Canal Stories - Poppy and Stone

Poppy and Stone

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Canal Stories

Stories about the canals of Britain and the people and houses connected with them.

Tragedy in Blisworth Tunnel

Tragedy in Blisworth Tunnel

Recently I researched a well-known 'ghost story' about an accident in Blisworth Tunnel. This tragic tale took place in September 1861, just ten months after the introduction of steamboats on the Grand Junction Canal. Sometimes narrowboaters say that when they go through Blisworth Tunnel they can hear ghosts,

The Allsop family of Glascote Locks

The Allsop family of Glascote Locks

The right hand lock cottage overlooking Glascote top lock, number 2 The Locks, has long been associated with the boatyard at Glascote Basin. Before Norton Canes came to the basin, it was the home of the boatbuilder Steve Hudson. For many years, from before 1881 to 1929, the Allsop family

The Wyrley and Essington Canal

The Wyrley and Essington Canal

A brief introduction to the history of the Wyrley and Essington Canal

The canals of the Midland region at the end of WW1

The canals of the Midland region at the end of WW1

A introduction to the Midland Region canals in 1918

Accidental Drowning: Four Young Men from All Cannings

Accidental Drowning: Four Young Men from All Cannings

The accidental drowning of Francis Cowdry, Stephen Green, William Page, and Henry Withers, on 27th December 1846.

Found Drowned: Emily Louise Chambers (1865-1897) and Eva Louise Chambers (1896-1897)

Found Drowned: Emily Louise Chambers (1865-1897) and Eva Louise Chambers (1896-1897)

The story of Emily Louise Chambers and her baby Eva Louise Chambers who were found drowned in 1897.

Lockkeepers on the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1911

Lockkeepers on the Kennet and Avon Canal in 1911

In 2020 I surveyed the 1911 census to find all the lock keepers along the Kennet and Avon Canal. Here are my findings.

Samuel Barlow of Glascote

Samuel Barlow of Glascote

Samuel Barlow and his family, the well known boat buiders and coal carriers of Glascote.

George Hawkins – a true story from the Caen Hill flight

George Hawkins – a true story from the Caen Hill flight

The story of George Hawkins from the Caen Hill flight. Murder, accident, or suicide? What do you think?

Murder on the Llangollen Canal

Murder on the Llangollen Canal

This story of Thomas Newbrook of Whixall, his employer Elijah Bowers Forester, and Elijah's brother-in-law, William Powell, takes place at Round Thorn Bridge on the Llangollen Canal.

The History of the Aire and Calder Navigation

The History of the Aire and Calder Navigation

A potted history of the Aire and Calder Navigation with a special focus on the companies and individuals working on the canal in 1918.

The Coal Man and the Goat

The Coal Man and the Goat

A few years ago, I posted a picture of a house up for auction. It turned out that Kev (formerly of Bickerstaffe Boats) knew the property well...

The History of Lock 57 Cottage and Belvedere House, Hassall Green

The History of Lock 57 Cottage and Belvedere House, Hassall Green

Belvedere House made a particularly interesting research project, which I hope the new owner will enjoy. Spoiler alert, it isn't a warehouse!

How old is that narrowboat?

How old is that narrowboat?

If you spot an old boat on the waterways and you want to find out its age, and something about it, here's how.

A Twist in the Tale on the Grand Union Canal

A Twist in the Tale on the Grand Union Canal

Was it suicide or was it murder? Early on the morning in July 1880, a pair of horse boats loaded with chalk left Stoke Hammond lock...

The History of The Elms, Benwick

The History of The Elms, Benwick

I wrote this history of The Elms, in Benwick, when I was selling it as a canalside homes estate agent in 2022. The property sold and is now in new hands.

Edwin Brown, Foxhangers Lock Cottage and Semington Lock House

Edwin Brown, Foxhangers Lock Cottage and Semington Lock House

Edwin Brown was the lock keeper at the bottom of the Caen Hill flight and at Semington Lock House.

Sarah Gerrish, cake seller, (c.1805-1862)

Sarah Gerrish, cake seller, (c.1805-1862)

Mysteries are both the joy and the challenge of genealogy. Sarah Gerrish's story is one of these.

Reliant and Metrocab, Basin Lane, Glascote

Reliant and Metrocab, Basin Lane, Glascote

Where I live between Glascote Locks was once the location for the moulding factories producing Scimitars and Robin Reliants.

A baby at Sydney Wharf (1878-1878)

A baby at Sydney Wharf (1878-1878)

A sad little story of a baby drowned in the Kennet and Avon Canal at Sydney Wharf near Bath.

Glascote Locks and the surrounding area 1900-1918

Glascote Locks and the surrounding area 1900-1918

The history of Glascote Locks and the surrounding area between 1900 and 1918, including the men of Glascote who served and fell in WW1.

The History of Barlaston Boatyard

The History of Barlaston Boatyard

I researched this history of the Boatyard for my lovely clients. It includes some information on Boatyard Cottages and New Buildings.

Willie George Allsop, 1882-1902

Willie George Allsop, 1882-1902

Willie George Allsop lived at 2 Canal Locks, Glascote, one of the Top Lock cottages. His father was Peter Allsop, a canal toll clerk.

The History of Rothay Street, Leigh

The History of Rothay Street, Leigh

In 2023 I sold a house in Rothay Street. Here's the history I researched for the sellers and the new owners.

The Calder and Hebble Navigation

The Calder and Hebble Navigation

A brief history of the Calder and Hebble Navigation.