This new initiative has been some time in the planning and proved to be a great success.

The two days involved two separate groups from Rugby-based community group Community Group consisting of a number of children aged 6 to 13 years with adult supervisors joining us for a day of a canal boat trip with pirate themed activities.

Day 1 saw the first group join us at Bottom Lock and saw them come aboard Guinevere for the trip from Braunston to Hillmorton Locks, at which the first group – armed with their swagger (goodie bags) departed and were picked up by mini-bus

After an overnight stay at Hillmorton, another bus-full of pirates joined for the second trip and the return back to Braunston (some enjoyed the first day so much they wanted to come back for the second day too).

Thank you to all the able shipmates who came along and got involved with all our pirate-themed activities

And a huge, huge shout out to our Ship’s crew, Peg Leg Morgan and Admiral (or should that be Captain?) Morgan for ably running the boat through choppy waters and negotiating the high seas and storms, and running a happy deck; and for all the wonderful activities that were laid on for the shipmates and fantastic decorations which adorned Guinevere and as you can see really looked the part.

If you would like more information about our Pirate Days for your Scout, Guides, Cubs or Beavers group and to discuss potential dates in the coming months, why not drop us a line via e-mail to marketing@lnbp.co.uk

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We will once again be providing opportunity for local community groups and organisations to enjoy short trips out on our boats to sample life on the Oxford and Grand Union Canals in and around Braunston, Northamptonshire.

LNBP will be offering either daytime trips – either full or half day – and evening trips to enjoy the peace, calm and gentle pace of the canals and the beautiful countryside in this picturesque part of central England.

As well as sampling life afloat with a trip on our boats, why not think about exploring the historic village of Braunston (perhaps with a visit to one of several pubs in the village or by the canalside) or by taking a stroll on one of the local walking routes close to LNBP’s mooring base.

LNBP will be running their 2024 Community Days across the following dates:-

• Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27^th June 2024
• Tuesday 2^nd to Thursday 4^th July 2024
• Tuesday 9^th to Thursday 11^th July 2024

Both of our boats Lancelot and Guinevere will be running on all of these dates and can be booked together (for a total of 24 persons) or individually (up to 12 persons) according to your size of group party.

These trips are offered free of charge to local community groups and organisations, although donations are always welcome and gladly received to enable us to continue our work and offer the opportunities we provide.

Bookings for our Community Days trips are always popular and dates and boats are therefore subject to availability.

For more details and to make a booking for your group or organisation, contact LNBP’s Booking Officer, Nigel Smith, on 07783 002073 or via email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk.

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Here, teacher Sarah provides us with an account of their day with us and by the sounds of things it will be one they will treasure. 

A huge THANK YOU from everyone at Cambian Northampton school for the most awesome experience on the beautiful narrow boat, Guinevere at Braunston, Daventry.

The day started early with a group trying on of life jackets and a safety briefing, questions answered and trust established from the very start. Mike was the skipper and Nigel the Captain, and the only rule was to follow whatever they said.

 

The learning for all students was considerable, especially student 1 who went from complete beginner with zero experience to gaining confidence in lock keeping, water levels and safety. Student 1 was awarded special commendation as ‘lock keeper of the day’. It was the first time any of the young men had ever been on a boat.

Along the journey we encountered a variety of wildlife, including a very inquisitive swan who swam alongside the boat. The students were thrilled to meet other boaters who welcomed them and were happy to talk boating, and thankful that our team were doing the hard work opening and closing locks.

 

 

The real challenge was when the boat travelled for 1.17 miles through the Braunston tunnel, at a rate of 3 knots per hour (1.15078 mile per hour) It was completely dark except for 3 air vents at certain points along the way. We learned that pre-engines the boaters would have moved the boat by putting their feet on the brickwork and pushing it along through the water; once out of the tunnel a horse would pull the boat hence the term, tow path.

It was a proud moment for the staff to see each individual student steering the boat at the tiller, quietly confident learning this new skill. The students loved the bunk beds, eating at the galley table watching the world go by slowly on the Grand Union canal and thought it was a great adventure.

The whole experience was a great team building exercise; there was a sense of freedom and all staff have expressed a desire to return for the next opportunity as they were relaxed and happy.

Since returning to the classroom we have looked at upcycling vessels and Rose and Castle canal boat painting. The students were fascinated by the different lifestyle and the quietness of the canal, for some it was the first time they had been in such a peaceful environment. At the end of our day we stopped at the Braunston shop for ice creams – all-round, perfection.

All the best wishes and gratitude for a lifelong memory from everyone who attended.

 

• Thank you to the teaching staff and pupils/students at Cambian for joining us on your trip experience with us. We are so glad you enjoyed your time with us. Our team thoroughly enjoyed their time with you too. it was a pleasure to have you and and see the youngsters in particular get so much enjoyment and benefit from the experience. We hope to see you again soon. 

• If this experience by a local school has got you thinking you would like to do similar for your school or one you know. please do get in touch to find out how we can help and make a booking. Contact Nigel, our Bookings Officer via email at booking@lnbp.co.uk

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Stratford Rock Choir made the trip across the county border to join us for a day trip as part of our Community Days initiative.

As their title suggests they are most likely to make some sounds of their own and enjoy a slightly louder environment on a regular basis, so a visit to our boats and then to cruise on the canals in and around Braunston must have been a whole quieter experience.

And from the kind greeting we received (below), they certainly enjoyed themselves.

Thank you to Jane and everyone at the Stratford Rock Choir for joining us and sending us these kind comments and best wishes. We are so glad you enjoyed your time with us and on the water, and hope to see you again soon.

• If you have been on a trip or short break with your group with us, why not add a review. You can do so by going onto our Facebook page here or via our Google page here. Alternatively, email us your comments to marketing@lnbp.co.uk

• Why not bring your community group and organisation to experience life on the canals here in central England.
• We have a series of midweek dates still available across the summer and in the autumn, including a limited number of dates for overnight or longer short breaks trips across the summer holidays For further details including pricing and availability, call Nigel on 07783 002073 or via email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk

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After a few year’s absence, the programme makes a welcome return to our schedule where we will once again be providing opportunity for local community groups and organisations to enjoy short trips out on our boats to sample life on the Oxford and Grand Union Canals in and around Braunston, Northamptonshire.

For four days from Monday 3rd to Thursday 6th July 2023, LNBP will be offering daytime trips – either full or half day – and evening trips to enjoy a short leisurely journey to enjoy the peace, calm and gentle pace of our local canals and the beautiful countryside in this beautiful part of central England.

These trips are offered free of charge, although donations are always welcome and gladly received to enable us to continue our work.

Our Community Days trips are always popular and are therefore subject to availability.

For more details and to make a booking for your group or organisation, contact Nigel on 07783 002073 or email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk. 

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If the peace and serenity of the canal looks and sounds like something you and your group would enjoy and like to sample, why not get in touch.
 
We welcome groups of all ages and interests to sample the delights and benefits of our inland waterways. And from our mooring here in Braunston we are blessed with some of the most wonderful waterways and surrounding countryside in the UK.
 
To talk to use about either a weekend or midweek residential trip or perhaps a day trip for your group, contact Nigel either by telephone on 07967 406 875 or via email: bookings@lnbp.co.uk
 
 

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LNBP Community Boating are pleased to announce the dates for their annual Community Days programme.

From Monday 8th to Friday 12th July 2019, we will once again be providing opportunity for local groups and organisations to enjoy short trips out on our boats to sample life on the Oxford and Grand Union Canals here in Braunston, Northamptonshire.

Daytime and evening trips will be available for local groups and organisations to enjoy a short leisurely trip to enjoy the peace, calm and gentle pace of our local canals and the beautiful countryside around us.

These trips are always popular and are therefore subject to availability.

For more details and to make a booking for your group or organisation, contact Nigel on 07967 406875 or email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk. 

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One of our recent trip bookings brought a smile back to the faces of local community group Works-4-Me who were hit with a disaster earlier this year.

 
Works-4-Me are a Rugby-based community group working with adults with learning difficulties who ‘upcycle’ donated furniture which is then sold in their shop.
 
The social enterprise group suffered an awful start to 2018 when their community shop was flooded after a burst water pipe flooded their town centre premises and destroyed months of hard work.
 

Flood

 
Water poured into the Works-4-Me shop in Rugby’s High Street for two days before the supply could be cut off, after a weekend of burst pipes and interrupted water supplies caused by thawing ice. The damage to the shop was so severe it left the group desperately seeking new premises, whilst Works 4 Me’s clients were understandably upset and left in tears at hearing that all their hard work has been wrecked.
 
Hearing of their plight, we contacted Works-4-Me to offer them a trip on our boats to hopefully raise their spirits by enjoying something different with a day away from their new shop.
 
Having got themselves back off the ground, and first finding and then settling into new premises, the Work-4-Me group took us up on our offer and took time out to enjoy a day with us on the canal as part of our Community Days programme.
 

 
And the effect was certainly positive as along with carers Lynne and Kate, the group were for once pleased to see the sight of water.
 

Lynne from Works-4-Me said: “Leeann, Dan Ellen and Bethanie all had a brilliant day.
“We found that the slow pace and lovely surroundings had a very calming effect on us all.”
“A big thank you to LNBP for inviting us along. It was just what we needed”.
 

 
Peter Page, Chairman and one of the team of boat skippers at LNBP said:

“It was a pleasure to welcome the group members from Works-4-Me to join us for a day trip.
“We had a lovely day with them and it looks as if they all had a great relaxing time afloat with us.
“After all the distress and disruption they have experienced this year, we were only too happy to help lift their spirits”.

 
Find out more about LNBP and what we do by clicking here   
 
To check availability for 2019 and make a booking for a day trip, or weekend or midweek short break, click here
Or contact Nigel – our Bookings Officer – on 07967 406 875 or via email at bookings@lnbp.co.uk
 

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To find out more about us and our Community Days / Taster Trips, why not get in touch by giving us a call or dropping us an email

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