The Leicester Trader
News...
Latest News :-
* Christmas Tree Festival 2011
Our gratitude is extended to Margaret for supporting the project and the Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Newark (picture left). It has been reported that this festival was well attended by visitors and there were over 100 trees at the festival.
* Heritage Open Days (8-11 September 2011)
We were delighted to welcome visitors aboard during these Open Days and offered a lovely end to the season of Open Days
* Our Project Lead, Les has been extremely busy taking up all the invitations to spread the word about the project. The groups include (to name a few) Southwell Local History Group, Norwell Parish Heritage Group, Newark Conservative Ladies Group, Newark Rotary Club and Stubton & District WI.
These talks are possible (technically) due to the support of the Nottinghamshire County Council Local Improvement Scheme which has funded the provision of laptop and projector. Thank you.
* Following discussions with British Waterways, we have been offered use of the former emergency dry dock (adjacent to Town lock, Newark) as the home mooring for the Leicester Trader. This is subject to planning approval.
* We are delighted to confirm that we were successful in receiving a £400 restoration award for welding repairs to the fore deck from the Transport Trust. This work will enable us to insulate under the deck in the fo'csle to stop the kettle freezing in the winter (a vital tool for the volunteers!)
Newsletter posted on 'Friends' Page
Schools Visit:-
60 year 5 pupils from Bowbridge Primary School, Newark visit the Trader :-
Photo from Newark Advertiser May 26th 2011
OTHER NEWS
Les talks to one of the skippers about some of his stories whilst on the barges- See Les's page
Winter scenes on the gallery page.
Arrival of 12ft6in COGBOAT donated by British Waterways and delivered by craneboat "Pride of Lincoln". This traditional clinker built boat is heavily damaged but still worthy of restoration. It is originally from a dredger and built by Trevithicks at Notingham but is just the same as was part of the equipment of any barge on this river. When restored we will be able to teach the art of Sculling using one oar over the transom and not to be confused with the same name in connection with rowing club skiffs.
On the 16th October 2010 the AGM and progress talk by Les Reid was held on the Leicester Trader.
The visit of the Trader to Newark Castle over the August bank holiday was a great success with 90 visitors on the Sunday and 350 on the Monday. Proving the point of what can be done.
Visit the Friends page for an up to date summary of whats been happening this year
Postcards - Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering, who are dualling the A46 road to Newark, have sponsored 1000 postcards of the Leicester Trader, using a picture taken by Edward Purver on the day Leicester Trader arrived in Newark. These are on sale at Strays bookshop, the Tourist Information Centre and Millgate Museum in Newark.
events...
TBA
2011 Open afternoons:-
FREE ENTRY
26th June, 31st July, all 12 noon to 5pm
Leicester Trader will be open for guided tours the last Sunday afternoon of each month from 1200 to 1600, and other times by arrangement. There is no charge at present but donations towards running expenses are welcomed. These events are operated by the Friends group and the barge can be found by the towpath to the rear of 24 The Weavers, Newark, NG24 4RY.
Friends of Newark Heritage Barge management committee meetings are held on board Leicester Trader the Tuesday evening before the open day and anyone is welcome to come along and then join if they wish. Please contact Les to be sure there are no changes.
