The ancient Thames at Sandford

Tuesday, 15 November 2011 18:25

I had promised myself that when we were back at Sandford Lock I would explore the other side of the lock island and the Western Stream, now known as the Backwater but once the main navigation channel of the River Thames. It was a grey day when I finally took my walk - suitable perhaps for such a sad place where so many have drowned at the "Sandford Lasher"

Bridge over the old channel below the lock on a sunnier day in October

I blogged about Sandford back in March and mentioned Jerome K Jerome's quote "A good place for drowning". I also did a blog on Sandford Lock then but now I had even more to find out about .....

Walking downstream to the bottom of the lock, I followed the path and went over the footbridge in the above photo. On the other side is a stile leading to a path on the western side of the old navigation. I shall now call it the Western Stream - nicer than "backwater", I think!

Reflections across the stream and the island above the lock

I could just see Epiphany moored the other side too

It felt quite isolated and all I could hear was the horrible humming of the electricity in the pylons which stride across the wasteland, the rumble of the odd train and the sound of rushing water. The songs of the birds were almost drowned out. 

The path rounded a corner and I met a black Labrador - his owner followed pretty soon. Perhaps I was not so alone after all. I could see the source of the water sound - a large weir. This is the notorious "Sandford Lasher".

Sandford Lasher

You can probably make out what looks like a cross in the centre. This is a memorial to the five Christ Church College students who drowned here in Sandford Pool, below the weir. In the years between 1843 and 1921, three separate incidents were recorded. What a sad legacy and, as recently as 1982, the lock keeper's son was drowned whilst fishing. 

Lasher memorial

The Lasher replaced a flash lock, or "Great Lockes" and records of this go back to Edward lll's reign. It was possibly still in use after 1828 and barges passed downstream with great difficulty. However a pound lock had been built (1630s) in the other channel by the mill and the Western Stream, which was the wider channel, began to narrow.

The miller charged boats, as he still had to "flash" them towards the lock, due to the low river level below the pound lock. The old flash lock was used by downstream traffic to avoid this payment! In 1836, a new lock was built alongside the old pound lock and in turn was replaced in 1972 by the present lock.

I continued my walk above the Lasher - the stream was so still, the reflections were lovely.

Looking downstream, so peaceful now

The footbridge at the end of the Stream carries the Thames Path and continues upstream. Crossing the bridge, I started home along the Thames Path and around the bend known as Fiddler's Elbow.

Footbridge and Thames Path upstream

Walking downstream, I passed a couple of weir streams. The first leads directly to the Sandford Lasher, which is securely fenced in.

The Lasher, fenced off, I took this through the locked gate in the secure fence preventing access.

The second weir stream enters the Western Stream below the Lasher into the Pool and by now my walk was almost over, I was hoping John had the kettle on!

Downstream weir stream from the Thames Path bridge over it

I soon spotted the boats moored above the lock - us and another narrowboat on the Island and end of garden moorings on the opposite bank.

Back home, nearly

I had a bit of a welcome from the local geese!

.... and the kettle was on.