boats have weedhatches now! See the fun of camping boat holidays as they were.

“Bert Dunkeley and Prince”
Bert Dunkeley was chairman of the Coventry Canal Society for years and often made a camping boat style trip with friends. In this 1977 film Bert heads into Birmingham to visit the city, and see some of the main line. The trip returns via the Digbeth branch and up to Salford Jcn through Garrison locks. Enjoy a trip aboard a wooden Samuel Barlow motor with a trusty Lister JP2.

Film from Mrs June Ringer:
“Voyage into England”
Come aboard a wonderful classic canal cruiser for glimpses of our waterways as they were in 1962/3. The Oxford canal, working boats at Braunston, the Coventry and Northern Oxford, Bow hauling on the Northampton arm, the Ashby canal, Atherstone locks, Armitage tunnel, evocative scenes at Harecastle tunnel, the potteries at work, Shelton steelworks, the Macclesfield canal and finally the Peak Forest canal.

Total running time 1 hour 45 minutes.

The above films are all shot on 8mm and super 8 cine film. The quality varies but the content gives the viewer a visit to a quieter waterways scene so different from today

Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Special thanks to JUNE RINGER AND FRANCIS STAPLETON.

This is a genuine original disc direct from the film rights owner Laurence Hogg Productions.