How many BRICKS needed to build a CANAL Lock. The Calne Story

Welcome to this weeks offering of abandoned infrastructure.
This week we wade further into the murky depths of the Wilts and Berks Canal and take a look at the Calne Arm / Branch. There are indeed a few locks to see and a number of restored features. Its quite a treat.
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[@AndyNightingale]

*"Give it a boop!"* ...is just the BEST WAY to say what you want to say, without destroying the flow of the channel. Well done! *SO GIVE IT A BOOP!* *I'LL BE GIVING IT A BOOP!* *SO GIVE IT A BOOP!* *I'LL BE GIVING IT A BOOP!* *SO GIVE IT A BOOP!* *I'LL BE GIVING IT A BOOP!* *SO GIVE IT A BOOP!* *I'LL BE GIVING IT A BOOP!* *SO GIVE IT A BOOP!* *I'LL BE GIVING IT A BOOP!*

[@paulinehedges5088]

LOVE your enthusiasm..it is infectious% also loved the giant leg shots as you walk across the fields. Thank you as always and HAPPY CHRISTMAS

[@stephensaines7100]

"Bobble Hat?" It's a Toque! Lovely countryside, for all the problems Blighty is enduring at this time, never lose track of how beautiful the British Isles and Ireland are.

[@bernardfender5147]

Spent the best 7 days of my life in Calne! Hello Misty Miles!!

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Hmmm at precisely 7:32 Paul makes a well-recognized grunt! In my woodland wandering (no canals, but some old railroad spurs, abandoned farm buildings) I have been known to make such utterances when clambering around ditches, ruins, large tree roots....

[@meme4one]

For anyone interested, the train line that runs there beside the old canal between Calne and Chippenham has an old halt called Black Dog Halt, just by the bridge over the A4. It was built by Lord Lansdown from Bowood House who wanted his own private stop to get him to London without going to Calne or Chippenham. Love your work, as I live in Calne and walk that area and others daily. There is also a bit of left over canal down on the A4 between Calne and Chippenham, opposite the Hyundai garage. Its still full of water as it floods a lot down there.

[@jimjam1934]

What you're referring to is on the main canal as opposed to the branch that is the subject of this film

[@meme4one]

@@jimjam1934 the left over section? Yes that's from the main not the branch.

[@emaartamor]

A great walk along the old rail line and some cool geocaches too for a local lass like me.

[@meme4one]

@@emaartamor #calnePosse

[@emaartamor]

@@meme4one What does #calnePosse mean?

[@bullettube9863]

It's nice to see you bringing to light something that eventually will be taken over by nature. All that work to dig and build this canal, all those bricks that hundreds of workers made, will soon be gone. But that little bridge will survive! That such a small structure was so well made with it's curvature is fantastic!

[@smiffy1947]

Conigre is a fairly common name in this part of Wiltshire it comes from the old name for a rabbit, “coney” and means a rabbit warren- it is pronounced “cunniger”. The lock at Calne was ruined 30-40 years ago when a huge storm drain was driven right across the middle so it can never be restored. The canal was fed at this end directly by the River Marden flowing along the wharf, where the old building, now called Marden House, was the canal company headquarters - water level was controlled by a sluice where the river left the canal just above Calne lock - a footpath crosses the top of the sluice structure to this day.

[@willemceuleers3789]

coney = konijn in Dutch, to the present day. Cheerio, Willem (Belgium)

[@steverpcb]

A new cut will use the river Avon to bypass sections of the old W&B canal.

[@rialobran]

@@willemceuleers3789 Konin is the Cornish word for rabbit, borrowed because they're introduced by European invaders and we didn't have word for them.

[@johnlennox-pe2nq]

monks/abbots would harvest rabbits. conygres , even making artificial burrowing hills

[@smiffy1947]

@@johnlennox-pe2nq The former Cistercian monastery called Stanley Abbey, once one of the largest in the country but now completely destroyed, was just a little way further down the valley, close to where Stanley aqueduct is now.

[@andrewchippenham]

In the early 1950s I remember an elderly friend of my parents saying that his father was a clerk working in the Calne office for the Wilts & Berks Canal Co. and received the last ever toll payment for a cargo carrying narrow boat making the cut to Calne, The Calne is now office is now Marden House Calne Music Centre. There is a tunnel under Marden House which carried the used water from the town mill which was where Calne's Town Hall now stands .The terminus of Chippenham's canal branch was where their bus station is now opposite their library.

[@steverpcb]

Thankyou for calling a bobble hat with out a bobble exactly that, a beanie or beany hat has a propeler on the top !

[@simonlumsden6045]

Wow, Calne is lovely. I worked at GWR FM in Wootton Bassett 20 years ago and had no idea about the canal

[@wessexdruid7598]

It has certainly changed since Harris's Pie Factory was demolished.

[@rwm2986]

Amazing - I was based at RAF Lyneham for four years (in the mid/late-70s) and I had no idea what was 'around me'. Thank you.

[@evertonshorts9376]

'Paul and Rebecca's Top Ten Bridges' sounds great.

[@garys4756]

Merry Christmas Paul and Rebecca Even the disused canals have a tale to tell,thanks for bringing them back to life.

[@peterbradburn9115]

Brilliant video, guys. Followed you from the early days and, not gonna lie, initially because you're Andoverish way and I'm North Berks, so felt very local, but disused railways, canals and Roman roads just tick every box for me. Thank you so much for all the work you put in. Not so mobile myself, these days, but so wonderful to see these old bits of infrastructure through your eyes. Thank you so much. Merry Christmas

[@janecapon2337]

Great video. I love the mixture of history, humour, personal opinion, and Great editing.Have a really happy new year.

[@transtasman57]

Merry Christmas Paul and Rebecca and families. God Bless you 🙏 ❤️ all.

[@gregorybacher2883]

OMG! It is so warm in the UK in winter. Lucky Ducks.

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Keep Calne and Boop on... Merry Christmas and a great New Year ❤️

[@markthompson3577]

a perfect video for boxing day .......i loved every second of it , thanks paul ......

[@Bicyclehub]

Excellent filming and editing; I liked the drone shots. It always impresses me how much work it must have taken to build a canal from scratch, with only basic hand tools and no motive power. With all our advantages of moden technology it still takes us many years to restore a disused canal.

[@bobly]

Very interesting video Paul and Rebecca, I take it that's your new word Paul boop

[@SteamCrane]

Seems doobie doo is gone?

[@knownothing5518]

Every video a new adventure with some neat history in it! What a treasure you two are!

[@stevemarchant3469]

As always a great video ,,love the enthusiasm ,,have great new year ,and please keep posting your adventures ,and. If Rebecca gets inundated with bobbles don't blame your followers

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for today’s tour. Always happy to see you both. Happy new year to you both. Cheers mates! ❤❤😊😊

[@chrisb012]

What a great video! I never knew about this branch, and this is fascinating. Lots of hidden infrastructure still to be discovered. Do you think they’ll ever restore the branch?

[@pwhitewick]

I think they have plans. But the issue for me is the enormity of the whole project. 52 miles!!

[@chrisb012]

@@pwhitewick And that tunnel. If it’s a cut and cover that’s been filled in, that’s going to be a huge problem.

[@chrisb012]

By the way, Happy Christmas to you both!!

[@pwhitewick]

@Christopher Roe-Bullion they coukd probably just cut now, but.... the road would also be an issue I guess.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

Thanks for another great video

[@Sim0nTrains]

Nice video and that bridge you want to put into your top 10, I agree to put it into the top 10, Merry Christmas Paul and Rebecca

[@matt6477]

Thank you

[@steverpcb]

I agree and remember you missing out the remaining section of the Somerset Coal Canal to Dundas aquaduct. I remember doing a school walk from Semington school to the Wilts & Berks and along the recently disused railway around 1969. Come to Semington, stand on the canal bridge and look at where the Wilts & Berks used to join the K&A, walk into the trees on the Melksham side to see the old cut. There is going to be a new cut to replace it on the other side of the road, please email me for a meet :)

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Lovely explore. And your photos (!) always appear so crisp, so sharp, so fine! Any special treatment you give them?

[@philiptownsend4026]

Quality equipment used expertly. These two are not monkeys.

[@PhilipInCoventry]

Simply brill.

[@elliottjames8020]

My grandmother lived in Calne in the 1920s. The town was nicknamed "Pig Island" because of the meat processing plant there.

[@IcenI_Koi]

Boop ! Merry Christmas Paul and Rebecca x

[@shirleylynch7529]

Fab explore #0 interesting. Loved it. So much to see

[@colin125gwr]

Merry Christmas Paul & Rebecca

[@Jimyjames73]

Interesting & nice views & thanks for sharing 🙂🚂🚂🚂

[@brettjones5041]

i love your passion for the old transport history . merry christmas . mates

[@kevinwheeler4756]

Wow I grew up in Calne but left Calne decades ago Never knew about the branch I went on the Calne to Chippenham railway as a child a long long time ago and walked along the Marden But this is so fascinating PS sound the “A” more when youn talk about Calne more its how the locals say things

[@Dave1976.]

Happy New year Paul and Rebecca. All the very best to both of you. I subscribed 3 yrs ago. Have enjoyed all yr content especially on abandoned and old railways. Also I've Booped the like button. Look forward to yr vlogs this year. (Dave)

[@radiosnail]

Very interesting. Thankyou

[@bobsrailrelics]

Great finds, the locks look as if they could one day be used again.

[@malcolmsmith6615]

Fantastic! I actually made it to Stanley Aqueduct many years ago, and around that same time the top masonry of Conigre tunnel south-east portal (right next to the A4) could still be seen (but only the top course, not the entrance itself). Shame it’s since disappeared, but it must still be down there somewhere, buried. I never made it to Conigre locks and so that was special to see! Thank you!

[@pwhitewick]

Very jealous Malcolm!!

[@malcolmsmith6615]

@@pwhitewick I was a youngster back then and wouldn’t think twice about ignoring ‘private’ signs and slipping quietly through hedges etc. Found a real gem at Pewsham brickworks, so much still to see there including the canal itself, but there is no access these days unfortunately!

[@robinwatling6538]

really good thank you, have a great new year

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Robin. And to you.

[@MrGreatplum]

Great stuff, Paul and Rebecca. Lovely to see that the bridge and lock have been looked after at the Calne end of the branch. Some great explorations in this one!

[@lesbendo6363]

Merry (Happy) Christmas and Happy New Year you two! 🇨🇦

[@davidberlanny3308]

I love these old abandoned canals, especially when you unearth these old locks and you find a huge tree bang in the middle!! Some really great drone clips👏👏 Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good luck from Spain!!

[@michaelmiller641]

I've given it a boop!

[@telx2010]

Great work, I love hiStory.

[@johnstilljohn3181]

Brilliant - well found...! No chance of that ever being restored...

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Worth much more than a 'boop'! Really interesting video. Amazed to see it in water at Calne. That canal bridge is a gem, and with a bit of dredging and restoration of the infilled lock, the people of Calne could have a very pleasant length of canal to stroll along. With maybe a few short boat trips..Thank you.

[@lilchris26]

Thanks for the video hope you enjoy the New Year.

[@brianmorgan1204]

Not to worry Rebecca. I always cut the bobble off my knitted caps.

[@chrisgraver2112]

Interesting old canal, more of it in tact than the Bradford canal!

[@roderickmain9697]

Merry Christmas Paul & Rebecca. Hope you are enjoying a festive break. I look forward to more of your adventures in the new year.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

Merry Christmas you two!

[@lindamccaughey6669]

Fabulous as usual. Hope you had a great Christmas. Please take care

[@miketherefurbisher8000]

Great Content!! "Happy New Year Guys" 😀👍

[@robertdonaldson6584]

I am fiddling "Swinging on a Gate" on my violin.

[@hainanbob6144]

Merry Christmas both of you, and thanks.

[@MusicMike939]

I wish they wouild do something on exeter. Suposed to have large garden. Had its own train to bring in the rocks. Plus a village to house the workers. Plant hunters scoureed the wolrd for plants that are common today.

[@pwhitewick]

Plans afoot

[@stuartkeen5234]

This is really good loved the canal bridge what a pretty branch it would make if restored. Nicely done guys.

[@robinhayhurst5943]

Paul... when Rebecca was climbing the steep embankment...you put your hand out...was that to help her...or were you going to grab the camera in case she fell???

[@pwhitewick]

Equipment first!!!

[@robinhayhurst5943]

@@pwhitewick Good man!!!! And a happy Xmas to you, your kids, your animals...and Rebecca! (I would have given Rebecca a higher billing...but she took the 'lights' away from my name in the credits!

[@davie941]

hello Paul and Rebecca , *merry Christmas* very interesting video as always , well done and thank you guys 😊

[@PowderedCowsMusic]

Thanks for the upload as always . Hope you had a good Xmas / holiday time! 🚂 🚣 ❄️ 🎅

[@13soxs]

Happy Christmas and New Year to you and your family. Thank you for all the videos, muchly enjoyed......

[@ReubenAshwell]

Good video as always. Also a bielated Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you both. :)

[@paulharvey9149]

What a difference a bit of decent access makes! Shame about the tunnel, but you were able to get to so many other parts of it - even if it was a but hazardous in places! It actually reminds me of something you might like to have a go at next time you're in Scotland, and that is tracing the path of the former Penmanshiel railway tunnel, which collapsed during track-lowering works in 1978. It is completely sealed - not least because it contains the bodies of two railway engineering staff and several bits of machinery that were entombed when efforts were made to extract them, and for which a memorial exists directly above on the hillside; but the sites of the tunnel entrances are just discernable with a bit of detective work! You might also want to look into Scotland's oldest man-made waterway, which isn't a canal in the true sense as it wasn't built to carry anything (well, it was 1494, after all), but has had a number of other uses from being a defensive moat to a source of fresh drinking water... There's also the canalised part of the River Leven in Kinross-shire: what was that all about? Enjoy what's left of the festive season now - and see you next year!

[@keithharris9556]

Yet another Bostin video Merry Christmas peeeeps

[@BadWiltshireDrivers]

That old building is Calne Town Hall!

[@eopoep]

Have they ever done the Luxulyan Valley and Treffrey Viaduct ? and the huge water wheel and drag cable way?

[@leeclift4666]

Merry Christmas Paul and Rebecca thank you for posting hope your enjoying the the Christmas break.look forward to watching more quality vblogs next year.Take care have a Happy new year

[@simonf8370]

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Lovely video to watch (and I'd just love to have a little bridge like that in my garden!)

[@nigelgladwell1783]

happy new year to you all love the videos in 2022 cant wait for 2023 love your content

[@Graham_Rule]

9:23 is there an inscription in the oval above the arch of the bridge?

[@michaelcampin1464]

Rebecca is back to blonde. Lovely as usual

[@StormwatchDruid]

Very interesting, booped the booper. ;o)

[@MM0IMC]

I see the name Black Dog appears a few times in the video. I wonder if this is related to the black dog in folklore, for this part of the world?🤔

[@jamesmorgans9835]

Maybe a future project for you guys. Top 10 Bridges Top 10 Tunnels Top 10 Locks Top 10 Disused Stations

[@ExploringWithEmAndStu]

Great video as always guys.. Hoping to finally explore my local canal this year, the only one I believe we had in the whole of Norfolk! 😀

[@hedleythorne]

Great to see the old lock walls and that bridge. Mildly disappointed though by Rebecca's lack of a bobble.

[@cyrildhy8993]

Made the mistake of having CC switch on, voice recognition at it's worst. I used to live in Calne (CC = Khon, Carl ) Conigre is pounced Con e gree. I have done some work at the sewage works, so I was able get to that section. I have been told the tunnel was filled in with ash from C & T Harris's boilers. The shot of the Warf. The only old building is the stone one The Town Hall. The old canal? building is the one behind you. The Warf used to be C & T Harris car park.

[@pwhitewick]

Which Aqueduct Cyril?

[@cyrildhy8993]

@@pwhitewick Aqueduct?

[@john3Lee]

"Booped " !!

[@whangadude]

at 1:11 why is there a place called New Zealand in England? Great video as always

[@MrGreatplum]

I noticed that as well - the canal goes a long way!

[@wattster71]

Have 'booped'!😁

[@robertlewis2]

It would be really useful if you could include coordinates for your waypoints so that I can follow along on Google Maps.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Especially when you venture onto private land. Sincerely, Hookem, Cookem and Rookem Legal Service. 😱🙄😬

[@rialobran]

Never great when you lose the elastic in your bobble. Worse still if it goes in your 'boop'.

[@AndyCallaway]

Did you see the giant head while you were there?

[@pwhitewick]

Oooh.... erm....

[@AndyCallaway]

@@pwhitewick Lol. Had you walked up to the other end of the wharf in Calne you would have seen the library, (just visible to the far right in the shot of the wharf). The head is a large stainless steel sculpture out the front.

[@SteveInskip]

Booped!

[@robw9994]

I've booped it 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheEulerID]

I wonder if Betty will come along to do her thing...

[@timeflysintheshop]

Have you ever watched the channel "Cruising the cut"? It is a great channel about narrow boating in the canals. Since you guys like to find abandoned canals, maybe you could learn some stuff from the restored ones and you could visit the canal sections and locks under reconstruction. Cheers! 👍🎄🎅

[@SteamCrane]

Quite a few narrowboat channels on YT, but Cruising The Cut is probably the best. Guy has a background in broadcasting, so presents well.

[@eze8970]

T.Y 🙏🙏

[@Sterlingjob]

Are they going to restore this part of the canal eventually?

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

Highly unlikely. As the only really feasible purpose for restoring the canal networks these days is for touristic cruising, through routes will always soak up the available funds. If you can dig up an authenticated untouched burial site for King Arthur with full grave goods at the far end you might have a chance of a canal or railway restoration. 😉

[@neilmchardy9061]

Did you tick off that station?

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

0:00 What happens on this track every Thursday for 6.5hrs?

[@associateddiaries]

From memory, it's something to do with sheep and/or cattle movements.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

@@associateddiaries Ahhhh righto, that would make sense. Thanks.

[@jimjam1934]

I think its closed for maintenance

[@WhataloadofRUBBISH]

My Mrs would love you to come into her and her mates podcast

[@pwhitewick]

Whats her podcast?

[@WhataloadofRUBBISH]

@@pwhitewick it’s called just another trucking podcast.

[@scottgreenman1365]

👍

[@TeriWilde]

May I ask a question? Why do people call a bridge an "over bridge"..? surely ALL bridges, by their very nature, go "over" something..., I've never heard of the opposite, an "Under Bridge". Surely it's "just a bridge" oh, and I'm subbed and I love the journeys back in time with your disused railway and canal adventures.

[@SteamCrane]

I think the distinction is that it goes over a transportation route of some kind, rather than just going across a valley.

[@philiptownsend4026]

It's a bit like "parking up" which I've been trying to find the origins of for a long time. Nobody knows.

[@64G_Design]

I've Booped.