The lecture will look at the engineering beauty of our locks and canals and the lovingly decorated boats to be found along them,
A colourful introduction to the world of our 2000-mile canal network, looking at their exceptional artistic, architectural and engineering vernacular. Features range from sweeping aqueducts to tiny bollards; from colourful historic narrowboats to iconic ‘Roses and Castles’ artwork; from grand World Heritage Sites to quirky and unusual landmarks.
Our canals have been called a ‘poor man’s art gallery’ and only the National Trust and the Church of England have more listed buildings than our canals.
IMAGES (courtesy of the lecturer)
Canal narrowboats
Lock gates with side turrets.
How to book this event:
This will be a hybrid lecture. Members of TAS SW London can attend free of charge but non-members will be asked for a £10 fee at the door. To watch the lecture live online, please email theartssocietyswlondon@gmail.com for a link. There is a charge of £5 for non-members.
THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER
Mr Roger Butler
Roger Butler is a landscape architect and an experienced writer, photographer and lecturer. He has a particular interest in the unique history, architecture and traditions of our canal network and worked on some of the UK’s major canal restoration projects. He has also acted as a consultant to bodies such as Waterways Ireland, Natural England and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.
He regularly contributes to waterway and heritage magazines and writes and provides images for a range of countryside and outdoor titles. Roger is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society and a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute. He lives near Stratford upon Avon and lectures to groups such as the National Trust, RSPB, U3A, history societies, etc. across the Midlands and further afield.
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