THE  SIXTH JAM ‘OLE RUN in 2006

This was the last planned event designed to recreate the working conditions, trials and tribulations experienced by the boat crews on the last working run from Braunston to the Kearley and Tongue factory in October 1970.

The original re-enactment in 1995 was a result of a conversation between Tim Coghlan of Braunston Marina and former Braunston boatman Ernie Kendal in 1994 and there have since been five re-enactments. This trip will involve travelling from Braunston to Atherstone and down to London and back and using the Coventry, Oxford and Grand Union canals to reach London covering 210 miles and negotiating 186 locks on the journey.  Earlier runs had involved the participation of former working boatmen but with everyone becoming older and with the huge increase in moored leisure craft achieving normal working speed is difficult to achieve so it appears this would be the last run in its original format. Incidentally on this last run of the nine craft participating six were original working boats.  It remains to be seen if it will be practicable to run future events of this type.

Corona, originally a GUCCC Motor, built in 1935 is skippered by Trevor Maggs and is regularly seen at boating events such as the Blisworth Tunnel Bicentenary celebrations.

Swallow was built in 1934 by Yarwoods  for W.H. Cowburn and Cowpar Ltd., and were used for carrying liquids originally.

Swallow, note the quality of the cabin painting.

Lily is an FMC Bolinder-engined 1914 Saltley built iron boat leaving Soulbury bottom lock.

Nutfield in Blue Line livery was on the original “last” run and is now normally paired with the butty Raymond.

Nuneaton and Brighton. Owned and operated by the Narrowboat Trust and normally carrying pre packed coal travelling to Braunston for the start of the event.

See above, illustrating the boatman's way of opening lock gates when shorthanded.

Brighton, loses rudder[rams head].

See above, rudder refitted and underway again.