The Flower of Gloster

The title really was THE FLOWER OF GLOSTER. The spelling is correct.

As a youngster, I recall enjoying the series. The theme music has often floated around in my mind. Until now, I thought the series had been completely discarded, lost forever.

The story was about having to move a narrowboat from North Wales to London. It was a race of sorts between two boat builders to get the boat to London in time, with the first there being guaranteed the sale. A late arrival would mean no sale and the Flower of Gloster's owners having to sell the boat yard.

As far as I know the boat was eventually left to rust, although it may also be that the boat was found with a view to being restored.

I remember watching this when I was 15, It showed so much of a the fantastic country we lived in. Some years later Bill Grundy from Granada TV used it in a critical analysis series (can't remember the name) I had forgotten Annette Robertson was in this. I think she played the part of a roaming 'hippy' style character (guitar on the back and all that). Seeing it again would be a massive nostalgia trip. Also the the free filming and improvised script was ground breaking. Particularly liked the Hampton Court Maze scene. The amazing revelation is that an inland waterways narrow boat can travel from North Wales through England and arrive in London on the Thames and all thanks to a system constructed mostly in the 18th century. What went wrong.

No, the title of the series and the barge were Flower of Gloster. A simple Wiki check confirms this

The title was THE FLOWER OF GLOUCESTER.

Gloucester is a city in Britain. Dating back to Roman times, hence the "cester" in the name which is from the Latin for castle.

I remember enjoying the series, as I have always had an interest in the canals and narrowboats. Especially remember the episode featuring the Anderton Boat Lift, which fell out of use shortly afterwards though is now restored to full working order.

Would like to be able to watch the series again.

Story was about having to move a boat from North to South as someone had bought it (I think) and wanted it delivered.