Heritage Video Active DVDs

DVD - Historic Narrow Boats Ref: 724
For 150 years or so, the narrowboat was the principle means of carrying goods in this country. It's bright paintwork and traditional decoration made it easy to romanticise the boatman's way of life. The reality though was that it was a harsh existence.

This DVD is a record of a gathering of over 60 such ancient craft at Braunston in May 1999. Narrowboats, tunnel tugs, inspection launches and ice boats are featured.

Running time: 52 mins approx. DVD-R format. English PAL.

Price: £14.99

DVD - By Canal in the '50s Ref: 1492
The original silent films were made between 1949 and the mid 1950s on 16mm by Ralph Lee, a one time Chairman of the Midlands branch of the IWA. Much of the narrative has been provided by early surviving waterway pioneers, and part of the soundtrack is the recorded reactions of a group of retired boatmen and women who were also shown the films.

One of the films is a record of an IWA pilgrimage from the West Midlands to the Coronation in 1953.

Running time: 110 mins approx. DVD-R format. PAL

Price: £14.99

DVD - Millennium Ribble Link Ref: 732
The 18th Century builders of the Leeds & Liverpool and the Lancaster Canals always intended that the two waterways should be linked. However the ambitious scheme involved 75 miles of waterway and two costly aqueducts across the Lune and Ribble valleys, and it was never funded. As a result the beautiful Lancaster Canal has remained isolated from the rest of the canal network for over 200 years.

In 1984, The Ribble Link Trust was formed to promote the idea that the two waterways should be linked via the River Douglas, the Ribble Estuary and a short new canal to be constructed along the line of Savick Brook to join the Lancaster Canal in Preston's Haslam Park. This DVD tells the remarkable story of the Millennium Ribble Link, from early designs through to the official opening in September 2002.

Running time: 75 mins approx. DVD-R format. English PAL.

This title is paired with the Lancaster Canal in the Double Disk section.

Price: £14.99

DVD - New Seven Wonders of the Waterways Ref: 769
This new version of the Seven Wonders of the Waterways includes the Bingley 5 Rise, Falkirk Wheel, Caen Hill Flight, Burnley Embankment, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Standedge Tunnel and the Anderton Boat Lift.

Many of these wonderful structures have been the subject of major restorations during the millennium.

Running time: 60 mins approx. DVD-R format. English PAL.

Price: £14.99

DVD - Lower Avon Navigation Trust Ref: 1878
This DVD is the remarkable story of the rescue from dereliction of the Lower Avon Navigation between Tewkesbury and Evesham by the Lower Avon Navigation Trust 50 years ago and of how the river has developed as a consequence.

Running time: 57 mins approx. DVD-R format.

This title is paired with the River Avon in the Double Disk section.

Price: £14.99