21st July 2019
Dawn Rose is the only Chesterfield Canal Boat in existence, hand built by our volunteers and launched in 2015.
The horse is Charlie. You may have seen Charlie during the Countryfile broadcast in May.
The first public display took place in Worksop. Charlie twice towed Dawn Rose between the winding holes below Stret Lock and opposite Sandhill Lake (Godfrey’s Pond), via Morse Lock. Stret Lock is alongside the Lock Keeper pub (S80 1TJ).
To see a video of them setting off for the first time, click here.
Dawn Rose was just arriving when Hugh Henshall set off for its first cruise of the day. Charlie is top centre right.
Setting off after going through Morse Lock
Charlie was soon well into his stride.
This shows the length of the tow rope. Many of the other photos give a very deceptive view …..
….. like this one.
This is on the way back having turned at the winding hole opposite Sandhill Lake – or Godfrey’s Pond if you are a local.
In this shot you can see that Charlie was leaning into his work …..
….. but this shows it even better.
I dread to think how many photos and videos Charlie had taken.
The Dawn Rose crew is always keen to answer questions from both young …..
….. and slightly older members of the public.
There was quite a crowd as they came back to the Lady Lee winding hole.
The key to winding is lots of rope passing!
Setting off on the second run.
Michael appeared to have mislaid Charlie!
Richard directed operations when turning for the last time.
On the way back.
This gives you an idea of the length of the tow rope.
On the final leg – St John the Evangelist church spire was in the background.
Michael signalled that the rope was clear having gone over the Lady Lee bridge.
Arriving back at Stret Lock …..
….. Charlie posed for his last photo of the day whilst being untied.