John Jackson will talk on Coal on the Cut, the subject of his recent book.

Ex floating coal-man John Jackson has produced a humorous new book based on his twenty-five years of experience delivering coal by boat around the inland waterways. Entitled “Coal on the Cut”, it is written with the authentic voice of a real working boatman. This is not just a book for canal enthusiasts; it has the wider appeal of being an accessible and entertaining account of someone who has actually lived the experience. From the spark of an idea to a successful venture and lifestyle, the book is a lively account of the development of a canal-based business aboard “Roach”, a nineteen-thirties cargo-carrying narrow boat. After becoming married to Jenny, and navigating the archaic process of becoming an Approved Coal Merchant, the tale moves on from Gas Street Basin in Birmingham to Awbridge Wharf on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal via a very old-fashioned Black Country boat yard. The rich flavour of life aboard “Roach” as coal is distributed around the canal network is described, as are the various characters encountered. A few pubs are also visited! Humour, interest and idiosyncrasy abound throughout the canal system and within its inhabitants, clearly evident in the stories recounted here.

[Photo shows narrowboats at a coal yard between Atherstone Top Lock and Bridge 41 on the Coventry Canal – by Thomas Cramp]