Be There in 2002

When I wrote my first BP editorial, in Spring, 1995 we were welcoming a gift of equipment from Bulldog Tools Ltd. This was a cause for great celebration as they replaced a set which had been stolen the previous year. Looking back it is wonderful to see the strides which the BCN Society has made in the last few years. From getting a set of tools we now have our own work boat Phoenix, a marquee fit to grace any occasion, several versatile smaller tents and many other pieces of useful equipment and material. Now we look forward to another major landmark in the Society's history, the reopening of Titford Pump house in July as the BCNS headquarters.

Were you there in '74

The Society has always been active in its role of conserving and improving the BCN. Sheila and Ron Cousens reminded me of this a little while back when they were telling me of the sterling efforts made in restoring the Crow in 1974. The Titford Canal was abandoned in 1961 and reopened on March 30th, 1974 after an immense amount of effort by the BCN Society and the then County Borough of Warley. Under the guidance of the leader Grahem Turner, work parties were held every Sunday for two years to remove the accumulated silt and rubbish of decades. The reopening was indeed one of the Society's high points. Sheila suggested that the official reopening of the Titford Pump house as the BCN Society H.Q's on Saturday, 13th July this year would be a wonderful opportunity for anyone who was involved in the fight for the Crow to come to the Rally and meet up. With 30 boats already signed in and much hard work going on in preparation, this should be a super weekend and we hope as many members as possible will be able to come along.

Our Signposts

Another major BCN Society achievement has been the sign posting of (nearly all !) the junctions around the system. That the posts are photogenic has been proved many times through the success of our "Explorer Scheme" whereby visitors take photos of a dozen posts to prove that they have visited some of the further flung reaches of the BCN and are awarded a plaque. Myrtle Smith (address on page 23) will be glad to supply more details. But am I alone in seeing photos of our signposts appearing all over the place recently ? You see them on BW leaflets and maps and in guide books and the canal magazines. I was recently sent a cruising log book by British Waterways with our Bromford Junction finger post prominent on the front cover. The BCN Society - pointing the way forward as ever, but, can't we claim royalties ?!!

Phillip Clayton.