Where's all the water coming from? Part 1 - Chasewater. The largest canal feeder on the BCN. 175

The first of a 3 part documentary type vlog that looks at water supply into the Birmingham Canal Navigations. This first one focusses on Chasewater in Staffordshire.
Chasewater is a fair distance to the North West of Birmingham, but that is indeed where the most Northern canal on the BCN begins (or ends). The Anglesey Branch Canal runs all the way to the base of the dam.
These days though, as well as still being a feeder canal for the canals, it is a haven for wildlife and leisure.

[@JeanMorgan-y8v]

A great vlog. I left Birmingham 58years ago and came to live just half a mile from Chasewater. Facilities have changed quite a bit since then but it’s a lovely 3 mile walk around it. Walked it many, many times. It was semi drained around 2010/11 to do repairs. Our children and grandchildren have enjoyed and continue to enjoy Chasewater as do their dogs. We are very lucky to have Chasewater and to also be surrounded by canals. I have a friend permanently moored at Hopwas, a granddaughter who lives right by Huddlesford and a friends parents who have a boat at Fazeley though they are only semi live aboard. Oh and can’t forget Fradley. Thank you so much for adding to my knowledge of Chasewater, I look forward to your Edgbaston vlog.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Gosh you’ve certainly got some canal connections! Thanks for sharing that. I love discovering all the history behind things!

[@johnf3f810]

Your historical Vlogs are the reason I subscribed, more please - I find them fascinating.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thanks John. I really enjoy putting them together!

[@peterfrench6891]

Love the history lessons Mr L, keep them up.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thanks Peter. Appreciate the comment.

[@robertpearse9952]

Loved this, you do these heritage vlogs so well. Please lets have more.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thank you Robert.. I'll try my best!

[@dinomalta712]

We lived a stones throw from Chasewater, before we emigrated! Nice to go back, Cheers, DINO, and PANDA.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

It’s a beautiful place! I’ll certainly go back there and enjoy it again!

[@Rovinman]

Fascinating ! Just Love this history and also the trials and tribulations of it's building ! It shows that a SCAR on the landscape, when built, became a wonderful NATURALISED wildlife environment ! { even the HSR II 5555 ! even though I actually agree with you ! } MORE PLEASE ! Stay waterlogged ! Stu xx

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

I enjoy doing the history stuff. It’s great when people tell me they also find it interesting!

[@Rovinman]

@@NarrowboatNatterings Keep doing what you're doing ! Love it ! Stu xx

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

@@Rovinman thank you.

[@marsexpresschipper7915]

I for one like these history lessons Mr L. Good to see where and how all this infrastructure was put in place to make things work. I was wondering if you could do a episode on the Fellows Morton & Clayton carrying company which startd in Birmingham. The headquarters and basin at Fazeley Street, Birmingham is maybe all that is left apart from a few working narrowboats.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thank you. That’s a nice suggestion. I’ll add that to my list of documentary type blogs to do!

[@pathickman9271]

Great vlog thanks. We moored in Anglsea basin for a few days when we did the BCN. Look forward to the next one 👌🙋

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Cheers Pat! I have to do that now I’ve seen it! Thanks as ever for watching and letting me know!

[@michelefoxton1586]

Loved the history, thank you for sharing x

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

You’re very welcome. Thanks for letting me know.

[@fred-sy3ci]

What a nice video this was. And, just 36 days left till our second holiday on a narrowboat start. This time on the Staff and Worc an Trent and Mersey. So this info was welcome 🤗

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thanks for that. Glad you enjoyed. Staffs Worcester definitely one of our favourites! Have a great holiday!

[@catherine3902]

What a great and interesting vlog. Thank you 😊

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thanks for watching and commenting! 🙂

[@Idle-Days]

I didn't know that, so thanks for filling a gab in my canal knowledge. Passed Wee May yesterday, looks nice in her new polish.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

That’s a shame I missed you! Let me know if you’re passing next time!

[@barbarataylor1535]

Thank you, very informative.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

You’re welcome. X

[@StarCraftsontheCanal]

Great video Lumpy really enjoyed that 👍

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thanks mate. I enjoyed making it!

[@nbspudley]

Loved it mate. Glad you’ve decided to do more of this sort of thing 👍🏻

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thanks Wayne. Always a sign I need to get cruising!!!

[@nbspudley]

@@NarrowboatNatterings we will hopefully cruising past your house in the next few weeks so we might get that towpath barbecue & whiskey 🥃

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

@@nbspudley that would be awesome….. if it’s before the 19th! We’re heading off to Liverpool!

[@billsavage807]

Hello from north dartmoor. Thanks for this Mr L it is very interesting. Makes you think when you say they dug out a mile and a half cut - With shovels and barrows!! 'Elf and safety would be doing somersaults these days. Looking forward to the next one.

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Hi Bill. Thanks for the comment. I’m still astonished at how they achieved what they did 200+ years ago!!

[@BlackCountryPiker]

Fooling around with the Mrs, is that another cheeky channel? lol only joking, I Love hearing about the history of the BCN. It fascinates me about how it works. Similar to when the Severn is running dangerously low there’s a cave system of water that they can syphon from. I’m not sure you can fish chasewater? A mate of mine got chased off by rangers last year. It looks stunning. Netherton reservoir used to be used to top the cut up too I believe. Lovely update 👍

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Haha! There’s an idea!! I saw the ‘no fishing’ signs but I thought that just applied to the area around the playgrounds and stuff. Just assumed over the back of the lake where it’s less populated by people, it would be ok. Thanks for commenting mate.

[@richharding7927]

Excellent video, mate :) More informative than most telly programmes on canals, never mind vlogs (most of which, as a boater, I find a hard watch at best!) :)

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Thank you sir! Yeah, me too actually. Hopefully mine aren’t too cringe worthy!!

[@richharding7927]

@@NarrowboatNatterings not at all :) Went around the Curly-Wurly in late summer 2022, and now regret not detouring up the Anglesey Branch - although in fairness everything was absolutely covered in weed at the time! Having spent most of the last winter on the Worcester and Birmingham, between the centre and Tardebigge, I can also attest that there are many, many smaller inflows out that way that can contribute significant amounts of water from the surrounding higher ground when it rains... So basically every day :D

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

@@richharding7927 yeah thanks for all that. I’m definitely going to get up to that last mooring at the base of the dam! Looking forward to getting up to Titford!

[@richharding7927]

@@NarrowboatNatterings might see you up there - we're down above Hatton at the moment, but will be coming back into Brum and exploring those parts of the BCN. Vincent Joseph is a 1981 Les Allen, so a trip to Valencia Wharf may be on the cards too :)

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

@@richharding7927 cool! Keep me informed of your movements!

[@keithphillips7320]

A very interesting topic - many thanks. Perhaps after Titford Pools you potter up to Netherton and have a look at the reservoir there?

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

This could be a plan!!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid on you cranking it on the cut

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Cheers matey!

[@colin125gwr]

dam good video

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

🤣🤣🤣. Thank you!

[@JohnnyWright-ft5zr]

classssss

[@NarrowboatNatterings]

Cheers man! Appreciated!!