Diary - details

Pirates Ahoy at the National Waterways Museum
Bank Holiday Weekend Sunday 24 & Monday 25 August 2008

Bucket loads of Swashbuckling fun is promised at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port over the Bank Holiday weekend as the seven acre historic dock complex beside the Shropshire Union Canal is taken over by a motley crew of buccaneers.

Come and visit Jamaica Inn, recreated in the stables at the museum. Thrill to the cry of ‘shiver me timbers’ as the pirates take over the trip boat on the canal. Fun for all the family is guaranteed.

Join in the treasure hunt searching for bounty across the site and be entertained by street theatre and the skill of the Diablo spinner. Enter the weekly summer competition for the chance to win a free family season ticket valid for twelve months entry to one of the areas leading visitor attractions.

The National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port is open daily from 10am – 5pm and is easy to find just off Junction 9 of the M53. It tells the story of the people who lived and worked on the waterways through interactive exhibits, film and audio recordings.

Visitors can climb aboard the historic canal boats or step back in time at the dock workers’ cottages to see how people lived and worked from the 1840s to the 1950s. Enter the weekly summer competition for the chance to win a free family season ticket valid for twelve months entry to one of the areas leading visitor attractions.

There is a soft play area to keep younger children entertained and boat trips along the Shropshire Union Canal or a bite to eat in the waterfront café to complete the visitor experience.

back to events

Fender Making Course

22nd and 23rd November

Dave Walker will lead a fender making course at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

It is planned that on the Saturday, participants will learn to make a button fender and on the Sunday, a side fender. Splicing and other boat related ropework will also be on the agenda, according to the needs of those attending. Flexibility will be the order of the day!

Terms like turks-head, half-hitching, crown knots and splices may sound complicated but the art of knotting is easy to master with a little guidance and practice. Over a weekend you can make a couple of side fenders, a short button, a deck matt and have a go at splicing mooring lines. Included in the cost are all the materials you need to make the fenders, the mat and the turks-heads. You will also receive a Swedish Fid (you can’t do with out one!) and a knot-tying book with all the instructions you need for these projects plus many more.

Fee: £65.00 for the whole weekend, £35 for one day.         
Including materials and light refreshments. Please bring a packed lunch

Dave is a long standing member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers and regularly demonstrates his craft at the Museum and at events in the area.

Print off the application form and send it with the full fee to address on form.

back to events

Bonnet Making Course

22nd and 23rd November

Mary Parry will lead a bonnet making course at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

Fee: £65.00 including all you need to start right away on your bonnet.  Participants should be able to use a machine with confidence - you will need to bring your own machine.
Light refreshments included. Please bring a packed lunch.

It is hoped that everyone will learn how to make their own bonnet and will be well on the way to completing it during the weekend. The kit includes all the material, cut out and ready to sew, the trimmings, needles and thread and instructions. 

Mary is a costume journeyman in the Guild of Waterways Crafts.

Print off the application form and send it with the full fee to address on form.

back to events

Crochet for Beginners Course

23rd November

Members of BMS Waterways Craft Group will lead a crochet for beginners course at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

Fee: £30 including all you need to start right away and a comprehensive tutorial to keep you on track afterwards.
Light refreshments included. Please bring a packed lunch.

Participants will learn 3 basic stitches and use them to make a small purse on a strap, a flower brooch and a granny square. Plus you can find lots of ideas on how you can build on this knowledge to continue on your own projects in the future.

Jaqueline and Sue are experienced crochet tutors and welcome adults and children, left handed or right handed to join them for the day.

A more advanced course will be arranged at a later date for improvers - if you are interested please let us know.

Print off the application form and send it with the full fee to address on form.

back to events

Rag-rugging Course

23rd November

Jane Lane will lead a rag-rugging course at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port.

Fee: £25.00 including all you need to start right away.
Light refreshments included. Please bring a packed lunch.

Everyone will start on draught mat using a technique that doesn't need a frame and will learn how to finish it off. Lots of information on regional differences and ideas for future projects.

Print off the application form and send it with the full fee to address on form.

back to events

return to Diary