Gloucester Waterways Museum
Index> Museum Exhibits>

2.5  Waterways for Leisure

Leisure Boom
     By the middle of the twentieth century, commercial use of canals was in serious decline, but there was a growing interest in leisure uses. This interest has been accompanied by a succession of projects to restore derelict waterways, pushed forward by the work of volunteers and by the redevelopment of many canal side sites in city centres. Illustrations include the pioneering restoration of the Stratford Canal, the amazing flight of locks at Caen Hill on the Kennet & Avon Canal and major canal side developments in Birmingham city centre.
     The model of Water Violet is a reminder of the 'Water Class' hire cruisers operated by the British Waterways Board between 1959 and 1989. They were converted from narrow boats which were no longer being used commercially. Water Violet was one of the earliest in the fleet which grew to 17 vessels.

Motor Launch Bluebird
     In the early twentieth century, leisure use of waterways benefited from the availability of the petrol engine. Built in 1922, Bluebird was the private launch of the Cottrell family of Bredon, on the east bank of the River Avon north of Tewkesbury. With only a canvas canopy originally, she was much used for family picnics and trips to Tewkesbury for shopping or to the Fleet Inn at Twyning for a drink. In 1950, David Cottrell and his bride left their wedding reception aboard Bluebird. Later that year, David became a founder member of the Lower Avon Navigation Trust, which was formed to restore the navigation. Bluebird was then used for patrolling the river, to deal with speedboats and illegal landing on the banks, and for transporting VIPs to the progressive re-opening of the locks. This included the final opening at Evesham in 1962 when she carried Environment Minister Sir Peter Walker. It was during this time that the forward shelter was added to give the crew and passengers some protection from the weather. In 1987, Bluebird made her last voyage by river to Gloucester to become an exhibit at the Museum.

Influential Publications
     Early leisure uses were also encouraged by popular books, such as Flower of Gloster (1911), A Caravan Afloat (1916) and My Holidays on Inland Waterways (1916). The most influential book, however, was Narrow Boat by L T C Rolt. This describes the experiences of the author and his first wife travelling around the midland canals. Published in 1944, the book led to the founding of the Inland Waterways Association which campaigns for greater use of the waterways.
     The model of the rowing boat Lady Havelock was built about 1911 by Mr J Simpson, who ran a boat building and hire business on the Grand Junction Canal in North West London.

For Index to Museum Notes, see www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/museumnotes