From city centres to remote countryside, Britain’s canals and rivers provide a peaceful, slower pace of life, while offering fascinating insights into our industrial past. Waterways World editor Bobby Cowling explores the rich culture of our inland navigations in a series of fortnightly interviews with personalities from around the network. Whether you’re a boater, walker, nature-lover or heritage enthusiast, each episode will bring you closer to this unique world.
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From city centres to remote countryside, Britain’s canals and rivers provide a peaceful, slower pace of life, while offering fascinating insights into our industrial past. Waterways World editor Bobby Cowling explores the rich culture of our inland navigations in a series of fortnightly interviews with personalities from around the network. Whether you’re a boater, walker, nature-lover or heritage enthusiast, each episode will bring you closer to this unique world.
Ian Parrott is the general manager of the New & Used Boat Company’s office at Mercia Marina, and he has spent 15 years in the boat-brokerage business. He is also a keen waterways enthusiast with his own heritage craft. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, he provides a fascinating insight into his industry.
Mike Constable is an authority on the female trainees of World War II who volunteered to work cargo-carrying boats and, in so doing, experienced a completely new way of life. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, Mike provides insights into the role of the trainees and dispels the myth that they were ever disparagingly referred to as the ‘Idle Women’.
WW features writer Tony Jones has a keen interest in animals and has previously worked as a zoo-keeper. In conversation with Bobby Cowling, he discusses the practicalities and considerations of keeping pets on boats, plus some of the more exotic species you might find living afloat.
Richard MacKenzie is the owner of a narrowboat-based business selling handmade jewellery. But he also lives aboard his boat with his wife and two children – and, as the kids are home-educated, the family are free to continuously cruise the network. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, Richard provides an insight into family life afloat.
There are over 50 waterway restoration schemes active in England and Wales – some making rapid headway, others facing significant difficulties. In conversation with Bobby Cowling, WW news editor Andrew Denny provides an overview of the contemporary restoration scene, with a focus on the projects that have recently been in the headlines.
Popular boat vlogger and TV star Robbie Cumming recently completed filming of the third series of BBC Four’s ‘Canal Boat Diaries’, which sees him cruise from Wigan in Greater Manchester to Ripon in North Yorkshire. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, he discusses the highlights of his trip and his passion for the waterways of north England.
Mark Langley has been Waterways World’s technical expert for 15 years. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, he discusses the advancements of inland boat design, from very basic post-World War II craft through to today’s highly sophisticated narrowboats.
In this episode we discuss the green future of inland boating with the Canal & River Trust’s national boating manager, Matthew Symonds. At the Crick Boat Show in August, Matthew participated in a seminar on moving the waterways away from fossil fuel-burning boats. But what are the alternatives to diesel and petrol, are they viable and how much do they cost?
John Liley has devoted much of his adult life to boating and the inland waterways. As a teenager, he became involved in early IWA campaigns and he even met its founding members, Robert Aickman and Tom Rolt. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, he describes the fledging years of the leisure-boating era, and his journey to owning a luxury hotel-barge on France’s Canal du Nivernais.
Canal boat families historian Lorna York is descended from a long line of working boaters - indeed, she was the first in her family to be born on land. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, she discusses both the social history of the waterways community and researching boating ancestry.
Alarum Productions was founded in 2016 by Kate Saffin and Heather Wastie to celebrate the real-life stories of women on the waterways through public performances, publications and podcasts. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, the pair discuss their recent project, I Dig Canals, and their experiences of performing at canalside venues while touring the country by boat.
As an avid boater and cycling enthusiast, Richard Fairhurst is well placed to give a balanced perspective of towpath cycling. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, he offers advice on travelling the waterways by bike.
For many years in WW magazine, writer Alison Alderton has documented her extensive travels across Europe aboard a Dutch barge-replica. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, she describes her love of the waterways of Ireland and Sweden, and her passion for out-of-season boating.
Best known as a TV writer and performer, Julian Dutton also writes books, and his latest, ‘Water Gypsies: a History of Life on Rivers and Canals’, explores the long tradition of living afloat in this country, from ancient times through to today. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, Julian describes growing up on a house-boat at Chelsea in the 1960s and the many fascinating things he uncovered during his research.
Tony Jones has lived afloat for over 16 years and has written two practical guides to boating, as well as regular articles for Waterways World magazine. In discussion with editor Bobby Cowling, he describes his unconventional journey to boat-ownership, how the waterways inspired his writing career and his unusual solution to creating more space aboard his floating home.
After four years as continuous-cruisers, Jo and Michael Morehouse are now close to having boated every waterway on the connected system. In conversation with Bobby Cowling, they discuss being the first to complete IWA’s Silver Propeller Challenge and the surprise success of their YouTube videos, posted under the alias Minimal List.
As a floating concert hall and musical hotel-boat, complete with its own grand piano and internationally acclaimed pianist, the Piano Boat is a unique concept. Set to begin operations this summer, we speak to owners Masayuki Tayama and Rhiana Henderson.
River Canal Rescue is the UK’s largest national breakdown and recovery service for inland boats. Managing director Stephanie Horton discusses the growth of the company over the past 20 years and how a post-lockdown boating boom is already having an impact on its work.
Colin Dobson-Fox is one half of famous waterways YouTubers, Foxes Afloat. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, he discusses his journey to becoming an online star and liveaboard boater, and its effects on his mental health.
From city centres to remote countryside, Britain’s canals and rivers provide a peaceful, slower pace of life, while offering fascinating insights into our industrial past. Waterways World editor Bobby Cowling explores the rich culture of our inland navigations in a series of fortnightly interviews with personalities from around the network. Whether you’re a boater, walker, nature-lover or heritage enthusiast, each episode will bring you closer to this unique world.
