Waterways – Canal Shop

October 23, 2011

Queen of Waters

by Kirsten Elliott.

The Kennet & Avon Canal was the wonder of its age, a broad waterway built across southern England as a trade route between the country’s two biggest ports – London and Bristol. 30 years after it was completed, Brunel’s Great Western Railway opened, robbing it of much of its traffic.

Two hundred years after the first cargoes sailed along it, and twenty years on from its grand reopening, this book pays tribute to the canal that refused to die.

Soft back. 203 pages. 24cms x 20.7cms approx. Colour and black & white photos throughout.

Price £20 and can be ordered here.

October 4, 2011October 6, 2011

The Glamorganshire & Aberdare Canals

by Ivor Jones.
The Glamorganshire Canal ran 25 miles from Merthyr Tydfil to Cardiff, while the shorter Aberdare Canal ran from Aberdare to Abercynon where it joined the former. Now much buried by the A470 trunk road, these lost canals nonetheless boast a proud history.
They enabled the area to become rich and Cardiff to prosper as they connected Glamorganshire iron works and collieries with towns and ports, as well as allowing the export of materials such as limestone, tinplate and bricks.

Price £14.99p and can be ordered here.

May 15, 2011

Bridgwater & the River Parrett

: Bridgwater & the River Parrett

by Rod Fitzhugh.

In this book, Rod presents an invaluable record of the heyday of trade on the river when the prosperity of much of Somerset was dependent on access to the sea. From 1200 to 1971 when Bridgwater docks finally closed, the river was a trading route for cargo.

First published in 1993, this revised and updated edition brings the history of the River Parrett up to date and introduces some fascinating photographic records.

Soft back. 160 pages. 16.4cms x 23.5cms approx. Illustrated with black & white photos.

Price £12.99p and can be ordered here.

April 24, 2011

Silent Highways by Ray Shill

This fascinating book delves into the forgotten history of the Midlands and border canal infrastructure, including the Grand Union, Staffs & Worcs, Stourbridge, Stratford, Trent & Mersey and Worcs & Birmingham canals amongst others.

This illustrated history recognises the skill of the engineers who designed and built them and had such an influence on the waterways in this region.

Price £16.99p and can be ordered here.

April 22, 2011

Huddersfield Narrow Canal

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal by Keith Gibson & David Finnis.

Two hundred years in the life of a Pennine waterway. A thorough history of the building, use, decline and restoration of the canal, well illustrated with many contemporary photographs, some rare.

£12.99p and can be ordered here.