Braunston Canal Society News September - Fender & UCC growth 20 OctFender growth cut from bridge 89 to Puddlebanks and UCC grounds maintained. August - Towpath 'n' paths 13 SepProfiling the towpath below lock 4 & cutting the Butchers bridge paths July - French towpath works 16 AugFrench drain extended below lock 4. June - Veg clearing becomes historic 9 JulTowpath vegetation cleared from the Stophouse to the Junction May - Spring bursts out 7 JunVegetation growth goes into overdrive April - Mooring issue resolved 12 MayMooring opposite the junction water point rescinded. Totem signage amended. Raised towpath maintained. March - Repair 'n' Rest 15 AprRain erodes towpath below lock 4 again. Benches constructed and installed at Jetty Fields. February - Cut Cut Cut 12 Mar Cutting continues as the end of the vegetation control season approaches January - Weather woes 15 FebIce causes first task party of the year to be cancelled but vegetation control continues at the second. November/December - Winter is coming 16 JanVegetation clearance continues October - Veg, Veg, Veg 2 Dec 2024Onside and offside clearance of vegetation above top lock and at bridge 98 September - Unpredictable weather 13 Oct 2024Hedge cutting and weir clearance replaces painting of locks August - Weir at it again! 12 Sep 2024Lock 1 Weir and bypass channel cleared and hedge cut July - Dodging the rain 10 Aug 2024Lock 1 painted and vegetation at locks 3,4 & 5 addressed June - BCS rally round 29 Jul 2024BCS prepare for the Historic Boat Rally May - vegetation explosion 15 Jun 2024Vegetation tamed to allow access April - Spring has sprung 11 May 2024Vegetation is on its way back! March - Final cut 14 Apr 2024Onside/offside cutting above top lock completed February - Overdue cut 16 Mar 2024Lock 2 garden hedge trimmed January - Cutting the cutting 9 Feb 2024Offside and onside cutting near the tunnel portal December - Steps revisited 13 Jan 2024The steps at bridge 98 maintained by topping up treads with stone. November - Ditchin' n Hedgin' 16 Dec 2023UCC grounds maintained October - Weir making a difference 2 Nov 2023Weirs 1 to 5 cleared of vegetation & lock offsides mown. September - Locks picked! 4 Oct 2023Maintenance of the lock flight completed. August - Towpath action! 11 Sep 2023Work continues to negate towpath flooding issue below lock 4 and lock 6 gets a coat of paint. July - Corporates swell the ranks 5 Aug 2023Volunteers from RS Components and Galliford Try join BCS task parties June - Companies lend a hand 26 Jun 2023Corporate volunteers help to paint lock 4 May - Towpath wash out 11 Jun 2023Heavy rain and flood cause towpath damage April - Towpath tactics 13 May 2023French drain installed to improve towpath March - Place 'n' chips 5 Apr 2023A place to remember a friend and chipping of arisings February - Cut, Cut, Cut 29 Mar 2023Offside and onside cutting of vegetation January - Stairway to Heaven Pt2 12 Feb 2023Completion of the steps rebuild at bridge 98 December - Stairway to Heaven Pt1 19 Jan 2023Replacing the steps at bridge 98 November - Cutting 'edge 11 Dec 2022Vegetation control continues with onside and offside hedge cutting October - Preparing for winter 12 Nov 2022Vegetation clearance and hedge cutting has a good start. September - Hedging our bets 9 Oct 2022Hedge cutting underway August - Dry, drier, driest! 2 Sep 2022Good weather allows completion of lock painting and other tasks. July - Stop House revival continues 13 Aug 2022Vegetation removed and bin compound rebuild completed at the Stop House June - Strim & Bin 17 Jul 2022Vegetation tamed for Historic Boat Rally and rebuild of Stop House bin compound commences. May - Painting weather at last 13 Jul 2022Locks 1 & 2 painted and CRT signage project completed April - Grass & towpath maintenance 19 Jun 2022Replacement edging boards installed on towpath below lock 4 March - Laurel cut 18 Jun 2022Lock 6 offside revealed February - Cut, Cut, Cut 28 Mar 2022Onside and offside cutting January - Spring diverted 5 Feb 2022A spring that floods the towpath channelled via pipe into canal. January - Signs of the Times 17 Jan 2022Two totem signs installed in pound 1-2 to designate mooring times. Culvert clearing and lock maintenance. December - Offside cut 1 Jan 2022Offside cut opposite the Stophouse and Marina entrance. November - UCC makeover 1 Jan 2022The grounds at Union Canal Carriers maintained in return for the purchase of equipment. October - Grass & Chicken Wire 1 Jan 2022Vegetation control continues & chicken wire replaced on marina bridge September - vegetation control begins 1 Jan 2022Lock 1 bypass weir and hedge gets its annual maintenance Skippy 2 Sheds 20 Oct 2021BCS workboat aquired Bone picked! 1 Sep 2021Lock maintenance completed and neglected vegetation at boater facilities area controlled. Towpath trouble 15 Aug 2021Towpath cleared of encroaching vegetation Locks secured 15 Aug 2021July lock maintenance program completed including replacing a rotten paddle post. Signs of the times 21 Jul 2021Sign replacement, lock painting and weir clearance Small numbers - Big results 18 Jun 2021Six adhoc task parties held in May No more spilt beer 16 May 2021Access to the Nelson lockside garden improved Black or White? 15 Apr 2021This years lock painting schedule triggered by good weather Brash 'n' Chips 11 Mar 2021Helping CRT with essential maintenance during lockdown. Lockdown sandwich 20 Jan 2021Volunteering activity limited by COVID-19 restrictions October tug marathon 16 Nov 2020Thirteen adhoc task parties over 24 days September 'paint off' 15 Nov 2020The painting of locks 1 & 2 completes BCS 2020 painting schedule August catch-up 12 Sep 2020The race is on to complete this years lock maintenance Return from lockdown 26 Jul 2020Vegetation clearance at Lock 1 Mud 'n' Mulch 13 Mar 2020Water point paths edged, hedging mulched and fallen trees cut up. Workboat action! 1 Mar 2020Workboat 'Avon' on loan to BCS for a week. Greasing 'n' Weeding 14 Feb 2020Lock maintenance on the flight and new hedges tended. Towpath control ft BCS 26 Jan 2020Towpath cleared between locks 4 and 6 Beating a path 22 Jan 2020Towpath cleared between locks 1 to 3 The weather for ducks 30 Dec 2019December task parties plagued by rain Broken records 2 Dec 2019Record breaking turnout to cut onside vegetation. Towpath improved 20 Nov 2019Section raised above regular flooding. Bypass given the go ahead 12 Oct 2019Lock 1 bypass weir cleared Weirs the fence? 29 Sep 2019The weir fence at lock 4 restored The rot has set in 13 Sep 2019Painting lock 6 exposes poor condition of woodwork. Weir all looking good 31 Aug 2019Weir fence at lock 5 restored. Tug & flat recalled 28 Aug 2019Towpath completion expedited Grit and determination 9 Aug 2019Towpath renovation continues Hit for Six 29 Jul 2019The metalwork on lock 6 painted Firm footing in the wet 29 Jul 2019Renovation of towpath between locks 1 and 2 Five go to five 12 Jul 2019Lock 5 painting completed The third cut is the deepest 21 Jun 2019Having missed the first 2 scheduled grass cuts at the water point the contractors had a jungle to deal with on scheduled cut 3. Small team - Big results 26 May 2019Raised towpath repaired, tug improved and island strimmed. Rock'n'Roller 25 May 2019Lock 4 painting completed Bridge over troubled water 10 May 2019Raised towpath extended to include spring water flooding towpath. Bank holiday artists 5 May 2019The metal is painted on lock 4 The grass is greener 12 Apr 2019Lock 1 makeover completed Dry dock makeover continues 31 Mar 2019Lock keepers hut painted and dry dock flower beds edged with boards. Dry dock makeover 15 Mar 2019The vegetation around the dry dock at lock 1 controlled. Hedge funding 24 Feb 2019300 hedging whips planted along the flight Prevention better than cure 14 Feb 2019Pre-season maintenance of the lock flight Offside cutting 27 Jan 2019Offside vegetation clearance over Christmas and New Year Fenced in 27 Jan 2019Fence replaced on bridge ramp at Nelson pub Restoration dig 11 Jan 2019Lock 5 towpath width restored Christmas calories burned 30 Dec 2018Towpath vegetation cut back from top lock to tunnel. Cutting Crew 15 Dec 2018First offside cut of vegetation for this winter. Edgy Business 24 Nov 2018Towpath edging completed to lock 3 Water point revisited 24 Nov 20188th November 2018 - Water point given makeover before winter. Towpath revealed 28 Oct 2018The towpath between locks 1 and 3 prepared for resurfacing Safety risks averted 15 Oct 2018New gate at bridge 90 (A45) and towpath pothole filled. Finish line crossed 30 Sep 2018The lock painting schedule for 2018 has been achieved.
August - Towpath 'n' paths 13 Sep 2025 Profiling the towpath below lock 4 & cutting the Butchers bridge paths August's Thursday crew set about profiling the towpath below lock 4 where BCS had previously extended the French drain. The Saturday crew of 5 completed the second of the biannual cuts of the Butchers bridge paths.
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