Photo: Coventry Evening Telegraph |
Raymond was launched in 1958 and was mainly
used to carry coal from the Midlands to London. She was initially
towed by the motor Roger and later by Nutfield.
Throughout their working life they were operated by Arthur
and Rose Bray and her son Ernie Kendal.
One of the more famous jobs was carrying coal from Atherstone
to the Kearley & Tonge jam factory at Southall, known as the
"Jam 'Ole Run". |
Photo: Coventry Evening Telegraph |
Trade ceased in 1970 but the Brays continued to live aboard
until, in 1980, they sold Raymond to Jim & Doris Collins
who lived aboard until 1993. She was then taken to Runcorn where
it was expected that she would be restored. However, she fell
further into disrepair and sank.
In 1996 she was acquired by the "Friends of Raymond"
and in April 1997 was refloated and towed to the Black Country
Living Museum at Dudley where decisions could be better made
about how to proceed with the resoration. |