Other Ruffords
Rufford (1936)
The ex-Grand Union Canal Carrying Co Ltd/BWB Town Class Large Northwich motor boat Rufford was built by Yarwoods in 1936 and registered at Brentford as number 606.
When it ended its carrying life it was converted for residential use but its current owner is gradually converting it back to its original look. When last seen in August 2007 it was not carrying its name but this is due to be added during the winter of 2007/8. It is still moving around the UK canal network from it's base on the North Oxford Canal.
During the 1970s and early 1980s Rufford and Regulus belonged to Jim and Flo Fleming and were used to carry coal from Atherston. They were based at Great Haywood for a while, where Flo had a gift shop for some years.
The photos of the GUCC Rufford on this page were taken when Rufford (2005) came from the Caldon Canal and happened to join the lock queue at Etruria ahead of Rufford (1936) which was coming down the Trent & Mersey Canal.
Regulus (1935)
The 1936 Rufford is known to have worked with butty Regulus, a Middle Northwich Class built by W.H. Yarwood & Sons of Northwich and registered at Birmingham as number 1590. Regulus still exists and is based at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. A reference to Regulus, but not Rufford, can be found on the National Historic Ships web site. Regulus, and its original motor Radiant, were the first of 8 pairs built in 1935 and 1936 by Yarwoods of Northwich. They are unusual in having rounded bilges & slight V-bottoms - all steel.
In March 2008 Regulus was towed down the Shropshire Union Canal by Radiant on its way to a gathering at Dimmingsdale and passed the modern Rufford while moored at Brewood. Unfortunately there was not time to get a photograph for this page.
Regulus and Radiant are privately owned by two Boat Museum Society members and although not part of the collection are based at the museum when not visiting other parts of the canal network.
Information
Thanks to Cath Turpin and Christine Cunliffe for their help in providing information for this page.
If you have any more Rufford-related information please send an e-mail to .