We in the USA do not have the appreciation of the canal system built in Great Britain hundreds of years ago and the civil engineering involved. Today this would be a great way to see the country and learn about a lot of history at the same time.
@@TheEarthHistorysConfusingthe US has an amazing network of intracoastal canals. There are over 3,000 miles of man made navigable waterways in the US. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway
@@TheEarthHistorysConfusing I wasn't limited to New York state. There was also a an extensive network of canals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland that, along with the river system and inclined planes to handle ridgelines, connected the PA coal fields and NY farmland with the cities and the cities with one-another. Before the railroads took over all three (canal, river, rail) were often used for a given journey, often with many transfers between modes.
The overspill was a very clever design. Very often older engineering solutions just work. They are designed to be simple and effective. Some research I did in the past revealed something very similar local to me. It was a "cut" delivering water to power machinery. If the water got too high it fed into a pipe. The pipe took the water over a large bucket and the weight of the water acted on a lever to open a sluice. The bucket had several holes so when the pipe stopped flowing the bucket would drain and the counterweight closed the sluice. Today engineers make things way too complicated. 🙂
What things do engineers make too complicated today? I certainly appreciate this old engineering, but such appreciation doesn't require the denigration of the skill of modern engineers.
@@Milamberinx Patent-right and legally mandated industry standards arising from lobbying by commercial interests makes a financial virtue of complexity.
I want to be as fit and healthy as Basil at 85! There's the benefit of looking after your health right there. What an amazing guy he is. Brilliant video Paul but I would have thought the circular overflow you were looking at wasn't the horseshoe one you were after! It did become obvious though. Other UA-camrs might have edited that out so thanks for leaving it in.
Thank you, P+R it actually made me think that as a retired person a volunteer job might be just what I need. I love the little slices of what it takes to put our history back together
If you have the means, time and physical ability, I heartily suggest volunteering. Imagine the satisfaction and even the fellowship to be had from sharing your particular life-skills for a cause! I’m exhausted after doing my bit, but it encourages me to exercise in between to stay ready for the next session. Win win!
I spent some time between jobs volunteering for the Cotswolds Wardens - they are active in restoring and clearing footpaths in the area. It was hard work, but when I'm out and about nowadays I remember working on things and always appreciate the work the volunteers do. Go for it, Bryan!
Ahh, a rare moment when the UA-cam algo' recognises one of my more eclectic tastes in channels. Fascinating project, and delightfully presented. All that reclaimed brickwork is beautiful. Instant subscription 🙂
Wow - what a great episode. That volunteer was one of the most interesting and inspiring people you have ever featured. I had no idea that the Wilts & Berks was so actively being restored. Back in the day when I was a member of IWA and WRG (circa 1977 - 1992) the focus was all on the Kennett & Avon, and the view on the Wilts & Berks was that it was effectively B.E.R (beyond ecconomic repair) to use an old engineering phrase. So it is fantastic to realise that whilst I have been busy quietly getting older, the whole restoration bandwagon has marched on so very effectively. Really positive news - more like this please!
It’s really great to see our heritage being restored back to it’s former glory, so that we can show our grandchildren how we used to live! Thanks for sharing another great video with us Paul and Rebecca 👍🏼👍🏼 look forward to seeing next week’s video!
Fascinating. The waste weirs I've seen at our canal in Maryland are likewise adjacent to streams or other culverts under the canal. The beauty of the engineering and construction of these early canals, even of things that will never be seen, amazes me. Our National Park Service restores the structures as they were originally built so dry laid masonry for the lock structures.
Interesting to see this being rebuilt. This area was my stamping ground as a child and teenager. I remember my dad telling me about the old canal and looked at where it crossed the road between Pewsham and Derry Hill. The Lysley Arms, just up the road, famous for a murder in the 60s. Also when I went to Swindon there were far more signs of the canal although they may now have gone because of Swindon redevelopment in the 1970s. This section of canal was important and was the reason why Swindon became the central engineering works at Swindon. It meant that they could get bulk raw materials to Swindon relatively easily and cheaply.
Totally ran into this channel by accident, but I love old industrial engineering, trains and canals both! Bumping into Basil couldn't have been a more fortuitous happening, lots of lovely info, and a look at how they do the repair. Splendid!
Brilliant! My locks! I was born and bred in Chippenham and for a while lived close to Pewsham locks. When I found the locks in the 80s it was massively overgrown. The towpath was impenetrable and although you could get to Top Lock, you had to scramble through branches, trees and brambles to get to the start of the Middle Lock. That was as far as it was possible to get. Top Lock was relatively well preserved, although almost hidden in trees, but I read somewhere that Middle and Bottom locks were part destroyed by army demolition practice during WW2. Trouble is, they were far too overgrown to get near enough to check it out. There was a branch from Pewsham to Chippenham and while bits remain today (if you know where to look) most is now gone. Back in the 70s there was a lot still to see and I still have some (poor quality) B&W photos of bits of it. My first ever attempt at taking photos! Now I live “Up North” it’s not so easy to get back to visit, but I need to!
Stuff like this, the off path things most people will never even know about, is always so interesting to learn about. The amount of time, resources, and knowledge put into things like this without much recognition is crazy! I hope it can be fully repaired to it’s full potential soon!
Your canal videos are always fascinating, especially when we see some restoration work going on. You have to take your hat off to the volunteers who do such important and valuable work with such limited funding.
Can I just say what an excellent production this is. Interesting subject with good interviewing and editing and nicely balanced sound. Keep up the good work!
Interesting video and enjoyed Basil’s knowledge which clearly demonstrated just how hand to mouth in cash terms many of these vital volunteer organisations are.
Gave me the feeling of Smarter Every Day the way you prompted the knowledge from that amazing man! Learning from those who dedicated their life to a passion is truly something special.
My local walk! Been watching the restoration for years. It used to be a real challenge to get to Lacock without sinking into the mud of the canal! Still intrigued how they're going to cross the A4 at Pewsham 🤔. Lovely video as always.
I'm in the USA and it's different to hear you talk about the King. I knew you had a King but I'm just so accustomed to hearing about the Queen my entire life that it was almost shocking to hear citizens refer to having a King. It's probably become normal over there since the Queen passed but I had to pause and remember that their has been a change.
It's still very odd to hear it, but believe me the royal family aren't talked about by people as much as the media like to. They have no bearing on our lives at all really.
As a Dutchie i cannot comment on limey feelings, but i’m still not used to having a king after more then 100 years of queens & he’s been that since 2013! Koningsdag(kingsday) simply doesn’t sound as good as Koninginnedag(queensday). I’m a republican(NOT the yankee kind tyvm!) anyway so my feelings on this subject get ignored by the general public... Liefs leafs(^.^)
Tow paths make great walking paths. They had to be fairly level for the horses or mules to walk on while towing the boats and barges. Nowadays, people use watercraft with powered motors, so towing livestock aren't used anymore. Another benefit of using a tow path as a walking trail is that they are already an official right of way. There is yet another benefit of using a tow path as a walking trail. Because they are so level, they are accessible to wheelchairs and rolling walkers, except when climbing over a fence or gate for access is required. I get around with a rolling walker myself, so I noticed that benefit right away.😊 I'm sure that some access points don't require climbing skills. Thanks for posting this interesting video. I don't get out much anymore, except for doctor visits, but thanks to videos like yours, I at least get to be an armchair traveler and learn something while I'm at it, too.😊
Fascinating - thanks for sharing. Lovely engineering, I was lucky enough to work on the railways with some wonderful engineers. We should be more proud of our country and its achievements, it's helped civilise and feed the world ✌️👍😊 Basil, is a similar age, to my spritely, father, still active, so much knowledge 👍😊
Congratulations to Paul remembering that there is a current King and even who his spouse is! And also congratulations to another incredibly interesting and yet also relaxing video that makes me forget about time for a while!
When you get to the Wantage section there was a wharf, now covered in flats at the bottom of Mill street. Also at the far end of the Rugby club in Grove near the link road from the A338 to Denchworth road, there is a small restored section there too.
I used to take that route to walk between Chippenham and lackham college, always wondered what they where doing with all that equipment, they been working on that for quite some time will have to visit again when its finished.
Just a hint of regional accent there from Basil…delightful. I’m from Wiltshire also, and have a little of that ‘farmer’ sound. However, I just got back from a holiday in Cornwall and was disappointed to find they all just sounded like me!!! So..as for one person telling me Wilts wasn’t West country…well we sound as west country as anyone!
I knew that many canals had been left to rot, but I hadn't heard before that anyone was working on restoring any. That's great--it's a bit of history that shouldn't be left as ruins, I think. Where I live, historic constructions keep getting destroyed, and it seems about like no one cares.
Great spot, I went down there last year, met the guys working on it and had a great chat. I've got some great photos from there too. Yes, that's camilas house with the elephants.
What a real nice genuine person that Basil is. And at 85 he looks well. I do hope you go back again soon and see how he is getting on. Great video, I'm going to subscribe 😁👍
Just moved from Tonbridge, on the Medway in Kent, after 30 plus years, to Chippenham and very close to this. So good to discover this is pretty much on our doorstep. I knew of the sections around Foxham as my brother used to live at Foxham lock many years ago and they were starting the renovation work back then. I will be exploring! I am a keen open canoeist and will be looking for any opportunities to get out and about on the water around here. 😊
If you are ever up at Capernwray there is a good spillway from the Lancs canal down to the river Keer by the Keer Aqueduct - a drop of 40 foot - there is also the packhorse bridge over the river nearby
Fascinating. I live only a couple of hundred feed from the Delaware Raritan canal in New Jersey. Fortunately it was designated a protected waterway about 80 years ago so it is still largely intact, you can walk for miles along the towpath, full of wildlife. I spend hours along that trail Nice to see that one being restored. It's a year round place to get away.
I loved the video. I found it intriguing that the overspill is such a simple but effective means of preventing damage to the towpaths and surrounding property. The autogenerated captions are an absolute hoot. "Wheelchair and Boxer", "Camilla Parker balls", "Kennel engineers", etc.
I live quite close to the rebuilt section of the canal at Royal Wootton Bassett. This section is fed by springs that come out of the hill the town is built on. At one end they have rebuilt a lock, but also have overflows for the springs to carry on it's natural path.
I am fascinated by you canals, that fact there are so many and you are restoring them! That is amazing work! I live in Ottawa Canada, home of the Rideau Canal, we didn't have any where near the building of canals . Enjoying your channel! Cheers!
SO glad to see this video here. I found ithe Cana in Aug 220 and then joined. I sent your Hereford and Gloucester canal reference and link to wilts and Berks soon after and encouraged them to get in touch with you. Wether they did, had already I don't know but delighted to you are now progressing it to hopefully the Thames. I have following you for a year, with my guy, you seem to exactly like the things we like in the way and humour we do.
When you come back try to have a look at the aqueduct over the River Marden at Stanley, which collapsed in 1906 and was the cause of the closure of the Wilts & Berks Canal to all traffic and resulted in it being finally abandoned. The short branch to Calne starts nearby.
Thank you both for a pleasant, well paced, informative post. Liked everything about it. I sispect it took some work to make it look this effortless. From Alaska.
It takes a special sort of person to commit to a job that you will never see completed. Respect to all involved. I've always thought the the canal system should be extended nationwide as originally intended. That would be a massive shot in the arm for the leisure industry, the local and national economy as well as providing a means to move water from one end of the country to the other in a national grid during droughts, thus ending the water companies illegal local monopolies.
In spite of my being to understand you well enough I watch your channel with subtitles enabled as the software that provides the text of your speech often has an interesting way of interpreting you. Some amusing things occur from time to time. I am an old Canadian fellow who loved to walk back when I could, but now I let youtubers take me on their walks. Cheers from Canada. ~ulrich
Thanks to the cost of living crisis; When you referred to the pound (The basin between the locks) the first thing I thought of was _„How many of those buy a loaf of bread now?“_ ⛵💷🤣 Many thanks for the great video, and especially for showing off the Horseshoe Overspill! It's great to see the canal network being restored and made navigable again, especially as dwindling resources mean these will probably be bought into use again for carrying heavier, bulkier freights in the near future! 😇
Nice to see the progress since I used to cycle down that route about 15 years or so ago. It's slow, but a lot has been done. When/if it will be completed must be something of an open question (along with the Thames and Severn). Don't forget to explore branch down to Calne, which you can combine with examining what's left of the railway branch from Chippenham too.
Nice to see you back on a Canal. There is something about old canals, they seem to have an atmosphere all of their own. Must put the Wilts and Berks on my explore list as it's not too far away and looks fascinating. I thought Basil was great. Would be great to be like him at that age. Great vid.
I am so glad that our canals and locks are being refurbished and renavigated again. I'm pretty lucky, where I live in Lancashire, we've got some amazing canals here. Leeds Liverpool being the main one. I've always been fascinated by canals. I grew up in Lincolnshire, and the local canal was the Grantham - Nottingham canal. So pleased I've lived in St Helens, Lancashire (Merseyside) where the Sankey Brook Navigation later known as the St Helens Canal was the first canal opened in 1757, way before the Bridgwater canal.
Great video, it's actually quite and elegant structure for something they didn't want to build 😉. It's always good when you bump into a volunteer, they usually have so much knowledge.
There is enough work going on in that lock restoration for a whole mini-series. It would be very interesting to see some time-lapse footage of the works, and a further documentary when everything is completed and it is open for boats again.
Only recently came across your channel, and have been binge watching my way through your vlogs. Highly informative and interesting. If I had a criticism, it would be that kissing gates are called such, and you haven't done so once going through them. Keep up the great work.
Were it not for watching videos about English narrow boat canals I never would have taken notice of the historical marker I walked past in SE Michigan. It seems that long ago canals were a big deal. There had been a plan to build a ship canal across Michigan, connecting Lake Erie with Lake Michigan. It never happened.
I'm not sure why I watch these videos. I understand almost nothing of what they are talking about. Paul and Rebecca just put out good vibes, maybe that's why I watch.
I used to live in Chippenham and cycle down there to Lacock from time to time about 15 years ago. It looks like they've made a huge amount of progress!
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" - It's just up ahead... good video, thank you. I love learning this sort of thing.
That overflow was certainly impressive, and thank you for going "off script" to include Basil and his wonderful enthusiasm.
Glad you ran into Basil, what a gem he is. Very interesting video this week. The horse shoe overflow looks like a work of art in itself.
No, it's a work of engineering.
Artistic engineering.
@@gordanmilne7034 no such thing. If it's beautiful, it's through form following function, not art.
@@mgutkowski Codswallop.
@@gordanmilne7034 go look up the definition of art and tell me how it applies.
Basil is a legend and still kicking at 85! What a rock star!
Fascinating to see the canal beong rebuilt and thank heavens for enthusiasm volunteers! Lovely to see you both. Thank you as allways .
* being *
@@ThatCoalSoul
* boooonnnnngggg *
We in the USA do not have the appreciation of the canal system built in Great Britain hundreds of years ago and the civil engineering involved. Today this would be a great way to see the country and learn about a lot of history at the same time.
You have the Erie canal & thats bigger then uk canals!.
@@TheEarthHistorysConfusingthe US has an amazing network of intracoastal canals. There are over 3,000 miles of man made navigable waterways in the US. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway
@@TheEarthHistorysConfusingplus the intracoastal waterway, the great dismal swamp canal, the Mississippi and Ohio river systems.
We don't appreciate the canals we once had here!
@@TheEarthHistorysConfusing I wasn't limited to New York state. There was also a an extensive network of canals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland that, along with the river system and inclined planes to handle ridgelines, connected the PA coal fields and NY farmland with the cities and the cities with one-another. Before the railroads took over all three (canal, river, rail) were often used for a given journey, often with many transfers between modes.
The overspill was a very clever design. Very often older engineering solutions just work. They are designed to be simple and effective. Some research I did in the past revealed something very similar local to me. It was a "cut" delivering water to power machinery. If the water got too high it fed into a pipe. The pipe took the water over a large bucket and the weight of the water acted on a lever to open a sluice. The bucket had several holes so when the pipe stopped flowing the bucket would drain and the counterweight closed the sluice. Today engineers make things way too complicated. 🙂
Engineering should only be as complex as is absolutely necessary.
Simplicity is the hallmark of good design, not complexity.
What things do engineers make too complicated today? I certainly appreciate this old engineering, but such appreciation doesn't require the denigration of the skill of modern engineers.
@@Milamberinx Patent-right and legally mandated industry standards arising from lobbying by commercial interests makes a financial virtue of complexity.
Occams Razer : The simplest explanation/solution is usually right
You know, what also works? A weir. No need for a bucket to open a sluise. Far to many moving parts, that could fail.
Basil was a gem in his own right!
Great episode
David basil what gent and dont get better them that ever
Thank you so much basil for what you and others do ,from a gratefull noverner
I want to be as fit and healthy as Basil at 85! There's the benefit of looking after your health right there. What an amazing guy he is. Brilliant video Paul but I would have thought the circular overflow you were looking at wasn't the horseshoe one you were after! It did become obvious though. Other UA-camrs might have edited that out so thanks for leaving it in.
Basil's knowledge is amazing. People like him should always be listened to and respected. Great episode!
Thank you, P+R it actually made me think that as a retired person a volunteer job might be just what I need. I love the little slices of what it takes to put our history back together
If you have the means, time and physical ability, I heartily suggest volunteering. Imagine the satisfaction and even the fellowship to be had from sharing your particular life-skills for a cause!
I’m exhausted after doing my bit, but it encourages me to exercise in between to stay ready for the next session. Win win!
This country would fall apart without volunteers the majority of whom get little recognition or seek it.
I spent some time between jobs volunteering for the Cotswolds Wardens - they are active in restoring and clearing footpaths in the area. It was hard work, but when I'm out and about nowadays I remember working on things and always appreciate the work the volunteers do.
Go for it, Bryan!
Obviously, you're going to have to video and upload your work.
See my separate post: it's not all sweetness & light...
The joy you all get from talking about the canals is contagious! Now I have to watch more about them!
Ahh, a rare moment when the UA-cam algo' recognises one of my more eclectic tastes in channels.
Fascinating project, and delightfully presented. All that reclaimed brickwork is beautiful. Instant subscription 🙂
Welcome. Now get binging on the other 250 videos!! 😊
Do you really think that 12-1/2 minutes is too long for such interesting content? Finding a knowledgeable guide was a godsend! Hats off to him!
This could easily have been a 20 minute segment. 20-30 minutes seems to be the standard for many other youtubers.
Wow - what a great episode. That volunteer was one of the most interesting and inspiring people you have ever featured. I had no idea that the Wilts & Berks was so actively being restored. Back in the day when I was a member of IWA and WRG (circa 1977 - 1992) the focus was all on the Kennett & Avon, and the view on the Wilts & Berks was that it was effectively B.E.R (beyond ecconomic repair) to use an old engineering phrase. So it is fantastic to realise that whilst I have been busy quietly getting older, the whole restoration bandwagon has marched on so very effectively. Really positive news - more like this please!
That gentleman has this well in hand. What an awesome guy. Love it.
It’s really great to see our heritage being restored back to it’s former glory, so that we can show our grandchildren how we used to live! Thanks for sharing another great video with us Paul and Rebecca 👍🏼👍🏼 look forward to seeing next week’s video!
Fascinating. The waste weirs I've seen at our canal in Maryland are likewise adjacent to streams or other culverts under the canal. The beauty of the engineering and construction of these early canals, even of things that will never be seen, amazes me. Our National Park Service restores the structures as they were originally built so dry laid masonry for the lock structures.
Of all the things I envy about the UK, the canal system is the most marvelous. Also, you may hate your trains, but at least you have them!
Interesting to see this being rebuilt. This area was my stamping ground as a child and teenager. I remember my dad telling me about the old canal and looked at where it crossed the road between Pewsham and Derry Hill. The Lysley Arms, just up the road, famous for a murder in the 60s. Also when I went to Swindon there were far more signs of the canal although they may now have gone because of Swindon redevelopment in the 1970s. This section of canal was important and was the reason why Swindon became the central engineering works at Swindon. It meant that they could get bulk raw materials to Swindon relatively easily and cheaply.
Totally ran into this channel by accident, but I love old industrial engineering, trains and canals both! Bumping into Basil couldn't have been a more fortuitous happening, lots of lovely info, and a look at how they do the repair. Splendid!
Kudos to Basil and the volunteers!
Brilliant! My locks!
I was born and bred in Chippenham and for a while lived close to Pewsham locks. When I found the locks in the 80s it was massively overgrown. The towpath was impenetrable and although you could get to Top Lock, you had to scramble through branches, trees and brambles to get to the start of the Middle Lock. That was as far as it was possible to get.
Top Lock was relatively well preserved, although almost hidden in trees, but I read somewhere that Middle and Bottom locks were part destroyed by army demolition practice during WW2. Trouble is, they were far too overgrown to get near enough to check it out.
There was a branch from Pewsham to Chippenham and while bits remain today (if you know where to look) most is now gone. Back in the 70s there was a lot still to see and I still have some (poor quality) B&W photos of bits of it. My first ever attempt at taking photos!
Now I live “Up North” it’s not so easy to get back to visit, but I need to!
Your vids are top drawer miles better than the plurile crap on tv keep up the good work👍👍👍
Impressed to see restoration happening, it's always good to see a canal reopening. Thanks.
Stuff like this, the off path things most people will never even know about, is always so interesting to learn about. The amount of time, resources, and knowledge put into things like this without much recognition is crazy! I hope it can be fully repaired to it’s full potential soon!
Your canal videos are always fascinating, especially when we see some restoration work going on. You have to take your hat off to the volunteers who do such important and valuable work with such limited funding.
Can I just say what an excellent production this is. Interesting subject with good interviewing and editing and nicely balanced sound. Keep up the good work!
Thank you Paul & Rebecca for taking me along on your walk. Also a big thanks to Basil and his team for volunteering and sharing their knowledge.
Liked and subscribed. When I watched this I teared up a bit because it reminded me of the things me and my wife used to do together. Good stuff.
Welcome to the channel Sir. I hope we can continue to bring you a little joy and maybe some memories
Fascinating. I was not aware of that type overflow. And great input from your impromptu interviewee as well.
Interesting video and enjoyed Basil’s knowledge which clearly demonstrated just how hand to mouth in cash terms many of these vital volunteer organisations are.
Gave me the feeling of Smarter Every Day the way you prompted the knowledge from that amazing man! Learning from those who dedicated their life to a passion is truly something special.
My local walk! Been watching the restoration for years. It used to be a real challenge to get to Lacock without sinking into the mud of the canal! Still intrigued how they're going to cross the A4 at Pewsham 🤔. Lovely video as always.
I love this! An enthusiast with a lot of knowledge about canals hands over to an older enthusiast with even more!
A nice tours and explanations. Thank you for the tour today. Enjoy the week ahead. Cheers mates! 😊❤
I'm in the USA and it's different to hear you talk about the King. I knew you had a King but I'm just so accustomed to hearing about the Queen my entire life that it was almost shocking to hear citizens refer to having a King. It's probably become normal over there since the Queen passed but I had to pause and remember that their has been a change.
It's still very odd to hear it, but believe me the royal family aren't talked about by people as much as the media like to. They have no bearing on our lives at all really.
As a Dutchie i cannot comment on limey feelings, but i’m still not used to having a king after more then 100 years of queens & he’s been that since 2013!
Koningsdag(kingsday) simply doesn’t sound as good as Koninginnedag(queensday).
I’m a republican(NOT the yankee kind tyvm!) anyway so my feelings on this subject get ignored by the general public...
Liefs leafs(^.^)
French here. We shorten those 20 cm in height 😂
Tow paths make great walking paths. They had to be fairly level for the horses or mules to walk on while towing the boats and barges. Nowadays, people use watercraft with powered motors, so towing livestock aren't used anymore. Another benefit of using a tow path as a walking trail is that they are already an official right of way. There is yet another benefit of using a tow path as a walking trail. Because they are so level, they are accessible to wheelchairs and rolling walkers, except when climbing over a fence or gate for access is required. I get around with a rolling walker myself, so I noticed that benefit right away.😊 I'm sure that some access points don't require climbing skills. Thanks for posting this interesting video. I don't get out much anymore, except for doctor visits, but thanks to videos like yours, I at least get to be an armchair traveler and learn something while I'm at it, too.😊
Fascinating - thanks for sharing. Lovely engineering, I was lucky enough to work on the railways with some wonderful engineers. We should be more proud of our country and its achievements, it's helped civilise and feed the world ✌️👍😊
Basil, is a similar age, to my spritely, father, still active, so much knowledge 👍😊
You were lucky to stumble upon this wonderful gentleman.
Absolutely
Oh how nice to harken back to the days this channel was still the way it was that attracted all the viewers. Both folks.
Yeaah, we get very few views now. In fact only 88,000 subscribers since this video.
Basil is amazing for his age a gaffer who gets things done never mind his age remarkable fellow well played talking to him
Indeed, had I had to guess, I would have said he was in his mid-seventies. Hopefully I'll still be as fit on my feet and in my head at his age.
Well done, guys. I applaud the way you did this. Unexpected real time encounters are definitely worth it. Kudos to the restorees too.
I live near the canal, and is a overflow, one of many. Impressive engineering.
Grew up in Lacock (a bit, then moved to Corsham...), know the area well. Lovely to see it again, it's been a while 😊
Congratulations to Paul remembering that there is a current King and even who his spouse is! And also congratulations to another incredibly interesting and yet also relaxing video that makes me forget about time for a while!
When you get to the Wantage section there was a wharf, now covered in flats at the bottom of Mill street. Also at the far end of the Rugby club in Grove near the link road from the A338 to Denchworth road, there is a small restored section there too.
So great to see these volunteers rebuilding history -- and the flow of public and private funds.
I used to take that route to walk between Chippenham and lackham college, always wondered what they where doing with all that equipment, they been working on that for quite some time will have to visit again when its finished.
That old boy certainly knows his stuff!
Just a hint of regional accent there from Basil…delightful. I’m from Wiltshire also, and have a little of that ‘farmer’ sound. However, I just got back from a holiday in Cornwall and was disappointed to find they all just sounded like me!!! So..as for one person telling me Wilts wasn’t West country…well we sound as west country as anyone!
Haha.... Basil was great wasn't he. I feel you accent pain. I am on the wilts hants border and sound like a Londoner!
I knew that many canals had been left to rot, but I hadn't heard before that anyone was working on restoring any. That's great--it's a bit of history that shouldn't be left as ruins, I think. Where I live, historic constructions keep getting destroyed, and it seems about like no one cares.
Basil has to be the most coherent and understandable old Brit I've ever seen.
Great spot, I went down there last year, met the guys working on it and had a great chat. I've got some great photos from there too. Yes, that's camilas house with the elephants.
Bravo for Basil! People like him will keep the world afloat when others give up.
nice one,basil sure knows his stuff
What a real nice genuine person that Basil is. And at 85 he looks well. I do hope you go back again soon and see how he is getting on.
Great video, I'm going to subscribe 😁👍
Another excellent and interesting video.
Basil looks amazing for 85!
Love the overspills. They remind me of the water sculpture they have at the lock in Newbury.
HT I was thinking exactly that. I have never been there when it was working.
Like so many of these marvelous engineered devices you show us, the horseshoe-overflow is a work of art-
Just moved from Tonbridge, on the Medway in Kent, after 30 plus years, to Chippenham and very close to this. So good to discover this is pretty much on our doorstep. I knew of the sections around Foxham as my brother used to live at Foxham lock many years ago and they were starting the renovation work back then.
I will be exploring!
I am a keen open canoeist and will be looking for any opportunities to get out and about on the water around here. 😊
Boop!!
Great video!! Big thanks to Basil for explaining the restauration.
Good luck from Spain!!
Thank you P+R, & also to Basil! 🙏🙏
If you are ever up at Capernwray there is a good spillway from the Lancs canal down to the river Keer by the Keer Aqueduct - a drop of 40 foot - there is also the packhorse bridge over the river nearby
Fascinating. I live only a couple of hundred feed from the Delaware Raritan canal in New Jersey. Fortunately it was designated a protected waterway about 80 years ago so it is still largely intact, you can walk for miles along the towpath, full of wildlife. I spend hours along that trail
Nice to see that one being restored. It's a year round place to get away.
I loved the video. I found it intriguing that the overspill is such a simple but effective means of preventing damage to the towpaths and surrounding property.
The autogenerated captions are an absolute hoot.
"Wheelchair and Boxer", "Camilla Parker balls",
"Kennel engineers", etc.
I live quite close to the rebuilt section of the canal at Royal Wootton Bassett. This section is fed by springs that come out of the hill the town is built on. At one end they have rebuilt a lock, but also have overflows for the springs to carry on it's natural path.
I am fascinated by you canals, that fact there are so many and you are restoring them!
That is amazing work!
I live in Ottawa Canada, home of the Rideau Canal, we didn't have any where near the building of canals .
Enjoying your channel!
Cheers!
Great vid. I am American. Love all kinds of engineering, construction, and history. Thank you.
SO glad to see this video here. I found ithe Cana in Aug 220 and then joined. I sent your Hereford and Gloucester canal reference and link to wilts and Berks soon after and encouraged them to get in touch with you. Wether they did, had already I don't know but delighted to you are now progressing it to hopefully the Thames. I have following you for a year, with my guy, you seem to exactly like the things we like in the way and humour we do.
When you come back try to have a look at the aqueduct over the River Marden at Stanley, which collapsed in 1906 and was the cause of the closure of the Wilts & Berks Canal to all traffic and resulted in it being finally abandoned. The short branch to Calne starts nearby.
That was excellent, thanks folks. Question is though, if the horseshoe trough was the 2nd structure what was the first?
I really enjoy your adventures. I find them very interesting. Thank you both very much.
Most enjoyable as always. Very enthusiastic. Thank you.
Thank you both for a pleasant, well paced, informative post. Liked everything about it. I sispect it took some work to make it look this effortless. From Alaska.
It takes a special sort of person to commit to a job that you will never see completed. Respect to all involved. I've always thought the the canal system should be extended nationwide as originally intended. That would be a massive shot in the arm for the leisure industry, the local and national economy as well as providing a means to move water from one end of the country to the other in a national grid during droughts, thus ending the water companies illegal local monopolies.
hello again Paul and Rebecca , another good very interesting video , hello basil , really well done and thank you 😊
In spite of my being to understand you well enough I watch your channel with subtitles enabled as the software that provides the text of your speech often has an interesting way of interpreting you. Some amusing things occur from time to time. I am an old Canadian fellow who loved to walk back when I could, but now I let youtubers take me on their walks. Cheers from Canada. ~ulrich
Wonderful explanation from Basil.
4:50 There's one of those circular structures on the Grand Union Canal east of Kilby Bridge in Leicestershire. Drains into the River Sence.
Great vid guys thanx and all our love from the snowy City of Hamburg Germany.
That Old Get looks fitter than me and he has almost 20yrs on me..!!
Great Video, Boop on..!
😎 Cheers all, Kim in Oz.
Thanks to the cost of living crisis; When you referred to the pound (The basin between the locks) the first thing I thought of was _„How many of those buy a loaf of bread now?“_ ⛵💷🤣
Many thanks for the great video, and especially for showing off the Horseshoe Overspill! It's great to see the canal network being restored and made navigable again, especially as dwindling resources mean these will probably be bought into use again for carrying heavier, bulkier freights in the near future! 😇
Cheers for you both and Mr Basil.
Nice to see the progress since I used to cycle down that route about 15 years or so ago. It's slow, but a lot has been done. When/if it will be completed must be something of an open question (along with the Thames and Severn).
Don't forget to explore branch down to Calne, which you can combine with examining what's left of the railway branch from Chippenham too.
I love Rebecca’s face pulling in the background!
Nice to see you back on a Canal. There is something about old canals, they seem to have an atmosphere all of their own. Must put the Wilts and Berks on my explore list as it's not too far away and looks fascinating. I thought Basil was great. Would be great to be like him at that age. Great vid.
I am so glad that our canals and locks are being refurbished and renavigated again.
I'm pretty lucky, where I live in Lancashire, we've got some amazing canals here. Leeds Liverpool being the main one.
I've always been fascinated by canals. I grew up in Lincolnshire, and the local canal was the Grantham - Nottingham canal.
So pleased I've lived in St Helens, Lancashire (Merseyside) where the Sankey Brook Navigation later known as the St Helens Canal was the first canal opened in 1757, way before the Bridgwater canal.
Great video, it's actually quite and elegant structure for something they didn't want to build 😉. It's always good when you bump into a volunteer, they usually have so much knowledge.
There is enough work going on in that lock restoration for a whole mini-series.
It would be very interesting to see some time-lapse footage of the works, and a further documentary when everything is completed and it is open for boats again.
I'm alllll over that
What a great random meeting - in his 80s and he gets about better than me jeez. Great video P&R thank you
Another wonderful video. Basil rocks!
Only recently came across your channel, and have been binge watching my way through your vlogs. Highly informative and interesting. If I had a criticism, it would be that kissing gates are called such, and you haven't done so once going through them. Keep up the great work.
I hope I'm as active as Basil when I'm 85. Very interesting video.
Likewise!!
What a lovely man is Basil- if I lived locally I'd be right down to help out!
Were it not for watching videos about English narrow boat canals I never would have taken notice of the historical marker I walked past in SE Michigan. It seems that long ago canals were a big deal. There had been a plan to build a ship canal across Michigan, connecting Lake Erie with Lake Michigan. It never happened.
Lovely video. Basil is a treat.
He was wasn't he!
I'm not sure why I watch these videos. I understand almost nothing of what they are talking about. Paul and Rebecca just put out good vibes, maybe that's why I watch.
Keep watching!!!
A neat walk through this abandoned canal, and neat unexpected interview with the volunteers.
I used to live in Chippenham and cycle down there to Lacock from time to time about 15 years ago. It looks like they've made a huge amount of progress!
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" - It's just up ahead... good video, thank you. I love learning this sort of thing.