Dredging Precursors

Before we can actually remove silt from the canal, we have a number of hoops to jump through. Before applying for the required permits, we have to ensure that the silt is not hazardous. 

Today was the day we took our latest batch of samples for analysis. 

Local company Sanctus are our nominated contractor for the analysis, so Tom came along to ensure that samples were correctly taken. 

Here he is, cool boxes and sample pots at the ready.

Our experienced crew of Wookey Hole moved us as required to the sample points (11) and measured distances between the points. 

Here's Peter (on the stern!)

And ship's dog Cooper, keeping a sharp eye on technique.

While Richard (sorry Rich, no pics) strode out and marked the sampling locations, John and Bob took the silt for sampling. (Special toolmade by Western Depot) 

No nesting Swans or Coors were disturbed at The Ocean 

And finally, a sample of the sample deposition technique 

Bob Hallam.

"May your bilges always be dry and your anchor always hold."

Our commuter story hits the Beeb

http://www.bbc.com/news/

Notes from the Western Depot

by: Buffs

After the wet Easter and rain last week today was forecast to be showery at best. That did not stop over 30 volunteers signing on this morning.  There were logs to collect from trees felled by the recent high winds, finishing touches to complete on the new accommodation module, power tools tobe worked on and of course the continuing progress on Patricia.

The heavy rains of the last week has been working its way through the waterways of Gloucestershire with flooding on the floodplains of the Severn. We could see some effects of the rain on the Stroudwater with high water levels at the Ocean and waterfalls over the lock gates at Blunder and the stop planks at Pike lock. The normal background traffic noise was replaced by the roar from the bypass around pike lock which discharges just outside the yard.

Today two volunteers went to open the Ocean swing bridge and carry out a small adjustment to the running gear. The small repair to relieve a slight rub between the bridge and the track on which it runs was quickly dealt with. After a false start to allow some cars and dog walkers to cross the swing was started. The bridge has a hydraulic operating system which is powered by the turn of a handle. It takes more than 170 turns of the handle open the bridge. The volunteers take it in turns to wind or spin the pump which gives opening this bridge it colloquial name of ‘spinning the Ocean’. It has become a rite of passage for all Western Depot volunteers. With two volunteers on a warm day it takes about 6 minutes to open the bridge, with 3 we managed it in 4 minutes! Closing the bridge requires the same effort.

Volunteer Colin giving his best as he winds the bridge open. Colin is trying a step to see if it would improve the swing on the handle as some people are likely to find the handle a bit of a stretch at the top.

Today’s visit to the bridge was extended when it was discovered that one of the hinges on a gate was dislodged. Some time was spent relocating it but it will require the gate to be returned to the depot for more work.

In my last post I promised some photos of the new bench at the Ocean. Here they are:

The view from the bench over St Cyr’s church and the canal. The pair of swans which share this stretch  are back but proved to be camera shy.

NEW Accommodation

Early morning visitors to the Western depot will always be welcomed into our tea room even though it can be standing room only even into the office.  It is with some relief that the new accommodation unit has been signed off as complete by our depot manager and chief electrical engineer. This unit offers more than twice the floor area and more seating. It is also farewell to the boiler which provides hot water for tea and keeps the room warm in winter. The new unit has an instant (ish) boiling water supply.

Depot manager Reg thanks volunteers Will, Dave and Ray for their unstinting efforts in re-purposing the caravan to provide much needed extra space for the growing number of volunteers at Western Depot.

The first Cuppa!

RATTY & MOLE naming date

The date of the formal naming of the two new work boats constructed at Western depot has been set for 25 April.  They will give up their yard names for what I am sure will be splendid names but to us they will remain Ratty and Mole.

SDC Thursday Volunteers

by: Ian Moody

The sun shone, the brushes, er, brushed and after what seems like a lifetime we have finally finished painting the fence at Brewery Wall. Woo hoo!

I can’t quite believe how much paint it took.

Over at Wallbridge Lower Lock we sorted out  a blocked drain in the yard.

Jon took a team over to Ryeford to construct some steps near the bridge and also to continue the spill weir investigation on the offside at the double lock. Shirt sleeve weather!

Pat's Progress

Work on this major project, under sometimes trying circumstances and bad weather conditions, continues apace. 

The facility cabin bilge painting now boasts two coats of red oxide applied by the skilled paint brushes and rollers of John D. (The kidnapped Gill D is painting a trailer chassis green)

 

I have failed to get a shot of plumber Mathew J, but some of his very innovative and shiny layout can be seen here. 

We have to dismantle some hydraulic pipes under the stern deck to fit the 125 litre domestic water tank. A job maybe for Peter A when he returns from The Antipodes (soon?) 

Vince, after his lessons in conduit last week is not quite sure whether he has fabricated a shower or a cable route! 

Elsewhere in the yard, our chippies Will F, Dave W and Ray T were skimming and repairing the floorboards for the Facilities cabin and the Engineering Section with Ken K and Mike W continue making pins at some speed! 

Bob H meanwhile, removed 4 hydraulic pipes for replacement and local hydraulics firm ATH returned the repaired JCB dipper arm ram - a bit of a lumpy beast! 

Next week should see the facility cabin bilge bitumen blacked and the floor relaid and coated (with something!), the operator's cabin roof lining re-fixed and painting preparation begun in that cosy space. Heating, hot and cold water plumbing and electrical work will continue, as will the pivot pin manufacture. 

Bob Hallam.

"May your bilges always be dry and your anchor always hold."

Wet Dredging Progress

As we progress the wet dredging, more volunteers are coming forward to help as crew and be trained as operators. 

The latest recruit is John Sirett, who qualified as an operator in only last week, gaining his WRG 22 ticket. A couple of weeks before, Bob Hallam gained his Instructor qualification 22I (that's 22 "eye" not 22"ell" or 22"one"). So the team is building. 

Another milestone today as Dredger No. 5 reached further East than any other commercial boat in almost 100 years! 

Bob and Andrew together continued creating a channel towards Griffin Mill Lock - the bit the dry dredging team couldn't quite reach. 

The silt here is SOLID. 

And above it is a carpet of reeds - they have to come out too! 

Finally, at the end of a day of lovely, unusually warm (for us) weather, we reached the most Easterly point currently accessible - the dry boys causeway - and moored to it! (Picking up a railway sleeper on the way) 

Celebration was marked by way of  A crew picture taken by a lovely lady who just happened to be passing at this precise historic moment. 

And to prove it, here's the lady in question, Mari. 

Bob Hallam.

"May your bilges always be dry and your anchor always hold."

Dr. Folo

by: Domain Yo 

It seems that the Cotswold Canals Trust have a watery rival in Stroud. Today we can exclusively announce the completion of the first section of a new underground canal, The Stroudunder Navigation, which will eventually run from Brimscombe Port to Saul Junction.

Dr Lapri Folo from the Gloucestershire Curious Lid Society is the brains behind the scheme. He explains, "It seemed like a crazy idea at first but then we started to think about all of the stuff that stands in the way of the above ground canal and our idea suddenly made sense. There are no obstacles underground and, because there are no hills, you can build a canal without locks, thus dramatically reducing the overall cost. We decided to dig by hand rather than use machines and we selected the smallest spades we could find to reduce the chances of hitting rocks. Initially we were worried that we could lose our way down there and head off in the wrong direction so we introduced a rule that you should only dig directly in front of where you are standing. And, of course, we can dig at night because it's already dark down there."

The Blog has obtained exclusive pictures of the project.

Dr Folo and the team:

Work in progress

The first boat to use the newly opened section:

We wish Dr Folo the very best of luck with the next stage.