Historic narrow boats Gathering

Over thirty historic narrow boats are in Audlem for tomorrow's Gathering.

With the Audlem Transport Festival up on the field just above the canal - with around 300 vehicles on show – and a convenient path between the two, Audlem is likely to be packed for the free events.

The canal certainly will be full with the historic boats providing a colouful sight as they stretch along three 'pounds' from near the main road bridge to the bottom of the flight of locks.

There's a splendid leaflet produced by Audlem Mill, who have pulled together the Gathering, with detailed descriptions of the narrow boats involved.

The Gathering includes Saturn, a regular visitor, and the last of the Shroppie Fly boats which regularly worked from Audlem, carrying cheeses and other goods.

Fly boats operated 24 hours a day with horses regularly changed along the route, and crews less regularly. 

At the bottom lock, No. 15, Audlem Lass could also be in for a busy day carrying passengers who want to see the canal at closer quarters and travel to and from Overwater Marina to the north of the village.

Audlem Lass runs a scheduled service every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from Easter to the end of October between Lock 15 and the marina with passengers' donations going to the lifeboat charity, the RNLI.

This article is from our news archive. As a result pictures or videos originally associated with it may have been removed and some of the content may no longer be accurate or relevant.