Josiah Coker
One boat, two planks, and a steady passage through the hill.
Look closer at the illustration ↗Josiah Coker lives with Ruth by Fallow Hill Tunnel. He is broad, with a black curly beard, a navy knitted cap and a leather waistcoat. He and Ruth are waiting when Ada arrives with the bell for St Hilda’s.
He lays two broad planks across the front of Patience. Ada lies on one and Josiah on the other, their boots reaching out to the tunnel walls. They move the boat forward with their feet while Pip holds the lantern and counts.
Josiah tells Pip that Ruth and Marigold will be passing above the air shaft. At the far end he takes his lamp and planks ashore, leaves the planks ready for the next boat, and wishes the bell safe home.
People they know
Ruth Coker holds a lantern beside her black-and-white collie at Fallow Hill Tunnel. Josiah is partly visible at the left. Ruth Coker
His wife
Ruth and Josiah live beside Fallow Hill Tunnel. Ruth takes the horse over the hill while Josiah helps bring the boat through.
Ada Brimble · From the illustrated world of Candlebury Ada Brimble
His partner on the tunnel planks
Ada and Josiah lie on planks and push against the tunnel walls with their feet to move Patience through Fallow Hill.
Pip Hobday · From the illustrated world of Candlebury Pip Hobday
The passenger holding his lantern
Pip holds the lantern while Ada and Josiah move the boat through the tunnel. Josiah tells her where Ruth and Marigold are passing overhead.
Places in their stories
Along the canal
Locks, towpaths and the quieter journey to Little Tallowmere.
Stories
The Narrow Boat to Little Tallowmere
Travel with Ada Brimble, Pip and a new church bell aboard Patience, along the canal to Little Tallowmere.
With Ada Brimble, Pip Hobday, Dorothea, Ruth Coker, Josiah Coker, Mr Gedge