Feckenham Forest History Society

Ian Hunter, former town planner and member of the society, gave a talk on the history of two hundred years of the Birmingham to Worcester Canal. Originally commenced in 1772 it was finally completed in December 1815, with large crowds celebrating its completion. Starting in Birmingham at the Gas Street Basin it wends its way through 29 miles of town and country encompassing tunnels and 58 locks in total; the longest stretch of locks, thirty in all, being at Tardebigge.

One of the canal’s first aims was to connect the two places to the South Staffordshire coal fields to help businesses springing up in the new industrial areas, which needed a ready supply of coal for the manufacture of goods, including businesses like Cadburys. Near King’s Norton one can see the interesting guillotine lock which is permanently open.

Ian illustrated his talk with beautiful slides of the main points along the canal, passing through the recently restored part of the canal at Droitwich through to Diglis Basin at Worcester. He pointed out that canals went into decline with the advent of the railways, but now because of enthusiasm for pleasure boating we see how popular the canal has become.

After the Second World, with the enthusiasm of two men named Tom Rolt and Robert Aikmen, The Inland Waterways Association was born and a plaque commemorating this can be seen at Tardebigge Wharf. One can walk along the towpaths used by the horses that pulled the narrow boats along. The last horse drawn boats ceased in 1955 and tugs were used to pull the narrow boats through the tunnels in the canal.

The canal is part of the Stourport ring of Worcestershire canals, which is one of the popular rings for cruising holidays.

The society’s next meeting is entitled ‘Redditch then and Now’ by Derek Coombs

at Webheath Village Hall 7.30pm Tuesday, March 8. The society’s magazines third publication, covering many local topics can be bought at all the local corner shops in the Feckenham, Astwood Bank, Inkberrow, Redditch areas.