Cotswold Canals Visitor Centre & Canal Shop

SAUL JUNCTION - Ben Selfe - flotilla to Gloucester Docks

11th September 2014
BEN SELFE was a member of the International Guild of Knot Tyers and also a boat safety examiner. His business was based at Saul Junction, where the Stroudwater Canal joins the Gloucester Sharpness Canal.
He produced the decorative ropework for the film The Golden Compass

His final wishes were for a flotilla of craft to travel to Gloucester, with his ashes to be carried on his boat Knot Krazy, followed by a service at the Mariners Church in the docks.
Boaters joining the procession made donations which were divided between The Cotswold Canals Trust and The RNLI.

The level of support for this celebration of his life was beyond any expectation, and a convoy of over 60 craft, including two privately owned lifeboats followed in escort.
Even with some boats breasted up in pairs, the waterborne procession stretched out for two miles by the time it reached Gloucester.
Customers at Sainsbury's gathered outside the store, and visitors to Gloucester Quays were treated to an unexpected sight as the convoy moved through Llanthony bridge into the main dock with horns and hooters sounding. The spontaneous applause from onlookers added to the event, whilst the water ballet of boats mooring up as quickly as possible in the dock was impressive.