Bank Newton Locks - ground paddles

[Ange]

We came up through Bank Newton locks on the L&L today and I really struggled with the ground paddles. You have to lift a wooden handle from horizontal to vertical position and I just couldn't lift them. I'm no weakling and not easily defeated, but had to get the poor chap from the hire boat we were locking with to walk round every time and lift it for me. I ended up with the worst backache I've ever had from unsuccessfully trying to operate them - the lifting angle is not kind to your back at all.

 

Is there a technique involved? We're planning to come back up this way so I'll have to encounter them again (when we passed through here before the lockie set all the locks for us so I didn't have to worry - we arrived this time just as the lockie was going home for his tea)

 

Any advice appreciated

 

Ange

[Guest]

We came up through Bank Newton locks on the L&L today and I really struggled with the ground paddles. You have to lift a wooden handle from horizontal to vertical position and I just couldn't lift them. I'm no weakling and not easily defeated, but had to get the poor chap from the hire boat we were locking with to walk round every time and lift it for me. I ended up with the worst backache I've ever had from unsuccessfully trying to operate them - the lifting angle is not kind to your back at all.

 

Is there a technique involved? We're planning to come back up this way so I'll have to encounter them again (when we passed through here before the lockie set all the locks for us so I didn't have to worry - we arrived this time just as the lockie was going home for his tea)

 

Any advice appreciated

 

Ange

Sorry Ange can't advise, last time we came through the crew took their instructions from the BW guys on station, and we came through no problem. All I can suggest is when coming back make sure the lockies aren't having their bait....

[lostnortherner]

I must admit on our recent trip, I didn't find them easy, and I'm 6'1, and not too out of shape. Some of them I had to do in sort of 2 lifts, one up to shoulder height, then turn and push the rest of the way.

We never had to fill one from empty going down, but would it be approved of to just fill with the gate paddles if there's not boats in the chamber?

[Ange]

I must admit on our recent trip, I didn't find them easy, and I'm 6'1, and not too out of shape. Some of them I had to do in sort of 2 lifts, one up to shoulder height, then turn and push the rest of the way.

We never had to fill one from empty going down, but would it be approved of to just fill with the gate paddles if there's not boats in the chamber?

 

I can't see any problem with filliing from empty with only gate paddles if there are no boats in the lock.

 

We were going up so this was obviously not an option (especially as we were sharing the locks with a very inexperienced hire crew - first (sorry second) set of locks on first ever boating holiday!)

 

Edited cos I'm an idiot and got them confused with the boat we shared the Gargrave locks with! It was a Silsden boat so they would have had to do the Gargrave locks before Bank Newton. Still very inexperienced though - a fair amount of boating dodgems took place! They banged into one moored boat and when the lady of the boat came out I was worried that she'd have a go but she shouted "don't worry - boating's a contact sport!"

Edited October 17, 2009 by Ange

[LoneWolf]

I also found them tricky. The 2 lift technique described above is the method i used as well. For the 1st lift I'd almost squat beside them and hold the handle right at the end for maximum leverage then try & lift so my leg muscles did the work. There were still a couple I couldn't manage though

[Pluto]

We came up through Bank Newton locks on the L&L today and I really struggled with the ground paddles. You have to lift a wooden handle from horizontal to vertical position and I just couldn't lift them. I'm no weakling and not easily defeated, but had to get the poor chap from the hire boat we were locking with to walk round every time and lift it for me. I ended up with the worst backache I've ever had from unsuccessfully trying to operate them - the lifting angle is not kind to your back at all.

 

Is there a technique involved? We're planning to come back up this way so I'll have to encounter them again (when we passed through here before the lockie set all the locks for us so I didn't have to worry - we arrived this time just as the lockie was going home for his tea)

 

Any advice appreciated

 

Ange

You have to keep the paddle moving, raising it in one go. If you stop to adjust your grip, it becomes almost impossible to start it moving again. The paddles are really easy, once you have the knack, but, if not, you're k***kered.

 

I am worried that, because of the difficulty that people unused to the L&LC have, that this type of paddle could be removed and replaced with a simpler to operate rack or screw paddle. This would remove some of the canal's unique heritage. It is a problem how to conserve historic operating systems with the change to leisure use.

[Janet S]

I also struggled with them, but soon got the knack (and also got knackered.....!)

 

I am worried that, because of the difficulty that people unused to the L&LC have, that this type of paddle could be removed and replaced with a simpler to operate rack or screw paddle. This would remove some of the canal's unique heritage. It is a problem how to conserve historic operating systems with the change to leisure use.

 

I hope your worries are unfounded. I particularly love the L&L for all its little quirks....never a dull moment!

 

Just don't let the Elfin Safety people near it....

 

Janet

[magpie patrick]

The trick I use is to pick the end up and walk towards the lock gates with them. Of course, you need the strength to get them started.

 

I know they are awkward, but I really hope comments like this don't see them replaced with conventional gear. The L and L has already lost a fascinating array of paddle gear without any more going.

 

And if you've got one open and are finding them a struggle, just take it easy and let the lock make up on one paddle until you can open the gate paddle. I think a lot of boaters when passing through these locks singly only work one side anyway.

 

In extremis (but don't do this unless you have to) you can get even sixty foot boats to lie back against the bottom gates, then half open one gate paddle (keeping a good eye on where the waqter goes) until the level makes. If other crews get impatient waiting for you, invite them to open the ground paddles for you.

[Chris J W]

Anyone got a pic? I'm sort of imagining something similar to the C&H mechanism, but suspect I'm probably wrong ...

[Guest]

Anyone got a pic? I'm sort of imagining something similar to the C&H mechanism, but suspect I'm probably wrong ...

 

Think these are the ones Ange was referring to....

 

 

 

Edited October 18, 2009 by MJG

[Chris J W]

Ta!

 

Nothing at all like expected!

[alan_fincher]

Think these are the ones Ange was referring to....

 

 

 

Thanks for posting that....

 

I've often heard these things described, but never before seen a picture that demonstrated the operating.

 

Is it just be, or does it look like someone has sunk a barge, but managed to keep hold of the tiller and rudder!

[Lady Muck]

If it's any consolation, I couldn't move 'em either....

[alan_fincher]

If it's any consolation, I couldn't move 'em either....

Based on her performance with a brand new long throw windlass, OH would probably snap the "stick" off in the attempt!

[Guest]

Just to avoid any misunderstanding I did a Google and found the image in question here-

 

http://narrowboatstar.blogspot.com/2009/09...difference.html

 

(Don't want to take any inappropriate credit....)

[icebreaker]

Hi,we have just come up Bank Newton as well, and I likewise found the ground paddles difficult, being a rather weak-armed, not very big woman. I managed them by pulling, then pushing up in small jerks, rather than one long one, even though I first thought I wouldn't be able to. I thought it might hurt my back,too, but it doesn't seem to have.

[MikeV]

The lock keeper on the Bank Newtons once instructed my wife on how to operate one of these. The secret he said was "to sneak up on them and take by surprise".

 

My wife still still struggles with them but I find his advice works for me every time; just pull them up swiftly and smoothly.

 

We did observe an unusual technique by a teenager this summer. He pulled the handle up to about 45 degrees and then lay on his back and pushed it the rest of the way with his feet. Each to their own I suppose!

[mykaskin]

The lock keeper on the Bank Newtons once instructed my wife on how to operate one of these. The secret he said was "to sneak up on them and take by surprise".

 

Nice one!

 

Another trick is that the movement is not just straight up to start with, but rotates around a point closer to the gates, so pull towards the gate a bit while lifting. Also, if you can't move them in one go use what weight you have to move them in small movements - this is what my Mum does.

 

Mike

[magpie patrick]

Nice one!

 

Another trick is that the movement is not just straight up to start with, but rotates around a point closer to the gates, so pull towards the gate a bit while lifting. Also, if you can't move them in one go use what weight you have to move them in small movements - this is what my Mum does.

 

Mike

 

I was about to add that, they move further backwards than upwards, and you can (once your've got the knack) make your push backwards and just let the ride up, that was what I was trying to say with my "walk btowards the gate" comment

[Ange]

Thanks for all your replies folks - definitely given me food for thought. At one of the locks a lady (possibly a warden - from a widebeam just above the first lock) told me there was a technique and just seemed to give the handle a hefty kick and then lifted it up. Someone else told me to push it away from the bank as I lifted it. It'd be interesting to know the exact mechanism involved.

 

I totally agree that even though these paddles may be hard work they should never be replaced, and would be mortified if my little whinge contributed to that. The L&L is a wonderful, quirky canal. I particularly liked Greenberfield locks - three locks each with a different style ground paddle, as if they couldn't make up their mind which style to use and compromised with one of each!

[Pluto]

Thanks for all your replies folks - definitely given me food for thought. At one of the locks a lady (possibly a warden - from a widebeam just above the first lock) told me there was a technique and just seemed to give the handle a hefty kick and then lifted it up. Someone else told me to push it away from the bank as I lifted it. It'd be interesting to know the exact mechanism involved.

 

I totally agree that even though these paddles may be hard work they should never be replaced, and would be mortified if my little whinge contributed to that. The L&L is a wonderful, quirky canal. I particularly liked Greenberfield locks - three locks each with a different style ground paddle, as if they couldn't make up their mind which style to use and compromised with one of each!

The L&LC had four repair yards - Apperley Bridge, Bank Newton, Burnley and Briers Mill (Burscough), with Wigan being added later. As well as the canal having been built over forty five years, each yard also seems to have gone its own way in retaining/developing paddle gear, and this has resulted in the variety of gear found today, which is somewhat less than could be found thirty years ago thanks to a certain amount of BW standarisation.

 

I have put a photo of one of the paddles whilst the lock was drained for maintenance at http://www.mikeclarke.myzen.co.uk/images.html

 

The position of the pivot changes depending on which lock you look at.

[RLWP]

 

That explains why walking forwards will be more effective than just lifting! Thank you.

 

Richard

[tillergirl]

I've never been able to open them fully either especially doing the colder months. Last time we were up there in February last year I did'nt even bother to try. Afterall we were'nt in any sort of rush................

[Matthew Dowson]

Clough type paddle gear is brilliant I love 'em. But an easy way to pull your back if you strain.

[Tiny]

I was told they were called Jack Cloughs to give you a name to swear at if you put your shoulder/back out working them.

 

As to working and old boy explained that their method was to approah at a rapid walktowards the handle, grab the paddle handle (in the example) right handed and yank it up as you kept walking. He also pointed out that the regulars knew which paddles would do you a mischief when doing this and then the lockies kept them oiled.

 

Now they are much easier than when we first went through - some of those buggers would not move and as for the windlass ones I bent a grand union windlass in an L on one of them in the days when the force was with me. (I then bent it straight again with a slight kink that is still there and never have I got near bending it since.)