Jubilee Bridge Canal leak

by: Andy P.

A number of leaks from the canal into the river have been identified and the plan was to dig out the towpath behind the coping stones to a sufficient depth to identify the leaks and to back fill with clay.  Early Monday morning 13 tonnes of finest Oxford blue clay was delivered, with the truck carefully reversing down Ham Mill lane and along the track to the gate by Jubilee Bridge.

The crew of Bob, Mathew, Maurice, Jason, Kay and Andy P set about closing and diverting the towpath and when the mini digger arrived, the first explorations were made. It was not long before the first leak appeared or rather a gushing flow that created another Bob Ambury canal extension.

The trench was back filled and the clay and pushed down with the digger to seal the leak. We tried wheelbarrows but soon reverted to dumper loads as flow number 2 appeared along with a large void under the old gas main. We may have found the main route to the river.

Work continued in rainy weather as the trench was filled and covered with trench plates-it was a very muddy mess by now.

On Weds Bob, Mathew and Andy P continued digging and back filling.  Several more large holes were found and then a whole length of wall was leaking back into the trench.  As we back filled we could see the water being forced back through the wall. We continued until the marker post about 28m in total.  It was noticed that Griffin Mill spill weir was now flowing and no obvious signs of water into the river we've seen.

All the clay was used and we apologise to the tow path users but its a bit messy at the moment.  However we are sure Jon P. and his team will work their magic to repair the towpath.

The Tug Team reports

by: Jenny K.

We put Margaret through her paces today.  First we collected Warp from the dry dredger team above Ryeford Locks and delivered her to the wet dredgers on Patricia at Hilly Orchard playing fields.  We swapped the empty Warp for the full Weft and delivered Weft to the dry dredgers.  While she was being filled we stopped for early lunch ( or was it late elevensies ) and topped up the stern gland on Margaret.  

We then took the now full Weft back to Patricia who had moved to the river weir at Ebley and swapped hoppers again.  Back to the dry dredgers with a full Warp by which time it was raining so we sat in the cabin on Margaret while she was being emptied and then prepared to take Warp back to Patricia.  

We had a phone call to say that Patricia needed some on the go maintenance which meant Weft was not going to be filled before we clocked off.  So as we were going that way we took Warp back to Ebley and moored her on the landing stage.

In all, a good day.

Project 'DNF' - No.5 Refit

Whilst the Project Leader has been floating around the canal system for the past two weeks in glorious sunshine, work has continued.

John S. reports:

Rerouting and shortening of bucket hoses – Should be completed (Wednesday) or Monday latest.  We’ve retained the QR fittings, but these are now in line and not right angled. The chippies have modified the wooden block on the end of the dipper, so routing and also protecting the hoses. Looks very ‘nice’.

Jib drooping – We placed a ball valve in the pipe lines to determine where the leak (if there is a leak) is. After much experimenting the droop stops after a few minutes. By isolating lines we found it’s not the valve/s or block.  Also the ram (seals and shaft) appears to be ok. An opinion is that it is simply air in the system and should work it self out (via the reservoir) during use.

Balance of joystick control – The fitting of restrictors should enable ‘balancing’. Arthur is going to fit (next Monday) the x2 restrictors that Andrew R. has supplied.  Note that these are bi-directional.  They would probably be better if they were uni-directional, but until we’ve tried them out in anger we won’t really know.  Valves are easy to change if required.

The (BSS) safety inspection was done on the 18th. Without going into too much detail all that needs to be done (to get the certificate) is to clearly label the battery isolator switch and the fuel isolator switch/tap, and to pot covers over the battery and starter solenoid connections.

(Bribery took the form of a mug of tea, with two sugars, and a bit of a walk around the depot!)

The warning stickers are now ordered.

CCT Summit Section Work Party Sunday 29 Sept.

by: Karen Shaw

A reminder about Sunday's work party from 10 am to 4 pm. We have 8 people being trained to use scythes - there are 2 more spaces if anyone wants to join in with that.  

Please still come along (if you are not taking part in the scything training) as there are plenty of other tasks needing doing such as manually cutting back and strimming the banks and towpath, and keeping a bonfire going. Plus, if time and enough volunteers; continuing to board the edge of the towpath.

New members are very welcome to come along for all or part of the day. I usually provide tea / coffee and Christine a cake, but please feel free to bring along your own hot or cold drinks, and a packed lunch or have lunch in the pub.

As usual, please wear sturdy (preferably steel toe capped) footwear or wellington boots and stout clothes. Long sleeves and trousers are recommended to avoid nettle stings and insect bites. Gloves and all other PPE are provided along with all necessary tools, apart from chain saw equipment.

The site is reached by a well sign-posted track to the Tunnel House Inn on the right, as you come down Tarlton Road out of Coates and after a tight bend under a railway bridge. Postcode is GL7 6PW. On arrival at the pub car park, please park on the right.

Dates for the next work parties are:

 

Sunday 20 October 2019 with Butterfly Conservation volunteers 

Sunday 17 November 2019 

Sunday 15 December 2019 with Christmas dinner at pub after.

Any questions please contact me: Karen Shaw on 07989 857435 or shawk30@gmail.com.

Look forward to seeing you.

 

Regards

The BAT Squad rides again

Over the past few weeks, under the cover of a 'holiday' (Boat Acquisition Team)members of the squad have been out and about on the system looking for more equipment to assist us with our canal restoration.

A number of items have been shortlisted, but as usual, it will be the availability of funds that will determine just how many we can afford.  At the top of the list will be mud hoppers, closely followed by another tug boat.  If we go for the 50ft hoppers, it will be possible to pass through the locks without having to split the tug off, something necessary for up and coming planned dredging.

Of course, sponsorship would be most welcome - ducks not required!

Dry Docking at Ryeford

by: Mark O'B

I am currently refurbishing a cottage at Ryeford bridge and was invited to help Tony and his protege (sorry bad memory for names!) to do some proper tugboat stuff and help clear the prop on Goliath. Nicely done in a calm, efficient and friendly manner! They then left me to my floor sanding as they went up to move a hopper, lucky ducks. 

Hilly Orchard Dredging

by: Chris K.

Patricia started drudging at hilly orchard today to investigate why the tugs were bottoming out while pushing hoppers under hilly orchard bridge. 

We dredged up various sections of a cast iron ornamental fence line, car part's, a double spring mattress, near side coupin bricks and very large rocks about two feet under the surface. 

More drudging at hilly orchard next week. 
Who knows what else has been thrown off the bridge. 

Have a go at this.....

Whilst passing through Wast Hills Tunnel, 2726 yards, having tickovered by Alvechurch Marina where a ‘Constellation Class' (obviously for astronomers) rental boat was moored, a thought came to mind.

In the 31 minutes it took to transit the tunnel,  thinking about what other classes might there?

Starting with ‘Co' and ending with ‘ion', can you guess the following classes:

‘I don't believe it’s Class
Imodium fan club Class
Working happily together  Class 
Crashing into bridge abutment Class
Honeymooners only Class
Brexiting remainer Class
Religious entry level Class
Folk living together Class
Scrapheap challenge Class
‘Dinky' complaint Class
For the warped and twisted Class

Answers to follow.  I have not received any Blogs of activities, so you must all be sat at home passing the time!  Enjoy.

Summit working party - Sunday 8th September

by: Karen Shaw

A reminder about Sunday's work party (re-scheduled from August) from 10 am to 3 pm.The weather looks ok for us to continue to clear the Roundhouse garden in preparation for planting trees, shrubs and bulbs etc later in October, as well as strimming the banks and towpath with a bonfire. Plus, if time; continuing to board the edge of the towpath.

New members are very welcome to come along for all or part of the day. I usually provide tea / coffee and Christine a cake, but please feel free to bring along your own hot or cold drinks, and a packed lunch or have lunch in the pub.

As usual, please wear sturdy (preferably steel toe capped) footwear or wellington boots and stout clothes. Long sleeves and trousers are recommended to avoid nettle stings and insect bites. Gloves and all other PPE are provided along with all necessary tools, apart from chain saw equipment.

The site is reached by a well sign-posted AND NOW TARMACKED track to the Tunnel House Inn on the right, as you come down Tarlton Road out of Coates and after a tight bend under a railway bridge. Postcode is GL7 6PW. On arrival at the pub car park, please park on the right.

Dates for the next work parties are:

 

Sunday 29 September 2019 - scything course arranged by Louise Clarkson

Sunday 20 October 2019 with Butterfly Conservation volunteers 

Any questions please contact me: Karen Shaw on 07989 857435 or shawk30(at)gmail(dot)com

Look forward to seeing you.

An Uplifting Project

At Western Depot we have many activities which occupy us day on day, week on week, but often there are some, that for various reasons happen but never get reported.  

For too long, the neglected forklift that rested down the back of the yard in an unserviceable condition, some months ago, made a short journey to pole position just outside the workshops.  No better place to maintain visibility.  When there was an opportunity, or a short break between jobs, something was attended to, slowly, but slowly working towards repairing the vehicle.  

All the mechanical parts were checked, serviced or repaired where necessary.  Engine, hydraulics, cab, transmission, brakes and safety systems were put right culminating in the engine firing up and all the bits working.  A sight many expected not to witness!

You know that when the paint is 'expertly' applied, the job is almost done. and most rewarding to all those that played their part in this little bit of stealth restoration.

Along the Cut today

Our volunteers were to be found hard at work maintaining and restoring our canal, enjoying the sun and chatting with the passers by.

Last Monday, a large willow tree fell over between Upper Mills and the Midland Railway bridge.  It had initially blocked the towpath, but a way through had been hacked by the public.  Whilst members from Western Depot had taken remedial action, the tree had descended further, so a small armada was mustered to tackle it.

Up at Blunder Lock, the railings around the spill weir were partly broken.  A couple of rails were missing with mesh inserted as a temporary fix.  Today, a two new profiled rails were welded in position and the joints primed.

Outside St. Cyres, Weedie was, well, weeding. Most effectively.  Keeping the channel free for traffic.

Just east of Ryeford double lock, the long reach digger was in action emptying a mud hopper which had been brought down from near Dudbridge.

At Dudbridge itself, there is clear evidence of considerable dredging activities.  The bank sides are cleared and profiled, together with a good depth of water in which to navigate.

Dudbridge Lower Lock has been subject to a WRGies two week camp, the commencement of work to rebuild and strengthen the lock walls.  For now, there is nothing going on on the ground, as plans and procedures are produced for the work there to continue.