The Wilts and Berks Lost Canal - Scaling 7 Abandoned Locks

Huge thanks to "Court Above the Cut" for the use of their Drone footage. You can chck out their very detailed and highly informative channel here: / @courtabovethecut
Today we visit & Abandoned and part restored canal locks on the Wilts and Berks Canal and ask ourselves exactly how to locks play their part in the canal story
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[@brianwillson9567]

Congratulations. An excellent rant, TOTALLY justified.

[@AndyNightingale]

An *EXCELLENT* statement.

[@austinhallmark7060]

Thanks

[@pwhitewick]

Thanks Austin

[@alanspringett2514]

Really enjoyed this one, especially the fun vessel demonstrating the need for side ponds and the rant incoming caption and rant progress bar.

[@timworkman7687]

Hi Paul and Rebecca great work . I'm in New Zealand. But I grew up in Wootton Basset. I did walk bits of the canal in my early days 80's . I remember finding Tockenham basin. Keep looking I'm sure there was stone work. After the pound. Towards Wootton Basset side not far up.

[@sianwarwick633]

Thanks for the links to more abandoned canal stories. Useful.

[@ncammann]

With you on the rant. Right to roam, sorely needed. The more footpaths, the better for everyone to enjoy the countryside, fresh air, exercise. etc. Healthier happier people all round.

[@RichardWatt]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of these landowners are getting tax breaks for closing off land.

[@TribleNerd]

So I agree to this point until it gets to live stock. A guy around me closed off their land because people kept leaving the gate open, and he got fined many many times for his live stock getting out, shame really. Had such a good lake for fishing on his land.

[@dukeofaaghisle7324]

👍 for the rant 👏👏

[@thfccfht]

we are still subject to the class system and the Normans thieving large parts of our Country.

[@manmeetsinghmahajan6183]

Amazing 👏.

[@eze8970]

TY 🙏🙏

[@therealsnufkin]

Excellent rant .

[@kevinmothers904]

Nice capture @ 1:48 of the test train and two class 37s.

[@grahamlane1313]

Hi paul and rebecca another intersting video i just watched your haddon tunnel one with martin zero who i watch too .at the end of it you showed the water behined the wall at end of tunnel .if the had left a few blocks out of the wall the water would been able to drain away .the way it is that wall will give way at some point

[@stewartjones2216]

One more thing guy do you now on the Warminster Road just going out of bathhamton the use to be a bridge going over the road and down to the Avon all canal. Just that I had a old pictures of the bridge mite be cool all Bath stone. Some track way all railway going on. Never had a look may be a new one on the cards. Maybe. Keep up the good work guy. Loving the history.💯✌️✌️

[@matt6477]

Thank you so much. Brilliant channel.

[@davekirwin]

Lovely graphic :)

[@pwhitewick]

High end

[@leannemaidment5224]

Top notch rant and I did laugh at the rant progress bar! I'm find it increasingly common that even public rights of way have been blocked by landowners with electric fences, barbed wire or bulls.

[@markpickering5133]

I do enjoy your channel. Perhaps if you go to Kent you can investigate the old Elham valley railway. Between the villages Bekesbourne and Bridge there is a tunnel used in WW2 as cover for a boche buster rail gun that could lob shells to Pegwell Bay in the event of an invasion. The railway was used by several rail guns because it twisted in different directions. There are historic photos and a Wikipedia entry. The tunnel goes under Bourne Park now owned by Rees Hyphenated Mogg.

[@DeeCee-nb6ev]

Similar there is the Crab and Winkle line linking Whitstable and Canterbury. The oldest passenger line bridge is still there (after the existing one in Old Bridge Road was destroyed) but the farmer is a right asshole stopping people from crossing land to see it.

[@petermarler3077]

great rant Paul and i totally agree ps no problem watching

[@andrijbebko8435]

Top rant.

[@shez666]

I usually fry mushrooms, and I know from experience that you definitely can overcook them

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Love the rant bar😂

[@robertpatrick3350]

The blocked trail used to be enjoyed by families walking out to Laycock…… now pedestrians have to walk along the side of a fast and dangerous A road.

[@davidparker1821]

You could come back with a drone! (they are not bothered by barbed wire and locks!)🙂

[@pwhitewick]

Very true

[@simontay4851]

You could also come back with heavy duty wire cutters. They are not bothered by barbed wire either.

[@robertdonaldson6584]

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

[@jonsteel8895]

The Trow family were quite prominent in and around Royal Wootton Bassett for many years - maybe that's the association. They ran several local businesses in the town. Keep up the fantastic work! If I'd have known you were in Tockenham I'd have popped by and said hello :-)

[@PhilipInCoventry]

Simply loved it. Your rant as well. Thank you both.

[@hainanbob6144]

Kiss(?!!!!) I love how you both are together, no need for a kiss. Maybe the odd hug though... Great video, as always, loved the technical details.

[@ChristopherD-M]

Spot on mate! Totally agree.

[@HotelPapa100]

Loved your rant. Well said.

[@finlaybichan1275]

Rant progress bar was brilliant!!!🤣

[@tardismole]

Round of applause for your rant. There's a place called Hartfield in Kent (you might have heard of it). There was a public footpath running through a piece of land that surrounded a house called Honey Pot Cottage (might have heard of that, too). We used to play Pooh Sticks (also, might have heard of it) on a tiny bridge over a stream in the woods at the back of the property. Until an American couple bought the place and told us all that we weren't allowed on their land or their public foot path. Their public footpath. Ruddy cheek. The path was used primarily for access to my family's fields, but pointing that out to them you'd have thought we had kicked their pet dog. No-one in the village liked that couple.

[@ThatCoalSoul]

Hartfield is in Sussex ...however it is close to the Kent border. Has the issue been resolved now?

[@tardismole]

@@ThatCoalSoul Yes, it is now. But it hasn't always been in Sussex. The odd thing about county borders is that they are often moved. Another one is where I was born. Cuckfield has sometimes been in West Sussex and sometimes in East Sussex. When you've lived as long as I have, nothing phases you any more; you simply accept it. :) As far as I know, the issue was never resolved.

[@yourhelmsman]

++rant 👍

[@davidgaul6743]

The problem is that some people just don't care about the History around them or in their area, for that reason they do everything they can to stop the people that are so keen on this plus walking etc...

[@rogerbrown5558]

Nice rant and worth it. Loved it.

[@RetroRatz]

Love the rant! Long live Wilts n Berks Canal!! Look forward to seeing you soon 🖖

[@jonathanscott01]

Great rant! And fully justified.

[@patthewoodboy]

wonderful and enlightening

[@Bender24k]

Your rant made me want to subscribe 30 times. Love your channel, have a great SPRING!!!!!!!

[@lastofthebrownies]

Good ranting there. I’m the same about town criers…

[@highpath4776]

Laws to provide land access etc for canal/rail companies, I understand the law commission repeals them when lines etc closed, but is there a list of such repeals ?

[@keithsphone5712]

I do love a good rant 😂😂 do agree though.

[@andrewmarch7891]

Many thanks; rant and all!

[@matt6477]

When is the book coming out 😊

[@robinhayhurst5943]

I watch this channel to look at the old relics!!!!

[@pwhitewick]

Well I'm getting close to 50!!

[@BLOWN8CYLINDER]

Excellent video guys and love the rant...... well said!

[@josephsandy3689]

I used to live in Wootton basset when I was younger. We used to play in the woods and fealds next to the canal, it's great to learn about the history thanks so much.

[@richardavsmith]

A bit of luck that when you pointed to the railway, it was one of the yellow departmental trains passing!

[@pwhitewick]

Boom, first to notice!!! (though when i pointed to the train it was actually an IET. I cut the two 37s in later ;-)

[@jamesgilbart2672]

Well said on public access! Too many misanthrope landowners want to unnecessarily block walking routes across their property and even bar the restoration of old rail routes

[@rogerfroud300]

Fortunately, water supply isn't quite such a problem in difficult locations like this today because of the ready supply of Electricity and Electric pumps. You'll find that many locks on the canal system has been retrofitted with back pumping arrangements to push the water back uphill in times of shortage. Obviously that's expensive, but it's a viable solution.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Loved your explanation of the way locks work. Brilliant video and footage. Thank you.

[@1verstapp]

''but its MY land!''

[@StormwatchDruid]

Loved the video, thanks Paul and Rebecca and cheers to the rant.

[@MrGreatplum]

Firstly, let me say that it is well worth supporting this channel either by patreon or KZbin membership! Go join! Great video - the rant was well justified! Also love the graphics! This canal keeps giving you great things to explore!

[@davidbowman271]

Oh, for God’s sake Paul, give Rebecca a kiss!

[@Nick-13]

Well said, well ranted !! Suspect there is greed involved somewhere, unfortunately, sadly

[@simontay4851]

Looks like he doesn't even use the land. Selfish bastard.

[@AidanMacgregor-Personal]

agreed with your rant, Thank god for scotlands right to roam!

[@jwybecker]

Totally justified rant!

[@austinhallmark7060]

Can’t see how to join your patron page , please advise

[@austinhallmark7060]

Found it 👍👍

[@zippyisking]

Love the rant bar countdown at the bottom of the screen lol Great vlog too 👍👍👍

[@pwhitewick]

Haha... thanks, thought it might be useful if people got bored!!

[@Sim0nTrains]

Wasn't expecting Class 37s in the video! Love the rant and the Rant Bar! Great Video Paul and Rebecca.

[@patrickl2195]

And a video about the mechanics of how canals work showing a measurement train keeping the railways working!

[@LeslieGilpinRailways]

I thought we might get an extra video out of it!

[@carltontweedle5724]

Loved you rant bash on and when a woman mentions a kiss. Everyone will understand this give her one. A kiss.

[@dereham1]

Well said, Paul.

[@thomasturner2279]

I helped to backfill one of the restored locks with the WRG. Around 2006.

[@mrlister2000]

Why backfill a restored lock?

[@thomasturner2279]

@@mrlister2000 It's not in the lock it was behind the brick walls with concrete

[@mrlister2000]

@@thomasturner2279 makes sense!!

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

I’ve also shared to the wilts and berks friends and volunteer page and tagged the social media duo for the trust so hopefully they will share for you

[@pwhitewick]

Cheers Steve

[@bill53uk]

good rant paul.

[@mrlister2000]

Came for the kiss, left disappointed........ Joking aside, I absolutely love these videos. the history behind them, the possibility of restoring the whole canal, although in this case it'll never happen unless they build a new section around the private land. I am curious though, as you are literally in the middle of nowehere and there is no-one around, are you not tempted to just sneak in and have a mooch around?

[@pwhitewick]

Oh no... we were being watched!!!

[@mrlister2000]

@@pwhitewick There was CCTV , or was the landowner present?

[@pwhitewick]

@@mrlister2000 the latter

[@mrlister2000]

@@pwhitewick That's well creepy, hiding in your bit of land, waiting to pounce on walkers! Or, does he live on the land?

[@davedave6404]

Why block a path? for 150m. Great rant Paul and so correct. Greed? They want the restoration group to pay a ransom amount, could kill the whole restoration, which of course is likely the reason too. So many landowners make access available, the vast majority of course, so why are these few not publicly disgraced? Oh and a KISS for Rebecca, you could have done a little smacker Paul !

[@666Tomato666]

Karens be Karening

[@philiptownsend4026]

For me, that might have been your best video yet, I like to know how things work and you told me new stuff in your usual engaging way along with your super production standards. Do any TV companies hire you to do stuff for them? They should. A kind or retro "How did they used to do that?" Think about how Dick Strawbridge grew from the Scrapheap Challenge seed...

[@notsohairybiker]

The land owner might have a ganja farm, needs some privacy to grow his crop. Innit.

[@auspiciouscloud8786]

Does the wire then cover all the perimeter, or just the gate??? More likely someone got hurt and sued the land owner or does the UK protect the liability of land owners through which a public path crosses?

[@robertmaitland09]

The land belongs to everybody and nobody.

[@raphaelnikolaus0486]

Nice explanation graphic 👍

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Very enjoyable - especially your thoroughly deserved rant. Well done!

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

That farmer is very anti canal, he’s the guy I mentioned in messages.

[@jeffsuter344]

Your Rant was spot on. Selfish land owners trying prevent open access.

[@juncusbufonius]

I had a wierd experience a couple of hours ago. I played the video but got loads of clips of other videos with the correct audio. I just came back to see what others thought and all seems just fine. I jarred my reality a touch so cleaning the stove seemed more sense 🙂 Nope still messed up but on my Roku only. So not the Sanity Clause.

[@pwhitewick]

Well that sounds like a glitch in the matrix for sure.

[@KingboyD2008]

I'm glad it's happening to you too, I thought I was going mad!

[@KingboyD2008]

Plays fine on my phone but not on my TV.

[@anthonycotton238]

Worth watching for the rant alone lol

[@phillwainewright4221]

There's a public footpath (marked on maps and signposted) near me which is totally impassible because owners of some of the properties which back onto it have extended their gardens and fenced off "their" little bit. One has even extended his shed to obstruct the footpath.

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

Then report them to the local authority.

[@sr6424]

Where do you live?

[@radman8321]

It's very common, and local authorities won't do anything. There is a route near me that was missed off the definitive map when it was made in the 1950s. I have provided evidence including deeds from a house with a plan showing the right of way that originated from the landowner. They've done nothing for over 10 years now. I think they're waiting until everyone who ever used it is dead and then they'll say there is not enough evidence.

[@geraldpayne8615]

@@radman8321 Try contacting the Rambler's Association they are trying to get more paths added to the definitive map

[@neiloflongbeck5705]

@@radman8321 that's a different issue to the blocking of a marked right of way.

[@johntyjp]

I like your rantmeter at the bottom of the video , very initiative. I m old and abandoned, you d better do one on me?!😆

[@pwhitewick]

😂

[@richieixtar5849]

Very well said Rant. Loved the walk too :)

[@briancjohnson]

"Because nobody else can enjoy it." *IS* the reason, Paul.

[@keithdawe8521]

Another really enjoyable video. If my kids had been watching they would said your rant sounded like me. They have heard me rant about landowners on many of our walks.

[@simontay4851]

and i bet some of these bits of private land that you've encountered on your walks aren't even used by the land owner. In that case, just walk along it anyway.

[@janinapalmer8368]

I must lodge a complaint ... You can't fast forward the rant bar ..😂😂😂

[@ncc74656m]

If I won the lotto tomorrow I'd buy the land that right of way is on and name it the Rebecca and Paul Whitewick Memorial Right of Way. 😂 Love you two, thanks for all the entertainment and delightful rants. Please don't pass up the chance for more rants, especially on selfish closing of rights of way.

[@BillySugger1965]

Paul, I dug into my family history a few years ago. My great grandfather John Hilditch Cole was born in 1849 at a place called Turnhurst Hall in Staffordshire. His great grandfather lived there in the mid-18th century. The house was owned by a Mary Alsager and half was rented to the Cole family, while the other half was rented to a chap named James Brindley. It turns out that Brindley was a pioneering canal engineer and from experiments he carried out, building waterways between ponds in the grounds, that he designed what came to be the standard locks used on the English canal network. I have some pictures of the house and a copy of an archaeological study done in the 1990s (if I recall correctly) looking for the model locks. If you ever look into the origins of canals and locks and would like copies of any of this (Wikipedia is not entirely accurate in these matters), let me know.

[@pwhitewick]

Wonderful, thank you Mark

[@mrlister2000]

Martin Zero has alot of videos on his YT Channel about James Brindley

[@neilcurson4505]

We have a similar access problem on the Green way in Simon stone near Padiham in Lancashire. A local caravan site owner has closed a stretch of the old Great Harwood loop railway track bed, interrupting what is being developed as country walk, you can walk was end but not the middle frustrating.

[@zGJungle]

Just got back from Sapperton Canal, this video is the perfect end to my day !

[@davie941]

hello again Paul and Rebecca , great video and great rant , i agree 100% , self entitled people get me angry , this was interesting , really well done and thank you guys 😊

[@erikthewonderdog6522]

I gave you a like for the rant. Had I been able to, I would have given you two likes. Well done. Well said!

[@petehiggins33]

And at 12:30 . . . . . a kissing gate.

[@gerryholland7274]

Paul - Rebecca....how I agree with you on these very pathetic Land owners who have to guard everything. I have a foot path on land above me, my garden. I'm always happy to see Walkers and Researchers of Somerset Coal Canal and SDJR that I live alongside. In fact our Cottage is built on Radstock Arm of SCC in about 1830. The World is going crazy.......

[@gaugeonesteam]

Good rant... very well said. interesting video too. I would have thought some blocked footpaths could be reclaimed quite easily. Where people have "extended" their garden over paths surely the land registry plan might be useful. If the land registry plan does not show they own the extra bit of land then they don't. I believe the idea that if you fence off an extra bit of land it just becomes yours over time is an urban myth. I believe you have to show attempts to contact the owner and some kind of conveyance has to be done.

[@1258-Eckhart]

All that barbed wire, chains and red warning signs make me think the landowner is wanting to hide something. I can feel a Famous Five plot coming on.

[@ynot6473]

those part restored locks on the seven locks flight have been like that for many years, i did some volunteer work on them with WRG. that blocked bit has been like that for years, some in the restoration movement actually just relax and wait for said land owner to pop his clogs!

[@oslsc]

Nice to see another WRG on here

[@ynot6473]

@@oslsc hello olly.

[@martincarrick5338]

This was the site of my first WRG camp in 2007. Many happy memories of the week, and other camps since then.

[@TheNapalmFTW]

Paul watches AvE and it makes me incredibly happy. Thanks you two for another great vijayo

[@robertclarkson5101]

Interesting video thanks for posting. When the canals were built, did the company own the land? When the companies or canals closed what happened to the ownership of the land?

[@pwhitewick]

The company owned the land yes and then much of i was sold to private individuals. This section I understand was promised to the trust!

[@OldDavo1950]

Well Ranted...

[@uksteves]

My opinion is that landowners often deliberately block access to small parcels of land they own, to dissuade people from using the public rights of way that lead up to that point. Nearby land owner has refused for years and years to allow access to about 200 metres of the old Somerset and Dorset Railway trackbed (which they acquired when the railway closed). There are "dead-end" public footpaths at each end of this short stretch of "private" land - but no through-route without trespassing. I imagine if the two public footpaths were linked, there'd be a lot more foot-traffic - and I guess that's exactly the opposite of what the landowner wants. If the right to roam campaign in England is ever successful, this could become a problem for landowners?

[@Kyle-Russell]

I won hundred percent, agree with you about your rant. But we need a change in the law where the landowner can’t be held responsible if you get injured. And by going on their land you expect full liability.

[@pwhitewick]

Agreed. However its a 150m stretch of woodland. A few disclaimer signs would be more than enough here.