"Sticky" Titford canal

Friday, 29 January 2010 09:00

Exploring the highest canal summit on the BCN

We had a fairly good night - the sound of M5 is very much in evidence as are factory sounds - at the end of the Tatbank moorings. We cast off and returned towards Titford Pumphouse and out of the Tatbank Arm. This Arm was one of the last narrow canals to be built and is now a feeder to Rotton Park, or Edgbaston, Reservoir, cut off from navigation by a road bridge.

Passing the moorings and workboat Phoenix

Once out on the Titford Canal we passed under the railway bridge and came to the corner before the Langley Maltings.The Langley Maltings were once a brewery dating from the 1870s and there are two blocked up canal arms plainly visible between the two malting buildings. It had been restored and is a Grade ll listed building.

What a sad sight

Canal Arms

The building was destroyed by fire in September last year, the second arson attack in a year. I wonder if it will be restored again? I hope so.

The next bridge has two names - in Nicholson, it is Langley Green Bridge - but as you see the sign says different! The pub is The Bridge and the road leads down to Langley shops, a small supermarket, PO and nice butcher.

New Inns Road Bridge

Have a look up under the bridge at the two different styles of linings. Maybe it is a combination of two bridges?

After this bridge is Langley Forge - castings are still produced here and there was, and may still be, a one and a half ton steam hammer installed.

Langley Forge

Now things became exciting and "sticky"! As we passed the chimney Epiphany rode over something in the middle of the canal and became stuck fast. No amount of full forward throttle or reverse throttle would move her. We were pivoting at the beginning of the swim, about a quarter of the boat forward from the stern. Hmmm .....

Epiphany stuck, stuck, stuck

A voice hailed me (John was at the bows with the pole) - "throw me a rope and I can try to tow you off". It was a man by the yellow forklift truck. John came back and threw him the stern rope. This was tied to the forklift and we were gently pulled free.

Epiphany towed by a forklift

Yet again, when in need, someone turns up to help. He was only there to repair the forklift truck, but with a bit of (youthful) boating experience and coming from Fradley, he was the right man for the job! Thank you.

We tried to continue around the obstacle but Epiphany obstinately refused to go - it was quite a large obstacle and the canal was shallow on the offside. We gave up and John began reversing. We made sure that BW and the BCNS were informed about the problem!

Reversing back to New Inns Road Bridge (Langley Green)

Before we went through this bridge John went down the weed hatch! Yesterday's haul had just been one plastic bag. Today's was half a dozen plastic bags, rope, T shirt and some weed. The rope needed cutting with a sharp knife!

We hauled Epiphany back through the bridge, as on the way down we had encountered another obstacle here! Finally, we moored on the mooring rings opposite Langley Maltings and shall stay the night!

After a welcome lunch, we explored the rest of the Titford Canal on foot! Titford Pools to come .......

BCN, Tatbank Arm moorings to NE Langley Green Bridge on Titford Canal

1 hour 17 minutes, 0.47 miles, 0 locks