Ripon Motor Boat Club has unveiled its new slipway.

The club, based in Littlethorpe, was established in 1931 and is now one of the largest inland private boat clubs in the UK.

It offers 140 boat berths and now boasts a new and improved slipway, which is used to draw out boats from the water for repairs and maintenance.

Club secretary, David Hughes, told the Stray Ferret the previous slipway became “unfit for purpose”.

He said the club has purchased land from a local farming family, called the Nicholson’s, several times over the years to expand the site. The club decided to build the slipway on land south of the marina, which was also bought from the Nicholson’s

Mr Hughes said:

“The new slipway would not only allow narrowboats up to 58’6 in length and 20 tonnes in weight to be drawn out of the water on the rail track system, but could also accommodate a purpose-built boat lift for cruisers weighing up to twelve tonnes and up to 35’ in length.

“This would then also give us the option to drive a boat into the dock, pick it up with the boat lift and then chock it up ashore at a suitable location and maximise our available space.”

Mr Hughes said members of the club volunteered to build the new marina, adding it took until the end of 2023 to complete the construction work.

The work was delayed due to the pandemic, “appalling” winter weather and technical difficulties along the way, he added.

Mr Hughes said the project, which was funded entirely by club members, cost an “inconsiderable sum” but declined to provide the Stray Ferret with a figure.

He added:

“Since completion, we have removed several narrow boats and quite a number of cruisers up to the stated capacity limits. Many of our members are wishing to make use of the facility in the coming months to catch up on maintenance tasks.”

The slipway lifting a boat. (From left) Elizabeth Nicholson and her daughter Lizzie with club Commodore, Geoff Graham

Mr Hughes also told the Stray Ferret the club debated what the new slipway should be called, adding:

“The most popular choice by far was to name the slipway after our long-term benefactors, the Nicholson’s, without whom we would not be here today.

“So, Nicholson’s Slipway it is.”

One of the club members crafted a stone plaque detailing the new name and construction period, he added.

The club held a grand opening last Saturday (April 20), where Elizabeth Nicholson and her daughter Lizzie declared the slipway officially open.

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Ripon Motor Boat Club marked its 90th birthday at the weekend with celebrations involving members, friends and the local community.

Established eight years before the outbreak of World War II, it is one of the largest inland waterway private boat clubs in the UK.

Based at Canal Lane, Littlethorpe, it has 143 berths and continues to grow through new development and the hands-on involvement of members.

Since its foundation in 1931, the club’s aim has been to provide affordable family boating.

Ripon Motor Boat Club secretary Anne Foster (left) and vice-commodore Karen Riddiough at the open weekend

Among those who have helped with the development are Mike and Elsie Grainger, whose boat Mojo is moored at the club’s marina.

Mr Grainger told the Stray Ferret:

“We have had many hours of enjoyment at this club. It is very family-focused and friendly and everybody has joined in to bring about improvements to the facilities.”

The Grainger family has enjoyed many epic journeys from Ripon via the canal and river network on holidays and boating trips.

The moorings have expanded as the club’s popularity has grown.

Mr Grainger said:

“Over the years that we have been members, we have set off from here on journeys that have collectively taken us thousands of miles, including one trip down the Thames and under Tower Bridge.”

Karen Riddiough, the club’s vice-commodore, said:

“Our focus is on actively promoting the joys of boating, with a member-run, co-operative approach.”

This approach has enabled money to be raised to create a clubhouse and other on-going improvements.

Started with a barge called Enid

With events throughout the year, a shared investment by all club members in the maintenance of the marina and a continual commitment to its development, the club has come a long way from the days when its clubhouse was an old barge called Enid.

The club was established in 1931, when two boats – the Onaway and Vagabond – set off on their travels from the River Derwent.

Following an eventful journey that involved navigating a collapsed lock gate, they found themselves mooring in Ripon Canal.

While in the area, they met the Nicholson family, who have remained supporters of the club, playing a key role in its development by allowing the purchase of plots of land to facilitate the club’s improvements and expansion.