The Ashby Canal - Hinkley

Monday, 23 February 2009 13:26

The Ashby Canal touches the western outskirts of Hinckley after bridge 15 - Lime Kilns. This is the only urban conurbation that encroaches along the 300-foot contour that the canal follows for the whole of its length.

We spotted this alternative form of water transport moored by the Lime Kilns pub

I wondered if this sort of individual transport might have caught on in Hinckley had the canal actually touched more villages and towns on its route!

Shakespeare mentions Hinckley in Henry IV part 2. "And Sir, do you mean to stop any of  William's wages, about the sack he lost the other day at Hinckley fair?" Oh how I struggled with that particular play as part of my 'O' level English!

Hinckley is a very ancient place and goes back to Saxon times and even maybe to a pre Saxon Roman settlement. The Normans built their "trademark" castle in 1151 and the bailey and part of the moat still remain. It has been a Market Town since 1551 and there are markets on Mondays and Saturdays.

It was in 1640 that the first stocking frame was set up in Hinckley, leading to the world famous hosiery and knitwear industry that the town became known for. Atkins of Hinckley, founded in 1722 was the oldest hosiery manufactory in the world, succeeded by the Aspira factory.

Coincidentally, I was chatting to John's Uncle on Friday. The family had a department store in Redruth, Cornwall - "Cockings of Redruth" - and he was telling me about Hinckley and his drapery trade links with the manufacturers there.

Hinckley Wharf Arm is now used for moorings

Not long after the Arm there is a new development that looks rather incongruous on such a rural canal. It is on the outskirts of Hinckley and is centred around a Brewers Fayre restaurant, a Premier Inn and Trinity Marina. The whole complex is owned by Trinity Motors and includes an auto shop, and a couple of garages.

Approaching Trinity Marina

We had reached our destination. We had a temporary mooring booked in the Marina as we were due to go down to Cornwall for a few days.

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