Canals around Coventry

The Old Engine House at Hawkesbury Junction Coventry

Hawkesbury Junction

The sister of my wife's grandfather, Mary Beasley, was landlady of the Greyhound for over 40 years. A former boatman Benjamin Beasley took over as Publican in January 1883. In January 1888, the Trustees and Mortgagees of the widow of an earlier landlord, Mary A. Worthy, (deceased), and Benjamin Beasley agreed the sale of the pub and Benjamin arranged a mortgage for the property on the same day. The Inn was popular and successful under the management of Benjamin and his wife Mary for the next 13 years, until on 25th November 1901, Benjamin suddenly collapsed and died. Mary, being a strong and determined woman took over the running of the business with the help of her sons and daughters. Amongst many things she was remembered for, were the Yorkshire puddings that she made for the customers to eat free on Sundays, to help them drink more beer. Mary Beasley continued to run the pub until her death in January 1928. Charles Beasley, Mary's surviving son, took over the running of the Greyhound. Lots more if of interest.

Historic Steam narrowboats 'President' and butty 'Kildare' arrived at Stoke Heath Basin, Swan Lane Wharf this afternoon. The Coventry canal was a big player in the movement of goods to and from Courtaulds and coal delivery transportation amongst other the companies that used the Canal, but I hardly need to tell you this

Great photos, thanks for posting them

Steam Narrowboats 'President' and tunnel tug 'Hasty' enter the Canal Basin this morning along with 'Adamant', 'Tixall' and 'Whistle down the Wind'.

I have enjoyed the most thrilling time at the canal basin today. With hoots, whistles & a nearly dry day. Thank you for your pictures that are on here. I have a few here. This was parked by. I hope that some of you recognise this lovely couple out of uniform, who were visiting the canal event today. So well known to many on our history site. Ding, ding.

He He.... thats my old 1964 Triumph Tiger 100 Phillip, I've owned her for the past 29-30 years, it's not original but just practical BTW, good photos

Hi Midland Red I love this. Bril! Thank you.

This is a must have book by Sonia Rolt if you're interested in our waterways, it has photo's by the same man and called "A Canal People" and nearly all taken around or in Coventry, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post a link to the seller of the book so please delete if that's the case. I've had it a few years now and it's a fascinating book ISBN-10: 0750917768 ISBN-13: 978-0750917766 A Canal People

This appears to be the same exhibition that was staged at the Herbert a couple of years. The Longden photographs are wonderful as printed in the book but when prepared to exhibition standard take on a totally different quality. Several of the families featured in the photographs came into the Bedworth Heritage Centre when we staged an exhibition about the local canals around the same time. It was fascinating to meet adults who were photographed as children. The Herbert also staged a Q & A session with Sonia Rolt to launch the exhibition which was most enjoyable

O'h Mayjan, Pam & I & our builder friends D&H were all aboard a hire boat, where we had an evening meal there & were given permission to moor-up outside the pub to sleep the night. That was summer 2007. I will find a pic to put up. On this trip, Pam & Doreen were in charge of the galley, Hayden was ships engineer, I was Rear Admiral Philipuddle & chief cleaner. My first ever command (following certification) what a big-head hey! Aboard a Rose narrowboat where we were cruising in order to sink a destroyer at Banbury. A peaceful outcome though, as we all had our hair cut aboard a narrowboat salon moored at Cropredy. The ladies was called the cut & the gents was called the cut-above (funny I hope). It was a fabulous holiday & the start of many.

Loving the narrowboat photos, Rear Admiral Philipuddle! Fancy there being a hairdressers on a narrowboat! Did you all have a CREW cut!