Dressed for the part
It was 2012 when Cleddau made it through the Pennines (via the Standedge Tunnel1) to Marsden in West Yorkshire 
(population 3692, March ’21 census) 
and onward to Huddersfield. During a stroll around Marsden this photograph was taken 
– right here at the Mechanics Institute is the HQ of the Mikron Theatre.Earlier in June a small notice on the Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum had been worth a second look: the Mikron Theatre Company were to be performing Jennie Lee on June 15th. 
Jennie Lee - what a coincidence! Only weeks before there had been a cinema outing with friends to view Nye, a live screening of a play being performed by the National Theatre in London. Michael Sheen had portrayed Aneurin Bevan, the government minister who in 1948 was responsible for establishing the National Health Service – and his wife was Jennie Lee.It’s 52 years since Mikron set up as a travelling theatre company. During the summer their narrow boat Tyseley is used for transport and for actors’ accommodation. They tour the waterways performing outdoors or in nearby venues, their plays “telling stories about uniquely British things”. (See history here).Once before the Cleddau crew had coincided with a Mikron performance, years ago at the bottom of Foxton Locks. It must be worth rejigging the spreadsheet cruise plan to see the show...Stoke Bruerne is a one-day hop from Cosgrove. Well after the 8 Walk4Matt charity boats had left Cosgrove
Cleddau set off to head northbound to Stoke Bruerne, passing marinas, cruising through attractive countryside, spotting herons searching for a mid-morning feed.... 
The boat’s water tank was refilled at the bottom of the 7 Stoke Bruerne Locks 
and then the lock climb began. 
To protect water supply on the lock flight Wild Sorrel had waited in the second lock to pair up with another boat. 
Together, then, the two boats rose to the Top Lock. 
Decision made – needing three nights mooring within reach of the Museum, a £25 extra night charge had to be paid. “There’s no way to do that on the till,” said the manager in the Museum shop, “but you could put a donation in the box…”Donation made, receipt pocketed, conversations had – consciences now clear.Just an hour before Curtain Up the Mikron’s boat arrived. 
The two previous shows had been at Braunston (The Admiral Nelson pub) and Weedon (The Narrowboat Inn).Up went the show’s gazebo and mock proscenium arch. 
Off-loaded were the boxes of costumes, props and souvenir merchandise.. 
It’s courteous, isn’t it, for the audience to dress up for the theatre… This audience member had donned a three-quarter sleeve shirt, a warm fleece jacket and a long waterproof jacket. The Captain had assembled the picnic chairs, the coffee flask, umbrellas – and, given the weather forecast, two massive cycling capes.
What an enjoyable show it was, performed in the open to an audience of about 50 (hardy) souls. Four young actors provided a life history of Baroness Jennie Lee, from her days as a precocious word and book loving child in Fife, to her election as a 24 year old MP, her marriage to Nye Bevan, her war journalist years in Spain, her work as a government minister and as the driving force in establishing the Open University. 
Lauren Robinson played Jennie Lee, the other actors playing many parts. A big blue bow and a black handbag was all it took for an immediate Margaret Thatcher transformation… The audience roared with laughter as the sweaters and kipper ties brought back memories of those earnest Open University lecturers. The actor/musicians put on a splendid and uplifting performance - see the preview here for a flavour, of the whole…Welsh-born Nye Bevan and Scottish-born Jennie Lee were both children of coal miners. One led the establishment the National Health Service (1948), the other drove through the foundation of the Open University (1969). Without knowing their names millions of folk have benefited hugely from their drive, persistence and achievements…As for the audience being “dressed for the part” – were waterproof jackets zipped up? Were hats and hoods worn? Were the large cycling capes used to cover the seats and the seated? YES in every case!
The following morning dawned bright and warm – had summer come at last? To find out Cleddau and crew would have to plunge first into the Blisworth Tunnel and hope that the sun was still shining when they emerged the other side...
Cosgrove to Stoke Bruerne: 6½ miles, 7 locksCrick to Stoke Bruerne via Slapton winding hole: 78¾ miles, 2 tunnel passages, 48 locks, 2 swing bridges2024 Totals: 169¼ miles, 10 tunnel passages, 96 locks, 2 aqueducts, 6 swing bridges *2024 Monkton Moments* (Monkton Moment*- a reference to / recognition of Cleddau’s Pembrokeshire connections) – now 13Tudor Rose enquiries - 1. 1 Standedge Tunnel for narrow boats, 3 miles 190 yards (5,000 metres). Standedge Tunnel is the highest canal tunnel above sea level, the deepest below surface level and the longest narrow canal tunnel in the UK.
