Welcome to the HNBC

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Welcome to the HNBC

The Historic Narrow Boat Club was formed in 1966 and is a not-for-profit club dedicated to preserving the working heritage of UK canals, from the boats themselves to details of the waterways on which they travel. We are passionate about working boats, traditional skills, the built heritage, and the practices and courtesies of the working boat people.

We are an active pressure group for navigational and waterway heritage interests and we welcome all who support our aims, whether boat owners or not. By supporting the Club, you are helping to ensure that the UK’s canals retain their unique heritage value.

We hope you enjoy exploring this website.

HNBC announces the winners of its Keay and its Hemelryk Awards for 2019

Many congratulations!

Six good reasons to join us

Our quarterly newsletter, full of interesting articles.
Discount offers on boating equipment and services.
Access to the ever increasing wealth of information in our narrow boat register and archive.
Help and advice on historic craft maintenance through our members' forum
Small, sociable rallies.
Twice yearly members’ meetings – the AGM in March and the winter social in November, both with interesting speakers.

How to join

You can join us as an individual, joint or associate member.

Find historic boats...

By Company:	BCN, Fellows, Morton & Clayton, Grand Union Canal Carrying Co, Cowburn & Cowpar, Barlows, LMS, Bantock, Willow Wren Canal Carrying Co
By type:	Motor, Butty, Icebreaker, Bantock, Joey, Tug
By Class:	Admiralty, River, Royalty, Small Northwich, Middle Northwich, Station boat, Fish
By Builder:	Bantock, Braithwaite & Kirk, FMC Uxbridge, Harland & Wolff, Harris Bros, Nursers, Walkers of Rickmansworth, Yarwoods

Events view all

Fri 10 April

CANCELLED Easter Boat Gathering

Statement from the organisers, 18 March 2020:

"The health of our boaters, visitors, volunteers and staff is our main priority, and we have spent the past few weeks closely monitoring advice and updates regarding coronavirus/COVID-19. It is with a heavy heart that we must postpone the annual Easter Boat Gathering. All of our stakeholders are being notified today and just to confirm, the meeting scheduled for tomorrow won’t be going ahead.

Sat 2 May

CANCELLED IWA Canalway Cavalcade, London

IWA PRESS STATEMENT 13 MARCH 2020

Following increased concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 virus and careful consideration of the safety of everyone involved in planning, organising and attending IWA Canalway Cavalcade – our volunteers and supporters, our attendees, our exhibitors, our partners and their volunteers and staff, we have decided to cancel the 2020 Festival, scheduled for 2^nd & 3^rd May 2020 in Little Venice.

Sat 2 May

Tug Gathering, BCLM

Bookings via Steve Bingham

Black Country Living Museum - https://www.bclm.co.uk

Fri 8 May

Steam at the lift

Venue - Anderton Boat Lift

A report here of last year's event.

Club shop

Christmas cards for 2019

Here is the Whitby on a crisp winter's day on the Trent & Mersey canal.

Single design, pack of 10 cards with envelopes

£3.00 per pack plus p&p

The greeting inside all cards is:
With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Buy your supplies through our Shop.

Our Club Shop always has an range of interesting products available. As well as running a stall at various events through the year, we offer a mail order service. Please browse the various categories using the links below

Blank Cards - Christmas Cards - Clothing - Club plaques - Maps and books

Navigation issues

It is so important to tell C&RT, and us, if you get stuck on the waterways.

C&RT's general contact phone number is 03030 40 40 40, their emergencies number is 0800 479 9947, or you can use their Contact Form. C&RT Region by Region - a list of email contacts, and a map of 2019 Regions, is here.

Please let us know too so that we can chase it up.

Here is our pinchpoints form, or you can email navigation@hnbc.org.uk

DON'T JUST SORT IT, REPORT IT

Thank you!

Latest stories view all

Postponement of HNBC's Annual General Meeting 2020

Statement from Phil Prettyman, HNBC Chairman

Dear HNBC Member

Unfortunately we have had to take the decision to cancel this Saturday’s AGM in light of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Vote for Phil, Eric and Ian!

Are you a private boater or a C&RT volunteer? You should soon receive an email inviting you to vote for a representative to sit on C&RT's Council. HNBC has no allocated seat on the Council, so we urge you to cast your vote for a club member:

Rag Mop

If you've wondered how to make a really good looking Rag Mop for your boat, have a read of this article from 2002 in our club newsletter, penned by Beryl McDowall.