South Midland Water Transport Limited

29/11/2025

This load was for South Midland, how wonderful it was to see museum craft being used back then.

Friday again! Where do the weeks go?!

Another just for fun share today, a trip down memory lane with this snap of ‘Sculptor’ - one of the historic narrow boats now in the care of the Canal & River Trust.

‘Sculptor’ who turned 90 this week is seen here being loaded in the mid 1990s by ourselves at Atherstone Top Lock Wharf, where we operated our Coal & Solid Fuel business from the early 80s until the early 2000s, alongside our plant hire and contracting operations.

A little birdie tells us that to mark her 90th birthday, there is an interesting little exhibition all about her history at the Canal Museum in Stoke Bruerne until 3pm today and between 11am and 3pm tomorrow (Saturday 29th November) if you’re in the area. There will be cake too of course! 🎂

Whatever you do, have a good weekend!

28/08/2025

Now the boat show is over, yesterday saw Malcolm Burge on Carnaby & Australia leaving Alvecote for some scheduled maintenance on the butty over the coming weeks.

05/07/2025

More than 20 years ago now - Tied up for the evening and retired professional boatman Les Lapworth watches on from Clovers hatches as a young Matthew Burge cleans the brasses on the butty Fazeley’s chimney bands.

12/06/2025

Retired professional boatmen Les Lapworth and Ron Withey on SMWT Greyhound in Diglis Basin Worcester in 1999.

31/05/2025

August 2001, Lawrence Williams leaving Buckby Top late on a summers evening with a well loaded Greyhound.

17/08/2024

6 years ago, we had just finished loading Lynx, Emu and Jaguar at Awbridge. Destined for local fuel boat deliveries on the T&M

11/08/2024

Have you ever fancied the Tidal Thames…?
8 years ago SMWT Lynx and ex FMC The King, both Saltley Joshers head inbound from Limehouse.

12/07/2024

SMWT Jaguar, followed by FMC motor Minnow heading North on the Trent & Mersey Canal near Acton Bridge last month.

15/04/2024

Today we are paying our respects to Alice Lapworth who sadly passed away at Easter. Alice and husband Les were both from the boats and taught us so much over the years. We were proud to call them our friends and stories of our boating adventures together will live on for generations to come. RIP Alice.

12/04/2024

Malcolm Burge has been completing the safe delivery of the large Motor Bainton today with Stafford.

28/03/2024

Yesterday, Jaguar and Stafford working down the Beeston Iron lock on their way to Ellesmere Port this Easter. Both boats will then travel onwards to different destinations for work.

17/02/2024

Stern to stern. Jaguar and Kangaroo on the mainline back at HQ ready to depart in opposite directions.