Poppy and Stone

St Abbs

Fergus Crown, Eyemouth shipbuilder

Some snippets about Fergus Crown, an Eyemouth shipbuilder at the beginning of the 19th century.

St Abbs

Baby Saved at St Abbs Harbour

A wonderful rescue of a baby which took place at St Abbs Harbour in August 1909.

St Abbs

Coldingham Sands Beach Huts

Snippets I have found about the beach huts at Coldingham Sands near St Abbs.

St Abbs

St Abbs Golf Courses

The history of the former golf courses at St Abbs, in the Scottish Borders.

Canal Stories

The Wyrley and Essington Canal

A brief introduction to the history of the Wyrley and Essington Canal

Canal Stories

The canals of the Midland region at the end of WW1

A introduction to the Midland Region canals in 1918

Property Info

Looking for Canalside Land with a Mooring?

Are you looking for a land to moor your boat? Read this first!

Property Info

Can you moor against your own land?

Here's how to apply to moor on the canal adjoining a residential property or a privately owned plot of land.

Property Info

Things to think about when you're buying a canalside home

Let's consider some of the information you may need when buying a canalside property.

Property Info

Flood Risk

Are you thinking of buying a house by a waterway? Here's some information about flood risk as it affects rivers and canals.

Property Info

My thoughts on CRT Disposals

My thoughts on Facebook (yuck!) and the sale of Canal and River Trust property.

Property Info

30 steps to selling a house in England

If you're thinking of selling your house, or you have a sale in progress, I hope that this post will help you as you proceed along your rather overwhelming journey!

Property Info

How can I find someone to view a property for me in the UK?

What should you do if you want to view a property but you can't get there yourself?

Canal Stories

Accidental Drowning: Four Young Men from All Cannings

The accidental drowning of Francis Cowdry, Stephen Green, William Page, and Henry Withers, on 27th December 1846.

Canal Stories

Found Drowned: Emily Louise Chambers (1865-1897) and Eva Louise Chambers (1896-1897)

The story of Emily Louise Chambers and her baby Eva Louise Chambers who were found drowned in 1897.

Narrowboat and canal themed jigsaws

I love jigsaw puzzles! Do you? Here's a wonderful list of canal and narrowboat themed puzzles - keeping this list updated is one of the random services I offer to my readers! There are some really beautiful new jigsaw designs to show you, such as a wonderful new

Property Info

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

All about Domestic Energy Performance Certificates, known as EPCs.

WW1

Private William Hutchins, Devizes, 1877-1917

The story of Private William Hutchins, a canal labourer in the Engineering Department, who was killed in action in Belgium in WW1.

Canal Stories

Lockkeepers on the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1911

In 2020 I surveyed the 1911 census to find all the lock keepers along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Here are my findings.

WW1

2nd Lieutenant Bernard Noel Asprey, Brewood, 1988-1915

The story of Bernard Noel Asprey, a WW1 soldier from the canalside vilage of Brewood.

Canal Stories

Samuel Barlow of Glascote

Samuel Barlow and his family, the well known boat buiders and coal carriers of Glascote.

French Property

My favourite villages and small towns in France

Where should I buy a house in France? A department by department guide to the most appealing villages in France.

WW1

Private William Arnold Adie, Glascote, d. 1918

Pte William Arnold Adie was killed in action during WW1.

WW1

Lance Corporal Enoch Wright, Kettlebrook, 1875-1916

The story Lance Corporal Enoch Wright of Kettlebrook who died in England during WW1.

St Abbs

Lifeboat Helen Smitton's False Alarm

On Friday 6th April 1917 the St Abbs lifeboat Helen Smitton attended a distress call.