I wanted to launch a KZread channel to help improve my self confidence and my self esteem. My channel explores interesting and sometimes quirky locations or events throughout Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Devon & Cornwall, and other English counties South of Birmingham and West of Oxford. I focus on history, landscape, walking, photography, geology, nature, canals, railways, industrial archaeology and famous residents, particularly with a literary link. I have struggled with my mental health since I was 14 years old, particularly anxiety and depression as well as suicidal ideation. I was diagnosed as having autism in 2004. I occasionally talk about my mental health and autism on my channel. My Channel launched at the end of February 2021 during the pandemic, and the third English Covid 19 Lockdown.
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Hi Paul nice video and info,hope your having a good weekend 👌
Hi Paul. congrats on your 500. lots of hard work. Caroline
500 videos, amazing! Thanks for bringing the canal & its history to life. As always I loved the old photos & sketches.
Another very informative video. Congrats on 500.
500! Congrats. We take for granted the modern equipment used in concrete work today. What an undertaking it must have been way back in the 1800s. Not for the faint of heart. Thank you Paul. Looking forward to 500 more.👍
Congratulations Paul. Keep em coming! A fascinating history of a lost canal!
Congratulations Paul. Keep em coming! A fascinating history of a lost canal!
3.19K Sorry Paul I forgot yo say great choice of music at the end....... it had the feel of 1 of Led Zeppelin's ballads 😁
3.19K ...Hi Paul another interesting and well researched piece ftom you about another part of infrastructure being left behind by the car or train , ironic really when you consider the current war against motorists .I did once see a documentary about the Safferton Tunnel and the good effort put in by members of the public in the early 1970s I think to try and bring the tunnel and canal back in to use but they were hit by major problems in the tunnel not long after , so I excitedly wait for your next piece on the tunnel in the coning weeks .Great to see the channel still steadily growing re subscribers, views etc etc ..... its richly deserved .
Sorry ...... Sapperton
Oh many congratulations on this milestone anniversary! I don’t suppose when you took those first tentative ‘video’ steps you could imagine the success you would have! I know other channels can simply ‘fly’ with subscribers but this is really solid stuff - your followers are a strong base not impetuous types! ( or as I call them (fly-by-nighters) that flit from channel to channel. And this is all your own doing!! I won’t labour the point,you know what I am trying to say! Another thoroughly enjoyable video- you are educating me in canal history. I thought that concrete behind you looked brand new. Why do we have such trouble with concrete in buildings today? It shows it can be done if manufactured properly. I sometimes think what if we had to go back to those days again? Hopefully not but car travel is becoming prohibitive,resources diminishing, the canals stand there idle out of ‘season’. No doubt some other new means of transportation may appear- after all no one in early Victorian / Georgian times could have envisaged the ‘Iron Horse’. Thanks Paul.
Congratulations on your 500th video! Another one packed with information and fascinating facts. I can not imagine how many hours it must have taken you to research , travel to, film and edit 500 videos!! A huge achievement 🎉
Hi Paul, Enhorabuena (congratulations) on reaching your 500th video. You've come a long way since Dartmouth, well done!! Very interesting video today. I always enjoy seeing the old photos and drawings together with the canal as it is today. Very professionally presented (despite the rain) Have a great weekend!!
5️⃣🕔🕠 - 👏👏👏👏👏. Well done Paul. 🍾
Congrats on the 500th video! The thorough research & professional presenting style always makes these a great watch! 👍
I second that .....
Lived here 12 months 👍🏼
Great video. Thanks.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Paul
What a lovely place Frenchay is & the flower show had something for everyone. The Drome valley was a delight & I particularly enjoyed that wonderfully over engineered footbridge.
You had a lovely day weather wise! That was such an enjoyable video- so much in it yet I got the feeling there was lots more to see- just the walk there- (convoluted as it was) was beautifully filmed! I hope it wasn’t too crowded- it did seem well attended. It was like a perfect English Summer’s day out. I like to see Morris or Mummers sides or similar- wonderful - it seems to set the tone for the occasion. Yes what unusual architecture in the village- very attractive. Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did watching at a distance! Thanks Paul!
Thank you Diana! I really enjoyed my afternoon here - it wasn't quite long enough though as there was so much to see. I think there is a lot more to see in this area too - I will definitely be back to the Frenchay Area - it is wonderful there. Glad you enjoyed it. Take care, Paul
Hi I've just noticed your shout out for my channel. Thank you for your generosity.
You are most welcome! Thanks for watching and commenting. Happy filming. Cheers! Paul
Wonderful photos and accompanying music Paul, loved the tank too 👍
Thank you Paul! Yes, that tank whizzing around the station forecourt was quite a sight! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Paul
That was really good, Paul. It seemed that many of the roads were closed to traffic and footpaths to walkers . Nevertheless, a pretty walk through the woods and near the river. Great fun day in Frenchay with the flower show and vintage cars, not forgetting the mummers. Take care.
Thank you Lionel. Glad you enjoyed this little tour of Frenchay and the flower show - I found it a most enjoyable event with a wonderful atmosphere. The Frome Valley was very special - I think I will be back that way again to explore some more. Take care too, Paul
Hi Paul, this must be one of your most varied videos, very enjoyable to watch. The river valley was wonderful, of course that bridge was built just for you!! But seriously I wonder if it might be a small aqueduct? It was quite a varied show from vintage tractors and classic cars to the flowers plus the folk dance group (do they do wassails?). I bet that Police Herald has been in Heartbeat or other classic TV shows. I had a few Triumphs in my time, occasionally I think if I win the lottery I'll get myself a Triumph Vitesse (very similar to the Herald) but I don't think it would make it our hill!! It's a nice dream to have. All of this and Bristol is just round the corner. You looked very comfortable there too. All the best!!
Thank you David! Yes, in hindsight, there was rather a lot in this one. I try to show a bit of everthing when covering events like this, rather than things that just interest me. That Police car - I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was used in Heartbeat, and others. I was quite relaxed there - it was a good atmosphere - but I had to get out of the marquee as it was very hot inside - I went back in later to finish the photography. I think you could be right about that 'footbridge' being an aqueduct - maybe to feed a mill or similar? Great comment as always, Take care, Paul
Hi Paul nice video and photos😊😊
Thank you Roy! Hope you are having a great week. I did the Severn Way today - completion to Severn Beach, but it was rather a hot walk! Cheers, Paul
That was a lovely video of an area I know nothing about. The canal did look narrow round that lock area- I am used to wider canals - but maybe our canal narrows somewhat at approaches to locks. They are definitely manufacturing longer & longer narrow boats these days so they wouldn’t be able to navigate along these waterways. Is the red coloured rock sandstone or clay? It seems an historical gem that has been neglected! P.s. the story of the Swan seems to be very familiar - definitely got a hint of Penelope & Odysseus? Think I have heard it before at other historical sites.
Thank you Diana! The red rock is sandstone in that area, specifically Triassic Sandstone (251-200 million years ago) - it is quite a sight and often forms caves, as shown in the video, by the lock there. You're right about narrowboats (and cars!) getting bigger - it wouldn't be possible for the bigger ones to navigate this canal. Yes, that's true about the swan story - there are variations of it in different area of the country. I wasn't really familiar with this canal or area either, as it is at the extreme northern end of the region. I always enjoy seeing and learning about new things though. Take care, Paul
You’re only 5 miles out of the city centre there. Had to believe. Thanks so much for featuring Frenchay. It’s the area I was lucky enough to spend the first 14 years of my life. Now I can show my family in Australia what a bit of it looks like.
Thank you - yes, it really is hard to believe. I think I will be back to explore more of this area again. It isn't too far from where I live. Yes, it looks a really lovely place to grow up. Cheers, Paul
Great work, thank you
Thank you Geoffrey - glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Paul
Beautiful countryside ❤. Thank your for sharing friend 🌼🌸🌺. Greetings from Canada .
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Paul
Hi Paul, great to see you at the Frenchay flower show. Despite living in the area for 20 years this is the first time I managed to attend and was very pleasantly surprised. I didn’t actually make it into the floral marquee as the queues were too long, but still managed to spend a couple of hours looking at the cars engines And other stands.
Thank you! Glad you got to go to it too - I had never heard of it before, despite just living over the border in (mid) Gloucestershire near Stroud. It was a very well organised event, with a good cross section of displays to interest everyone. The queues were rather long to get into the marquee - I think I was lucky, as I got in just after 1.30pm when it opened but had to come out again a bit later, as it was a bit hot inside! I went in again later in the afternoon. I was most impressed with the high standard of the exhibits, from the photography, to the needle craft and the floral, and the classic cars. Cheers, Paul
You were right to describe this canal as beautiful. The video was a joy to watch & as always you managed to spot fascinating things on the way.
Thank you Faith! Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, it really is a most joyous and beautiful stretch of canal. Take care, Paul
Hello Paul - greetings from a very wet and stormy Poland I contacted my friend Brian in Bristol, who told me Harry Stoke is a village in South Gloucestershire near Stoke Gifford. Harry Stokes only claim to fame is that one of the village had one of the last coal mines in the Bristol Coalfield - opened in 1952 and closed in 1963. Brian went on to say that a huge housing bulding plan was agreed and construction started in about 2021. A lovely video - the walk down the Frome Valley was beautiful. Really green, tranquil and peaceful. The flower show was very busy - well done on managing to film so much there.
Thank you for the additional information Michael - we had a very wet day here yesterday (Tuesday) too - hot and sunny now! When I walked back to Bristol Pkwy Station, I walked right past Harry Stoke Farm, which, according to the OS Map of 1885, seemed to be the hub of the former hamlet. As you say, it isn't now, with lots of new housing estates dwarfing it in all directions! I wasn't aware of the coal mining in that specific area - I wonder if that building remant was anything to do with coal mining at the start of the video? I couldn't see anything about that lane/former road on the old maps. Yes, the show was busy - but my biggest issue was the heat in the main marquee. I had to come out and cool off before continuing to film. I wasn't the only one having to do that. It was an exceptionally well organised event for what is in essence a small village. Thanks for a lovely comment! Take care, Paul
Another lovely video, Paul. Thanks for that!
Thank you Michael! Glad you enjoyed it - it was a most pleasant afternoon. Cheers, Paul
A wonderful variety of visual delights - and all on Bristol's doorstep. Very enjoyable. Thank you
Thank you Malcolm - I know I say this frequently, but I am really surprised that I have not been here before. It is a really lovely village seemingly unspolied by the County of Bristol's expansion onto South Gloucestershire's borders. It was a most pleasant afternoon. Cheers, Paul
That was a very enjoyable video from the very start with your very unusual opening intro music- ‘Busy City’ - made a welcome change. I’ve actually been here before to see Corsham Court which was well worth a visit! I don’t recall the travelling peacocks 🦚 but I know I went somewhere where they had free range just can’t remember where. All I remember besides the lovely Court was a very tiny village type town with no shops open and no places to eat except the pubs. There were no hanging baskets etc which is such a welcoming sight but this must have been 20ish yrs ago & few places did have hanging baskets - they are relatively new to small towns. And we watched a cricket match for want of something to do- so maybe a quiet Sunday? I remember the Almshouses being very prominent. I noted that Bath Spa Uni has a presence there & it wouldn’t surprise me if they had some financial input. (They weren’t there years ago) Nobody mentioned it but I believe The Queen resides nearby - she still has a bolt hole that I believe she wishes to keep. Whether that has changed now her status has changed I’m not sure. Oh yes & Ancient Aliens went to Rudloe Manor & got short shrift! A lot of people think this the centre for U.K. UFO research. Thanks Paul.
Hi Diana! I am so behind with comments at the mo - lots going on all at once! Glad you enjoyed my tour of Corsham town - yes, I was pleasantly surprised by everything there. I know The Queen lives still in Lacock - in fact she is still the patron of the Wilts & Berks Canal - I think the canal runs through her grounds! I know she used to live in Corsham too, but I don't know if she has a property there now, but she may still do too. Is Ancient Aliens a KZread Channel? I know the UFO thing at RAF Rudloe was disbanded in the 1990s - but indeed it was the centre of UFO research from the 1950s to the 1990s. Thanks again! Take care, Paul
Hello Paul I just looked Ancient Aliens up but not helpful. My understanding is it is a show on Netflix I think!- but Blaze( channel on Freeview) shows older programmes( some 2012!) on its Channel. It seems to be a mouthpiece for all sorts of theories on UFOs ( now called UAP haha stands for Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) & similar controversial topics. Recently,contributors have included respected scientists etc. Also I think they have recruited Nick Pope who worked at the M.O.D. on the UFO Desk ( he ran the UFO desk) - knowing the Civil Service possibly the only employee assigned to this Desk!!! It was Nick Pope & one of the main American presenters( can’t pronounce or spell his name but looks Greek) who drove to Rudloe Manor - you talk to someone via an intercom- they were given a negative reply. The men in black( well men in black in an unmarked black vehicle) came from somewhere and saw them off! Pope signed the Official Secrets Act & cannot reveal everything he knows. I would imagine he will write a best selling book. Hope that explains it a bit.
@@dianarolph1770 yes, it does. Thank you! I have heard Nick Pope on Howard Hughes Show on the radio ('The Unexplained') think it is on TalkRadio on Sunday nights and via podcasts. Nick is a really interesting chal.
Love your style, ! New supporter friend. like done
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Paul
Another interesting canal visit, but, to me, Worcestershire and Staffordshire aren't West country locations along with Herefordshire. Perhaps the "Cann Quarry canal" or "Stover canal" may feature in later excursions.😊
Thank you Jonathan, and thank you for your kind comments. From the outset, I have always included Herefordshire and Worcestershire (I didn't go into Staffordshire here) in 'my' area on my KZread Channel. The Westcountry (as opposed to the South West) doesn't have a definitive clearly defined area. There are many reasons why I decided to include Herefordshire and Worcestershire. I now live in Gloucestershire (after spending most of my life in Cornwall) so, if I didn't, every video I made would mean a southerly journey. At this time of the year, journeys to and from Devon and Cornwall from where I live, can be horrendous (daily incidents on the M5). There is also the travel cost factor. In terms of canals, Devon and Cornwall have very few which are navigable (just one each) and none currently under restoration. Having said that, I have recently featured The Bude Canal in Cornwall, The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal, and the Chard Canal in Somerset. I have also previously covered the Exeter Canal and the Par Canal l and touched on the Tavistock Canal. I am planning on doing the Dorset and Somerset Canal soon. I am looking at filming the Hayle Canal in the autumn. I have looked at doing the Stover Canal - probably next year due to other commitments. Hope this helps! Cheers, Paul
I forgot to add - I used to live in Mainstone in Plymouth in Devon - my garden backed onto Plymbridge Woods, and I am very familiar with that area - Both the former tramway, and the Cann Canal are definitely ones I have down on my list to do in the future. It is a fascinating area. Watch this space! Cheers, Paul
@@westcountrywanderings Hi Paul, we must have been near neighbours at one time as I grew up in Southway, Plymouth so I know the Plym Bridge/ Estover area very well. If you visit the area soon you'll be shocked to see what has happened at the bottom of Novorrossicks Road 🫣 I was also in the RAF (aircraft technician) so we have things in common. I now live in Frome, Somerset, not far from the "Dorset and Somerset canal" There are many remains of the canal so definitely worth exploring. 🙋
@@JonathanColes-ib7tq Hi, yes, I was only there for a short time - from 2011 to 2014, until I moved to South Milton (near Salcombe) in the South Hams in Devon. I used to work at Sainsbury's at Marsh Mills (night shifts - loved it!). I have heard about the new flyover - I saw all the chaos on Forder Valley Road when I was there last year! I was a radar techinician on air defence radar in the 1980s. I have done a video on Frome, and also nearby Mells in one of my monthly vlogs. Cheers, Paul.
Hi Paul, what a picturesque canal that is, really well captured, well done!! Very interesting history and associated legends too. I don't know about the swan but I can imagine a soldier or sailor disappearing and being taken for dead only to reappear some time later!! You wouldn't think you were traversing a built up area, a great towpath to walk I'm sure. All the best!!
Good morning David! Thank you - yes, although it is pinned around a magical swan, I can imagine that there was some truth in it with her husband going missing and returning many years later. It really is a lovely and very scenic canal - but only this short section lies in my region that I cover on YT. The Staffordshire border is just a couple of miles away. However, it fits in with other parts of both The River Severn, and other canals that I cover on the channel, and their history. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you have a fab day! Paul
What a beautiful town. Thanks for taking us around the church.
Thank you Faith! Glad you enjoyed it. It really is a lovely town and wonderful church. Take care, Paul
An enchanting section of canal, beautifully captured in video. The engineering effort involved in carving a way through all that rock is truly breathtaking. Thank you.
Thank you Malcolm! Glad you enjoyed it. It really is a super piece of engineering. Cheers, Paul.
Although you have been disappointed by what you didn't see, I was amazed by what you did see, it was not easy. You were somewhat held back by cattle & steep slippery slopes. Great video Paul.
Thank you Faith - I was a little dissapointed, but there was still a fair bit to see. Yes, cattle! They held me up later on filming too! But, best to play safe always. Thanks for a lovely comment, Take care, Paul
Lovely tribute to a really beautiful canal - you really did it proud. I volunteered with CRT at Stourport until recently and many boaters I met were surprised and delighted at just how unspoilt the S & W is, despite 'civilisation' never being very far away. For a moment when you entered the Debdale cave, I could smell it ! Debdale lock, cave and spillweir are all listed but the cottage and footbridge are not, despite all being built by Brindley. Bonkers, I say...
Thank you Philip. Glad you enjoyed my little take on it. The CRT do a great job at Stourport - always tidy around the basins there, and thank for all of your hard work volunteering. Yes, the cave! It has a dampness about it, which is hard to describe. I am amazed that the cottage and footbridge aren't listed - bonkers indeed! Take care, Paul
Beautiful walk Paul. Thank you. . I looked it up. Wolverley is only 10 miles south of Wombourne, where I once lived. We used to walk the canal near Bratch Locks 🙂🌳🦆🦆
Oh, wow! Small world! Yes, it is quite close to both Staffordshire and the metropolitan county of West Midlands - at the extreme northern end of the area that I cover. Only this short section lies in Worcestershire though - never explored it before - beautiful canal. Quite quick to get to from where I live though, assuming the M5 and A449 is working OK - I was home in less than an hour. Thanks Cathy, Paul
The Stewponey is not that far from where local lad. Carl Drinkwater disappeared and after long investigation his body was found nearby. Caroline
I remember that well - it was horrendous. Still an unsolved murder - but some people will know, who will take their secret and crime to their grave, sadly.
I remember it too - it was horrendous- that poor family - if I remember correctly the police investigation was suspect. You live in hope that the truth will be revealed one day.
@@dianarolph1770 Yes, it was dreadful - lets hope the truth will come out.
Hi Paul. family used to live in Kingswinford in 1977 to 1985 so used to the canal from Kiddy to Wolves. in later years cruised the section from wolves to Great Haywood. Try Swindon villlage with the canalside pubs and the steam pumping station renovated while we were there by a road steam enthusiast and the stewponey stretch too. On the Stourbridge arm is the old customs shed now used as a venue. Was in Dads customs area too. Local breweries were also in his remit, including Bathams, Mrs Pardoes, JPS, Banks and Hansons. Caroline.
Thank you Caroline! I don't know the West Midlands (as in the Metropolitan County, not the region) at all well, and have never been to Stourbridge, so that is really interesting information. I know that there is lots of canal history around there, BCN, The Dudleys, etc, but it is a bit outside the area that I cover - this was at the extreme northern end of it. Great to hear from you. Cheers, Paul C
Cheers Paul interesting l bet the aqueduct looked impressive in it's day across the road 👍👍👍
Yes, that would have been quite a sight seeing a boat go across it Lee! There is a substantial aqueduct across a major road (A350 road from Chippenham in Wiltshire to Poole in Dorset), which carries the Kennet & Avon Canal (near Semmington), but unfortunately it is a modern aqueduct, and doesn't have the grandeur of this one. Thanks for watching! Paul
Good morning Paul your videos are always so professional and watchable and this is such a very beautiful area which you took us to and you had a lovely day for this visit. We love canal walking and you showed this off beautifully ~ Anna
Thank you Anna & Alf! Yes, I like walking along them, but I would not have the navigational skills or social skills (negotiating with other boaters) to manhandle a narrowboat on one! I love learning about their fascinating history though, and I have loads of books about canals - they are great places for photography and observing nature too. Always great to hear from you. Take care, Paul
Hello Paul - greetings from a very hot and sunny Poland The Staffs and Worcs has a dear place in my heart - this is where I had my very first taste of canal boating in 1972. I remember we hired our narrow boat from Anglo Welsh iat Great Heywood Junction. What a superb time we had in the May of 1972. I thougherly enjoyed this video. Beautiful tranquility, peace and quiet and gorgeous countryside.
Thank you Michael! One of the most picturesque canals I think - I really enjoyed walking along the towpath here. I would never be able to handle a narrowboat - my co-ordination skills are shocking! I bet you have great memories of that canal boating holiday. Glad you enjoyed this trip on the canal. Hope you have a great week! Take care, Paul
Wow! That was an absolutely beautiful walk. One of the more picturesque canals that we've seen I think. Seems as though there was a wonderful picture waiting to be taken around every corner. Thank you Paul.👍
Thank you Daryl. Glad you enjoyed it - yes, it definitely is one of the most attractive canals out there - only a short section of it lies in 'my' area though. But, I enjoyed my afternoon exploring and doing photography here. Cheers, Paul
Another good one, Paul. You clearly put a lot of thought and effort into the planning, filming, and editing of these videos, and it shows!
Thank you Jim - yes, each time takes me quite sometime to make, from research to filming and editing. Glad you enjoyed it. Take care, Paul
This was such a fascinating video. I like it when you become a sleuth- that does seem to be your ‘metier’ - you draw us all into your research!! It will always be Creech St Thomas to you! I know what it’s like to have an idee fixe. Do you think that comes from Cricket St Thomas also Somerset?? Ah love the cows - these looked inquisitive & happy to see you BUT & you can guess what I am going to say! They kill lots of people/ year. Saw the actual statistic the other day- & it is frightening. A retired GP living in the next village was trampled to death a few years back. I love the finger post signs- sadly seeing them less & less. As there was such a lot to take in I had to watch twice! And in the 1st run though you had made the provision for ads none were put in; 2nd time 2 adverts so no rhyme or reason!! I wasn’t consciously going to compare the 2 runs- just more awake than usual! I know of Paul Whitewick- would sub to him but as it is I find myself behind with the channels I do subscribe to !! Can I make a request if you do try again to find the route of this canal please please take someone with you!! You suggested Autumn and the slippery leaves & mud,rocks etc make me nervous after what we saw in the video!!! Thanks for an adsorbing 36minutes!
Thank you Diana! You are absolutely right about cows - they can be very dangerous, and I am always wary - I make sure that there is an escape route - the case here is that there was a wall, which I could have become trapped against, so it was a definite no no. I always assess their mood and check if there are any calves around. You could be right about Cricket St. Thomas! Wasn't that the home of Mr Blobby? I think it is one of Warners Hotels now as well as a zoo. It was also 'To The Manor Born'. Unfortunately, I don't have anyone that I can bring with me for an explore, but I will continue to be extra careful. I really don't know anyone else - certainly no one that is interested in canal exploration. Glad you enjoyed the explore, and I hope to do part two as soon as I am able, fitting it around my other video projects. Always great to hear from you. Take care, Paul
@@westcountrywanderings Thanks for your comprehensive reply! Oh sorry I just assumed ( assumption my worst fault) that you might know like minded canal enthusiasts. It does seem a dangerous hobby! Perhaps you could ask your daughter to visit? Just somebody who would know where you had been exploring & willing to be around on that day. Ohh and ‘what3 words’ That website could be very helpful for exact location finding. Apologies again! & thanks for the reply!
@dianarolph1770 I did keep both Louise (South West Sundays) and my parents aware of exactly where I was. Unfortunately, my daughter lives too far away in Cornwall to be able to do exploring in Somerset, and getting to/from Cornwall is always tricky this time of the year with horrendous traffic (incidents on the M5 seem to be daily) and very crowded trains, so I tend to reduce visits this time of the year until the autumn. Engaging with others is extremely difficult when you have autism! Thank you for your concern though - it is very much appreciated. Take care, Paul