Community Narrowboats in London

London Canal Museum works with local community narrowboats which are often used to enable groups of children, disabled people, or retired people, and others, a combined day out involving a visit to the Museum and a trip on the canal, perhaps including the navigation of Islington Tunnel. Community Narrowboats are important partners in the museum's education work and often introduce young people to the canals.

Left: The Angel 2 leaves the museum with another human cargo of schoolchildren. Behind it is the Tarporley, moored beside the former Porters building, now used as offices.

The Angel II of Islington

The Angel 2 of Islington is a new 70 foot steel narrowboat owned and operated by the Islington Community Boat Trust, a Registered Charity, No 271457. It can comfortably accommodate 12 people. It has facilities for overnight trips, with foam mattress bunks, two washrooms/toilets and a shower. The galley is equipped with a gas cooker, fridge, and utensils.

Telephone 07970 175488 or alternatively you can leave a message on 020 7490 5125. The postal address is Rose Bowen, Islington Narrowboat Association, 16-34 Graham Street, London N1 8JX

The Pirate Club

A bit of history.

The Pirate Club was founded in 1966 by the Viscount St. Davids as a canalside youth club. It was called the Pirate Club by its early members who were famous for their raids on passing canal boats to help raise funds to build themselves a clubhouse. The Pirate Castle in Camden was built in 1977 and is the club's permanent home. It is believed to be the last fortified building to be erected in the UK. The Pirate Club is a fun and quirky place.

Narrowboating

The Pirate Club became narrowboat operators in 1982 with the launch of 'Pirate Princess' by HRH Prince Charles. The 'Princess' can sleep parties of up to 12 people at a time, and is mostly used for canal boat holidays of 2 to 7 days duration. In 1997 the club started running a second boat 'Pirate Viscount' which is used purely as a day tripper. There are no bunks inside, so it is very spacious for a group of no more than 12.

Safety First.

Both boats go out with a skipper to look after the safety of the groups on board. There is always a safety talk before the boat sets off. The club's Narrowboat Manager, Giles Higgett, has been skippering boats since 1983. He is also a trainer for the Royal Yachting Association and the Community Boats Association. The Pirate skippers have certificates of Community Boat Management. The safety of the groups that use the boats is their prime concern.

On the Boats

Canal boating is great fun and groups enjoy themselves! It is not the Club's Children on the stern of the community narrowboat Pirate Princess

aim to offer chauffeur driven cruises but to involve the groups in as many aspects of boating as possible - steering, using the ropes and working the locks. However, group members can do as much or as little as they choose. The Club wishes to tailor each trip to the needs of the group which will be on board, so the more planning and discussion there is in advance, the better. A trip on the Pirate Club's narrowboats can be a memorable experience, and many groups come back to the Pirate Club time and time again.

Who can use the boats?

The narrowboats are available for use by all kinds of community groups such as youth clubs, schools, church groups, hostels, homes and pensioner groups. The hire charge for charitable groups is kept as low as possible by the Pirate Club subsidising about half of the real cost. however a full rate is charged to family or business groups. The Club will be pleased to hear from you and can give prices.

Laburnum Boat Club

This boat operates throughout the year and offers half day, full day and residential trips. They are based in east London. One of their boats, the Lady Mildmay is in heavy demand as it is specially equipped for passengers who use wheelchairs. For more information see the Laburnum Boat Club website or contact Jim Armstrong on (020) 7729 2915.

Tarporley

Tarporley is an historic, 1937 Large Northwich Town Class narrowboat which has been converted from a working goods boat and recently refitted, to meet the demands and safety requirements of the present day. She is owned and operated by Camden Canals and Narrowboat Association, a registered charity run entirely by dedicated volunteers. The boat is based at Kings Place, a new development at Battlebridge Basin, Kings Cross. Camden Canals and Narrowboat Association website. Tarporley is available to hire with crew provided on day or residential trips for use by communty groups and also private and business groups. (max 12 persons) See the Camden Canals and Narrowboat Association website for more information and bookings or contact Sally Bowman, 22 Holmdale Rd, London, NW6 1BL Tel/Fax 020 7681 7019. London Canal Museum works with the CCNA to bring you various special events each year.

The Beauchamp

The floating classroom is the first of a new generation of electrically powered canal boats. It provided KS1 and 2 Educational trips on London's canals all year round. It is also available for hire by community groups. The boat is fully equipped and has full access, and toilets, for disabled people. There is a plasma screen with a full audio visual suite, and computer connection. It has central heating, and large panoramic windows. There are charging facilities at London Canal Museum.

London Narrowboat Project

London Narrowboat Project operates its boats in the midlands but serves children and young people in the London area in particular. Modern boats offer low cost holidays which introduce young people to the canals.

LNBP Bookings Officer PO Box 170 Gravesend, DA13T 0WE, Kent Phone /Fax: 0870 240 6724 E-mail: gh.lnbp@virgin.net . For more information see the London Narrowboat Project Website.

Community Narrowboats

Charitable community boats in central London