Sou’Wester
The Stover Canal and adjoining railway line devastated by Storm Bert in late November 2024. See story, page 5. (Photo: David Abel)
January - April, 2025
Issue 198
IWA South West and South Wales Region
South West and South Wales Region Committees
South West & South Wales Region Committee
Chair: Hannah Rigley* Members: Baz Juniper
Hon. Secretary: Paul Thomas* Roger Morgan*
Sou’Wester Editor: Sandy Wright* Tony Pugh*
Navigation Committee
Representative: Paul Thomas*
Avon & Wiltshire Branch Committee
Branch currently inactive. If you are interested in any committee positions for this branch, please contact Hannah Rigley
Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch Committee
Chairman: Roger Morgan*
Hon. Secretary: Tony Higgins*
If you are interested in any other committee positions for this branch, please contact Roger Morgan or Tony Higgins.
South Wales Branch Committee
Chairman: Tony Pugh*
Hon. Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Henry Brown
Minutes Secretary: Vacant
Membership Officer: Tony Pugh*
Publicity Officer: Vacant
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Vacant
West Country Branch Committee
Vice Chair: Mike Slade*
Member: Chris JL Yewlett
Members: Maurice Pinner
Hon. Secretary: Vacant Pat Robinson
Hon. Treasurer: Mike Aldridge
Volunteer Co-ordinator: Mike Slade*
*Contact details for these appear inside the back cover.
Region Chair
Welcome to Sou'Wester no. 198, and in my opinion, another great issue for us to peruse during the colder months when many of us are not out boating or enjoying our region's canals and rivers quite as much.
I wanted to formally welcome Paul Thomas as our new Region Secretary and thank him for his hard work in the short time he has been in the role. You can read about Paul's background on page 10.
So far this season I have met up with our new IWA Campaigns Director, Charlie Norman in November to discuss their plans for 2025. I also attended the Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Branch AGM which you can read about in Roger Morgan's update on page 27.
It’s great to see several canal consultations running over the winter period. Excitingly, work is being prepared nationally to support our response to the consultation on the Neath and Tennant canals, mentioned on page 23 by Tony Pugh. The consultation is running thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and provides an options appraisal to look at ways to restore and regenerate these canals. Responses are being accepted until January 8. If you have a chance to submit an individual response before then, I urge you to do so! You can find a link to a response questionnaire here: https://www.npt.gov.uk/consultations#canals
As you will read in this issue, all of our branches are struggling for volunteers to ensure that the fantastic work in our region can continue. If there is any way you think you could contribute so that we can ensure our canals and rivers are still around for the next generation, please do get in touch with me, or the relevant branch committee. As you will read in this issue, there’s a wide variety of roles, from being an armchair committee member, attending just two online meetings a year, to participating as part of a weekly work party. Hopefully, if you are inclined to keep our canals and rivers alive, there will be a role to suit you.
Hannah Rigley
EDITORIAL
Hello, and a Happy New Year to you all!
As I write, in early December, Storm Darragh is blowing a hooley outside. The full extent of the damage it will cause is yet unknown, but I’m saddened to have to report the devastation wrought on the Stover Canal by Storm Bert just two weeks ago (opposite page). And elsewhere in our Region, the first named storm of the winter, Storm Ashley, caused the failure of a popular art installation in Bridgwater Docks four weeks earlier (page 11).
I was stunned by the video footage of the breach and flooding that you can see on the Stover Canal Trust’s Facebook page. My thanks to them for our front cover shot and article information provided to Ray Alexander at short notice. The Trust’s Rob Harris provided a very different article earlier in the year - about his experiences filming with a canal YouTuber (page 20). Little did he know then what lay ahead for the canal!
More positively, I am pleased to include updates from a number of restoration projects around the Region, including the Cotswolds, Herefordshire & Gloucestershire, Somerset and Swansea.
It’s also heartening to see that waterways are being considered positively through consultations, as reported by Branch Chairs Tony Pugh and Mike Slade. We can but hope that the outcomes will eventually benefit the canals involved.
For any quiz fans out there, I’m sorry that I didn’t have room for the fourth part of Mike Potts’ canal quiz in this issue. I’ve saved it over for the next issue, 199.
Talking of issue numbers, we’re now approaching 200. Quite a landmark! It will cover the period from September - December 2025. If anyone has any ideas how to celebrate this special issue, do let me know.
Sandy Wright
STORM BERT BREACHES STOVER CANAL
Ray Alexander, IWA West Country Branch
Storm Bert, in late November 2024, wrought havoc on the Stover Canal and a surrounding section of the lower Bovey Basin.
The canal, River Teign and an unused railway line all run parallel in a section of the valley near Kingsteignton. Heavy rain building up in the canal and on land to the west of the railway embankment caused some 60 metres of canal embankment south of Teign Bridge to collapse. The water flowed into an adjoining clay pit operated by Sibelco.
A similar length of railway embankment also collapsed. The Templer Way pedestrian route along the canal towpath, and the Stover Trail for
Aerial photo of the devastation, taken several days after Storm Bert. To the left the railway track hangs loose. The line of the canal can just be made out in the centre, running immediately parallel to the track. The flooded clay pit lies to the right, having been filled through a breach in the canal embankment. (Photo: David Abel)
pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, on the western side of the railway, have both been washed away.
For background, the railway and canal are owned by Network Rail, with the canal leased to Teignbridge Council and sub-leased to the Stover Canal Trust which is working on its restoration. The railway has been nonoperational for some years and there is now concern as to whether Network Rail will try to use the occasion to close it permanently.
The Stover Canal Trust is an IWA corporate member. Its Chairman, Paul Taper, shared his initial assessments: “It is clearly early days, and it seems that no-one has yet taken charge of the situation. Needless to say, the costs will be considerable.
“One of the first actions will be to rebuild the canal embankment, which may need piling etc. to make it strong and watertight. The water in the quarry pit will need to be tested by the Environment Agency for contamination and, only if suitable, can be pumped back into the canal and river. Pumping time is estimated at nine months due to the sheer volume of water involved.
“The railway embankment will need to be rebuilt if flood water is to be retained on its western side. Both the Templer Way, along the canal towpath, and the Stover Trail, to the west of the railway, will need to be reinstated.”
Additional damage was done to the canal north of Teign Bridge. Trust volunteers held an ad hoc work party shortly after the storm and made good the damage to two footbridges and some of the towpath on the northern half of the canal.
Stover Canal towpath breached by flood water.
(Photo courtesy Stover Canal Trust)
LIFESAVERS LAUNCHED
Langport’s busy riverside is now equipped with three throw lines to help ensure quick rescues from the water if needed. The town’s Cocklemoor area, alongside the River Parrett, is a popular spot for water sports, dog walking, running and wild swimming.
Part funded by the IWA’s South West Inland Waterways Regeneration Fund, the throw lines were installed by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue. Crew members from Somerton Fire Station ran a water safety session on September 14 to demonstrate the throw lines.
Practising with an emergency throw line. (Photo courtesy Langport Town Council)
SWANSEA CANAL CENTRE OPENS
Andy Ellis, Swansea Canal Society
Back in 2021, the Swansea Canal Society purchased a derelict commercial building in Hebron Road, Clydach, overlooking the canal. Following substantial renovations, including a new pitched roof, a green roof and solar panels, we officially opened the building as Swansea Canal Centre on October 25.
The ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower, and Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council's cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism.
Our Society Chairman Gordon Walker hosted a reception in the centre after the ceremony.
A few days later, we held a public open day, on November 2. The day was busy with friends and volunteers dropping in to see what has been achieved. Two special visitors were the children of John Hutchings, who
had worked for British Waterways on the Swansea Canal from the 1950s to 1994, finishing as Chief Engineer.
Both days were very successful, with many compliments about our wonderful new centre. It is not just a headquarters for the society; more importantly, it is providing facilities for the community. Clydach Art Club is already hiring it for events and meetings.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our funders. We are so grateful to them all, particularly Swansea Council, the UK Government and Vale.
Gower MP Tonia Antoniazzi (right) and Rebeca Phillips, Neath Port Talbot Councillor for Trebanos, admire the ‘By'ere Tapestry’ displayed in the new Swansea Canal Centre. Stitched by volunteers up and down the Swansea valley, it celebrates the first 225 years of the Swansea Canal, to 2023. (Photo courtesy Swansea Canal Society)
GLOUCESTER GAINS HERITAGE HARBOUR STATUS
Tony Aldridge, Gloucester Docks Bicentenary Working Team
In readiness for the 200th anniversary of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in 2027, Gloucester Docks Bicentenary Steering Group has led a successful application for Heritage Harbour status.
Heritage Harbours are places of historic maritime significance that retain original features, buildings and facilities important for supporting historic vessels and maritime skills, which help connect the public to the UK’s maritime past. The scheme is led by National Historic Ships UK, Historic England and the Maritime Heritage Trust.
Gloucester’s status was officially announced on September 5, when senior Gloucester dignitaries assembled on historic schooner Kathleen and May to hear a proclamation by the Crier to the Cathedral City and Port of Gloucester, Alan Myatt.
Gloucester has been a key trading port from at least Roman times. The current Docks were enhanced when the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was built and Gloucester became an important transhipment point between ships and narrow boats.
Tony Conder, Chair of the Gloucester Docks Bicentenary Working Team, said: "Heritage Harbour designation is an amazing achievement for Gloucester. It offers fantastic opportunities for everyone engaged with the historic Port of Gloucester to celebrate the bicentenary in 2027, to strengthen the Docks’ businesses and to enhance the enjoyment of visitors to this maritime heritage site into the future."
Civic Dignitary Parade arrives at North Warehouse, Gloucester Dock. (Photo: Tony Aldridge)
The application was led by the Bicentenary Steering Group, with support from nine local organisations including Gloucester City Council, Gloucester BID, Gloucester Quays and Canal & River Trust. They now continue preparing events for 2027.
We are very pleased to have achieved this award and hope it helps more people recognise Gloucester as a cruising and visitor destination. The city has great facilities, events and places to enjoy.
Heritage Harbours are recognised and promoted via a dedicated section of the Maritime Heritage Trust website. See www.maritimeheritage.org.uk/ uk-heritage-harbours/gloucester
NEW REGION SECRETARY
Paul Thomas has recently taken over from Andrew Strawson as Secretary of the IWA South West and South Wales Region. He's also the Region's representative on the IWA Navigation Committee. Paul has provided us with some of his background:
"I'm retired, but was an IT systems architect in a multi-national insurance company based in Amsterdam. Before that I was a geologist working in the North Sea. I live near the South Wales coast, in the Vale of Glamorgan.
“I’ve been boating on hired boats since the 1960s. My wife Anne and I now have our own narrowboat on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal at Llangattock. For the last four years I was a director/trustee with the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust. I also volunteer with the Canal & River Trust as a volunteer lock keeper at Llangynidr on the Mon & Brec, and as an events ambassador."
NATIONAL AWARD FOR RAY ALEXANDER
IWA member and recent Chairman of the West Country Branch, Ray Alexander, was awarded the Cyril Styring Trophy at the Association’s AGM in Leicester on September 28.
The trophy is the IWA’s premier annual award, given to a member who has, in the opinion of the Trustees, made an outstanding contribution to furthering the Association’s campaign.
In announcing the award, Deputy National Chair Sue O’Hare said: “The waterways have benefited enormously from Ray’s long involvement. He has been a consistently influential and reliable champion, and a highly respected representative of the Association.” Ray was unable to attend the AGM in person, but a presentation was arranged in Devon on November 1. Dave Chapman, IWA Trustee and Chair of the Chiltern Branch, attended a lunch at the Globe Inn, Sampford
Peverell, next to the Grand Western Canal, and presented Ray with the Trophy and certificate.
Pictured at the presentation are: (l to r) Adam Pilgrim (Friends of the Grand Western Canal), Mike Slade (Vice Chairman, West Country Branch IWA), Dave Chapman, Ray Alexander, Robert Hodgson and Jane Pilgrim (both from Friends of the Grand Western Canal). Backdrop to the photo is one of 12 new information boards on the Grand Western, six of which were funded by the IWA South West Inland Waterways Regeneration Fund.
FLOATING MOON DEFLATED BY STORM
A floating art installation in Bridgwater Docks came to an unexpectedly early end thanks to Storm Ashley’s high winds in October.
Fallen Moon was a 10-metre replica moon created by artist Luke Jerram. It was internally lit each evening, but its scheduled threeweek stay was cut to one week as significant damage was caused to both its electronics and fabric.
Bridgwater Town Council said the artwork had been popular, with more than 10,000 people visiting in the first week.
IWA’s Bridgwater volunteers helped with the installation, and subsequent removal, of the Fallen Moon. (Photo: Mike Slade)
IN MEMORIAM: ALAN WILLIAMS
Martin Davies, Swansea Canal Society
Alan Williams, who died aged 75, on October 31, 2024, was a kind, hard working, soft spoken man with a dry sense of humour. He will be very much missed by all his family, his friends and fellow volunteers.
He began volunteering with the Swansea Canal Society in 2011 at a Canal & River Trust event entitled The Big Clean Up. It was a two day affair designed to litter-pick the whole length of the canal in water.
It was a noble aim but there was still much untouched as we all packed away our tools on the second day. Alan suggested that ‘little and often’ was the answer and that a weekly get together of Canal Society volunteers was the ideal solution. Thus began the Tuesday Work Party we all cherish. ‘From tiny acorns mighty oaks may grow’.
Alan was a great lover of nature. The canal side is adorned with bird and bat boxes, the vast majority of which were built in the ‘cottage industry’ of his back garden. He and his beloved wife Janet also provided shrubs, bulbs and saplings for the growing number of wild flower and ornamental gardens along the canal. Indeed, only a week before his sad passing he turned up at my door with a very large bag jam-packed with tête-à-tête daffodil bulbs. Next spring we will see his spirit in their flowering. He and Janet have given so much to the Swansea Canal Society. Alan meticulously organised all the Christmas and Waterways Recovery Group celebratory meals for many years and Janet continues to raise money for the Society with her craft needlework and cake baking. Thank you Alan, thank you Janet.
WORK AT WEYMOOR BRIDGE
John Allan, Development Director - Eastern Thames & Severn, Cotswold Canals Trust
Latton Basin is where the North Wilts branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal joined the Thames & Severn Canal, about mid-way between the River Thames and the Sapperton Tunnel under the Cotswold Hills. At the basin, Weymoor Bridge was built over the Thames & Severn to give access to the basin cottage and wharf. The bridge was completely rebuilt between 2014 and 2019 with considerable support from IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) work camps.
Running parallel to the track over Weymoor Bridge, on the downstream side, is a small field drain. It isn’t clear from historic maps how, or whether, this drain crossed the canal; but today, with heavy winter flows, a channel is required under the canal. Two 600mm pipes cross below the canal bed and work on a siphon principle, like a U-bend, with entry and exit chambers at each end. Above this, the canal channel will be contained in extended wing walls from the bridge into the normal earth canal banks.
While it’s a relatively simple design, the structure had to be constructed from a slab with channel walls cast in steel reinforced concretetechniques familiar to civil engineering contractors, but not to canal volunteer groups. It was intended for the build to be undertaken by WRG volunteers in summer 2023, but as the detailed planning progressed, it became obvious that we wouldn’t be ready in time, so the start was delayed until summer 2024.
In all but the driest summers, there is still some flow in the
First WRG camp at Weymoor Bridge.
field drain, so the first task was to cut a diversion channel around the site. This meant the bed of the stream could be excavated for installation of the 600mm pipes, but it proved much trickier than expected. The very high natural water table meant continual pumping of water was required. The pipes were eventually bedded in – and weighted down to stop them floating on the seeping water. Then reinforcing mesh for the slab and base of the channel walls was installed and, with wooden shuttering in place, 48 tons of concrete was pumped on top.
The next stage was erecting professionally designed steel formwork for the 1.8m high channel walls. Another new task for our volunteers. With all this in place, we were ready for a further 24 tons of concrete for the walls.
Much was learned in planning this project and during execution of the first phase. We relied heavily on the expertise of WRG’s site leaders and supporting team, and are hugely grateful for their help. WRG will be back in 2025 to finish the retaining walls with yet more reinforced concrete.
600mm drainage pipes in place, with many sandbags holding them down. Groundwater pumping out point in foreground. (Photos courtesy Cotswold Canals Trust)
Concrete channel walls completed. Reinforcing bars protruding from the ends are ready for the wing walls to be installed in 2025. The stream has flooded the site since construction was paused.
REFLECTIONS FROM OUR FINAL CRUISE WITH SLOE
Jane Pilgrim, IWA and Friends of Grand Western Canal
Some 40-plus years ago my husband Adam and I set off, with our two young sons, on our first canal holiday. Just two weeks on a poorly equipped hire boat was to change our lives in a way we could never have imagined, starting with joining the IWA after that holiday.
On our way up the Llangollen Canal we discovered English County Cruisers at Wrenbury, where we saw what proper hire boats were like. We hired from them for the next 10 years or so, and went many miles further than they expected us to - including Cadburys on the Worcester & Birmingham, Stourbridge, Coventry, most of the Caldon, Manchester, Wigan and Whaley Bridge.
When the boys no longer wanted to holiday with us, we bought our Wilderness Trailboat, Sloe
That was in 1995. Now, in 2024 we are making our final journey on her. It seemed appropriate to return to the start of our story; so, early September saw us trailing to Swanley Bridge Marina, on the Llangollen Canal, to launch Sloe.
In company with another Wilderness, we made our way through Wrenbury, up Grindley Brook staircase locks to a comfortable mooring in the busy Whitchurch Arm. Some years ago there were plans to restore the arm into the town but as yet this has not materialised.
Adam and Jane Pilgrim aboard Sloe at Waytown lime kilns, Grand Western Canal, 2022. (Photo: Diana Wines)
On then, across Whixall Moss, past the meres to Ellesmere for a shopping spree in Vermuelens, renowned for their pies, breads, cakes and many
other delights. Ellesmere has many places of interest and should always be in the schedule.
Crossing the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is always exciting and scary, especially in wind or rain. We had both! However, once across we joined a slow procession of several boats on the very narrow run into Llangollen where we paid our dues and claimed a mooring in the well filled marina.
The return journey to Pontcysyllte was slightly quicker and no longer raining, but the wind was stronger and it was necessary to walk alongside the boat on the aqueduct to keep her moving forward rather than fixed to the towpath. Steering a straight course is always tricky as the towpath overhangs the waterway, thus reducing the width and removing the opportunity to stay in the middle of the canal.
Next to be negotiated was Chirk Tunnel and, almost immediately, the rather more modest but equally attractive Chirk Aqueduct with the railway viaduct alongside.
We had booked passage for the following morning to go down Welsh Frankton locks onto the Montgomery Canal. We didn't venture onto this restoration project on our first cruise, but have visited a number of times since.
On the first, we were able to reach Maesbury Marsh and Gronwyn Bridge (82). In 2022, with a couple more Wilderness crews, we got as far as Redwith Bridge (83) which had previously been lowered but was rebuilt to full height. Now, in 2024, we travelled to Crickheath Bridge (85) where the wharf and winding hole have been restored and the wharf equipped with smart, new, yellow mooring rings.
Approaching Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
The next length of channel has been dug, and another lowered bridge, Schoolhouse Bridge, has been rebuilt to full height. Much of the work has been done by volunteer groups and I feel the final two miles to the Welsh border will not be long in coming.
Alas, both pubs along the canal were closed that day. Being wet and cold, we were not inclined to linger, so made our way back to Welsh Frankton ready to go up the locks next morning.
So, the journey is nearly over. Tomorrow, we'll be back at the marina, ready to slip Sloe back on her trailer and tow her home. Another chapter is beckoning. As yet, we don't know where that will take us, but I am sure the inland waterways will always be part of our lives.
MALSWICK UPDATE
Ralph Barber, Chairman, Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust
The team at Malswick have been very busy continuing to restore the canal. Here’s a photo update.
1. The canal corridor, looking south from the football ground. The channel is only partly filled with water to ensure the embankment is secure. Further water will be added as we move through 2025.
2. This channel by our site hut is very new. In September, at our Open Day, many visitors walked across this area to see the canal further up towards the football ground. Since then, the diggers have been working hard to create the new channel.
3. In the area known locally as West Wood, the canal line follows its original route which was later covered by the old Gloucester and Ledbury Railway. We have submitted a planning application to continue the canal channel to the trees, including a winding hole just before the trees. Those with sharp eyes may notice what looks like a white post to the right, in the distance. This is part of the swing bridge that will be installed across the canal, enabling the public footpath to remain in place when the channel is restored.
SOMERSETSHIRE COAL CANAL UPDATE
Tracy Craven, Somersetshire Coal Canal Society
The Somersetshire Coal Canal opened in 1805 for transporting coal from the pits in Somerset to a junction with the Kennet & Avon Canal (K & A) at Dundas Wharf, near Bath. It was surveyed by John Rennie, who was also responsible for the K & A. It was a highly profitable venture for many years but competition from the railways caused it to close in 1898.
The canal played a key part in the history of Somerset and its coalfields. At its height, the canal served up to 30 pits, with around 20 boats per day navigating the canal, and over 100,000 tonnes of coal transported per year.
A southern branch of the canal linked with pits around Radstock, while a northern branch linked with pits around Timsbury and Paulton. Some 14 collieries at Timsbury and Paulton were connected via tramways to their respective basins in the Meadow Terminus; this required construction of three tramway bridges over the Cam Brook.
A further bridge, over the canal, was required at Upper Radford where tramways connected the Withy Mills and Radford workings.
Map showing both branches of the Somersetshire Coal Canal.
Terminus Bridge
The Somersetshire Coal Canal Society’s main goal is to restore the full 10.5 mile northern branch of the Coal Canal from Timsbury to Bath. Most of the work is being carried out by our fantastic volunteers. It can feel, and look, like we are making slow progress, but every now and again we make a big step forward!
The northern branch terminated in Paulton and Timsbury Basins. The towpath along its southern side gave access to Paulton Basin, while the towpath on its northern side ran to Timsbury Basin. Terminus Bridge was constructed at the entrance to the basins, providing access to the northern towpath. This bridge was demolished many years ago, but its stone abutment walls survived - just!
When we first dug out the Terminus Bridge site it was in a terrible state of repair. It took us a long time to prepare and clear the ground so that we could see the condition of the abutments.
By far the most important recent development has been attracting a skilled volunteer, Adrian Iles, to work at Terminus Bridge. A lot of work was
completed in 2023 on the main bridge walls and one of the abutments. Adrian has helped us make fantastic progress on the wing walls, and we are so grateful for his superb work.
Adrian Iles works on the Terminus Bridge abutments.
Our volunteers work every Sunday, but it is an arduous task to keep the area beautiful for the public to use as well as trying to restore sections. There is a lot of work to do, and we are always looking for more help. As well as rebuilding the Terminus Bridge abutments, we are working on a nearby sluice gate. We should then be able to put a half-mile stretch of canal back in water.
If you think you can help with maintenance or restoration activities, please Stu Ashman at workparty_paulton@coalcanal.org.uk
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH A CANAL YOUTUBER
Rob Harris, Stover Canal Trust
Court Above the Cut is a YouTube channel concentrating on canal restoration in the UK. Its creator, Stephen Court from Chippenham, approached the Stover Canal Trust about featuring our canal in an upcoming video. Naturally, we were keen to have national coverage of our efforts and jumped at the offer.
Following an exchange of emails to establish exactly what Steve wanted and to furnish him with information and photographs for background, we arranged his visit for August 4.
Steve specialises in drone footage. He is well acquainted with the rules of flying, and permissions were not required as he only flew the drone above the canal which we lease.
On the day, Steve had already walked the canal from its Jetty Marsh end and filmed some footage when I met him at Graving Dock. It was clear Steve had done his homework. Through our website, he’d gained a good understanding of the story of the canal and the restoration progress made.
The 1.7 mile Stover Canal was cut between 1790 and 1792 by James Templer II to move ball clay from his pits in the Bovey Basin to the Stoke on Trent potteries via the port of Teignmouth. By the 1820s, the canal was also used to export granite from the Templer family quarry on Haytor, a prominent high spot on Dartmoor some 8 miles from the canal’s terminus at Ventiford Basin.
Steve asked me to be interviewed on camera. I’d had training in public speaking in the past and have performed on stage in a band for 12 years, so was happy to oblige. The interviews weren’t scripted, so I was pleased that he didn't ask for any retakes!
At Graving Dock, I explained that it was a dry dock unique on the British waterway system as it had been created from a normal straight-sided lock. We talked about the
YouTuber Stephen Court at Ventiford Basin. (Photo: Rob Harris)
Graving Dock, with steam box to left. (Photo: Rob Harris)
clearing of the dock and rebuilding the steam box alongside it before moving on to Teigngrace Lock.
Here, our volunteers had been busy clearing the lock and its surroundings with the intention of enhancing the view from the adjacent tea rooms, which Steve featured in the video. Unfortunately, shortly after our visit, the tea rooms closed. Nevertheless, the area is still benefiting from the tidy-up.
Walking on along the towpath, Steve featured the old Teignbridge Halt on the adjacent railway line. This has recently been cleared of overgrowth in a joint venture between our volunteers and those of the group hoping to restore passenger traffic on the Newton Abbot to Heathfield line.
At Ventiford Basin, I explained the extent of operations that took place there over 200 years ago. This was where granite cut from Haytor Quarry was loaded on to barges and taken to Teignmouth for transhipping to coastal vessels headed for London.
Steve was keen to feature the unusual tramway lines at the basin, which are made from granite rather than iron. Haytor’s hard-wearing granite, used for many notable buildings in London, was also ideal for shaping into tramlines that enabled the stone to be carried down from the quarry to the basin.
Accompanying Steve back to the car park, I learned that his YouTube channel is a hobby. He devotes much of his spare time to it and ploughs back any revenue from it into upgrading his equipment. He has gathered a large following on YouTube. His 18-minute video about the Stover Canal can be found here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=l72g7ZeUB7k
Remains of a granite tramway at Ventiford Basin (Photo: Sandy Wright)
Branch Reports
IWA SOUTH WALES BRANCH / CANGEN DE CYMRU REPORT
Tony Pugh, Branch Chairman
Since our AGM, the South Wales Branch has just three committee members. We will have to seriously consider putting the branch into abeyance in the foreseeable future if we are unable to recruit additional committee members. Please step forward, even if only to be an armchair member; that would not be an onerous commitment as you’d only need to join us via Zoom a couple of times a year as a minimum.
As Branch Chairman, I attended three events in the autumn linked to South Wales waterways. The 50th anniversary of the Neath & Tennant Canals Trust was an informal event at the Golf Driving Range, Aberdulais, on September 12. The official opening of Phase 2 of the Clydach Lock restoration and the new Swansea Canal Centre at Clydach took place on October 25. It is reported elsewhere in this issue.
I also attended a Valleys that Changed the World seminar on September 26 at Swansea Maritime Museum. This was a heritage networking event drawing together those interested in the industrial history of South Wales.
On the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, the services to the canal of Richard Dommett MBE were recognised by Newport City Council at an event on October 11. Richard is the man behind the design of the new modular steel lock gates on the Crumlin Arm. Their projected lifespan is more than 100 years, compared with the 20 - 30 years of traditional wooden gates. Lock 21 is now named Dommett’s Lock, and Richard was invited to unveil the name post and new lock gates.
Just beyond the deadline for this issue, a consultation event about the Neath & Tennant Canals is due to take place at Aberdulais on December 4.
Organised by Neath Port Talbot Council, the event is intended to provide feedback for a report that will assess the feasibility of carrying out improvement works on the canals. I plan to attend and hope to have a report for you in the next issue of Sou’wester.
On a personal note, for my 80th birthday, I was treated by my extended family to a watery weekend away at Symonds Yat in the Wye Valley. We took several trips on the Saracens Head Inn’s hand-pulled ferry, connecting one side of the village to the other, and a boat trip up the River Wye.
As ever, may I remind members to be vigilant and report any incidents or planning applications on or near our canals and navigable waterways.
The Symonds Yat hand-pulled ferry (centre) with river trip boat in foreground
For current information on South Wales waterway activities have a look at the following websites or contact them using the details below.
Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust mbact.org.uk
Fourteen Locks Canal Centre mbact.org.uk/fourteen-lockscanal-centre
Torfaen Canal Volunteers
Contact: Hugh Woodford 01663 862481 heatherhugh@hotmail.com
Cardiff Bay Harbour Authority cardiffharbour.com
Neath & Tennant Canals Trust neath-tennant-canals.org.uk
Tennant Canal Association tennantcanal.wales
Ty Banc Canal Group (Neath Canal) facebook.com/TyBancCG/
Swansea Canal Society swanseacanalsociety.com
Swansea Marina swanseamarina.org.uk
IWA WEST COUNTRY BRANCH
Mike Slade, Branch Vice Chairman
This issue’s report focuses on the two ends of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal.
Bridgwater Docks
The regeneration of Northgate Docks in Bridgwater is due to commence in 2025. The docks were earmarked for a £5.2m investment through Town Deal funding back in 2023, but work did not progress in 2024 and it needs to be complete by the funding deadline of March 2026.
As a stakeholder, we have been concerned about the lack of progress and lack of communication since the initial announcement. In November we heard that Bridgwater Town Council has provided additional staff support for the project and is working on a revised timetable that will include opportunities for local people and stakeholders to provide comments and input.
The aim is to establish Bridgwater Docks as a destination, making it an attractive place to live, work, play and visit. Plans are said to include 40 residential moorings, 26 leisure moorings, improved facilities and increased capacity for leisure amenities and activities such as paddleboarding, canoeing, cafés and community spaces.
£1m of the funding is for cycling improvements. An active travel route is planned from the River Parrett across the north side of the docks to the canal towpath, plus a new bridge crossing over the entrance to the canal at Newtown Lock.
Albert Street Cutting
The role of the canal towpath in Bridgwater’s active travel route has been limited for three years because of its closure through Albert Street Cutting. It was closed in December 2021 due to concerns over the safety of the wooden beams that straddled the canal in the cutting. They had been installed in the 1970s to support walls either side, but had become a safety
concern in their own right because they were deteriorating and at risk of falling.
It took intense lobbying by ourselves, local councillors and various local groups to ensure Canal & River Trust finally removed the beams in late October. Instead of replacing the beams, CRT is creating weep holes to prevent water pressure building up behind the walls and setting up an electronic system to continuously monitor the walls for any movement.
Our Bridgwater volunteers are currently involved in clearing overgrown vegetation from the towpath so that it can be reopened to walkers and cyclists.
Taunton
Albert Street Cutting following removal of the beams which straddled the canal. Some of the beams can be seen lying along the towpath. (Photo: Nigel Parkin)
At the other end of the canal, Somerset Council issued a consultation document in September on its proposed Taunton Waterways Strategy.
Whilst generally supportive of the proposals, we felt that significant benefits of waterways-focused development had been overlooked. The draft Strategy focuses on the opportunities that waterways offer to mitigate flooding, enhance biodiversity, encourage active and sustainable travel and build a sense of community. But the role that canals and rivers can play in creating jobs and bringing financial benefits through tourism and leisure was hardly touched on.
Our response to the consultation made a series of suggestions intended to provide the Council with a wider perspective on the benefits of navigable waterways. We also flagged up that the Grand Western Canal had been omitted from the Strategy, despite its origins in Taunton, and the need to
refer to wider waterways issues in Somerset, which could have a positive and lasting impact on Taunton.
To view our response to the consultation, click through from our Branch website: https://waterways.org.uk/waterways/branches/iwa-westcountry-branch
Appeal
And while these positive pieces of news may make it appear that our Branch is thriving, we are in urgent need of new volunteers. Could you:
• join our regular work parties at Bridgwater or Langport? At Bridgwater, we need new team leaders, a training and safety volunteer and a storekeeper to keep our tools and equipment in good order. Work parties normally take place twice-weekly at Bridgwater, and monthly at Langport on the River Parrett.
• join our Branch committee and consider taking on any of the vacant roles - events organiser, heritage champion, secretary and chair? Many of the committee meetings are held on Zoom, which makes it easier to attend.
The waterways of the West Country need people who care for them. Please contact me on 07977 263840 or email mdslade8@gmail.com
IWA GLOUCESTERSHIRE & HEREFORDSHIRE BRANCH
The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch was held on November 30 in the Lockkeepers pub at Over. The cost of the meeting was kindly met by the operators of the pub.
Members were joined at the meeting by IWA’s South West and South Wales Region Chair, Hannah Rigley, and the new Region Secretary, Paul Thomas. We discussed a number of topics, including potential sources of new members for
Roger Morgan, Branch Chairman
IWA and future activities.
After the meeting, those present received a talk on the restoration of the lock at Over which links the River Severn with the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal, together with a history of the restored basin.
Members were then able to walk the 500m of restored canal from Over Basin to the winding hole at Vineyard Hill in lovely, but unseasonal sunshine.
Notices
Far left: the Over Lock site.
Left: members walk a restored section of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal after the AGM.
Photos: Paul Thomas
FORMAL NOTICE OF BRANCH AGMS
Each branch will hold its AGM in 2025.
Contact details for Branch Chairmen can be found on the inside back page. Agenda (which is common to all branches)
1. Apologies for absence
2. Minutes of previous AGM
3. Report of Chair
4. Treasurer’s Report and accounts
5. Election of Committee
6. Any other business (previously notified to the Chair before the meeting).
Immediately following the AGM, the new Committee will meet to appoint its Officers. No further details are available, but members of branches will be notified when more is known.
IWA West Country Branch:
Saturday, March 22, 2025, 3pm, via Zoom.
IWA South Wales Branch:
May 2025. Details to be confirmed in the next issue of Sou’wester.
IWA Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch:
November 2025. Details to be confirmed in a later issue of Sou’wester.
What’s On
Research on the Somersetshire Coal Canal
March 20
A fascinating evening with Roger Halse talking about the sources, maps and photographs from his decades of research.
7.30pm, Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW
Dunkerton Pumping Engine site walk
March 23
Derrick Hunt will lead a visit to the site of the former Dunkerton Pumping Engine and mill pond, near the Somersetshire Coal Canal. Weather and ground conditions permitting, a walk to the site of Hill's Colliery will be included. Special permission has been gained for access to sections of private farmland.
Open to members only, this special event may spur you on to join the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society!
For further details please contact Tracy Craven, tncraven@outlook.com
Waterways in the IWA South West and South Wales Region
Avon and Wilts Branch
Rivers Avon & Severn: Tidal navigation that is the responsibility of the Bristol Haven Conservancy, downstream of the second Severn crossing
Avon Navigation: Hanham to Avonmouth, including River Avon and Bristol Docks
Kennet & Avon Canal: Hanham Lock to Froxfield Bridge
North Wilts Canal
Somersetshire Coal Canal
Wilts & Berks Canal: Kennet & Avon Canal to county boundary 1m west of Shrivenham
Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Branch
Coombe Hill Canal Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Leominster Canal
Lydney Canal
River Severn: from Mythe Bridge, Tewkesbury to a point on the tidal navigation which is the seaward extent of responsibility of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees, downstream of the Second Severn Crossing
Stroudwater Navigation Thames & Severn Canal
River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to Severn Estuary
South Wales Branch
Brecon & Abergavenny Canal Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canals
Monmouthshire Canal Neath & Tennant Canals
Swansea Canal River Usk River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to source
West Country Branch
Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Bude Canal
Chard Canal Exeter Ship Canal
Grand Western Canal Liskeard & Looe Canal
North Somerset Waterways River Parrett
Rolle Canal Stover Canal
Tavistock Canal River Tone
Contacts
Tony Higgins
anthony.higgins@waterways.org.uk
Roger Morgan roger.morgan@waterways.org.uk
Tony Pugh tony.pugh@waterways.org.uk
Hannah Rigley hannah.rigley@waterways.org.uk
Mike Slade mdslade8@gmail.com
Paul Thomas paul.thomas@waterways.org.uk
Sandy Wright sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk
BRANCH WEBSITES
Branch websites can be found via www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/branches
Next Issue of Sou’Wester
The next issue of Sou’Wester is due out in May 2025. Please send all copy to the Editor at sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk by Wednesday, April 2, 2025
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of IWA. The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2PX. Tel. 01494 783453. Registered in England, no. 612245. Registered as a Charity, no. 212343. www.waterways.org.uk
Join our communi of like-minded people om all walks of life and show your support for the waterways. The Inland Waterways Association is the only national chari that works to preserve and restore all Britain’s 7,000 miles of canals and river navigations.
