Hotel Narrow Boats on the Canals and Rivers of the UK New for 2004.

News about Reed Boats in 2004.

March 2004.

Ownership's Show.

Probably the main thing which stands out this month is our presence at the Ownership's Show at the start of February. We had three displays:-

• Oak was afloat moored across the canal arm, visible as people walked in from the car parks. She had just had ballast added, insulation sprayed on and the floor fitted. Inside her we had a small display including plans of the eventual layout.
• Then inside Dave Thomas's Shed we had the part completed Steel Hull of Ash. She attracted a lot of attention, as a rare chance to see exactly what went into the construction of a Narrowboat hull.
• Finally alongside Ash we had a large display up showing pictures of the construction of the boats and details of the Cruises planed.

Competitions for free Holidays.

It was lovely to meet so many people at the Ownership's Show. Most of them entered the competition for a free Holiday with us in the summer. At the end of the Show on the Sunday one of the other owners of a share in Cropredy, under the supervision of Mr Robin Smyth, chairman of the Hotel Boat Section of APCO, drew out the winner, Mr Tim Cooper-Cocks, who will be cruising with us in the summer with his wife and two older teenage children.

We now have another competition running on this web site. Do enter it, we have entries in so far from Norway, Canada and Germany as well as many from the UK. The winning entry will be drawn out on Sunday 18th April, possibly in front of the TV cameras. (See below.)

You will have a third chance to win a holiday at Crick Show on the May bank holiday weekend.

Progress on the Boats.

Work continues. Ash is now taking shape, the distinctive stern of a Butty has been built, the hull is finished and the cabin being added. Ash will easily be finished ready for fit out once Oak is completed.

Outside, Oak is being fitted out, it seems like miles of wiring, 12 and 240 volt, miles of water and central heating pipes are being installed. The constant questions reflect the development of the boat, now I am being asked questions like what size wardrobe, exactly how will the individual passenger cabin radiator be fitted in. While I'm seeing items like the under seat freezer, and the five burner cooker hob which so far have only been pictures in a catalogue. Oak looks still to be on line for completion by the start of April.

If you pass through Braunston do go over and have a look at them, as long as you do not hold up the workers :-)

Logo.

We now have a Logo for Reed Boats created by a friend of Angela's. You can see it at the top of these Web Pages, and on our leaflets and paper. We have also invested in some sweatshirts with it on.

TV ?

Those of you fortunate to live in the Midland area of the UK, will, I expect, have been watching a program called "Waterworld". We have been told that if a new series is commissioned for next year them our story will be included. Hence the reference to possibly drawing the winner to the Internet competition out in front of the cameras. When the lucky winners take their holiday, if they are prepared to, perhaps they will be interviewed. All ready for screening next Spring.

Newsletter for January '04 / Newsletter for February '04

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martin@reedboats.co.uk