Over and Under the Hill - Potterspury History Group

For some years I have been helping lead some of the Over and Under the Hill events at Stoke Bruerne where participants explore Blisworth Tunnel by boat and walk back over the top with guides. Last Saturday we held a special version for our village history group. With the warm and dry spell of weather we managed to fill trip boat Charlie. The tunnel element of the event never fails to impress. Despite travelling through the tunnel on Albert you get a new perspective sitting in Charlie near the water line when you can concentrate on looking at the side passages and the wonderful colours of the mineral deposits on the walls.

Familiar view

Checking the route

Boat Horses in the quarry field

We carried out a reconnaissance on the Thursday before the trip and some our pictures are from that walk.

A group of happy walkers ready for the tunnel

In the tunnel and looking at interpretation material

Leaving Charlie at Blisworth

Finishing with a meal for over twenty at the Navigation Inn it was a memorable event.  The next event like this is at the end of August which is being organised by Trip Boat Charlie.

Stoke Bruerne Village at War 2018

The Village at War this weekend appears to get bigger each year with more and more re-enactors tacking part. The whole village now gets swamped with people dressed in 1940s clothing - some dressed in military uniform, some impersonating characters such as Churchill and Montgomery and some simply enjoying dressing-up. There are even a few German Forces re-enactors involved.

Montgomery has a chat

German Forces occupy a lock

The event now has less direct emphasis on the canal and wartime boating but this is largely because more and more it has become a re-enactment event. To me that is fine because its success brings a wider range of members of the public to the canal and it financially helps support the Friends of the Canal Museum. However, don't let me give the impression that the canal is overlooked, they was a fine selection of working boats and canal traders.

NB Eclipse with its Lister (Video)

The wonderful coffee boat with its bespoke coffee machine in the bows

Now that's how to get chocolate on a crepe!

In the past I have reported the weather at this event being an Indian summer, but not this year. Despite this year's gloriously sunny and dry summer, that led to navigation restrictions, the recent weather has become mixed. Weather play an important part in the success of outdoor events such as Village at War and on Saturday with cloudy skies and early rain I did wonder about the event's successes. However, on the Sunday the crowds came out in force and Stoke B was just full of people.

We don't boat to this event because pride of place is given over to the historic boats and traders, but we bring along Harvey our 1932 Austin Seven RN box saloon. Not many non-military historic vehicles come to this event but those that do are nearly always pre-war. This year around a dozen turned up over the weekend. Being keen we brought Harvey on both days. There was in fact a lot of interest in our car, largely because it fitted in well with the theme of the event. I suspect that like many other private vehicles Harvey would have been laid up "for the duration" because the lack of petrol coupons.

Harvey and its much bigger cousin at the start of the show

In the past there have been well publicised fly-pasts of WWII aircraft. This year there was no real publicity but a RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire did a couple of low passes much to the crowd's delight.

Spitfire Fly-past

Every year a George Formby impersonator Paul Casper entertains. But this year we watched the singer Lola Lamour delight the crowds on the Sunday. One of our favourite moments was when she did a duet in French with 92 year-old WII veteran Arthur. He had been in Normandy and sheltered from the Germans by a Belgium family.

Lola Lamour with Arthur under the bridge 

The picture of Lola doesn't appear to show much of an audience. That's because most of the audience were above the "stage" and the area in front was set up to allow dancing - we saw a young couple demonstrate some great jiving.

Model RC working boat (Video)

James Griffen (from Wyvern Shipping) was there with his model working boat. The boat carried munitions (full-size bullets). Watching it manoeuvre, I realised that it was producing an authentic sounding engine note. James informed me that it comes from a Lister HA2 but he would have preferred to have had the sound of a JP2! Unfortunately that but that wasn't available on the internet. The model has a steerer who moves the tiller (or perhaps it is actually the other way round!).

The event gave us the chance to meet up with some old friends, chat about boating and cars, enjoy a couple of drinks and food (hog roast), and marvel at the lengths some people go to recreate the past.

Over and Under the Hill with the Ramblers

We have been busy over the last couple of weeks entertaining our friends from Brisbane so posting has been difficult.

In an effort to catch up I will start with the event at Stoke Bruerne on June 2nd. It was another Over and Under the Hill event which includes a trip through Blisworth Tunnel by boat and a guided walk over the hill. My role as a CRT volunteer was to guide the walk. This time the event was part of an event organised by The Ramblers. There were two trips through the tunnel on NB Indian Chief, so bigger groups could accommodated. Heritage Walks around the village were also incorporated. It was part of the 2018 Walkabout Festival.

The event came very soon after the new CRT branding. I got a new blue polo shirt with the new logo and "Making life better by water" across my back and Stoke Bruerne was full on new blue signs. 

Blue is the new black!

I won't join in the debate about the re-branding exercise, the chat rooms can deal with that. I did however meet Richard Parry who stepped off Indian Chief just as I reached Blisworth with the first group of walkers.

Ramblers in Blisworth Tunnel aboard NB Indian Chief

Richard Parry visiting CRT facilities at Stoke Bruerne with the new branding in evidence

The event generated a lot of interest and the walkers appeared to enjoy both the walk and the cruise. A number stayed on until the afternoon for Heritage Walks. They were also entertained by a Morris side, not the more familiar Rose and Castle side from Stoke Bruerne - they were away performing in France, but the Crosskey Clog from Peterborough.

Crosskey Clog outside The Canal Museum

Stoke Bruerne

Spent Tuesday afternoon in Stoke Bruerne at the Canal Museum with my grandson Hugh. He was particularly fascinated by the models on canal construction and the locks/incline plane at Foxton. We both enjoyed a boat trip on Charlie. Nice to be steered into the tunnel and Hugh was very brave when the lights were turned off - we could just see the pin prick of light at the other end.

Hugh on Trip Boat Charlie

I shall soon be going on Charlie again as part of the Over and Under the Hill event on Sunday 3rd September, although that will involve going right through.

Stoke Bruerne Village at War 2016

We decided to go to the wonderful Village at War event over the weekend but with Harvey, our 1932 Austin Seven Box Saloon (RN). The weekend started inauspiciously with heavy downpours all Saturday so we stayed at home, but today the weather came up trumps with loads of sunshine and crowds of people.

 

Renactors aplenty

Harvey fitted the 1940s theme well being first registered in 1932. Our friends John and Gill Hinson brought along an altogether bigger vehicle - an ex Isle of Wight 1936 Dennis Single Decker bus.

Harvey in the foreground

(the Denis bus is well in the background)

The magnificent 1936 Dennis Bus

Late in the afternoon Nick Hewer (of Countdown and The Apprentice fame) came into the vehicle park with his Austin Seven Tourer. He lives locally.

Nick Hewer and Austin Seven

Time for tea

NB Sculptor going down the locks

We had a great day and also enjoyed the drive to and from the event. Going was much quieter and we didn't cause any traffic problems but coming back the slow climb up the hills to Grafton Regis meant we had a good tail back of following traffic by the time we turned off the A508 to our village; Harvey rarely gets to 40 mph.  However, most were patient and gave use cheery waves. 

Boat Sinking at Stoke Bruerne

Boat on the cill, Lock 15 Grand Union

Over the weekend I was involved in helping with the Over and Under the Hill event at Stoke Bruerne which is run by the local canal partnership and we took Albert along so we could stay overnight. On late Saturday afternoon the weather was wet, and we only had four paying customers, but it led us to witness part of the events that led to a boat sinking in Lock 15 and stoppage lasting most of Sunday.

Over and Under the Hill (NB Charlie)

The Over and Under the Hill event involves passage through the tunnel on trip boat Charlie and then  a return guided walk over the hill. I was involved in helping lead the walking section. As we reached the tunnel northern portal around 6:15 PM on the Saturday we saw a boat travelling south on an erratic course towards us - it ran aground a few times and was across the navigation when I first saw it. Because NB Charlie had a return trip through the tunnel with paying customers they asked the steerer of the boat in difficulties if they could go ahead. He agreed and then did a very professional job of reversing his traditional-engined boat away from the tunnel portal - a process which often causes embarrassment, particularly when there is an audience. Unfortunately, when he then tried to go forward he ran straight aground on the off-side. At this point we left him to his devices because we couldn't help and had a walk to lead.

On reaching Stoke Bruerne we began to hear that the boat in difficulties, which was unnamed, had struggled to get through the tunnel. The crew had also had great difficulties getting it into the top lock. At one time I gather it was broadside across the navigation.

On Sunday, just before we led our second walk, we found out that the boat had got into the second lock down the flight (Lock 15) and was sunk - caught on the cill. The lock flight was therefore closed and CRT were involved in trying to recover the boat. On the hatch of the boat was a partially full bottle of whisky and a half-full bottle of white wine; both had miraculously stayed upright as the boat sank.

Upright bottles and glasses on the hatch

CRT staff locked the whole flight first thing on Sunday morning and then drained the Long Pound (pound below lock 15). After a few hours of pumping out they managed to get the boat afloat and eventually, around 3:00 PM when the Long Pound was full again, boats began moving again. The whole process was handled very efficiently. Being Sunday there were numerous onlookers for the whole operation and lots of discussion about the causes of the incident.

On the cill

Afloat and filling the pounds

As you can imagine, once the stoppage was lifted by CRT the lock flight suddenly became very busy. One aspect was the difficulty in working out which boat had moored up for the stoppage (and wanted to move on) and which was just moored up for the night.

Because we need to turn Albert to go south, our return down the flight was not helped by boater thinking that because there was a stoppage he could moor anywhere and leave his boat unattended. This included right opposite the winding hole by the tunnel where there are very clear no mooring signs  Luckily the crew eventually returned but only after we had two futile attempts to wind. I think the owners realised that we were were far from happy with their actions.

We were accompanied going down the flight towards Yardley Gobion by a boat named Komet. The owner was an enthusiast for the German (Me 163) Komet WWII rocket plane. I am lucky enough to have seen one of these midget planes close up when I worked at what was then Cranfield Institute of Technology. In  the 1970s Cranfield also had a V1 flying bomb engine and a complete V2 rocket which now appears to be in the Imperial War Museum.

   

Stoke Bruerne Open Locks & Sun Dogs

Today we visited the Open Locks Event at Stoke Bruerne. The top two locks of the flight were drained but the top lock was fully fitted out with barriers and steps to enable members of the public to descend into the lock and examine the brickwork and gates with CRT and Canal Museum volunteers on hand to provide interpretation.

Swans enjoying the winter sunshine at Stoke Bruerne

When we arrived, shortly after midday, around 450 had already been down into the lock chamber. Yesterday the miserable weather had meant that only 380 had braved the elements. That is not to say that today was warm. There was a brisk wind and the temperature didn't go above 5 deg so the volunteers on the towpath encouraging others to join them we feeling decidedly chilly. In fact, probably the best place to get out of the breeze was in the lock.

In the lock chamber

It is rare that you get to see the more than a glimpse of the lower workings of a lock. Perhaps the top of the circular culvert that carries water from the ground paddle into to the chamber. But here were were able to walk on the floor of a wide lock and see how it had an invert like a tunnel and how at Stoke Bruerne it was made of numerous small bricks, similar to those for constructing Blisworth Tunnel.

Gate, cill and ground-paddle culvert

Rarely seen - the ground-paddle culvert

(and some freshwater muscles)

Evidence of a culvert that may have been used to connect the two Top Locks 

It was fascinating. Many of those going into the lock, and not all did, appeared to be from their questions not to have much connection with boating which bodes well for this type of event raising awareness of canals and waterways. For us the thought of this wonderful well-preserved original brickwork lying beneath Albert as we go through the Top Lock had the biggest impact.

Original brickwork at the base of the lock - in great condition

CRT Volunteers explaining it all

We managed to have our first outdoor meal of the year, a baguette and a ginger beer, sitting on a bench by the winding hole near Blisworth Tunnel - it was out of the wind. We also visited the Museum cafe which was open for the occasion.

Drained pound by the Navigation Inn

We had driven to Stoke and parked near the Bottom Lock to get some exercise so we made are way back to our car down the locks on the off-side with the sun low in the sky. We were treated to a great view of a sun dog (well two but one was quite faint). We were also treated to the sight (and site) of mole metropolis adjacent to Lock 17. I don't think we have seen so many molehills in one place. Each molehill was only about a metre apart. They must be having a party underground! Hopefully they won't cause damage.

Molehills!

Low sun with a clear (right) and a faint (left) sun dog

Sun dogs are halo phenomena caused by ice crystals in the atmosphere and occur around 22 deg either side of the sun. They are mostly seen when the sun is low. I have posted about them before - I am keen on such atmospheric effects.

Close-up of sun dog

Open Doors at Stoke Bruerne and some memories of Bingley

I see that Canal and River Trust are having an open weekend at Stoke Bruerne  on February 13th and 14th where they have been carrying out repairs to the lock flight. I have always thought that this type of community engagement activity is well worthwhile. I also find the idea of finding out more of what goes on below the surface fascinating. A decade ago they drained the flight at Stoke Bruerne and we had a pretty good look, but to properly poke around below the surface should be fun. We aim to be there.

Stoke Bruerne Locks de-watered in 2006

However, the most fascinating example of this type of engagement with the community has to be when the iconic Bingley Five-Rise was open to the public during repairs in spring 2012. The You-Tube videos of the event were great and the numbers who walked up through the chambers over the weekend exceeded 7,000. It's just a shame that access to the BBC report of the event has now been deleted because it was simply brilliant with the local engineering staff doing a great job of explaining the engineering work and the purpose of the event. Nowadays, there would a permanent link to a CRT published video.

I just wished I lived on the doorstep of the Five-Rise - but then Stoke Bruerne and Bingley just can't be compared. I hope you enjoy the videos below.

I see the little sister of the Five-Rise, the Three-Rise at Bingley, is also being opened up to the public but over an extended period from next weekend to the 6th March. 

So to complete the reminiscences of Bingley, the image below comes from our summer 2012 journey along the Leeds & Liverpool and up the Five-Rise.

Albert about to climb Bingley Five-Rise with the lock-keeper waiting

Stoke Bruerne Village at War

We visited the annual Village at War Event at Stoke Bruerne today. Lots of crowds a and plenty of re-enactors dressed the part. Working boats Nuffield and Raymond were moving up and down the locks and Sculptor, the Canal Museum's boat was also on the move.

"Walking-out" with a bobby - 1940s style

We met up with Norman Mitchell who used to more at Kingfisher Marina and had a chat. Norman was doing the commentary. He is well versed at commentating after doing the same for many years at Braunston.

Nuffield & Raymond descending Stoke Bruerne Locks

Sculptor approaching her mooring

The trip boat Charley was suitable dressed-up as a warship and the crew dressed as sailors. I liked the bit of plastic plumbing acting as a periscope.

Trip boat Charley disguised as HMS Charley

The Cheese Boat is usually found around Stoke Bruerne. They entered the spirit of the event by suggesting that their products were illicit!

Black-market Cheese Boat

Bob Nightingale, the blacksmith who operates from the forge by the tunnel portal without the benefit of mains electricity, suggested that this is because of hostilities! 

Blacksmith at Blisworth Tunnel Southern Portal

Motor Ling

NB Ling was at Stoke on behalf of the Chesterfield Canal Trust laden with bags of sand and looking very smart with gleaming brass and paintwork. We recently saw her moored up at Shugborough.