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Floating record store on barge sinks after getting caught on rubbish in Manchester canal
‘I’m stunned at the love and support so far’
A mobile record store operating out of a canal barge in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, has sunk after it got caught on debris in a canal while heading to Manchester.
Rubber Ducky Records — founded by Myles Greenwood during the pandemic lockdowns — was heading towards Manchester when the canal boat sank on Friday April 21st — ahead of National Record Store Day (April 22nd).
The propeller became caught on either a rug or mattress, breaking the stern gland and causing the boat to sink. Thankfully, Myles was unharmed and managed to escape salvaging as many boxes of records as he could, but the rest of the stock and equipment on board was submerged.
He managed to save around three quarters of his stock but roughly 1,000 records and turntables were lost to the water, which also destroyed equipment amplifiers and electronics.
It is unclear when the store may be able to reopen, but Myles says he has not given up hope. A rescue mission has since been carried out with the canal drained and the boat pulled down a number of locks to safety.
Myles has since launched a GoFundMe campaign ‘Rubber Ducky Sank It’ to help raise the money to refit the boat. He said: “I’m stunned at the love and support so far.”
Over £6,000 of a £15,000 target has been raised at the time of writing, with the money to be used for a full re-fit of the floating shop, so that Myles can get back to business.
He said: “As you may know I’m a floating / sunken record shop. I was just about to get into my first major city of Manchester after six long weeks of battling engine issues and canal closures.
“I hit catastrophe at the last hurdle and a rug or mattress caught on the propeller and popped my stern gland. Sadly the boat sank and I lost all my records and equipment.
“I haven’t given up on the dream but she will need a full refit inside, new engine, new stock, and new equipment.
“Any donation small or large is greatly appreciated and thanks to the support of community spirit and humanity I’m actually feeling quite chipper about everything.
“Big love, Myles.”
With the help of kind passing strangers who came dashing to his assistance, Myles managed to get the barge floating again, pulling it a few locks down the canal to safety.
But there is thousands of pounds worth of repairs and replacements needed to get Rubber Ducky up and running again, though Myles remains positive it will be done.
Rubber Ducky Records focuses on pre-owned vinyl, with music ranging from house, trance and ’90s rave to techno and breaks.
The idea of a floating shop came to Myles while he was wandering around the canal systems of Northern England while the country was in lockdown.
You can help by donating here.
A boy has been left in critical condition in hospital following an incident with a police van last night.
The 11-year-old was struck by a police van in Lancaster on Thursday night, May 25th, as the van was attending a call.
Lancashire Police say the vehicle was en route to an emergency call when the collision happened.
The boy was crossing Owen Road just before 8:30 pm when he was hit, and was transported to Royal Lancaster Infirmary in a critical condition.
A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the child’s loved ones at this time.
“An investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances that led to the collision.
“We have voluntarily referred this matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), as is standard with an incident of this nature.”
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The IOPC said in a statement: “We have declared an independent investigation into the actions of Lancashire Police prior to a road traffic collision in Owen Road, Lancaster at around 8.30pm tonight, in which a child has been injured.
“We understand that a marked police van, with its lights and sirens on, was in a collision with an 11-year-old boy.
“We were notified by the force shortly after the collision and declared an investigation at 10.37pm. IOPC investigators are heading to the scene and the police post incident procedure to begin gathering information.”
According to the IOPC, the investigation is in its early stages.
News
Sam Smith cancels upcoming shows due to ‘vocal cord injury’ and tells fans ‘I’m so sorry’
‘Refunds will be available at point of purchase for all three dates; Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow’
Sam Smith has cancelled their upcoming shows due to a vocal cord injury and issued a statement telling fans, ‘I’m so sorry’.
The singer had to call off their Gloria Tour show, mid-way through, at Manchester AO Arena last night (Wednesday May 24th) after experiencing ‘vocal issues’.
The lights went off and fans waited in darkness for a number of minutes as speculation circulated on social media, with many wondering if there had been a ‘power cut’.
Moments later, after just four songs, a packed-out arena was told the show unfortunately had to be called off.
Afterwards, Sam, 31, issued a statement on their Instagram stories to tell fans — who had missed out on a ‘surprise’ that was supposed to be at the end of the show — how ‘sorry’ they were.
Today, Thursday May 25th, the ‘Unholy’ singer has issued another statement after calling off upcoming gigs.
On their Instagram stories, the star wrote: “Due to vocal issues during last night’s Manchester performance, regrettably we will be cancelling the rescheduled Birmingham and Glasgow Sam Smith shows.
“Refunds will be available at point of purchase for all three dates; Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
“A spokesperson said ‘Doctors have advised due to a vocal cord injury, Sam must have complete vocal rest’.
“Sam is heartbroken to have had to cancel these shows but they have been told by doctors that if they keep singing, they will do permanent damage to their voice.
“If they take some rest they will be able to perform again. I’m so sorry.”
Sam already had to push back the Birmingham and Glasgow gigs after suffering from a virus several weeks ago.
After calling off last night’s show at Manchester’s AO Arena, Sam wrote on their Instagram story: “Today in soundcheck I felt fine and was so excited to give Manchester an amazing show tonight, with a special surprise at the end.
“During my third song, I noticed something wrong with my voice. I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong.”
The pop singer added: “I came off stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won’t.
“I am honestly heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for you all. I love you all. I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry.”
News
Body found in river in search for missing 24-year-old woman
Shannon’s family have been informed
A body has been found in a river in the search for a missing woman from Lancashire.
Police searching for Shannon Canning from Lancaster say they have found a body. The 24-year-old had been missing from home since the early hours of Friday May 19th.
A search operation was launched to find the young woman who did not turn up for work at Tipple bar on Friday afternoon.
Public appeals for help were launched by her family and the police force, who said they were concerned for her welfare as the disappearance was out of character.
Lancashire Police have confirmed the body of a woman was found in the River Lune near Halton on Wednesday afternoon, May 24th. Shannon’s family has been informed.
Patrols were increased during the week and specialist divers joined the search yesterday. Officers were called at around 4.20pm Wednesday afternoon when the discovery was made.
A statement from Lancashire Police said: “Sadly, officers searching for missing Shannon Canning have an update, following a body recovered from the River Lune.
“We can confirm that we were called today (May 24th) at around 4:20pm to a report that a body had been found in the River Lune, near Halton.
“Specialist search teams have subsequently attended the area and can sadly confirm that the body of a woman has been recovered.
“Although formal identification has yet to take place, we believe the body to be that of missing Shannon Canning.
“Shannon’s family have been made aware of this sad development and our thoughts are with them at this upsetting time.”
Boy, 11, left in critical condition after being hit by police van
The Champions League final is being shown at Manchester’s biggest fan park
Piers Morgan and TikToker who went in stranger’s homes get into heated argument live on air
Sam Smith cancels upcoming shows due to ‘vocal cord injury’ and tells fans ‘I’m so sorry’
Body found in river in search for missing 24-year-old woman
