Jake Kavanagh 
Ups and Downs of a Lockkeeper 

A light-hearted look at the lock-keeper“s job, be it a rural little

lock on the canals, or an ultra-modern affair at a huge marina. Jake

Kavanagh presents a humorous survey, using his inimitable cartoons and anecdotes, of the

scrapes people get into when trying to use locks. He focuses on notable

events like the Henley Regatta which afford many opportunities for

horrors to unfold. Readers have enjoyed Jake“s tales for decades; this is the perfect book for his devotees.







“Do not read this book while edging your 52ft hired narrow boat towards

an impossibly small lock. It would seriously damage shipping.“




Southern Evening Echo

“Excellent reading whilst queuing for those over-busy Thames locks on a summer weekend.“




Waterways World