At Night 4:30pm by: Andrew R. Evening time images...… Please follow this link to the new Blog site

Send us a Story...

by: Peter A.

Another new feature of our new Blog site is the ability to easily send in a story of what you or your group have been up to for publication. 


At the top right cor...…...

Go to new Blog

Your Blog is moving to a new home

by: Peter A.

Yes, we're moving out of here and you will be able to find the latest news, plus all the historical posts at our new address:

CCT Restoration Blog

Some new features have been added, which you may find useful.  Please make sure you bookmark this link.

This old site will remain for now, but any new stories will be edited and the new link provided.

Please continue to enjoy the antics of our Cotswold Canals Trust Volunteers!

Mud, Mud, Glorious  Mud - Dudbridge Lower

by: Andrew R.

After a successful session yesterday (19th Nov) getting stop planks in and near perfect seal today the lock was emptied fully and finally, look at the problem!!

This isn't the bottom of the lock

Remember the dredging team had taken silt from the nearest end and then the lock was filled partially washing the metre deep silt bed back across the gates. Now volunteers and managers know why the gates don't shut and the need for the dredging teams to dig so much silt out of 1A.

If you want to help or watch, Ian M. is taking down Scaffolding Thursday. Then guess what, the stop planks come out next week and Dredging of lock so scaffolding stands on firm surface plus anything dropped is easy to find.

My thanks to Dredging crews / Tug crews and a couple of general volunteers from Ian and Andrew

Stop Planks at Dudbridge set

by: Andrew R.

Stop planks at Dudbridge now set after many points of view and efforts.

The combined efforts of Dredger and Tug crews +1 general volunteer made JP very happy as with team work we reset the stop planks.

Patricia, Margaret and Aquilla tried a new technique to pass by Annette2 whilst the strong current from the hydro bypass pushing hard. We set to. 

The yellow boom at the Hilly Orchard bridge near Wiggles had collected rubbish, twigs, logs, balls, a vessels walking plank, and much more.

Patricia gave a gentle push down and the planks obliged moving down. Several checks and new hard wood wedges applied we set the pump going.  Watching for 20 mins whilst eating lunch it was agreed the lock was emptying, 1 1/2 hours later all agreed no apparent leak, so home time for tug, then Patricia. A bag of saw dust applied in corners to help seal the slots.

Pump left going and when I got back at 4pm it was good to see the level had dropped 6 1/2 planks in the lock.  A good day’s work Jon P is so glad it’s finally done.

Was that a disapproving Kingfisher glance?

by: Peter A.

Today, perched on the hedge above Hilly Orchard Bridge sat the resident Kingfisher, brilliantly illuminated by the autumn sun.

But below, following  the recent rains, lay a collection of detritus washed down and caught by the pontoon placed across the canal just in case of an oil leak from the unfortunate Annette II.

In amongst the plant matter sat numerous examples of today's single use plastics - a sorry sight.

Speaking of Annette II.  She now rests right side up with her bottom on the bottom awaiting falling water levels and plan B to kick in.

Blast from the past 9 - Episode 3

By: Peter A.

Back in the late 80's a leading character in our Canal restoration was one David Boakes, you may well have seen the road, Boakes Drive, at Stonehouse named after him.

In this 4 part mini series, Episode 3 continues and this one features a subject very much in our activities recently, you should easily spot it. 

Episode 3