Syntan

Shopping in Beverley today, disaster struck - lost my purse in M& S car park - had a bit of a meltdown as no-one had handed it in. Rang C who cancelled cards etc, explained to hairdresser that I couldn't pay for hair do and could she lend me £1 for the car parking!

However, all's well that ends well, on the way home police rang to say purse had been taken to police station rather than and M & S and everything was untouched! Snag is can't use cards till new ones arrive!

This pic, taken before the crisis, is a Humber barge built in 1949 for Hodgson Tanneries in Beverley (closed for some time) and formed part of a fleet of 16 working barges based on Beverley Beck.

The hold, which could carry up to 110 tonnes, brought coal and hides to Beverley and carried mixed cargo to South and West Yorkshire. She ended her days carrying steel for Waddingtons of Swindon and was laid up for some 20 years at Doncaster Power Station.

After this she was lovingly restored by a group of enthusiasts, The Beverley Barge Restoration Society. I was particularly impressed with the quality of the woodwork in the fore cabin which is as close as possible to the original.

The barge is now available for charter and can go from Beverley to Hull to Goole to Selby and on to York or the West Riding. Times and dates depend on the tides but I gather that it is quite an experience.

The barge is 61.5 feet long - steering a bit of a challenge I would think!