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During its working life, Gifford was one of the Thomas Clayton (Oldbury) Ltd fleet of boats which carried fuel oil and gas from the Shell refinary at Stanlow on the Manchester Ship Canal at Ellesmere Port to their depot at Langley Green near Oldbury.
This traffic finished 51 years ago and with the company's boatyard closing 40 years ago, it was time for Gifford to relive some of these well remembered times.
One of the objectives of the Boat Museum Society, owners of Gifford, is to keep alive the many and varied skills of the working boatmen and women, so it was appropriate that something a bit special was called for.
A programme was planned with volunteers from a number of organistations that gave many along the route an opportunity to experience a little bit of what it was like to operate working craft and to make this accessible to people of all ages.
Towed by President
Early one Monday morning at the end of June, President towed Gifford out of the top wide lock at Ellesmere Port in clouds of smoke and s the sound of its whistle.
This was the first time that Gifford has been paired with a steamer, so it was something special for her birthday trip. Unfortunately we did not realise how hard the first part of the journey was going to be.
A combination of the deep draughted boat, low water levels, large amounts of weed and a pound that has not been properly dredged for very many years had made the eight mile pound ost impassable. Bricks and stones in bridge holes and shallow mud meant that President was brought to a stop many times.
At one stage President was not only towing Gifford but Gifford was towing the cruiser support boat who's propeller had got completely weeded up.
Finally, seven and a half hours later, we arrived in Chester, only to run aground in the basin at Tower Wharf. This was the final straw for the tired crew. British Waterways were called out and with considerable effort pulled the boats into deeper water and into Northgate locks.
Once the boats reached Christleton, rain had set in and we tied up for the night. The remainder of the journey to Nantwich was uneventful and there Gifford said "Thank You and Farewell" to President and its crew, who continued on their way home to the Black Country Living Museum.
Horseboating to Titford
Giffords journey continued horse drawn next day. Sue Day and Queenie from the Horseboating Society towed it to Audlem where children from the local Primary School were shown how the horse was harnessed and how the boat crews lived aboard. Then up the locks for the night and on to Tyrley the next day where it (and Queenie) stayed at secure moorings over the weekend.
The following Monday we set off again and with overnight stops at The Anchor at High Offley, Wheaton Aston and Autherley Junction, Gifford arrived at the Black Country Living Museum on Thursday evening.
Horse boating in 2006 is vastly different from what it was like over 50 years ago. Boat crews in those days did not have to pass the tow line over boats moored along the towpath with TV aerials and other rooftop paraphernalia. Neither did they have motor cycle barriers, spikey pipe guards or waterside vegetation to contend with. BW were very helpful and people removed obstructions where they could so that we could lift the line over their boats more easily. Without exception fishermen moved uncomplainingly.
Boaters, towpath walkers and everyone else we met were delighted to see us using the motive power that Gifford was originally built for. Queenie and Sue used roving bridges for their proper purpose, as the towpath changed sides, the towing line fitted the well worn grooves on the bridge guards and lock sides snugly and canal side stables were visited.
After an overnight stop at the BCLM we left Dudley next afternoon for the short journey to the BCNS Rally, accompanied by the Clayton motor Stour from the Museum. This was the first time that Gifford had returned to Titford and Oldbury since the IWA National Rally at Titford Pools in 1978. Only 15 years before that the boat had still been horse boating on the BCN with Ben and Mary Smith and her son Jack Taylor. Not really so long ago.
Gifford is part of the collection at The Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port, where it is owned, cared for and operated by the Boat Museum Society. Stour and President are owned by the Black Country Living Museum at Dudley where they are usually on display.
President is carted for and operated by The Friends of President.
The Boat Museum Society would like to thank all the large number of volunteer crews, helpers and organisers for their assistance in making this a successful operation.
If you would like to help look after any of these craft and take part in such events then please contact:
The Boat Museum Society,
South Pier Road,
Ellesmere Port.
CH65 4FW.
Email:chairman@boatmuseumsociety.org.uk