Python, built in 1929, is an example of a vessel converted to be a British Waterways workboat. She is owned by Chesterfield Canal Trust and is used to offer opportunities to the local community to join taskforce days operated along the line of The Chesterfield Canal. Volunteers maintain the canal by seasonal trimming of overgrown vegetation, removing debris from the water to prevent damage to boats, clearing litter and maintaining around locks and bywashes.
History of Python
Python was built in September 1929 by W J Yarwoods & Son alongside Panther. She was used as a carrier in the Fellows, Morton & Clayton Ltd fleet until 1949 when she was sold to the British Transport Commission and passed into the South East Division Carrying Fleet. In 1960 she had a new engine and a major overhaul and in 1961 became part of British Waterways' maintenance fleet, based at Bulls Bridge, London. Python was shortened in 1982 and her cabin was rebuilt to the current format. By 2000, however, she had become surplus to the requirements of British Waterways and fell into disuse.
Python was handed over to the Chesterfield Canal Trust in 2009. Initially this was on a five-year lease, but the move was made permanent in 2011. With a team of volunteers dedicated to ensuring her care and maintenance, Python was to be used as a promotional vessel for the work of the Trust. However, in 2013, she sprung a leak, and investigations revealed her hull was in a perilous state, with very expensive repairs required. With the support of Paul Barber in Long Eaton and thanks to grants from the Inland Waterways Association and National Historic Ships UK, Python was eventually repaired. She returned home to Shireoaks in 2015, and over the next two years the boat was completely restored and refitted. Python fully returned to work in October 2016, enabling her to continue her valuable work engaging with the public and maintaining the Chesterfield Canal.
Python Today
Python operates along The Chesterfield Canal between Kiveton Park and West Stockwith working in partnership with the Canal & River Trust. The Pythoneers, her highly motivated crew, facilitate community volunteers to come and join in maintaining the canal. The work they do includes seasonal vegetation clearance, maintaining locks, clearing waterborne litter, and removing fly tipped obstructions such as shopping trolleys, motorcycles and other detritus from the canal and its environs.
Python’s taskforce days happen 2-3 times a week between March and November, constantly moving up and down a 38 mile stretch of canal. These taskforce days are open for the local community to join free of charge to help maintain their canal. Between the experience of the Pythoneers and their tried and trusted methods of dealing with the many obstacles that they come across along the route and the teamwork of the community volunteers, they manage to safely remove all sorts of unwanted detritus from the water.
Community Impact
Python has earned a place in the hearts of the canal community it serves. Boaters, walkers, anglers, and canoeists alike, support what they achieve, sometimes joining for a day to do their bit, putting something back for the community. Her future is financially secure as the valuable role she plays is widely recognised by both stakeholders and the local community. It is not just the canal environment that benefits though, with volunteers going 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 their work.
Python is also a provider for Green Social Prescribing opportunities. Working on the water, in an outdoor setting, enjoying the camaraderie of the team along with some physical exercise and being close to nature is great for the wellbeing of their volunteers, and it has been reported there has been a significant positive impact on the mental wellbeing of these volunteers by joining in Python’s taskforce days.
Python’s 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 know how you can get involved, please get in touch with them at python@chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk.
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chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk
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