Forum Topic

Nigel Moore (Brentford canal boat champion) RIP

Many will recall the life of Nigel Moore who occupied a Canalboat at the Ridgeway's Dock on Catherine Wheel Road.He made friends with many locals and he hosted many gatherings by the Canalside.He also did formidable legal battles with the Developers (south of the High Street) and with British Waterways. ..battles he astonishingly won...benefitting many fellow Canal residents.Nigel left the area some 12 or more years ago.I had just noticed in my handy Birthday Book that he will have been 70 years next Friday.How was he doing? I checked on Google.I was saddened to read that Nigel had died some 13 months ago. .and saw on Google that the Canalboat community had heaped much praise on Nigel's endeavors and help for others. In the life of this Forum..Nigel Moore was a major contributor.

Jim Lawes ● 1817d6 Comments

Thanks for the info Jim. Remember Nigel well from when he was working on projects in the Brentford bridge area. Sad loss.

Audrey Walton ● 1816d

Like you Jim, I was not aware of this.  Terribly sad news, albeit from some time ago.Nigel was a really tenacious fighter for his cause and the bane of British Waterways and their kind, who liked nothing better than to bully the small guy and impose their corporate will on us lesser mortals.  They could not live with his intelligence, his subject knowledge or his scrupulous attention to detail.They say that only the best die young.  It seems from your post that he would have been just 68, approaching 69.  That is no age.Sincere, if belated, condolences to all those who knew and loved him.

Phil Andrews ● 1816d

Does anybody know why the general public are not allowed to walk down the bit of canal bordering Rye by the Water? - I believe that's the stretch of water people are referring to. The entrance near Rye is gated and I'm not sure where it comes out, if anywhere, at the other end.

Anne England ● 1816d

Thank you Audrey and Phil for your responses about Nigel's passing.Your words were fitting.After all his passionate battles with the Authorities..it is sad to think that his final battle was with Cancer.  How cruel. He didn't deserve that. Those around him will have suffered too.Typing Nigel Moore into the Forum Search Box.. brings up hundreds and hundreds of his Forum postings.It was he who highlighted the existance of Yards off the High Street..a term that Ballimore may have adopted.Yes very sad news. I'm not familiar with the current lay-out Anne..so cannot help with your enquiry.

Jim Lawes ● 1814d

I net Nigel only once - about the ill-fated pontoon near Kew Bridge, which he was hoping to save. He was looking for support from the boating community to keep it and adapt it as a short term mooring, of which there are precious few on the tidal Thames apparently. When I spoke to him a few weeks after he was disappointed that he was unable to generate any support from boaters and therefore was not progressing any campaign.I was very happy to meet him and found him robust in his opinions, knowledgeable and friendly. In short, I both liked and respected him.Very sorry to hear of his passing.I believe that path is a cul de sac and is owned by the canal boat residents adjacent. I visited it a couple of times with their representatives, trying to broker some dialogue with Ballymore, which I believe took place and with which I think they were satisfied.Unless I've misunderstood, the whole river/canalside between  Heidelberg and the bridge to Brentford Dock will be opened up eventually by Ballymore

Guy Lambert ● 1810d

Sounds like a man of the old school, with guts and ethics.

Brian Daniel ● 1805d