ALLEN REGISTER

Some photographs of the 2003 gathering; the Photo's will enlarge if clicked on. The format is a scan from Bryan's scrap book hence the different groupings. Most of the photographs taken at various times over the Saturday, by Bryan before and after the main entertainment. We all laughed so much at the main act that everyone forgot to record the moment, so the photographs don't show the large number of people who attended the event.

Well this gathering was the first, off the Birmingham level and it started as most events and holidays this year with wet conditions. The BCNS marqee and new mobile bar where erected on grass land just near to the entrance to the marina. It was the first time the bar and tent had been erected together, in the event the two went together well and yet another facality was added to the BCNS and ALLENS Register list of equipment.

After last years gathering off the BCN no other sites presented themselves that could be supported by the logistics needed to put on a rally, so Brian was forced into again going for the BCN. Recent changes to the Merry Hill site favoured by many, have made this venue very difficult. Pontoons have been placed in the lagoons and the owners charge for mooring there. The pontoons could be removed but a cost would be involved and coupled with the problems with obtaining a drinks licence the site has become untenable. So it was the pumphouse again with the marquee and meeting hall again being linked to make a large entertainment area.

On the Friday night the bar opened and a slide show presented by Roy Kenn was shown. Both John and Bob Allen attended along with John and Jim Horton, along with many members who had moored at the yard over the years. The slides covered many years and showed the yard and the many charactors, boats and buildings in the yard. Many a tale was told around each slide and many memories aired to the enjoyment off all. The ale flowed freely ago with burgers and chips, and the fact that it rained very heavily did not matter. Thanks Roy a real treat.

Like 2005 the weather threaten to spoil the event, the only shelter being a marque erected by our friends from the Thrupp Cruising Club. Well it did rain on and off during the day but did not spoil anything. All the boats attending both the Thrupp annual event and the Allens Rally moored on both sides of the canal just before the sharp bend that leads to the lift bridge, that is Thrupp. In the photo the Walsall contingent, the leading boats belonging to Roy and Joan Kenn, with Barry Kenn alongside. The Allens last boat Ellen is just behind. Mid day Saturday and the BCN crew arrived by car and brought Hazel and John Allen. Bob was unable to attend this year due to ill health and family matters, but he sent his best wishes. Hope you fell better soon Bob.

On the other side of the canal on the Thrupp Clubs moorings were yet more boats from the Allen Gathering. Three Allen boats with Druscilla: one in from the towpath, Ron Cousens boat on his way to the National on his annual cruise. Ron took advantage of the gathering as a useful break in the journey, just what Bryan hoped boats off the BCN would do. A quick survey of the boats attending the rally and others moored in the area came to the total of thirteen Allen boats, not bad considering many were new boats to the gathering.

As stated in the first photo the last boat ever built by the Allens "Ellen" was at the gathering. Now with new owners she has had a new paint job plus signing, and with all her brass work gleaming she looked a picture.

During Saturday it became known that an Allen boat unknown to the register to date was moored nearby, not at the gathering. This boat caused some interest as the story that came to us was that it was possibly the oldest Allen boat yet found. A very hastily formed inspection committee was formed with John Allen as chair, all going on a boat trip to see the boat. The boat the Black Pig was confirmed by John to be one of the first boats built in steel by them around 1968/9. Named Tranquility when first built she still appears to have her original wooden cabin, made out of half inch ply. Her new owner appeared dazzled by the attention his boat got stating that he was very happy with her and that she still sailed through her certificate inspections. We all left him in peace but not before inviting him to the evening event.

This event was planned to be a simple affair with the minimum of effort since we were to use the BW buildings for the event at Tardibigge. Its a long story that I'll leave Brian to tell in the next news letter, but just days before the event BW pulled the plug on us using the buildings. After many telephone calls the BCNS band wagon again hit the road and put up the Marque on the BW car park at the Wharf. It has to be said that the problems we had with BW where nothing to do with the local lads at the wharf who gave us every assistance, but rather the management at Peel Wharf who have lost the plot like the rest of the BW management since the last re-organisation.
As all will be aware the weather again threatened to spoil the show as well, heavy rain had preceded the event with the river Seven access from Worcester being closed. This spoiled some cruising plans but failed to stop the event. All the usual amendities were assembled in the tent

Regardless of all the problems from both BW and the weather, boats started to arrive filling the canal between the top lock and the wharf. Many boats breasted up making a friendly and compact site. However a walk was required over the top of Tardibigge Tunnel via the road to enter the BW yard and the tents. A burgher tent was erected and a stage erected in the main marquee, ready for the Friday and Saturday night entertainment.

Friday night and the crews with both John with Hazel and Bob with Sybil Allen in attendence where entertained by a slide show. The slides of the yard and the BCN were taken in the 1950's and 60's by Peter Freakley who has been associated with the yard for over forty years. Peter was introduced to the yard when Les was alive and had some wonderful photos of Les and of Bob and John in their younger days. Many photo's of the Oldbury Area of the period certainly painted a picture of the lack of facalities at the yard and many of the wood working tools used prior to turning to steel boats. The burghers, beer and conversations around the slides made for a wonderful evening, a real eye opener for those present who never knew the yard and its charactors. Peters knowledge of the period was supplement by the Allens and others from that time, for Fred Heritage in the audience it brought back many memories of his working life, Fred and boats used by him featuring in some of the photo's. Fred and Sadie once again joined us bring Lynx to supplement our numbers.

Saturday and the weather bucked up, following the rain strewn days before when putting up the tents. Saturday evening arrived, the crews and many visitors being entertain by 'Penny Short' the home grown group out of Hawne Basin who bring a support crew that swells any audience. As a result the tent was full the beer and food and entertaiment creating a great event. Moorers and locals attended too, a great evening was had by all. Again camera let me down on the Saturday hence no photo's.
Sunday came as did the rain just in time to soak everyone as the tents where taken down, the BCNS circus moving to Titford for the following weekends annual summer BCNS gathering.
2008 who knows where, after this year Brian will need time to refect. Any ideas for a real trouble free event/location preferably not involving BW.