The River Weaver in Northwich, Cheshire, 1975-1998

Rick Ferris's photos and Lecture notes to the Northwich Heritage Society
observations, personal and archive photographs, and comments on life as a full time skipper.
 

Loads of photographs here for your enjoyment. A lot from old Duggie Yarwoods private accumulation when he passed away, and many from BM&Co, ICI, boat enthusiasts, and anywhere else. But what good is it keeping them selfishly in a file at home? They will rot and be thrown away by another generation. Enjoy them today, for there are strong memories locked up in these pictures, many lifetimes work, a way of life all gone.

It was my way of life too. Sovereign Cruises was my daily crust. S.S.Davenham, the last working craft on the river, beautifully restored over 7 years she was my home, and it was wonderful living among the people of Northwich, many of whom are always my friends. Except Robert "Bob" Brown, who enjoyed my bed and my adulterous wife on many occasions whilst I was down the river. His wife never knew, but it killed our marriage, and all alone, I lost heart and sold the boats. Sadly it also lost the town it's major treasure and it's access to the river by boat.

Nobody was interested in the S.S.Davenham which then went to some Yuppies who made it into a houseboat on the Thames, destroying it's character and making it valueless except as a floating caravan. This breaks my crusty old heart as it belongs in Northwich.

The passenger-boat Bolle Beer tottered on for a season. Remember the Big Dutch Barge plying night and day from Town Quay.  John Tackley bought me out with a new partner Jim, but its'  success depended on having a committed couple, and it now languishes quietly.

Some other modern-day photos were provided by Clive Guthrie, who does not know that I am putting this lot on the web. When he finds out, he will have a moan (well, he is from the Potteries!!) but if he complains then I will tell the old pelagiarist that all his old Yarwoods pics he borrowed off me were not his to copyright, let alone publish in a book. Bless you Clive, you old bag! I suppose now you will tell everyone how I got Davenham stemmed up opposite Weaver Sluices on the MSC in a blizzard. Just don't show the video! (And thanks to Ian Metcalfe for towing us off the mud).

Pity you weren't there, Clive, when the new people refused my advice to sign on an engineer, and let the header tank run out of diesel off Llandudno, having to radio for a tow to Holyhead. Worse things happen at sea, I always said. Sorry, Stephen and Lisa, that you didn't make it together, and have put Davenham back on the market. I think £140k is a bit steep, when I sold it to you for £35k, and all you have done is ruin it.

That's the introductions over. The facts may not be 100% as I have been away from the River a few years now. If I have pinched your photos then I am sorry but be content that this website and notes are my intellectual property and everyone is downloading stuff as fast as they can. That is what the Web  is all about - sharing. There is no room for selfish grasping attitudes. The world has moved on. Before we forget, then follow these pages and understand a way of life that has died within living memory. I have assumed that you have, or will be getting Broadband, so the pictures are full size and slow. They are not reduced, defaced, or disabled to mess up your enjoyment of them. Just don't nick 'em and pretend they're yours!! But please download them.

Thanks to my
Engineer Carl Brierley (and his Dad Brian)
First Mate Bill Harris
Margaret Warhurst and Paul Knight (Salt Museum) for encouragement
Stuart Hogg for bullying me into doing lectures
Joe Curbishley for archiving ICI records so well
Clive Guthrie for keeping me humble
The blokes at British Waterways for advice and help in so many ways
Tommo
Sandra, Amanda and Jodie from Castle for keeping me young

Other sites please do a link so everyone can enjoy this lot. I will reciprocate. Link to www.bethanyjunction/weaver.main.htm

www.brunnermond.com                      The official site

www.geocities.com/fountalnpen/index.html      Northwich local history, private site

If you just parachuted into the Unofficial Minehead Website run by Bethany Junction Guest House, press the button to put up the Front page for accommodation, Minehead website, Churches and Steam Railway

Go to main site Index Page Go to River Weaver in Northwich index

UKCanals Ring Owner: Ken Fairhurst Site: UK Canals