Narrow Boat Uttoxeter comes to Town
Information about Narrow Boat "Uttoxeter" now features in the exhibition about the Uttoxter Canal - its restoration and regeneration potential - on display at Uttoxeter Heritage Centre until 31 January 2009.
Narrow Boat "Uttoxeter" was built for the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company Limited in 1937 and carried cargo on the canals of southern England. It was an un-powered "butty" boat towed by a motor boat.
During the Second World War many such 'pairs' of boats were operated by women who took on hard, physical work on the land and on canals when men were called-up to be soldiers and fight overseas.
The Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust invite visitors to this fascinating, free exhibition to explore the route of the Uttoxeter Canal, from its junction with the Caldon Canal at Froghall through the Churnet Valley to Uttoxeter (the waterway connecting the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands to the valley of the Dove in East Staffordshire) - and to find out more about Narrow Boat "Uttoxeter" and discover why the young women who worked so hard on such boats during the war were called "Idle Women"!
Caldon & Uttoxter Canals Trust Chairman Julie Arnold said "The Trust is delighted that the exhibition has proved so popular. We have received lots of support for our project to restore the Uttoxter Canal and important information from people who have associations with its route. On Saturday 24 January 2009 volunteer members of the Trust will again be in attendance to answer questions, between 10.00am and 2.00pm."
The Trust welcomes comments, information and support on their plans, by signing the exhibition's Uttoxeter Canal Visitors' Book or by e-mailing via the website: www.cuct.org.uk
Also visit the Trust's website for the latest news about plans to undertake a feasibility study to investigate the potential to restore and rebuild the canal to Uttoxeter.
Find the exhibition at: Uttoxeter Heritage Centre, 34-36 Carter Street, UTTOXETER, ST14 8EU. (Tel: 01889 567176). Open Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat; 10.00am to 4.00pm; FREE admission
Photo: Narrow Boats "Battersea" and "Uttoxeter" in winter 1943, courtesy of "Waterways World" January 2001 edition