We had another great day out in Newark visiting Les Reid of the Newark Heritage Barge ‘Leicester Trader’. Les showed us a remarkable rare cine film of a working barge trip with Alec Carrigan on the barge Girton showing a run from Hull to Girton Gravel Pit and back circa 1965. We filmed Les’s commentary telling us all about his experience and memories of the boats and river life. It’s a privilege to work with Les, to capture his knowledge, and listen to his many fascinating and entertaining yarns.
You can watch the original cine film together with Les’s commentary here:
Original Cine film courtesy of Rita Carrigan and the family of the late Alec Carrigan. Video edit and interview by Rich & Lou Duffy-Howard for Open Bridges Hull.
Newark’s unique Heritage Barge ‘Leicester Trader’ is the last Trent size cargo barge built to fit the old locks of the Trent Navigation Company. Saved from being scrapped in 2008 and renovated by Les and a group of local barge aficionados, the dumb barge is now a floating museum, currently moored in the lee of the imposing 900 year old Newark castle ruins.
Find out more about visiting the Leicester Trader on the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/leicester.trader
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