
Articles in the local Villager News magazine
[written by one of our volunteers].
September 2010
DICKS FOLLY NEEDS YOUR LOLLY –
`Dicks Folly` is the community narrowboat based at Hunton Bridge
and run by the SWHNP South West Herts Narrowboat Project. This
year it had to be taken out of service following a number of
major problems. Here’s the latest update of the fundraising
activities by the crew and `users` of the boat.
Little Dick's Folly gets personal.
Dear Editor,
As my name and my photo have appeared in your magazine over the last
three months, I thought it was about time you heard it from the boats
bows, so to speak.
Being a celebrity you'd expect a little bit of respect, or maybe a bit
of cherishing; especially after all my parading at Ricky Carnival, the
canal festival, the Kings and Abbots carnivals and Croxley Revels - not
to mention featuring in a book and future stage debut! Well, let me tell
you, the reverse is true. In fact I'm writing this in the cold and dark
in Angi's garage, my bow section detached from my body, and dumped on my
cabin roof!
When on parade you see me in all my glory, but you don't know what
indignities I go through all for the sake of Dick's Folly. To start at
the beginning sometime around New Year, Angi had one of her mad ideas;
I'm told by those who have known her a long time that it's a regular
occurrence! She recognised that a visible and very portable reminder of
Dick's Folly had to be available for all the fundraising and publicity
events. From drawing to my birth, it took three months and lots of
scavenging trips to Watford Recycling and Art Centre and the Garston Tip
to name but two places. A fair bit of swearing and one notable trip to
A&E courtesy of my friend Stanley [Knife] who gave Angi a taste of her
own medicine! And then she names me Little Dick; well really. From the
outset Angi was determined that I would fit inside her car, hence the
detachable bow, wheels and pulling rod. With one tug, she pulls me off
my wheels and unceremonially turns me on my side and shoves me into the
car. She has to lay the seats flat to do this and finds a space for the
trolley and nose, then slams the boot down hard. Ouch! All this leaves
just enough room for her to get in the driver's seat and away we go.
Well, you'd think she would have the sense to hide the car away from the
event and assemble me in private, but no. There was I, off my wheels and
bowless with her in a recumbent position sticking that screwdriver ...
I'm not telling you where ... Not content with that, the following week
she lets the young'un Harry stick his hands and head up my posterior ...
I don't believe me? Well here's the photographic proof:

 
And with these pictures come a chance to win a trip on Dick's Folly
[once he's back in service]. Send in your captions for these pictures
closing date 30 September 2010 to The Villager, and we'll announce the
winner in the October issue. Mark them for Caption A, Angi, or Caption
B, 'Arry.
Thanks for all your on-going support, especially your cheering and
clapping at me! I'll write again when I can.
Love, LDF.
PS Did you see the Crimson Pirate come past the village last month?
He has now moved into Apsley Marina making it very easy for you to take
up Jan's offer of ordering the Adventures of Pirate books
direct. Remember, for each direct order, she is donating 50p to our
funds. And of course, you can read all about me, Little Dick's Folly, in
her new book, Pirate Goes to a Festival.

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