| All proceeds go towards maintaining and improving the canal.
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The first season (24 weeks)
nearly 10,000 passengers.
Income = over £6,000
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Full season -
over 14,000 passengers.
Income = £14,000
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Since 1978 nearly 200,000 passengers carried;
total income over the period -
more than £200,000 (in today's money)
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Cowshot Bridge, Lock 17
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Throughout the restoration of the canal and subsequently, the 'John Pinkerton' has been at the centre of activities. Several years after the Deepcut flight of locks had been completed, but not put into use, the boat made her first trip through them in 1985 in order to emphasize the need for their use.
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As the canal was progressively restored from west to east, the 'John Pinkerton' spearheaded the opening ceremonies, starting in May 1986 when the Brookwood flight of locks was officially opened by the then Mayor of Woking Mrs Pat Bohling. |
Opening of Brookwood locks
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St Johns locks |
And in April 1988 when the St John's flight was opened by Woking's Mayor Mrs Margaret Gammon (right), accompanied (left) by Mrs Marguerite Redway who had made it possible to begin the reconstruction of the St Johns locks.
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With the locks at St Johns completed, it was now possible for the boat to travel further down the canal. One month later, in May 1988 the 'John Pinkerton' arrived in Woking for the very first time, taking part in the celebrations for 'Woking 150' on the site of the old Spantons Wharf. |
Woking 150
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Royal Re-opening |
The most prestigious role for the boat was, naturally, that of hosting HRH Duke of Kent, here seen with Robin Higgs, Chairman of the Canal Society at the grand Royal Reopening of the whole canal in May 1991.
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After 9 months of intensive work constructing the aqueduct on the Ash Embankment, the 'John Pinkerton' heralded the official opening in June 1995. |
Ash Aqueduct |
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