Charity begins at home?

Tuesday, 06 December 2011 08:58

"A lock and a loo! Both topics dear to every boaters heart". I quote from a poster at Thrupp Wide BW sani-station. Narrowboats visiting Thrupp this year may have noticed that the sani-station has had a make over. It was taking place last winter when we were here. Looking back at my blog it is almost to the day!

Poster at sani-station

Perhaps I should confess responsibility for the "loo" ......

Narrowboaters (and my readers) will know that there is an excellent book exchange at Thrupp Wharf sani-station. It is situated on Thrupp Wide, between Shipton on Cherwell and Thrupp, a small hamlet of canal side cottages, Manor Farm and the Yard. I never mind leaving a donation as requested as Thrupp Canal Cruising Club who run the exchange and the permit holder moorings donate the proceeds to charity.

Thrupp make over taking place last winter

In recognition of the renovation the club have decided to give some money to the Toilet Twinning charity for sanitation facilities in a school in Burundi. Many months ago we were the first "marine toilet" (TT words not mine!) to be twinned with a loo in Burundi.  As it is a subject that all boaters obsess about, I challenged (and still do) more boaters to do the same - since then we have heard of some. So I was so pleased to hear about the TCCC initiative. Well done to all involved. 

Thrupp Wide

A little snapshot of Thrupp history for you - Thrupp Wide was once part of the River Cherwell and was incorporated into the South Oxford Canal with the river diverted to run alongside. The money was tight when the canal reached its southern end and the river was used here and above Shipton to cut costs. 

The Yard, allegedly, was once the maintenance yard for the canal and the workers lived in the cottages in the yard and those across the lift bridge.

Thatched cottages in Thrupp Yard  

Sky darkening over canal-side cottages

There is no church, but the hamlet once had two pubs, The Axe and the Three Horseshoes. The Three Horseshoes closed down in 1924 (is it the cottage on Banbury Road with the same name?) and the Axe became The Boat Inn. 

The Boat Inn

The Woodstock Baptists converted a house into a chapel in 1876. It was closed in 1954 and is now a rather attractive residence.

Chapel Cottage

The iconic and sadly occasionally damaged Aubrey's Lift Bridge, once a "lever" lift bridge and now electrified, has been photographed many many times. Narrowboats seem to misjudge the turn from the Wide to go under the bridge and give it a thwack. All it takes is a bit of forethought, a careful approach and a bit of throttle at the right time! It also helps to have the bridge open first.

Lift Bridge, Muddy Waters' friend Jolly and sani-station

Aubrey's Lift Bridge from south

TV fame came when the "Morse effect" reached Thrupp in 1989 as an episode, "The Last Enemy" was filmed near the Canal and The Boat Inn. A beautiful location in more ways than one.