History of Coombeswood Canal Trust

www.hawnebasin.org.uk

IWA National 2008 IWA National 2008

A History of Coombeswood Canal TrustA History of Coombeswood Canal Trust

Hawne Basin in working days, drawn by

Ron Eason

History of Hawne BasinHistory of Hawne Basin

1798 The Dudley No.2 canal is opened from Park Head to Selly Oak.

Early 1800s The original Basin is built, probably to serve Hawne Colliery, thought to be the oldest colliery in Halesowen.

A horse-drawn tramroad led to the basin from the colliery across the river Stour, over a stone bridge which still exists. The colliery ceased production in 1883.

1798 The Dudley No.2 canal is opened from Park Head to Selly Oak.

Early 1800s The original Basin is built, probably to serve Hawne Colliery, thought to be the oldest colliery in Halesowen.

A horse-drawn tramroad led to the basin from the colliery across the river Stour, over a stone bridge which still exists. The colliery ceased production in 1883.


Tramway to Hawne Basin shown on OS map c.1842Tramway to Hawne Basin shown on OS map c.1842

History of Hawne BasinHistory of Hawne Basin

1898 A Great Western Railways Act authorises construction of the Halesowen Basin Branch.

The Basin is enlarged and railway access and sidings built.

1902 The rail branch from Halesowen station to Hawne Basin is opened on 2nd April.

The railway line ascended on a long curve at a constant and steep gradient of 1:38.

1898 A Great Western Railways Act authorises construction of the Halesowen Basin Branch.

The Basin is enlarged and railway access and sidings built.

1902 The rail branch from Halesowen station to Hawne Basin is opened on 2nd April.

The railway line ascended on a long curve at a constant and steep gradient of 1:38.

Hawne Basin in the railway era 1902Hawne Basin in the railway era 1902

The Railway to Hawne Basin 1914The Railway to Hawne Basin 1914

1965 - Argol with Tubes from Stuarts & Lloyds Coombeswood Works arriving at Hawne Basin1965 - Argol with Tubes from Stuarts & Lloyds Coombeswood Works arriving at Hawne Basin


1965 - Hawne Basin1965 - Hawne Basin


1966Hawne Basin1966Hawne Basin

Demise of Hawne BasinDemise of Hawne Basin

1967 - Boat traffic ceased on 5th June and the Basin was closed.

1969 - The railway had remained open to supply Walter Summers factory but closed in October 1969.

1970 - the Transhipment shed was demolished and the railway lines lifted.

1967 - Boat traffic ceased on 5th June and the Basin was closed.

1969 - The railway had remained open to supply Walter Summers factory but closed in October 1969.

1970 - the Transhipment shed was demolished and the railway lines lifted.

Key dates in the history of Coombeswood Canal TrustKey dates in the history of Coombeswood Canal Trust

1976 - IWA Birmingham Branch established the Waterways Sub-committee whose remit was to preserve and restore

waterways structures on the BCN. Hawne Basin was perceived to be a suitable site and correspondence was started with Dudley MBC and others promoting the value of Hawne Basin.

1976 / 1977 - after positive responses from Dudley MBC and West Midlands County Council, Coombeswood Canal Company

was formed to develop Hawne Basin.

1977 - The IWA organised a cruise to Hawne Basin in 1977.

1976 - IWA Birmingham Branch established the Waterways Sub-committee whose remit was to preserve and restore

waterways structures on the BCN. Hawne Basin was perceived to be a suitable site and correspondence was started with Dudley MBC and others promoting the value of Hawne Basin.

1976 / 1977 - after positive responses from Dudley MBC and West Midlands County Council, Coombeswood Canal Company

was formed to develop Hawne Basin.

1977 - The IWA organised a cruise to Hawne Basin in 1977.


Coombeswood Canal Trust held its first Members meeting on November 29th 1977

Coombeswood Canal Trust held its first Members meeting on November 29th 1977

2007 was our 30th Anniversary!


IWA BBQ / cruise to Hawne Basin Sept 17th 1977IWA BBQ / cruise to Hawne Basin Sept 17th 1977


Burton Bridge December 1977Burton Bridge December 1977

Some key dates in the history of Hawne BasinSome key dates in the history of Hawne Basin

1979 - Following negotiations between British Railways and the Council, ownership of Hawne Basin was finally transferred to Dudley MBC.

1980 - West Midland County Council funded dredging of Hawne Basin and the canal arm. The dredgings were spread on land

formerly occupied by rail lines and covered with shale.

1979 - Following negotiations between British Railways and the Council, ownership of Hawne Basin was finally transferred to Dudley MBC.

1980 - West Midland County Council funded dredging of Hawne Basin and the canal arm. The dredgings were spread on land

formerly occupied by rail lines and covered with shale.


1980 Shale spread1980 Shale spread

Key dates in the history of Coombeswood Canal TrustKey dates in the history of Coombeswood Canal Trust

1979 - Coombeswood Canal Company became Coombeswood Canal Trust and applied for Charitable status.

1980 - Charitable status granted. The Trust operated Hawne Basin on behalf of Dudley MBC, leasing the basin from the council.

1980 - An Easter Rally was held in April and the first boats arrived in September.

1979 - Coombeswood Canal Company became Coombeswood Canal Trust and applied for Charitable status.

1980 - Charitable status granted. The Trust operated Hawne Basin on behalf of Dudley MBC, leasing the basin from the council.

1980 - An Easter Rally was held in April and the first boats arrived in September.


1980 Easter Rally April 5th& 6th 1980 Easter Rally April 5th& 6th


First boat arrives to stay in the basin Sept 1980“Interlude” Tony JenningsFirst boat arrives to stay in the basin Sept 1980“Interlude” Tony Jennings


1981 Work continued to provide services. A water supply and sewage disposal were installed early in 1981, repair of the basin walls started in May and construction of a toilet block was started. At that time there were 10 moorers in the basin

1981 Work continued to provide services. A water supply and sewage disposal were installed early in 1981, repair of the basin walls started in May and construction of a toilet block was started. At that time there were 10 moorers in the basin

Key dates in the history of Hawne BasinKey dates in the history of Hawne Basin

Key dates in the history of Hawne BasinKey dates in the history of Hawne Basin

1981 - Chris Burton restored the partly demolished bridge over the entrance to Hawne Basin

www.hawnebasin.org.ukMany of the dovetailed cast iron coping plates were retrieved from the canal!


Trees planted, Feb 1982Trees planted, Feb 1982

August 28th

1982

Opening

(by Mayor of Dudley)

and naming

(by David Hutchings)

of

“Burton Bridge”

Halesowen News

August 30th

1982

Chris Burton,

David Hutchings,

and the

Mayor of Dudley

at opening ceremony

1982 Work parties were held to clean up the adjacent canal.BCNS / CCT work party at Old Hill, Nov 7th1982 Work parties were held to clean up the adjacent canal.BCNS / CCT work party at Old Hill, Nov 7th

Up she comes!Up she comes!

1977 Argol - Coombeswood Steelworks1977 Argol - Coombeswood Steelworks

1979 Side-slip boat yard at Steelworks1979 Side-slip boat yard at Steelworks

1980 Gosty Hill tunnel1980 Gosty Hill tunnel

1982 Coombeswood Steelworks towards tunnel1982 Coombeswood Steelworks towards tunnel

1982 Covered wharf1982 Covered wharf

1982 Tifler1982 Tifler

designed by Gunter Toennig

1983 CCT logo adopted 1983 CCT logo adopted

Coombeswood Canal Trust continued to expand

over the following years: Coombeswood Canal Trust continued to expand

over the following years:

1983 - A boat to take children on the canals, the “Matty Butty” was refitted and launched at Hawne Basin and then bow hauled to the Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge

March 1986 The first“Interchange”

Newsletter 33)

And 2008

March 1986 The first“Interchange”

Newsletter 33)

And 2008

1986 September 27-28th 1986 September 27-28th

CCT promote the first Black Country Boating FestivalSite managerColin Walker

CCT promote the first Black Country Boating FestivalSite managerColin Walker

Some key dates in the history of CCTSome key dates in the history of CCT

1991 Moorings extended with additional length of canal leased from British Waterways.

1992 Work boat Hawne Built at the basin

1995 New amenity block built

1991 Moorings extended with additional length of canal leased from British Waterways.

1992 Work boat Hawne Built at the basin

1995 New amenity block built

“,“,

1992 - CCT Work Boat Hawne1992 - CCT Work Boat Hawne

1995 - New Laundry, Toilets and Office1995 - New Laundry, Toilets and Office


1999 - Repairs completed to towpath wall along arm leased from British Waterways by Tony Peniket

2000 - Movable cover added to slipway with interior lighting & power

1999 - Repairs completed to towpath wall along arm leased from British Waterways by Tony Peniket

2000 - Movable cover added to slipway with interior lighting & power

2000 – Covered Slipway2000 – Covered Slipway

Some key dates in the history of CCTSome key dates in the history of CCT

2000 - CCT, in partnership with British Waterways extends the limit of navigation of the Dudley No2. canal with the removal of a

bridge which had collapsed in the early 1980s.

Risk assessments were completed and approved by British Waterways. A temporary dam had to be installed and the section of the canal drained to remove concrete debris and pieces of the bridge.

The project was made possible by the work of Alf Danks, a member of the Trust for many years, who broke up the concrete roadway on the bridge by hand!

2000 - CCT, in partnership with British Waterways extends the limit of navigation of the Dudley No2. canal with the removal of a

bridge which had collapsed in the early 1980s.

Risk assessments were completed and approved by British Waterways. A temporary dam had to be installed and the section of the canal drained to remove concrete debris and pieces of the bridge.

The project was made possible by the work of Alf Danks, a member of the Trust for many years, who broke up the concrete roadway on the bridge by hand!


1980 - Bridge just prior to collapse1980 - Bridge just prior to collapse

2000 - CCT Extends the Dudley No22000 - CCT Extends the Dudley No2

Some key dates in the history of CCT The Trust IncorporatesSome key dates in the history of CCT The Trust Incorporates

2001 - Coombeswood Canal Trust Ltd formed, a charitable company limited by guarantee a legal entity able to take on leases in its own right removing the burden from the original trustees.

2002 - Original Coombeswood Canal Trust wound up and assets transferred to the new charitable company – Coombeswood Canal Trust (Ltd is not shown as part of the name)

2001 - Coombeswood Canal Trust Ltd formed, a charitable company limited by guarantee a legal entity able to take on leases in its own right removing the burden from the original trustees.

2002 - Original Coombeswood Canal Trust wound up and assets transferred to the new charitable company – Coombeswood Canal Trust (Ltd is not shown as part of the name)

2004 Regular Open Weekends continue in May2004 Regular Open Weekends continue in May

2005 Open Weekend - Statue Unveiled at Burton Bridge

2005 Open Weekend - Statue Unveiled at Burton Bridge


2006 - Section of retaining wall subsides into basinContractors employed to pile section & top with brickwork in time

for open weekend.

2007 - Driveway & Car Park surfaced with tarmac for first time, again just in time for that year’s open weekend.

2006 - Section of retaining wall subsides into basinContractors employed to pile section & top with brickwork in time

for open weekend.

2007 - Driveway & Car Park surfaced with tarmac for first time, again just in time for that year’s open weekend.

The 19th 20th May 2007 saw the Dudley No 2 Canal come alive with the sights & sounds of “TUGS AT WORK.”

Radio WM broadcast from Hawne Basin.

2007 Open Weekend - The return of the tugs2007 Open Weekend - The return of the tugs

The highlight of the weekend was the Parade of Five Tug’s TUG No 1, TUG No 2 “ARGOL”, TUG No 3 “VESTA”, TUG No 4, “PACIFIC”, TUG No 5 “BITTELL”. Arriving in Hawne Basin they all reversed stern first against the towpath in front of the clubhouse for the photographers to take advantage of this very rare opportunity of seeing all five tugs in all their glory.

2007 Open Weekend - The return of the tugs2007 Open Weekend - The return of the tugs


2000 CCT request Dudley MBC to consider allowing us to purchase freehold of Hawne Basin.

2004 Local Area Committee authorise Dudley MBC to enter into negotiations with CCT over purchase

2005 DMBC value basin at £120k we offer £110k

2007 CCT complete the purchase of Hawne basin from Dudley MBC.

2000 CCT request Dudley MBC to consider allowing us to purchase freehold of Hawne Basin.

2004 Local Area Committee authorise Dudley MBC to enter into negotiations with CCT over purchase

2005 DMBC value basin at £120k we offer £110k

2007 CCT complete the purchase of Hawne basin from Dudley MBC.

After 30 years phase 1 is now complete Hawne Basin is now saved and earning money, for Coombeswood Canal Trust, to use on it’s charitable aims and objectives

Some key dates in the history of CCTPurchase of Hawne BasinSome key dates in the history of CCTPurchase of Hawne Basin

2008 Hawne Basin – May Open Weekend2008 Hawne Basin – May Open Weekend

2007 – Saw “Phase One” completed with the freehold purchase of Hawne basin from Dudley MBC. Coombeswood Canal Trust can now place a greater emphasis

outside of the Gates of Hawne Basin.

2007 – Saw “Phase One” completed with the freehold purchase of Hawne basin from Dudley MBC. Coombeswood Canal Trust can now place a greater emphasis

outside of the Gates of Hawne Basin.

So What Now ?So What Now ?

Opportunities – Short TermOpportunities – Short Term

Promote the Dudley No2 as an asset to the community.•Walking Guide produced Windmill end to Hawne Basin.

•Visitor moorings and facilities at Hawne Basin to encourage boat traffic along the canal

•13th September Vicar’s boat pull in aid of OLD Hill Church Roof•Open Weekend 2009 – 16th & 17th May

Promote the Dudley No2 as an asset to the community.•Walking Guide produced Windmill end to Hawne Basin.

•Visitor moorings and facilities at Hawne Basin to encourage boat traffic along the canal

•13th September Vicar’s boat pull in aid of OLD Hill Church Roof•Open Weekend 2009 – 16th & 17th May

Continue work parties to keep the Dudley No2 free from Rubbish.Monthly work parties on Hawne along the arm.

With ad hoc trips to remove any reported obstructions to navigationWork Parties – 238hrs hours canal – 217hrs around basin

£2,183 spent this year on work parties Figures 2008 so far until July.

Continue work parties to keep the Dudley No2 free from Rubbish.Monthly work parties on Hawne along the arm.

With ad hoc trips to remove any reported obstructions to navigationWork Parties – 238hrs hours canal – 217hrs around basin

£2,183 spent this year on work parties Figures 2008 so far until July.

Tel: 0121 550 1355

www.hawnebasin.co.uk

Coombeswood Canal Trust

Caring for the Dudley No2

and Hawne Basin

Opportunities – Medium TermOpportunities – Medium Term

Explore possibilities for further mooring sites along the Dudley No 2.Explore possibilities for further mooring sites along the Dudley No 2.

Promote project for towpath improvements along Dudley No2 from Gosty Tunnel to Hawne Basin

Promote project for towpath improvements along Dudley No2 from Gosty Tunnel to Hawne Basin

Opportunities – Long TermOpportunities – Long Term

Promote the extension of the Dudley No2 Canal into Leasowes Park Halesowen.

This will obviously require considerable funds, but the benefit of connecting the canal network to the park will boost both canal and park as visitor attractions.

• CCT represented at park group meetings• Open lines of communication with local developers

Promote the extension of the Dudley No2 Canal into Leasowes Park Halesowen.

This will obviously require considerable funds, but the benefit of connecting the canal network to the park will boost both canal and park as visitor attractions.

• CCT represented at park group meetings• Open lines of communication with local developers


Any Questions ? Any Questions ?

History of Coombeswood Canal Trust

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