Welcome
Photo by David Pond. Click to enlarge.
DIARY DATES
- Mon-16 to Wed-18-Mar Raymond docking at Braunston to complete outstanding jobs.
- Fri-03 to Mon-06-Apr Easter weekend work party and Nutfield docking at Braunston:
Possible pop-up sales event (TBC). - Sat-16 & Sun-17-May Batchworth Boat Rally at Rickmansworth (confirmed):
Plus 4½ days there and 4½ days back. - Fri-26 & Sun-28-Jun Braunston Historic Boat Rally (confirmed):
Setting up Friday, parades and sales stalls Saturday/Sunday. - Sat-18 & Sun-19-Jul Cosgrove Canal Festival (TBC):
Plus 1½ days there and 1½ days back. - Sat-25 July Linslade
NB. We may not go to Linslade this year: see Newsletter for more. - Sat-15 & Sun-16-Aug Brownhills Canal Festival (confirmed):
see Newsletter for more. - Saltisford (possibly in September)
- Sat-03 & Sun-04-Oct Banbury: see Newsletter for more.
Volunteering at events – can you help?
There was a time, not so many years ago, when we could count on six or more people at most events to take turns on the stall, chat to the public, and give visitors “show-rounds” in Raymond’s cabin. But in the years since lockdown, we have lost a number of our former regulars and, as often as not, we have found ourselves down to three, or even two. And 9-to-5 without a break, especially over two days, is a long shift when you’re volunteering.
What we urgently need are more members willing to come and help at events!
The Friends of Raymond
The charity was established on 1st September 1996, to save Raymond from being lost forever. Raymond, the last wooden working narrow boat, was launched at Braunston on 11th June 1958 and, through the determination of the first Friends, she was rebuilt and returned to Braunston on 3rd July 2000.
In July 2003 we acquired the motorboat Nutfield, and reunited the pair that, between 1968 and 1970, had worked together in the colours of Blue Line Canal Carriers Ltd, looking much as they do today,
By maintaining Nutfield & Raymond, presenting them to the public, and raising the money we need to do it, The Friends of Raymond is proud to play a part in keeping alive the sight, the sound, and the story of the working boats,
In a typical year, our volunteers contribute around 2,500 hours and, apart from the costs of running the boats and the charity, every penny we raise is spent on maintaining Nutfield & Raymond.
Please explore our website to find out more about the history of our boats and our charity, the work we do and ways you can support it, and how you can become a Friend and play a part in keeping history afloat.
 | Raymond and Nutfield are both registered with National Historic Ships UK, the official voice for historic vessels in the UK. |
 | The Friends of Raymond is a member of The Historic Narrow Boat Club, dedicated to preserving the working heritage of UK canals. |
Raymond steered by the late Alice Lapworth (Click to enlarge)
The Friends of Raymond is a registered charity that preserves historic narrow boats Nutfield & Raymond, and promotes and presents them for the advancement of education.
Charity number 1059614
Registered address:
The Friends of Raymond
Braunston Marina
DAVENTRY
NN11 7JH