Walking the Dorset and Somerset Abandoned Canal - Part One
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- Опубліковано 22 лис 2020
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(If you would like to offer any advice and potential assistance to ANDREW AND ELIZABETH when time allows you can get in touch via their email: jdstoker1925@gmail.com. They are looking to put together some working parties when restrictions lift).
Much of the research in the video came from Derrick Hunt and his excellent detailed website: www.dorandsomcanal.org/
Thanks for joining us on the first part of this forgotten canal adventure. We take a stroll from this long abandoned Canal in Somerset and walk along its banks to find any remains, as we get towards the end of this section we find an amazing grade II listed relic in someones garden!
If you like what we do and would like to help support us you can do so via any of the following links:
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Hey folks. Frustratingly we have had to cut a bit out of this video "post" publishing owing to an extremely small minority, regarding Andrew and Elizabeths Land. Its shame that a few have to spoil it for many. Subsequently there will be a slight jump start to the video and a possible cut midway. This is a real shame for us as we take a lot pride in the quantity of the edit. Hey ho. Thanks for watching and thanks for your continued support. Paul and Rebecca.
Intriguing 🤔
What a nice guy Andrew is, to let you in and explain all about his home and the other bits, and he's a railwayman, even better. Great vid this week guys, thanks.
Yup! Couldn't believe it when he said that!... I replied... "I think you are going to enjoy our channel"
Hi guys. I think Paul and Rebecca already know I live in this neck of the woods, and about ten years ago I did exactly this walk. I walked past the house by the Huckyduck and knocked on the door, in hopeful expectation that I would be allowed to go round the back and have a look at the top of the viaduct. Imagine my surprise when I already knew the person who answered the door, because I worked at the same company. Andrew, the new householder, seems just as friendly and welcoming. When I was there I also got to have a look at the nuclear shelter. And I know a Bennett in Frome, from a long-standing local farming family. His knowledge of the local farming families is impressively encyclopaedic so the next time I see my friend I will ask him if the local engineer who built the canal is from the same family.
Something different always happens when I walk this way. I think the first time I walked along the path from Edford there were pigs in the field. One of them came up to me and snatched my map and ate it, so I had to find my way on to Coleford and back to Nettlebridge without!
That's one hilly route between Poole and Bath. I'm not surprised they ran out of money and it was abandoned in 1803 as that was the year the Napoleonic Wars started. Probably not the best time for a major investment.
That it barely got out of the starting blocks explains why I'd never heard of it.
Fascinating story this week, nice to find a land owner that wants to share the history around his property. Hope they get some help. Alas bit of a long trip from Canada eh!
Feel free to do part 3 and 4 and 5. You two are always interesting and who doesn’t like a good waffle!
Well there is certainly a Part 2 and 3 to come!
You two lovely people are just so great. Your genuine enthusiasm is there for all to see. Such a shame ads now spoil so much on You Tube and I find myself watching it less and less but with you lovely people I shall persevere. You are so infectious. Thanks for all your effort in these troubled times.
Anyone who drove trains, has a digger, an aqueduct and a nuclear shelter, is straight off a very interesting person worth knowing. And considering the last video youtube randomly threw up on me about an American bloke trying to shoot holes in a large block of tungsten, you guys and Andrew above are the absolute voice of sanity.
Is is possible to see well with glasses over the mask like that? I find it sheer hell in supermarkets for close up stuff like labels?
It is the bain of my life.... that mask was specifically designed to be anti-steam...... NOPE!
@@pwhitewick Bain :)
@@neilbain8736 I would like to say I did that on purpose.....
@@pwhitewick LOL I thought so
Another great video folks. I know, no locks to pick, but regarding the canals, I think if they were all restored, a "boatload of money" in tourism, would be made. I know I would really enjoy such a vacation.
Another great video that viaduct was a really good find and Andrew was so good of him letting you have a walk around and even go on the top of it. I'm looking forward to part two now and see what that brings.
What a great video! Such a lovely couple who are passionate about the environment they look after. Can't wait to see part two.
Yup, they have lots of plans, slowly forming.
Fantastic video as usual, thanks. What I really love about your videos is that they show another view of England as you go wandering through the woods.
Thank you, thats absolutely what we aim for.
I’m gobsmacked, I didn’t know this canal existed and it’s in my part of the world (until I moved up’ north)! I’m getting the text books out now! Thank you so much. Can’t wait for part 2.
Cheers Malcolm, part two is fun!
Fascinating. I love your videos. Imagine having something that big & that old in your yard. Thanks!
Brilliant part one amazing history on a level to.understand you find that aquaduct amazing .
Your both brilliant look forward to Part 2
Thanks Stephen, much appreciated.
I live literally two fields away from that basin and never knew it was there, always wondered why there was so much earthwork there and the random walls underground. If you look across the basin from where your stood on the wall, the field behind the hedgerow has the remains of the other side's wall.
Great video, and what a treat to have local knowledge from Andrew.
Yup, lovely people
Fascinating. It is a shame that a canal was never built to link Poole (never mind bournemouth it didn't exist) with bath. A lot of locks I would imagine. by the way, nice umm, shiny black things Rebecca!
loved this , well done paul and rebecca for another cool interesting video , looking forwords to part 2 , :)
You certainly meet some nice people on your travels. Super video - can't wait for the next bit. What a superb aquaduct.
Half the fun I think!
What a lovely couple (x2). I hope Andrew gets the help he needs. Can't wait for part 2.
Thanks Kelvin almost finished editing it
That was so interesting. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Roll on next week to get part 2. Thank you so much
Thanks Shirley... Monday week.
Your passion about the subject matter is infectious! Thanks for the video!
Thanks Sergei.
Great vid, I've watched a few and am now hooked, you have a new subscriber! What a decent guy Andrew was and especially wanting to sort it properly.
Awesome video Paul, I always find it amazing when you are standing on something from other times. Makes me think what they were doing, what their lives were like and each stone tells a story.
Did you say that the canal ran through that woodland? And was the canal running through that open green patch at the beginning? The bit just after Rebecca was stood on the Massonary?
The big field near the start was the "Basin", which we be the start of the canal and where they planned to load coal from the Somerset coal fields. The the branch would meet up with the rest of the canal. Yes we often wonder about the lives of those that not only built the canals but also those that would have used it. scary and fascinating at the same time!
We love exploring abandoned canals and railways! Great find guys, and great explanations on what you find! Look forward to more! Encouraging us to get out there more, so we will👍
Thank you both. Yup this was a treat.... Next video out Monday.
Great video - Paul and Rebecca - my ears pricked up when the local knowledge man said that the aqueduct was known as Huckyduck. I had heard/seen Huckyduck before as the Carnival Club based in Coleford is called the Huckyduck CC. The carnival scene in Somerset is a big thing early November each year with carnival parades in various towns - wells, Glastonbury, etc. But you may already know that!!!!! Cheers Jeff (Zyderbees Rulz)
Thanks guys very interesting. Whilst railways will be the first love canal infrastructure is also fascinating. By the way love the drone shots the videos continue to get more professional each time I watch.
Andrew has a very interesting piece of property. Thanks to him and you guys for sharing it with us.
We agree!
Fascinating, be nice to see inside that bunker, looking forward to pt2
That might be Part 4 or 5!
Building a canal from Bristol to the English channel actually sounds like a solid plan, really surprised they didn't complete it
Never mind the canal, They still haven't built a decent road, having spent 6 years commuting between Bournemouth and Bristol, I can testify to this fact 😁
@@pit_stop77 ok, I'll build the canal, you can start work on the road
This episode is especially interesting. Thanks for taking me with you. Safe travels and God bless you all.
Thanks Katherine, comments always appreciated.
@@pwhitewick Happy Thanksgiving
I hope he does that solar panel project. When something of historical value is put to use it can help preserve it. What a nice chap. As for your "difficulties" I'm looking at adding one of the more recent Panasonic DMC-TZ's for when senstivity might be a problem. I dread to think what might have happened if you'd put a drone in the air.
I think the only thing slowing them down was Covid... bring on 2021
Another great video. I love the aerial videos - bird's eye views. Looking forward to part 2.
Thanks Thomas, yes we where gifted with some lovely weather on that day which certainly made it easy to get the drone out!
I love old tunnels, canals, mines....basically, anything old and industrial lol. Wow, fascinating house!
Cheers Boss. We are slightly less brave than you guys! But still love the old history.
Brilliant...! What a great bloke that Andrew is - I'd love that in my garden...!!!
Quite. responsibility, but yes, what a thing to have.
Lol seen that trespassers sign before... Also saw one up near Kings Cross saying Trespassers will be prostituted.
Did it have a phone number?
Speaking about "Trespassers will be prosecuted" signs - they're a laughably toothless threat; in regards to private land at least. If you do trespass on private property the one thing you can guarantee won't happen is you being prosecuted by the landowner. Why? Because in the UK only the Crown (e.g. the CPS) can prosecute you; private individuals/organisations can't. The landowner could I suppose sue you for trespassing but realistically that's not going to happen either.
Another excellent and informative film thank you. I like the trespassers sign!
Cheers, yup it tickled us too.
Brilliant! Had heard about the Huckyduck, but had no idea it was quite such a thing!
Likewise Peter
Reminds me of Ross’s leather pants. (If you watched Friends)
Brilliant, looking forward to the next one.
Another great video from an area close to my home, can't wait for next week!
Me too!
Great video and love the interesting waffle, its the main reason why I subscribed to your channel. Looking forward to the many parts to come. 👍
Thank you, yeah I am always scared of too much waffle!
History and pvc trousers, perfect! 😉
Whats more to love!
Good one, very interesting, never hold back on the information even part three would be of worth I expect . Its good to see the director at the end of of filming to say its a wrap
Small world i knew Andrew and Elizabeth 13 years ago when they had a Motorbike shop. Great video as allways.
Ha, brilliant, small world indeed.
How fortunate that you found a helpful, knowledgeable landowner who knows the history of the viaduct. It always seemed to me that a canal from Bristol to a southern port was a logical thing to build, just think of the time it would save, especially when there is bad weather in the Bristol channel in winter. It seems sad that after all the work that went into the canal they never finished it.
Yup, it really seemed like an economical no brainer! With canals in the north being built left right and centre I am surprised no one else picked this up.
Very interesting. Look forward to the next one!
Thanks Carl.
I hope they can get plenty of the right sort of help. Very interesting video, look forward to part 2 there's a tunnel in it!
Two tunnels and another aqueduct with a secret tunnel under it!
@@pwhitewick Mr Ambassador, you spoil us!
Very interesting, very enjoyable. Thankyou, for sharing,
Glad you enjoyed it
That was a great episode! Eagerly awaiting part 2.
Much appreciated,.
What a decent chap, to let you look around...👍.
Pre-arranged, but even still, yup very welcoming couple.
Top notch, this one. Really interesting. look forward to more and thanks.
Thanks keith, much appreciated.
The Newbury Cottages on Newbury Cottages rd Coleford might have been originally built to house the families of the proposed canal boaters. The cut would have gone through the parking area. They were most likely then used for the Newbury Colliery workers. The Coleford Tunnel was right near there. Are you going to investigate the entrances? I know they didn't finish it, but they at least dug the entrances. You could include the Conduit bridge, and the 3 Fussels Balance Locks. A shout out to Andrew and his conservation attempts. A thank you for your efforts in documenting the canals and rail roads.
All to come next week John, well as much as we could see. There will be a part 3 however which will include The Fussells Locks as we have a guide who has access to the land with permission.
In 1800 getting cargo to Bristol around the coast would have been dangerous especially in winter. Also there were periodic wars with the French which disrupted channel shipping.
Absolutely, which makes this even more desirable.
Excellent video guys. Fascinating story. Keep up waffling. :-)
Thank you! Will do!
Wooooahhh! I live just up the road in Holcombe. Hello 😁
Helloooooo
Great video as usual,looking forward to part two.👍
Thanks Graham.
Brilliant as usual - thats made my day more tolerable
Cheers Robin, glad it helped!
@@pwhitewick hey paul and rebecca another great video👍 ive been exploring old railways, canals and industrial sites here in south wales for years. We have the same interests and love for the abandoned/overgrown gems left behind.
James from Newport 👍
Fancy owning your own aqueduct, good luck to Andrew with that. Can't wait for next week's episode. Excellent stuff.
Yup, I should imagine its quite a responsibility!
I should imagine however that it could be a curse as much as it is a blessing.
I suggest a follow up video once Andrew has more detailed plans for the work,in a year or so.
He has his ducts in a row...
Keep the waffle, keep the detail and keep keeping on.
How fascinating, lovng the house as well.
Looking forward to the next part.
Wow !! You cannot beat a bit of leather !!
Wow I just loved that. What scenery. Loved that tunnel that wasn’t. That aquaduct sensational...that mans house was fabulous too. What a place to live. Hope they get the help needed to fix things. Thanks so much for taking me along and please stay safe and take care
Thanks Linda, I am sure there will be lots of positives from this in the summer.
I really enjoyed knowing about a canal I had never heard of before.
It would be really good of you to insert a Bing Maps/Google Maps link to exactly where the tunnel & aqueduct is please. In Pt 2 perhaps. :)
Brilliant video as always! Andrew's property must be unique in having an aqueduct in the front garden? I'm imagen going to an estate agent and saying "I'm after a property with an aqueduct in the garden"!
Hahaha... "We will add you request Sir"... never to be seen again.
I think that Edford bridge which apparently was a pack horse bridge was filled in by c.1980. It was certainly open in April 1973 when I visited Lower Writhlington Colliery with my Dad and we looked at what was left of the D&S. I presume that you have read Ken Clew's book on the D&S which was published by David & Charles. Unfortunately during WW II only one bomb fell on Wincanton and it hit the office which contained all of the records of the Dorset & Somerset Canal Company!
Remember whilst the original plan was to link Poole with the Kennet & Avon Canal the promoters wer unable to obtain powers to build much beyond Sturminster Newton.
So the canal would never actually have got to the Channel in the first place! Only one canal project ever successfully linked the South Coast with either the Bristol Channel or the main canal system and that was the Wey & Arun in Surrey and West Sussex.
All of the others that recived Parliamentary powers with were not completed i.e. The Bude Canal & The Tamar Manure Navigation which would have connected the River Tamar with Bude harbour or The Bristol & Taunton and The Grand Western which were planned to link Bristol to The Exeter Canal (which was the first canal in Britain known to have been built using pound locks). Or were authorised but failed to raise the required funding ie The Weald of Kent Canal which would have linked Rye to the River Medway and via The Thames & Medway to The Thames. All of the other West Country scheme to link places like Chard with Bridport or to link the K & A to the Southampton & Salisbury (A really disastrous failure which was once described as "A Georgian Misadventure"! ) or from The Basingstoke to The Itchen via Alton.
Or the various prestigious projects like John Rennie's Grand Southern Canal with its proposed four mile long tunnel under Ashdown Forest or Cundy's Grand Imperial Ship Canal
Got absolutely nowhere!
Fantastic vid guys. We just dont have history like that in north scotland..
Maybe not but you have the wick and Lybster railway.
@@pwhitewick a right
Fantastic video. Andrew comes across as a top bloke, and I wish I could help in some way. Love how passionate you and was about the hucky duck, and preserving it. Shame the actions of a numpty (read your rant) spoil it for the rest of us.
I see you changed your channel name! Hope this comment and my Like helps out with engagement; I like this channel so much, you are the ONLY channel I turn my adblocker off for and click the ads in hopes it helps you guys out and inspires you to make more videos!
Lots of new subs the past couple weeks, congrats! Any chance we'll see some underground tunnels/bunkers? I can't thank you enough for sharing these oddities with the rest of the world.. It's amazing that something built 200+ years ago still sits til this day
Thank you, that's really kind.
Wonderful. Can we have a part 3 where you film the bunker?
There will be a part 3!... might not be a bunker one though!
Made me laugh when you said you said you don't want to put too much waffle in... tough luck because their a lot of waffling in the video! But also honest but the Aqueduct look amazing as well and putting solar power on a Aqueduct? that is a very interesting idea which I'm pretty sure it has never been done before, (I could be 100% wrong on that) but cannot wait to see the second part next week and that is a wrap!
You are probably right, quite a unique plan!
Great vid guys
I prefer old railways, but the canal thing is also very interesting & that was fascinating, so please keep it going great stuff👍
I would love to live in an old station or by say an old wharf.....that chap is very lucky to have the aqueduct in his garden, not to mention a Cold War bunker!
Looking forward to the next instalment.
Cheers & stay safe😷
John B
Thanks John, we feel the same on all counts.
Thank you a fascinating video.
Thank you Richard.
nice seeing abandoned things.
this is a bit old: can the All The Stations couple substitute for you like you did to them?
Keep watching, plans ahoy.
Looking forward to part 2...
Once again rebecca and Paul great video 👏 and look forward to the next part
Thanks Paul, should be this time next week all being well.
@@pwhitewick I'm waiting patiently ☺
I'm one of those anonymous viewers that has enjoyed watching a few of your videos but not subbed. I just seem to stumble accross them.
Usual brilliant Video.
Thanks Bob.
loved that and would love to do the s and d railway
Yep.... same goal I guess
A great video yet again, sometimes you need the waffle to get the full picture and it was great, looking forward to part 2
If you think the waffle was ok in this one... wait until next Mondays!!
You two are such a lovely couple. making good video's.
Thanks so much! 😊
Big thanks to Andrew!
And: I wouldn't mind more 2- or 3-part videos :)
just subscribed to rebeccas nest will start looking at videos soon
Nice! No worries, lovely content per usual! ^-^
I for one can not wait. So is it next week already?
Almost!
i know you guys don't do bumkers but it would've been cool to see it!
Haha... I don't think its that exciting. Was anything built in the 70's exciting?
@@pwhitewick contentious 😂🤣
I used to work for a Local Authority and a bunker was in the town hall, they are eerie places.
@@pwhitewick I was built in the 70s 🤔🤣
Never knew that existed, but interesting indeed.
fascinating landscape, not much was built, but plenty of cut to be seen in the neck of the woods.
to much passion you are proper explorer
Great video.
Thanks!
1:41 what app do you use?
Canal through Frome? I grew up in Frome and this is all news. Any more info on this canal?
Hi Iain. Check out the link in the description which takes you to Dereks website. He has masses of information on there.
Thank you @@pwhitewick. Missed that. Doh! :-)
Hi Both......super video Paul....thanks....and oh Rebecca....those leggings......need a rub down with the Radio Times. 😂
Glad you enjoyed it
Good vid
I love those pants! :)
I think my jeans are a tad baggy, but appreciate the comment anyway.
@@pwhitewick I would not mind my if my jeans were a tad baggy. :)
I live in Poole, and had no idea a canal was built (or planned to be built) from Poole Harbour. Does anyone know the exact location where the canal began ? -
NettleBridge Basin to Frome was all that was constructed. Around 8 miles long. Absolutely nothing else between Bath and Poole was sadly started.
@@pwhitewick Thanks for the info. From the look of it, the Poole end was intended to begin just by Bata Park in Poole.
@@and7barton ah thats interesting. I knew about the Bath end which I believe was supposed to be bridge 177. But not the Poole end.
@@pwhitewick I was mainly going by a small map on google images. Pretty much any route into Poole Harbour would have had much to contend with regarding the problem of driving a canal through residential areas. In addition, connecting the the river north of Poole, although having a ready-made water route west, would have involved a lot of straightening and deepening of the river as it's very sinuous and pretty shallow going west and in my opinion, besides deepening, locks would have been necessary.
Cool
👏👏👏
I have a feeling that Andrew will be receiving quite a few offers from people wanting to help.
I think you are right!