Brindley or Telford?

Tuesday, 20 January 2009 16:20

As we cruised along from Claydon to Napton, in brilliant sunshine, I mused about the BT debate. No not the telecoms giant, but about (James) Brindley versus (Thomas) Telford and their methods of canal building.

Telford used the "cut and fill" method, cutting through hills and building huge embankments. He created great vistas across the countryside and  dank, dark, narrow cuttings where the sun rarely shines.

Brindley however went around hills and valleys, following the contours of the land where possible. He created meandering waterways with views of tantlising hills and across valley dips.

I wondered about the characters of the two men. Was Telford focused, precise, tidy, neat and very sure of himself? Did he choose his method because he was a person who liked to push the limits and bulldoze his way through life?

Was Brindley a more measured, slow, take it as it comes man? Did he meander through his ideas and thoughts, a bit of a dreamer? Did he take his time coming to a decision, thinking carefully through all the options before acting?

I know very little about either man, apart from their amazing legacy that we spend all our days on. Part of me wishes I could travel back in time to meet them. One of my projects MUST be to find out more!

Do I prefer Brindley and his meandering contour canals or Telford and his straight, no nonsense cuttings and embankments?

Today, travelling through the beautiful Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire countryside on a contour canal, I think I prefer Brindley!

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