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Dear Aqueduct customer
With the winter weather finally abating and boating activity restarting, I thought I would take the chance to update you on the news from Aqueduct Marina, We have some exciting new items that should help your enjoyment of Aqueduct Marina. My apologies for the long letter, but plenty is happening.
Cruise Moor,
A new shared mooring Scheme between ourselves Overwater, Dunchurch Pools, White Mills, and Droitwich Marinas. If you are a 12-month moorer at Aqueduct, you will get a discount on the short-term weekly mooring fee when staying at one of the other marinas.
We launched this at Boatlife earlier this year and plan to grow the group to include other similar independent marinas. If you haven’t already, please call reception and get your Cruise Moor card.
ANPR
There is no more button pressing and remembering the access code; ANPR is here. Have you given reception your car registration numbers for your vehicles and those of any visiting friends and family?
Greener boating has become less expensive.
We have been selling Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a low-carbon alternative fuel for nearly 2 years now, and we do have some loyal customers using it. Until now, we have been selling white HVO diesel with no self-declaration split allowed. This has been costing over 50p/ltr extra, so I am delighted to say we can now supply Red HVO diesel with the self-declaration allowed in the same way as standard red Diesel, which will only cost around an extra 25p/ltr.
We, as a marina, have now converted all our diesel yard equipment, tractors, and cars to HVO, reducing our carbon footprint by around 50%. The other 50% is mainly in the electricity we use.
I would encourage you, as a boat owner, to seriously consider switching to HVO. We all need to do our bit for the environment, but it also has the not-insignificant benefit of a much longer shelf life, reducing the likelihood of getting diesel bug, something that standard diesel is increasingly prone to. There is no need to run your tank down; the two diesels will mix in your fuel tank.
Free Slip Way
Have you booked in for your free 2 hours on the slipway trailer out of the water, available to 12-month moorers? Take the opportunity to check your anodes, blacking and rudder.
It is boat show season
After a successful stand at Boatlife in February, we will be at the Crick Boat show over the weekend of 25th-27th May. The local Darnhall show 7th July and Nantwich show on July 31st
We have our very own boat show for canal boaters, about canal boating here at Aqueduct Marina on Saturday 13th July. Several exhibitors are joining us, boats to view and our workshops will be open. This is a free event, so please put it in your diary and join us on the day.
Then why not buy a ticket for our Boater Bash in the evening when the local band Beardsmith will be providing the entertainment? Tickets £15 moorers, £20 non moorers, Theprice includes entry and food Tickets £15 moorers, £20 non moorers, the price includes entry and food
Whats New?
Over the early May Bank holiday, we welcomed several tents to our Pop-up camping and motorhome field. However, the wet ground conditions in early May meant we had to cancel the motorhome bookings!
We will be doing this again over the Whit bank holiday (24/05 -2/06) while also offering Bell Tents. There will be some extra toilets and showers available in the area. We will then close the area reopening again between 24th July – 1st September. This is available to book from our website. If you have friends and family who would like to use this, please go to the website or contact reception with your dates. We are building up a moorers benefits package, so watch out for future messages.
With the new camping and Bell tents provision we will be extending the café opening hours and food offering. Between 24/05-02/06 and 24/07-01/09, the café will be open from 9 am-7 pm Mon-Thrs and 9 am-8:30 pm Fri and Sat. We have been upgrading the kitchen to offer a Full English breakfast, chips and a wider early evening menu choice.
Another new venture we are about to start is day boat hire, with the ability to hire a small electric boat for 1-3 hour, with room for up to 6 people, so you can silently enjoy the canal. Please contact reception; this will be available very soon.
Other Areas Of Business
Other areas of the marina remain very active, with Tom and Denise in the chandlery ready to supply those boating bits and pieces as well as the HVO.
Gareth is very busy with the brokerage, with boats coming onto the market and selling at sensible prices for both vendors and buyers. We are out of the post-COVID bubble, but things have found a sensible level, in my opinion, with Glen Knight’s new builds also in demand.
The boat yard team, under Richard and Alex, are busy blacking, blasting narrow boats and building new work boats for C&RT. Please, as much as possible, plan your maintenance ahead; why not use your free slipways and 2 hrs as part of getting your boat blacked?
Again, contact reception, who will pass any enquiry on to Richard.
Other general news,
Our Staff
Congratulations to Hannah Peel (Marketing), who is currently on Maternity Leave; she had a baby daughter, Elsie, a couple of weeks ago, and mother and baby are both very well.
Sallie Lee has taken semi-retirement recently to be able to spend more time with her growing family, she became a grandmother last year. She was also seen recently looking at boats, so she may appear back on the canal network very soon.
Nick Beech has moved across to take over Sallie’s former role. Looking after the moorings, brokerage and leisure activities.
Fund Britain Waterways campaign
The Fund Britain Waterways campaign is continuing. Please go to their website and sign the petition. I recently participated in the campaign cruise outside Westminster. With elections due, any pressure we can bring to remind politicians of the huge economic and well-being benefits of a vibrant canal network can only help our case.
Heath & Safety
Lithium batteries are a growing fire risk on boats, mainly around the charging of items such as electric bikes or battery packs for power tools. The insurance companies are starting to add clauses to policies. As a starter, please do not leave items charging while you are away from your boat, and when charging items, please do it in a ventilated area, away from flammable items.
Thank you for reading this letter to the end. if you have any questions, want to send us your car number plates, want to book a stay, collect your Cruise moor card, book a boater bash ticket or book in your free slipway, please, in the first instance, contact Jasmin or Naomi on reception, on reception@aquedutmarina.co.uk 01270525040, and they will deal with your enquiry.
Thanks you for your support in using Aqueduct Marina as your boating base.
Robert Parton
Managing Director.
A first for Aqueduct Marina
For many years, Aqueduct Marina has sought to help decarbonise the waterways and marina operations as much as possible. More recently, the Church Minshull-based marina has calculated its carbon footprint in an effort to find ways to reduce the business’s environmental impact further. As a result, Aqueduct was one of the first inland waterways marinas to offer HVO alongside conventional diesel. Ev drivers have not been overlooked with the installation of charging points in the carpark, all of which helped the marina gain the coveted TYHA Clean Marin status.
However, in a first for an inland marina, Aqueduct is now able to offer hydrogen to the boating community equipped with fuel cell technology. The marina can now supply BOC’s Genie lightweight cylinders that contain 30% more gas than equivalent steel cylinders, resulting in fewer changeovers.
Alongside the announcement of Aqueduct’s latest efforts to help boat owners reduce emissions, they are working with Hydrogen Afloat, producers of their hydrogen fuel cell domestic power system for boats. These innovative units can be fitted to the roof of most narrow boats and will reduce engine running time for battery charging while emitting nothing more damaging than water.
In addition to supplying hydrogen, the establishment of a commercial agreement with BOC will enable Aqueduct to supply any of the BOC gases to customers. Tom Raines, Chandlery Manager at Aqueduct, said, ” We would need to set up new customers with a BOC account, which normally takes around 10 minutes, after which customers can buy welding gas, balloon gas, oxygen, as well as hydrogen.
Robert Parton, MD of Aqueduct Marina, said, “My expectation is that we will not sell much hydrogen in the short term, but there are power systems such as the one provided by Hydrogen Afloat on the market now, and I am looking forward to seeing how the hydrogen propulsion market develops.”
Nick Swift, Director of Hydrogen Afloat, added, “We are delighted that Aqueduct are the first marina in the UK to stock hydrogen. We need to find ways to decarbonise the canals and rivers of the UK. We can start with domestic power, since that works now, but in time I expect we will see hydrogen use for propulsion. Birmingham, London, and other cities already have fuel cell buses, so hydrogen gas is becoming more widely used. Making hydrogen available at the canal-side supports innovation in the inland waterways, creating the opportunity for early adopters to take advantage of the benefits it offers”.
For more information on the wide range of chandlery products available from Aqueduct Marina, visit https://aqueductmarina.co.uk/
Credit: Written by Phil Picken
Cruise Moor SchemeFive independent family run marinas are joining forces in 2024 to offer inland waterway boaters the opportunity to enjoy a new discounted visitor mooring scheme – Cruise Moor.
The Cruise Moor scheme which will be launched in February at Boatlife in Birmingham sees Aqueduct Marina, Droitwich Spa Marina, Dunchurch Pools Marina, Overwater Marina and White Mills Marina collaborate to provide moorers with the unique opportunity of staying on each of the marinas on a visitor mooring for up to two weeks with a fabulous 20% discount.
It is hoped the new initiative will not only encourage more boaters to explore the UKs waterways network but enable them to enjoy the facilities and personal service offered by the ‘fabulous five’ independent marinas.
Boaters can find out how to qualify for a Cruise Moor card from one of the participating marinas and then plan their cruising season in the knowledge that they can enjoy the facilities of another independent marina with a 20% reduction in visitor mooring fees.
Spokesperson for Cruise Moor, Robert Parton of Aqueduct Marina said: “All of the five marinas involved in Cruise Moor share the same aspirations of encouraging boaters to get out and about and explore the miles and miles of the beautiful waterways network. As family-run marinas we work incredibly hard to be the best in the business and go the extra mile to provide excellent customer service. It is a terrific scheme and a wonderful opportunity for us all to showcase our marinas to each other’s moorers, we are all looking forward to watch it develop over the coming months.”
Credit: Debbie Skinner, White Mills Marina
Aqueduct Marina Tour – Come with us to take a tour around our award-winning narrowboat marinaLet us show you around our wonderful narrowboat marina and show you how we can help you and your narrowboat.
We are here to help you find a new home for your narrowboat in the best location on the inland waterways map!
We are located on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal giving you the perfect base to cruise to the likes of the Cheshire Ring, Four Counties Ring, Llangollen Canal, Chester or The Anderton Boat Lift.
Our Chief Operation Officer, Phil, is here to show you and talk through all of our marina facilities and services – we are a narrowboat marina that can cover almost everything!
If you are looking for a new base for your narrowboat in a fantastic new cruising location for the up and coming season, please get in touch on 01270 525040
5 Gold Anchor Marina – What does it really mean?As proud holders of a 5 Gold Anchor Marina accreditation, we’re thrilled to share the “ins and out” of what this prestigious distinction means for you, our cherished customers.
Picture it as the narrowboat equivalent of a gold-starred luxury resort—your gateway to an exceptional narrow boating experience.
So, let us explain exactly what our 5 Gold Anchor status means and show you what makes our marina a shining beacon in the waterways.
The Gold Anchor Standard:
The 5 Gold Anchor accreditation is more than just a shiny emblem; it’s a mark of excellence in the marine world and we are proud to say we have held this accreditation for X years.
Awarded by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA), this standard is a testament to our commitment to providing first-class facilities and services.
The evaluation process is meticulous, covering six key areas that ensure our marina is a safe, enjoyable, and reliable haven for all boaters.
Berths and Facilities:
Our marina undergoes rigorous assessment to guarantee that berths are well-maintained and equipped with the necessary facilities. From secure mooring options to pristine washrooms, we’ve got you covered.
Customer Services:
Friendly and efficient customer service is at the heart of what we do. The 5 Gold Anchor Standard evaluates our team’s responsiveness, knowledge, and willingness to go the extra mile for our customers.
Quality of Services:
From fuel stations to boat repairs, every service is inspected to ensure it meets or exceeds industry standards. Your narrowboat is definitely in capable hands when it comes to our certified offerings.
Environmental Responsibility:
We take pride in our commitment to the environment. The audit process ensures that our marina adheres to environmentally sustainable practices, minimizing our ecological footprint in the beautiful waterways we call home.
Operational Management:
Efficient operations are vital for a smooth cruising experience. The 5 Gold Anchor Standard evaluates our management practices, ensuring that everything, from safety protocols to emergency procedures, is the best that it can possibly be.
Community Engagement:
A marina is not just a collection of boats; it’s a community. We actively engage with our boating community to foster a sense of camaraderie and support, making your marina experience not only enjoyable but also enriching.
Your Ticket to Premium Boating:
Now that we’ve unravelled the criteria, you might wonder, “What’s in it for me?”. Here’s why our 5 Gold Anchor accreditation matters for you:
Peace of Mind:
Rest easy knowing that your narrowboat is moored in a marina that has passed stringent assessments. Your safety and the security of your boat are our top priorities.
Outstanding Facilities:
Enjoy our fantastic facilities, from secure berths to well-maintained amenities. We’ve invested in creating an environment that enhances your boating experience.
Exceptional Customer Service:
Our team is dedicated to making your stay memorable. Whether you need assistance or simply want a friendly chat about the latest boating adventures, we’re here for you.
Environmentally Responsible Boating:
By choosing a 5 Gold Anchor Marina, you’re aligning yourself with a community that values and actively contributes to preserving the natural beauty of our waterways.
Community Connection:
Join a community of like-minded boaters who share your passion. From organized events to impromptu waterside gatherings, you’ll find a sense of belonging that goes beyond the water.
In conclusion, our 5 Gold Anchor accreditation is not just a title; it’s a promise.
A promise of excellence, dedication, and a commitment to providing you with an unparalleled narrow boating experience.
So, cruise to us with confidence, knowing that you’ve chosen a marina that has earned its stripes in the world of inland waterways luxury. Welcome aboard, and let the journey begin!
A buyer’s market for boats on brokerageThe brokerage market has changed since the heady days at the end of 2022 when, in my view, the Covid bubble reached its peak.
Since that time, we have been hit with a combination of inflation and rising interest rates, affecting a buyer’s ability to spend.
As a result, many types of boats have started dropping in value. This began in the spring and the market did not improve for sellers over the summer.
We are seeing the normal number of boats coming to the market, but the buyers seem to be staying away; as a result, there are plenty of boats listed for sale. So my advice would be that if you are thinking of buying, now could be a good time.
Higher value boats and non-standard layouts at over £100k are the hardest to find buyers for; shorter boats and standard clean 58ft layouts around £60k still have a market.
We’ve also found that new boat sales have almost stopped completely and good quality, nearly new high-value boats have also stopped selling. This is a complete reversal from the summer of 2022. It is these sellers who have a very tough choice to make, between holding out and hoping the market returns or reducing to a level that will tempt these types of buyers.
In summary, with new boats now available on much shorter lead times, I believe new bespoke boats will remain at their higher current price, as there is no point in a boat builder starting a build unless they can cover the costs. But nearly new boats built in the last two years coming to the market for the first time as used boats will, I believe, need to see a much greater depreciation.
The more mid-range boats will likely see some more reductions, though the housing market locally to us here in south Cheshire remains strong, so I know am more hopeful these boats will now stabilise in price. We are also seeing more boats that got too old, and anything that is a “project boat” remains a very hard sell.
Buyer Beware
The other boats we are seeing more of are boats that are coming to us with very poor paperwork, such a no purchase invoices, hull identification numbers, and incomplete Recreational Craft Directive Information. Often, these are DIY fit-out boats trying to get through on a five-year exemption rule.
As a broker, it is always clearly stated on our paperwork that it is “Buyer Beware”, but part of our job is to provide some reassurance to boat buyers. This is a very grey area that differing brokerages are taking differing views on, and the inland boat selling sector could do with a more definitive set of guidance.
We at Aqueduct have now turned away a few boats that the sellers did not want to invest the time and money in to get the paperwork in order, only for the boats to reappear for sale privately or worryingly at another brokerage.
So if you are looking to buy a boat, now could be a very good moment. But remember, always get an independent pre-purchase survey done for you to check the condition of the boat, and please check the paperwork is in order. And if you are not sure, take independent advice.
Written by Phil Picken
Aqueduct Marina Newsletter – October 2023We are excited to share our October Video Newsletter with you!
You may have seen our previous video newsletter, where we introduced you to some of our staff and showed you around our marina.
You can watch our latest video now on our YouTube channel by clicking the link below.
Thank you for being part of our marina community and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel!
We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions for the future.
If there is anything in particular you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please email marketing@aqueductmarina.co.uk
Click on the link below to view our October 2023 Newsletter.
Aqueduct Marina invests in improved dust extraction equipmentFor many businesses, the thought of an inspection by the Health and Safety Executive would provoke a measure of fear and trepidation; however, for the management of Cheshire-based Aqueduct Marina, it turned out to be a positive experience.
For some time, Robert Parton, MD of Aqueduct Marina, and his management team had been looking at investing in improved extraction for the grit blasting bay, as with the demand for their grit blasting services increasing, it was logical to invest in improving the equipment being used. So, despite the Health and Safety inspection finding the facilities complied with their PPE requirements, which meant the person doing the blasting was protected, there was an environmental concern about the dust leaking out during the operation. As a result, the company brought forward the investment to reduce the possibility of abrasive dust escaping when the bay was in use.
They called on the services of Hodge Clemco, a company that specialises in the manufacture and supply of abrasive blasting and surface treatment equipment. Hodge Clemco installed a reverse pulse dust collector system that creates a negative pressure within the blast booth and, by removing the airborne dust, allows the operator to maintain visibility within the booth. It also minimises any dust escaping from the blast booth, with the dust being contained in the dust extractor bins to allow safe disposal.
Liam Davis, Sales and Marketing Manager for Hodge Clemco, said, “Following our initial visit and conversations, we returned to the site with one of our design engineers to carry out a full site survey, which enabled Hodge Clemco to provide a full design layout drawing of the proposed 14,000cfm reverse pulse dust collector system for the approval of Aqueduct Marina. The dust extraction system supplied and installed by Hodge Clemco comprises of the latest fully programmable gamma pulse auto reverse pulse system with differential pressure recognition. It has an auto-clean sequence whilst in operation and an additional cleaning cycle on shutdown, ensuring maximum dust release is achieved from the ultra-efficient nano fibre filters resulting in a prolonged filter life.”
The result of this work is that Aqueduct staff have reported a marked improvement in visibility whilst working within the bay.
The installation of the new extraction equipment saw a £60k investment being made to this side of Aqueduct’s business. Robert Parton said, “During the H&S visit, the escaping dust issue was flagged as a potential local authority environmental issue. With the system now installed and in regular use, we have seen a noticeable improvement in conditions both inside and outside the workshop. It is an expensive piece of equipment, but in a world where good staff are hard to find, and lung health is a real focus of the HSE, this is resulting in a healthier, safer working environment for our staff.”
Festive Opening Hours 2023|
Date |
Office | Cafe |
|
Saturday 23rd Dec |
08:00AM – 17:00PM | 9:30AM – 16.30PM |
|
Sunday 24th Dec |
09:00AM – 12:00PM |
09:30AM – 11:30AM |
|
Monday 25th Dec |
CLOSED | CLOSED |
| Tuesday 26th Dec | CLOSED |
CLOSED |
| Wednesday 27th Dec | 09:00AM – 16:00PM |
09:30AM – 15:30PM |
|
Thursday 28th Dec |
09:00AM – 16:00PM |
09:30AM – 15:30PM |
|
Friday 29th Dec |
09:00AM – 16:00PM |
09:30AM – 15:30PM |
|
Saturday 30th Dec |
09:00AM – 16:00PM |
09:30AM – 15:30PM |
|
Sunday 31st Dec |
09:00AM – 12:00PM |
09:30AM – 11:30AM |
|
Monday 1st Jan |
CLOSED |
CLOSED |
| Tuesday 2nd Jan | 08:00AM – 17:00PM |
09:30AM – 16:30PM |
A warm evening provided the ideal atmosphere for Aqueduct Marina’s live music evening. Around 60 moorers and caravan site visitors enjoyed an evening of music provided by acoustic duo Alan and Cathy while the audience relaxed with a drink at the Church Minshull marina.
The event proved to be such a success that more social events are planned with the next being a curry and quiz night. Anyone interested in attending are asked to keep an eye on Aqueduct Marina’s social media pages. Links can be found on www.aqueductmarina.co.uk
Aqueduct Marina Newsletter – August 2023We are delighted to share with you, our brand-new video newsletter!
Our newsletter is here to provide you with all the latest information at the marina and give you a glimpse of life behind the scenes here, get to know our staff, and have a giggle along the way!
If there is anything in particular you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please email marketing@aqueductmarina.co.uk
Click on the link below to view our August 2023 Newsletter.
Aqueduct Marina’s Boating Event hailed a success!Visitors, exhibitors and organisers agreed that despite the somewhat blustery conditions, this year’s Aqueduct Marina Boating Event was a great success. The aim was to provide an event that was a ‘boat show for boaters’, and as a result, around 500 visitors took the opportunity to visit the marina, speak to staff and visit 19 trade stands.
In addition, over 200 people attended the evening’s entertainment, much of which was provided by Elvis tribute Paul Larcombe and singer Josh Whittall.
Both exhibitors and marina staff commented on the levels of interest shown by visitors, the majority of whom were genuinely interested in discussing their boats and their boating experiences.
Robert Parton, Aqueduct Marina’s MD, said, “I am very grateful to the exhibitors who supported us and had a stand at the show, some of whom stayed until late and enjoyed the lively Elvis night as well. Also, well done, Hannah (Aqueduct Marketing), who successfully managed to target the right people and get boaters and aspiring boaters here. I spent most of the day by our brokerage boats and had plenty of excellent conversations with existing and soon-to-be boat owners.”
Kevin Peart, MD of Aegina added, ”It was good to meet you and your team, we enjoyed the day and had many interesting conversations about solving water supply and making safe drinking water for the canal boat community. We will be back next year”.
Anyone interested in visiting or exhibiting at next year’s event should keep an eye on the Aqueduct Marina website and social media channels where the next Boating Event, expected to take place in July, will be publicised. Visit www.aqueductmarina.co.uk
The Marina is open:
Mon - Sat: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Cafe is open:
Mon - Fri: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Sat - Sun: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
The Chandlery is open:
Mon - Sat: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
© 2024 Aqueduct Marina Church Minshull.
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