Nice one Andy I never knew that Stafford had once been connected to the canal system, it does make sense though, you would have thought that the Environment Agency would be all for canal restoration as a matter of urgency for the promotion of wild life, water transportation, drainage and business interests. Looking forward to your next explorations.
Hi Andy, The Stafford branch wasn't the only branch from the S&W that locked out into a river. Between Kidderminster and Stourport at Pratts Bridge (sometimes called Platts Wharf) a lock led down into a short Stretch of the River Stour to enable canal boats to reach the nearby Wilden Ironworks-the lock and the short section leading into the River can still be seen while the site of the ironworks is still in use as an industrial estate. Both this branch and the Stafford branch can be seen on the Explore Geo-referenced Maps website where it is possible to overlay the modern map over the old one so you can see exactly where the old things are (or were) nowadays so that you can explore to see if anything is left. Very useful for exploring old canals and railways.
Andy, well presented as ever. I can't locate the reference but I recall reading/hearing once many years ago that the last recorded use of that navigation was by Ernie Thomas of Calf Heath who took a narrowboat load of turnips down to Stafford Basin in the late 1930's. It was seemingly difficult due to silting up & never used commercially again. Cheers Michael Priest
Very interesting, thank you. I used to live in Baswich (pronounced Bas-ich) very near to where the link is being built and it was lovely to see my old stomping ground again.
@@jhareng I live just outside Wolverhampton and to us locals it's always been the Town, as in "I'm just going into town", never "I'm going intio the city". Town sounds more friendly somehow, but a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
I walk the canals of UK and this just gives me another excuse to tick off another abandoned one! Nice job
That's awesome Andy..nice to see a new canal hunter episode! Anyway this is my new channel From Missouri USA.. Cheers...Dennis!
Nice one Andy I never knew that Stafford had once been connected to the canal system, it does make sense though, you would have thought that the Environment Agency would be all for canal restoration as a matter of urgency for the promotion of wild life, water transportation, drainage and business interests. Looking forward to your next explorations.
More to come in October!
Brilliant
Excellent video Andy, although I knew of the Stafford link I had no idea it used the Sow !
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi Andy,
The Stafford branch wasn't the only branch from the S&W that locked out into a river. Between Kidderminster and Stourport at Pratts Bridge (sometimes called Platts Wharf) a lock led down into a short Stretch of the River Stour to enable canal boats to reach the nearby Wilden Ironworks-the lock and the short section leading into the River can still be seen while the site of the ironworks is still in use as an industrial estate.
Both this branch and the Stafford branch can be seen on the Explore Geo-referenced Maps website where it is possible to overlay the modern map over the old one so you can see exactly where the old things are (or were) nowadays so that you can explore to see if anything is left. Very useful for exploring old canals and railways.
True - there was a good article about Pratts in Narrowboat a couple of years ago.
Andy, well presented as ever. I can't locate the reference but I recall reading/hearing once many years ago that the last recorded use of that navigation was by Ernie Thomas of Calf Heath who took a narrowboat load of turnips down to Stafford Basin in the late 1930's. It was seemingly difficult due to silting up & never used commercially again.
Cheers
Michael Priest
Interesting anecdote Michael.
I've aways wondered about that river, if it was every used by boats. Thanks for another amazing video.
Thanks for watching!
Very interesting, thank you. I used to live in Baswich (pronounced Bas-ich) very near to where the link is being built and it was lovely to see my old stomping ground again.
I am glad it brought back some good memories and thanks for the pronunciation tip!
Excellent piece of work 👍 thoroughly enjoyed watching I never new a canal ran to Stafford and it's not far from us .. regards Glyn
Many thanks!
You may have passed me. I was moored up near the Stafford branch for a couple of weeks.
I think we were there on the 7th Aug 22
@@lifeat2.3milesanhour57 ah, I was there in early September.
What about Wolverhampton, Andy, isn't that a major town?.
Its a city always ignored.
@@jhareng I live just outside Wolverhampton and to us locals it's always been the Town, as in "I'm just going into town", never "I'm going intio the city". Town sounds more friendly somehow, but a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
@@g.g.dunnitt9181 Same here used to know it as up town but worthless going there now its all pedestrianised and lowered mph.
Well, its 3 miles off the canal so I decided it dosnt really count!