RNRN69 SpringAL - Russell Newbery Register

Issue 69
Spring 2011
The journal of the Russell Newbery Engine Owners & Enthusiasts Club
De Do Do - The last DM3?
The Stourbridge Canal
Membership tops 250!
www.russellnewbery.co.uk/Register
WHO’S WHO
RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER LTD
Vice Presidents: Lady Carol Stamp, Mrs Susan Gibbs, David Thirlby
Web site: www.russellnewbery.co.uk/Register
The Russell Newbery Register is a non profit distributing
company limited by guarantee.
Founded: 1994 Registered in England No: 346943
Officers:
Chairman (Director): David Kay Phillips
t: 01562 700365 m: 07831 285559
Secretary (Director): Kevin McNiff
m: 07866 424988 kev.mcniff@gmail.com
Director: Norman C Mitchell
t: 01452 415420 norman.mitchell@mitchells-glos.co.uk
Administration (membership, finance): Rob Davies
55 Noddington Lane, Whittington, Lichfield, Staffs. WS14
9PA
t/f: 01543 432079 m: 07801 842337
robbied2@ntlworld.com
Administration (newsletter)
Editor: Kevin McNiff (as above)
Production: Andrew Laycock m: 07870 294580
andrew@acahl.org.uk
Administration (merchandise): Neil Mason
Hillcrest, Chapel Lane, Westhumble, Surrey. RH5 6AH
t: 01306 889073 neilamason@btinternet.com
Rally Organiser: Kevin McNiff (as above)
Webmaster: Andrew Laycock (as above)
CONTENTS
Front cover: The iconic view of the Red House glass cone
from lock 9 on the Stourbridge Canal. (Photo Andrew Laycock)
Back cover: NB Callisto near Fradley Junction. (Photo Waterway Images)
3 CHAIRMAN’S CHAT
FROM THE EDITOR
MEMBERSHIP TOPS 250
4 NEWS FROM THE WORKS
AGM NOTICES
BOATS FOR SALE
5 WATERWAYS FESTIVAL 2011
Formerly the “National”
RNR ACCOUNTS
RALLY UPDATE
DROITWICH CANAL NEWS
6 DE DO DO
Norman Mitchell’s account of the birth of NB Arthur
complete with the centenary coloured DM3
RCR UPDATE
Important information on membership application and
renewal
RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER PROPERTY LTD
A non profit distributing company limited by guarantee
Founded 2004 Registered in England No: 5316384
Directors: Stephen Burt, Clive Henderson, Rob Davies
RN DIESEL ENGINE CO LTD
4 Oak House, Royal Oak Way North, Royal Oak Industrial
Estate, Daventry NN11 8PQ t: 01327 700023
8 THE STOURBRIDGE CANAL
Andrew Laycock presents a potted history of our 2011
rally venue and the surrounding canal
Unless otherwise noted, Copyright © Russell Newbery Register, 2011
With the changes in fuel and
additives, the prospect of a breakdown may
have potentially increased.
The Register’s associate Company provides new engines,
spares and re-builds.
Remember that RNR members benefit from a
discount on all levels of cover so why not join up
this year.
Managing Director: David Kay Phillips t: 01327 700023
Field Engineers: Ian Crompton m: 07831 841108
Richard Milligan m:07973 826260
And while we are on the subject, filters are available from the RN Diesel Engine Company.
All Enquiries: info@russellnewbery.co.uk
Next edition
All contributions for the Summer 2011
edition will be gratefully received. Do
not worry about format — in true RN
fashion the editorial team can cope with
almost anything!
Corporate Member
2
Copy deadline is 15th July 2011
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
Chairman’s Chat
that all is clear of cancer but he still can’t fit a speech
valve until my throat has healed completely. Eleanor’s lip
reading skills are still needed for me to communicate. She
is improving, some days I have to use my writing board,
and my writing is terrible, but we manage.
The RNR Rally this year is being held at the Bonded Warehouse in Stourbridge, which is most convenient for us, it’s
about four hours running from our home mooring and I
think that we can manage a journey of that distance.
See you soon, have a safe journey.
News since Christmas seems to have been very slow but
one must go on.
The gas bill arrived a few days ago, which was quite rewarding after the winter we have had. We replaced the
boiler last year and the house wall cavities are all insulated, the result is a smaller gas bill.
NB May has withstood the winter well; thank goodness I
drained tanks and pipes before the heavy frosts, so no
damage to the system.
A quick word from ‘Er below decks’. Yes, David is progressing very well, is now pottering in the garden and
checking on the boat now and again. I am looking forward
to seeing you all at the Rally – let’s hope we haven’t
blinked and missed the summer!
See you, best wishes
I must thank all members for all your good wishes for a full
recovery from my operation, my surgeon is quite happy
From The Editor
Spring has sprung and what a great start to
what we all hope is a great cruising season.
Of course there are already doom merchants
who speak of drought conditions but when I
started on my first canal holiday in the
spring of 1976 – now that was
year of the
drought!
No doubt you’ve carried out the all-important pre cruise checks and are now either on
the cut or about to set out; so whether you
are coming to the RNR rally or just going
boating, have a good road!
When you ring RNDE at Daventry and get the
answer phone – please don’t hang up! Jody is
very much on hand to get your spares picked
and dispatched and if you have an urgent
need, her mobile number is on the answer
phone message. Why lose your 10% discount
going elsewhere? Rally goers remember to
order any filters etc and Jamie will bring
them with him.
essential bar preparations for Stourbridge to
give us an insight into the Stourbridge Canal.
Here’s hoping there is enough water in the
BCN for us - and everyone else going to the
Pelsall Rally!
Membership
Although a quiet period we have just topped the 250 mark
and, like your investments, this figure can go up or down!
A warm RNR welcome to:
Jeff Perring, Mbabane, Swaziland. NB Blanche
Mark Rowland t/a Star Class Carrying, Stockton
NB Callisto
Fred & Sadie Heritage, Whittlesey NB Lynx
[Callisto will be carrying diesel and solid fuel for sale. Ed.]
In this edition we feature the building of NB
and Andrew has taken time out from
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
3
News from The Works
Well, here we are at the start of what BW call the boating season but, to some of us, it never ends and that is true of
RN Diesel Engine Co.
Although Allister has now finally left the ‘PLANT’ , we are still operating, albeit on a skeleton basis, in order to maintain
a positive cash flow during these difficult times. Spare parts sales are holding up well and although the factory is currently only manned by Jody on a Monday, parts can be ordered by email to info@russellnewbery.co.uk or left on the
answer machine and will be picked up and actioned within seven working days, alternatively, where urgent, Jody can
be contacted direct on her mobile.
Whilst attempting to offer every assistance to members we as for your understanding and forbearance as we have to
manage the business in these difficult times. We do see our ability to weather out the slow down in the economy and
look forward to still being around when conditions improve.
Notice is hereby given that the
Annual General Meeting
of
Russell Newbery Register Property Ltd
will be held at
The Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge
on
Sunday 19 June 2010 at 1.45pm
Notice is hereby given that the
Annual General Meeting
of
Russell Newbery Register Ltd
will be held at
The Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge
on
Sunday 19 June 2010 at 3.45pm
AGENDA
AGENDA
1. Apologies
1. Apologies
2. Minutes previous AGM
2. Minutes of previous AGM
3. Chairman’s Report
3. Chairman’s Report
4. Director’s Report
4. Director’s Report
5. Presentation of Accounts y/e 31/12/10
5. Presentation of Accounts y/e 30/11/10
6. Election of Directors
6. Election of Directors
7. Appointment of Accountants
7. Appointment of Accountants
8. Any Other Business
8. Any Other Business
Kevin McNiff
Secretary
Clive Henderson
Secretary
****
Boats for Sale
****
Very reluctantly offered for sale: 70 ft traditional narrowboat, powered by factory remanufactured DM 2. Shell by
Graham Reeves, to a modified design, and fitted out (no expense spared) in light oak by Blue Haven. Designed
and built with long term cruising in mind with all "mod cons" forward of the engine room and entirely traditional
behind. Full details can be seen on ABNB's web site at www.abnb.co.uk, the boat is called "Jasmine" and is reference number 1761.
NB “Frederick” is For Sale:
60' Stoke-on-Trent Boatbuilders, 1989. IWA Rally winner for best professional boat that year. DM 2 from Upminster (not Vero!). 2 + 2 berths, Webasto CH, Squirrel stove, 2 pump-out toilets, lounge inc arm chairs
Price £43950 More info at www.lonportbrokerage.co.uk
Dave and Nessa are having a new boat built which will have a DM 3 fitted. [3-pots are getting everywhere! Ed.]
4
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
The Waterways Festival 2011
There will be so much to see and do on the banks of
the Trent and Mersey Canal when Burton upon Trent
hosts The Waterways Festival, previously known as
the National Festival and Boat Show, from Friday 29th
to Sunday 31st July 2011.
This new date is a change from the normal practice in
recent years of holding it over the August Bank Holiday,
and has come after significant consultation with exhibitors,
attending public and IWA volunteers who are all vital to the
staging of the event.
Nestled to the East of Staffordshire, the historic brewing
town has been chosen for the second time to host the
annual celebration, with up to 30,000 people expected to
attend.
The three day festival is an exciting and colourful extravaganza packed with an array of attractions all aimed at
providing an educational and fun day out for all the family.
Around 350 boats, many decorated, will line up along the
water’s edge. Heritage crafts will also feature strongly at
the festival, with historic working boats on display.
The event is renowned for its high quality entertainment
and history lovers will be drawn to the major Viking battle
re-enactment and living camp being staged by the world
famous Regia Anglorum.
With a reputation for vivid and dramatic entertainment, the
Mikron Theatre Company will debut a new waterways
show called Hell and High Water. There is much more to
see, including live music, water activities and fairground
rides.
Russell Newbery Register Ltd
Annual Accounts for year ended 30 November 2010
TRADING & PROFIT & LOSS
Income
30.11.10
Donations/Dinner
250
2718
Mem.Subs
2617
2725
Merchandise
1348
1774
Rally
4193
3668
Rally Raffle
515
8923
594
__________
___________
30.11.09
11479
Cost of Sales
Dinner
Open Stock
Purchases
Rally
Raffle Don'n
Newsletter
Don’n BMS
0
2878
313
481
940
1724
3347
3465
515
550
1463
1393
200
6778
10491
Close Stock
162
6616
313
10178
_______________________________________
Gross Profit
Bk Interest
2307
1
_________
2308
Expenditure
Depreciation
Secretary
Subscriptions
Sdry Expense
Net Profit/
(loss)
262
385
47
194
1301
1
___________
1302
256
597
47
209
888
1109
______________________________________
1420
193
________
_________
BALANCE SHEET
Fixed Assets
Depreciation
786
750
Current Assets
Stock
Debtors
Cash at Bank
Rally ResFnd
36
162
0
2337
1000
3535
786
487
299
313
0
1503
2155
The festival will also host up to 250 exhibitors so whether
you’re interested in boats and chandlery or just wish to
browse the many speciality stalls, including clothing, arts
and crafts, jewellery and speciality food and drink, the
choice is extensive.
Creditors
Due in 1 year
The event itself is organised entirely by a small army of
volunteers gathered from canal enthusiasts and many from
the local community of the host area. If you’d like to get
involved and become a volunteer please contact Ann
Mayall on 01488 682504.
The final list of boats planning to attend is now 61 (the
largest rally entry ever), with 2 camper vans and 1 coming
by car. A full report and pictures will be published in the
summer edition.
Make sure you put the date of this national IWA event in
your diary! Advance tickets can be purchased online at
www.thewaterwaysfestival.co.uk. Ticket prices: Single Day
Adults £8 (On Gate £10), Single Day Concessions £7 (On
Gate £8) and Three Day (day time only) Ticket £15 (On
Gate £19). Children under 16 GO FREE when accompanied by an adult.
Net Assets
0
________
3535
0
_________
2155
Rally Update
As always at the AGM, suggestions for next year’s location are taken away and we then choose a venue based
on facilities and available space for around 60 boats. In
2012 the location will be in the South, followed by Midlands in 2013 and the North in 2014.
If you are not attending but would like to in future years,
please let us have your suggestions on locations and they
will be put “in the pot” along with those made at the AGM.
Details supplied by Karen McElroy - Festival Press Office
Droitwich Canals News
Official opening is 1-3 July with many events planned. David Wheeler [Chairman of Worcs Birmingham & Droitwich
Canals Society] says if all goes to plan, the canal will be open to navigation by the Spring bank holiday - in time for RN
rally folk to divert via Droitwich on the way to or back from Stourbridge.
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
5
DE DO DO The most recent new build DM 3 from the RN works in Daventry.
Norman Mitchell tells the story of NB Arthur.
mas. Well it was a close run thing but our trailer had the
DM3 in place well before Christmas. We discovered the
engine bearers needed to be some 32mm higher due to
the change of gearbox and Davis’s readily accommodated
this. The prop size was sought by the boatbuilder and we
were told the engine manufacturer would have the
recommended size, try as we might Jabber back at the
‘plant’ was in General Motors’ mode and said to ask the
boatbuilder! Impasse, asking around Ian Crompton came
Having foolishly decided to order a new boat I had the
up with the recommendation direct from the RN Altrineven more crack brain idea of owning a centenary 3
cylinder and that is where we start! Cruising back from the cham records; this was for a 27” x 23” pitch Lister pattern
weed clearing prop. “What on earth do you want an old
Rally in 2009 via the annual Historic Boat Gathering in
thing like that” we were told, “haven’t seen or fitted one in
Braunston we met up with a couple of chaps with RW
years!” So we compromised, the Lister pattern went out
Davis Northwich Traders built just down the G&S from
the window but we kept the size! A prop like ours would
sunny Gloucester. We started thinking, me of a DM3 in
probably suit a Gloster Gladiator for combat use, talk
red, Pauline of that washing machine she always wanted
about fly!
to keep me turned out ‘nice’. Another 10ft was to answer
all our desires and so we popped down to Saul Junction
At last we were asked to deliver the engine to the boat
Dry Dock to meet the man of the moment, Phil Trotter. I
yard; it had stood in all its glory and shrink wrap in our
had phoned him and asked what delivery would be on a
70ft Trader, his reply was sometime in 2012 if I was to join workshops at our company premises since coming from
Daventry. Well the engine was duly craned in through the
the list but he just happened to have a hull they were
soft spot and mounted, correctly aligned and shimmed to
building for themselves and if I were quick we could
suit, the boat transferred to the fitting out shed and away
secure that very one!
the fitters went. On a visit one day we were told the engine
When we met him it was rather daunting, stories of Phil’s
intransigence littered the waterways towpath tattle and
there we were in the holy of holies, Phil’s office. We knew
enough about the Northwich Trader to recognise the
superb quality of their steelwork, paintwork and fit out, we
needed to ask some pertinent questions though. Could
Pauline have a washing machine fitted, “well I suppose so”
says Phil; what windows were best we asked “9 inch or 12
inch portholes are all we do and the smaller look the best”
was the reply. “What engine do you want?” we were asked,
“possibly a Gardiner?” he said, “no thanks I want to buy an
RN DM3” says I. Pauline pushed a note into my hand with
the prompt “bow thruster” on it but I made her broach the
question! “Well, it can be difficult getting off the bank in a
strong wind, especially as you get older, at your age you
need al the help you can get!” was the reply, so we went
for one, the delivery date was 17th May at 2:15pm so Phil
could have a cup of tea after his lunch and we could get to was ready to run so we duly started it; wow, Pauline
screamed and ran from the shed, Craig Glassonbury, the
the RNR Rally in time; we will not disclose the year as it
boatyard General Manager, explained the terrible noise
may cause embarrassment to some!
being due to the fact it was running in the shed! He also
explained that they never silence a 3 cylinder Gardiner
The hull had reached gunwale level and looked super so
3LW so that was what they had done fitting the DM3. Alas
we agreed and signed on the dotted line. Next was to get
and alack she rushed into Phil and said you can take that
the DM3 on the road so to speak, a call to the factory
asking could they produce a 3 cylinder received a positive crock of c—p out and stick a Gardiner in instead. Craig
suggested a silencer as a peace offering and we proceedresponse so we placed the order. A few slight mods to
ed in harmony again.
normal were agreed, a PRM 500 box with PTO for the
hydraulic pump for the thrusters was no problem. I drove
Well all the bits and pieces started to go in, the generator,
over to Holland to visit WillDo the water jet thruster
the Webasto heater the Morso stove, the Wallas diesel
manufacturers to see what it was all about and placed an
order. The quote we received was in Euros (funny money fired hob and separate oven plus the washing machine,
tumble drier, fridge, freezer and dishwasher were all
in those heady days) and it was only a smidgeon more to
add a pair of rear water jets to the system so we did! Now accommodated and we moved her to the commercial fuel
suppliers just down the cut at Frampton-on Severn where
we were all set for a wait till completion.
we filled the tank which sits on the base plate just aft of
The DM3 began to grow, though rather slowly and Jabber the engine ‘ole with the 88 gallons it holds. It is rather
impressive moving sideways using the bow and stern
was pushing Allister to meet the deadline, that being
thrusters together, especially when there is only 72 ft to
completion before the VAT returned to 17.5% at ChristDuring 2009 the Russell Newbery marque celebrated its
centenary; in recognition of this all the engines built were
painted in the distinctive colour of ‘Manchester Red’ in
deference to their city of origin. Out on the system now
there are a single cylinder, a twin cylinder and a three
cylinder, each having its own distinctive sound as follows:
One pot – Do Two pot – DeDo Three pot – DeDoDo
6
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
moor in between two boats outside the oil depot. Off into
the Marina at Saul we went and loaded some personal
belongings. The first trip was to be to Gloucester Docks to
moor outside our flat block on West Quay; we noticed
rather a lot of black smoke from the stack as we wound on
the power but dismissed this as a running in trait. When
we left Gloucester on the following day in the rain and
wind, the smoke appeared to be worse, that was probably
due to the rain washing the smuts all over the cabin top
and me! At one point we worried that they would need to
close Gloucestershire International Airport thinking the
Icelandic volcano was up to its old tricks but the rain cured
that. Richard Milligan’s assistance was enrolled and he
diagnosed the fault as a rather short excess fuel pawl on
Leaving Gloucester Lock at Warp speed!
the rack. Telephone diagnosis is normally reserved for
NHS Direct but he was spot on, now after his ministrations commentate on the Historic Boat Parades on the last
weekend in June to see some really old RNs in working
the DeDoDo runs sweetly and has given up smoking!
boats still going strong. Why not come along to Braunston
for a bit of fun, some cheek, a little real ale or so and lots
You may wonder where the name came from. Pauline
called the engine a Dodo, after all it was the last DM3 built and lots of fellowship with the HNBOC crowd. We will be
going to Stoke Bruerne to visit and then to a Grand
to date and she thought it might become extinct!† Our
Chairman David Kay Phillips expanded on the description Junction Lodge meeting in Banbury, by boat. Any Masons
among you or others going that way please contact me as
at the AGM in Ellesmere Port by adding the De in front to
the event is white table that is with our ladies present at
represent the classic sound of a three cylinder, Dedodo!
the social part and I shall be pleased to invite you to ‘The
Our new boat is named ‘Arthur’ after, and as a tribute to,
Boaters Lodge’ summer meeting. We normally meet in the
nd
Pauline’s late father who saw the boat just before his 92
Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne in the winter season on a few
birthday last November; unfortunately he died on New
Monday evenings.
Years Eve/Day peacefully in his sleep.
Well, we expect to have flown up the Severn to Stourporton Severn and on to the Staffs ands Worcester to get to
the rally by the time you read this article. We are confident
the boat and its superb engine will attend the rally with
pride and pomp, then we must rush off to Braunston to
River Canal Rescue (RCR)
RCR have recently re-structured the basis of discounts
that ‘club’ members, including RNR members, enjoy. Details are as follows:
15% - on joining + 5% for applying online*
5% - on renewal.
5% - on Direct Debit payments
5% - No Claims Discount up to max. 15%
* Note: New members please do not apply online, telephone on 01785 785680 to apply and 20% discount
(joining plus online discounts) will be afforded.
If you are a member I suggest that you ring them when
renewing to ensure that the correct discounts are applied.
† Arthur’s DM 3 will very likely be the last new build DM3 as
major components such as the block, crankshaft and crankcase
are not available and not cost effective to produce one-off. Stock
of parts for building DM2s are still on the shelf. [Ed]
Russell Newbery Register and R N Diesel Engine Co have
an agreement with River Canal Rescue to provide Register members with a nationwide Breakdown and Recovery
Service.
River Canal Rescue operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a
year. Their Russell Newbery trained staff are equipped
with the most up-to-date mapping technology and tools to
provide a fast and efficient service.
Further information and details of membership levels can
be found on www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk. If you have a
car you probably have AA/RAC/Green Flag etc. membership providing roadside breakdown assistance. If you
haven’t already done so, why not join RCR to have the
comfort of waterside breakdown assistance.
The Mighty E6
We had hoped to include two articles in this edition about the RN
E6 but have run out of space - a very good position for me as editor since I now have a head start on the Summer issue.
As a taster however, the picture right shows an E6 on the dynamometer at Dagenham. This “dyno” is the very one now in the
works at Daventry.
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
7
Stourbridge Canal — seven miles of canal packed with interest
I am especially glad that this year the RNR Rally is taking
place on the Stourbridge canal. It is my favourite canal for
two reasons. Firstly it was on the banks of this canal that
my boat was build. Secondly, for a short canal, it has everything.
Actually neither of those two statements are 100% true.
There is an eight foot length of my boat which was constructed on the Warwick & Napton canal when we had her
lengthened in 2003. And the Stourbridge canal does not
have a tunnel. It did once, a 56 yard bore under Brettell
Lane.
The eastern end of the Stourbridge canal starts with an
unusual feature — an end on junction. A few yards below
Delph bottom lock, only a very observant boater will notice
the change from the Dudley No1 Canal. There is a small
gap in the cast iron rubbing rail protecting the towpath
bank, the rail closest to the lock has “BCN” cast in its upper surface. This is the only indication of Black Delph
Junction.
This would not have been a junction at all if the original
plans of 1775 had come to fruition. The plan was for a single canal from Stourton to Dudley. However, the Birmingham Canal company objected. In April of the following
year, two separate parliamentary bills for separate canals
were passed. Although sharing many shareholders, the
two companies were separate undertakings. The Stourbridge was one of the most prosperous canal companies,
it remained independent until nationalisation in 1948. The
Dudley, incurred high capital costs building extensions,
including the No2 line to Selly Oak, and high maintenance
costs as a result of subsidence caused by mining. Consequently, in October 1845, the Dudley Canal company
agreed an amalgamation with the BCN. A few months earlier, the BCN had reached an agreement with the London
& Birmingham Railway which included a dividend guarantee in return for land on which to construct railways.
Dadford’s Shed and the the Red House glass cone seen
from the bridge across the short pound between locks 9
and 10.
mine coal within 12 yards of the canal line. However, this
was difficult to enforce and often ignored. The area around
Brettell Lane is riddled with mine workings, as two of the
main Black Country coal seams are close to the surface.
The Broach seam is a mere 40 feet down and the famous
Thick seam about 200 feet under. Fortunately the 1903
breach, or “crowner-in” occurred on a Saturday afternoon,
so there was no loss of life. However, two pit heads and a
winding engine fell into the cavity and three miles of the
cut were drained.
Mining subsidence was probably the reason why Brettell
Lane tunnel was opened out and replaced by a bridge
known as Long Bridge. The opening out appears to have
taken place over several years, starting around 1858. Evidence of the tunnel lies in the remaining narrow section
and a small visible part of the old wall at the southern end.
The right angle bend at Brettell Lane is due to the line of
Like most of the canals of the Black Country, the banks of the canal following the contour avoiding the outcrop of the
the Stourbridge east of Wordsley were, until the middle of Dudley ridge. The geological events which created this
the 20th century, lined with industry. However these were also caused the coal seams to rise to the surface, which in
not the heavy metal industries and collieries of the Dudley turn lead to the early establishment of mining in the 18th
area, but brickworks, glassworks and brass foundries. The century, and thus the industrial growth that required the
canal for transport. Very few traces of the early coal pits
reason is the underlying geology, earth with high silica
now remain on the surface. What was once a haphazard
content.
collection of pits, brick works and industrial villages is now
subsumed by 1930s and 1950s housing estates.
Five furlongs from The Delph is a railway bridge carrying
what was once the Stourbridge to Dudley portion of the
Another right angle turn occurs one mile seven furlongs
Oxford, Worcester & Wolverhampton Railway. The
from Delph, at Leys Junction. If you get the impression
OW&WR became a major competitor of the Stourbridge
Canal. Relations were never friendly, at times acrimonious. that you are turning off a branch, you are indeed correct.
In 1854 a dispute concerned transshipment at Wheeley’s Whilst the current practice is to denote the Delph to Stourironworks basin, which ran parallel to the canal almost the ton route of the Stourbridge Canal as the main line, the
1776 act specified otherwise. The main line was Stourton
whole distance between the railway bridge and Brettell
Lane. The canal company threatened closure of the basin, to Stourbridge, with a collateral cut from Wordsley to the
Fens and a further branch from that at The Leys to The
but eventually an agreement was reached. This included
Delph. Today the line heading north from Leys Junction is
the construction of the Bromley and Stourbridge interknow as the Fens Branch. Originally it ran for nearly a mile
change basins. The march 1989 edition of Waterways
to terminate at Brockmoor Basin, also known as Wide WaWorld contains a detailed description of the dispute.
ters. Adjacent to this, but at a higher level, is a reservoir,
Another dramatic event occurred at Wheeley’s bain in No- Grove Pool. Two additional reservoirs, Middle and Fens
vember 1903 when the canal collapsed into mine workings Pools were added soon after the canal opened to cater for
the growing traffic. Brockmoor Basin was lined with wharfs
underneath. The coal miners were legally required not to
8
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
The first three locks are effected by mining subsidence.
The top lock is now about 3½ feet deeper, note the extra
six courses of brickwork above the original sandstone copings at the lock tail. Further down the effects of subsidence lessen, as to the west of geological fault the coal
seams are too far below ground to have been exploited by
18th and 19th century mining techniques.
Almost all of the remaining length of the Stourbridge Extension
Canal between Brockmoor Junction and the site of Bromley
stop lock.
for the numerous local collieries and brickworks. As these
pits became worked out in the early 20th century traffic
declined and the basin closed. The canal company transferred ownership of the last bridge before the basin to Dudley Council who, in 1936, replaced it with a culvert.
Officially this is still the limit of navigation, but the channel
under Brockmoor Railway bridge is blocked with part of
the bridge decking. An attempt in 1986 on a friend’s boat
came to a halt at Creesset Lane Bridge, which was
blocked with submerged bricks. The furlong reverse to
Brockmoor Junction (¼ mile from Leys), was painfully
slow due to the amount of weed.
The ‘Sixteen’ are, in my opinion at least, the most interesting flight of locks in an urban environment. This is both
from a photogenic and archeological point of view, so best
to take your time navigating them to investigate and appreciate. One place to stop is between locks 4 and 5, as the
Sampson and Lion pub backs on to the towing path. Outside the pub sign is an illustration of this biblical story,
whilst inside Banks’s beers and good value traditional pub
meals are available. This pub was originally one of a pair,
its “twin” was on the off-side of the canal below lock 2. Although not standing there now, you have probably visited
it as it is the Bottle and Glass which is now located inside
the Black Country Living Museum at Tipton.
Lock 5 is substantially unchanged from its construction
over 235 years ago. Unlike many of the others on the flight,
it still retains the original sandstone capping on both sides.
Due to erosion from tow lines at most other locks the capping on at least one side is now of blue diamond pattern
bricks. However very little original Stourbridge paddle gear
survives (apart from a set in the museum at Gloucester).
Most of the gear on the flight is second hand BCN, including a number of gate paddle sets which are now attached
to short stumps to work ground paddles.
At Buckpool the gradient of the hill steepens. To overcome
this, Thomas Dadford (junior) the engineer in charge of
At Brockmoor Junction the cut heading north west is the
construction, decided on a staircase pair for locks 9 and
Stourbridge Extension Canal. This was built by a separate 10. Probably he was influenced by the staircase locks on
company, although the majority it’s shareholders were al- the nearby Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Botterso backers of the Stourbridge Canal. Originally the exten- ham and The Bratch. However, just like at Bratch, the adsion line was planned to join up with the BCN Main Line at ditional water requirements of a staircase lead to
Bloomfield, requiring a tunnel at least a mile long. As built replacement by the current arrangement with a side pond
it only ran for 2 miles to near Kingswinford, with branches between two conventional locks. This pond, known as
to Ketley Quarry and Leasowes Colliery. It opened in 1840, Jake’s Pond, is behind the lock cottage and is connected
but its profitable and independent life was short lived. The by a culvert. The change tool place in the mid 19th century.
reason was railway competition in the shape of the
Unusually for the ‘Sixteen’ the pound below lock 10 widOW&WR. In fact, the railway company bought the canal
ens to form a basin on the towing path side, necessitating
under the terms of it’s enabling Act of 1846. The same act
enabled the OW&WR to acquire the Stratford on Avon Canal. Until their railway was opened, the two canals were
the only revenue source for the OW&WR. Later the
OW&WR became part of the Great Western Railway. Railway interchange traffic kept the extension canal relatively
busy until the Second World War. Most of this traffic was
to the Bromley interchange depot, sited close to Brockmoor Junction. Today the only navigable portion is the first
few hundred yards past the remains of the interchange
depot to the site of Bromley stop lock. A few years ago BW
installed mooring rings and a fence on the offside, alongside the now closed railway line. It certainly is an attractive
mooring site, but little used. Maybe that is because the
fence has a gap in it.
For those navigating west, the descent to the Severn valley resumes at Leys Junction. The “Stourbridge sixteen” or
Wordsley flight of locks have a total fall of 145 feet, so the
Tail of the top lock at The Leys showing the additional brick
average fall of just over 9 feet makes these deeper than
most locks on the BCN. However, averages are deceptive. courses on top of the original coping stones.
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
9
“UNSUITABLE FOR THE PASSAGE OF VESSELS”. The
a bridge. This small basin may have been a public wharf
British Transport Commission had carried out virtually no
or it may have been provided as a waiting point for boats
maintenance work since regular traffic died towards the
using a dry dock which once existed alongside lock 11. A
small community know as The Dock grew up here, it once end of the 1950s; they included the Stourbridge on a list of
canals to close in 1962. This situation angered the Stafconsisted of half a dozen cottages and an off-license and
fordshire and Worcestershire Canal Society (S&WCS) and
general store. The later were well patronised by passing
the IWA. Opposition was vocal and direct — the IWA delibboaters.
erately located their 1962 National Rally at Stourbridge.
Alongside the next lock is one of the iconic buildings of the However the arm was impassible, blocked near CoalStourbridge canal. This is inaccurately known today as
bourne Brook Bridge by silt and rubbish. The BTC refused
Dadford’s Shed, since it was built at least 100 years after
to cooperate with any voluntarily organisation, likewise
Dadford resigned his post of engineer in charge of conAmblecote Urban District council as in their opinion the
struction. This large wooden transshipment warehouse
canal “had outlived its usefulness”. As boats converged for
occupies the restricted spit of land between the lock and
the rally it was clear none would make it to the site with
the side pond, the non rectangular plan leading to the inout drastic action. David Hutchings, then chairman of the
teresting taper and slope of the ridge. Originally it handled Midlands Branch of the IWA, brought in a drag-line excacorn and other agricultural produce, later Thomas Bantock vator. Just as this was to start work on 25th July, two BTC
used it as a base for his railway carriage work. Now it is
officials arrived and threatened legal action if the bucket
the home of Ian Kemp’s heritage boatyard.
broke the surface of the water. The resulting altercation
lead to widespread publicity and even a House of ComThe bridge below lock 11 is, correctly, named Dadford’s
mons motion. The mounting embarrassment of the BTC
Bridge after the engineer. Between this and the next
lead to their capitulation on 28th July. Two days later a full
bridge, which is the main Wolverhampton to Stourbridge
length boat loaded with dredgings reached the end of the
road, the canal runs along side the Stuart Crystal Glassarm.
works and another iconic building, the Red House glass
cone. This glass works was founded in 1796, some twenty
years after the opening of the canal. However, glass making in the region dates back to the early 17th century when
glassmakers from Lorraine found the accessible deposits
of fireclay and coal ideal for glass production. Manufacture
of fine crystal glass developed from the middle of the 18th
century. At one time many similar glass cones dominated
the skyline of the Wordsley area. The Red House cone,
the last remaining complete example, is now a scheduled
ancient monument. Well worth mooring up and visiting,
not the least as admission is free.
This was one of the significant turning points in recent canal history. In January 1963 BTC were replaced by British
Waterways Board, who permitted S&WCS members to
undertake some maintenance on the Stourton locks. Restoration of the ‘Sixteen’ was to be dependent on local interest interest, something the canal society and the IWA
has shown in abundance. The eventual outcome was a
programme of complete restoration, S&WCS members
and other volunteers undertook the task of cleaning out
the lock chambers prior to BW staff rebuilding them. A reopening ceremony took place in May 1967, with an official
cruise from lock 11 to Stourton Junction. Forty four years
Beyond lock 12 the intermediate pounds lengthen as the
gradient of the hill reduces. Below lock 13 the offside bank later we would call this an example of ‘Big Society’ in action.
was once protected by two half sunken concrete narrowboats of First World War vintage. One of these was reThe one mile three furlongs Stourbridge Arm follows the
moved in 1989 and is now at the Gloucester Waterways
course of the River Stour, but at an elevated height. It was
museum. The other is now buried under the new wharf for once lined with glassworks, iron works and brass founthe glassworks visitor moorings. The bottom lock of the
dries, but is now largely through residential areas. One of
flight is situated against a bluff of Bunter sandstone, near
the more historic foundries, The Stourbridge Ironworks,
the confluence of the Wordsley Brook and the River Stour. was served by the two arms which leave the canal at the
If you had visited the Stourbridge canal in 1961, you would sharp bend at the one mile post. Towing path bridges
span both arms, the earlier one being of iron cast at
have come across official notices stating it was
Coalbrookdale, note the inclusion of the owner’s name,
John Bradley, in the casting. Under the jurisdiction of later
owners, Foster & Rastrick, the foundry produced early railway locomotives, including the Agenoria for Lord Dudley’s
Shut End railway and the Stourbridge Lion the first steam
locomotive to run on rails in America.
The final ¼mile of the arm runs northwards to terminate
outside the Bonded Warehouse, the third iconic building of
this canal. You will be able to learn about the full history of
this building, and of the canal company offices across Canal Street at the rally.
Former GUCCC craft at Ian Kemps boatyard at Dadford’s
Shed
10
The Bonded Warehouse is both the original and current
terminus of the canal, but from 1830 to 1965 a 230 yard
extension ran under High Street to terminate in a basin
which is now the site of the Mill Race Lane trading estate.
Here was located Stourbridge gas works, served by Tho-
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
Half way along this rural section is Newtown Bridge, a
fine example of an unmodified original brick and stone
bridge dating from 1776. Adjacent to this bridge is the
yard of Black Country Narrow Boats. David Bough started
this enterprise in 1982, primarily producing boats based
on a traditional tug design. One of these, Rag Doll, was
the boat used for the ‘Rosie & Jim’ children's TV series.
Many other builders, some who started as David’s apprentices, replicated this design. More recently production was
concentrated on a lighter, smaller cruiser style of boat.
One of the real characters of the recent canal scene, David passed away in January this year.
A summer evening’s idyllic boating - would you have guessed
this is a Black Country canal?
mas Clayton day boats, the low bridge precluded most
cabin boats. Also located here was the railway goods interchange depot, built by the OW&WR as resolution to the
dispute with the canal company.
Back at Wordsley Junction the final stretch of the Stourbridge Canal heads roughly west to meet with the Staffs &
Worcs. Underneath the roving bridge for the town arm towing path is an extended narrows which was one a gauging
stop with a toll office. Next comes a two arch aqueduct
over the River Stour, this has sandstone pillars with blue
brick facing. Just beyond the aqueduct is the current
boundary between the West Midlands and Staffordshire
counties.
This section is an absolute gem, and the following description taken from the 1989 edition of Pearson’s Birmingham
Canal Navigations Canal Companion, is spot on. “These
two miles of the Stourbridge Canal are among the loveliest on the inland waterways. If this seems a strange, contradictory claim at the edge of the Black Country, on the
verge on the BCN, then you must come and see for yourself. Perhaps this sense of beauty is exaggerated by the
precarious nature of its setting. Whatever the explanation,
there fell upon our research crew a mood of heightened
perception, a rare happiness which comes from the discovery of something wonderful that you had not anticipated, but rather come on by accident. The pound,
encroached by bullrushes, wound beguilingly like a gorgeous barefoot girl wandering across a dewy, mushroomy
meadow.” [The Rally organisers are still attempting to
book this maiden for the rally. Ed.]
But beauty comes at a price! The underlying rock here is
the Dune or Lower Mottled Sandstone, it is very soft and
porous and the strata is inclined down from the canal towards the river. Dadford was aware of this problem, so
the portion immediately adjacent to the river includes
some heavy retaining walls. Nevertheless there have
been some spectacular breaches. One occurred in 1976
near Bell’s Mill; another in September 2008 near the
same spot. The repairs to this last one cost £650,000 and
the canal was reopened in December 2008. However
some remedial work in April 2009 necessitated another
de-watering, during which BW discovered that their contractors had make a mistake with the profile of the reconstructed length. Another leak at the same spot required
yet more work in February and March last year.
RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011
Even in this rural idyll are traces of old industry — in this
case sand quarries. Sand was required in the glass making industry and for use in foundry moulds. A winding hole
above Stourton locks was extensively used by boats carrying sand back to Stourbridge, Wordsley and Brierley Hill.
The landscaped gardens of the houses on the offside by
Stourton locks 1 and 2 are on the site of old sandpits. Beside lock 2 is a lock cottage, a cantilevered split bridge
takes the towing path across the tail of the lock before
diving under the Wolverhampton to Kidderminster Road
(A449). The last two pounds have extensive side ponds
and large overflow weirs, another relic of once extensive
traffic. The side pond above lock 4 once extended into a
100 yard long basin running parallel to the Staffordshire &
Worcestershire Canal. This may have been to off load local goods so avoiding S&W tolls, or it may have been a
lay-by for boats awaiting loads. Today it is an unusual
water feature in a private garden.
For a junction between two old and one time busy canals,
Stourton Junction is a rather quiet and lonely spot. Most
of the traffic from the Stourbridge headed south on the
S&W, so toll collections were undertaken at Stewpony
lock on the S&W. Although the roving bridge at the junction carries a S&W name and number plate (33), it was
built by the Stourbridge company and is similar to those
between Stourton and Wordsley. The elegant fingerpost
at the junction, made from redundant lock beams, was
the first such signpost erected by the S&W Canal Society
in 1977.
Stourton seems a world away from The Delph, but it is
less than six miles, or just one page of the old style
Nicholson’s canal guides. But what a lot of history is
packed into those miles, and the twenty locks. As they
say in the Black Country, “it’s Bostin!”.
The pound between Stourton locks 2 and 3 is often low. NB
Lynx proceeds gingerly earlier this year.
11