Pinned at the office door
The notices board
What the wharf has pinned up this year: frost, records, recipes and one immortal pump.
Flight reopens after frost
The wall at Lock 21 was shored and repointed by the yard crew on the 28th. The flight reopens at first light with Constancy II making the first descent, tea urn operational from the moment the flag rises.
Kennel Lane contract renewed
The two-sentence contract was renewed for the 129th consecutive year at the rate meeting. Attendance: four Heskeths, two Marlows, one coal yard owner, and a solicitor who came for the lunch.
Humbug queue extended
The commission queue for humbug pattern now stands at eleven months. Nesta asks everyone to stop asking whether she is taking shortcuts. She is not. That is the point of humbugs.
Lock 14 tea room expands
A second oven arrives, doubling scone output on busy weekends. The recipe remains undisclosed and, per the bakers, irrelevant: it is the oven.
Dry dock rate unchanged
The spring rate meeting fixed dock week at £180 again. Win Harrow notes this is the fifth year unchanged and warns that the 1911 pump's pension fund remains fictional, as does the pump.
Islay sighting confirmed
The meadow's current occupant was seen inspecting the towpath during the Horse Weekend and, per three independent witnesses, appeared to enjoy it. Hay delivery continues monthly.
New winding hole opened
The ninth winding hole, cut opposite the Felly woods landing, is open. Crews no longer need to reverse the last mile. Owen Brack maintains reversal was character-building and is overruled.
Passage fleet adds evening runs
Lantern season extended through the whole of August on the strength of last year's attendance. Book early; the cratch board seats go first and do not return.
Canalware show at the gallery
The towyard gallery hosts its annual show: fifty pieces from the shop standard, including the firm's oldest surviving painted can, dated 1904 and still holding water, which is more than can be said for the 1904 plumbing.
Flight record attempt
The record for the full flight round trip stands at 64 minutes and is disputed. The yard clerk's position is that records are for regattas and the canal is for carrying, which has never stopped anyone.
Paint-the-Flight volunteers wanted
Lock 27's duck-egg beams need their annual coat. Paint, brushes and overalls provided; opinions on the correct blue not provided, as they arrive with the painters.
Biscuit Tin Review scheduled
The annual review of Martha's 1902 enamel orders takes place on the morning of All Hallows' Eve. Outcome will be recorded in the towyard book. Previous outcomes: 'Nothing changed.' 'Nothing changed.' 'Nothing changed.'
The notices board is fictional and updated when the fiction is. The last entry repeats itself on purpose; so does the tin.