“Tooley's Boatyard”
A talk by Matthew Armitage - May 2017
At the general meeting of ACU3A on 16 May, Matthew Armitage of Tooley’s Boatyard in Banbury presented a series of photographs tracing the history of the boatyard from 1790 when it was established to build and repair the wooden horse-drawn narrow boats that plied the newly constructed canal network from the Midlands to London, so vital to the development of the Industrial Revolution.
Gradually, rail and then road transport eroded the importance of the canals (although during the Second World War they were once again used extensively), but Tooley’s continued to operate as a family business until 1995, when its future was threatened by the Castle Quay development in the town. However, good fortune prevailed, and the site was saved and incorporated into the new Museum and Heritage Centre.
Tooley’s is now the oldest working dry dock on the Inland Waterways and currently offers a range of services to boat-owners, including:
Thanks to Colin for arranging yet another interesting talk.
Janet Cato
May 2017
Gradually, rail and then road transport eroded the importance of the canals (although during the Second World War they were once again used extensively), but Tooley’s continued to operate as a family business until 1995, when its future was threatened by the Castle Quay development in the town. However, good fortune prevailed, and the site was saved and incorporated into the new Museum and Heritage Centre.
Tooley’s is now the oldest working dry dock on the Inland Waterways and currently offers a range of services to boat-owners, including:
- Repair, service and renovation of all canal and river craft (including wooden boats)
- Hull work, welding, anodes and blacking
- Stern gear work
- Boat painting
- Chandlery
- ‘Have a Go’
- Beginners
- Advanced
Thanks to Colin for arranging yet another interesting talk.
Janet Cato
May 2017