Fishing
During the school holidays the canal and it's towpath became a playground for many of the village children. Several of us caught the fishing bug and used the canal many times throughout the holiday. We always looked out for a barge called the MENDIP. The bargee was a gentleman called Charlie Atkins. His route was from the CADBURY factory at Knighton to Bournville in Birmingham. This was the origin of his nickname (Chocolate Charlie). We always asked him for a bit of chocolate but it was the raw chocolate crumb before it had been milled and was all but uneatable. If he was in a good mood we were alowed a ride up the canal for about 2 bridges then it was Get off home to your mother. Can you see that happening today?
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RE: RE: Fishing
I gave a copy of a charcoal drawing of Charlie Atkins to Cadburys World Museum if you want to see a picture of him. I met him when I was about 10 or 12yrs at the opening of the Runcorn Marina Village.
Comment from Belinda Davenport on Tuesday, 10th April 2007.
RE: RE: Fishing
Charlie Atkins, My Great-Grandad
Chocolate Charlie was my great-grandfather. I'm very pleased to be able to see somthing of him online, he passed away in 1981 and he wouldn't have heard of such a thing as the internet. I think he would be very pleased that his legacy lives on in many people's memories.
Thank you for this post.
Comment from Anthony Smith on Monday, 8th December 2008.