Python is the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s very own historic working boat, registered on the National Register of Historic Ships and is still working at nearly 100 years of age!
To find out which dates are available for you to volunteer on Python, please click here
For up to date information on what Python and her volunteers are doing you can visit her Facebook page.
Python Today:
Thanks to the dedication of her highly motivated crew (known as the Pythoneers) Python carries out a very valuable role maintaining the Chesterfield Canal between Kiveton Park and West Stockwith working in partnership with the Canal & River Trust.
We invite people from the local community to join us as we clear litter, cut back overgrown vegetation, remove shopping trolleys, bikes and other detritus from the water as well as maintaining lock areas.
Our days can be very varied, never knowing what we might encounter. Enjoying a pleasant cruise along the beautiful canal, immersed in the natural environment while enjoying the camaraderie on board then we come across a fallen branch or shopping trolley that requires us to work as a team to safely remove it from the water.
We provide a qualified and experienced crew to oversee the work is carried out safely. We supply tools, equipment, and appropriate personal protective equipment as well as hot and cold drinks and we have basic toilet facilities on board. Best of all – joining in is free!
Our volunteers come from all age groups and all walks of life. If you are agile enough to climb down three steps to get onboard there will be a task that you can help with.
If you want to get involved, please get in touch. python@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk
Python has earned a place in the hearts of the canal community it serves. Boaters, walkers, anglers and canoeists alike, support what we achieve, sometimes joining us for a day to do their bit, putting something back for the community. It is not just the canal environment that benefits though, our volunteers go home at the end of their day with the warm glow of having done something worthwhile, physically a little tired but smiling from the feelgood factor associated with having spent some time out on the water, in the fresh air with a group of like-minded people. We work with the Green Social Prescribing network to offer opportunities to improve mental wellbeing.
“Working with the Python crew has made a world of difference in helping me reduce the loneliness and isolation that I had been feeling. It has given me the opportunity regularly get out and reconnect with people and make new friends.
“The work itself is very rewarding – cleaning the canal makes me feel that I am able to make a meaningful and positive contribution for the local community and for the local environment, which is good for everyone.
“The fresh air, the exercise and spending time close to the water all help relieve my stress and anxiety. After a day out on ‘Python’ my depression lifts and I find that I am able to cope much better with things at home.”
Python’s Past:
* 1929 Python was built by W.J. Yarwoods to fulfil an order for “2 steel Canal boats of copper bearing steel” placed by Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd. She cost £366. The second boat built was called Panther which is now owned by Coventry Canal Society; click here for details.
* 1949: sold to the British Transport Commission (later to become British Waterways Board) and used in the South East Division Carrying Fleet before being transferred to the Engineering Department in 1961 for use as a canal maintenance boat, based at Bulls Bridge in London. During the 1980s she was shortened to 50’ and the cabin was rebuilt to the current format of rear engine room, crew cabin and forward store.
* 2000: with more modern, purpose-built vessels taking the place of some of the old boats, Python became surplus to the requirements of British Waterways and fell into disuse for a number of years before coming to the Chesterfield Canal Trust in 2009. Initially this was on a five-year lease, but the move was made permanent in 2011.
* 2013: Python sprang a leak. Investigations revealed her hull was in a perilous state and very expensive repairs were required. Python was eventually repaired with the support of Paul Barber in Long Eaton thanks to grants from the Inland Waterways Association and National Historic Ships UK. She returned home to Shireoaks in 2015. Her refit by the Pythoneers was completed in 2018, enabling her to continue her valuable work engaging with the public and maintaining the Chesterfield Canal.
(Thanks to Pete Harrison for the research into Python’s history.)
Python’s awards:
Python and her team have received the following recognition:
2019 National Historic Ships Marsh Volunteer Award for Historic Vessel Conservation – Highly Commended.
Canal & River Trust Living Waterways Awards in 2019: Commended for engaging communities.
Retford in Bloom 2019 Community Award in recognition of the work done to clean up the canal.
2023 National Historic Ships Marsh Volunteer Award for Historic Vessel Conservation – Highly Commended.
2024 National Historic Ships Marsh Volunteer Shipshape Network Award – Winner.
Python blogs
The Pythoneers are inveterate bloggers about their adventures. To see lots of their posts, which are frequently very amusing, click here.
You might also like to see this blog from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
