Teddesley Boat Company - 4 counties ring


	YOUR ROUTE TO A GREAT HOLIDAY
	History Forged into a Living Landscape 'Britain's canals are steeped in history, being the arteries of commerce that fuelled the industrial revolution.' Before the canals were built, raw materials and finished goods were transported by packhorses which had to negotiate poor roads that were often quagmires in winter and rutted tracks during the summer months. The early river navigations, such as the Thames, Trent and Severn alleviated the transport problem, but following natural watercourses, they didn’t necessarily go where they were needed. The Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal was built as part of a grand cross scheme to link the major 4 river navigation’s of the Trent, Mersey, Severn and Thames. The act of parliament to construct the canal was passed in 1766 and James Brindley, the famous canal engineer, was appointed to build the canal between the river Severn in Worcestershire and the Trent and Mersey canal at Great Haywood in Staffordshire. By 1772 the canal, with its 46 miles and 43 locks had been completed. This must have been an enormous undertaking involving thousands of “navvies” working with nothing more than picks and shovels.	The Staffs and Worcs canal, as it is affectionately known, is one of the gems of the narrow canal system. Its progress is almost entirely rural, with the occasional opportunity to visit historic towns such as Kidderminster. Stourport, where the canal meets the river Severn, owes its very existence to the canal, and thrived once the connection with the mighty river had been established. ‘Being an early ‘contour’ canal, the waterway meanders through some very attractive countryside. The northern end of the canal skirts the extensive parkland of Shugborough Hall before entering Tixall Wides. Here the canal was widened out to satisfy the demands of the local landowner, from Tixall Hall, who wanted the canal to take on the appearance of an ornamental lake to form part of his landscaped grounds. As today’s boater steers through the wides, perhaps glimpsing coots, grebes and geese. Tixall Gatehouse is all that remains of the gentry’s whims, the hall having fallen into disrepair many years ago. Teddesley wharf was built to serve Teddesley Hall the home of the Littletons. The local landed gentry, the Littletons, had much to do with the canal. Sir Edward Littleton, who built Teddesley Hall, was one of the promoters of the canal and his nephew, another Edward, became Lord Hatherton in 1835. The Littletons and Hathertons had close associations with the canal company, there being a family interest right up until 1947 when the canal was nationalised.
	From Teddesley the canal skirts the small town of Penkridge before several isolated locks take the boater to the summit pound at Gailey. Here is the last remaining roundhouse, which was built by the canal company reputedly to enable the toll keeper to see boats coming from either direction. Tolls, of course, have long since been abolished on the canal and the roundhouse now houses an interesting shop which sells basic groceries and souvenir canal ware. More attractive countryside is progressed before the canal meets the junctions at Autherley - where the Shropshire Union canal branches off to the north and Aldersley - where a left turn takes the boater up the magnificent flight of “the 2 1 “ Wolverhampton locks which are the gateway to the fascinating Birmingham Canal Navigations. (see routes)	‘Holidays Which Have The Knack of Taking Your Breath Away'
		If you are not contemplating a circular cruise, it is well worth continuing southwards towards the river Severn. The lock at Compton is believed to be the first lock that James Brindley built and is accompanied by an attractive circular weir - which is a feature of the southern Staffs and Worcs. The lock architecture and bridges are particularly interesting along this part of the canal. At Bratch, people from all over the country come to ‘gongoozie’ or boat-watch at the historic set of locks which are set very close together, almost (but not quite) forming a staircase. For a while you may find yourself centre-stage as you take your boat through the locks. Usually a friendly lock keeper is there to help you.
		Before long you pass through more beautiful countryside with evocative place names such as ‘Hinksford’, ‘Greensforge’ and ‘Stewponey’ By now you may have noticed that you are travelling through a red sandstone area. There is even a little cave beside the lock at Debdale where, it is believed, navvies used to shelter. At Kinver, a delightful English village with antique shops and a short walk from the canal takes you to some fascinating cave-like houses which were built into the rocks and were occupied until relatively recently. Several hours more interesting boating bring you to Stourport. Whether or not you continue downstream on the mighty river, it is worth stopping a while in Stourport to peruse its wealth of shops. The town has something of a seaside atmosphere, being traditionally the playground of workers from the Black Country who visited it on day trips There is a lovely park and a small funfair for any children in your party and the opportunity to take a boat trip on the river or hire a day boat if you so desire!