Issue 69 Spring 2011

The journal of the Russell Newbery Engine Owners & Enthusiasts Club

De Do Do - The last DM3? The Membership tops 250!

www.russellnewbery.co.uk/Register WHO’S WHO CONTENTS

Front cover: The iconic view of the Red House glass cone RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER LTD from 9 on the . (Photo Andrew Lay- cock) Vice Presidents: Lady Carol Stamp, Mrs Susan Gibbs, Dav- Back cover: NB Callisto near Fradley Junction. (Photo Wa- id Thirlby terway Images) Web site: www.russellnewbery.co.uk/Register The Russell Newbery Register is a non profit distributing 3 CHAIRMAN’S CHAT company limited by guarantee. Founded: 1994 Registered in No: 346943 FROM THE EDITOR Officers: MEMBERSHIP TOPS 250 Chairman (Director): David Kay Phillips t: 01562 700365 m: 07831 285559 4 NEWS FROM THE WORKS Secretary (Director): Kevin McNiff m: 07866 424988 [email protected] AGM NOTICES Director: Norman C Mitchell BOATS FOR SALE t: 01452 415420 [email protected] Administration (membership, finance): Rob Davies 55 Noddington Lane, Whittington, Lichfield, Staffs. WS14 5 WATERWAYS FESTIVAL 2011 9PA Formerly the “National” t/f: 01543 432079 m: 07801 842337 RNR ACCOUNTS [email protected] Administration (newsletter) RALLY UPDATE Editor: Kevin McNiff (as above) NEWS Production: Andrew Laycock m: 07870 294580 [email protected] Administration (merchandise): Neil Mason 6 DE DO DO Hillcrest, Chapel Lane, Westhumble, Surrey. RH5 6AH Norman Mitchell’s account of the birth of NB Arthur t: 01306 889073 [email protected] complete with the centenary coloured DM3 Rally Organiser: Kevin McNiff (as above) RCR UPDATE Webmaster: Andrew Laycock (as above) Important information on membership application and renewal RUSSELL NEWBERY REGISTER PROPERTY LTD 8 THE STOURBRIDGE CANAL A non profit distributing company limited by guarantee Founded 2004 Registered in England No: 5316384 Andrew Laycock presents a potted history of our 2011 Directors: Stephen Burt, Clive Henderson, Rob Davies rally venue and the surrounding canal

Unless otherwise noted, Copyright © Russell Newbery Register, 2011 RN DIESEL ENGINE CO LTD

With the changes in fuel and additives, the prospect of a breakdown may have potentially increased. 4 Oak House, Royal Oak Way North, Royal Oak Industrial Estate, Daventry NN11 8PQ t: 01327 700023 Remember that RNR members benefit from a The Register’s associate Company provides new engines, discount on all levels of cover so why not join up spares and re-builds. this year.

Managing Director: David Kay Phillips t: 01327 700023 And while we are on the subject, filters are avail- Field Engineers: Ian Crompton m: 07831 841108 Richard Milligan m:07973 826260 able from the RN Diesel Engine Company. All Enquiries: [email protected] Next edition

All contributions for the Summer 2011 edition will be gratefully received. Do not worry about format — in true RN fashion the editorial team can cope with almost anything!

Copy deadline is 15th July 2011 Corporate Member 2 RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 Chairman’s Chat that all is clear of cancer but he still can’t fit a speech valve until my throat has healed completely. Eleanor’s lip reading skills are still needed for me to communicate. She is improving, some days I have to use my writing board, and my writing is terrible, but we manage.

The RNR Rally this year is being held at the Bonded Ware- house in Stourbridge, which is most convenient for us, it’s about four hours running from our home mooring and I think that we can manage a journey of that distance.

See you soon, have a safe journey.

News since Christmas seems to have been very slow but one must go on.

The gas bill arrived a few days ago, which was quite re- warding after the winter we have had. We replaced the boiler last year and the house wall cavities are all insulat- A quick word from ‘Er below decks’. Yes, David is pro- ed, the result is a smaller gas bill. gressing very well, is now pottering in the garden and checking on the boat now and again. I am looking forward NB May has withstood the winter well; thank goodness I to seeing you all at the Rally – let’s hope we haven’t drained tanks and pipes before the heavy frosts, so no blinked and missed the summer! damage to the system. See you, best wishes I must thank all members for all your good wishes for a full recovery from my operation, my surgeon is quite happy From The Editor essential bar preparations for Stourbridge to give us an insight into the Stourbridge Ca- Spring has sprung and what a great start to nal. what we all hope is a great cruising season. Of course there are already doom merchants Here’s hoping there is enough water in the who speak of drought conditions but when I BCN for us - and everyone else going to the started on my first canal holiday in the Pelsall Rally! spring of 1976 – now that was year of the drought!

No doubt you’ve carried out the all-impor- tant pre cruise checks and are now either on Membership the cut or about to set out; so whether you are coming to the RNR rally or just going Although a quiet period we have just topped the 250 mark and, like your investments, this figure can go up or down! boating, have a good road! A warm RNR welcome to:

When you ring RNDE at Daventry and get the Jeff Perring, Mbabane, Swaziland. NB Blanche answer phone – please don’t hang up! Jody is very much on hand to get your spares picked Mark Rowland t/a Star Class Carrying, Stockton and dispatched and if you have an urgent NB Callisto need, her mobile number is on the answer Fred & Sadie Heritage, Whittlesey NB Lynx phone message. Why lose your 10% discount going elsewhere? Rally goers remember to [Callisto will be carrying diesel and solid fuel for sale. Ed.] order any filters etc and Jamie will bring them with him.

In this edition we feature the building of NB and Andrew has taken time out from RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 3 News from The Works

Well, here we are at the start of what BW call the boating season but, to some of us, it never ends and that is true of RN Diesel Engine Co.

Although Allister has now finally left the ‘PLANT’ , we are still operating, albeit on a skeleton basis, in order to maintain a positive cash flow during these difficult times. Spare parts sales are holding up well and although the factory is cur- rently only manned by Jody on a Monday, parts can be ordered by email to [email protected] or left on the answer machine and will be picked up and actioned within seven working days, alternatively, where urgent, Jody can be contacted direct on her mobile.

Whilst attempting to offer every assistance to members we as for your understanding and forbearance as we have to manage the business in these difficult times. We do see our ability to weather out the slow down in the economy and look forward to still being around when conditions improve.

Notice is hereby given that the Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting Annual General Meeting of of Russell Newbery Register Property Ltd Russell Newbery Register Ltd will be held at will be held at The Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge The Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge on on Sunday 19 June 2010 at 1.45pm Sunday 19 June 2010 at 3.45pm

AGENDA AGENDA

1. Apologies 1. Apologies 2. Minutes previous AGM 2. Minutes of previous AGM 3. Chairman’s Report 3. Chairman’s Report 4. Director’s Report 4. Director’s Report 5. Presentation of Accounts y/e 31/12/10 5. Presentation of Accounts y/e 30/11/10 6. Election of Directors 6. Election of Directors 7. Appointment of Accountants 7. Appointment of Accountants 8. Any Other Business 8. Any Other Business Kevin McNiff Clive Henderson Secretary Secretary

**** Boats for Sale ****

Very reluctantly offered for sale: 70 ft traditional , powered by factory remanufactured DM 2. Shell by Graham Reeves, to a modified design, and fitted out (no expense spared) in light oak by Blue Haven. Designed and built with long term cruising in mind with all "mod cons" forward of the engine room and entirely traditional behind. Full details can be seen on ABNB's web site at www.abnb.co.uk, the boat is called "Jasmine" and is ref- erence number 1761.

NB “Frederick” is For Sale: 60' Stoke-on-Trent Boatbuilders, 1989. IWA Rally winner for best professional boat that year. DM 2 from Upmin- ster (not Vero!). 2 + 2 berths, Webasto CH, Squirrel stove, 2 pump-out toilets, lounge inc arm chairs Price £43950 More info at www.lonportbrokerage.co.uk Dave and Nessa are having a new boat built which will have a DM 3 fitted. [3-pots are getting everywhere! Ed.]

4 RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 The Waterways Festival 2011 Russell Newbery Register Ltd Annual Accounts for year ended 30 November 2010 There will be so much to see and do on the banks of TRADING & PROFIT & LOSS the when Burton upon Trent Income 30.11.10 30.11.09 Donations/Dinner 250 2718 hosts The Waterways Festival, previously known as Mem.Subs 2617 2725 the National Festival and Boat Show, from Friday 29th Merchandise 1348 1774 Rally 4193 3668 st to Sunday 31 July 2011. Rally Raffle 515 8923 594 11479 ______This new date is a change from the normal practice in recent years of holding it over the August Bank Holiday, Cost of Sales Dinner 0 2878 and has come after significant consultation with exhibitors, Open Stock 313 481 attending public and IWA volunteers who are all vital to the Purchases 940 1724 staging of the event. Rally 3347 3465 Raffle Don'n 515 550 Newsletter 1463 1393 Nestled to the East of Staffordshire, the historic brewing Don’n BMS 200 town has been chosen for the second time to host the 6778 10491 annual celebration, with up to 30,000 people expected to Close Stock 162 6616 313 10178 attend. ______Gross Profit 2307 1301 The three day festival is an exciting and colourful extrava- Bk Interest 1 1 ganza packed with an array of attractions all aimed at ______providing an educational and fun day out for all the family. 2308 1302 Expenditure Around 350 boats, many decorated, will line up along the Depreciation 262 256 water’s edge. Heritage crafts will also feature strongly at Secretary 385 597 the festival, with historic working boats on display. Subscriptions 47 47 Sdry Expense 194 209 888 1109 The event is renowned for its high quality entertainment ______and history lovers will be drawn to the major Viking battle Net Profit/ 1420 193 re-enactment and living camp being staged by the world (loss) ______famous Regia Anglorum. BALANCE SHEET Fixed Assets 786 786 With a reputation for vivid and dramatic entertainment, the Depreciation 750 36 487 299 Mikron Theatre Company will debut a new waterways Current Assets show called Hell and High Water. There is much more to Stock 162 313 see, including live music, water activities and fairground Debtors 0 0 rides. Cash at Bank 2337 1503 Rally ResFnd 1000 3535 2155 The festival will also host up to 250 exhibitors so whether Creditors you’re interested in boats and chandlery or just wish to Due in 1 year 0 0 browse the many speciality stalls, including clothing, arts ______and crafts, jewellery and speciality food and drink, the Net Assets 3535 2155 choice is extensive. Rally Update The event itself is organised entirely by a small army of The final list of boats planning to attend is now 61 (the volunteers gathered from canal enthusiasts and many from largest rally entry ever), with 2 camper vans and 1 coming the local community of the host area. If you’d like to get by car. A full report and pictures will be published in the involved and become a volunteer please contact Ann summer edition. Mayall on 01488 682504. As always at the AGM, suggestions for next year’s loca- tion are taken away and we then choose a venue based Make sure you put the date of this national IWA event in on facilities and available space for around 60 boats. In your diary! Advance tickets can be purchased online at 2012 the location will be in the South, followed by Mid- www.thewaterwaysfestival.co.uk. Ticket prices: Single Day lands in 2013 and the North in 2014. Adults £8 (On Gate £10), Single Day Concessions £7 (On Gate £8) and Three Day (day time only) Ticket £15 (On If you are not attending but would like to in future years, Gate £19). Children under 16 GO FREE when accompa- please let us have your suggestions on locations and they nied by an adult. will be put “in the pot” along with those made at the AGM.

Details supplied by Karen McElroy - Festival Press Office Droitwich News Official opening is 1-3 July with many events planned. David Wheeler [Chairman of Worcs & Droitwich Canals Society] says if all goes to plan, the canal will be open to navigation by the Spring bank holiday - in time for RN rally folk to divert via Droitwich on the way to or back from Stourbridge.

RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 5 DE DO DO The most recent new build DM 3 from the RN works in Daventry. Norman Mitchell tells the story of NB Arthur. During 2009 the Russell Newbery marque celebrated its mas. Well it was a close run thing but our trailer had the centenary; in recognition of this all the engines built were DM3 in place well before Christmas. We discovered the painted in the distinctive colour of ‘Manchester Red’ in engine bearers needed to be some 32mm higher due to deference to their city of origin. Out on the system now the change of gearbox and Davis’s readily accommodated there are a single , a twin cylinder and a three this. The prop size was sought by the boatbuilder and we cylinder, each having its own distinctive sound as follows: were told the engine manufacturer would have the One pot – Do Two pot – DeDo Three pot – DeDoDo recommended size, try as we might Jabber back at the ‘plant’ was in General Motors’ mode and said to ask the Having foolishly decided to order a new boat I had the boatbuilder! Impasse, asking around Ian Crompton came even more crack brain idea of owning a centenary 3 up with the recommendation direct from the RN Altrin- cylinder and that is where we start! Cruising back from the cham records; this was for a 27” x 23” pitch Lister pattern Rally in 2009 via the annual Historic Boat Gathering in weed clearing prop. “What on earth do you want an old Braunston we met up with a couple of chaps with RW thing like that” we were told, “haven’t seen or fitted one in Davis Northwich Traders built just down the G&S from years!” So we compromised, the Lister pattern went out sunny Gloucester. We started thinking, me of a DM3 in the window but we kept the size! A prop like ours would red, Pauline of that washing machine she always wanted probably suit a Gloster Gladiator for combat use, talk to keep me turned out ‘nice’. Another 10ft was to answer about fly! all our desires and so we popped down to Saul Junction Dry Dock to meet the man of the moment, Phil Trotter. I At last we were asked to deliver the engine to the boat had phoned him and asked what delivery would be on a yard; it had stood in all its glory and shrink wrap in our 70ft Trader, his reply was sometime in 2012 if I was to join workshops at our company premises since coming from the list but he just happened to have a hull they were Daventry. Well the engine was duly craned in through the building for themselves and if I were quick we could soft spot and mounted, correctly aligned and shimmed to secure that very one! suit, the boat transferred to the fitting out shed and away the fitters went. On a visit one day we were told the engine When we met him it was rather daunting, stories of Phil’s intransigence littered the waterways towpath tattle and there we were in the holy of holies, Phil’s office. We knew enough about the Northwich Trader to recognise the superb quality of their steelwork, paintwork and fit out, we needed to ask some pertinent questions though. Could Pauline have a washing machine fitted, “well I suppose so” says Phil; what windows were best we asked “9 inch or 12 inch portholes are all we do and the smaller look the best” was the reply. “What engine do you want?” we were asked, “possibly a Gardiner?” he said, “no thanks I want to buy an RN DM3” says I. Pauline pushed a note into my hand with the prompt “bow thruster” on it but I made her broach the question! “Well, it can be difficult getting off the bank in a strong wind, especially as you get older, at your age you need al the help you can get!” was the reply, so we went for one, the delivery date was 17th May at 2:15pm so Phil could have a cup of tea after his lunch and we could get to was ready to run so we duly started it; wow, Pauline the RNR Rally in time; we will not disclose the year as it screamed and ran from the shed, Craig Glassonbury, the may cause embarrassment to some! boatyard General Manager, explained the terrible noise being due to the fact it was running in the shed! He also The hull had reached gunwale level and looked super so explained that they never silence a 3 cylinder Gardiner we agreed and signed on the dotted line. Next was to get 3LW so that was what they had done fitting the DM3. Alas the DM3 on the road so to speak, a call to the factory and alack she rushed into Phil and said you can take that asking could they produce a 3 cylinder received a positive crock of c—p out and stick a Gardiner in instead. Craig response so we placed the order. A few slight mods to suggested a silencer as a peace offering and we proceed- normal were agreed, a PRM 500 box with PTO for the ed in harmony again. hydraulic pump for the thrusters was no problem. I drove over to Holland to visit WillDo the water jet thruster Well all the bits and pieces started to go in, the generator, manufacturers to see what it was all about and placed an the Webasto heater the Morso stove, the Wallas diesel order. The quote we received was in Euros (funny money fired hob and separate oven plus the washing machine, in those heady days) and it was only a smidgeon more to tumble drier, fridge, freezer and dishwasher were all add a pair of rear water jets to the system so we did! Now accommodated and we moved her to the commercial fuel we were all set for a wait till completion. suppliers just down the cut at Frampton-on Severn where we filled the tank which sits on the base plate just aft of The DM3 began to grow, though rather slowly and Jabber the engine ‘ole with the 88 gallons it holds. It is rather was pushing Allister to meet the deadline, that being impressive moving sideways using the bow and stern completion before the VAT returned to 17.5% at Christ- thrusters together, especially when there is only 72 ft to 6 RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 moor in between two boats outside the oil depot. Off into the Marina at Saul we went and loaded some personal belongings. The first trip was to be to Gloucester Docks to moor outside our flat block on West Quay; we noticed rather a lot of black smoke from the stack as we wound on the power but dismissed this as a running in trait. When we left Gloucester on the following day in the rain and wind, the smoke appeared to be worse, that was probably due to the rain washing the smuts all over the cabin top and me! At one point we worried that they would need to close Gloucestershire International Airport thinking the Icelandic volcano was up to its old tricks but the rain cured that. Richard Milligan’s assistance was enrolled and he diagnosed the fault as a rather short excess fuel pawl on Leaving Gloucester Lock at Warp speed! the rack. Telephone diagnosis is normally reserved for NHS Direct but he was spot on, now after his ministrations commentate on the Historic Boat Parades on the last the DeDoDo runs sweetly and has given up smoking! weekend in June to see some really old RNs in working boats still going strong. Why not come along to Braunston You may wonder where the name came from. Pauline for a bit of fun, some cheek, a little real ale or so and lots called the engine a Dodo, after all it was the last DM3 built and lots of fellowship with the HNBOC crowd. We will be to date and she thought it might become extinct!† Our going to Stoke Bruerne to visit and then to a Grand Chairman David Kay Phillips expanded on the description Junction Lodge meeting in Banbury, by boat. Any Masons at the AGM in Ellesmere Port by adding the De in front to among you or others going that way please contact me as represent the classic sound of a three cylinder, Dedodo! the event is white table that is with our ladies present at Our new boat is named ‘Arthur’ after, and as a tribute to, the social part and I shall be pleased to invite you to ‘The Pauline’s late father who saw the boat just before his 92nd Boaters Lodge’ summer meeting. We normally meet in the birthday last November; unfortunately he died on New Boat Inn, Stoke Bruerne in the winter season on a few Years Eve/Day peacefully in his sleep. Monday evenings.

Well, we expect to have flown up the Severn to Stourport- † Arthur’s DM 3 will very likely be the last new build DM3 as on Severn and on to the Staffs ands Worcester to get to major components such as the block, crankshaft and crankcase the rally by the time you read this article. We are confident are not available and not cost effective to produce one-off. Stock the boat and its superb engine will attend the rally with of parts for building DM2s are still on the shelf. [Ed] pride and pomp, then we must rush off to Braunston to River Canal Rescue (RCR) Russell Newbery Register and R N Diesel Engine Co have an agreement with River Canal Rescue to provide Regis- RCR have recently re-structured the basis of discounts ter members with a nationwide Breakdown and Recovery that ‘club’ members, including RNR members, enjoy. De- Service. tails are as follows: River Canal Rescue operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a 15% - on joining + 5% for applying online* year. Their Russell Newbery trained staff are equipped 5% - on renewal. with the most up-to-date mapping technology and tools to 5% - on Direct Debit payments provide a fast and efficient service. 5% - No Claims Discount up to max. 15% * Note: New members please do not apply online, tele- Further information and details of membership levels can phone on 01785 785680 to apply and 20% discount be found on www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk. If you have a (joining plus online discounts) will be afforded. car you probably have AA/RAC/Green Flag etc. member- ship providing roadside breakdown assistance. If you If you are a member I suggest that you ring them when haven’t already done so, why not join RCR to have the renewing to ensure that the correct discounts are applied. comfort of waterside breakdown assistance.

The Mighty E6

We had hoped to include two articles in this edition about the RN E6 but have run out of space - a very good position for me as edi- tor since I now have a head start on the Summer issue.

As a taster however, the picture right shows an E6 on the dy- namometer at Dagenham. This “dyno” is the very one now in the works at Daventry.

RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 7 Stourbridge Canal — seven miles of canal packed with interest I am especially glad that this year the RNR Rally is taking place on the Stourbridge canal. It is my favourite canal for two reasons. Firstly it was on the banks of this canal that my boat was build. Secondly, for a short canal, it has eve- rything. Actually neither of those two statements are 100% true. There is an eight foot length of my boat which was con- structed on the Warwick & Napton canal when we had her lengthened in 2003. And the Stourbridge canal does not have a . It did once, a 56 yard under Brettell Lane. The eastern end of the Stourbridge canal starts with an unusual feature — an end on junction. A few yards below Delph bottom lock, only a very observant boater will notice the change from the No1 Canal. There is a small Dadford’s Shed and the the Red House glass cone seen gap in the cast iron rubbing rail protecting the towpath from the bridge across the short pound between locks 9 bank, the rail closest to the lock has “BCN” cast in its up- and 10. per surface. This is the only indication of Black Delph Junction. mine coal within 12 yards of the canal line. However, this This would not have been a junction at all if the original was difficult to enforce and often ignored. The area around plans of 1775 had come to fruition. The plan was for a sin- Brettell Lane is riddled with mine workings, as two of the gle canal from Stourton to Dudley. However, the Birming- main coal seams are close to the surface. ham Canal company objected. In April of the following The Broach seam is a mere 40 feet down and the famous year, two separate parliamentary bills for separate canals Thick seam about 200 feet under. Fortunately the 1903 were passed. Although sharing many shareholders, the breach, or “crowner-in” occurred on a Saturday afternoon, two companies were separate undertakings. The Stour- so there was no loss of life. However, two pit heads and a bridge was one of the most prosperous canal companies, winding engine fell into the cavity and three miles of the it remained independent until nationalisation in 1948. The cut were drained. Dudley, incurred high capital costs building extensions, including the No2 line to , and high maintenance Mining subsidence was probably the reason why Brettell costs as a result of subsidence caused by mining. Conse- Lane tunnel was opened out and replaced by a bridge quently, in October 1845, the company known as Long Bridge. The opening out appears to have agreed an amalgamation with the BCN. A few months ear- taken place over several years, starting around 1858. Evi- lier, the BCN had reached an agreement with the London dence of the tunnel lies in the remaining narrow section & Birmingham Railway which included a dividend guaran- and a small visible part of the old wall at the southern end. tee in return for land on which to construct railways. The right angle bend at Brettell Lane is due to the line of Like most of the canals of the Black Country, the banks of the canal following the contour avoiding the outcrop of the the Stourbridge east of were, until the middle of Dudley ridge. The geological events which created this the 20th century, lined with industry. However these were also caused the coal seams to rise to the surface, which in not the heavy metal industries and collieries of the Dudley turn lead to the early establishment of mining in the 18th area, but brickworks, glassworks and brass foundries. The century, and thus the industrial growth that required the reason is the underlying geology, earth with high silica canal for transport. Very few traces of the early coal pits content. now remain on the surface. What was once a haphazard collection of pits, brick works and industrial villages is now Five furlongs from The Delph is a railway bridge carrying subsumed by 1930s and 1950s housing estates. what was once the Stourbridge to Dudley portion of the Oxford, Worcester & Railway. The Another right angle turn occurs one mile seven furlongs OW&WR became a major competitor of the Stourbridge from Delph, at Leys Junction. If you get the impression Canal. Relations were never friendly, at times acrimonious. that you are turning off a branch, you are indeed correct. In 1854 a dispute concerned transshipment at Wheeley’s Whilst the current practice is to denote the Delph to Stour- ironworks basin, which ran parallel to the canal almost the ton route of the Stourbridge Canal as the main line, the whole distance between the railway bridge and Brettell 1776 act specified otherwise. The main line was Stourton Lane. The canal company threatened closure of the basin, to Stourbridge, with a collateral cut from Wordsley to the but eventually an agreement was reached. This included Fens and a further branch from that at The Leys to The the construction of the Bromley and Stourbridge inter- Delph. Today the line heading north from Leys Junction is change basins. The march 1989 edition of Waterways know as the Fens Branch. Originally it ran for nearly a mile World contains a detailed description of the dispute. to terminate at Brockmoor Basin, also known as Wide Wa- ters. Adjacent to this, but at a higher level, is a reservoir, Another dramatic event occurred at Wheeley’s bain in No- Grove Pool. Two additional reservoirs, Middle and Fens vember 1903 when the canal collapsed into mine workings Pools were added soon after the canal opened to cater for underneath. The coal miners were legally required not to the growing traffic. Brockmoor Basin was lined with wharfs

8 RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 The first three locks are effected by mining subsidence. The top lock is now about 3½ feet deeper, note the extra six courses of brickwork above the original sandstone cop- ings at the lock tail. Further down the effects of subsid- ence lessen, as to the west of geological fault the coal seams are too far below ground to have been exploited by 18th and 19th century mining techniques. The ‘Sixteen’ are, in my opinion at least, the most interest- ing flight of locks in an urban environment. This is both from a photogenic and archeological point of view, so best to take your time navigating them to investigate and appre- ciate. One place to stop is between locks 4 and 5, as the Sampson and Lion pub backs on to the towing path. Out- side the pub sign is an illustration of this biblical story, whilst inside Banks’s beers and good value traditional pub meals are available. This pub was originally one of a pair, Almost all of the remaining length of the Stourbridge Extension its “twin” was on the off-side of the canal below lock 2. Al- Canal between Brockmoor Junction and the site of Bromley though not standing there now, you have probably visited stop lock. it as it is the Bottle and Glass which is now located inside the Black Country Living Museum at Tipton. for the numerous local collieries and brickworks. As these Lock 5 is substantially unchanged from its construction pits became worked out in the early 20th century traffic over 235 years ago. Unlike many of the others on the flight, declined and the basin closed. The canal company trans- it still retains the original sandstone capping on both sides. ferred ownership of the last bridge before the basin to Dud- Due to erosion from tow lines at most other locks the cap- ley Council who, in 1936, replaced it with a culvert. ping on at least one side is now of blue diamond pattern Officially this is still the limit of navigation, but the channel bricks. However very little original Stourbridge paddle gear under Brockmoor Railway bridge is blocked with part of survives (apart from a set in the museum at Gloucester). the bridge decking. An attempt in 1986 on a friend’s boat Most of the gear on the flight is second hand BCN, includ- came to a halt at Creesset Lane Bridge, which was ing a number of gate paddle sets which are now attached blocked with submerged bricks. The furlong reverse to to short stumps to work ground paddles. Brockmoor Junction (¼ mile from Leys), was painfully slow due to the amount of weed. At Buckpool the gradient of the hill steepens. To overcome this, Thomas Dadford (junior) the engineer in charge of At Brockmoor Junction the cut heading north west is the construction, decided on a staircase pair for locks 9 and Stourbridge Extension Canal. This was built by a separate 10. Probably he was influenced by the staircase locks on company, although the majority it’s shareholders were al- the nearby Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal at Botter- so backers of the Stourbridge Canal. Originally the exten- ham and The Bratch. However, just like at Bratch, the ad- sion line was planned to join up with the BCN Main Line at ditional water requirements of a staircase lead to Bloomfield, requiring a tunnel at least a mile long. As built replacement by the current arrangement with a side pond it only ran for 2 miles to near , with branches between two conventional locks. This pond, known as to Ketley Quarry and Leasowes Colliery. It opened in 1840, Jake’s Pond, is behind the lock cottage and is connected but its profitable and independent life was short lived. The by a culvert. The change tool place in the mid 19th century. reason was railway competition in the shape of the Unusually for the ‘Sixteen’ the pound below lock 10 wid- OW&WR. In fact, the railway company bought the canal ens to form a basin on the towing path side, necessitating under the terms of it’s enabling Act of 1846. The same act enabled the OW&WR to acquire the Stratford on Avon Ca- nal. Until their railway was opened, the two canals were the only revenue source for the OW&WR. Later the OW&WR became part of the . Rail- way interchange traffic kept the extension canal relatively busy until the Second World War. Most of this traffic was to the Bromley interchange depot, sited close to Brock- moor Junction. Today the only navigable portion is the first few hundred yards past the remains of the interchange depot to the site of Bromley stop lock. A few years ago BW installed mooring rings and a fence on the offside, along- side the now closed railway line. It certainly is an attractive mooring site, but little used. Maybe that is because the fence has a gap in it. For those navigating west, the descent to the Severn val- ley resumes at Leys Junction. The “Stourbridge sixteen” or Wordsley flight of locks have a total fall of 145 feet, so the average fall of just over 9 feet makes these deeper than Tail of the top lock at The Leys showing the additional brick most locks on the BCN. However, averages are deceptive. courses on top of the original coping stones.

RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 9 a bridge. This small basin may have been a public wharf “UNSUITABLE FOR THE PASSAGE OF VESSELS”. The or it may have been provided as a waiting point for boats British Transport Commission had carried out virtually no using a dry dock which once existed alongside lock 11. A maintenance work since regular traffic died towards the small community know as The Dock grew up here, it once end of the 1950s; they included the Stourbridge on a list of consisted of half a dozen cottages and an off-license and canals to close in 1962. This situation angered the Staf- general store. The later were well patronised by passing fordshire and Worcestershire Canal Society (S&WCS) and boaters. the IWA. Opposition was vocal and direct — the IWA delib- erately located their 1962 National Rally at Stourbridge. Alongside the next lock is one of the iconic buildings of the However the arm was impassible, blocked near Coal- Stourbridge canal. This is inaccurately known today as bourne Brook Bridge by silt and rubbish. The BTC refused Dadford’s Shed, since it was built at least 100 years after to cooperate with any voluntarily organisation, likewise Dadford resigned his post of engineer in charge of con- Urban District council as in their opinion the struction. This large wooden transshipment warehouse canal “had outlived its usefulness”. As boats converged for occupies the restricted spit of land between the lock and the rally it was clear none would make it to the site with the side pond, the non rectangular plan leading to the in- out drastic action. David Hutchings, then chairman of the teresting taper and slope of the ridge. Originally it handled Midlands Branch of the IWA, brought in a drag-line exca- corn and other agricultural produce, later Thomas Bantock vator. Just as this was to start work on 25th July, two BTC used it as a base for his railway carriage work. Now it is officials arrived and threatened legal action if the bucket the home of Ian Kemp’s heritage boatyard. broke the surface of the water. The resulting altercation The bridge below lock 11 is, correctly, named Dadford’s lead to widespread publicity and even a House of Com- Bridge after the engineer. Between this and the next mons motion. The mounting embarrassment of the BTC bridge, which is the main Wolverhampton to Stourbridge lead to their capitulation on 28th July. Two days later a full road, the canal runs along side the Stuart Crystal Glass- length boat loaded with dredgings reached the end of the works and another iconic building, the Red House glass arm. cone. This glass works was founded in 1796, some twenty This was one of the significant turning points in recent ca- years after the opening of the canal. However, glass mak- nal history. In January 1963 BTC were replaced by British ing in the region dates back to the early 17th century when Waterways Board, who permitted S&WCS members to glassmakers from Lorraine found the accessible deposits undertake some maintenance on the Stourton locks. Res- of fireclay and coal ideal for glass production. Manufacture toration of the ‘Sixteen’ was to be dependent on local in- of fine crystal glass developed from the middle of the 18th terest interest, something the canal society and the IWA century. At one time many similar glass cones dominated has shown in abundance. The eventual outcome was a the skyline of the Wordsley area. The Red House cone, programme of complete restoration, S&WCS members the last remaining complete example, is now a scheduled and other volunteers undertook the task of cleaning out ancient monument. Well worth mooring up and visiting, the lock chambers prior to BW staff rebuilding them. A reo- not the least as admission is free. pening ceremony took place in May 1967, with an official Beyond lock 12 the intermediate pounds lengthen as the cruise from lock 11 to Stourton Junction. Forty four years gradient of the hill reduces. Below lock 13 the offside bank later we would call this an example of ‘Big Society’ in ac- was once protected by two half sunken concrete narrow- tion. boats of First World War vintage. One of these was re- The one mile three furlongs Stourbridge Arm follows the moved in 1989 and is now at the Gloucester Waterways course of the River Stour, but at an elevated height. It was museum. The other is now buried under the new wharf for once lined with glassworks, iron works and brass foun- the glassworks visitor moorings. The bottom lock of the dries, but is now largely through residential areas. One of flight is situated against a bluff of Bunter sandstone, near the more historic foundries, The Stourbridge Ironworks, the confluence of the Wordsley Brook and the River Stour. was served by the two arms which leave the canal at the If you had visited the Stourbridge canal in 1961, you would sharp bend at the one mile post. Towing path bridges have come across official notices stating it was span both arms, the earlier one being of iron cast at Coalbrookdale, note the inclusion of the owner’s name, John Bradley, in the casting. Under the jurisdiction of later owners, Foster & Rastrick, the foundry produced early rail- way locomotives, including the Agenoria for Lord Dudley’s Shut End railway and the the first to run on rails in America. The final ¼mile of the arm runs northwards to terminate outside the Bonded Warehouse, the third iconic building of this canal. You will be able to learn about the full history of this building, and of the canal company offices across Ca- nal Street at the rally. The Bonded Warehouse is both the original and current terminus of the canal, but from 1830 to 1965 a 230 yard extension ran under High Street to terminate in a basin Former GUCCC craft at Ian Kemps boatyard at Dadford’s which is now the site of the Mill Race Lane trading estate. Shed Here was located Stourbridge gas works, served by Tho-

10 RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 Half way along this rural section is Newtown Bridge, a fine example of an unmodified original brick and stone bridge dating from 1776. Adjacent to this bridge is the yard of Black Country Narrow Boats. David Bough started this enterprise in 1982, primarily producing boats based on a traditional tug design. One of these, Rag Doll, was the boat used for the ‘Rosie & Jim’ children's TV series. Many other builders, some who started as David’s appren- tices, replicated this design. More recently production was concentrated on a lighter, smaller cruiser style of boat. One of the real characters of the recent canal scene, Dav- id passed away in January this year. Even in this rural idyll are traces of old industry — in this case sand quarries. Sand was required in the glass mak- A summer evening’s idyllic boating - would you have guessed ing industry and for use in foundry moulds. A this is a Black Country canal? above Stourton locks was extensively used by boats car- rying sand back to Stourbridge, Wordsley and . mas Clayton day boats, the low bridge precluded most The landscaped gardens of the houses on the offside by cabin boats. Also located here was the railway goods in- Stourton locks 1 and 2 are on the site of old sandpits. Be- terchange depot, built by the OW&WR as resolution to the side lock 2 is a lock cottage, a cantilevered split bridge dispute with the canal company. takes the towing path across the tail of the lock before diving under the Wolverhampton to Kidderminster Road Back at Wordsley Junction the final stretch of the Stour- (A449). The last two pounds have extensive side ponds bridge Canal heads roughly west to meet with the Staffs & and large overflow weirs, another relic of once extensive Worcs. Underneath the roving bridge for the town arm tow- traffic. The side pond above lock 4 once extended into a ing path is an extended narrows which was one a gauging 100 yard long basin running parallel to the Staffordshire & stop with a toll office. Next comes a two arch aqueduct Worcestershire Canal. This may have been to off load lo- over the River Stour, this has sandstone pillars with blue cal goods so avoiding S&W tolls, or it may have been a brick facing. Just beyond the aqueduct is the current lay-by for boats awaiting loads. Today it is an unusual boundary between the and Staffordshire water feature in a private garden. counties. For a junction between two old and one time busy canals, This section is an absolute gem, and the following descrip- Stourton Junction is a rather quiet and lonely spot. Most tion taken from the 1989 edition of Pearson’s Birmingham of the traffic from the Stourbridge headed south on the Canal Navigations Canal Companion, is spot on. “These S&W, so toll collections were undertaken at Stewpony two miles of the Stourbridge Canal are among the loveli- lock on the S&W. Although the roving bridge at the junc- est on the inland waterways. If this seems a strange, con- tion carries a S&W name and number plate (33), it was tradictory claim at the edge of the Black Country, on the built by the Stourbridge company and is similar to those verge on the BCN, then you must come and see for your- between Stourton and Wordsley. The elegant fingerpost self. Perhaps this sense of beauty is exaggerated by the at the junction, made from redundant lock beams, was precarious nature of its setting. Whatever the explanation, the first such signpost erected by the S&W Canal Society there fell upon our research crew a mood of heightened in 1977. perception, a rare happiness which comes from the dis- covery of something wonderful that you had not anticipat- Stourton seems a world away from The Delph, but it is ed, but rather come on by accident. The pound, less than six miles, or just one page of the old style encroached by bullrushes, wound beguilingly like a gor- Nicholson’s canal guides. But what a lot of history is geous barefoot girl wandering across a dewy, mushroomy packed into those miles, and the twenty locks. As they meadow.” [The Rally organisers are still attempting to say in the Black Country, “it’s Bostin!”. book this maiden for the rally. Ed.] But beauty comes at a price! The underlying rock here is the Dune or Lower Mottled Sandstone, it is very soft and porous and the strata is inclined down from the canal to- wards the river. Dadford was aware of this problem, so the portion immediately adjacent to the river includes some heavy retaining walls. Nevertheless there have been some spectacular breaches. One occurred in 1976 near Bell’s Mill; another in September 2008 near the same spot. The repairs to this last one cost £650,000 and the canal was reopened in December 2008. However some remedial work in April 2009 necessitated another de-watering, during which BW discovered that their con- tractors had make a mistake with the profile of the recon- structed length. Another leak at the same spot required The pound between Stourton locks 2 and 3 is often low. NB yet more work in February and March last year. Lynx proceeds gingerly earlier this year.

RNR Newsletter : Spring 2011 11