stort_mark

I am also intrigued by this area and wonder how much exploration has been done on foot around the fields nearby. For example, was there a line of the canal to the east and NE of the Brinklow Arches before they were constructed or completed? Aerial photographs and 25" maps suggest there might have been a continuation of the loop around to the south of Stretton Stop crossing even the railway line routing and then ESE curving around the 'tops' of the fields. There are several 'linear copses' - often a give-away for old canals and tracks, but - on the other hand - the full line isn't clear at all. Those two copses (one straight, one curved) are very close to the 300' contour. It does seem unlikely (as the 300' contour heads NE for a long distance, way past Newbold Revel.) Then further south, where the 'Brinklow Straight' turns east (heading southbound), it looks as if the Brinklow Arm doesn't make a straight connection back to the current canal line, but twists north, east and south again before heading east. There's also quite a drop to the stream here, with a (working?) sluice still there, just at that point where the current canal turns due east. I have often wondered why the village of Brinklow hasn't pushed to restore the arm right down to the village (at either end). I also wonder if the canal always ran straight through All Oak Wood west-east. There is a bit of a cutting, particularly on the north bank, and there's a more obvious, flatter route through the woods (much more obvious in winter) and there are pools of water here and there in the woods. However, I acknowledge that in a woodland, there should be much more obvious sign of a disused canal bed as no-one will have ploughed through it for 180 years. I am also puzzled by the quite substantial Cathiron Lane cutting, west of Tuckey's Bridge. Was this part of the modernisation, or was there an earlier loop around the (High Oaks) ridge to the south? There were a lot of stone quarries in this area in the Victorian era (both east and west of Fennis Fields Farm) so surely there would have been an attraction to this particular area. However, I notice that Cathiron Lane itself is absolutely level with the water at this point. Perhaps the canal ran along what is now Cathiron Lane originally rather than through the shoulder of the ridge. If you have a look at the NLS maps and compare it with the contours locally, you will see what I mean. Why cut through a ridge when there's a gap just 40 metres away? Has anyone got permission to walk the fields and woods to trace these old lines of the canal? I think the entire old line is now on private land.

What an amazing project that would be, to complete the research and publish Vol II. (and III)

Thanks! My preference is to pay well to ensure a good job. Short cuts never seem to work!

Not at all. I'm prepared to pay the appropriate rate, that was clear from the first post. If there's interest in the project, then I can discuss with the company or person involved. I've already had PMs about it (in which I have provided more details and a budget). Why would anyone think I am trying to do this "on the cheap"??

Tim, I think the information given about Broadbridge by his great grandson (?) was maybe a bit mixed up. There's no SR Broadbridge in the RAF records that I can find, and difficult finding any more records or information on him. A real pity as it would be interesting to know if he prepared a draft Vol 2! Mark

In 2007, we bought our boat, a 57'6" trad (now a semi-trad) and we had a massive amount of work done the following year. Ongoing engine and associated problems meant the boat wasn't used as much as we wanted and so the work was never quite finished off. Bits and pieces were done over three years, but we never got to the stage where we did the final repainting and finishing off. Sadly, my wife and I decided to go our separate ways, and it has taken three years to get to a final settlement, and the boat hasn't been used at all in that time. It is sitting on the North Oxford, getting tattier inside and outside as the days go by. The boat was always my dream, since I was a teenager, and I am keen to get her back in working order and finish off what we started a decade ago. However, distance (I now live on the south coast) and time (and - to be honest - a lack of skill) prevent me from spending time finishing off the work. So I am looking for someone who is interested in taking this on as a paid project. My estimate is that it will take a month or two to do the multitude of small tasks and I will pay for the work and also happy to allow the person to use the boat for a few months too. It provides accommodation and work for a while. I admit I'm not quite sure how the insurance would work for this, but am sure problems like that can be overcome. My sense (and experience in 2007/2008) is that the professionals will not want to do this kind of work because it is a lot of small tasks, isn't particularly glamorous and won't win awards! But I am hoping there is someone who is interested in taking on the task.

No. Seems he is eating in a hurry at Malagasy restaurants, though. Fast-eating scum.

No. You lost me. Although I confess I was losing interest after you stereotyped every person who travels to Thailand and that entire Asian nation.

You all think he's joking, don't you......?

Yes, that's one I have used a few times but was wondering about forums that might cover the old cotton mills. Thanks

Just wondering if there is a forum as good as this one but more generally about industrial archaeology, including mining..not just about the canals? I'm also assuming there is a good forum about railway history..... are any specifically recommended? Is railforums.co.uk the most comprehensive for that?

Yes, a real shame.