Leo No2

This is worth a read - especially Alan's obituary - you never really know anyone's background until you learn about it and sadly, despite having talked to him regularly, I had no idea of his immense skills and commitment to his community.

Message sent

Images from a leaflet put out some time ago by Historic Narrow Boat Club - now https://www.hnbc.org.uk and not www.hnboc.org.uk as in the leaflet. It may be a few years old but still holds true today.

Likewise, I’d also be mot interested for Sculptor, please.

Stoke Bruerne opened at about 08:45 this morning.

Stoke Bruerne Lock 20 is open to allow a safe haven between Locks 19 and 20 - away from the River Tove. There's also a sunk boat on the moorings below Lock 20. Notice Alert Grand Union Canal Location: From Stoke Bruerne Lock Flight, Lock 14 to 20 to Cosgrove Lock 21 Starts At: Lock 14, Top Lock Ends At: Lock 21, Cosgrove Lock Friday 15 November 2019 until further notice Type: Navigation Closure Reason: Water resources Original message: Due to the increase of flood water, and the current strong flow of the navigation, customers are asked not to travel along this section of the canal until further notice. The navigation has now been closed from Stoke Bruerne Lock Flight, lock 14 to 20 to Cosgrove Lock 21. We will continue to monitor the flood levels and will update the website as soon they come back down.

Sorry but the Whitewater doesn't feed the canal - it never has done and I doubt it ever will - it would be wonderful if it did and it would resolve all the Basingstoke water supply issues but there is no possibility of extraction of water there. It is always full of trout though......

That's all good news. River & Canal Services is a friend of mine, Rob Locatelli. I have no doubt at all he will do an excellent job. I am impressed with the speed of getting it done.

Updates to the status of this stoppage are here. They are not on the standard National Trust website because that website wasn't, at the time, considered suitable to take regular operational updates so the Wordpress site was started. The latest update is from 05-Nov as follows: Navigation remains closed between Millmead and St. Catherine’s Locks while the National Trust and Guildford Borough Council continue to work together to restore the water levels. The towpath is closed between Millmead Lock and upstream side of weir. A short signed diversion via the footpath along A281 is in place.

One boat in the meadows only belonging to a local charity Swingbridge and it is as safe as it can be. Interesting video here from YouTube.

I have a very similar one which some people have ascribed to Frank Nurser - I am not sure it is but I just enjoy it. It's a bit rougher than the one in Pete's image.

Mike - assuming it is on the Basingstoke you could make contact with James Taylor from SCC who now has repsonsibilty for the canal and luckily also works for SCC. I do have his email address but you could also obtain it from the Canal centre in Mytchett.

@adam1uk has provided the background (and has a much better filing system than I do) - just remember it is an Orion shell so very low in the front at the best of times. The waves were the wash from the Thames Clippers bouncing back from the concrete river walls in London.

Thanks Martin - I don't wish to defend CRT but the person who is looking into it on my behalf has only recently joined and is, I imagine, on a steep learning curve. Your help in providing this information is much appreciated.

CRT are on the case and it seems there is no TTRO in place; CRT believe there should a TTRO in place. I am pretty confident that this will be sorted by the end of the week. CRT could not get an answer out of Orbit Homes yesterday but were kind enough to tell me so.

Yes there are CRT staff at the Stop House and also Volunteers. An update on the footpath - thank you for the advice provided. CRT are on the case this morning - there should be a TTRO in place - a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (you learn something new every day) but there isn't a live one. CRT are going to make the necessary enquiries today and let me know the outcome. A couple of maps below - one showing the new development and one the area as it was/is. I hope there will be a footpath in the new set up - well I believe legally there has to be. Thank you for the help in arriving at where we are now.

Thank you - that's most helpful - CRT claim to know nothing about it and have turned enquirers away from the Stop House - I'll be enquiring further in the morning.

I am going to go and have a look during the week and take some photos. I imagine it is the building company spreading itself around a bit but a diversion does, if I remember correctly, require County Council approval. I'll report back when I have seen it and post some images.

I would be interested to know if anyone has experienced difficulties in using the path over the top of Braunston Tunnel recently - especially around the new housing development adjacent to the A361 (Ashby Road). I am taking this matter up with Northamptonshire County Council, Canal & River Trust (East Midlands) and Braunston Parish Council, as it is an intrinsic part of the long distance walking path between Birmingham and London, on behalf on HNBC as I know of two people, in the last 3 weeks, who have been inconvenienced by the lack of signage provided by the company building in that area. I understand there should be a well signed diversion around the building (diversion on H&S grounds I believe). Grateful to know if anyone has experienced difficulties recently or in fact has found no problem at all.

There's an image here of Bridge 140C together with the bridge number and it seems it is Lower Kings Road Bridge. https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5260801

Alan Just been to see a wide boat through the tunnel - well a couple of hours ago. Flamingo looks fine from the outside and CRT are aware you need time to consider when moving it is sensible - in the meantime concentrate on your wellbeing and I'll keep an eye on Flamingo for as long as is necessary.

Alan We are pleased you are doing well - long may it continue. In the meantime Flamingo is safe and secure here and you have authority from CRT to remain until it is able to be moved. I'll keep an eye on it too.

Couldn't agree with you more - prompt and professional response by, I assume, West Mids Ambulance Service and what little I saw a totally committed and professional team including a policeman helping too in searing temperatures. I do hope the gentleman is recovering well - last I heard he was stable but that was on Sunday evening. May he continue to recover quickly.

Sculptor has been in this configuration since about 1947 I think - after the London Fire brigade extension was removed - and still is to this day.