CRUISES – PAST

2023, SPRING /SUMMER

Various cruises sailed by 4Cs boats this year

EASTERN APPROACH FLOTILLA

An adventure cruise sailing down the River Trent to Keadby Lock and back on to the canals network.   Then sailing on to Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield  in search of the Hallam heritage.  Crossing the Pennines by the northerly route from Leeds, up Skipton, then down to Wigan and joining other boats into Liverpool. 

Participating boats & crews:

Clara Grace              Hil & Ric Whitby
Cormorant 2           Lynn & Bob Hallam

Click here for Cruise Report

LIVERPOOL

A visit to this major maritime city accessible via the waterways network.  Mooring right in the heart of the City gave us prime access to the varied sights and attractions that Liverpool has to offer.

Participating boats & crews:

Clara Grace               Hil & Ric Whitby
Cormorant 2            Lynn & Bob Hallam
Elemiah                     Mo Waghorn & Tony Little
Dabbling                   Jan & Ged Bird 
Peru                            Ruth Barker & Peter Powell
Now Then                Chris Lucas & Mel Bann
Unique                      Lynne & Roger Mellors

Click here for Cruise Report

RIVER MERSEY / MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL / WEAVER

Crossing of the river that Liverpool was built on and gave it links to the rest of the world.  However, our trip was to the Wirral and Eastham Lock onto the Manchester Ship Canal, which provided us with a passage to the Weaver Navigation and then onto the canals network via the Anderton Boat Lift.

Participating boats & crews:

Clara Grace            Hil & Ric Whitby (Chris Lucas & Mel Bann guesting)
Dabbling                 Jan & Ged Bird (Ruth Barker & Peter Powell guesting)

Cormorant 2          Lynn & Bob Hallam (Tom Yerburgh guesting)
Elemiah                   Mo Waghorn & Tony Little

Click here for Cruise Report

RIBBLE LINKWAY AND LANCASTER

Boats from Liverpool that were not doing Mersey crossing retraced their passage out to then go up the Rufford Branch to the head at Hesketh Bank / Tarelton.  From there the River Douglas onto the Ribble and the Linkway onto the Lancaster Canal. 

Participating boats & crews:

Peru                            Ruth Barker & Peter Powell
Now Then                Chris Lucas & Mel Bann
Unique                      Lynne & Roger Mellors

Click here for Cruise Report

EVESHAM FESTIVAL

Several boats from the G&S went up the Severn, onto the Avon at Tewksbury and then up to Evesham for this years River Festival.

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                 Sue & Martin Turner
Lucky B                     Margaret & Bruce Paul

Past-boating members:

Wendy & Andrew Dyke

Full cruise report to follow

2022, SPRING /SUMMER

With Covid restrictions no being lifted the 4Cs could now go back out cruising together with plans that have been waiting a couple of years.  Double celebration as this year is the 10th Anniversary of the 4Cs being formed.

LITTLE VENICE FESTIVAL

A great event, celebrating boating in London, which was returning after an absence.  Being the weekend before the Tideway cruise, it was attended by several 4Cs boats.

Participating boats & crews:

Clara Grace         Hil & Ric Whitby
Cormorant 2       Lynn & Bob Hallam
Elemiah                Mo Waghorn & Tony Little

Click here for Cruise Report

THAMES TIDEWAY

Joining the Flotilla organised by the St Pancras Cruising Club, we cruised from Limehouse Lock onto the tidal Thames, through the iconic sights of London and onto Teddington Lock and passing onto the non-tidal Thames.

Participating boats & crews:

Clara Grace                                           Hil & Ric Whitby
Cormorant 2                                         Lynn & Bob Hallam
The Great Escape                               Mo & Mike Wood
Minimum Momentum ’Minimo’   Beryl & Geoff Smith
Elemiah                                                   Mo Waghorn & Tony Little
Jasmine                                                  Linda McWatt & David Lee
Dabbling                                                Jan & Ged Bird

Click here for Cruise Report

BASINGSTOKE CANAL

Situated off the River Thames, via a short passage on the River Wey, it is canal not on the cruising plans of many boaters.  Where there is a challenging waterway the 4Cs will be there to cruise it.

Participating boats & crews:

Clara Grace                                            Hil & Ric Whitby
Peru                                                          Ruth Barker & Peter Powell
Cormorant 2                                          Lynn & Bob Hallam
The Great Escape                                Mo & Mike Wood
Minimum Momentum ’Minimo’     Beryl & Geoff Smith
Elemiah                                                    Mo Waghorn & Tony Little
Now Then                                                Chris Lucas & Mel Bann
Dabbling                                                 Jan & Ged Bird

Click here for Cruise Report

LECHLADE – 10th ANNIVERSARY 

To conclude this year’s cruise, in the 4Cs anniversary of its formation, we headed to Lechlade.  As well as being the recognised navigable head of the River Thames, it was where the 4Cs formed 10 years ago, so was a fitting location for celebrations.

Participating boats & crews:

Clara Grace                                            Hil & Ric Whitby
Cormorant 2                                          Lynn & Bob Hallam
The Great Escape                                Mo & Mike Wood
Minimum Momentum ’Minimo’     Beryl & Geoff Smith
Elemiah                                                    Mo Waghorn & Tony Little
Now Then                                                Chris Lucas & Mel Bann
Dabbling                                                 Jan & Ged Bird

Participating members, unfortunately not boating on the day:

  •  Wendy & Andrew Dyke
  • Jan Thomas
  • Sue Campbell
  • Neil Fothergill (Apologies from Pol, due to illness)

Click here for Cruise Report

2021, SPRING /SUMMER /AUTUMN

Unfortunately, yet again, the dreaded virus put paid to any formal cruises, including again the Thames Tideway and Basingstoke Canal cruises. 

As restrictions were removed 4Cs members did go out on their boats for more extensive cruising.  The Webmasters Apprentice has received and collated information from Members and a general ‘Cruise Report’ has been published Click here for Cruise Report.

In addition to the ‘General’ report, there are detailed reports for the following cruises: –

  • Liverpool by ‘The Great Escape’, with Mo & Mike Wood, and ‘Dabbling’, with Jan & Ged Bird Click here for Cruise Report
  • Chester, Manchester Ship Canal & River Weaver by ‘The Great Escape’ with Mo & Mike Wood, ‘Cormorant 2’ with Lynn & Bob Hallam, ‘Sacre Bleu’ with new members Janet Dalgliesh & David Harle and ‘Dabbling’, with Jan & Ged Bird Click here for Cruise Report

2020, SPRING /SUMMER /AUTUMN

Unfortunately, the dreaded virus put paid to any formal cruises.   This meant the Thames Tideway and Basingstoke Canal cruises were postponed.

4Cs members did go out on their boats as restrictions allowed, but the extent of cruising was generally curtailed in time and distance.

2019, SUMMER

BCN EXPLORER CRUISE

This was a cruise organised by the Birmingham Canals Navigation Society, with several 4C’s boats taking part.  Cruise developed to take in waterways and locations that are not usually on boaters itinerary.

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                  Sue & Martin Turner
Aquarigo 2                Lesly & Peter Taylor
Indecision                 Sally & Rich Gleed
The Great Escape  Mo & Mike Wood
Dabbling                   Jan & Ged Bird

Click here for Cruise Report

STRATFORD RIVER FESTIVAL

Another successful return for the 4Cs to this fabulous event in a great location on the River Avon. a great weekend at the popular Festival and strong turnout of 4Cs boats.

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                  Sue & Martin Turner
Clara Grace               Hil & Ric Whitby
Cormoront II            Lynn & Bob Hallam
Aquarigo 2                Lesly & Peter Taylor
Indecision                 Sally & Rich Gleed
NowThen                  Chris Lucas & Mel Bann
The Great Escape  Mo & Mike Wood
Dabbling                   Jan & Ged Bird
Corriander                  Chelly & Royston Button

Click here for Cruise Report

EVESHAM FESTIVAL

From Stratford we cruised to Evesham for their Festival on the next Saturday.  Again, another good day and good turnout and participation with the Disney theme for dressing of boats and crew(??).

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                  Sue & Martin Turner
Aquarigo 2                Lesly & Peter Taylor
Lucky B                      Margaret & Bruce Paul
Indecision                 Sally & Rich Gleed
NowThen                  Chris Lucas & Mel Bann
The Great Escape  Mo & Mike Wood
Dabbling                   Jan & Ged Bird
Corriander                  Chelly & Royston Button

Click here for Cruise Report

2019, SPRING

MONMOUTHSHIRE & BRECON

This was a cruise with a difference for the 4Cs as the Mon & Brec is not connected to the national network, so not being able to use members own boats they had to hire.

Participating crews:

Sue & Martin Turner
Margaret & Bruce Paul
Mo & Mike Wood
Chris Lucas & Mel Bann

Jan & Phillip Thomas
Hil & Ric Whitby

Click here for Cruise Report

2018, SUMMER

THE WASH

One of the epic cruises to do as a group.  Leaving the River Withan at Boston in Lincolnshire, sailing out to sea and beaching on a sandbank.  After leisure time on the sands the floatila then refloated to sail to the River Nene and onto Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.

Participating boats & crews:

Cormoront II           Lynn & Bob Hallam
Clara Grace              Hil & Ric Whitby
Elemiah                    Mo Waghorn & Tony Little
Dabbling                  Jan & Ged Bird

The Great Escape Mo & Mike Wood
Yorkshire Bourne  Denise & Steve Harrison

Click here for Cruise Report

Click here for Planning Report

THE MIDDLE LEVELS & GREAT OUSE

After sailing in from the Wash cruise, progressed up the River Nene to Peterborough, then dropping down onto the Middle Levels and then across to the Great Ouse and attending the bi-annual River Festival in Bedford.

Participating boats & crews:

Cormoront II           Robin Hallam & Girlfriend
Clara Grace              Hil & Ric Whitby
Unique                      Lynne & Roger Mellors
Elemiah                    Mo Waghorn & Tony Little
Dabbling                  Jan & Ged Bird

The Great Escape Mo & Mike Wood

Click here for Cruise Report

THE NORTHERN CRUISE RELOCATED (!)

An impromptu cruise due to the demise of the Macclesfield & Caldon cruise.  It only involved two of the 4Cs boats, but that was enough for a cruise, and they spent a good weekend at the Stratford River Festival.

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                  Sue & Martin Turner
Indecision                 Sally & Rich Gleed

Click here for Cruise Report

2017, SUMMER

CHESTERFIELD CANAL

Accessed only from the River Trent, the Chesterfield is a canal with a restoration project to return to the town that gives the navigation its name.  Beforehand, there was a diversion off the Trent  onto the Fossdyke to Lincoln and then the Witham to Boston.

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                  Sue & Martin Turner
Lucky B                      Margaret & Bruce Paul
Aquarigo 2                Lesly & Peter Taylor
Indecision                 Sally & Rich Gleed
The Great Escape  Mo & Mike Wood
NowThen                  Chris Lucas & Mel Bann

Minimo                      Beryl & Geoff Smith
Clara Grace              Hil & Ric Whitby
Kiehtan                      Ruth Barker & Peter Powell
Hire Boat                   Wendy & Andrew Dyke

Click here for Cruise Report

Click here for Planning Report

2017, SPRING

GLOUCESTER TALL SHIPS AND GLOUCESTER & SHARPNESS CANAL

A cruise to take in the late May Bank Holiday to the bi-annual Tall Ships Festival, a spectacular event around the docks.  While in the docks, there was a walk to nearby Olney Island to visit the Hereford & Gloucester Restoration project.  After the Festival, we then cruised along the G&S mooring at Saul Junction to visit to view the Cotswold Canals Trust  restoration, then onto the historic Purton Hulks on the banks of the River Severn and then the canal end, finishing with Sunday roast dinner at Sharpness Dockers Club.

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                   Sue & Martin Turner
Lucky B                       Margaret & Bruce Paul
Dabbling                   Jan & Ged Bird
Indecision                 Sally & Rich Gleed
Cormoront II            Lynn & Bob Hallam
NowThen                  Chris Lucas & Mel Bann

Minimo                      Beryl & Geoff Smith

Other visitors in the week included Pol & Neil Fothergill, Jan Thomas and Sue Campbell.

Click here for Cruise Report

Click here for Planning Report

2016, SUMMER

SEVERN & AVON RIVERS CRUISE

A cruise down the River Severn from Stourport to Tewksbury, then passing up onto the River Avon and cruising up to Stratford-upon-Avon  for the renowned River Festival.

Participating boats & crews:

Doinmein                   Sue & Martin Turner
Lucky B                       Margaret & Bruce Paul
Aquarigo 2                 Lesley & Peter Taylor
Indecision                 Sally & Rich Gleed
Lord Toulouse          Wendy & Andrew Dyke
Aird-an-lar                 Gordon & Samantha Harrower

Lamprey                     Mike Paisey
Albion                          Mike Whiteman

The detailed cruise Reports have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

SOUTH EAST CRUISE

A cruise on the Thames and its southerly waterway of the Rivers Wey & Arun.  Taking in Lechlade, at the navigation head, the cruise was the length of the Thames to London, leaving the River at Limehouse Basin to join the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park opening cruise.

Participating boats & crews:

Cormorant II             Lynn & Bob Hallam
The Great Escape   Mo & Mike Wood

The detailed cruise Reports have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

2015, SUMMER

BCN EXPLORER

A cruise of the extensive historic and extensive canals network to the north of Birmingham.  Highlights included Netherton & Gosty Hill tunnels, Black Country Museum, Mad O’Rourke’s Pie Factory, Bradley Workshops, Walsall Town Basin, the “Curley Wyrley” canal, Longwood Boat Club Rally and many more.

Participating boats & crews:

Cormorant II             Lynn & Bob Hallam
Lucky B                       Margaret & Bruce Paul
Aquarigo 2                 Lesley & Peter Taylor
Doinmein                   Sue & Martin Turner
Clara Grace                Hilary & Ric Whitby
Minimo                        Beryl & Geoff Smith

Intrigue                       Polly and Neil Fothergill 
Dawn Owl                 Jayne & Mike Provost
Dream Catcher

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

CALDON CANAL

An excursion off the Trent & Mersey, this is a varied and wonderful canal with two termini.  The boats joined from the Trent & Mersey at Etruria and cruised to all meet at Hazelhurst Junction.  From here on to explore the branch to Leek, then  back to the junction and along the other branch to Consall Forge and Frogall at the end.

Participating boats & crews:

Joie de Vivre            Joyce Taylor & Jim Hanks
Cormorant II             Lynn & Bob Hallam
Unique                        Lin & Roger Mellor
Lucky B                       Margaret & Bruce Paul
Aquarigo 2                 Lesley & Peter Taylor
Doinmein                   Sue & Martin Turner

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

LANCASTER CANAL

Starting with the challenge of cruising across the River Ribble and through the Linkway, the reward is a lock-free canal (if you don’t count the Glasson Branch).  However, the timescale of the cruise was extended due to circumstances beyond the 4Cs control !!  There was a culvert breach on the Rufford Branch of the Leeds, which is the only route back to the inland waterways network, that took 6 weeks to repair and restore passage.

Participating boats & crews:

Elemiah                       Mo Waghorn & Tony Little
Cormorant II              Lynn & Bob Hallam
The Great Escape    Mo & Mike Wood
Clara Grace                Hilary & Ric Whitby
Minimo                        Beryl & Geoff Smith

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

2014, SUMMER

PLANNING FOR A LONG SUMMER .

The Cotswolds Canal Cruising Club will be headed both to the North West and to the East this summer.  A lot of effort was put in organise such a busy and varied season of cruising.

The detailed planning Report has been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

IWA CAMPAIGN FESTIVAL, CHESTER 

An major event to start a busy summer for the 4Cs with the IWA campaign cruise in Chester. The object of the local Branch of the IWA and object of the Festival, is to promote the use of the neglected Dee Branch of the Shropshire Union canal as a step toward the eventual new lock connection to part of the River Dee.

Participating boats & crews:

Aquarigo 2                  Lesley & Peter Taylor
Cormorant II              Lynn & Bob Hallam
Lucky B                         Margaret & Bruce Paul
Time Out                      Angela & John Cheesbrough + Jan Thomas
Minimo                         Beryl & Geoff Smith
Doinmein                     Sue & Martin Turner + Polly Fothergill
Jigsaw                           Marilyn and Ged Layfield
Intrigue                         Polly Fothergill and Jan Thomas

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

RIVER MERSEY CROSSING

An epic cruise taking 4Cs narrowboats out onto a major river estuary to reach the maritime city of Liverpool.

Participating boats & crews:

Aquarigo 2                  Lesley & Peter Taylor
Cormorant II              Lynn & Bob Hallam
Lucky B                         Margaret & Bruce Paul
Time Out                      Angela & John Cheesbrough + Jan Thomas
Minimo                         Beryl & Geoff Smith
Doinmein                     Sue & Martin Turner + Polly Fothergill
Jigsaw                           Marilyn and Ged Layfield

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

YORK & RIPON

This cruise was not planned, but just happened in the transfer from the Mersey Crossing to The Wash.

Participating boats & crews:

Aquarigo 2                  Lesley & Peter Taylor
Cormorant II              Lynn & Bob Hallam
Lucky B                         Margaret & Bruce Paul
Time Out                      Angela & John Cheesbrough

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

THE WASH CROSSING

An epic cruise taking narrowboats out to sea and beaching on a sandbank for a few hours of fun and games.

Participating boats & crews:

Aquarigo 2                  Lesley & Peter Taylor
Cormorant II              Lynn & Bob Hallam
Fizzical Attraction    Yvonne & Roger Olver
Joie de Vivre              Joyce Taylor & Jim Hanks
Lucky B                         Margaret & Bruce Paul
Unique                          Lynne & Roger Mellors
Vagabond                    Nicola & Bob Atkins
Time Out                      Angela & John Cheesbrough

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

ROBERT AIKMAN CHALLENGE TROPHY

Lynn and Bob Hallam of NB “Cormorant  II set out to complete the most meritorious and enterprising non-continuous journey to the IWA pageant, from 2013 location of Watford to this year’s location of Saul Junction on G&S – just about 300 yards from their home-mooring!!!!

The detailed Report has been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

2013, SUMMER

RIVER WEAVER

Having spent the weekend at the Middlewich ‘Folk and Boat’ Festival. Some boats of the 4Cs travelled to the historic canal feature of the Anderton Boat Lift, which transferred them down onto the wonderful River Weaver.

Participating boats & crews:

Cormorant II :  Bob & Lynn Hallam 
Lord Toulouse:  Andrew & Wendy Dyche
Great Escape:  Mike & Mo Wood
Time Out:   John & Angela Cheesbrough

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

IWA CAMPAIGN FESTIVAL, WATFORD

A meeting of the 4Cs at this event on the Grand Union canal. The Club was awarded the Offley Slack Propeller for  the cruising club with the highest percentage of boats attending the Festival.

Participating boats & crews:

Aquarigo              Peter & Lesley Taylor
Cormorant II       Bob & Lynn Hallam
Doinmein             Martin & Sue Turner
Intrigue                 Polly Fothergill & Jan Thomas
Lucky B                 Bruce & Margaret Paul
Time Out              John & Angela Cheesbrough
Wildcat                  Rob & Jackie Stammers + Aiden
( ditto )                   Yvonne & Graham Hobbs

The detailed cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

THAMES TIDEWAY & UPPER THAMES

Following on from the IWA Festival at Watford, a cruise down the busy and historic river through London. This cruise was made possible with the kind assistance of the St Pancras Cruising Club.  Leaving Limehouse Basin the boats sailed east out through the Barrier, then on the turn of the tide headed back west to Teddington Lock.

Participating boats & crews:

Limehouse – Thames Barrier – Lechlade:
Cormorant II :  Bob & Lynn Hallam (Jan Thomas for Barrier)
Jigsaw :              Ged & Marilyn Layfield
Lucky B:             Bruce & Margaret Paul
Time Out:         John & Angela Cheesbrough
Wildcat:             David Beamont, Fran Pomerand (for Barrier)
Crew:                 Jan Thomas,
Crew                  Rob & Jackie Stammers
Crew                  Graham & Yvonne Hobbs.

Limehouse – Thames Barrier – Oxford:
Aquarigo 2:     Peter & Lesley Taylor

Brentford – Oxford:
Doinmein:       Martin & Sue Turner

Brentford – Lechlade:
Intrigue:            Neil & Polly Fothergill

The detailed Cruise Report and Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster

2012, SUMMER

INAUGURAL CRUISE

Cruising down from Braunston on the Grand Union Canal the 4Cs progressed through the Midlands to sail the newly restored Droitwich Canal and then on to the Severn and return to Gloucester.

Participating boats & crews:

Cormorant II                Lynn & Bob Hallam
Intrigue                         Polly Fothergill  & Jan Thomas
Joie de Vivre               Joyce Taylor & Jim Hanks
Time Out                      Angela & John Cheesbrough
Wildcat                         Wendy Beaumont with Jackie & Robin Stammers,
Yvonne and Graham joined “Wildcat” later.

The detailed Cruise Report and  Photo Gallery have been archived, but should you require a copy please email the Webmaster at 4cswebmaster@gmail.com – Click here for Webmaster