Dan Gereaux

please credit the artist! It's Roger Hutchinson (RIP)

fascinating...

Surely the recent trend in seaside, lake and coastal photos have no place on a canal forum?

It's Friars Mill.....

Nowt to do with canals or narrowboats...........

Yes, bloody frustrating! Only been waiting 47 years to see it again! Anyhoo, When I last looked on the Network sit, it had dissapeared, so I emailed them - this is the less than helpful response: Dear Customer, Thank you for getting in touch with Network. We’re sorry that The Flower of Glocester continues to be delayed. This title is part of a batch of ITV titles that are still in the process of being cleared, as we announced a few weeks ago. We appreciate many of our customers will be disappointed, and we are too, but we will bring it to market just as quickly as we can. Many thanks for your continued support Dave I am not aware of any announcement. And by the by Flyboy, this TV series has nothing to do with Temple Thurstons book 'The Flower of Gloster'.

This is all good but.....far better if the photos are pretty much from the same angle.....just a-sayin', like....

Yes, it is Kings Lock, Aylestone, just on the outskirts of Leicester. I have the date and details from the Leicester Mercury somewhere but i think it's 1976.

Thanks for this fantastic and long awaited news CJB! I understood from previous request for info/availability that there were only a couple of episodes extant and I think this series was what got me into boats and canals. It must have some of the only footage of 'Chocolate' Charlie Atkins and much else besides.

I wondered how they got boats round with others moored outside the Greyhound - when & why was the width reduced?

Slightly off topic, but I have been looking for years forChildrens' TV series 'Flower of Gloster' from the late '60's. About a journey from Llangollen to London - some great scenes uncluding 'Chocolate' Charlie Atkins passing Braunston resevoirs (now marina) where unused Willow Wren boats make a sad specticle - "them boats is redunded..." Anybody know of its existence?

The Flower of Gloster TV series along with the usual books got me into canals and boats. I remember it featured 'Chocolate' Charlie Atkins, who when passing the Braunston Resevoirs witjh discarded Willow Wren boats, said something like "them boats are all redunded...." Does anyone know where I could get a copy?

I'm telling you off for being flippant......

Probably should have posted this here: My link

A well known canal landmark in Leicester looks to have been almost destroyed by fire. Friars Mill or the Donisthorpe & Co factory building, built in the 1790's and a Grade 2 Listed Building, had been suffering serious and deliberate official neglect for around the last 5 years. The lead had been stripped from the roof and the unique Ibex weathervane stolen. Windows were left to rot and the Council did nothing. From this is Leicestershire today: Fire crews tackled a blaze at a former factory buiding in Bath Lane, Leicester, last night. The fire caused the partial collapse of the three-storey former Donisthorpe and Co factory building into the adjacent canal and the roof was destroyed. Crews were still at the scene this morning damping down the fire. Police were also called out to the scene. An investigation into the cause of the fire was under way this morning. The site has become increasingly run down and heritage campiagners had voiced concerns over the state of disrepait of the factory, which dates back to the 1790s. Mercury reader Adrian Ablett sent us pictures of last night’s blaze. In April this year Mr Ablett, photographed children playing on the derelict site and voiced his concern about the dangers of the rundown area. He said: “The building is in a dangerous state and the area is awash with hypodermic needles, rotting rubbish and rats. “I’m astonished at how simple it is to get in. Anyone can walk in and will not necessarily be aware of the dangers. Mr Ablett had contacted the council about his concerns and a city council spokesman said: “Although we have been to the factory on several occasions to secure a number of the buildings and clean up needles, people continue to break in. “We are in the process of contacting the owners, whose responsibility it is to clean up the site. “In the meantime, our visits will continue.” The former textile factory, also known as Friars Mill, is one of the oldest in Leicester. A majority of the buildings on site were demolished when the grade II-listed factory was abandoned. Several schemes have been proposed to develop the area, including a flats development, but have not gone ahead. My thoughts: Totally predictable! This is the culmination of 4 -5 years of deliberate neglect - the ibex weathervane was stolen along with the lead on the roof - but 'they' couldn't wait for it to be declared unsafe. 'Luxury Waterside properies! or more student flats anyone? - that they will not sell in the current financial climate. Criminal negligence! What happened to investgative journalism? There is obvious a high level of corruption as regards new building projects on land with listed buildings In Leicester eg the High Cross Brewery etc etc