Posted on April 28th 2021

East end maintenance Monday 26 April

Maintenance

Phase 2

East end maintenance Monday 26 April

by: Stuart H.

The team has moved a bit further north west along the canal this week to Claymeadow Cutting, just outside South Cerney. An interesting spot, as the canal threaded through a fairly steep sided cutting before dropping down a lock and crossing the road to South Cerney Wharf.

*Claymeadow Cutting and South Cerney Wharf (map © Ordnance Survey)*

The task in hand was the removal of some felled willow trunks in the canal bed, these had been lying for a while due to the repeated lockdowns over the last year. On the way along to the site, another fallen trunk was spotted hanging between some other trees, so it was removed. The wood was used to create one of several bug hotels that were constructed during the session.

*Starting work just north of the cutting*

*The flag irises are growing fast with their roots in the water*

*It’s not a pile of logs, it’s a bug hotel, it’ll provide shelter for various forms of wildlife*

*These trunks are just a touch too big to remove without mechanical support*

The only issue with leaving willow in water is that it sprouts roots; it wasn’t just a matter of cutting it into handleable logs, they had to be extracted from the silt by mattock and brute force.

*Some of the trunks have gone to make more bug hotels*

The path of the canal runs alongside the River Churn for a while with the river level around 10 feet (3m) below the canal it meant that an aqueduct was needed to take the canal over. The Churn aqueduct has sadly been removed and replaced by a footbridge over the river. But it isn’t the only interesting bit of architecture in the area, about 50 yards beyond the aqueduct there’s a double barrelled brick arch siphon culvert running under the canal bed. The structure seems at first glance to be in reasonable condition given its age and lack of maintenance. The end of the three brick rings could do with some tlc but looking at the water traces it still seems to be working.

*River Churn meandering alongside the canal*

The top of the Cotswolds is reasonably flat after the steep climb up from the Stroud valley, with this stretch out in the open country it’s a popular spot for walkers, and sheep.

*Double barrelled three ring brick culvert*

*It must be spring, sheep and lambs about*

The warm weather we’ve been having has brought all the spring flowers out, it certainly brightens up the place, but it means that more care needs to be taken to avoid trampling on them.