Canalaholics and Gongoozlers

On May 8th, the monthly social at The Court House, “In The Ballroom” heard an entertaining and illuminating talk by Roger Butler about the canal network that criss-crosses the midlands. Did you know that…

– people who love canals are called ‘canalaholics’ !
– people who stand and watch boaters go through locks are called gongoozlers
– the max speed on a canal is 4mph
– the max length of a narrowboat is 70ft, as this is the length of a lock
– there are 2000 miles of canals in the UK
– the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales is a World Heritage Site just like Stonehenge ?

During the afternoon the Unlocking Warwick volunteers provided tea, coffee and cake, and there was the usual quiz, this time with a transport theme. 

“In The Ballroom”, the welcoming social in the heart of Warwick happens between 2pm and 4pm on the Second Wednesday of every month at the Jury Street Court House/Town Hall. It costs just £2 per person, including the refreshments. 

The next session will be on Wednesday 12th June, and it will be a little different. Instead of a talk, the volunteers will stage a dramatic reconstruction of a mid-19th century Board of Public Health, held in the same building. It will show that 170 years ago there was no clean water supply or functioning sewage system in the town. Something had to be done!

“In the Ballroom” is becoming very popular. Be aware that if the room is full (and we must consider fire regulations) then late-comers will be turned away!  So get to the Jury Street Court House in good time for the June edition, to be sure of getting a seat.