The Canal Invention you DO NOT want to use.

Quick note: We had no clue that we would meet some lovely people along the route at Pewsham, so this video should have been about 3 mins shorter. We didn't want to take the title and intro out though to fot the last bit so hopefully you'll still enjoy it!
Welcome to our first walk along the Wilts and Berks Abandoned Canal. This week we take a walk along the western section between Lacock and Pewsham, restored by the amazing volunteers. Huge thanks to Basil for his time on the day.
You can visit the Wilts and Berks trust here: www.wbct.org.uk/
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @pwhitewick
/ paulandrebeccawhitewick

[@steveaskey]

That overflow was certainly impressive, and thank you for going "off script" to include Basil and his wonderful enthusiasm.

[@Urbexy]

The overspill was a very clever design. Very often older engineering solutions just work. They are designed to be simple and effective. Some research I did in the past revealed something very similar local to me. It was a "cut" delivering water to power machinery. If the water got too high it fed into a pipe. The pipe took the water over a large bucket and the weight of the water acted on a lever to open a sluice. The bucket had several holes so when the pipe stopped flowing the bucket would drain and the counterweight closed the sluice. Today engineers make things way too complicated. 🙂

[@Unsensitive]

Engineering should only be as complex as is absolutely necessary. Simplicity is the hallmark of good design, not complexity.

[@Milamberinx]

What things do engineers make too complicated today? I certainly appreciate this old engineering, but such appreciation doesn't require the denigration of the skill of modern engineers.

[@briskyoungploughboy]

@@Milamberinx Patent-right and legally mandated industry standards arising from lobbying by commercial interests makes a financial virtue of complexity.

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

Occams Razer : The simplest explanation/solution is usually right

[@mathewcherrystone9479]

You know, what also works? A weir. No need for a bucket to open a sluise. Far to many moving parts, that could fail.

[@mkendallpk4321]

Glad you ran into Basil, what a gem he is. Very interesting video this week. The horse shoe overflow looks like a work of art in itself.

[@mgutkowski]

No, it's a work of engineering.

[@gordanmilne7034]

Artistic engineering.

[@mgutkowski]

@@gordanmilne7034 no such thing. If it's beautiful, it's through form following function, not art.

[@gordanmilne7034]

@@mgutkowski Codswallop.

[@mgutkowski]

@@gordanmilne7034 go look up the definition of art and tell me how it applies.

[@farmerpv]

We in the USA do not have the appreciation of the canal system built in Great Britain hundreds of years ago and the civil engineering involved. Today this would be a great way to see the country and learn about a lot of history at the same time.

[@TheEarthHistorysConfusing]

You have the Erie canal & thats bigger then uk canals!.

[@greghight954]

@@TheEarthHistorysConfusingthe US has an amazing network of intracoastal canals. There are over 3,000 miles of man made navigable waterways in the US. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracoastal_Waterway

[@maxmccullough8548]

​@@TheEarthHistorysConfusingplus the intracoastal waterway, the great dismal swamp canal, the Mississippi and Ohio river systems.

[@NYCS19339]

We don't appreciate the canals we once had here!

[@alexhajnal107]

@@TheEarthHistorysConfusing I wasn't limited to New York state. There was also a an extensive network of canals in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland that, along with the river system and inclined planes to handle ridgelines, connected the PA coal fields and NY farmland with the cities and the cities with one-another. Before the railroads took over all three (canal, river, rail) were often used for a given journey, often with many transfers between modes.

[@MisterItchy]

Basil is a legend and still kicking at 85! What a rock star!

[@paulinehedges5088]

Fascinating to see the canal beong rebuilt and thank heavens for enthusiasm volunteers! Lovely to see you both. Thank you as allways .

[@ThatCoalSoul]

* being *

[@Milamberinx]

@@ThatCoalSoul * boooonnnnngggg *

[@bryansmith1920]

Thank you, P+R it actually made me think that as a retired person a volunteer job might be just what I need. I love the little slices of what it takes to put our history back together

[@chasbodaniels1744]

If you have the means, time and physical ability, I heartily suggest volunteering. Imagine the satisfaction and even the fellowship to be had from sharing your particular life-skills for a cause! I’m exhausted after doing my bit, but it encourages me to exercise in between to stay ready for the next session. Win win!

[@gordanmilne7034]

This country would fall apart without volunteers the majority of whom get little recognition or seek it.

[@stepheneyles2198]

I spent some time between jobs volunteering for the Cotswolds Wardens - they are active in restoring and clearing footpaths in the area. It was hard work, but when I'm out and about nowadays I remember working on things and always appreciate the work the volunteers do. Go for it, Bryan!

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

Obviously, you're going to have to video and upload your work.

[@chrismoule7242]

See my separate post: it's not all sweetness & light...

[@davidbassett4577]

Basil was a gem in his own right! Great episode

[@robertansell4538]

David basil what gent and dont get better them that ever

[@MrMutt1960]

Thank you so much basil for what you and others do ,from a gratefull noverner

[@stacymirba1433]

I'm in the USA and it's different to hear you talk about the King. I knew you had a King but I'm just so accustomed to hearing about the Queen my entire life that it was almost shocking to hear citizens refer to having a King. It's probably become normal over there since the Queen passed but I had to pause and remember that their has been a change.

[@handlesarefeckinstupid]

It's still very odd to hear it, but believe me the royal family aren't talked about by people as much as the media like to. They have no bearing on our lives at all really.

[@LeafHuntress]

As a Dutchie i cannot comment on limey feelings, but i’m still not used to having a king after more then 100 years of queens & he’s been that since 2013! Koningsdag(kingsday) simply doesn’t sound as good as Koninginnedag(queensday). I’m a republican(NOT the yankee kind tyvm!) anyway so my feelings on this subject get ignored by the general public... Liefs leafs(^.^)

[@ABa-os6wm]

French here. We shorten those 20 cm in height 😂

[@hairyairey]

I want to be as fit and healthy as Basil at 85! There's the benefit of looking after your health right there. What an amazing guy he is. Brilliant video Paul but I would have thought the circular overflow you were looking at wasn't the horseshoe one you were after! It did become obvious though. Other KZbinrs might have edited that out so thanks for leaving it in.

[@donsharpe5786]

Interesting to see this being rebuilt. This area was my stamping ground as a child and teenager. I remember my dad telling me about the old canal and looked at where it crossed the road between Pewsham and Derry Hill. The Lysley Arms, just up the road, famous for a murder in the 60s. Also when I went to Swindon there were far more signs of the canal although they may now have gone because of Swindon redevelopment in the 1970s. This section of canal was important and was the reason why Swindon became the central engineering works at Swindon. It meant that they could get bulk raw materials to Swindon relatively easily and cheaply.

[@phillunn4691]

It’s really great to see our heritage being restored back to it’s former glory, so that we can show our grandchildren how we used to live! Thanks for sharing another great video with us Paul and Rebecca 👍🏼👍🏼 look forward to seeing next week’s video!

[@midnightwind8067]

That gentleman has this well in hand. What an awesome guy. Love it.

[@percybrown]

Basil's knowledge is amazing. People like him should always be listened to and respected. Great episode!

[@LastofAvari]

You were lucky to stumble upon this wonderful gentleman.

[@pwhitewick]

Absolutely

[@nathanielberners]

Ahh, a rare moment when the KZbin algo' recognises one of my more eclectic tastes in channels. Fascinating project, and delightfully presented. All that reclaimed brickwork is beautiful. Instant subscription 🙂

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome. Now get binging on the other 250 videos!! 😊

[@jennyd255]

Wow - what a great episode. That volunteer was one of the most interesting and inspiring people you have ever featured. I had no idea that the Wilts & Berks was so actively being restored. Back in the day when I was a member of IWA and WRG (circa 1977 - 1992) the focus was all on the Kennett & Avon, and the view on the Wilts & Berks was that it was effectively B.E.R (beyond ecconomic repair) to use an old engineering phrase. So it is fantastic to realise that whilst I have been busy quietly getting older, the whole restoration bandwagon has marched on so very effectively. Really positive news - more like this please!

[@GiacomodellaSvezia]

Enjoyed it immensely, in part thanks to Basil, who looks much younger than 85. Thanks, all three of you.

[@martindeane9631]

Can I just say what an excellent production this is. Interesting subject with good interviewing and editing and nicely balanced sound. Keep up the good work!

[@bobsrailrelics]

Impressed to see restoration happening, it's always good to see a canal reopening. Thanks.

[@PerryHunter]

Of all the things I envy about the UK, the canal system is the most marvelous. Also, you may hate your trains, but at least you have them!

[@ivy7642]

Totally ran into this channel by accident, but I love old industrial engineering, trains and canals both! Bumping into Basil couldn't have been a more fortuitous happening, lots of lovely info, and a look at how they do the repair. Splendid!

[@neilrobinson9806]

Your vids are top drawer miles better than the plurile crap on tv keep up the good work👍👍👍

[@MY-nh3si]

My local walk! Been watching the restoration for years. It used to be a real challenge to get to Lacock without sinking into the mud of the canal! Still intrigued how they're going to cross the A4 at Pewsham 🤔. Lovely video as always.

[@jellyfish1433]

Stuff like this, the off path things most people will never even know about, is always so interesting to learn about. The amount of time, resources, and knowledge put into things like this without much recognition is crazy! I hope it can be fully repaired to it’s full potential soon!

[@Evan-lr8nq]

The joy you all get from talking about the canals is contagious! Now I have to watch more about them!

[@GodmanchesterGoblin]

Fascinating. I was not aware of that type overflow. And great input from your impromptu interviewee as well.

[@workonesabs]

I live near the canal, and is a overflow, one of many. Impressive engineering.

[@Bicyclehub]

Your canal videos are always fascinating, especially when we see some restoration work going on. You have to take your hat off to the volunteers who do such important and valuable work with such limited funding.

[@pauljones1350]

Basil is amazing for his age a gaffer who gets things done never mind his age remarkable fellow well played talking to him

[@VoodooMcVee]

Indeed, had I had to guess, I would have said he was in his mid-seventies. Hopefully I'll still be as fit on my feet and in my head at his age.

[@richardeljay]

Interesting video and enjoyed Basil’s knowledge which clearly demonstrated just how hand to mouth in cash terms many of these vital volunteer organisations are.

[@caiusofglantri5513]

I love this! An enthusiast with a lot of knowledge about canals hands over to an older enthusiast with even more!

[@musoseven8218]

Fascinating - thanks for sharing. Lovely engineering, I was lucky enough to work on the railways with some wonderful engineers. We should be more proud of our country and its achievements, it's helped civilise and feed the world ✌️👍😊 Basil, is a similar age, to my spritely, father, still active, so much knowledge 👍😊

[@malcolmsmith6615]

Brilliant! My locks! I was born and bred in Chippenham and for a while lived close to Pewsham locks. When I found the locks in the 80s it was massively overgrown. The towpath was impenetrable and although you could get to Top Lock, you had to scramble through branches, trees and brambles to get to the start of the Middle Lock. That was as far as it was possible to get. Top Lock was relatively well preserved, although almost hidden in trees, but I read somewhere that Middle and Bottom locks were part destroyed by army demolition practice during WW2. Trouble is, they were far too overgrown to get near enough to check it out. There was a branch from Pewsham to Chippenham and while bits remain today (if you know where to look) most is now gone. Back in the 70s there was a lot still to see and I still have some (poor quality) B&W photos of bits of it. My first ever attempt at taking photos! Now I live “Up North” it’s not so easy to get back to visit, but I need to!

[@martinmarsola6477]

A nice tours and explanations. Thank you for the tour today. Enjoy the week ahead. Cheers mates! 😊❤

[@hedleythorne]

Love the overspills. They remind me of the water sculpture they have at the lock in Newbury.

[@a11oge]

HT I was thinking exactly that. I have never been there when it was working.

[@0BRAINS0]

Liked and subscribed. When I watched this I teared up a bit because it reminded me of the things me and my wife used to do together. Good stuff.

[@pwhitewick]

Welcome to the channel Sir. I hope we can continue to bring you a little joy and maybe some memories

[@Thribbulous]

Grew up in Lacock (a bit, then moved to Corsham...), know the area well. Lovely to see it again, it's been a while 😊

[@patchso]

Kudos to Basil and the volunteers!

[@ringo4419]

That old boy certainly knows his stuff!

[@Chicken_12345]

I used to take that route to walk between Chippenham and lackham college, always wondered what they where doing with all that equipment, they been working on that for quite some time will have to visit again when its finished.

[@a11csc]

nice one,basil sure knows his stuff

[@cargy930]

I reckon Basil's an amazing piece of history in his own right! Top geezer!

[@EMleRoux]

Thank you Paul & Rebecca for taking me along on your walk. Also a big thanks to Basil and his team for volunteering and sharing their knowledge.

[@msspi764]

Fascinating. The waste weirs I've seen at our canal in Maryland are likewise adjacent to streams or other culverts under the canal. The beauty of the engineering and construction of these early canals, even of things that will never be seen, amazes me. Our National Park Service restores the structures as they were originally built so dry laid masonry for the lock structures.

[@roderickmain9697]

Well done, guys. I applaud the way you did this. Unexpected real time encounters are definitely worth it. Kudos to the restorees too.

[@TheEudaemonicPlague]

I knew that many canals had been left to rot, but I hadn't heard before that anyone was working on restoring any. That's great--it's a bit of history that shouldn't be left as ruins, I think. Where I live, historic constructions keep getting destroyed, and it seems about like no one cares.

[@carsond7870]

Gave me the feeling of Smarter Every Day the way you prompted the knowledge from that amazing man! Learning from those who dedicated their life to a passion is truly something special.

[@christophernoble6810]

This is essentially a spillway. All canals need to have them to keep the level of water in the canal constant. I have seen them discharge water into a nearby river whilst said river was in flood but the canal was fine!

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

What a real nice genuine person that Basil is. And at 85 he looks well. I do hope you go back again soon and see how he is getting on. Great video, I'm going to subscribe 😁👍

[@meme4one]

Great spot, I went down there last year, met the guys working on it and had a great chat. I've got some great photos from there too. Yes, that's camilas house with the elephants.

[@greenjack1959l]

It takes a special sort of person to commit to a job that you will never see completed. Respect to all involved. I've always thought the the canal system should be extended nationwide as originally intended. That would be a massive shot in the arm for the leisure industry, the local and national economy as well as providing a means to move water from one end of the country to the other in a national grid during droughts, thus ending the water companies illegal local monopolies.

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

So great to see these volunteers rebuilding history -- and the flow of public and private funds.

[@theronwolf3296]

Fascinating. I live only a couple of hundred feed from the Delaware Raritan canal in New Jersey. Fortunately it was designated a protected waterway about 80 years ago so it is still largely intact, you can walk for miles along the towpath, full of wildlife. I spend hours along that trail Nice to see that one being restored. It's a year round place to get away.

[@jackprier7727]

Like so many of these marvelous engineered devices you show us, the horseshoe-overflow is a work of art-

[@smiffy1947]

When you come back try to have a look at the aqueduct over the River Marden at Stanley, which collapsed in 1906 and was the cause of the closure of the Wilts & Berks Canal to all traffic and resulted in it being finally abandoned. The short branch to Calne starts nearby.

[@knownothing5518]

Congratulations to Paul remembering that there is a current King and even who his spouse is! And also congratulations to another incredibly interesting and yet also relaxing video that makes me forget about time for a while!

[@dodaexploda]

I'm not sure why I watch these videos. I understand almost nothing of what they are talking about. Paul and Rebecca just put out good vibes, maybe that's why I watch.

[@pwhitewick]

Keep watching!!!

[@mikedavies1827]

I live quite close to the rebuilt section of the canal at Royal Wootton Bassett. This section is fed by springs that come out of the hill the town is built on. At one end they have rebuilt a lock, but also have overflows for the springs to carry on it's natural path.

[@AndyCallaway]

I've been on that walk, or at least part of it. I'm looking at that big wooden wall and thinking "That looks like the Parker Bowles' property." Seems I was right. 🤔

[@micrashed]

If you are ever up at Capernwray there is a good spillway from the Lancs canal down to the river Keer by the Keer Aqueduct - a drop of 40 foot - there is also the packhorse bridge over the river nearby

[@mrlister2000]

Another excellent and interesting video. Basil looks amazing for 85!

[@shirleylynch7529]

Most enjoyable as always. Very enthusiastic. Thank you.

[@chokeizm]

one of my fav episodes from you guys . hope its emailed to the trust or whatever ;) as u done them proud and could be used for more grants or towards it

[@eze8970]

Thank you P+R, & also to Basil! 🙏🙏

[@davie941]

hello again Paul and Rebecca , another good very interesting video , hello basil , really well done and thank you 😊

[@davidcox8961]

Were it not for watching videos about English narrow boat canals I never would have taken notice of the historical marker I walked past in SE Michigan. It seems that long ago canals were a big deal. There had been a plan to build a ship canal across Michigan, connecting Lake Erie with Lake Michigan. It never happened.

[@Rail_Focus]

Great video, it's actually quite and elegant structure for something they didn't want to build 😉. It's always good when you bump into a volunteer, they usually have so much knowledge.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Boop!! Great video!! Big thanks to Basil for explaining the restauration. Good luck from Spain!!

[@Beateau]

Basil has to be the most coherent and understandable old Brit I've ever seen.

[@TheCelts01]

Great vid guys thanx and all our love from the snowy City of Hamburg Germany.

[@ulrichminky9495]

In spite of my being to understand you well enough I watch your channel with subtitles enabled as the software that provides the text of your speech often has an interesting way of interpreting you. Some amusing things occur from time to time. I am an old Canadian fellow who loved to walk back when I could, but now I let youtubers take me on their walks. Cheers from Canada. ~ulrich

[@TheLowerman]

Lovely video. Basil is a treat.

[@pwhitewick]

He was wasn't he!

[@robertmatch6550]

Thank you both for a pleasant, well paced, informative post. Liked everything about it. I sispect it took some work to make it look this effortless. From Alaska.

[@user-qn9on4ce6e]

I really enjoy your adventures. I find them very interesting. Thank you both very much.

[@dedogster]

I am fascinated by you canals, that fact there are so many and you are restoring them! That is amazing work! I live in Ottawa Canada, home of the Rideau Canal, we didn't have any where near the building of canals . Enjoying your channel! Cheers!

[@Raggy60]

I hope I'm as active as Basil when I'm 85. Very interesting video.

[@pwhitewick]

Likewise!!

[@andrewleach1323]

Very interesting love canals the motorways of the uk in their day

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Love the idea of canal restoration. Thanks.

[@alexcharlesworth7580]

Nice to see you back on a Canal. There is something about old canals, they seem to have an atmosphere all of their own. Must put the Wilts and Berks on my explore list as it's not too far away and looks fascinating. I thought Basil was great. Would be great to be like him at that age. Great vid.

[@janehigh5279]

Another wonderful video. Basil rocks!

[@TimXJR1300SP]

On a summer's day that part of the canal is a stunningly beautiful place to be. It would be good to have it completely restored but I don't think that will happen anytime soon. There are landowners in the Lacock area who will not allow canal restoration on their land (as far as I know) so it is unlikely to get all the way back to Semmington where it joined the Kennet & Avon canal. The restored section though is a real piece of rural scenery. I hope they can restore much more of it.

[@davemaloney2382]

Oh we are working on it behind the scenes believe me...:)

[@Teapot-Dave]

There is enough work going on in that lock restoration for a whole mini-series. It would be very interesting to see some time-lapse footage of the works, and a further documentary when everything is completed and it is open for boats again.

[@pwhitewick]

I'm alllll over that

[@Stroopwaffe1]

What a lovely thing to get this learned Gentleman to speak on the building of this feat of hydrology and engineering much like how the builders of the Pyramids transported the blocks that delivered them to the site. lol....😂

[@jameshodgins511]

Great vid I'm fascinated by canals. Horseshoe sluce is great design/architecture.

[@davewedgbury1583]

Excellent to see another canel being restored

[@pwhitewick]

More to come!

[@Matityahu755]

I am so glad that our canals and locks are being refurbished and renavigated again. I'm pretty lucky, where I live in Lancashire, we've got some amazing canals here. Leeds Liverpool being the main one. I've always been fascinated by canals. I grew up in Lincolnshire, and the local canal was the Grantham - Nottingham canal. So pleased I've lived in St Helens, Lancashire (Merseyside) where the Sankey Brook Navigation later known as the St Helens Canal was the first canal opened in 1757, way before the Bridgwater canal.

[@sleepyrabbit1446]

Only recently came across your channel, and have been binge watching my way through your vlogs. Highly informative and interesting. If I had a criticism, it would be that kissing gates are called such, and you haven't done so once going through them. Keep up the great work.

[@shoknifeman2mikado135]

These British canals are so tiny, it doesn't look as if two boats could even pass each other... I am used to living by the Welland Ship Canal in Ontario Canada, which is from 200 to 500 feet wide at the surface, it's locks are used by ships up to 80 feet wide and 730 feet long

[@stephenbinion6348]

The canal boats are referred to as narrowboats for a reason.

[@maryjackson1194]

@@stephenbinion6348 And aren't there sections where boats cannot pass? Just like vehicles on one-lane bridges, boats must wait in a wider section for the narrow part to clear.

[@sallyheselton8551]

SO glad to see this video here. I found ithe Cana in Aug 220 and then joined. I sent your Hereford and Gloucester canal reference and link to wilts and Berks soon after and encouraged them to get in touch with you. Wether they did, had already I don't know but delighted to you are now progressing it to hopefully the Thames. I have following you for a year, with my guy, you seem to exactly like the things we like in the way and humour we do.

[@Phil144gbp]

I helped rebuilding part of that canal with heritage for heroes near Chippenham,2017 love that area

[@Phil144gbp]

Worked with Basil great group of people,helped me with my recovery 👍

[@pwhitewick]

Love this Phil.

[@Cockeyed_Den8213]

I love talking with the old timers they have so much info and people think they know nothing. everything I do and have done in my life has been things I learned when I was aa kid listening to the older people way of doing it back then. it worked for them and I may change a thing or to but only because some ( very little ) things are better today. so todays technology with old building techniques.

[@dieseldragon6756]

Thanks to the cost of living crisis; When you referred to the pound (The basin between the locks) the first thing I thought of was _„How many of those buy a loaf of bread now?“_ ⛵💷🤣 Many thanks for the great video, and especially for showing off the Horseshoe Overspill! It's great to see the canal network being restored and made navigable again, especially as dwindling resources mean these will probably be bought into use again for carrying heavier, bulkier freights in the near future! 😇

[@garethbeynon3377]

Love the double entendres Rebecca getting her leg over😍

[@kayejaye261]

Great vid. I am American. Love all kinds of engineering, construction, and history. Thank you.

[@bristolrovers27]

Lovely episode

[@majormanfredrex]

I loved the video. I found it intriguing that the overspill is such a simple but effective means of preventing damage to the towpaths and surrounding property. The autogenerated captions are an absolute hoot. "Wheelchair and Boxer", "Camilla Parker balls", "Kennel engineers", etc.

[@stemartin6671]

85 years old? I would never have guessed, imagine what he's seen change over the years

[@sandwormgod4771]

Wonderful explanation from Basil.

[@davidreeves-turner6572]

I love Rebecca’s face pulling in the background!