WATERWAYS OF THETHE SOUTH INTERVIEW WEST
RIVER PARRETT The River Parrett has a long history of navigation, being used as a transport route way back in medieval times. Improvements were carried out under Acts passed in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and for many years this was the main route to the sea from the intricate system of Somerset canals. Today there is no link between the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal (see opposite) and the Parrett, and the river is rarely navigated, although a right of navigation
exists as far as Oath Tidal Lock. Its main navigation role is to provide drainage across the Somerset Levels. Walkers can, however, enjoy this attractive river by way of the River Parrett Trail, a 50-mile walk from source to sea developed a few years back by a partnership comprising the Environment Agency, Somerset County Council and British Waterways. For more information visit www.somerset.gov.uk and follow the links.
GRAND WESTERN CANAL Like the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, the Grand Western Canal was intended to form an integral part of the Bristol-English Channel link. But it too has ended up as an isolated waterway serving purely as a leisure amenity. Entirely rural, the 11-mile canal is owned by Devon County Council and is referred to as the Grand Western Canal Country Park. Rich in wildlife, the canal is enjoyed by nature lovers, walkers and cyclists. The latter are especially abundant, the towpath forming an essential link in the Bristol-Land’s End long distance cycle route. Angling is especially rewarding, with the canal having good stocks of bream, perch, roach and tench. Boating is justifiably popular too, the Grand Western being utilised by trailboats, canoes and rowing boats. Arguably, however, it is best known for its traditional horse-drawn boat which has for many become the iconic image of the canal. It is operated in the summer months by Tiverton Canal Company from the wharf at Tiverton, where other attractions include a waterside café and gift shop.
Rural scenery on the Grand Western Canal.
Disaster struck the canal in November 2012 with a major breach of an embankment near Halberton, following a period of exceptionally heavy rainfall. However, repairs progressed well through the summer and autumn of 2013 and the embankment is now rebuilt. Work to re-line the canal channel is currently being undertaken and the schedule provides for this section of canal to be refilled during February, with the towpath being reopened in March – in plenty of time for IWA’s National Trailboat Festival over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend The waterway’s (see right). well known horse-boat.
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IWA National Trailboat Festival The 2014 IWA National Trailboat Festival is to be held at the Grand Western Canal Country Park over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, 24th26th May. There will be a big public festival day held at the Mid-Devon Showground on Saturday 24th May, with a range of live music, performers and entertainments, all with a birthday party theme. There will also be a number of smaller satellite events happening at locations along the canal on the other two days, including an illuminated night time parade in Tiverton and a ‘Navvies Fair’ in Sampford Peverell, featuring period costume. The event will form the main celebration of the Canal’s bicentenary year. Construction work began in 1810 and was completed in 1814. The event will also provide an opportunity to celebrate completion of repairs to the breached embankment at Halberton (see left), and will enable the message to be spread nationally that the canal is once again fully operational. The festival will attract dozens of colourful trailboats from all around the UK. Thousands of visitors enjoyed live music and entertainment at IWA’s 2008 National Trailboat Festival, which was also held on the Grand Western Canal, and the 2014 festival aims to be even better. This year’s event is being organised and run by Devon County Council’s Grand Western Canal Ranger Service on behalf of IWA, under the direction of an organising committee which includes local canal enthusiasts and councillors. Applications for trailboat entries and camping pitches may be downloaded from the IWA website. IWA’s 2008 National Trailboat Festival.
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