Steam@TheLift

STEAM@theLIFT

Venue Anderton Boat Lift

Nr. Northwich

Cheshire

Date 10th-13th May 2024

General Arrangements and Itinerary:

Friday 10th Launching at Winsford Marina basin. This is a public slipway, there is no charge and it is available all day. There is mooring and a water tap available to fill boilers.

For those who can launch and have steam up and be away from Winsford Marina by 2.00pm steam to Anderton Lift to moor overnight. This is approximately a 2-3hr journey and involves two locks. These are manned locks and if you are not away by 2pm you will not make the second lock before the lock keepers go off duty.

Those who cannot make it by 2.00pm will moor at Winsford Marina overnight, or launch Saturday morning.

Trailer storage will be available at Winsford Sailing Club and adjoining farm, at a cost of £10 per trailer for the weekend. Logistics of getting skippers back to their trailers and to storage areas will be dealt with when we know who is attending and what the requirements will be.

Saturday 11th The main event of the day is the parade from Northwich to the Anderton Boat Lift. Boats to be at the assembly point (Yarwoods Basin) for 10.30, which means that those coming from Winsford will have to be underway before 8.30am if they are to join the parade.

The parade will leave Northwich at 11.00am to steam to the Anderton Lift where the wider event is being held. This will comprise of larger boats such as ST Daniel Adamson, ST Kerne, historic and steam narrowboats, 12 SBA steam launches and various other boats as well as steam traction engines etc. Walking tours of the lift, and a trip on the site trip boat are also available, book on the day at the visitors centre.

Once at the Anderton Lift the remainder of the day will be spent in steam on display, with free steaming around the area and also with a chance to take you boat on the Anderton Lift.

Mooring for all Saturday night will be at the Anderton Lift.

Sunday 12th This will be a day of free steaming with a chance to go further afield, details to be confirmed based on the wishes of those present. There will also be further opportunity to ride the Anderton Lift.

Boats will again moor overnight at the Anderton Lift with the other boats.

Monday 13th Boats to return to Winsford Marina for hauling out. Again, logistics of moving the trailers etc will be sorted when we know individual requirements.

This is a ‘level 2’ event, and all boats will be required to complete and return the SBA Declaration Form before the event. This will be sent to those who register.

Costs; Launching, mooring, use of locks and use of the Anderton Lift are all free. The only costs for the event will be a £5 per person registration fee and £10 for trailer storage. Unfortunately coal had already been ordered for the traction engines before it was decided to include steamboats so we will have to provide our own coal but if this year is a success and is repeated next year then the organisers hope to provide coal as well.

However, if you do not already have one, you will need to get a Canal and River Trust Licence. This can be done online and a short term one to cover the event costs £25-40. You do not need to get a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate for a short term license, there is a self-declaration ‘Boat Condition’ form which includes a section specific to steamboats. It will be your responsibility to get this prior to the event, without which you will struggle to get through the locks and will not be permitted to use the Lift.

Food and Accommodation; Attendees will be responsible for sorting out their own food and accommodation. Throughout the day there will be an onsite Café serving breakfast and lunch into the afternoon, with a BBQ in the grounds and a Bar and Real Ales aboard The Daniel Adamson.

On the Saturday night the site grounds and the Daniel Adamson will be open to event attendees only, and there will be an informal group order of pizza and local takeaway. The bar will be open until late and the drinks will be very reasonably priced. Alternatively if you wish, the Stanley Arms is a short walk up the road, advanced booking recommended.

Accommodation in the area is plentiful, including Northwich Premier Inn and Nunsmere Hall Hotel.

This year the event is limited to 12 SBA boats. There will be two types of registration forms. One will be for boats, skippers and their guests and another will be for those wishing to attend without a boat. There is no limit on the number of people attending, only on the number of boats, however organisers will not be able to guarantee that those attending without a boat will be able to get a place on a boat at any given time.

There is opportunity for those who wish to extend their stay either side of the event to further explore the river and adjoining canals. Anyone wishing to do this should contact Dot Bullough (r.bullough375@btinternet.com) so suitable arrangements can be made/co-ordinated.

Any questions, please ask.

Daniel Hutchinson & Dot Bullough (SBA Organisers)

Mike Carter & Dan Cross (Event Organisers)