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Narrowboat Python - The Learning Boat for The Chesterfield Canal

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is about to take out a five year lease on a historic ex-British Waterways workboat called Python. 53' long, she was built in 1929 by Yarwoods in Northwich.

NB Python was commissioned in Feb 1930. A coppered steel construction craft built by Yarwoods, fitted out at Uxbridge - Fleet number 249 - Registration number UXB 572.

NB Python came into the hands of the British Transport Commission (which eventually became British Waterways) in 1949. Shortened by BW in the 1980's she has been out of service for a year. Her sister boat, Panther, is owned by the Coventry Canal Society.

In late May, Arthur Naylor of the Chesterfield Canal Trust and Tony Mann of the Coventry Canal Society collected Python from Adelaide Dock in London. They took her up the Grand Union to attend the Stoke Bruerne Festival and the Braunston Historic Boat Rally in partnership with Panther as they are 80 years old this year. She will then be taken to Redhill Marina on the River Soar to be taken out of the water for a thorough check over and to have essential work done.

The official handover from British Waterways to the Chesterfield Canal Trust is planned to take place on Monday 13th July at Redhill Marina. Thereafter she is to attend the IWA National Rally before being taken down the River Trent to the Chesterfield Canal and her permanent mooring near Shireoaks.

The Learning Boat Project is a long-held vision of Dr. Geraint Coles, the Development Manager for the Chesterfield Canal Partnership. The plan is to use Python as a resource, not a trip boat. She will stop at village and town wharves along the length of the canal and will be used as a flexible, multi-purpose platform with workspace, exhibitions, artefacts, a stage and lockers full of resources, costumes and props.

Over the coming months, a whole series of modules in drama, history, science & technology, ecology etc. will be developed for children of different ages. Eventually there will be resources for adult learning as well.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is about to take out a five year lease on a historic ex-British Waterways workboat called Python. 53' long, she was built in 1929 by Yarwoods in Northwich. In the age of high speed internet games, many children are not inspired by a cruise down a waterway, however beautiful, at 4mph However, get them to re-enact a scene from 1879 when the murderer Charlie Peace jumped out of a train window right by the canal or teach them some physics by getting a six stone girl to open a two ton lock gate or pull a fifteen ton boat and we may catch their interest and imagination.

Python will probably be used for canal work in the winter and as a learning resource in the summer. She will also be on hand for rallies and festivals, performances and events. It is hoped that by the time the five year lease is up, the people living on or near the Chesterfield Canal will insist that she stays having become an essential part of their lives.