Narrowboat Story DVDs

DVD - Narrowboat Story Ref: 960
In this DVD you take a trip right through the development of the boat, looking at all the aspects of construction and operation. The DVD is made up of a mix of vintage film and archive photographs and follows right through to the modern day builders. Much of the archive material has never been published making this title an essential volume for all enthusiasts.

Running time: 60 mins approx.

Price: £14.50

DVD - Working Narrowboat Restoration Ref: 962
Originally released as Narrowboats On Parade.

Through the restoration of several old working boats a variety of traditional boatbuilding techniques are demonstrated. Caulking, rolling oakum, hot rivetting, traditional decoration and much more.

Join us in various docks and witness first hand the labours of putting a traditional working boat back into use.

Running time: 80 mins approx.

Price: £14.50

DVD - The Narrowboat Builders Ref: 1821
This DVD combines two previous issues, 'Boatyards' and 'The Last Boatdocks'.

In 'Boatyards', through archive footage and pictures combined with a visit to the Black Country Living Museum dock we look at what life was like in the yards and how the skills were developed to maintain the narrowboat fleets. Running time: 48 mins approx.

In 'The Last Boatdocks', you take a close look at Les Allen's in it's last weeks, Joe Gilbert's "Charity Dock" and Peter Keay & Son. Running time: 50 mins approx

Price: £14.50

DVD & CD - A Traditional British Boatdock Ref: 2014
"Ken Keay canal colours"

16 pages of highly detailed drawings giving the exact layouts of the designs used on the BCN boats built and repaired at the dock. Invaluable to those who want to really understand the decorative designs used at this type of yard. Colour key guides allow you to colour the drawings.

"A boatbuilders sketchbook"

50 pages of incredibly detailed drawings showing the layout of various docks Keay's operated, the techniques used to work on boats, the tools used, the layout of the workshops, winches etc. A unique resource on the everyday operation of a commercial boatdock.

Both the above books were produced from sketches Ken made post retirement and are a first generation record of the way of life lived in these docks.

"Merope old boat"

Peter Dodds marvellous film of the docking of his boat at the Carl St dock of Keays. Shot in colour and now enhanced, the atmosphere of the dock comes to life on your screen.

"The Bill revived"

Again shot by Peter Dodds this film shows how one of the "Hampton" boats was rescued for the Black Country Museum. Many of these boats had been repaired at Keays during their working days.

"Carl St memories"

Drawn from Laurence's own archive and with input from Max Sinclair we take a animated look at views of some of the activity and boats at the dock. A sequence shows Ken fitting a plank to the new "production line" tug they hoped to build in numbers.

55 minutes of film, 2 books to view on screen or print off as required.

Price: £14.95