Is there anything to compare?

IT WAS way back in 2008 when I had my first taste of Mercia Marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal, but now we moor there, writes Tom Crossley.

Given a tour

It was in my capacity as editor of narrowboatworld that I was being given a tour of the new marina by its manager Robert Neff (later to become partner and general manager and this year director) but even then I was most impressed of the quality of its early resources, with first class facilities blocks, yet I had not the slightest idea what was to come.

As, to me, it was just another marina, that were being promoted by the then British Waterways at that time when boating became very popular.

Over the many years of boating I have called at many marinas and talked to fellow boaters of their marina experiences, so have some knowledge of other marinas, but now I can honestly declare that Mercia out-does them all, not only for its vast amenities but the way it takes care of its moorers.

It is now more than just a marina but a village, spread over 74 acres of unspoilt countryside, including the moorings on what was originally a lake with now five islands making four individual mini-marinas that leave wide expanses of water allowing very easy manœuvring with boats having so easy access to and from moorings, as seen in the picture.

As to the amenities, many more have been added since those early days with Mercia bosting of 15 toilets, 12 showers and three laundries.

Boaters' service

Boater’ services are exceptional, with even two pump-outs and two fuel pumps, again arranged with plenty of space for manœuvring. There is a dry dock catering for either repairs by resident engineers or do-it-yourself and plenty of free advice, as I discovered.

Obviously Midland Chandlers realised the marinas’ worth as it relocated its main outlet from the Staffs & Worcs to Mercia with its wealth of supplies, and even adjoining mooring for calling boaters.

It is not only boaters that are catered for, but visitors too, with a variety of most unusual shops and a very handy for boaters convenience store with more in the process of development.

And from the few boats at its opening it now has moorings for over 600, with many residents in addition to those like us, leisure boaters. It is the facilities for boaters that so impressed.

So much more

With £9 millions plus invested it is able to offer so much more than the normal marina, as my partner in the boat, Jan, says in relation to our former marina at Sawley—all the difference between chalk and cheese!

Such as being the most friendliest imaginable, with every effort made by the management to make it so, with even ‘Let's chat'’ notices on the many picnic tables that abound, so encouraging conversations, and that are certainly used. It has worked well with many passing the time of day, making it a pleasure to stroll around and sit.

There is a virtually endless list of activities on hand at both the Palace and Willow Tree Tea Rooms, (that is in the process of being reconstructed) their having such groups for art, music, books, crafts, keep fit, chair based exercises, games, social nights and more. With the Boardwalk Bar and Dining offering quiz nights and open mike nights.

There are also walking tours and markets that are often arranged as are fancy dress occasions

For those who want outdoor activities there is an array of exercise obstacles with the addition of both table tennis and netball facilities in the massive park for the boaters' use, that for us is a blessing—dogs allowed to run free (with the childrens' areas shown in the background fenced-off of course}.

The picture shows Mary, stood. who was instrumental is showing us the many activities provided, that we appreciated, with my boating partner, Jan and Beth my Ridgeback who luckily is most friendly with everyone.

So important

As many residents have dogs, the park, and the further area towards the canal, where they can run free is so important.  And the dogs even have their own washing machine for their blankets and the like!

A further unusual activity is beekeeping!  With hives and bees to keep the beekeepers' interested. And gardening too is encouraged, with the result of flowers and plants in abundance..

I must not forget the Bring and Take building where residents can get rid of their unwanted items and perhaps find something of interest.

At our last marina there was virtually no maintenance with jetty lights being left not working for months, but an entirely different service here, with obviously a resident team looking after maintenance.

Since the months we have been here the paths leading down to the jetties from being a kind of gravel are now permanent steps with handrails—most handy with the pontoons being so much lower than the banks.

Last week when we arrived some of our jetty had had new replacement cross pieces, yet we hadn't even noticed anything wrong!

Both moorers and visitors

Visitors as well as moorers are not forgotten, with a choice of restaurants and cafés and even a floating one, with I might add the best cappuccino at the Boardwalk Bar and Dining (I'm rather addicted!.)

Also both for moorers and visitors is the bandstand with music at the weekends, that have proved most popular with the wide variety of music played.

Then of course are the many shops and businesses available for both moorers and visitors, with 20 at my last count.

Visiting boaters are welcome with plenty of dedicated moorings for their convenience.

Residents

It is obvious that all this is basically for the many resident moorers at Mercia—known as Mercians. Though of course leisure boaters, like ourselves, can take advantage of what is on offer.

There is of course a discount card for many of the restaurants, cafés, shops and businesses with postal facilities and information concerning surgeries and the like for all.

Residents also have the choice of separate 'sheds' of varying sizes dotted about the marina to keep their belongings.

But particularly for them is that each pontoon has its own forum representative should they have a query and each jetty has its own first-aider, and here's a picture of that team.

As to the jetties, they are at a size to fit the boats, that is very handy for filling water at the bow tank when moored stern first as that too is by the jetty.

There is so much on offer that undoubtedly there are things that I have forgotten, for which my apologies.

So I can tell—there is nothing to compare!