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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.

The club's November meeting will be its on-line AGM via Zoom but the date remains the same,

Saturday 14 November 2020 at 2:00pm.

Please click here for details on how to register.

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.

Read more about how to join

 

 Newsletter

The Club's Newsletter is published quarterly. This is a high quality and lavishly illustrated colour publication with many fascinating features of interest to enthusiasts of historic boats.

Read "taster" Newsletter articles here. Back issues are available in limited quantities from the Club shop.

Why not join the club and get your copy hot off the press every quarter?

 Cover of newsletter 2020/1

Find historic boats...

Events   view all

Sat 7 November
HNBC Committee

During the covid-19 pandemic, the committee is dealing with club business by phone, email and video conferencing.

Today's meeting will be held via Zoom.

Sat 14 November
HNBC on-line AGM

From Kathryn Dodington, club Secretary:

All HNBC members are invited to join our Annual General Meeting, which was postponed from March 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the club is not a charity, we understand that the Charity Commission has issued guidance to charities that AGMs may be held by phone/video or other electronic means, so we are following a similar pattern.

Sat 13 March
HNBC Social

The Social will be held at Whittington Village Hall, Whittington, nr Lichfield WS14 9LR

Fri 2 April
Easter at The Port

Club shop

Christmas cards for 2020

Christmas Card 2018   

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

HNBC on-line AGM - Saturday 14 November 2020

From Kathryn Dodington, club Secretary:

All HNBC members are invited to join our Annual General Meeting, which was postponed from March 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the club is not a charity, we understand that the Charity Commission has issued guidance to charities that AGMs may be held by phone/video or other electronic means, so we are following a similar pattern.

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.

Recent updates   view all