Restoration 'Jungle Bashing'

.     Having confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order in 1973, and Hampshire County Council giving the go-ahead for the first official working party, in just two weekends the towpath from Barley Mow Bridge through to Broad Oak Bridge was transformed; trees were trimmed back, and undergrowth cleared and burned.     At the same time the bridge hole at Barley Mow was cleared of bricks and rubble down to the original 1792 depth, by shovel and wheelbarrow. Various 'treasures' were unearthed during this operation, including 'marble' stopper pop bottles and stone marmalade jars....

The towpath could now be walked easily from Greywell to Barley Mow, Winchfield, although prospective walkers were urged to - "walk well up to the top of the bank, and try not to walk on the old path, which is well down the bank and sometimes in the canal"..... Once the towpath was cleared and made passable, it was possible to begin to inspect the locks and assess their condition. (based on text by Dieter Jebens)   NEXT - Lock restoration BACK

Last updated January 2006; orig. 1998