Les Reid’s commute to work to the Heritage Barge Leicester Trader on his workboat ‘Ruffian’
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, moored in the lee of the imposing 900 year old Newark castle ruins. Below deck in the former cargo hold there is a terrific collection of photographs, films, models, equipment and activities.
Videos by Rich & Lou Duffy-Howard for Open Bridges
Watch a remarkable rare video from 1965 showing a working barge trip on the barge Girton from Hull to Girton Gravel Pit and back with commentary by Les:
Rich and Lou Duffy-Howard