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Our latest Aqueduct Marina newsletter is now available to read, packed with updates from around the marina and a look at everything that’s been happening over the summer.
In this issue, you’ll find news on recent site improvements, our new motorhome services, community events, charity fundraising, and the latest updates for our moorers. You’ll also get to meet Facilities & Compliance Manager Nick Beech and discover more about the people who help keep Aqueduct Marina running every day.
Whether you’re one of our moorers, a regular visitor, or simply interested in what’s happening at the marina, we hope you enjoy catching up on the latest news.
The team enjoy Snowdon at Sunrise for charity.
A team from Aqueduct Marina recently took on the challenge to climb Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) in aid of their chosen charity, My CWA. The challenge, Snowdon at Sunrise, meant the team of 10 had to set out from the marina in Church Minshull near Nantwich at 04.00am. A challenge in itself!
Phil, Robert, Andrea, Joseph, Faith, Matt, Phill, Nick, Lucas and Lee set off before sunrise to climb the 1085m of Wales and England’s highest peak, to raise money to support the marina’s Charity of the Year, My CWA.
This isn’t just the walk; it was the early start, the tough climb and the cold, damp conditions they had to contend with. But compared to the challenges faced by those supported by My CWA, it was nothing. My CWA (Cheshire Without Abuse) is a charity doing amazing work supporting individuals and families affected by domestic abuse right across Cheshire, and the reason it is Aqueduct’s chosen charity for 2026.
As a result of the team’s efforts, they raised £600 for My CWA. Robert Parton, Aqueduct Marina’s Owner, praised the efforts of all those involved in the challenge and thanked everyone who sponsored the team. He added, “It was a bit disappointing that the weather wasn’t a bit kinder to us, but we are glad we were able to not only raise some money but also awareness of the great work done by My CWA”.
Aqueduct Marina chooses My CWA as its Charity of ChoiceStaff at Aqueduct Marina are proud to announce that they have chosen to support the work of a local charity, My CWA, with a series of fundraising events throughout 2026.
Cheshire Without Abuse, now known as My CWA, supports individuals and families affected by domestic abuse by giving people access to early help, guidance, counselling, and safe spaces when they need them most.
My CWA is a Cheshire‑based charity supporting individuals, families and children affected by domestic abuse. Formerly known as Cheshire Without Abuse, they’ve been helping people in our community for almost 50 years, offering compassionate, practical support and a whole‑family approach to recovery and safety. They do this by offering 24/7 domestic abuse helpline: available day or night to listen, advise and signpost support for adults and children affected by abuse.
Crisis refuge accommodation for those who need an immediate safe place to escape abusive situations.
Robert Parton, Aqueduct’s MD, said, ” We’re incredibly proud to be supporting My CWA throughout 2026. We’ll be running a number of fundraising activities across the marina, including all staff, helping to raise vital awareness and funds so they can continue their life-changing work for women, men, and children in our community.” To begin with, the Aqueduct team will be taking part in a sponsored walk up Yr Wyddfa (Mount Snowdon) on the 16th of May.
Plans are also underway for what could be ‘the world’s slowest duck race’ on the canal close to Aqueduct’s Church, Minshull base and will take place on the 18th of July, so for more information on either event, visit the Aqueduct Marina website at www.aquedutmarina.co.uk. To sponsor the Sunrise Climb of Snowdon, please visit our Just Giving page by clicking here
Vote for Aqueduct Marina as Marina of the Year 2026At Aqueduct Marina, we’re proud to offer more than just moorings. We’ve created a welcoming space for boaters, visitors, and the wider community that visit our site.
Now, we would love your support!
The Marina of the Year 2026 awards, run by the The Yacht Harbour Association, are decided entirely by customer votes and we’d love yours.
If you’ve enjoyed your time with us, whether mooring, visiting, attending events, or stopping by the café, it would mean a lot if you could take a moment to vote.
Vote here:
https://www.tyha.co.uk/marina-awards#form
Your support helps us continue improving Aqueduct Marina and everything we offer.
Why is Spring the best time to sell your narrowboat?We truly believe that Spring is the best time to sell your narrowboat. The snowdrops are in bloom, more daffodils are starting to appear, and the lighter days are on their way, it’s a clear sign that the new season is almost here.
As the weather slowly but surely improves and the days grow longer, eager buyers can finally begin to picture their dream life afloat. Their summer plans start to feel much more realistic, and many begin their serious search for the perfect narrowboat.
Buyers are often thinking ahead when it comes to timescales. If any mechanical work needs completing on a boat, buying in Spring gives them plenty of time to get everything ready before the cruising season begins, so they can enjoy the full narrowboating experience throughout Summer.
For sellers, this can mean the potential for a quicker sale.
We know that selling your narrowboat isn’t always easy. It’s about much more than simply listing it for sale, it’s about presenting it at its very best and making the process as smooth as possible for both buyer and seller. That’s where we can help.
There are many reasons why you may have decided to hang up your windlass, but our role is to guide you through the process and make it as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Getting started is simple; just get in touch for a chat. Our broker, Gareth, is on hand to talk through your options and arrange a free valuation. He will come to meet you and your boat, and together you can get a clear idea of a realistic market price.
Selling might feel overwhelming, but we’re here to take that weight off your shoulders. From listing and marketing your boat, to handling negotiations, legal paperwork, and financial transactions, you won’t have to worry about a thing. We can even move your boat to our brokerage with our free collection service, meaning you can relax and leave the locks behind.
If this sounds like something you’re considering, please give us a call on 01270 525040. Alternatively, send us an email to info@aqueductmarina.co.uk and we can contact you at a date and time that is suitable. We’d be more than happy to help and talk you through all your options.
For full details on how we can help you sell your narrowboat, visit our Sell Your Boat page.
Charity of the year 2026: My CWA
This incredible local charity supports individuals and families affected by domestic abuse, giving people access to early help, guidance, counselling, and safe spaces when they need it most.
Yesterday, we had the pleasure of visiting My CWA and getting an insight into the invaluable work they do across Cheshire. A huge thank you to Helen for being such a fantastic host.
Her passion and knowledge really shone through, making the visit both insightful and inspiring.
We were particularly moved by the sensitivity and care that goes into every aspect of their work, especially the support they provide to children learning to express their feelings.
About My CWA
My CWA is a Cheshire‑based charity supporting individuals, families and children affected by domestic abuse. Formerly known as Cheshire Without Abuse, they’ve been helping people in our community for almost 50 years, offering compassionate, practical support and a whole‑family approach to recovery and safety.
What they offer:
24/7 domestic abuse helpline: available day or night to listen, advise and signpost support for adults and children affected by abuse.
Crisis refuge accommodation for those who need an immediate safe place to escape abusive situations.
Support at the Lily Jones Support Centre: including drop‑in sessions, advice on housing, finances, legal issues, and personal safety planning.
Counselling, support groups & recovery programmes for both adults and children to help rebuild confidence, wellbeing and stability.
Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) services: specialist caseworkers who support people to make choices, access protection and navigate multi‑agency support.
As a team, we’re incredibly proud to be supporting My CWA throughout 2026. We’ll be running a range of fundraising activities across the marina including all staff, helping to raise vital awareness and funds so they can continue their life-changing work for women, men, and children in our community.
You can donate here: https://www.mycwa.org.uk/donate
We’re excited to launch our brand new quarterly newsletter, Along the Aqueduct!
It’s packed with updates, stories, and tips to keep you connected to everything happening at Aqueduct Marina.
Our spring edition features highlights from across the marina, including our role in supporting the Whitchurch breach, our nature trail, and all the upcoming events you won’t want to miss.
You’ll also get a behind the scenes look at life at Aqueduct through our staff feature, plus our brand new Customer Spotlight, where we meet some of the people who make our community so welcoming.
And because we love helping boaters get the most from their time on the water, this newsletter includes some practical boating tips and advice, perfect whether you’re a first time cruiser or a seasoned canal enthusiast.
You can read the full newsletter below, we hope you enjoy reading!
Christmas Opening HoursPlease see below our opening hours over the Christmas 2025 period.
| Wednesday 24th December | 08:00am – 12:00pm |
| Christmas Day | Closed |
| Boxing Day | Closed |
| Saturday 27th December | 09:00am – 4:00pm |
| Sunday 28th December | 09:00am – 4:00pm |
| Monday 29th December | 09:00am – 4:00pm |
| Tuesday 30th December | 09:00am – 4:00pm |
| New Years Eve | 09:00am – 4:00pm |
| New Years Day | Closed |
| Friday 2nd January | 08:00am – 5.00pm |
The brokerage team at Aqueduct Marina have welcomed the first brand-new narrowboat from Straight and Narrow Boat Services of Stoke-on-Trent. This new range is now available, with the arrival of the 57 ft narrowboat, at the family-owned and independent Church Minshull Marina in Cheshire.
Straight and Narrow Boat Services only began manufacturing narrowboats in 2022, but under the guidance of Chris Moran, who has 25 years of boat-building experience, the company aims to produce a small number of high-quality boats each year. The focus is not only on the quality of the boats but also on the company’s ethos of training a team of former offenders and others who have faced difficulties in their past, such as drug or alcohol addiction, and who now want to turn their lives around.
The first new boat completed by the Staffordshire company is a 57 ft, four-berth cruiser-style narrowboat, now available for inspection.
With Aqueduct Marina’s team having established a highly successful and well-respected brokerage, selling both new and used narrowboats from a range of manufacturers, the opportunity for Straight and Narrow to join the select group of suppliers was too good to miss. “Having a team as experienced and professional as the guys at Aqueduct will help us promote and ultimately sell our boats is enormously beneficial,” said Julie Gilson, Director of Straight and Narrow.
Aqueduct Marina’s Owner, Robert Parton, said, “The Aqueduct team are keen to support Straight and Narrow with their interesting, innovative and worthwhile plan of producing high-quality narrowboats while supporting those who would otherwise have struggled to gain much sought-after skills.”
The Aqueduct Boat Show 2025Despite the rather damp weather, we were thrilled to welcome large crowds to this year’s Aqueduct Marina Boat Show. Over a thousand free tickets were booked for the event, which continues to grow significantly each year since we started it three years ago.
The show gave visitors the chance to explore over 20 boats for sale and discover the full range of facilities we offer here at Church Minshull Marina. It was great to see so many people chatting with our marina team and with representatives from more than 30 companies who came along to support the day.
We were especially proud to showcase some of our newest additions this year — including the relocated glamping tents, a new utilities block for our camping and caravan guests, our recently launched electric day boats, and the glass-fronted pergola that’s expanded the Waterfront Café’s seating area with stunning views over the marina.
This year also saw a larger marquee for our trade exhibitors, plus a dedicated space for local businesses, selling everything from handmade crafts to street food and face painting. Unsurprisingly, the boats were the biggest draw once again, with both brokerage and new boats on display from Knights Narrowboats, Elton Moss, Ovation, and Clearwater Boats. Our friends from Caldwell Windows, Wifi Onboard, EP Barrus, and Shoreline Marine were also there, representing the wider marine industry.
But as always, it wasn’t just about business — it was about community too. We had a brilliant evening event that completely sold out, with 250 tickets snapped up for our live entertainment night featuring Paul Larcombe as Pure Presley and the fabulous Passionettes. Guests enjoyed a great atmosphere, a fish and chip supper, and a fantastic night of music and fun.
I also want to say a huge thank you to all of our staff — both those behind the scenes and on the day — for their hard work in planning, organising, and delivering such a successful event. It simply wouldn’t have been possible without their commitment and enthusiasm.
Robert Parton, Owner of the marina, said, “It was great to welcome boating enthusiasts and local people alike to showcase the results of the team’s hard work across the marina and connect with fellow industry exhibitors and Cheshire businesses.
Despite the damp weather, the atmosphere remained positive, and it was clear that visitors enjoyed the day.
We’re now looking forward to building on the strong interest shown in both the marina and the boats on display — and to next year’s event, where our plans are set to be even bigger and better.”
Celebrating the Retirement of Rob AdairWe recently said goodbye and a heartfelt thank you to Rob Adair, who has retired from his role as Senior Marine Engineer here at Aqueduct Marina. Rob spent 10 years with us, bringing with him a lifetime of engineering experience and an unshakable passion for boats.
Many in the boating community will remember Rob and his wife Joan from their days running RJ Marine at Venetian Marina—a business they successfully operated for 15 years. Rob’s reputation as a skilled and reliable engineer was well known long before he joined our team.
Engineering has always been in Rob’s blood. Over the years, he worked with various companies in the area and even built his own 70ft narrowboat, Emperor, which he and Joan have called home for over 35 years.
More recently, Rob turned his talents to maintenance work here at Aqueduct Marina, specialising in welding, fabrication, and over-plating—working on everything from private customer projects to CRT workboats.
Our Managing Director, Robert Parton, summed it up perfectly: “Rob could turn his hand to almost anything,” he said, adding his best wishes for Rob’s well-earned retirement.
Now with more time on his hands, Rob plans to enjoy one of his other great passions—music. We’re sure he’ll be spotted with his guitar at local festivals and events in the near future.
From all of us at Aqueduct Marina, thank you, Rob, for your years of dedication, craftsmanship, and good humour. We wish you every happiness in this next chapter.
Aqueduct Marina takes another step towards decarbonisationAqueduct Marina has taken another step towards decarbonising their operation with the installation of 73kw of solar panels on the workshops and facilities building. The new installation, carried out by TB Electrics, saw 170 highly efficient 440w solar panels being fitted to the main building, which houses the administrative offices, reception and the cafe. A project partly funded by Cheshire East Council.
The installation complemented the existing ground source heat pump and solar tubes on the facilities building that already provide heating and some of the hot water. It is hoped that the combined output of these new panels will reduce Aqueduct’s consumption of electricity from the grid by 20%. The resulting cost savings mean the installation cost is expected to be recouped in around four years.
The new solar panels help the Cheshire-based marina to reduce its carbon emissions even further, something Aqueduct’s MD, Robert Parton, is keen to do after calculating the business’s carbon footprint a few years ago. To enable the marina to reduce its emissions of CO2, the company now uses HVO fuel in all of its vehicles, as well as offering it to boat owners for use in their boats. Hydrogen fuel can also be purchased from the chandlery, and even casual visitors to the marina can make use of the EV chargers located in the carpark.
The Marina is open:
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat - Sun: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Cafe is open:
Mon - Thurs: 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Fri : 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sat: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sun: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
The Chandlery is open:
Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat - Sun: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
© 2026 Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull.
