Buckinghamshire's Lost Canal.

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Welcome to this weeks adventure where we try and walk along a good stretch of the Buckingham Canal. We had a quick meeting with the Society and Spoke with Terry and Alan. More to come from here without doubt!
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[@pwhitewick]

Try Readly, with my link you can get 2 months free, which can be cancelled at any time: readly.com/paulandrebecca

[@philsharp758]

The canals were nationalised in 1948 ( which means the Government paid the canal owners to take over and own the canals) and British Waterways came into existence in 1962. It was transformed into a charity in 2012 to become the Canal and River Trust. As of its 2021 accounts it has more than a billion pounds in assets and more 19 employees earning more than £ 90,000 p.a. The canals belong to the people of the nation, as we have already paid for them. Whilst it is inspiring to see volunteers working to re-open the disused canals, it is time to call to account those supposedly responsible for canals and to use the available funds to enable the restoration works.

[@philsharp758]

@@derektaylor2941 £223 milion pounds are in liquid financial assets, not the real estate. Carry on working for this "charity".

[@frankgulla2335]

Thank you, Paul, for your continuing effort to inform the world about the English countryside.

[@jlaakso1706]

What's really gratifying is that these societies aren't just doing this work for themselves - as you say, they're not likely to see the end result during their lifetimes - but for the generations to come, who will hopefully have a chance to enjoy a glimpse into history that could be otherwise lost.

[@misterflibble9799]

To be fair, we do get quite a lot out of it ourselves. The end result is not the only product of the work. We also get to learn new skills, spend some time outside, meet interesting people and have some fun! Granted, there are occasions where it can be less fun (especially when the weather is against you), but we wouldn't do it if we didn't enjoy it. Seeing the fruits of ones labour come into use (like Bridge 1 (4:45) where I did a reasonable amount of work) can be particularly pleasing, though.

[@princecharon]

'A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they will never sit.' - Greek Proverb

[@Belznis]

Definitely worth restoring, never been to UK, but watching sometimes the historic documentaries and thinking how beautiful these structures and construction projects must have looked. The more you clean up the less trash will be lying around and the more the other areas will become developed. And the trees are beautiful along the shores.

[@BuckinghamCanalSociety]

Great work Paul. Many thanks for coming to see us. Just sorry you didn't get better weather!

[@briancjohnson]

"We have too many pets and too many kids." Yanno, there are solutions for that! Keep the pets, sell the children. :)

[@pwhitewick]

100% game

[@stevie-ray2020]

.....and Paul wants to build a model railway?

[@adamg393]

If it wasn't for you guys nobody would know about these old canals, keep up the good work

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

Ahh from the towpath side walk through the tunnel under the canal to the Barley Mow. Good beer and food in there, or it was the last time I was in there anyway.

[@davidbassett4577]

It still does lovely food & a good pint of Everards Ales and is very dog friendly

[@stephenrowley4171]

Danger marker might be due to buried power cables there often buried in tow paths

[@paulinehedges5088]

I just LOVE your enthusiam! A plank of.wood coveted with moss makes you SO happy and that rubs off on me. Thank you for another entertaining video.

[@notsohairybiker]

Somehow, the rain and mist gave this a totally different dimension to what I expected. Fantastic atmosphere Paul.

[@christophermatthews6972]

I have seen concrete markers saying "DANGER buried cables" above electric cables. Could grass have grown over part of your marker?

[@pdxyadayada]

Keep up the good work! Thanks for taking me along..

[@malcolmsmith6615]

To stand in a near-intact lock is a rare treat indeed. It helps you appreciate how deep the water would be when the chamber is full. Did you spot the narrow gauge tracks laid into the wharf surface at Cosgrove? Another rare treat. Great video, beautiful weather! Cheers for another fun and informative quarter of an hour. 👍

[@pwhitewick]

Ah yes indeed, had to chop them out of the final edit though.

[@malcolmsmith6615]

@@pwhitewick At least you saw them (and I understand the need to edit). I’m also intrigued about the remains of locks that run parallel to the GU either side of Cosgrove aqueduct. They were the line of the GU before the aqueduct was built. I’ve always wanted to go looking for them but I’ve never achieved it. Not sure how much there is to see these days.

[@williamw7847]

Yet another interesting video Couple of suggestions: Carry your waterproof trousers in a (gasp) carrier bag. Then, to put them on, simply put the carrier bag onto your boot/shoe and it will help it slide through the trouser leg AND stop any dirt getting on the inside of your trousers! At 08:41, I wonder if the DANGER slab was from a concrete conduit carrying power cables. So that top slab marks a power cable run or had been picked up and dropped on that spot.

[@grahamkearnon6682]

You know Paul I bet you could find beauty in my hall ceiling damp patch, keep it up mate, from a very long distance veiwer/fan.

[@keithsbitsandpieces]

Absolutely fascinating Paul , As children 55+ years ago we used to visit my dads family in Deanshanger and there were 2 humpback bridges in the village, 1 at each end where the canal passed under , I remember clearly in the early 1970's when they demolished the bridges and filled the canal in , if you look up ROBERTS CLOSE in Deanshanger that is named after my dads family home

[@philipbellew9645]

Lovely video to encourage people out whatever the weather to have a walk and a snoop around. A walk with a purpose is always so much more fun than purely 'going for a walk'.

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thanks for the great tour today, Paul. Cheer mate! 🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸

[@a11csc]

what a project that will be,thanks for taking the time to film it

[@MrGreatplum]

The canal restorers are so right about canals being corridors of bio-diversity - the best of luck to them!

[@hedleythorne]

I want a concrete block with "Danger" written on it. Great film.

[@timeast6412]

Hi Paul,thanks for the update on the Buckingham arm.I used to work on the roads in that area so I know it well.There are some formidable obstacles to overcome on the route but hopefully in many years time it may succeed.Without getting too political,in my view I see so much money wasted by Government and Councils on ridiculous projects,that could be used for this sort of thing however obviously others would disagree. By the way the last section into Buckingham town has gone completely,but the site of canal basin still exists and possibly some of the original buildings which are used by businesses.

[@jwillisbarrie]

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Jim. We always try but miss mistakes sometimes!

[@Mldy291]

Living near this I walked from Cosgrove to Old Stratford either early last year or late 21, they have done so much since then

[@MCP53]

Yay! Very interesting as we walked through the 'orse 'ole' just the other day and were wondering what lay beyond. Big thunbs up to these restoration people! I've also boated the whole length of the K&A navigation, also made possible by such people.

[@lilchris26]

Nice video Paul, I am already a Readly user and I have Model Rail and lots of magazines fantastic. I also have my n-gauge railway in the loft. Keep up the good work. Chris

[@hunty1970]

Too tip for putting your waterproof trousers on over boots. Grab a plastic bag, put your boot(foot inside) inside and the trousers will slide over the boots. 😊

[@christopherescott6787]

I see you have a standard Doxie. We have the very same except our pup is a mini named Beretta. Splendid topic as par usual. Thanks for another great history lesson. Cheers from Edmonton Canada.

[@jackprier7727]

Wonderful stone-walled underpass-

[@philbo2152]

Great video Paul, I live on the stretch between Old Stratford and Cosgrove and walk it every week, literally done it hundreds of times, but never been the other way from Thornton to Buckingham. Absolutely must do it

[@pwhitewick]

Nice one!

[@davie941]

hi Paul and Rebecca , another very interesting video , its nice to see someone trying to restore it , well done again and thank you 😊

[@darrylnoonan5282]

Paul, trying to put one's leggings on over one's boots doesn't wor.....oh you've worked it out for yourself. Don't worry you're not the first and I guarantee you'll try it again at some point! Been there and got the T-shirt! Love the videos so keep up the good work and send my regards to the lovely Rebecca and the kids. Cheers Dar.

[@TimothyPaigeChambers]

Put your boot in a plastic carrier bag first and it will slip through easily.

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

brilliant video

[@randomroveruk6715]

I too didn't know that Bradshaw did canals. That's an idea for a new series for Michael Portillo to do. Unless you two get in first!

[@AJP-kf7wq]

i ve known about the Buckingham arm for a while now, ride along the section between Cosgrove and Old Stratford quite a lot. i have been meaning to take in the section between Thornton and Buckingham for a while after tracing it on the OS map ap. i will leave it to dry a bit more as there has been plenty of rain lately but looks like i will be taking the dog for a long walk very soon. thanks for highlighting this section

[@hymieweiss1]

Greetings from across the pond. Great video! I'd love to see a longer form walk like you and Rebecca do exploring that canal in more depth. Looks like lots of interesting things to see more closely (like the old locks). I look forward to the Sunday videos each week!

[@TheCelts01]

Great vid guys once again. Please do more from these Videos. Briliant. Your Nr1 Fans in Hamburg Germany ××××

[@bobsrailrelics]

That small tunnel was tighter than the ones I filmed in Pontypool!! Never say never as they say, I remember the Kennet and Avon before it was preserved. Never thought it would happen, especially Devizes, but have we are. Great video. Thanks.

[@SteamCrane]

"A concrete block with the word DANGER on it. How strange is tha... AAAAUUUUGGGHHHHHH!!!"

[@robinwatling6538]

enjoyable as ever ,thank you!

[@timstriathlonjourneys7575]

How great to see your walking my local disused canal. Some interesting facts about the Buckingham end of the canal. The town council used the wharf as the outlet for the town’s sewer when the canal was first built!

[@christopherspence6459]

the concrete block is similar to those that used to cover electric cables in many years past

[@robertansell4538]

Outstanding vlogs every time

[@brianaveriss7972]

Enjoyable video Paul, thank you.

[@andrewjameson5918]

Paul, this was brilliant. Love the Cosgrove tunnel.

[@timowen6296]

70 odd years since I explored the route of the canal to Cosgrove as a 6 year old. Not alot changed. Good luck to the restorers. Met people in Buckingham who remembered it being worked, they'll be long gone.

[@ned_10]

Hi Paul, are you interseted in 1970's 00 gauge hornby trains and accessories?

[@Jimyjames73]

Very Good - a very big plan that they have got!!! 🤔🚂🚂🚂

[@robertmaitland09]

I think the weather added to the atmosphere of the places you visited, back in the day canals were commercially used in all weathers, hardy people from the past.

[@robertdonaldson6584]

I'm Fiddling "Swinging on a Gate" on my violin.

[@merlinonline67]

I looked at this canal about 13 years ago, first off it has too many engineering obstacles on its original route, first, it has to get over the A5 dual carriageway which is on the level, it could go south on a new route, and go under by the River Great Ouse and that would mean it misses out Old Stratford. The original route past the A5 is now a housing estate, the route can still be followed but it would be too tight for modern navigation, the canal went under the old A5 Watling Street by a short tunnel which is filled in. I honestly don't see this canal ever getting re-opened as the number of volunteers will decrease to such an extent that the society will probably fold. The are plenty of canal restoration projects that are going to do likewise, canal restoration needs volunteers who can do the work, and also lots of money, yes there is the waterways recovery group but they can't be everywhere. There are going to be some successes in canal restoration such as the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration but too many other schemes have grandiose schemes like the Derby scheme which wants a boat lift to rival that in Scotland, totally missing the point that the original canal has been built over in the middle.

[@MorrisPV]

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal had been built over in multiple locations along its length, before seeing complete restoration along its original course...

[@eze8970]

TY. 🙏🙏

[@bringingverneyjunctionback9642]

Well done Paul. If I’d known you were up this way I’d have tried to join you 😀

[@AnyoneForToast]

Aaawww, you got sausssaaaaggge doggieee! Squeezy squeezy huggy! Ideal for all those tunnels. Keep her away from all those badgers, though. 😁👍

[@cooper68ns]

Thanks I enjoyed that walk very much. I think this is one that will get done. Cheers

[@YannaTarassi]

The rain added a lovely atmosphere :)

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video and very interesting to see an abandoned canal.

[@SuperTonywilliams]

Well-done mate, tough conditions but you came through with a fine interesting film, cheers.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Most enjoyable walk and explore. Really interesting. Thank you

[@maedero05]

Long way to go ! Aylesbury branche like, nice someday !

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

A very enjoyable and inspiring video showing what can be done in canal restoration. This looks a solid well engineered project, taking the view that under present circumstances, canal restoration is often a generational project. Given the growing social and economic importance of canals, especially for local development, it would be nice to see more resources being made avalable, nationally, to nurture and support such initiatives. Really good video,. Thank's.

[@MercenaryPen]

you should have knocked out the Wolverton to Newport Pagnell disused branch line while you were near Milton Keynes

[@oneteaminbristolbcfc]

Thanks for this ✌️❤️

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Paul -- even though a kept up, maintained and in-use canal is great -- there is a great charm also to these ruined and aged walls/bridges and structures which have been mostly forgotten....

[@janecapon2337]

This was a really great visit to a wonderful piece of country.Many thanks for sharing it. I enjoyed the dreary weather too: Mind, I didn’t have to walk in it.

[@davidbassett4577]

Been through that underpass a few times walking with my dog Pepsi & had a few pints in the Barley Mow Pub at Cosgrove … love the iron Aqueduct at Wolverton on the Grand Union Canal .. great video Paul .. I’ve not walked that abandoned arm (yet!)

[@briancjohnson]

Making this a separate comment for visibility: Readly works in the US! It is very expensive for USA folks to get Britrail magazines, but not on Readly! One monthly price, all the 'zines.

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Brian.

[@chrisflewers4307]

There’s a old canal bridge in stony Stratford by the shops to look at

[@davidbramley6730]

Now this was interesting just like your other blogs. Keep at it matey.

[@danielwilliams4007]

Thanks Paul, I Readly enjoyed that episode!

[@jasonhaymanonthedrawingboard]

Fantastic!

[@spudhughes3265]

When putting on your water proof trousers try putting a plastic bag over your boot, it will slide through ith ease.

[@paulharvey9149]

This is really interesting, Paul. I had no idea there were so many former canals around the Southern English countryside - especially in areas such as this, that are no longer accessible by rail. Thanks!

[@misterflibble9799]

I believe the UK figures are somewhere around 2000 miles of waterways in use, and another 2000 miles that are abandoned or under restoration.

[@Sim0nTrains]

Nice walk but a shame about the weather, also do need to sign up to Reedly

[@royhenderson4085]

Very interesting. The last video started a mile from where I live now and this one ended less than a mile from where I grew up.

[@michaelmiller641]

Fascinating video, at least old canals are more difficult to obliterate than railways!

[@terryengland1880]

The piece of stone with the writing on it was an old way of protecting high voltage unground cables

[@davidwicks3334]

Another great video especially as the Buckingham canal is close to my home 😊

[@pauljones1350]

Looks like your walking through a key hole at beginning of film 😮nice sunny canal walk ,we have too many pets oh joy,btonly two grown up children so you in the best times of your life a full hose even if yo look like your in tiny nook it’s your space even if small 😅always dictaphone what the guy says directions info can be repeated at a press of a button or two or rewind replay etc

[@richardstokes1]

The danger sign was probably to say to people danger for the canal when it existed or after it stopped being used and was dangerous. Its just a thought I had. I actually have no idea.

[@rogermorris6957]

Hi Paul very interesting vlog you cant beet a way down an old canal

[@ian6985]

At the junction of the Grand Union Canal and Buckingham / Stratford Canal Arm is an old warfe with remains of rails embedded into the tow path

[@gilles111]

Your room with the maps looks like a room I get in in the morning and have to be dragged out at the end of the day because you want to go to sleep.

[@chrisflewers4307]

If you carried on walking through Thornton warf you come to little hill farm opposite side of bridge that other bridge had been restored

[@chrisflewers4307]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJSqfZ56m9V8mck

[@whereinsussex]

That walk looked... claggy! Good luck to the canal people

[@antonioveritas]

Paul, I wouldn't produce shorts in that weather if I was you. Best stick to the over trousers! Did Rebecca see the forecast and decide to stay home?! Cosgrove was the first place we ever camped, back in 1977...one of the wettest summers! Best regards. 👍

[@johnbhancock]

Loved the incidental music on this one

[@1258-Eckhart]

It looks as if Buckingham might be reunited with the canal network before it gets a railway connection.

[@MrSouthwestplumber]

just beautiful

[@russcorbett3923]

Awesome video !!!!

[@radman8321]

No wonder Rebecca bailed on you, she must have checked the weather forecast.

[@pwhitewick]

Wise!!

[@Mr80sliveon]

Ahhh booooo. Back on canals.. we want railway...we want railway.. lol... as always a great video no matter what the subject..

[@chasbodaniels1744]

I chuckled at Paul’s mention of the KZbin “law” regarding “shorts”. They’ve proliferated into nuisance clutter, even on beloved subscribed channels. -> Then at wrap up time here ( 14:50 or so), I think no, this can’t be the end already! My attention span is way out of sync with modern sensibilities.

[@islaws4589]

Hiya Paul & Rebecca, Thank you for making me aware of the Bradshaw's Guide. I didn't even know it existed until watching your video but now have a copy on my bookshelf! Have found four bridges missing though from my local canal (Lower Peak Forest) through Hyde. The bridges were def' there in 1904...one of them is the often photographed Captain Clarke's Bridge...another carries the A57, so not the easiest to miss! Am wondering if you are aware of any other inaccuracies or omissions in the book?

[@pwhitewick]

Hey Isla. Yup.new to us as well! That copy arrived the day of filmimg. I had been made aware of some inaccuracies including the names of some canals!

[@islaws4589]

@@pwhitewick Ah interesting...at least I'm not imagining things then! It's fascinating...watching the Portillo show I thought the Bradshaw's were tourist guides, but the canal book intro says it's more of a guide for commercial use of the canals. Am chuffed to bits with it ☺️👍

[@commander5640]

Awesome

[@robertcoleman4861]

Wonderful volunteers doing great work.🍺🍾☕🫖

[@DJ_K666]

Hornby Magazine is very good too. BRM runs RMWeb too