On the Upper Avon

 When we first used this waterway, way back in the 1980s, we had to buy two licences, one for the Lower Avon from Tewkesbury to Evesham, and another for the Upper Avon up to Stratford Upon Avon.

Now at least both ends of the river come under one authority, the Avon Navigation Trust.

A proposal by local businessman William Sandys in 1636 to improve the river for navigation was approved by Charles I and he used his personal fortune to build locks, sluices and dams to open the river to boats from Tewkesbury to Stratford Upon Avon. By 1758 the navigation had deteriorated to such an extent that a new owner, George Perrot, had to close it for several months to effect repairs.

A common story as the railways became more widespread, the structures on the river were neglected as tolls decreased, and by the first half of the 20th century it was impassable above Pershore, and the navigation was effectively closed due to the poor condition of Strensham Lock. 

The Lower Avon was the first to be restored, a massive undertaking that saw the first boats arrive at Evesham from the River Severn in 1962.

With the dereliction of the Stratford Upon Avon Canal, which linked Stratford with the edge of the Black Country, there was less incentive to rebuild the Upper Avon Navigation until the canal was adopted by the National Trust, with a remit to restore it to usable standards. The canal was fully navigable again in July 1964, and this provided the impetus to consider the condition of the upper section of the old navigation. A new organisation was established, the Upper Avon Navigation Trust, but considerable obstructions had to be overcome, the locks and weirs were in a dire state and some riparian landowners were uncooperative. But the problems were resolved and the navigation was once again a through route from the Severn to Stratford in 1974. LANT and UANT were officially amalgamated in 2010, and the navigation fell under one authority again for the first time in 300 years.

This is a brief summary, but I must mention the tenacity, hard work and sheer bloody-mindedness of the volunteers, fundraisers and supporters who made the undertaking possible, and gave us access to this beautiful waterway again.

So - we left Craycombe Turn on Saturday morning, expecting a damp trip to Evesham but, although there were grey skies and the odd spot of rain we made it to the town without getting wet.

 Wood Norton Hall, now an exclusive hotel, in the trees on the slopes of Tunnel Hill.

 During WWII it was taken over by the BBC and used as a listening post for enemy radio transmissions and emergency broadcasting centre. A nuclear bunker was constructed here as a backup to London in case the worse happened. The mast on the hill above the hall dates from this period.

Just one lock to do between our mooring and Evesham, Chadbury Lock.

   

Arriving at Evesham we pulled onto the almost-deserted moorings below Workman Bridge. The rain came on in the afternoon and it was wet on and off overnight and through yesterday. So we stayed put.

A different day today, bright sunshine from the word go. We were later getting away than usual, shopping to do, tanks to fill and Calan Lan needed diesel and a pump-out, but we weren't going far.

 

Workman Bridge on this fine, sunny morning.

Evesham Lock marks the change from Lower to Upper Avon, and lies just up from the bridge.

The fine chalet-style lock-house to the left is being renovated and there's no lock-keeper on duty.

The large weir above the lock must be hazardous when the river is running fast.

In fact the flow is faster now than it was, after the wet weekend. This is emphasised by the river now often being narrower and shallower than the lower reaches.

We were aiming to moor at Offenham Lock, hoping that there would be space on the attractive moorings above.

The rebuilt Offenham Lock, with a dalek-shaped lock-keepers cabin.

Plenty of mooring above the lock. That'll do!

Locks 3, miles 8.