AQUEDUCT NEWS

TO BE AN INNOVATIVE, ONE-STOP-SHOP MARINA FOR ALL NARROWBOATS, CARAVANS AND THEIR OWNERS – WHERE EVERYONE WANTS TO BE.

AUGUST 2017

Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull Nantwich CW5 6DX

Telephone: 01270 525040 | Website: www.aqueductmarina.co.uk | E-mail: info@aqueductmarina.co.uk

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A View from the Top Deck 2

Open Day Highlights 2

Marina in Bloom Winners 2

Marina in Bloom Highly Commended 3

An Experience for Lucas 3

Meet our Team 3

The Morning After... 3

Les the Goose 4

Green Flag Celebrations 4

Open Day Stall 4

Dates for your Diary 4

The Generation Game 5

Marina in Bloom Runner Up 5

Open Day Trip Boats 5

James Harris and Chris Dunn 5

Selfies and Summer Snaps 5

Caption Competition 6

Saturday night at the Galley 6

Brokerage Update 6

Can We Find It 6

Bye Bye Blaby 8

STTV 8

Award Winning Day Out 8

SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST

Photo Competition

Can We Find It?

Green Flag Celebrations

Marina in Bloom

James and Chris

Edited by Bernie McCrae, compiled by Chris and David Owen-Roberts, copy and imagery contributed by Ellie Brown, STTV and SUMBA.

Got a story that you would like to share? We are always on the lookout for new stories. If you have tale to tell please contact Bernie McCrae on 01270 525040 or email bernie.m@aqueductmarina.co.uk

Aqueduct Marina Boater’s Bash and Open Day Highlights

Anne’s Wish Update We hope you enjoyed the Open

Day and are pleased to

announce that due to your

generosity the total for “Anne’s

Wish – Muscular Dystrophy UK”

charity currently stands at

£3,700.

Coming soon from Aqueduct

Marina: Tough Mudders - 13

People – 12 Miles – 20 Obstacles.

The team of brave warriors

includes Robert Parton, Peter

Smith, Chris Moran, Nicholas

Beech, Bernie McCrae, Sarah

Rayner, Holly Critchley, Phil

Langley, Jonathan Howard,

Mathew Simpson, Lewis Martin

and Alex Bebbington’. (Steve is

also competing but is running for a

different cause).

Share the story at

www.justgiving.com/aqueduct-

marina Text AQUA83 £5 70070

Continued on page 2

Chris Moran Holly Critchley Matthew Simpson Robert Parton Sarah Rayner Andrea Parton

Bernie McCrae Nick Beech Lewis Martin Alex Bebbington Phil Langley Jonathan Howard

Stephen Wallace, Pam Parton, Pam Parton’s friend and Joe Sheen celebrating the Boaters’ Painting

Goodfellas performing at the Boaters’ Bash

Open Day Highlights continued

A View from the

Top Deck

It’s been an Award Winning

month here at Aqueduct Marina

so in best winner’s speech

mode, I’d like to thank:

Bernie and her team for a

winning visit to the Nantwich

Cheese show, C&RT staff and

local volunteers for Green Flag

status, Neil and Helen nb

Another Fluke for their winning

“Aqueduct in Bloom” entry and

EVERYONE who baked,

decorated, showed dogs,

manned stalls, trade boats,

tombolas, trip boats and sang

beautifully at the Open Day.

Winners every one! Thank you.

An extra special thank you to

the weather deities for granting

us a lull in the weather – they

had us worried for a while.

I’m also pleased to report that

we’ve made some significant

piscatorial progress. Work is

underway to engineer an

attractive and safe “washing

line” barrier to prevent fishermen

casting into the marina. The

first attempt was 2ft short so it is

back to geometry classes for us.

We’re also waiting for our

Angling Club Licence application

to be returned so we’ll have the

authority to monitor the towpath.

We’re also looking forward to

our future engagement with the

Millennial Generation and how

they are likely to use boats and

receive marketing. We’d like to

start an open debate and hear

your ideas, especially if you are

a Millennial yourself. Check out

our article on page 5.

Robert Parton

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Winner of the Inaugural Aqueduct Marina in Bloom Competition

Congratulations to Neil & Helen nb Another Fluke,

who won our inaugural “Aqueduct in Bloom”

competition.

Neil and Helen currently live in Texas and join us for the

season. The judges felt they really embraced the orange

theme and presented a display crammed with vibrant

blooms and edibles. Well done – a real showstopper.

Neil and Helen’s winning display

Jack and Joseph at the dog show

Funky Choir Holly Critchley

Teresa’s Ice Cream Parlour

Grant’s Butchers

James Harris and Chris Dunn with their stall

Cheshire Cat

Ben a

nd R

aff w

innin

g m

ost hansom

e d

og

Stuart Murrey,

Muscular

Dystrophy and

Rob Eddon’s

Anne’s Wish

family

NB Elleshanne

The Board Robert Parton Managing Director robert.p@aqueductmarina.co.uk Andrea Parton Marina and Caravan Services Director andrea.p@aqueductmarina.co.uk Jennifer Parton Hospitality and Social Events Director Stuart Martin Non-Executive Director Phil Langley Operations Director phil.l@aqueductmarina.co.uk

Marina Office Chris Moran General Manager chris.m@aqueductmarina.co.uk Bernie McCrae Marketing, Campaigns and PR Manager bernie.m@aqueductmarina.co.uk Sarah Rayner Secretary/Accounts and Board Clerk accounts@aqueductmarina.co.uk Julie Beedham Marina Reception reception@aqueductmarina.co.uk

Boat Maintenance Team Stephen Wallace Boatyard Operations Manager stephen.w@aqueductmarina.co.uk Joe Sheen Engineering Manager joe.s@aqueductmarina.co.uk Rob Adair Senior Marine Engineer Will Brown Marine Engineer will.b@aqueductmarina.co.uk Darren Smith Marine Engineer Lewis Martin Engineering Apprentice Alex Strachan Boat Yard Operator Matt Simpson Shot Blaster and Paint Sprayer Jonathan Howard Boat Painter Pat O’Shaughnessy Marina Operative

Brokerage Nick Beech Brokerage Manager brokerage@aqueductmarina.co.uk

Chandlery Paul Duncalf Chandlery Manager paul.d@aqueductmarina.co.uk David Wilkinson Chandlery Assistant chandlery@aqueductmarina.co.uk Alex Bebbington Marine Chandlery Apprentice

The Galley Restaurant Holly Critchley The Galley Manager cafe@aqueductmarina.co.uk Kate Chantler Chef Alison Booth Chef Rosie Mason The Galley Front of House Maggie Peach The Galley Front of House Maggie, Jennifer, Niamh, Jenny, Elizabeth, Ellie, Abi, Maisie

Marina Grounds Woody—just Woody Groundsman

MEET OUR TEAM...

Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull Nantwich CW5 6DX

Telephone: 01270 525040 | Website: www.aqueductmarina.co.uk | E-mail: info@aqueductmarina.co.uk

WHAT AN EXPERIENCE FOR

LUCAS!

15 year old Lucas Dalton is a

student at Weaverham High

School and undertook his two

week work placement here at

Aqueduct Marina. Lucas had a

go at most aspects of work by

shadowing the Marina

professionals as they went about

their duties. He tackled the

computer systems, worked with

the engineers & yard operatives,

and tried his hand in The Galley.

He dusted “everything” in The

Chandlery and even acted as

Woody’s good arm around the

grounds.

Lucas really enjoyed his time

here and hopes to pursue his

studies in graphics or

architecture. We think he’s

earned his summer holidays in

Barcelona and Edinburgh. Don’t

be too jealous folks, it is GCSEs

time next year. Best Wishes

Lucas.

Aqueduct Marina in Bloom - Highly Commended Thank you to everyone who entered the “Aqueduct

in Bloom” show. There were too many to mention

all of them individually, but the judges wanted to

highly commend Anya & Geoff Harris nb Lock & Roll

for their creative use of window decorations and

ornaments accompanying the flowers.

Peter Mowbray nb Chrysalis for his joyful marigolds,

Nigel Bickerton nb Catmint for glorious blobs of scarlet

pelargoniums & Brian & Caroline White nb Lest we

Forget whose boat was flagtastic.

And of course we couldn’t fail to mention this louche

Pink Panther taking it easy on nb Denby Rose.

Thank you all and start planning your planting for next

year!

The Morning After...

The Open Day Effect…(Paul from

nb Q111 with guests Kev and

Karen)

Alex shows Lucas how to check

the stock in the Chandlery

Anya and Geoff NB Lock & Roll Brian & Carol NB Lest we Forget Dennis nb Denby Rose

Aqueduct Marina Events

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2017 See our up-to-date diary online anytime via this link: http://www.aqueductmarina.co.uk/news

26th August Line dancing

23rd September Film Evening

28th October Halloween Spooky Special – Physic Evening (card

and wax readings, physic mediumship, games,

food, fancy dress optional) more details coming

soon!

25th November Christmas Meal

26th November Christmas Fair

31st December New Year’s Eve Bash

To book marina events please contact us on 01270 525040,

email cafe@aqueductmarina.co.uk or online

www.aqueductmarina.co.uk

26th - 28th August IWA Festival of Water

1st - 3rd September Nantwich Food Festival

9th September

Muscular Dystrophy ‘Tough Mudder’ at Cholmondeley

Castle (Aqueduct Marina will be taking part) read our

story at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/

Aqueduct-Marina.

10th September Anne’s Wish Great North Run, Newcastle

13th October C&RT NW&B Annual Showcase, Northwich Memorial Court

21st October Anne’s Wish Fundraising Gig Night Claxton Hotel, Redcar, North Yorks

x

Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull Nantwich CW5 6DX

Telephone: 01270 525040 | Website: www.aqueductmarina.co.uk | E-mail: info@aqueductmarina.co.uk

HAVE A

GANDER AT LES

THE GOOSE

We’re not sure if we’ve all

adopted Les, or vica-versa, but

Lonely Les the Canada Goose

has joined the Aqueduct family.

Les likes human company,

dandelion leaves and lettuce. Les

does not like jokes about

Christmas lunch and dogs off the

lead.

The Canal & River Trust is celebrating after

achieving Keep Britain Tidy’s coveted Green

Flag Award along 22 miles of the Shropshire

Union Canal/Middlewich Branch.

And here at Aqueduct Marina we are celebrating

too, because this award winning stretch -

running from Audlem to Barbridge Junction and

then down to Middlewich - encompasses our

own lovely rural length of waterway. This

prestigious Green Flag Status along the

Middlewich Branch and up to Audlem, is an

indication to the public that “this canal boasts

the highest possible environmental standards, is

beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor

facilities*”. *C&RT press release. C&RT’s ability

to achieve this Green Flag Award, is due, in no

small part, to the support of local volunteer

groups. Indeed members of the SUMBA team

and Cholmondeston Lock-keeping team formed

an integral part of the volunteer delegation

which met the judges here at Aqueduct Marina

during C&RT’s presentation earlier this year.

Thus, in celebration, Aqueduct Marina was

proud to host the local volunteer C&RT “thank

you”. Volunteer groups: SUMBA, STTV, Audlem

ADAPT Lock 15 & Volunteer Rangers, Lock

Keepers, SUCS & NW&B Waterways Partnership

met, mingled, swapped project stories and, of

course, ate cake.

Well done to all – we are delighted to be Marina

of the Year, now situated on a Green Flag Status

Canal. Enjoy!

Prestigious Green Flag Celebrations Come to Aqueduct Marina

OPEN DAY STALL

Beth Copeland and Uncle Dave

Sheen with their always popular

Doggie Treats and cake stall.

External Events

Just taking my humans for a walk

Ellie Brown, C&RT’s Jason Watts and Geoff Harris with

the Green Flag

11th - 13th August River Weaver Festival, Winsford

12th - 13th August Ellesmere Festival

Above: Wendy

Capelle (NW&B

Waterway

Manager)

welcomes

friends Left: tea

and discussions

Volunteers and C&RT staff celebrate the Green Flag

One of the most successful events of the Open

Day was, what turned out to be, the non-stop trip

boat shuttle. This was operated by Admiral Geoff

Harris, Captain Dr Maurice Ward (and his boat

Emilia Romagna) and Skipper David Roberts who

acted as helmsmen/guides for the day.

Many thanks also to Mark and Linda from Cheshire

Cat boat hire for lending us their lovely trip boat Holly

Day for the event.

The trips proved to be really popular, especially with

the little ones, for whom often, this was their first

canal trip. Indeed Maurice is still finding face paint

glitter all over his front deck.

Display on Emen’s Friend

Open Day Trip Boats

A special thanks to all our stall holders at the Open

Day but an extra special thanks is due to James

Harris nb Lock and Roll and his friend Chris Dunn.

This pair really embraced the spirit of the day. Ever

since hearing about the “Aqueduct in Bloom”

competition, they’ve been growing and nurturing plants

for the sale which they and family members sold on the

day. They also helped James’ mum Anya Harris make

the brilliant orange bunting which festooned many boats.

The stall was a great draw and raised a terrific £130 for

the Anne’s Wish charity.

James Harris and Chris Dunn

Many congratulations to the

runner up in the “Aqueduct in

Bloom” competition.

Judges considered that Mr &

Mrs Oliver nb Emen’s Friend

delivered a creative and stylish

basket arrangement framed

with complementary planting

and lovely bunting. Very classy

indeed.

Don’t forget to click away during

your summer adventure. Our

Social Media competition is

underway. Keep checking on

line to view your favourites and,

of course, post your own.

When our own Jack Parton

heard there was a photo

opportunity he was quick to

muscle in on the action…

“Budge over there Joseph, I’m

ready for my close up.” (see

below and www.facebook.com/

aqueductmarinacheshire/ or

www.instagram.com/

aqueductmarina/ Share your

snaps on our Facebook and

Instagram accounts using the

hashtag #aqueductadventure.

Aqueduct Marina in

Bloom Runner Up

SELFIES AND

SUMMER SNAPS

Chris (left) and James man the stall

Dave and Booth nb Ends and Beginnings check out

some odd foliage (on the plant!)

Tony and Geena at James’ stall

Holly Day in action

“When’s the next

trip boat due,

then?”

Silent Gen’ation Born 1945 & prior 72 + -

Baby Boomers Born 1946 – 64 71 – 53 -

Generation X Born 1965 – 79 52 – 38 Dis*

Millennials Born 1980 – 99 37 - 18 DNs*

Gen Z Born 2000 + 17 – 1yr STTA*

One of the largest Generations is coming into its prime

spending years. Millennials are poised to reshape boat

usage as a generation cited to not value property

ownership. Instead Generation Rent are said to prefer

experience rather that asset based spending. As

approximately £30 billion, is gradually being transferred

from Generation X, Millennial spending is expected to

exceed that of the Baby Boomer generation by 2018.

We’re inviting you to discuss how to engage Millennials

with the canals of tomorrow.

Airbnb has revolutionised the way digital savvy

Millennials source their leisure and rentals. With the new

C&RT licence defining the letting boundaries required by

owners and renters, how viable is the prospect for

BoatBNB-style interaction with the “screengage”

generation? We’re posting a longer discussion page on

our website and we’d love your feed-back, which we’ll

collate and report back during the autumn.

(* DIs - digital immigrants, DNs - digital natives, STTA -

scary to think about!)

The Generation Game

Saturday 26 August 2017

Treat your soul and wear out your soles – Aqueduct

Marina guys and gals are goin’ dancin’!

Join us in The Galley for a night of line dancing heaven

as we have an evening of music, dancing and good ol’

food lined up for you.

The beauty of line dancing is that you don’t need a

partner - so everyone can join in. Come along to see if

your fellow moorers can steer their feet as well as they

steer their boat. Oh, and don’t worry if your dancing

resembles a “straight line” police sobriety test – there’ll be

a caller on hand

to teach you the

steps and help

you lock-step in

the correct

direction.

There’ll be a selection of wines and beers and delicious

burgers to coaster-step to, too!

Mosey on down as dancing starts at 7.45 pm and wagons

roll at 11.00 pm.. Entry, £2.50 pp.

So in answer to the question … How many boaters does

it take to change a light bulb?

Altogether now … Five ... Six ... Seven ... Eight!!

Saturday Night at the Galley

CAN WE FIND IT? YES WE

CAN!

Take the Aqueduct Chandlery

Challenge!

Two of our moorers asked for our

help in sourcing and fitting some

gaskets for a vintage HR3W

Lister. As many of you know,

parts for some of these engines

are becoming rarer than hens’

teeth and are becoming

increasingly difficult to source.

Nevertheless, Dave Wilkinson in

the Chandlery would not be

defeated and Hey Presto! Here’s

Alex Bebbington, Marine

Chandley Apprentice, displaying

the parts - delivered due to the

wealth of Dave’s parts-sourcing

know how.

If we can help you source

something for your boat or

caravan get in touch on

chandlery@aqueductmarina.co.u

k and we’ll be glad to help.

Alex Bebbington and the Lister

parts

CAPTION COMPETITION

Talking of fun photos – what do

you think was being said here

as Robert Parton and Sue

Cawson from the Saturn

Project look somewhat

perplexed….

Email you favourite caption to:

Bernie.m@aqueductmarina.co.uk

and we’ll post the funniest next

month.

New Arrivals this month include:

Just Imagine 57ft Cruiser

Price: £47,995

Just Imagine was purchased

as a Sailaway, professionally

painted and fitted by the owner

as a long-term cruiser with

amenities to suit living aboard.

Winzer Castle 57ft Trad Price:

£56,995

Winzer Castle, built by

Jonathan Wilson and Louis &

Joshua Boatbuilders in 2005.

An ideal boat for those looking to live aboard or cruise

extensively.

Available to view 7 days a week, please call 01270

525041 or email nick.b@aqueductmarina.co.uk for

details.

We want your boat!

Don’t forget, we’re always looking for boats to sell. 56

boats sold 2016, 14 boats sold in one month!

For further information please call Nick our Brokerage

Sales Manager on 01270 525041 or email

nick.b@aqueductmarina.co.uk.

Brokerage Update

To advertise on these pages please contact bernie.m@aqueductmarina.co.uk or call 01270 525040

Small Tasks Team Volunteers (STTV) C&RT Work boat refurbishment

update.

It is gratifying that so many of

you are expressing an interest

in Aqueduct Marina’s

restoration of the C&RT work

boats. Many of you recognise

the amount of sheer hard graft

that goes into these

restorations.

Here is a quick update.

Stephen Wallace and the

Engineering team have recently

taken delivery of Stork and her

hopper. Amerton is in

workshop 7 and has started her

refurbishment, and Wallaby is

also almost through the

fabrication repairs and is about

ready to be turned back to

black and blue in the paint

sheds.

Everyone’s favourite, Blaby is

about to leave us to help C&RT

and volunteers keep up the

good work along the canals.

The group were in action at the beginning of July

renovating and installing a memorial bench and

fitting a new plaque as well as renovating other

benches and replacing CRT signage at Nantwich.

Further bench refurbishment and signage

replacement took place on the 27th July to complete

the tasks between bridges 90 and 93 on the

Shroppie.

We were pleased to once again take part in the Family

Fun Day at Aqueduct Marina on the 23rd July with our

stall.

STTV also took part in the celebrations for the coveted

Green Flag Award.

August 12th - 13th will see us at Ellesmere in Shropshire

where we will have our fund raising stall and also we will

be operating the Water Taxi from the wharf to the CRT

Heritage Yard as part of the towns’ festival.

Details of our Work party scheduled for 24th August are

available from John Riley (see below).

We are always on the look out for new volunteers.

Anyone who would like to know more about our group

please email John.riley295@btinternet.com

Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull Nantwich CW5 6DX

Telephone: 01270 525040 | Website: www.aqueductmarina.co.uk | E-mail: info@aqueductmarina.co.uk

BYE BYE BLABY

The STTV stall at the Aqueduct Marina Open Day

John and Jan Riley with Duncan Davenport of C&RT

(centre) with the coveted Green Flag

Award-Winning Day Out for Aqueduct Marina

In July, Aqueduct Marina took its show stall to join

the thousands of cheese producers and retailers

from across the world, who descended on Nantwich

to compete in the annual cheese awards and

agricultural show.

For lovers of country produce it is a must visit event and

we were delighted (but not surprised) to see how many

Aqueduct Marina moorers are also real foodies! Many

thanks to the many who braved the biblical weather in

the morning to come and say hello to us on the stall. I

am sure you’ll agree that there were a lot of interesting

people to talk to and a LOT of cheese to sample.

The International Cheese Award Supreme Champion

was the Roquefort Papillion Revelation from Bradbury’s

Cheese – available at your nearest Waitrose. Perfect

with a glass of good wine after a hard day at the tiller.

And we won an award too! No, we haven’t turned one of

the new sheds over to cheese production, but we did win

the coveted Best Small Trade Stall at the Show

presented by Gary Gareer, Nantwich Councillor. This is

hotly contested and we are delighted to have won.

Bernie, Aqueduct Marina’s Marketing Manager, and her

team also presented the winners of the “Two Nights on a

Boat” competition to Wendy Mosley and was interviewed

by Cheshire Cat Radio in the process.

Unfortunately for James Martin fans, whose hero they’re

missin’, we couldn’t grab a photo so we’ve no shot to

miss’im.

Amberton starts her refurbishment

in Workshop 7

Stork sports her own floral

arrangement

Bernie (right) with the award (left) on our stand