I was fishing the Erewash Canal at Trent Lock near Long Eaton a few weeks ago, and Alan Wright happened along (not fishing, just out for a walk). I had read about the 1973 National many years ago, but am too young to have been part of that scene. I recognised him as he is a local angler, and mentined that National to him. He said that Dave Downes wasn't best pleased at having been beaten by so small a margin (it happens to us all at some time...!). Funnily enough, I also saw Wayne Swinscoe out for a walk along the towpath on the same day.
A few years or so ago, I went as couple of times to the Witham to try and catch bream on the swingtip, just to see what it was like. Enjoyable both times, more so as the floods at the time had scoured away the weed which had been a real problem.