Working Parties - by Ron Spencer

WHY, WHAT, WHO, WHERE, WHEN AND HOW

WHY?

We run working parties SO THAT WE CAN HAVE FUN!!

Boating is a fun thing, otherwise, none of us would be active in this area. It is also a serious matter – jobs DO NEED to be done, targets and aims have to be set, or the boats wouldn’t be sailing anywhere.

In addition, they (working parties) offer museum visitors an insight into the workings and activities on the boats such as moving them, checking the cloths, cleaning, etc. Where appropriate, the visitors can be shown round.

working parties give us the opportunity to socialise (for indeed, we are a sociable bunch!) and to recall stories of yesteryear over a superb fish’n’chip lunch from the museum chip shop.

WHAT?

Many of you will be aware of what jobs need to be done and what is done. However, you can name (nearly) any part of a boat and at sometime in its life, attention will be needed. Jobs range from scraping the bottom, blacking the hull, loading coal, tidying holds, ensuring no leaks, re-stringing the cloths, checking and investigating any problems with the gas (sufficient ?), water (tank levels ?) and electrics (batteries/lighting all OK?) and maybe some preparation for/and painting bits and pieces.

Tools and supplies etc are usually provided, but if you have any special hammer or paintbrush that you love, then bring them along!

WHO?

Anyone who is a member of Friends of President can attend working parties and work on the boats. For newer members, this can give additional knowledge, where thing are kept etc. and finding ones way around. Mind you, a bit of re-familiarisation wouldn’t go amiss with some of the older members as well!!

Skills? Who needs them?! You don’t need to worry about your abilities as there will always (hopefully) be someone there to show you what to do and where to do it. Of course, if you do have any particular skills that can be utilised, then so much the better.

WHERE?

Most working parties are held at the museum, so all the facilities that you need or are likely to need will be there. Occasionally, we have exciting outings to hold working parties at other sites – usually boatyards where we would take the boats for major work. We also have trips (by car I may add!) to B&Q and similar for supplies etc. (WOW!).

WHEN?

Normally, working parties are held on the first Saturday in any month when the boats are at ‘home’, but this is obviously a moveable feast. If there is an urgent need for any (particular) work to be done, then extra days or more will be organised. Also, if some are not able to attend at weekends, then midweek working parties can be arranged.

THERE DOESN’T ALWAYS NEED TO BE A REASON FOR A WORKING PARTY.

It would be nice if, occasionally, members would pop down to the museum for a few hours (or maybe a day or so) just to keep the boats aired: give the boats a little TLC; clean the brasses, light the ranges, (clean the ashes out first!!), clean the floors, empty bins, check no food left in galley or the fridge (leave door open), chat to visitors, etc., but most of all, the important thing is to enjoy it.

The boats are not a chore, they are an enjoyable hobby, so as well as sailing round the cut, we need manpower at the museum.

They are seen (primarily by visitors) as a link to a traditional and historic era of the canals - in which we all take part.

HOW?

The society journal ‘195’, ‘Steaming Up’ and the website will give details of future working parties,and other means of communication will be used i.e. e-mail, phone etc., to get a team together, especially if any urgent work is needed.

So watch this space for dates and above all, we all look forward to enjoyable times ahead. For extra information, contact Dave Stott

Contact details