#377

NOW SOLD

NB Dane Elm and Gun Metal Ballpoint Twist Pen

(25% of the profits from the sale of this pen will be gifted to the Narrowboat Herritage Foundation, the custodians of NB Dane)

EUROPEAN ELM - Ulmus procera

European Elm has is a light to medium brown, sometimes with a hint of red. With an oil finish, it can turn a beautiful golden brown colour. Unless, of course, it's been kept at the bottom of a canal for an awfully long time.

The rotten parts of these rebuilt boats are usually used to stoke the fires that steam the new planks for bending to the hull's shape.Luckily these pieces of elm were too important to burn and have been properly stored. I wasn't sure how deep the rot would have gone and how deep I would have to delve into this piece to find stable wood. The pens I make from historic boat materials have been thoroughly tested by me to make sure that they will give pleasurable daily use.

Narrowboat Dane was built by the Mersey Weaver and Ship Canal Carrying Company and used as part of their fleet. She was built in November 1946 and first registered on January the first 1947. Ade from A P Boatbuilding is currently restoring her on behalf of The Narrowboat Heritage Foundation, the work being done is re-bottomed with new chine planks, kelson, stem post and soon to receive two new bow planks, gunwales, decks, new back cabin and engine room. The pens that I will be making from Dane are all from a heavy lump of Elm bottom plate.

Pen #377 was made in Birmingham on the 25th September 2015. 

It had been quite a busy boating month for us having previously been woodturning at Whilton on the Grand Union canal we had stop-off's in Braunston to deliver some pens, Alvecote to meet with Ade who supplies my historic timbers and Fazley to pick up a new sofa before heading up to Huddlesford Junction to visit a boat gathering there. The plan was to head north from Fazeley towards Fradley and onwards past Tixall Wide to the Shropshire Union Canal, but as we were presented with a junction and the prospects of a floating market to visit in Birmingham we decided to head up the Curdworth, Minworth, Aston and Farmers flights of locks and pay good ol' Brum a visit.

Mooring was tight at the top and we were lucky to be offered one of the vacant trade spots that had been reserved by CRT. There were still a few traders to arrive, one of which were Dan and Keri with their new butty boat (well 1935 so old/new to them) Lyra. A quick calculation revealed that they'd have to wind 64 locks to get both boats up into Birmingham so we took Dudley Dawg and our windlasses on a walk down the hill to help. Eight miles and eight hours later we were all pooped and back on our cosy boat. 

The market was a great success for all of our friends but it was lovely to see one from a visitors perspective and meet up with some new traders and of course 'Linda the Busker' (read professional musician who also busks). We were lucky enough to coincide our visit with the fantastic Birmingham Weekender (formally arts fest) where there was just so much to see and do; and also the world cup rugby tournament where we even managed a hike down to the Fanzone to watch a match. There is always something great to do in Birmingham and often for free!