January News
FURZEBEAM REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 28th January 2026
On the principle that a change is as good as a rest (although the ‘rest’ element is questionable!), the team went to Furzebeam this week to carry out some much needed maintenance on the towpath. As a result of the recent intense rainfall, the towpath has become quite dangerous in a number of places so we set about trying to remedy some of the worst affected areas. (NB. a large section of the towpath from the roving bridge southwards has been closed by Clinton Devon Estates as there are a number of trees which they consider to be a danger to the public).
On the principle that a change is as good as a rest (although the ‘rest’ element is questionable!), the team went to Furzebeam this week to carry out some much needed maintenance on the towpath. As a result of the recent intense rainfall, the towpath has become quite dangerous in a number of places so we set about trying to remedy some of the worst affected areas. (NB. a large section of the towpath from the roving bridge southwards has been closed by Clinton Devon Estates as there are a number of trees which they consider to be a danger to the public).
Inspecting the damaged embankment
In one place the towpath had developed an adverse camber so we placed a long fallen branch (of which there are many!) along the edge of the embankment and raked back the earth to create a more level surface. A much greater problem lay further up the path where a tree, partly blown over in the recent storms, had pulled down a section of the embankment which we had repaired in the last year or two. We lifted out the loose stone and piled this up on the towpath while we assessed the damage. A six foot section of the wall has bowed outwards and will need to be rebuilt but we are concerned that the tree, which is currently leaning against another, may fall in another gale and do further damage to the towpath. Unfortunately, this is a perennial problem along this densely wooded stretch of the canal which requires continuous attention.
Raking out the earth
Repairing the towpath
Stone removed from damaged section
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 21st January 2026
Work on the central pier of the Ridd docking bays took another big step forward this week. Last week the team devoted the session to filling dumpy bags with surplus stone and rubble from Sea Lock (kindly donated by Hilary Wills). Our contractor arrived on site on Tuesday to transport the material to Ridd and yesterday the team commenced the serious task of emptying the bags and packing the material into the pier void. This was heavy work – not helped by steady drizzle during the morning – but by the end of the session we had completed the first layer of infill. We have now realised that we will require much more material than we initially thought – a ton of stone doesn’t go far! Fortunately, there is still a good quantity of stone at Sea Lock to be exploited.
Thanks to the volunteers who turned out once again in miserable conditions.
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.
Work on the central pier of the Ridd docking bays took another big step forward this week. Last week the team devoted the session to filling dumpy bags with surplus stone and rubble from Sea Lock (kindly donated by Hilary Wills). Our contractor arrived on site on Tuesday to transport the material to Ridd and yesterday the team commenced the serious task of emptying the bags and packing the material into the pier void. This was heavy work – not helped by steady drizzle during the morning – but by the end of the session we had completed the first layer of infill. We have now realised that we will require much more material than we initially thought – a ton of stone doesn’t go far! Fortunately, there is still a good quantity of stone at Sea Lock to be exploited.
Thanks to the volunteers who turned out once again in miserable conditions.
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.
Emptying the bags
Starting the infill
Pier partly infilled
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.
SEA LOCK REPORT by Michael Elliott - 15th January 2026
COVID, the flu and other ailments meant that working parties only really restarted this week. On Tuesday two volunteers descended to the muddy depths of Sea Lock to make further measurements for the design of potential lock gates.
Then on Wednesday a bigger group met again at Sea Lock. Many dumpy bags were filled with rubble. We hope this will be moved to Ridd next week and used to in-fill the upper docking bay under construction. In addition, prodigious quantities of concrete were mixed to form a base for the planned sluice mechanism. This will allow the upper pound to be flooded and drained as required. Because of the inevitable leaks, the area to be concreted was rather damp, so the concrete was mixed very dry to compensate. The staging was in place and the pump running to keep the area as dry as possible. Four bags of cement powder and most of a full dumpy bag of aggregate later, and a good layer was concrete was in place. The pump was then removed to allow the area to flood, and the concrete should set under water. We'll see next week!
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am on some Tuesdays and 9.30am every Wednesday. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Michael Elliott (tel.07933 244 247) for more information.
COVID, the flu and other ailments meant that working parties only really restarted this week. On Tuesday two volunteers descended to the muddy depths of Sea Lock to make further measurements for the design of potential lock gates.
Then on Wednesday a bigger group met again at Sea Lock. Many dumpy bags were filled with rubble. We hope this will be moved to Ridd next week and used to in-fill the upper docking bay under construction. In addition, prodigious quantities of concrete were mixed to form a base for the planned sluice mechanism. This will allow the upper pound to be flooded and drained as required. Because of the inevitable leaks, the area to be concreted was rather damp, so the concrete was mixed very dry to compensate. The staging was in place and the pump running to keep the area as dry as possible. Four bags of cement powder and most of a full dumpy bag of aggregate later, and a good layer was concrete was in place. The pump was then removed to allow the area to flood, and the concrete should set under water. We'll see next week!
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am on some Tuesdays and 9.30am every Wednesday. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Michael Elliott (tel.07933 244 247) for more information.
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