This years BCN clean up will see us return to an area not visited for many years, based at Ocker Hill on the Walsall Canal the teams of Volunteers will clean the lower Walsall, Tame Valley Canals and Ryders Green Locks. Day Volunteers can sign on at Ocker Hill Depot from 10am, or at the Malthouse Stables in Tipton at …
Albion Foundation Workparty – A sleep(er) on the job
We had a great workparty with the some of the Albion Foundation staff. Clearing the narrows above the railway bridge, in addition to the usual motorbikes and supermarket trolleys, we hauled in this railway sleeper, complete with chairs. I’m not sure what is the heaviest lump we have got from the canal – the (empty) safe we got last year or …
Worcester Bar aqueduct leakage
Having put the coffer dams in, C&RT set about pumping out the water. Come Sunday morning and the fish rescue started. There was an amazing number of film crews and photographers about (including me). The weather was definitely damp. I think the guys in the canal were probably the driest people there! …
Gas Street Basin stoppage (continued)
Midnight last night (19/20 Feb), it was clear that the pump was not coping with the leakage in through the emergency stop gates. I was told that the plan was to stanch off the section from Worcester Bar almost to Salvage Turn. This morning, the work started on the coffer dam. Though those guys are in decent dry suits, rather them than me. …
Emergency stoppage at Gas Street – continued
Having moved the boats that wished to go out of the Worcester & Birmingham side of the basin, the next thing was to shut the emergency gates, in preparation for pumping out the cut. The tug came up from Granville Street bridge, and closing the emergency gate would only take a moment. Snag – though the gate in the Worcester …
Work Party clearing at Titford Pools
The team worked seriously hard to clear some of the fallen trees blocking the entrance to Titford Pools. Looking at the amount of cut wood, they kept themselves warm, despite the cold (though dry) day.
Exploring the BCN on foot.
Received from Mike Since retiring in Jan14 I decided that to ensure I didn’t spend the next few months deciding how to plan to be busy , my mission would be to walk the entire BCN network asap. I commenced on 19 March taking photos of all structures on route and the odd swans nest!! Using National Express and Arriva …
Pelsall – a great success
Pelsall this year was an outstanding success. While the weather made its gesture (30 seconds after the opening at 12:00 on Saturday, the heavens opened up) – but though heavy while it lasted, it didn’t last for long. After a few subsequent minor attempts at a little rain, the weather stayed gorgeous for the rest of the weekend. I believe …
Preparations for Pelsall Rally
Dredging team heading up the Curley Wyrley to Pelsall, to do some spot dredging around the site of the canal festival. This will certainly make moorings easier for deep drafted boats. Many thanks to Dean Davies (local C&RT Manager) for arranging this.
The Allen Register joins the BCNSociety at the Pelsall Rally
The BCN Society continued its long standing association with the Allen Register at the Pelsall Canal Festival taking place from June 14-16. The weekend saw the latest gathering of owners and friends of boats built by Les Allen and Sons (Bob and John) at Oldbury. For further details on the Allen Register contact Annie Jenner via this link.
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