Local Lives

Pursuing a dream

Henry Smith from Peatmoor is a leading light in the campaign to revitalise the North Wilts Canal which is part of the Wilts & Berks Canal. He and other volunteers put in many hundreds of hours each year to restore years of neglect to bring history back to life. Here he describes the challenges before them. Henry Smith at work, restoring the aquaduct near Moredon

The Wilts & Berks Canal was cut from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Semington, near Trowbridge to the River Thames at Abingdon, between the years 1796 and 1810. The North Wilts Canal was cut from Swindon to the Thames and Severn Canal just north of Latton. In 1901 the Stanley A gradient, near Caine collapsed and neither the will nor the finance was available to repair it. Through traffic, which consisted mainly of coal, from the Somerset coal fields was stopped and in 1914 the canal was abandoned by act of Parliament. Railway, now the Old Town footpath. This section has always been in water and will be dredged by Thamesdown in the near future.

Beyond the bridge and a short infilled section are two other sections of canal restored by the group which now benefit from a stone tow path, laid by the group in the last couple of months.

At Moredon evidence of the canal can be seen by parking by the gate across the old road over the Swindon to Gloucester railway line, just before where the new road now crosses the River Ray.

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We now have the longest length of unrestored canal in this country centred on Swindon. When completed, it will again connect with the Kennet & Avon which is in use, and the Thames & Severn which is under restoration, to create a number of cruising rings.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Amenity Group was set up in 1977 and is a registered charity. The aims of the group now are to restore the canals to full navigation and provide a tow path for all to enjoy. The group consists of ten branches, some more active than others, with the Swindon branch being one of the most active. Although there have been occasional attempts at local restoration from time to time, work in Swindon started just over two and a half years ago and has run continuously since.

Most people are probably familiar with the Kingshill section of canal which runs from just beyond the back of the Esso petrol station to the skew bridge of the former Midland and South West Junction Walking up into the area of trees on the north side, to the bed of the North Wilts Canal. The group have cleared the tow path down to the aqueduct over the River Ray and Wilts County Council have installed a new timber ootbridge over the river.

The aqueduct, a grade II listed structure, has provided a major challenge and is the site of almost weekly (Sunday) working parties. So far some 10,000 bricks have been laid and there is probably the same amount to go. The aqueduct consists of a three arch bridge carrying the canal over the river and includes stone bands and a stone capped parapet, yet to be rebuilt, to the tow path side.

The group is always looking for new members and those willing to come on work parties are particularly welcome. We also have many retired people who enjoy the excellent quarterly magazine, Dragonfly.

Anybody interested should contact me on 875775.

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