Fender Course - Audlem Mill

We ran a fender making course weekend 31 October 09 - 1st November. Three people attended and completed 2 side fenders (some three) and a standard button. An enjoyable weekend. Our next course will be 6/7 March 2009 at Audlem, cost £95.00 (includes a kit with all materials and instructions to make 2 side fenders, standard button, a buffet lunch and refreshments). Contact Brian on 07791 345004 if you are interested.


Chris (NB Riverdance) completing his standard button

Graham (NB Star), Paul (NB Just the job) constructing a standard button

Altons Winter Schedule 2009

Sat 7th - Sun 8 November: Gurnett, Macc, Marple, to Whaley Bridge

Mon 9th - Tues 10th November: Whaley Bridge, Marple to Macclesfield

Sat 21st - Sun 22nd November : Gurnett, Macc, Marple, to Whaley Bridge

Mon 23rd - Tues 24th November: Whaley Bridge, Marple to Macclesfield

Sat 5th - Sun 6th December: Gurnett, Macc, Marple, to Whaley Bridge

Mon 7th - Tues 8th December: Whaley Bridge, Marple to Macclesfield

Fri 18th - Sat 19th December: Gurnett, Macc, Marple, to Whaley Bridge

Sun 20th - Mon 21st December: Whaley Bridge to Furness Vale

Sat 2nd January 2010 - Sun 3rd January: Furness Vale to Bollington

Mon 4th - Tues 5th January: Bollington to Fools Nook

How we shall miss these times!

Ploughing through the weed on the Wryley and Essington Canal.



George down the weed hatch again on the Wryley and Essington Canal.

Tug & Butty Trip

Well, we have had a brilliant few days boating with George Boyles new tug Sandbach towing our butty St Austell from Sneyd on the Curley Wryley up to the Macc. Thanks for the snatch George & thanks for your help Craig & Graham.

Ann Marie, at the tiller enjoying a rare glimps of our "Barbecue Summer"

Alton passing under the new footbridge at Clarence Mill, Bollington

Altons Autumn Schedule 2009

Thursday 3rd September: Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth

Sat 5th - Sun 6th September: Furness Vale, Marple, Maccelsfield to Br45 Return

Thurs 17th September: Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth

Sat 19th - Sun 20th September: Furness Vale, Marple, Maccelsfield to Marple

Mon 21st - Tues 22nd September: Marple to Ashton-under-Lyne to Furness Vale

Thurs 24th September: Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth

Sat 26th - Sun 27th September:Furness Vale, Marple, Maccelsfield to Congelton

Mon 28th - Wed 30th September: Congelton, Red Bull, Wheelock, Middlewich to Nantwich

Thur 1st - Fri 2nd October: Nantwich, Middlewich, Anderton to Acton Bridge (River Weaver)

Sat 3rd - Sun 4th October: Acton Bridge Steam Weekend on River Weaver (Leigh Arms)

Mon 5th - Fri 9th October: Anderton, Middlewich, Red Bull, Congelton to Gurnett

Sat 10th - Sun 11th October: Gurnett, Maccelsfield, Marple, Bugsworth to Whaley Bridge

Mon 12th - Fri 16th October: Whaley Bridge, Stoke, Great Heywood to Wolverhampton

Sat 17th - Fri 23rd October: Wolverhampton, Great Heywood, Stoke to Gurnett

Sat 24th - Sun 25th October: Gurnett, Macc, Marple, to Whaley Bridge

Mon 26th - Tues 27th October: Whaley Bridge, Marple to Maccelsfield

Altons Movements August 2009

Friday 7th August: Furness Vale, Whaley Bridge, Bugsworth to Marple

Sat 8th - Sunday 9th August: Marple to Etruria

Mon 10th - Friday 14th August: Etruria, Red Bull, Wheelock, Middlewich, Natwich to Anderton

Sat 15th - Sunday 16th August: River Weaver

Monday 17th - Friday 21st August: Anderton, Middlewich, Wheelock, Red Bull, to Maccelsfield

Sat 22nd - Sunday 23rd August: Maccelsfield, Marple, Bugsworth to Whaley Bridge

Country Tracks on BBC1

Following filming at Furness Vale and Bugsworth Basin last March, Alton will be staring in Country Tracks on BBC1 on Sunday 2nd August at 11am being steered by Ben Fogle. Brian managed to avoid the limelight

Ben was a thoroughly nice chap, just hope he doesn't loose his beloved rucksack!

Alton's Movements - July 2009

In Photo, Brian re-stocking Alton from Skylark whilst working up chester locks!

Sat 11th - Sun 12th July: Furness Vale - Marple - Macc - Lyme Green (Br 45) & Return

Thurs 23rd July: Furness Vale - Whaley Bridge & Bugsworth

Sat 25th - Sun 26th July: Furness Vale - Marple - Macc - Lyme Green (Br 45) & Return

Congratulations to Corinne & Neil

On my way back up the Macc I was stopped for a top-up of diesel by Corinne & Neil of Canal Voyages on thier hotel boats. They are a lovely couple and I was able to congratulate them on thier marriage earlier this year. If you are looking for narrowboat hotel break then check out thier website http://canalvoyagers.com/

River Weaver / T&M Update

Alton had a busy couple of weeks attending Middlewich folk and boat festival and a trip on the River Weaver where we managed to travel the whole navigation from Winsford Flashes right down to the entrance to Weston Point Docks with George Boyle and Craig as crew. We also met up with Fred & Sadie on the Josher Lynx at Saltesford Lock.

We met many new customers especially on the Northern T&M, thanks for your support and we will be back in the area in August

Trip on Alton April 2009

(In Photo:- George Boyle Steering Alton and Graham Beard riding shot gun!)


Well with Ann Marie away in sunny Australia I am being ably assisted on weekend runs by our friend Graham Beard, (if he asks you about the name of yor boat, don't be offended, he's just intrested in unusual boat names!). On March 2nd we were graced by George Boyles presence on the run back from Disley to Furness Vale. It was good to see him back on the Tiller.

Next Runs are:-

Thursday 23rd April 2009 - Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth Basin to Marple
Friday 24th April 2009 - Marple to Portland Basin
Saturday 25th April 2009 - Portland Basin to Furness Vale


If you need supplies, call or text Brian on 07791 345004

Next Trips on Alton

(Photo:- Alton Delivering to Dutton Lock Cottage Oct 2008)

June 2009

Middlewich - Thursday 18th June 09 - Sunday 21st June 09
Middlewich to River Weaver - Sunday 21st June 09 to Wednesday 24th June 09
River Weaver to top of Bosley - Wednesday 24th June 09 to Friday 26th June 09
Bosley to Marple - Saturday 27th June 09
Marple to Whaley Bridge and Bugsworth - Sunday 28th June 09






Please note we often overrun onto Monday as we can be very busy.





NOTE:- We have now commenced more regular trips to Ashton-Under-Lyme as well as covering the area previously operarted by Chris Johnson of Fenny Fuels including Middlewich, Anderton and the River Weaver. We aim to cover these areas at least every 2 - 3 months. If possible please text or phone your orders to Brian on 07791 345004. If we are unable to supply immediately by boat we may be able to deliver by road

Alton Coal Run Winter 2008/9

As our customers will know the weather has thrown it all at us over the past few weeks,. Thick ice (over 3") in early january, followed by high winds in early Feb and then of course the snow! Whatever the weather we always do our utmost to supply our customers. This Photo shows us returning back along the Upper Peak Forest on 02/02/09. Thanks to all our customers who keep us going with the cups of tea, coffee, soup as well as bacon butties and cake. You make us feel warm on the inside when it's cold on the outside!

Events 2009

20th - 21st June 2009 - Middlewich Boat and Folk Festival
29th - 31st August 2009 - IWA National (we shall have a stand here and no boat)

Alton at Whaley Bridge

Latest on Products and Prices at 30th October 2009

30.10.09 - Diesel price have risen to 65p per litre

05.01.09 - Diesel prices have come down to 59p per litre

01.12.08 - Coal prices have risen please see up to date prices.

01.12.08 - Diesel Prices have come down to 65p per litre

01.10.08 - Diesel Prices have come down to 76p per litre

16.08.08 - Diesel Prices have come down to 78p per litre

01.08.08 - Diesel Prices have come down to 81p per litre

24.06.08 - Diesel prices are up again to 84p per litre

20.06.08 - Diesel Prices are up again to 83p per litre

05.06.08 - Diesel prices are up again to 79.5 per litre

29.04.08 - Diesel prices are up again to 74p per litre

10.04.08 - Diesel prices are up again to 71.5p per litre

22.03.08 - We now stock logs at £2.95 for 10kg

21.03.08 - Diesel prices are up again to 68.5 per litre

14.02.08 - Diesel prices up again to 62.5p per litre

14.11.07 - Diesel prices up again to 58p per litre

14.11.07 - We now stock Eco Briqs

27.09.07 - Diesel prices up again to 52p per litre

13.09.07 - Bulk prices of Diesel up. I am now at 49.9p per litre.

13.09.07 - We now stock Morris's oil and stern tube grease.

21.01.07 - Unfortunately the price of house coal has gone up to £3.95 per 20kg bag.

13.11.06 - All the summer stock of Pureheat has now been sold and we have restocked on Winter prices, therefore a 20kg bag is now £5.50.

26.09.06 - The old stock has all but gone so I am pleased to say that diesel is now 46p per litre.

23.09.06 - Even though I still have some old stock on board I am dropping diesel by 1p to 48p with immediate effect.

23.09.06 - The first results of tests on the new diesel additive are encouraging with a noticable drop in smoking when cold.

19.09.06 - Pureheat is now in 20kgs bags at £4.90p per bag.

29.08.06 - Diesel now back down to 49p per litre.

29.08.06 - I am now carrying a new line in diesel treatment at £8.25p per 280ml. One treatment should clean up the tank and engine for 12 months. Alton will be testing it immediately so I will report back the result.

10.08.06 - After fighting it for nearly a month, I am forced to increase my diesel price to 49.5p per litre.

12.07.06 - Diesel back to 49p per litre.

21.06.06 - Genuine Elsan Blue now available at £2.50p per litre. I am now able to add blue to your pumpout, if required, for an extra £1.50p.

13.06.06 - Diesel up again to 50p per litre:-(

26.05.06 - Diesel prices eased again. Now 49p per litre.

22.05.06 - I am now stocking kindling wood at £1.40p and £2.75p per bag.

22.05.06 - Pureheat is the only coal to have applied a summer discount this year and is now £6.10p per 25kg.

16.05.06 - Diesel prices have eased slightly to 50p per litre.

02.05.06 - PUMPOUT service now in operation - £8.00p.

02.05.06 - Prices still rising - diesel now 51.5p per litre!

19.04.06 - With bulk prices at record levels my price is now 50p per litre.

15.04.06 - Another hike in the bulk price puts me at 49.6p per litre.

26.03.06 - Bulk price of diesel up again. I am now at 47.3p per litre.

24.01.06 - Bulk price of diesel up again. I am now at 47p per litre.

05.01.06 - Bulk price of diesel up again. I am now at 46p per litre.

13.12.05 - As predicted on 5th December, the bulk price of diesel has risen and I am back at 45p per litre.

05.12.05 - Gordon Brown has done it again! After proudly announcing a freeze in road fuel duty he slipped through, without any announcement, an immediate RISE in red diesel duty of 1.22p per litre. This is the fourth occasion he has done this. Obviously on my next restock the price will be +1.22p for the extra duty.

26.11.05 - Bulk diesel price still easing so the price is now 44p per litre

22.11.05 - Following bumper sales last weekend all coals are now restocked at winter prices.

Current Prices at 13th JULY 2009

Diesel...................................................61p per litre (plus appropriate duty declared by purchaser)
(Please note this is RED diesel and not for road use. I do make checks if you turn up without a boat!)

Diesel treatment fluid (280ml) ................£9.25

PUMPOUT - simple pumpout - £10.00p (Elsan Blue available at £1.50p extra)
Genuine Elsan Blue - £2.75p per litre. (£10.00 for 4 litres)

COAL and SMOKELESS FUELS
House Coal ...........................................£5.95per 20kg
Anthracite Large Nuts........................£6.95 per 20kg
Anthracite Small Nuts........................£6.95 per 20kg
Pureheat..............................................£7.95 per 20kg
Excel.....................................................£6.95 per 20kg
Pet Coke.............................................£5.75 per 20kg
Eco Briqs.............................................£3.50 per 10kg
Logs......................................................£3.50 per 10kg approx, £4.50 per 20kg approx

FENDERS:

Side....................................................£6.00 each (set of 6 £32.00)
(Side fender is a solid rubber tube not a thin wall pipe)
Side (rope) from...........................................£9.00
Short Button from.......................................£49.00
Long Button from.......................................£64.00
'U' Bow fender from...................................£76.00
'V' Bow fender from...................................£72.00
Tipcat from.................................................£72.00
(All standard fenders made from black polypropylene rope. Sisal, Manila, Victory Black, Hardy Hemp or Cotton are available to special order at extra cost)
'D' Shackles, bottle screw and additional chain available.

10m mooring rope, from black split film polyester or artificial hemp.
(inc eye splice one end and back splice on the other)from...............£15.00
(Other lengths to special order).
20m long x 10mm dia. black polyprop rope. Eye splice one end.......£6.50

Oil absorbing bilge mat (absorbs half a litre per mat).........£0.60
Firelighters..................................................................95p
Kindling wood.................£1.75p and £3.25p per bag.

LINK: If you do not see me about and you wish to purchase fenders by mail order, follow the link below. Please mention PFCCC if you do:-
http://www.bcnboats.co.uk/