It's a hard job being editor !!
"Steaming Up" - Issue 17 - October 2007
From the Editor - Simon Nuttall
2007 – The year that wasn’t ! You will read later on, that the year has not gone to plan. After last year’s tube problems I think we were all looking forward to a great season – but like so much this summer, it was not to be.
It is for this reason that this is the first issue for a few months. I have though managed to include one trip report.
Chair Chat
As you were all aware the summer of 2007 will be remembered for the rain resulting in floods and disruption to many parts of the country. Unfortunately our boating season was also effected by the weather. As you all know we were going to break new ground with our ‘Below the Sea Tour’. Our visit to the eastern counties would have been a first for a FMC steamer, but it was not to be. After the very enjoyable Braunston Boat Gathering we started the trip to the River Nene. On arrival at Gayton the crew found that the river was closed and as it turned out it remained like that on and off for the next five weeks. With the delay and the roistered crew missing their slots it was decided to return to the museum. It was very fitting that on the Friday evening on the way back after a very wet day ‘President’ was featured on the BBC local weather forecast from the mailbox. We did have a presence at the Nene Valley Railway weekend and the IWA Festival thanks to the Museum’s road-show caravan. Our thanks go to Emma and Angela and the volunteers who braved the weather at Wansford and the mud in St Ives.
Next year is going to be better, we have yet to decide the 2008 boating programme, but talk has already suggested that we try again and take the boats on a revised tour to the East. All the contacts are in place - so just watch this space.
A lot of hours were put in over the winter to maintain the boats and prepare them for the summer. I would like to pass on my thanks to the members who gave up so much of their time, remember there is always a place for you on the working parties.
David Powell
Andy Flack - RIP From the hole engineering report Trip Report BCML to Shackerstone - Trip report - Shackerstone
Complete newsletter in PDF file 
Last edited:- 21-Jul-2008