187. The £40million canal restoration in central England
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- A few weeks ago, I cruised past what remains of the Lichfield canal, now used by the Lichfield Cruising Club, and mentioned that the canal is under restoration. In this vlog I've been to meet the team who are heading up that restoration and see the scale of the works underway.
2023 UPDATE!!! I returned in August 2023 to see how they're getting on: see • 310. The epic work it ...
To donate to the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust, click here:
lhcrt.org.uk/mobile/m.donate.html
For more about the restoration, see their website at www.lhcrt.org.uk
Location (Fosseway Heath basin): goo.gl/maps/9YXrHCnochjTbGxT6
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the CZcams music library
Could we have an update?
The Trust has its own channel with updates; I won't go back until a few years have passed as restorations are a very slow process and essentially the story would remain the same for a long while. I'll return once there's been substantial changes that make a worthwhile "then and now" comparison.
Please do subscribe to our channel.
@@LHCRT Done! :-)
@@LHCRT done👍👍
@@LHCRT came back to see this amazing video again. I wondered what the progress was, saw this comment and instantly subscribed. Great work over at Lichfield!
David, this video is what separates you from the other narrowboat channels, and typifies the difference between those who are just "doing their own thing", and one who also contributes as a productive member of the floating citizenry. Well done! 👍
Thank you!
He is awesome!
@@LHCRT Yes he is !
Cheers, David!
What Gilbert Franklin said, David. You write the best information and explanations.
This is bloody incredible! The sheer human endeavour is as great this time around, as in the 1700's, with just wheelbarrows and shovels.
I am particularly interested in the original brickwork, it would have been made by hand. I did this job at Godlingston Swanage for 18yrs and personally made 3 million bricks with my bare hands, with a drop of sweat running from my brow, down the bridge of my nose, onto each freshly struck suface of each brick during the Summer and Autumn's , each year. I am immensely proud of these people's dream .
Thank you.
Your BBC experience is showing :-) Well done
David that was excellent your professionalism shines through.
Never in my life did I imagine they would be building more canals in England! This is going to be awesome
Thank you.
I can see you going back to your old job. Your style is just perfect, interesting documentary. Thank you.
I admire this crowd - cheerfully tackling a seemingly impossible task - good luck to them.
Thank you!
To put history into perspective, this canal was hand dug and in use around the same time my country, Australia had just been discovered with small settlements at Port Jackson. Truly amazing.
Thank you.
Wow. Your journalistic experience really comes to fore in the production of this one. It's TV worthy. Nice work 😁
As an American, I watched this wonderfully educational vlog while thinking how this is so different from the USA. Firstly, the cost would be 40 billion with overage. Secondly, the volunteer status would be completely foreign; when some corporation could make lots of money gouging the government. I truly enjoy living vicariously through your eyes. Keep up the great work. 🥰
Unfortunately, I fully agree. Here on the left side of the Pond we seem to have lost the ability (at least on a large scale) to preserve or restore our history for the sake of anything other than profit. One of the most impressive points made in this video is that even those portions of the canal not yet under restoration (or even purchased from their current owners) are protected... I'm fairly confident that if his was here in the U.S., almost the entirety of the original canal would have long ago been paved over or become a shopping center. Bravo to our friends across the Pond!
Bloody hell! From a delightfully meandering vlog (and sometimes not-a-vlog) about life on the cut to suddenly ITV/BBC pro telly standard segment.
Your professionalism shows - bone dry, cucumber cool, down to earth TV professionalism! Impressed!
Haha thank you :-)
i would like to say that i think this has got to be one of your best and most interesting postings to date. i have now subscribed, thanks again, regards Jakob....
Thanks!
Bloody brilliant! Your vlog needs to get on the BBC to gain support for this amazing project. Very, vey interesting. Why is not the government stepping in to fund these
projects, think of the jobs and the pride in ones country it would generate. A grand job lad, give yourself a cheese butty.
I think the Government is currently distracted (but let's not go there)
Many in the government seem to be against pride in the country, unfortunately
Woah, steady, let's not go down that rabbit hole, this is not the place for that discussion; narrowboats and canals only please, no politics.
You are a tremendous voice for the canals, and what they potentially mean to the future of Britain. You are an unbiased reporter of fact as a fundamental principle of your journalistic endeavor. You are a friend to the canals, the narrowboats, and the narrowboaters who represent such an important part of the British culture. I feel your attraction to being a central player to the success of this project; it desperately needs to be publicized. Do that. And enjoy the cut, for us all.
Crikey. Thank you :-)
Well said 👍
Much as I enjoy your "regular" vlogs David, I have to say that this was probably one of the more fascinating ones. What a fantastic (and fascinating !) project - I really hope they manage to complete it.
Thank you. We will! 😊
An interesting vlog from your usual ones... Do more of these.
I wish I could but they take a lot more time and effort than the usual ones. I do them when I can!
Thanks and now, time for a cheese sandwich....
We love all of his vlogs, but we do like this one the best... obviously we're biassed.
How can people not like this, another section of canal to stroll along on summer days, picnics, dog walks, cycling, canoeing even, seems like the only good thing happening so far, keep up the good work
Thank you.
These old canal waterways are real gems of our early transport system, well done guys.great job.
How fantastic to think volunteers are doing all that works. Also your reporting skills are has expected fist rate.
Well done, I will donate £40. Xx
That's a great donation!
Thank you !
@@CruisingTheCut Money poorly spent. Why aren't the water authority (who will just walk in and claim it once finished) footing any of the bill? I'm an ex canal volunteer and I've seen first hand what the main objective is ....
You Brits are fantastic, I almost want to go live on a canal Boat. I actually have a choice for my retirement; Canal Boat, Sail Boat or go to southern Missouri to live in the country along a small stream. But I am going to visit England, Ireland and Scotland for my vacation.
I absolutely admire all the individuals volunteering to rebuild the canal immensely. It is quintessentially English to maintain the past or rebuild it. Absolutely marvellous!
Thank you! 😊
It's amazing what they did under that ruoundabout. Not so much by the tunnel itself, but for the planning and foreseeing they had.
Yes, that was the bit that got me. It shows just how much commitment they had from the start. I have no doubts that they will achieve their goal.
Thank you.
Excellent camera work and superb editing. Your professionalism shines through.
Brilliant and truly fascinating, a nice little chunk of history and will donate to such a good cause.
Thank you!
I love it when people care enough about something to restore it. Whether it's an old steam train line or a race track or canal. Hats off to them for getting stuck in. I hope it's going well nearly a year later. Thanks for the vid.
Thank you.
Me too. These things were damned hard work with just spades and manual work when they were originally built and I think we should respect that by maintaining them. I get concerned by the tumbled down dry stone walls over the hills and moorlands in Wales, Yorkshire etc.
England is such a beautiful country, and the canals are by far one of, if not the, best way to traverse the land.
Harry Ward
I think it’s a amazing system. These canals have been around for a long time and still used today. How many countries have a canal system like this?
It would be cool if the U.S. has a system like this all over the country, but I would assume it would get trashed by a lot of people.
Thanks for sharing. Certainly worth more to the UK than HS2 and at a tiny fraction of the price.
The quality of your documentaries is amazing. Eat your heart out, BBC.
Well done video. I hope you're advertising the canal restoration helps thim out greatly. And it would be nice if BBC would rebroadcast it.
😊
David what a superb job you do certainly shows your journalistic flair....
Those excavations are superb reminds me of digging out channels for the M1 before I drove on it for the first time.... They wouldn't have had JCBs then... but how they would have marvelled at these machines....
And yes these would have been the motorways of the time.... plus railways of course.... Damn good job David you are a star!!!
Being an American, I am absolutely fascinated with the English canal system and the idea of living on a narrow boat and "cruising the cut". Seems like a wonderful lifestyle. If anything is worth restoring it's things like these canals, it's is part of the English culture and contributes. much to the charm of the country. I, myself can't think of a better way to retire. Maybe one day ?
Agreed with you!.. this is awesome.. I live in Missouri..
Just remember, it wont be Sun shining everyday, maintenance, fees, Winter, not trying to put you off, I was around this stuff from 1974- 1985, hire one long term first. IMO.
@@markholroyde9412 I'm sure they are aware that to do something involves cost and that weather exist.
I lived on a narrowboat for 3 years its a wonderful life. You should come and holiday on one. I met lots of Americas holidaying on the canal system
Thanks David for a fascinating vlog. What a massive task the volunteers have undertaken ! All credit to them.
Thank you.
I watch this vlog with curiosity. Although I can't understand everything because of the language barrier (I have to translate some words), I really like it. Greetings from Poland.
After watching this I wanted to get up on the table and start waving my union jack flag out of pride and yell at passers by to watch this video whilst telling them that "this is us, this is what we can do". Excellent video and very informative and a big round of applause to all those anonymous volunteers beavering away to preserve our common heritage. Ill definitely be sending the trust a few quid.
Thank you.
From Australia I wish them all the luck and good fortune. A worthy endeavour if ever I've seen one.
Thank you!
I have donated to this project, thanks to seeing this video. With half a million views so far, I believe that many others would also have donated too. Well done for a top class video.
Thank you so much!
Dear Sir! I really enjoy your combination of vlog types, from the traditional travel while vlogging, to the hour or two of nature sounds filming, no vocals, to this special report on issues re canals. All so informative, interesting, & enjoyable! Well done, as per usual! Bravo!
Thank you
@@CruisingTheCut you are most welcome!
As at 19th Dec 2019 a sad 174 thumbs down on this incredible project. May they find peace somewhere.
maybe that's their way of saying they wish this amazing project was finished already?! 😅😅😅
Anyone occupying those benches certainly won’t be gongoozling you as you’re always attached to Armco 😂😂😂 Great vlog
Just shows you what True Grit is in this country.
Fascinating retracing if the old canal and its locks. Never underestimate the power of a few dedicated people with an idea!
And lots of spades and wheelbarrows...
Thank you.
" You can do anything with money as long as you have plenty of it," Profoundly insightful quote.
Savannah Georgia, USA, we have the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Society that is preserving the canal that used to take barged goods from the Ogeechee River to the Savannah River where the port is. Hasn't always been easy, but its a nice resource, mostly rural area with beautiful views, walking trails, and wildlife.
What an incredible undertaking by volunteers. I love the word ‘ gongoozler’ too. Who knew there was such a title for idle spectators?. I am most impressed with the whole reconstruction, and would love to, one day maybe, cruise through the canal and give the gongoozlers a cheery wave.
Thank you.
Just donated 100GBP to the trust. Hope they succeed in their restauration😊
Cheers,
I nominate you as my low key hero of the day, Id love the entire network to be rebuilt, ideally with a new branch going past the back garden, granted the neighbours will have to move, but still, I like to think in its own small way, your contribution takes me a step closer to my deluded dream.
David, give this man a heart immediately!!
@Franz Superb, they will be very pleased. Cheers
Thank you so much!
How very interesting! Makes you have a new appreciation for those who originally built the canal with no modern equipment!
I don't get why some people here are negative about this project, it looks like a lovely cause and the fact that people volunteer for this kind of thing says a lot about the community.
Hope it still in progress with all the covid 19 crisis.
We did have to pause during lockdown but we're back in action now.
Incredible to have such a huge civil engineering project being done by volunteers, my hat off to everyone of them. What a way to keep the cost down. There has been no results posted over the lottery saying yes or no. I hope they approve the funds they are asked for.
We're still waiting. Fingers crossed.
Amazing people and (almost) unbelievable project. I've made a small donation.
Excellent!
Thank you!
I absolutely love this. What a great mini documentary.
This is what's lovely about England, the restoration of an historical national treasure is largely done by people just mucking in.
Indeed :)
I wish that the US would do this for our NY and Erie Canal systems. We need leadership who sees value in the water ways such as the Soo locks, and the Mississippi river system.
What a marvellous project and how fantastic of you to publicize it, David. We’re going right over to the link to donate. We can only imagine how amazing it will be to one day cruise this historic section of canal.
Bless you, they will be very grateful! Hope you're both well.
Thank you so much!
The canal system is such a brilliant resource and piece of infrastructure. It's wonderful that some filled in parts are being restored. Wish the US had something similar.
Useful VLOG showing what it takes to make and to restore a canal.
Excellent. Interesting, informative and inspirational. Many thanks, I've made a small donation.
Thank you!
This all gives me hope for the Chesterfield Canal, of which there are 5 miles left to finish. They'll need to make 17 new locks where once there were none, but they're getting there slowly. That, in turn, is an improvement over 3 years ago when they had 8 miles to go and HS2 were just ignoring their requests for bridge heights.
Good luck for eventual completion... Shout out here for the Cromford Canal, only couple of hills between us!
And here I am in the Netherlands watching a few brits restore a canal. Very interesting to watch
Bravo for the volunteers. We greatly admire your canal engineering legacy, with several examples here in Canada.
Thank you!
Very well researched vlog David, I was aware of the restoration and crused past it earlier this year. It's good to actually see and listen to the people involved and view the progress they've made rather than scratch around for the info online. I will now keep one eye on this project and look to donate.
Thank you. You can find us on most social media channels to keep up to date on our progress.
wow! imagine if every disused canal was restored! could end up seeing the canals used for their original purpose AND those who appreciate them (eg live on them!) both as one! lovely to see that restoration tho!
now who has £40 million they dont need? throw it their way... make a difference! know you are part of something gigantic if you do
lovely vid david, ty for that 😊
Thank you!
L&H Canal Restoration Trust my pleasure! im so glad that folks care enough to undo the stupidity of closing these and other canals out there! the places that could be visited, the beautiful unseen countryside! it all needs recovering and the roads less used! 😊
This video... I really dig it! ;)
All joking aside, I love seeing history restored, reutilized, and coming back to life like this!
Good to watch a good old fashioned local Central News segment, albeit on YT :-) Well researched, informative, good interviewees, excellent interviewer, nicely shot with proper editing and audio overlaps.
Keep this up and maybe one day they will give you a proper job, ACTT ticket and loads of money... :-)
How I wish we'd had drones back in the 90s.. and 4k cameras!!
Hope they keep you on as their roving reporter to keep us all updated and raise funds. Clever bunch sinking that culvert.
Hahaha I'll take the "loads of money" ;-)
We'd have David back any time. However, in the meantime you can subscribe to our own channel and follow us on Twitter or Facebook.
Another great video - captivating and superbly produced. If all infrastructure projects were built with the enthusiasm and frugality of this one the national coffers would look a bit different. Wishful thinking I guess. Anyway you make a great case for the Trust and I’ve donated, so there!
Thank you!
I think The Army could be a good ask. they've got some impressive equipment and some very clever engineers.
We can but try.
When it comes to preserving one’s national heritage, the UK is a country with few peers.
That is so impressive.
I wasn't sure if I'd like a video about canal restoration, but now I've gotten into the groove.
Subscribe to us for more. 😊
Thank you David for such an interesting vlog. I see most people feel the restoration is a good this to be doing.
Maybe Mr Carter could get some of his friends to lend a hand.
Your presentations are something I really look forward to! Please can we have more?
Than You
I do as many videos as I can!
canals were dug by hand by "Navies". , Irish men who specialised in digging. the average Navi could dig out 3 ton in a 12 hour shift.love the fact that the canals are being used & restored. it's a great tribute too those men that the canals they dug are still being used & appreciated 150+ years later
Thank you.
What determination and spirit! I salute you all. My dream is to travel England as much as possible by it's canals. You will also do so much for nature, attracting a lot of aquatic life. My prayers for you all, from India.
Thank you.
Outstanding report on this project. I am learning so much about the UK that I never knew before I recently discovered the UK canal system. It is wonderful to be learning the history not commonly known to someone has not studied that kind of history of other countries.
I live in Florida and its my life goal to become the Governor of Florida and build so many Canals, Florida will be the new Venice.
More miles of Canal in Birmingham alone than Venice.
I'm in Clearwater. We got plenty of canals... they just have gators in them.. lol!
Wish we had something like this all over the USA. That would be my retirement.
You Brits are wonderfully determined and just a tad whacky, though we from Downunder love you for it!!
John - yes, we have water!
I just donated £10 to the trust. I hope to visit the canal my next visit to the UK from Australia and see it completed. Great informative video.
Thank you so much!
All donations are welcome, I'm sure, but if you can afford to fly from Australia to the UK regularly, maybe you could afford to donate just a little more than £10? Don't take this the wrong way, please, I'm not criticising, just gently suggesting in the friendliest possible way. I live a long way from the Midlands (although in the UK), but I donated a few hundred spread over two years.
Goodluck to all the volunteers in this project! What a lovely way to 'give something back' you can all tell some great stories and boast about the work you put into this! your grandkids and indeed kids will be proud! well done!
Thank you.
Beautiful vlog. I am a dutch civil engineer and it never ceases to amaze me how narrow and shallow those brittish canals are.
Here on the continent the smallest commercial barge measures 40x5x2 m. You could float several narrow boats in its hold with ease.
Hi Peter. These canals were constructed in the 18th century using primitive tools and manpower. One of the biggest problems constructors had was water supply. Constantly changing contours meant locks, and many, this used up lots of water and the summit pounds could run out so water conservation was a major issue, so the canals and locks were narrow. Another reason was that our country is small and journeys short unlike the Netherlands whose canals connected to a continental system of navigable rivers and waterways requiring much larger vessels. Finally it also came down to money, narrow canals were cheaper.
WELL, that's must have blown away some Cobwebs! Reporting at its best, you never lose it!
I live in the US and will try make a donation. Anybody who works for free deserves to be awarded.
Thanks Derrick! I've replied to your email.
A very commendable project that benefits the local community as well as future boating traffic, so well done to all those involved and ignore the negative comments
Thank you!
The work getting done is brilliant and well done to all the volunteers...thanks for sharing
Thank you.
Just amazing what people can do when they are of the same mind and they get together. 🙂🐿
Just stumbled across this video. So glad I did. Fascinating. Good luck
I do enjoy your videos, you are truly gifted in this art, such a smooth style'.
Thank you for that history lesson. It was very nice to know.
Happy boating David,
Chris from Missouri
Great project, worth every GBP!
Thx for the vid!
:-D
This is fantastic. As Australians we have revisited England and her canal systems several times and have always thoroughly enjoyed our canal boat voyages. Indeed my Grandmother in 1907 with her sisters went to the little school at the top of the Tardebigge locks! Their names are still in the School registrar. Rebuilding this canal I think will greatly help the Birmingham navigations and possibly the water supply issue. It so wonderful to see such vision. All the best.
This is a great video. I thought I was watching a BBC documentary for a moment.
Donated. They are bonkers, but why the hell not.
Errr... thanks 😊
It's England of course it's bonkers, it's what we do best, gets things done though
Impressive documentary. Very well done.
Thank you for this vlog, a very interesting insight into the work done by the volunteers. I have to take my hat off to them, a huge undertaking, one I wouldn't have thought possible with only a volunteer workforce. I hope their dreams come true and we see you cruising this cut in a few years. Wow..wouldn't that be wonderful.
Thank you. We'll get there and David can be one of the first to cruise it.
I have really enjoyed your videos. I’m from North Carolina USA so this is all new to me and extremely informative. Well done.
You should visit the city of Lancaster in Lancashire, England and medieval Lancaster 🏰 castle.
Man! I'd love to donate my labor and use of my 32 ton excavator and road grader to the cause! That pond between us makes logistics a bit challenging, however.
I am in awe of their enthusiasm and ambition! Thanks for making this video.
Thank you.
"maybe send them £40,000,000, quality! Loving your channel David
Wonderful restoration reminding us of our history and looking forward to the pubs and mooring spots for tourists renting boats this will be a money maker for the local communities the restored canal passes through.
Thank you.
At first I thought 40 million for 7 miles is a bit expensive but having now seen all the costly engineering headaches and labour that is required I think its actually amazing that they can build it for this price at all.
As a kiwi I’m absolutely fascinated with the UK🇬🇧 canal systems, I watch every blog I can find on people who live and travel these waterways in their canal boats and all documentary’s on the history and restoration projects… I wish I had £40m to donate as my dream is to one day visit the UK and travel all her canals… I love UK history and find the place truly magical🇬🇧🇳🇿
Fred dibnah would be proud