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The 2015 rally took from Thursday 16th July to Sunday 19th July 2015. The venue was the Titford pumphouse, on the Titford Branch of the BCN, courtesy of
the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society.
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The Black Country flag flies over the Titford Pumphouse, the site of the 2015 RNR rally.
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The rally had a Black Country and BCN theme, with most of the activities having some connection with the area, or the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN).
We commenced on Thursday evening with A brush with Black Country Canals. Dave Moore, well known boat sign writer and old friend of the Register,
who entertained us with reminiscences from the last days of commercial carrying and a a breif look at some of his collection of historic painted ware.
Friday morning commenced with two workshops, Lucy Mason led a practical session making Spider Web Dreamcatchers, whilst the Rally Organiser and the
Newsletter editor presented some tips for taking better photographs.
The morning concluded with an audience with
well known author and publisher of canal guides, Michael Pearson. Michael related how he came to edit and later produce canal guides, first for Waterways World then his own
famous
Pearson's Canal Guides.
Propulsion was the subject for the Friday afternoon workshops. First Ian Crompton explained the RN cooling system together with the recommended way to plumb in califoriers. Then
Dr Charley Johnston described the unusual diesel electric system installed on his boat, Felonious Mongoose. Seeing this under way using electric power really does show how
much noise diesel engines produce!
Keith Hodgkins, local Black Country historian, rounded off Friday afternoon with a presentation "Black Country from the Air". Using mainly Aerofilms archive, Keith took us on
a circular tour of the Black Country looking at how the canal system and general landscape has changed from the 1920s to the present day. A thoroughly absorbing hour, in fact we could have studied
each photo for an hour. Most obvious was the lack of trees and other greenery prior to the 1970s.
Friday evening's entertainment was a musical extravaganza from Phil Clayton and the Shady Band. This started with a folk session which included a highly amusing number, Breakfast at Wetherspoons. The main
session was Birmingham Lads, a lively musical with accompanying visual presentation on the rise, success, decline and revival of the BCN.
The show comprised a selection of original songs as well as traditional boaters' ditties. It is illustrated by photographs from the collection of Bob May.
Finally to complete the evening, the Shady Band performed a number of classic sixties hits, this got some of the audience dancing!
On Saturday Bruce Hewitt from Tankbusters was on site to demonstrate his system for elimination and long-term control of diesel bug contamination,
water and heavy contaminants. Bruce tested the fuel from several rally boats - with surprising results. Just how much rust can you have in a diesel tank!
For those wanting a cleaner occupation, Pat Walker, a master in the Waterways Craft Guild lead a session on traditional cabin decoration. This including crochet, cross stitching and rag rugging.
Quiet a few attendees promptly ordered the rugging proggy tool - so we expect to see some rugs later in the year.
A number of attendees paid a visit to the New Smethwick Pumping house at Galton Valley, which Sandwell MBC opened specially. Some of the party followed this with an exploration of the recently completed
nature trail over Galton and Summit tunnels.
Saturday afternoon was a workshop free time. Rally participants had the option of viewing the BCN Society collection of archive photographs and artefacts, completing the rally treasure hunt, cruising to Titford pools or just relaxing
in the bar.
Over the course of the rally well over two dozen boats navigated the Causeway Green and Portway arms and the two Titford Pools and thus qualified for a BCNS Titford plaque. None encountered major problems, and there is now a
wealth of knowledge in the Register on the recommended routes in, our and around the pools.
No visit to the Black Country is complete without tasting pork scratchings or pork sausages. The rally bar stocked the former and Boweketts Butchers of Oldbury provided
a delivery service of their prize winning sausages and pies!
On Saturday evening, Bowketts assisted by Chamberlains Fish & Chips provided a Bostin Black Country Supper. Options included faggots, sausages, cod, haddock with chips and accompanied
by mushy peas or baked beans.
In fact the whole rally featured plenty of food! The BCNS burger van provided sustenance on Thursday evening;
bacon and egg breakfast rolls started each morning and on Sunday afternoon
a traditional English cream team with scone and jam was available. Hence attendees did not need to do much cooking on board.
The entertainment for Saturday night was the famous Black Country comedy duo Dandy. This was their third RNR rally appearance, but the
first on home Black Country turf. Judging by the volume of laughter the audience really enjoyed it.
The rally bar featured some of the classic Black Country beers. The most popular ale by far was the famous Ma Pardoe's Original from the Olde Swan at Netherton.
Other classics came from Holden's at Woodsetton and Black Country Ales at Lower Gornal.
There was also an English wine with a Black Country connection. This is Black Country Gold, the grapes are grown at
Halfpenny Green vineyard, just to the west of Stourbridge.
On Sunday morning the RN Diesel Engine company and the field engineers hosted a technical forum answering various questions related to RN engines and boating equipment in general.
The rally concluded with the AGMS of the RNR Property company and the Register itself.
Following the rally, over 20 boats completed a "convoy" cruise around parts of the BCN system. This included a visit to Bradley Workshops on Tuesday morning.
The route then covered the Wyrley and Essington, Daw End and Rushall Canals. Many boaters spent some time moored at Anglesey Basin and explored the attractions of Chasewater. The final day was the wettest
and included Rushall and Ryders Green Lock flights. Most boats moored at Ryders Green, junction of the Walsall Canal
and Wednesbury Old Canal. In the evening participants walked along the now unnavigable Wednesbury Old Canal (often incorrectly called the Ridgeacre branch) and enjoyed a end of cruise meal at the Ridgeacre pub.
Rally and cruise photographs
Andrew's rally album
Andrew's cruise album
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