THE TUB BOAT. Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society

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1 THE TUB BOAT Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society No. 73 Autumn 2015

2 THE TUB BOAT Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society Forthcoming Events: Tuesday 1st December Deadline for articles for inclusion in Tub Boat No 74 to reach the editor Clive Horton Friday 1st January 2016 Publication of THE TUB BOAT No 74 Sunday 21st February BCHS AGM at 2.30pm in the Richard Willoughby Gallery at the Castle Heritage Centre, Bude Contributions for the next edition of the Tub Boat should be sent as an attachment to or copied onto a USB memory stick or CD and send to Peter Daniel (contact details on back page) to reach him by 1st December Trustees: Chairman Vice-Chairman Secretary Treasurer Events Secretary Minuting Secretary Other trustees Membership Secretary The Tub Boat Editor Chris Jewell Stan Noakes Peter Daniel Mike Moore Betty Moore Jill White Lucille Opie, Anne Longley, Grahame Stockton Mike Moore Clive Horton (non-trustee) The views expressed by the contributors to this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society which does not accept responsibility for them. Corporate Member of Supported by

3 THE TUB BOAT Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society No. 73 Autumn 2015 CONTENTS Creaks from the chair Membership Report Annual Coach Trip Cornish Language Group visit Bude Canal Trust Report Locking-in Blessing of the Sea Canal Poem Part Two years ago View From The North Cover: Whalesborough Lock All Photos: Mike Moore (unless otherwise stated) 1

4 Creaks from the Chair First, an apology for the slight mishap in the last issue when the reduced scale of part of the Bude Tithe Map was illegible, within the relevant article about George Casebourne pages I hope the substitute map enclosed separately helped with your understanding of the article. It is hoped that you can support the IWA raffle and purchase/sell the enclosed raffle tickets. BCHS could receive part of the profits from the raffle which would be set aside in the Project Fund, see pages 11 and 12 of the last issue, no 72. Now some advanced warning regarding the 2016 AGM. After many years free use of the Falcon Hotel for our AGM, the Hotel now has a new policy which prevents free use for events such as BCHS's AGM. There is now a fixed charge of 100 for such use. Thus the Trustees have decided to seek elsewhere for the 2016 AGM. The AGM will be held on Sunday 21st February 2016 at 2.30pm in the Richard Willoughby Gallery at the Castle Heritage Centre, Bude. Further details in the January issue of the Tub Boat. In the Spring of 2016 the Society are considering a joint exhibition on the Bude Canal with Bude Canal Trust and possibly the Bude-Stratton and District Old Cornwall Society. This will be held in the Gallery at the Castle Heritage Centre, Bude. Full details in the January issue of the Tub Boat. Finally, many thanks to our members and local friends for their continued support of our annual coach trip. This year was to Dartmouth with a trip up the beautiful River Dart. The weather was perfect and the good company helped to make it a day to remember. Thank you all. One final apology for the delay in publication of this newsletter which was due to a combination of circumstances which meant that we could not get all the contributions to the editor before he went on holiday. Chris Jewell, Chairman 2

5 Membership Report We welcome the following new members who have joined the society since June: Mr & Mrs M Elliott, Westward Ho! This means that we have only had three new members so far during Perhaps existing members could encourage their friends to join as the membership numbers have been declining yet again recently due to the failure of some of the Standing Order payments which were due on 1st September. At this stage it is not clear whether these payments have been cancelled intentionally by members who wished to cancel their subscription or whether there is a problem with their bank. It would be helpful if any member who has cancelled their Standing Order intentionally would let me know, otherwise I will send them, in due course, a new Standing Order mandate to reinstate their Standing Order. As many of you will realise, this is the time of the year when I have to remind you that subscriptions were due on 1st September for all members except those who joined after 1st June. Renewal forms (where appropriate) are included with this newsletter. Members are encouraged to return the Standing Order Form to me as it is a more efficient method of payment for the society and avoids your renewal being overlooked. Membership cards will automatically be sent to members who have already completed Standing Order Mandates and whose payments have been received. Can I also remind those members who are taxpayers and who have not completed a Gift Aid declaration that they can obtain a copy from the website by downloading "The Way Forward". Thank you for your continued support. My Financial Report for the whole year will be in the Winter edition of the Tub Boat. Mike Moore Treasurer & Membership Secretary 3

Annual Coach Trip to Dartmouth and Totnes on 8th August Here is a selection of photographs taken

Betty Moore Events Secretary The Cardiff Castle waiting for us to board at Dartmouth Strolling

Totnes The River Dart at Totnes Cornish Language Group visit to Canal and Barge Workshop.

Language Group that operate in the Bude area to view the Upper Canal and Barge Workshop at

6 Annual Coach Trip to Dartmouth and Totnes on 8th August Here is a selection of photographs taken during the trip where we were fortunate to have excellent weather and everyone had a good time. Betty Moore Events Secretary The Cardiff Castle waiting for us to board at Dartmouth Strolling along the quay at Dartmouth Our coach waiting for us at The Streamer Quay. Totnes The River Dart at Totnes Cornish Language Group visit to Canal and Barge Workshop. On the evening of Thursday 27th August 2015 I took a group of local residents from the Cornish Language Group that operate in the Bude area to view the Upper Canal and Barge Workshop at Helebridge. On the next page is a report by the group in Kernewek, the Cornish language, with an English translation. Chris Jewell 4

Dowrgleudh Porth Bud gans Chris Jewell An Yow, seythves mis Est warn ugens 2015, bagas a gowsoryon Kernewek a vetyas gans Chris Jewell dhe Bons Hele ogas dhe Marhamchurch.

Ena y'gan leveris ev yn kever an dreheval a'n dowrgleudh diworth an towlow anodho, dres an ober a gleudhya dhe'n oberans a'n lavuryans kowlwrys yn etek kans vlydhen pymthek.

7 Dowrgleudh Porth Bud gans Chris Jewell An Yow, seythves mis Est warn ugens 2015, bagas a gowsoryon Kernewek a vetyas gans Chris Jewell dhe Bons Hele ogas dhe Marhamchurch. Yth yw Chris esel a Gowethas Dowrgleudh ha Porth a Vud. Ena y'gan leveris ev yn kever an dreheval a'n dowrgleudh diworth an towlow anodho, dres an ober a gleudhya dhe'n oberans a'n lavuryans kowlwrys yn etek kans vlydhen pymthek. Kynsa, y kerdhyn ni war tu Porth Bud, yndann fordh A39, gans an skochfordh ryb an dowrgleudh, omma an Avon Strat ha'n dowrgleudh usi warbath, mes wosa an pons dhe asa an avon an dowrgleudh ow omdisevel a-dre dhe'n Gledh a-nans kores. A-barth an kores yma ladresbuskes a's gweres vyajya dhe ha diworth an mor. A-dal an kores, y hyllir gweles gwarila tirans rag skathow mes nyns yw usys drefenn na iger an Pons a Rodd dell dal dhodho. An Acheson? Nyns esa arghans lowr rag Konsel Ranndir a Gernow Gledh dhe dhiwedha an ragdres a'n nowydhheans dowrgleudh, ytho nyns eus skathow ow tos dhe Bons Hele!! Nessa, y kerdhyn ni bys an florenndhowr Whalesborough, orth an florenndhowr ma skathow a yll gul devnydh anodho mar tons i awos y dhe oberi! Ynwedh omma yma, yn-dann dhor, diw woerth, an eyl pompya dowr war-vann hy ben pompya war-nans a-dermyn a syghor. Ny usys heb mar! Py yn kever an yeth Kernewek, hwi a govynn? Gwel po klew, Tim Hambley a drelyas an geryow Chris Jewell dhe Gernewek, ha bryntin o Tim gans an ober ma! Diworth an florenndhowr, y tehwelsyn ni dhe Bons Hele arta ha mos war-rag dhe hwelji skath-hir a'n dowrgleudh, lemmyn gwithji perghennys gans Konsel Tre Porth Bud ha Strasnedh. Omma yth esa lies taklenn a dhiworth an dowrgleudh ha ynwedh an teudhji: F. Gregory & Sons. Kemmys gweles ha klywes, ni a dyb may hallas skrifa Chris lyther yn y gever oll! Pur veur ras dhe Chris ha Tim rag oll aga ober!! Peder Harwood 5

Bude Canal with Chris Jewell th On Thusday 7 August 2015, a group of Cornish speakers met Chris Jewell at Helebridge near Marhamchurch. Chris is a member of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society.

First we walked towards Bude under the A39 via a footpath beside the canal, which here the river Strat and the canal are together, but after the bridge, the river leaves the canal falling to the

8 Bude Canal with Chris Jewell th On Thusday 7 August 2015, a group of Cornish speakers met Chris Jewell at Helebridge near Marhamchurch. Chris is a member of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society. There he told us about the building of the canal from the plans of it, through the digging of the waterway to the operation of the completed working in First we walked towards Bude under the A39 via a footpath beside the canal, which here the river Strat and the canal are together, but after the bridge, the river leaves the canal falling to the North down a weir. Beside the weir there is a fish sluice to help them travel to and from the sea. Opposite the weir, one can see a landing stage for boats but it is not used because Rodds Bridge does not open as it ought. The reason? There was not enough money for NCDC to finish the project of renewing the canal. So no boats are coming to Helebridge! Next, we walked to the Whalesborough lock, at this lock boats can make use of it if they come because it works! Also here there are underground two conduits, one pumping water upwards, the other pumping water downwards in times of drought. Not used of course! What about the Cornish language you ask? See or hear, Tim Hambley translated the words of Chris Jewell into Kernewek, and Tim was splendid with this task. From the lock we returned to Helebridge again and went onwards to the barge workshop of the canal, now a museum owned by BSTC. Here there were many items from the canal and also from the foundry of F. Gregory & Sons. So much to see and hear we think that Chris could write a book about it all! A big thank-you to Chris and Tim for all their work. Peter Harwood 6

Bude Canal Trust Report The first work day in June was spent burning the brash along the Virworthy section the previous month.

Burning brash Along the mowed Aldercott section the footpath between the Pink Campion and other wild flowers highlighted a really pleasant walk along this footpath at this time of the year.

Root removal Remains of workboat At the end of June the general maintenance of the footpath and adjacent hedge and canal bank continued and at Dunsdon Nature Reserve a decision was made to create a

9 Bude Canal Trust Report The first work day in June was spent burning the brash along the Virworthy section the previous month. As can be seen, the early summer growth already coming through the collected piles didn't help to make this an easy job. Burning brash Along the mowed Aldercott section the footpath between the Pink Campion and other wild flowers highlighted a really pleasant walk along this footpath at this time of the year. Some of the tree roots were growing up through the path surface, not only fouling the blades of the mower but potentially creating a trip hazard so the larger ones were removed. Root removal Remains of workboat At the end of June the general maintenance of the footpath and adjacent hedge and canal bank continued and at Dunsdon Nature Reserve a decision was made to create a slight diversion round a short narrower section to avoid anyone slipping into the recently re-watered section of canal. Already the new water related plants growing along this section has highlighted why the use of working boats was needed to keep the canal clear. The remains of two of the original boats are still half buried in the silt, one at Virworthy and the other at Wooda Farm Bridge. 7

Working into July two volunteers attended a strimmer training course organized by Devon CC and the P3 Footpath Organiser providing extra qualified help on this much needed required activity.

Several weeks of wet weather through from the end of July into August not only created a great deal of growth either side of the footpath which tended to collapse across but also, rain coinciding

Almost overgrown footpath Making use of the dry environment inside Virworthy Wharf building we started on the construction of a new display to make use of the artefacts which had been accumulated and

10 Working into July two volunteers attended a strimmer training course organized by Devon CC and the P3 Footpath Organiser providing extra qualified help on this much needed required activity. Path strimmed by volunteer All the directional finger posts were examined and given a much needed makeover with a thorough sanding down to remove the heavy algae growth accumulated over the years. Several weeks of wet weather through from the end of July into August not only created a great deal of growth either side of the footpath which tended to collapse across but also, rain coinciding with our work days prevented the use of the mower. Almost overgrown footpath Making use of the dry environment inside Virworthy Wharf building we started on the construction of a new display to make use of the artefacts which had been accumulated and going rusty and disorganized within the building. These include the cast iron mile markers, a set stone, sections of the incline plane rails, various tub boat wheels. A bound stone and horse tethering stone plus chains. The timber for the frame work was kindly donated by K.J. Bromell of Bude. Work is progressing and hopefully the next report will show the end result. 8

New display panels at Virworthy Wharf New notices The section of the Permissive Path from the Aqueduct Bridge over the River Tamar and under Burmsdon Bridge for

This section has absolutely no exit points allowable through the adjacent farm property and eventually comes to a blind end.

and that this does involve a return walk to Vealand Nature Reserve car park.

11 New display panels at Virworthy Wharf New notices The section of the Permissive Path from the Aqueduct Bridge over the River Tamar and under Burmsdon Bridge for another 200 yds had become very overgrown and was strimmed back to create better access. This section has absolutely no exit points allowable through the adjacent farm property and eventually comes to a blind end. This is clearly identified at several points along the previous access points to the canal footpath and the Trust would like any walkers to respect both the livestock and that this does involve a return walk to Vealand Nature Reserve car park. Lastly for this report, boards have been put in place in two short sections just north of Virworthy Wharf to create an increased height to the canal bank which consistently, following heavy rainfall tends to allow water to flow across the footpath, further work is required to finish this particular project. New canal edging boards Text and photos by Mike Degnan, Bude Canal Trust 9

12 Photographic Report of the locking-in on Sunday 16th August Thetis rounding Barrel Rock Thetis approaching the Sea Lock Steelaway rounding Barrel Rock Thetis & Steelaway in the Sea Lock Steelaway approaching the Sea Lock Thetis leaving the Sea Lock Steelaway leaving the Sea Lock 10 RNLI Lifeboat leaving with the ashes of Des Gregory

Blessing of the Sea on Sunday 16th August Canal Poem (continued fromtub Boat No.72) Think also of the men who had to sweat and toil To dig miles of trench, and distribute the soil.

There were many problems and hold ups throughout And several times, of its success there was some doubt.

Fertiliser to temper the acid soils was sought, So sand, limestone and other goods were brought, Loaded on barges and taken to Marhamchurch Filled to the gunnels they would dangerously lurch.

13 Blessing of the Sea on Sunday 16th August Canal Poem (continued fromtub Boat No.72) Think also of the men who had to sweat and toil To dig miles of trench, and distribute the soil. Skilled workers were needed so navvies were sought To work in gangs. Five hundred were brought. They then had to construct and follow to a man The drawings set down on the engineers plan. There were many problems and hold ups throughout And several times, of its success there was some doubt. Celebrations were held when work was finished Though the original vision to the Tamar had vanished. Fertiliser to temper the acid soils was sought, So sand, limestone and other goods were brought, Loaded on barges and taken to Marhamchurch Filled to the gunnels they would dangerously lurch. A weight of five tons could be drawn by one horse That could pull the barge with ease along the canal course. At Hele Wharf the cargo was transferred yet again To tub boats with wheels to surmount the inclined plane. From the top, the barges continued their journey Thro' Virworthy, Sutcombe, Milton Dameral 'n Thornb'ry. When the railway came in eighteen ninety eight The company closed, no more carrying of freight. There was a slow decline for a hundred years, Erosion had set in and great were the fears. 11

14 Many were conscious of its uniqueness and potential, To regenerate and maintain was their duty and essential, Not just for themselves and the rising tourist trade But for future generations, efforts should be made! Then enthusiasts and local supporters too Met to discuss, to see what they could do. North Cornwall District Council funding sought, Three and a half million would be enough - it was thought! Has taken ten years (and more millions) but the end is in sight, The future of the canal is looking very bright. The workshops, the cobbles and the Barkhouse too Fit together on the wharf like a well-worn shoe. The Interpretation room is progressing on the ground And an education programme for students has been found. The excellent Tourist Centre at the Crescent has details Of organised walks along the prodigious canal trails. Come, - meander to the marshes and dowse for dragonflies, Admire the flora 'n fauna, birds and butterflies. Watch the defiant ducks, and graceful gliding swans That nest amongst the reeds in what we call the pond! As you wander t'wrds Rodds Bridge you'll find perfect peace, The wonders of nature, they just never seem to cease. To Hele Wharf and beyond the canal has been enhanced, You'll be amazed, and keep pausing, to gaze - entranced. To be continued... Lucille Opie An extract from The Bude & Stratton Post dated 06/08/15 25 years ago August Perfect weather conditions prevailed for the Bude Canal Society's first major public event at the Lower Wharf on Friday. Activities got under way with a flotilla of small boats coming up through the sea lock on the five o'clock tide to circle the Wharf. This was followed by an open air barn dance led by canalside resident Ron Mears. 12

15 View from the North As I sit to write this longevity seems to be the topic of the moment. Queen Elizabeth II is about to become the longest reigning monarch in this country replacing the reign of Queen Victoria. This year is also the 241st anniversary of the proposal by Edmund Leach to build a canal from Bude. That came to nothing but we do celebrate this year the 190th anniversary of the opening of the Druxton branch of the Bude Canal and the 196th anniversary of the Bude Harbour and Canal Company s formation. Spring 2016 edition of the Tub Boat will be our 75th Issue, our Diamond Issue. So to mark this milestone I would love as editor to have as many articles/photographs from new contributors as possible. They don t have to be weighty tomes of great historical significance, a photograph of a special place on the canal or a sharing of your view of a canal related event are equally as welcome. Perhaps a letter to the editor on something you feel strongly about or wish to share with others. A canal related quiz or conundrum. Really it s up to you but please do contribute don t think oh I ll leave it to someone else, because that someone else could well be thinking the same thing. From experience I ve found that one of the keys to longevity is to make sure you have variety in all aspects of whatever you are doing. Otherwise you run the risk of stagnation, boredom and lack of public support leading to the premature ending of whatever project you are involved in. Clive Horton Editor 13

16 THE TUB BOAT Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society Atlantic Highway to Bideford A39 Tamar Lake Kilkhampton Virworthy Wharf B3254 Dexbeer Puckland To Bideford BUDE Sea Lock A388 Burmsdon Stratton Red Post Chilsworthy Blagdonmoor Wharf Vealand Stanbury Wharf Hobbacott Helebridge HOLSWORTHY Marhamchurch Merrifield Widemouth Bay River Tamar Whitstone A39 North Tamerton Atlantic Highway to Wadebridge A388 Boyton Werrington Bude Canal as built Rivers Inclined Planes B3254 Druxton Wharf LAUNCESTON Published by BUDE CANAL & HARBOUR SOCIETY Printed by Parish Magazine Printing Enquiries to the Hon. Secretary (Tel ) New Inn House, Week St Mary, Cornwall EX22 6UZ, Registered Charity Number

THE TUB BOAT. Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society No. 83 Spring 2018

THE TUB BOAT. Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society No. 83 Spring 2018 THE TUB BOAT Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society No. 83 Spring 2018 THE TUB BOAT Newsletter of the Bude Canal & Harbour Society Forthcoming Events: 2017 Sunday 29th July Events for 2018 Bude