In March, a team of volunteers transported Pickles Folly and Dicks Folly from Aylesbury to the trust’s base at Hunton Bridge.
The trust is grateful for the assistance of Leagrave Scout leaders, Joe and David, over the three-day journey.
King’s Cross Explorer Scouts, Jack, Max, Katie and Rosa joined the group for the final day of the trip – taking turns at steering the boats and operating the locks.
“I’d say my favourite part was steering the boats because it was quite hands on,” Jack said.
“Being on the canal, with all the things you can see, is very nice and picturesque,” he said.
Max shared: “I liked the steering but also the locks. It was interesting to see how it all worked.”
Katie added: “It was nice to be outside. It’s very calm and pretty on the canal.”
Rosa shared that she learned many new things on the day. Reflecting on the value of trying things outside of your comfort zone, Rosa said: “When you try new things outside of what you do normally, then you might find a new passion.”
A chance to put training to the test
Leagrave Scout leader, David, explained that he saw the trip as a good way to refresh the skills that he and fellow leader, Joe, had learned through the trust’s RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman course.
In April, the pair will take a group of Leagrave Scouts for a trip on Dicks Folly.
“Narrowboating is a different experience – it’s out of the ordinary,” David said.
“That’s what we like to do with Scouting – different skills and different experiences,” he added.
Joe shared that it was useful becoming familiar with steering Dick’s Folly, as he completed his training in Pickle’s Folly.
He observed that teaching the Scouts will help to reinforce their own skills.
“Verbalising what we have learned during our training and refreshed this weekend should help to solidify that knowledge,” he said.
Joe captured drone footage of Pickles Folly and Dicks Folly during the trip which he kindly agreed to share with the trust.
Bird of the month: Swans
While avian life on the canal is still subdued with the cooler weather, swans visited the trust’s Hunton Bridge base in March.
Volunteer, Roger, who lives on a narrowboat at the base, captured these photos of swans visiting the base in March last year.
“Swans mate for life and they have an impressive 10 foot wingspan. The oldest swan recorded was 40 years old,” Roger shared. “I hope they stick around,” he added.
Tea break with… Cynthy
Our trust volunteer on keeping the boats and base shipshape and the camaraderie of volunteering
“When I started at the trust, I didn’t know anyone. I had recently set up my own business doing cleaning, gardening and other jobs. A woman from church said that the trust was looking for a cleaner. When I found out that everyone was volunteers, I started doing the cleaning for free.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie. Before, I was doing the cleaning on my own as I couldn’t make the working bee on a Wednesday. Now we all meet on Thursdays. It’s really good because I am doing other bits and pieces as well as the cleaning and learning new skills. They’re a really nice bunch of people.
“When you are on the canal it is very peaceful and lovely. I love the wildlife – you get a different perspective than if you were walking down the road. On this trip [returning the boats to the base] I’ve seen birds building nests. It’s a different pace on the canal so you notice things. Everyone is friendly and happy to see you. You get a smile and a wave when you pass.”
