Peter Woolsey was 17 in 1958 when he canoed on his own from Kendal to London by inland waterways. In May this year he celebrates his 70th birthday and will do the whole journey again. The Inland Waterways Association and The British Canoe Union (BCU) are sponsoring the trip by giving publicity, support and advice.
Peter Woolsey said "I'm keen to use the trip to assist IWA and the British Canoe Union to promote the increased use of canals and navigable rivers". The BCU have said that they are interested to use the trip to encourage older people to consider canoeing and kayaking on inland waterways and to further their development of canoe trails.
Peter will leave from Tewitfield Bottom Lock of the Lancaster Canal on Saturday 28th May 2011
and is due to arrive at London Bridge on Sunday 12th June. See below for the full itinerary.
How can you help?
IWA and BCU supporters and members can assist this voyage and maximise the publicity for the inland waterways by:-
- Suggesting suitable overnight accommodation at the various stopping places for Peter and safe overnight storage for his canoe. If you will be moored at the locations below on the dates given, you may be able to help by looking after his canoe overnight. Canoeists - Maybe there is space in your club boat shed and the opportunity for a shower or you know of some secure storage near the water.
- Publicising the trip locally, before and after the event.
- Assisting with the passage through or around the tunnels on the route that canoeists are not permitted to travel through, i.e. all but the shortest.
- Sending your photos of the trip to IWA and the BCU for publicity purposes.
Itinerary
Saturday the 28th of May, 2011
From Tewitfield to Bilsborrow on the Lancaster Canal. (30.5 miles 0 locks)
Sunday the 29th of May, 2011
To Rufford on the Leeds & Liverpool Rufford Branch. (25 miles 10 locks)
Monday the 30th of May, 2011 (Spring Bank Holiday)
To Leigh on the Leeds & Liverpool Leigh Branch. (26.9 miles 0 locks)
Tuesday the 31st of May, 2011
To Stockton Heath or Walton area on the Bridgewater Canal. (30.5 miles 0 locks)
Wednesday the 1st of June, 2011
To Middlewich on the Trent & Mersey Canal. This stage includes the Preston Brook, Saltersford and Barnton Tunnels. (21.8 miles 2 locks)
Thursday the 2nd of June, 2011
To Kidsgrove or Etruria on the Trent & Mersey Canal. This stage includes Harecastle Tunnel if the overnight stop is to be Etruria. (13.4 miles 34 locks to Kidsgrove + miles to truria 5.4)
Friday the 3rd of June, 2011
To Great Haywood on the Trent & Mersey Canal. (19.0 miles 18 locks from Etruria)
Saturday the 4th of June, 2011
To Tamworth on the Coventry Canal. (23.2 miles 5 locks)
Sunday the 5th of June, 2011
To Hawkesbury or Ansty on the Oxford Canal. (21.5 miles 13 locks + 3.8 miles to Ansty)
Monday the 6th of June, 2011
To Napton on the Oxford Canal. (24.0 miles 3 locks from Ansty)
Tuesday the 7th of June, 2011
To Banbury on the Oxford Canal. (22.3 miles 22 locks)
Wednesday the 8th of June, 2011
To Kidlington on the Oxford Canal. (22.3 miles 13 locks)
Thursday the 9th of June, 2011
To Benson of Wallingford on the River Thames. (22.4 miles 12 locks to Wallingford)
Friday the 10th of June, 2011
Wallingford to Henley on the River Thames. (24 miles - passing through Pangbourne, Reading, Sonning, Shiplake) (25.7 miles 12 locks)
Saturday the 11th of June, 2011
To Staines on the River Thames. (29.1 miles 11 locks)
Sunday the 12th of June, 2011
To London Bridge on the River Thames. (35.4 miles 7 locks)