Next Monthly Meeting
16th October
Image © Neil Maw 2019
A Unique combination of Basin, Lock and Aqueduct
at the junction of the old North Wilts Canal and the Thames & Severn Canal
Twixt Two Rivers
Thanks to the sterling efforts of Jan Flanagan we have been given permission to work on the stretch of canal between the River Churn and the River Thames.
This extends the length of canal bed and towpath that we have access to by about fifty percent. Norman Ford, the Hailstones Farm tenant, who leases this section and Andrew Liddle, Management Team, at Hills Quarry Products who own the land, both gave their blessings to our efforts.
This is a great opportunity for us, not only to extend our working area improving the local environment, but will also to give Graham more easy access to the remains of the two aqueducts.
We will also have two new neighbours. Norman our 'host' farmer and Natural England, who manage North Meadow, who we will need to contact to introduce ourselves.
Who are we?
We are a Community orientated organisation dedicated to preserving and maintaining the historic, and unique, area around Latton Basin, at the junction of the North Wilts and Thames & Severn canals. Our efforts encompass the canal basin, the regulating lock and the stone four arch flood relief aqueduct, which are the main structures. There are also the remains of an aqueduct in the Mill Leat and the Junction Bridge. The original cottage, which is in private ownership, although extensively modernised inside, is still easily recognisable externally. From the stone aqueduct a section of canal bed and towpath (approx 600 metres) leads to the River Churn which was originally crossed by a brick aqueduct and then another short section continues to the River Thames where there was another stone aqueduct. Alas, little remains of these two structures.
The towpath is a public footpath and part of a circular walk. At the Thames end of our section there is North Meadow containing the largest collection of wild fritillaries in the country. We are maintaining and improving the towpath and the canal bed, which over the years had become badly overgrown.
Visitors