February News
FURZEBEAM REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 11th February 2026
For our third visit to Furzebeam this month, we concentrated on part of the canal around the stop lock which is located about half a mile along the canal from the entrance off the Tarka Trail The stop lock was a simple mechanism which permitted a specific section of the canal to be drained. Recesses were built into each wall of the canal into which planks were inserted effectively creating a dam. Water could then be released via a sluice to allow cleaning and maintenance to be carried out.
For our third visit to Furzebeam this month, we concentrated on part of the canal around the stop lock which is located about half a mile along the canal from the entrance off the Tarka Trail The stop lock was a simple mechanism which permitted a specific section of the canal to be drained. Recesses were built into each wall of the canal into which planks were inserted effectively creating a dam. Water could then be released via a sluice to allow cleaning and maintenance to be carried out.
The team start work
Removing vegetation from wall
Stone removed from canal bed
Rock face above canal
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We started by removing vegetation from the canal wall and were pleasantly surprised to find that, underneath, the wall was in reasonably good condition. Having said that, we found many stones which had fallen from the wall into the bed of the canal. These were placed on the towpath and will be used to rebuild the damaged areas. Other members of the team started to clear the canal bed to the south of the stop lock, cutting back undergrowth and removing fallen branches. This section of the canal back to the Tarka Trail is badly overgrown. Our longer term ambition is to clear this but we know that this would entail many months of work. Just above the stop lock a large section of rock face is visible where the canal was cut into the side of the valley. It is a reminder of the sheer scale of the work involved in building the canal and a tribute to the skill and determination of the original navvies. (Footnote: it was very good to see volunteer Mick back on the team after a long illness together with wife Becky. Thanks to both of them for their help this week). Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information. |
Recess for stop plank
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Exposed wall