The Waterways World Podcast

Mike Constable is an authority on the female trainees of World War II who volunteered to work cargo-carrying boats and, in so doing, experienced a completely new way of life. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, Mike provides insights into the role of the trainees and dispels the myth that they were ever disparagingly referred to as the ‘Idle Women’.

WW features writer Tony Jones has a keen interest in animals and has previously worked as a zoo-keeper. In conversation with Bobby Cowling, he discusses the practicalities and considerations of keeping pets on boats, plus some of the more exotic species you might find living afloat.

Richard MacKenzie is the owner of a narrowboat-based business selling handmade jewellery. But he also lives aboard his boat with his wife and two children – and, as the kids are home-educated, the family are free to continuously cruise the network. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, Richard provides an insight into family life afloat.

There are over 50 waterway restoration schemes active in England and Wales – some making rapid headway, others facing significant difficulties. In conversation with Bobby Cowling, WW news editor Andrew Denny provides an overview of the contemporary restoration scene, with a focus on the projects that have recently been in the headlines.

Popular boat vlogger and TV star Robbie Cumming recently completed filming of the third series of BBC Four’s ‘Canal Boat Diaries’, which sees him cruise from Wigan in Greater Manchester to Ripon in North Yorkshire. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, he discusses the highlights of his trip and his passion for the waterways of north England.

Mark Langley has been Waterways World’s technical expert for 15 years. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, he discusses the advancements of inland boat design, from very basic post-World War II craft through to today’s highly sophisticated narrowboats.

In this episode we discuss the green future of inland boating with the Canal & River Trust’s national boating manager, Matthew Symonds. At the Crick Boat Show in August, Matthew participated in a seminar on moving the waterways away from fossil fuel-burning boats. But what are the alternatives to diesel and petrol, are they viable and how much do they cost?

John Liley has devoted much of his adult life to boating and the inland waterways. As a teenager, he became involved in early IWA campaigns and he even met its founding members, Robert Aickman and Tom Rolt. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, he describes the fledging years of the leisure-boating era, and his journey to owning a luxury hotel-barge on France’s Canal du Nivernais.

Canal boat families historian Lorna York is descended from a long line of working boaters - indeed, she was the first in her family to be born on land. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, she discusses both the social history of the waterways community and researching boating ancestry.

Waterways World editor Bobby Cowling looks back at series one of the Waterways World podcast and reveals the series two launch date

Alarum Productions was founded in 2016 by Kate Saffin and Heather Wastie to celebrate the real-life stories of women on the waterways through public performances, publications and podcasts. In conversation with WW editor Bobby Cowling, the pair discuss their recent project, I Dig Canals, and their experiences of performing at canalside venues while touring the country by boat.

As an avid boater and cycling enthusiast, Richard Fairhurst is well placed to give a balanced perspective of towpath cycling. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, he offers advice on travelling the waterways by bike.

For many years in WW magazine, writer Alison Alderton has documented her extensive travels across Europe aboard a Dutch barge-replica. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, she describes her love of the waterways of Ireland and Sweden, and her passion for out-of-season boating.

Best known as a TV writer and performer, Julian Dutton also writes books, and his latest, ‘Water Gypsies: a History of Life on Rivers and Canals’, explores the long tradition of living afloat in this country, from ancient times through to today. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, Julian describes growing up on a house-boat at Chelsea in the 1960s and the many fascinating things he uncovered during his research.

Tony Jones has lived afloat for over 16 years and has written two practical guides to boating, as well as regular articles for Waterways World magazine. In discussion with editor Bobby Cowling, he describes his unconventional journey to boat-ownership, how the waterways inspired his writing career and his unusual solution to creating more space aboard his floating home.

After four years as continuous-cruisers, Jo and Michael Morehouse are now close to having boated every waterway on the connected system. In conversation with Bobby Cowling, they discuss being the first to complete IWA’s Silver Propeller Challenge and the surprise success of their YouTube videos, posted under the alias Minimal List.

As a floating concert hall and musical hotel-boat, complete with its own grand piano and internationally acclaimed pianist, the Piano Boat is a unique concept. Set to begin operations this summer, we speak to owners Masayuki Tayama and Rhiana Henderson.

River Canal Rescue is the UK’s largest national breakdown and recovery service for inland boats. Managing director Stephanie Horton discusses the growth of the company over the past 20 years and how a post-lockdown boating boom is already having an impact on its work.

Colin Dobson-Fox is one half of famous waterways YouTubers, Foxes Afloat. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, he discusses his journey to becoming an online star and liveaboard boater, and its effects on his mental health.

Best known for playing headstrong Eloise in the popular Netflix drama Bridgerton, actor Claudia Jessie has recently moved aboard a narrowboat in Birmingham. In conversation with the WW team she describes how living afloat helps her mental health, provides a welcome contrast to her TV career and represents the fulfilment of a long-held dream.

Andrew Denny has been a boat-owner for over 20 years and joined the WW team in 2010, having established himself as Britain’s foremost waterways blogger under the alias of ‘Granny Buttons’. We discuss his pioneering blogging activities, his rather bizarre introduction to boating and his impressions of the changing nature of our canals and rivers.

Co-owner of Tristar Boats, Michelle Greenwood, discusses some of the company’s more unusual projects, how customer demands are changing, and what it’s like to work in a largely male-dominated industry.

It’s not widely known that MP and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is a huge waterways enthusiast. In conversation with the WW team, he discusses his early boating experiences, his passion for, and involvement in, canal restoration, and his long-held interest in industrial history.

The Canal & River Trust is the charity that administers the majority of navigable waterways in England and Wales, and Richard Parry has been at its helm for over seven years. In conversation with editor Bobby Cowling, he discusses the trust’s achievements and setbacks to date, how both the ongoing Covid-19 crisis and climate change are posing new challenges to its work, and his vision for its future.

Regular Waterways World contributor Andy Tidy discusses life as a roving trader in 2020 and his passion for waterways history, particularly the canals of the West Midlands.

Marina owner and waterways heritage champion Tim Coghlan discusses the challenges of running a boat business this year, the changes he’s observed during his 32 years at Braunston and his celebrity boating friends.

A year into the role of national chairman of the Inland Waterways Association, Paul Rodgers discusses his vision for the future of the charity, the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and his fairly recent introduction to canal cruising

Actor Sir David Suchet, best known for playing Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, is an avid boater and prominent champion of waterways restoration. In conversation with the WW team, he describes being a trial-blazing liveaboard boater in the 1970s, his passion for waterways history and his recent acquisition of a narrowboat.

Cartographer Richard Fairhurst discusses his passion for mapping our inland routes, along with his career in waterways journalism, his interest in canal restoration and his recent outings aboard his 40ft narrowboat.

Drawing on her experiences of running a narrowboat bookshop, author and WW deputy editor Sarah Henshaw discusses life as a roving trader on the inland waterways, along with some of her other boat-based adventures.

Popular waterways vlogger and TV star Robbie Cumming discusses the making of the second series of his BBC programme, ‘Canal Boat Diaries’, and the challenges and delights of solo boating. His conversation with editor Bobby Cowling was recorded outdoors at Gas Street Basin in September 2020. (Photo: Tim Smith)

Celebrated waterways artist Rob Pointon talks about the inspiration he takes from Britain’s canals and rivers, and his year exploring them aboard a narrowboat