Members of Wargrave Local History Society enjoyed a visit to the Kennet and Avon Canal on a warm July afternoon.
This had originally been planned to take place in 2020, but had had to be postponed due to the pandemic restrictions.
Although the day was one of the warmest of the summer, the movement of the boat along the water created a gentle breeze through the vessel, making it probably the best place to be that afternoon.
The Rivers Kennet and Avon had been made navigable far upstream as Newbury and Bath respectively 18th century, and a 57-mile-long link enabled the through route to open in 1810.
However, in 1841 the Great Western Railway opened between London and Bristol, and so the canal lost most of its traffic. It gradually fell into a state of disrepair, and complete closure was proposed in 1954.
A group of enthusiasts saw the potential to repair the damaged sections, rebuild the locks, and clear the silted-up waterway, and so the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust began the work to restore the canal in 1962.
The first section to be re-opened was that from Hungerford to Newbury, in July 1974, although it was to be 1990 before the canal was again navigable throughout.
The Trust had the 55ft-long Rose of Hungerford built in 1982, offering trips on the newly restored sections. Travel on the canal is very peaceful and calm – even though the railway runs close alongside, it hardly intrudes on the waterway – either visually or audibly. The Society’s visit started at Hungerford wharf, and approaching the first lock – Dun Mill – the road bridge just beyond looked to be too low for the boat to pass under – but, of course, the water level is over 5ft lower on the far side.
An essential part of a Wargrave Local History Society visit is the afternoon tea, and our freshly made scones with clotted cream and homemade jam were served between Dun Mill and Wire Lock.
Once through the latter, the boat went a short way further before turning round for the return to Hungerford.
Although ours was a special trip for Society members, the canal trust also offers similar public trips at weekends and Wednesdays – details are at https://rose.katrust.org.uk/publictrips/.
The delicious cream teas are not served on these trips – but are available at The Tutti Pole, close to the boat departure point.
More details of the Society can be found at www.wargravehistory.org.uk – or email info@wargravehistory.org.uk to confirm meeting details.
PETER DELANEY
