Steam narrow boat President

Although the relieving crew arrived at lunchtime on Friday, Ron Spencer kindly agreed to continue captaining until that evening, giving us the chance to explore the site.

With its good access from where the boats were moored outside the Centre for Rowing Excellence (more about that later), the site was well laid out with many old friends exhibiting. What was unusual was the absence of mud. A welcome omission! Even with the boats tied up five abreast, the moorings must have stretched over two miles from Worcester bridge right up to the end of the racecourse.

Our original mooring was among the other working boats but at the last moment it was changed to a prime site outside the Rowing Centre, to the dismay of one official, who, in best Jobsworth style, said "You can’t moor ‘ere!" But we could, and did.

It was perhaps a little unfortunate that, having tied up, the river level seemed to drop slightly, leaving us solidly aground and with a distinct list to port. This was worsened on Saturday morning, with the arrival of three tons of best steam coal. (Memo to whoever arranges deliveries of coal: Is it coincidence that when ever I’m captain, within a day the sound of Greyhound’s Bolinder comes popping up the cut … or have I offended you? It’s happened three times in succession now!) However, cloths off, three tons on with help from crewmembers and friends and cloths and strings back. President took on a fairly alarming list, which she maintained for the rest of the Festival.

Once again we were on the Waterways for Youth circuit and many children brought their interested parents to see and talk to us. Dave's Goodman and Stott must have told several hundred youngsters what sort of engine President had and how many cylinders there were. John Byham was in his best selling mode and many Engine Plaques and brasses found their way into surprised pockets. Some people even had one of each! It is probably as well that the boats were tied down….

Geoff and Jack Dean and Bob Jervis were busy guiding people round the cabins and the boats and dealing with the young visitors proffering passports for stamping. Celia Byham had her work cut out keeping up with the demand for refreshments both liquid and solid.

The Friends of President visitors were many (too many to list for fear of leaving someone out). It is to be hoped that at least some of the membership forms distributed to the public will come back duly filled in.

In the evenings the resident crew and friends explored the delights of the many varied foods offered on site. Cornish pasties, Thai curries, Ostrich steaks, German Schnitzels and Garlic feasts featured on the menu and one or two pints were sampled from a bar offering an excellent choice of real ales and ciders.

In terms of spectacular entertainment we had a Fireworks Display and illuminated boats on Friday in honour of the Three Choirs Festival, the WRG extravaganza on Saturday and the ‘proper’ illuminated parade on Sunday.

Monday morning saw us preparing to leave, as we were booked into Bevere Lock at 12.20. Accordingly, at 11.00 President was towed gently off the mud by the Gloucester tug Kennet which had tied up outside us all weekend. On an even keel once more, President, with Kildare breasted up, slipped quietly away from Worcester Racecourse at the end of an excellent National, not blowing her whistle more than once a minute.

Richard Thomas