Photographer marks birthday with Historic Dockyard exhibition scoop
BLACK Country waterway photographer Kev Maslin visited Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent recently to attend the launch of a new photo exhibition just in time for his 60th birthday.
Mr Maslin, of Great Bridge, Tipton has been taking pictures of his local canals for some 35 years and now specialises in historic narrowboats.
Many of his subjects were originally built in the 1930s and once carried cargo to local industries.
The exhibition, which is set to run until the end of summer, is organised and supported by the Chatham Historic Dockyard and features large prints of images that have been included in the 2022 edition of the National Historic Ships UK calendar, plus a few others which were entered for its annual photographic competition.
As part of its remit, National Historic Ships UK includes narrowboats more than 50 years old in its register.
Kev said: “It might be a long way from home – 170 miles to be precise – but it was worth the trip just to see the extensive docks complex and its exhibits.
“I was told that entrance to the photo exhibition in the magnificent No.1 Smithery building is included in the general admission charge.
“And, of course, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to promote historic narrow boating, coal boats and the Birmingham Canal Navigations, as my two contributions featured ex-Fellows, Morton & Clayton narrowboat Roach, at both Birmingham’s Gas Street Basin and Factory Junction at Tipton.”
He added: “Narrowboat Roach is herself something of a local celebrity, as she is used to deliver coal and gas to customers around the waterways of the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Warwickshire along with her owner, Rich.”