When it was realised that 1999 was 'Presidents' 90^th birthday we realised that we should do something to mark the occasion, but what? The first thing that came to mind was a fly run, the question came up would we make any impact or create any interest as we have done three in this decade. After minutes of discussion at one of our committee meetings no one could come up with a better idea so a fly run it was. Tim and his colleagues at Braunston were very keen on us attending the rally so it was decided to run from Birmingham to Braunston over the Thursday night.

Over the next few months everything seemed to happen, the Braunston committee wanted to make something of the birthday so we were to have a party on the Friday evening, then we were to open the show on the Saturday with David Suchet steering.

So far so good, then Tim came up with the idea of a video, so Magdalene and Simon came on the scene from SK Productions. After many telephone conversations and emails flying everywhere the logistics were sorted, so a video would be made and two more people were on the boat for the run (now 10). Then the phone call from the BBC, would we be willing to feature in an edition of Songs of Praise that was to be filmed at Braunston, well why not? The Birthday was going to create some interest so it was all systems go.

Then the big worry, as reported elsewhere the swim on President was giving cause for concern. It seems that when the boat was restored some plates had been welded over a weak area on the swim (correct and normal practice) unfortunately the original plates have continued to erode. So it was down to Bradley where Ian Kemp gave the bottom of the boat a good going over. The work will need doing but it was given the all clear for this season so all we had to do now was get ready and do it.

We were to meet up on the Wednesday night in Birmingham the boats having been bought down from Dudley during the week.

We organised into two crews for the Fly Run. Crew one, Dave Stott, Richard Franklin, George Nuttall and myself. Crew two was Simon Nuttall, Eddie Oades and Ron and Judy Spencer. After a meal in the Beefeater and a very disturbed night opposite Bobby Brown's night-club the morning was spent putting the final touches to the boats for the next 38 hours of running. The weather was very good and by the time Mags and Simon joined us mid morning it was very hot. Tim Coghlan brought them and all their kit for the filming up from Braunston and he joined us for the first bit of the trip. Just before mid-day we moved down to a mooring outside the Sealife centre where two young ladies from the museum presented us with a Birthday Cake for the party on Friday. So after the photo call we were off round to Fazeley Street Wharf for the official start of the Fly Run at 5 p.m.

Kildare went first down the old thirteen as we had already got a blade full, which resulted in a dive down the weedhatch (Yours truly – again!, I always seems to draw the short straw. Ed.) to remove a considerable amount of grotty wire. Working down the locks was quick and we were soon reunited with Kildare for the short trip round to Ashted and then on to the old FMC depot at Fazeley Street.

We had hoped for a bit of a send off but only Ann & Nick Oliver and Bob Jervis were there to record the start. The press had obviously other things to do that day or 5 p.m. is past their bedtime. However at the appointed time the whistle was given a hearty blow by Eddie and we were off - crew two taking the first stint but with everyone helping through the locks up to Samson Wharf where we stopped for a meal before the nights exertions. After one of Judy's great feasts we, crew one, retired to our bunks as the others made steady progress down the 12 mile. That is until bridge 86 when 'President' went hard aground and in the process a split pin sheared off the eccentrics. This resulted in the rest off us 'leaping' out of bed to give a hand. After a lot of searching around on the engine room floor the engine was fixed and then a heave or three and we were off again. Only to run aground three yards later. This was worse but as luck would have it we managed to recruit large numbers of local youths who pulled the boat over the restriction. Then the summer day really ended and we went through a spectacular thunderstorm, which made it very uncomfortable for our steerers Ron and Judy. Respite came when we found shelter for both boats under the M42.

After a short stop the rain eased and we had a good run through to Knowle where crew one took over. Working the locks in the dark is a fantastic experience and these large locks at Knowle have a character of their own. We got stuck below the top lock and had to let water down to fill the pound, the resulting influx of water turned the boats a full 360 degrees - ballet by steam. We had no problems on the run to Hatton, it is a privilege to witness the dawn from our boats and this part of the world is the perfect place to be at 4 a.m.

We were back on schedule at the top of the locks and with both crews we were soon at the bottom and crew two took over to take us through to Radford. We did a live interview with the breakfast show on Radio Northampton going through the Cape Locks and then to bed. The next thing I knew was when we approached the bottom lock and it was our turn again. I now know that we got stuck again in Leamington and a passing boat snatched us off (thanks video) but they were very quiet about it. After some changes to the funnel in the bottom lock we had a good run up to Calcutt. Pausing for a while for the BBC Look East news to film us going up Stockton Locks - this went out on the Sunday evening after I got home. At Calcutt the BBC team met us and they recorded the opening shots for Songs of Praise with Pam Rhodes steering the boats out of the top lock. It took a few takes for them to get it right resulting in the people on the boats waiting to come through getting a little angry.

We followed the BBC who were filming us from a boat hired from Calcutt Marina into Braunston, arriving just a little later than planned. The welcome was very warm and Pam Rhodes cut the cake and we drank a toast to the boat on its 90^th Birthday. The boat was closed down quickly and we retired to the pub for some grub and then to bed for a good night's rest.

The next morning we moved the boats to our mooring for the show and gave them a good clean. At 11.00 we welcomed our guests and played our part in the opening ceremony. The show organisers presented us with £2000 to help pay for the repairs to the bottoms.

Summing up the, trip went well and the old boat seemed to enjoy her birthday outing. My thanks to the rest of the crew who all gelled together to make the organisation so easy.

David Powell

The crew with the cake - .Photo by Nick Oliver