Speakers offering canal & waterway talks and presentations
We list speakers offering talks and presentations based on a range of canal and waterways topics of interest.
Some speakers will cover general topics, some offer talks within an area of expertise, others may have a regional base. Most are experienced in speaking to a range of clubs, societies and groups.
We ask speakers listed here to give an indication of the canal and waterways topics they can speak to and the areas of the country that they are able to cover. Contact details are given so you can make your own arrangement with the speakers.
If you offer talks and presentations on canal and waterways related topics please email to us details of the talks you offer and your contact details, there is no charge for being listed on this page.
| Topics | Notes | Contact |
| Athina Beckett | ||
| ♦ I give talks on the Heritage, History and Restoration of the Buckingham Canal. |
The Speaker: I am a Trustee of the Buckingham Canal Society and have run their practical tasks for many years. Costs & Travelling: I don't charge but would appreciate a donation to the Buckingham Canal Society. |
Contact: Email address
Athina.Beckett@buckinghacanal.org.uk
info@buckinghamcanal.org.uk web site www.buckinghamcanal.org.uk Phone 01908 661217 |
| Dave Calverly | ||
|
♦ A Week On T’Cut - An imaginary week's cruise around the inland waterways of Britain calling at various highlights of our
National and Industrial Heritage. Stopping off points include the Barton Swing Bridge, the Anderton Lift, the Waterways Museum,
the Huddersfield Canal, plus many more. ♦ Another Week On T'Cut - 'A Week On T'Cut' has proved extremely popular since its first airing some 30 years ago. Only minor alterations have been made to the presentation throughout this time whilst more cruises have taken place in the Midlands and Southern England with, naturally, many incidents. What is it really like going through tunnels over a mile long? Do you have to moor outside a pub every night? What happens when someone falls in [health and what]? ♦ Scouting To Llangollen - I have cruised to Llangollen many times both as a and with Scouts. This presentation showcases the highlights and mishaps whilst on this waterway. ♦ Cruise Into Old Age! - Now the proud share-owner of a narrowboat, here are some tales of our exploits! |
The Speaker: Dave has been giving presentations
for many years and ‘A Week On T’Cut’ is an evolved version of
his second slideshow. Over the years, Dave has built up a
portfolio of over 40 presentations.
Format: The canal presentations are all digital ones. I have all my own equipment. Costs & Travelling: £50 per session if within the boundary of Huddersfield. Beyond that travelling expenses will come into play. [I regularly give presentations throughout West Yorkshire with bookings also in the Whole of Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, and Nottinghamshire. I will even travel to Cornwall – for the right fee!] |
Website link dave@PhotoLens.co.uk 07887 878 425 |
| Mike Clarke | ||
|
♦ The History of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, the talk can include additional illustrations for
particular
locations along the canal if requested. ♦ People of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal ♦ Brightwork: traditional boat decoration the Leeds & Liverpool Canal ♦ Coal, Canal and Cotton: the L & L Canal in East Lancashire ♦ The Water Supply the Leeds & Liverpool Canal ♦ The Douglas Navigation ♦ The Duke of Bridgewater and His Canal ♦ Waterways between Liverpool and Manchester ♦ Canal Heritage: What is it? ♦ Canals of Europe - An Historical Overview ♦ Compartment Boats ♦ The Solovki Monastery in Northern Russia ♦ A French Interlude Around the Loire ♦ Old Industries of Romania ♦ Waterway-related World Heritage Sites |
The Speaker: Mike Clarke runs Milepost Research
to provide advice and research on subjects related to industrial
history. He has written many books and articles on a wide
variety of subjects. Format: Lectures are tailored to the audience and, although some of the subjects can be a little technical, the illustrations are used for drawing out a wide variety of stories suitable for most listeners. The lectures are illustrated using a digital projector, and all equipment can be provided, though it is preferable for a screen to be available at the location of the lecture. The lectures are 45 minutes to 1 hour long and questions are welcomed. Costs & Travelling: The cost per lecture is £50 for up to 25 miles around Barnoldswick, plus £5 for every 20 miles above this distance. |
Milepost Research 8 Green Bank Barnoldswick BB18 6HX +44 (0)1282 850430 mike.clarke@zen.co.uk |
| Tony Conder | ||
|
♦ Gloucester Docks, Then and Now ♦ Gloucester’s Railways Then and Now ♦ ‘Your Country Calls’ a national waterway history ♦ Canal boats and Barges ♦ Waterway People ♦ An Introduction to Inland Waterways ♦ A Waterways A-Z ♦ Waterways from the Air in the 1920’s and 30’s |
The Speaker: Formerly British Waterways Museum Curator
Costs & Travelling: £40 including travel within the county. Willing to travel nationally please discuss travel costs Talks can be adjusted to regional requirements if required |
13, Alexandra Road, Gloucester GL13DR 01452 556559 07708660613 ajam.conder@hotmail.com |
| Mike Constable | ||
| I give a talk on the Canal Boatwomen Trainees from WW2, entitled 'Not such Idle Women'. I have been working with the surviving Trainees since 2008 to record their story and correct a few of the myths that have grown up about their role. |
Illustrated and can be tailored to suit the audience e.g. knowledgeable
canal groups or local history, WIs etc... I am based in Northamptonshire but will travel long distances provided expenses are covered. |
mike@constables.eclipse.co.uk. Email preferred but 01327843474 MAY find me |
| Colin Edmondson | ||
|
♦ A short history of the River Weaver. ♦ The River Weaver – a proud engineering tradition. ♦ The beauties of the River Weaver. ♦ A look at the history of the River Weaver at Winsford. ♦ A detailed look at the history of a chosen section of the river. ♦ One engine, two people, 40 lorry loads. A talk about my trips carrying grain on the Manchester Ship Canal. ♦ Not so solid ground. This talk is based on a guided walk from the Lion Salt Works to the Anderton Lift along the Trent & Mersey Canal. ♦ Salt and Subsidence. Looking at the story of salt mining and brine pumping in the area around Northwich and the catastrophic effects of the subsidence that this caused. Lavishly illustrated! |
The Speaker: Colin Edmondson has been researching the history of the Weaver
and the local salt industry for the last ten years, in archives
all over the country, and given the chance could talk for days!
Format: All talks are illustrated by means of a digital projector. Costs & Travelling: Area normally covered - a 30 mile radius around Northwich. Charge - £40 plus fuel costs |
colin@colinedmondson.com |
| Tony Hirst | ||
|
♦ The saving of the Daniel Adamson.
The
steam powered tug/tender, was built in Birkenhead in 1903 for
the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company. She was rescued
in 2004 from being broken up and is now being restored to her
former glory. The full talk lasts up to about 75 minutes but
there is a shorter version lasting only 30 to 40 minutes. ♦ LTC Rolt – Engineer, Campaigner, Conserver, Innovator, Researcher, Author & Family Man. 1910 – 1974. This talk illustrates Rolt’s life and achievements from his early days in Chester through his varied career involving railways, cars, canals and becoming an eminent researcher and author. The talk lasts about 75 minutes. ♦ There is more to canals than just boating. From conversations with boaters and others interested in canals I believe that many do not appreciate the relevance and importance of many buildings, structures and objects that can be seen alongside our canals. The presentation talk is in part interactive with the audience and depending on this lasts from an hour to an hour and a quarter. |
The Speaker: Tony Hirst has been interested in inland waterways since the
1950s and was for nearly 30 years involved first as a volunteer
and then as full time Executive Director of The Boat Museum at
Ellesmere Port. He has been involved with a number of societies
involved with waterways and was the founding Chairman of the
Daniel Adamson Preservation Society and is now their President.
He has been a boat owner for nearly 20 years and cruised much of
the system. Format: All talks are in Power Point, I will provide the computer and projector but would appreciate if possible the organiser providing a screen. Alternatively a blank white wall of the room may provide the best image. Costs & Travelling: I normally seek a donation for giving the talk which I the value of which leave to the host organisation. I will donate to the society any contributions from the Daniel Adamson talk along with Gift Aid to assist in its restoration. I am happy to travel up to 40 miles from Nantwich without any additional charge, beyond this I request an additional amount for the additional traveling. |
01270 666047 tony100@mypostoffice.co.uk |
| Cath Turpin | ||
|
♦ The History and Development of the National Waterways Museum,
Ellesmere Port. ♦ Ellesmere Port Docks - Development, dereliction and regeneration. ♦ Lives of 20th Century Boat People. ♦ Thomas Clayton (Oldbury) Ltd., carriers of fuel oil, gas tar and related products. ♦ The British Waterways hire fleet. ♦ Fire boats on the inland waterways during the second world war. ♦ History of the tunnel tugs on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. |
The Speaker: I have been a volunteer at what
is now the National Waterways Museum (formerly known as the Boat
Museum) since work started on creating a museum at Ellesmere
Port in the mid 1970s. I have edited the research publication,
Waterways Journal which is published by the Boat Museum Society,
since 2008. The society supports the work of the NWM in many
ways.
Format: I can offer a number of illustrated talks, suitable for general and more specialist audiences. Costs & Travelling: I charge £50 for talks within 20ish miles of Ellesmere Port, including Wirral and Merseyside. Longer distances by negotiation. |
Cath Turpin, 1 Market Street, Hoylake, Wirral. CH47 2AD
cathturpin1@gmail.com
0151 632 5446 |