37
and ladder leading to small loft. Weighing platform embedded in ground outside door, approximately 6 feet by 4 feet, embossed old-style lettering at one end "
...AGLE FOUNDRY BIRM..."
[Almost certainly Eagle Foundry Birmingham. Doug Small]
Wharf gate pillars original, but sadly ruinous.
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and ladder leading to small loft. Weighing platform embedded in ground outside door, approximately 6 feet by 4 feet, embossed old-style lettering at one end "
...AGLE FOUNDRY BIRM..."
[Almost certainly Eagle Foundry Birmingham. Doug Small]
Wharf gate pillars original, but sadly ruinous.
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2. Belmont Bridge SU 398883
Visited:- 13.5.61
Access:- Old TP, from Wantage Wharf
Photograph Nos:- 351
Observations:- Bridge was of very solid construction: stone block ashlar, with rubble core material. South parapet demolished; track east from bridge goes down large embankment and is lost in field; ditto west shut of by housing estate. Line infilled up to arch springs. Lots of old iron and rubbish about.
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2. Belmont Bridge SU 398883
Visited:- 13.5.61
Access:- Old TP, from Wantage Wharf
Photograph Nos:- 351
Observations:- Bridge was of very solid construction: stone block ashlar, with rubble core material. South parapet demolished; track east from bridge goes down large embankment and is lost in field; ditto west shut of by housing estate. Line infilled up to arch springs. Lots of old iron and rubbish about.
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3. Branch Line
Visited:- 13.5.61
Access:- Old TP & from Wantage Wharf
Photograph Nos:- 352, 353
Observations:- Line ran in embankment of average height three feet: all filled: about 100 yards northwards from bridge is covered by gardens of Belmont Estate, then reappears as clearly defined line for about 700 yards, becoming overgrown and impassable towards Grove junction. Very solid old infill well grassed area.
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3. Branch Line
Visited:- 13.5.61
Access:- Old TP & from Wantage Wharf
Photograph Nos:- 352, 353
Observations:- Line ran in embankment of average height three feet: all filled: about 100 yards northwards from bridge is covered by gardens of Belmont Estate, then reappears as clearly defined line for about 700 yards, becoming overgrown and impassable towards Grove junction. Very solid old infill well grassed area.
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Section III - Grove Junction to S.Marston (E Summit lock)
1. Barwell Bridge SU 394891
Visited:- 6.8.60: 10.9.60: 13.5.61.
Access:- Wantage Denceworth road. (not shown on 1:25000 sht SU38, airfield)
Photograph Nos:- 33, 355
Observations:- Line practically obliterated here, recognisable to the east by double line of hedge (continuing from SI.25). About 70 yards east of road filling in progress. To west of road fill-in is old and complete; i.e. graded over making it difficult to distinguish line from adjacent field. Double hedge reappears about 200 yards west of road. No bridge remains, or road 'hump'.
(13.5.61) found 20 yard section (at end of fill) containing a little water.
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Section III - Grove Junction to S.Marston (E Summit lock)
1. Barwell Bridge SU 394891
Visited:- 6.8.60: 10.9.60: 13.5.61.
Access:- Wantage Denceworth road. (not shown on 1:25000 sht SU38, airfield)
Photograph Nos:- 33, 355
Observations:- Line practically obliterated here, recognisable to the east by double line of hedge (continuing from SI.25). About 70 yards east of road filling in progress. To west of road fill-in is old and complete; i.e. graded over making it difficult to distinguish line from adjacent field. Double hedge reappears about 200 yards west of road. No bridge remains, or road 'hump'.
(13.5.61) found 20 yard section (at end of fill) containing a little water.
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2. Stockham Bridge SU 391888
Visited:- 13.5.61: 28.8.62.
Access:- Lin walk from Barwell Br
Photograph Nos:- 355, 454, 485
Observations:- Line filled, from water (see III. 1.) to farm track crossing, where much large masonry pieces strewn about, probably not canal work. Then good but overgrown line with water to Stockham Bridge (?). Rising ground to north called for deep cutting for about 500 yards, approximately 10 feet average, but about 20 feet most. West of bridge (which is filled) much overgrown and impassable.
(26.8.62) revisit cutting section - able to get down to line which has about 12 inches of water for 200 to 300 yards: cutting compares with Sapperton east end.
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2. Stockham Bridge SU 391888
Visited:- 13.5.61: 28.8.62.
Access:- Lin walk from Barwell Br
Photograph Nos:- 355, 454, 485
Observations:- Line filled, from water (see III. 1.) to farm track crossing, where much large masonry pieces strewn about, probably not canal work. Then good but overgrown line with water to Stockham Bridge (?). Rising ground to north called for deep cutting for about 500 yards, approximately 10 feet average, but about 20 feet most. West of bridge (which is filled) much overgrown and impassable.
(26.8.62) revisit cutting section - able to get down to line which has about 12 inches of water for 200 to 300 yards: cutting compares with Sapperton east end.
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3. East Challow Bridge and Wharf SU 381884
Visited:- 6.8.60: 28.8.60: 3.6.61: 26.8.62.
Access:- A 417
Photograph Nos:- 368,486
Observations:- No remains of bridge, but pronounced hump in road (A417). Crossing is railed either side against a drop of about 6 feet, probably indicating one-time brick or masonry structure.
(3.6.61) East of bridge is open grassed space, possibly wharf, and on west side is period house (awaits confirmation).
(26.8.62) Line becomes fairly distinct about 300 yards east of bridge: rubbish dump: infill east of bridge is very old.
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3. East Challow Bridge and Wharf SU 381884
Visited:- 6.8.60: 28.8.60: 3.6.61: 26.8.62.
Access:- A 417
Photograph Nos:- 368,486
Observations:- No remains of bridge, but pronounced hump in road (A417). Crossing is railed either side against a drop of about 6 feet, probably indicating one-time brick or masonry structure.
(3.6.61) East of bridge is open grassed space, possibly wharf, and on west side is period house (awaits confirmation).
(26.8.62) Line becomes fairly distinct about 300 yards east of bridge: rubbish dump: infill east of bridge is very old.
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4. Occupation Bridge SU 375884 [Kings draw bridge. Doug S. Cornhill Labe bridge Gary K]
Visited:- 6.8.60
Access:- A 417
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:-
(6.8.60 Line visible, e can be stotal overgrowth. Very narrow.
Remains of simple plank bridge can be seen. Point? as a whole is hardly, recognisable for what it is.
(NB. Two new and rather ugly bungalows recently erected hard by).
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4. Occupation Bridge SU 375884 [Kings draw bridge. Doug S. Cornhill Labe bridge Gary K]
Visited:- 6.8.60
Access:- A 417
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:-
(6.8.60 Line visible, e can be stotal overgrowth. Very narrow.
Remains of simple plank bridge can be seen. Point? as a whole is hardly, recognisable for what it is.
(NB. Two new and rather ugly bungalows recently erected hard by).
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West Challow Bridge SU 368883
Visited:- 6.8.60: 26.8.62.
Access:- A 417
Photograph Nos:- 487
Observations:- See no 4. No trace of bridge, except for railings. Heavy willow growth, especially in bed of canal to west of crossing.
(26.8.62) No appreciable change, but p.
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West Challow Bridge SU 368883
Visited:- 6.8.60: 26.8.62.
Access:- A 417
Photograph Nos:- 487
Observations:- See no 4. No trace of bridge, except for railings. Heavy willow growth, especially in bed of canal to west of crossing.
(26.8.62) No appreciable change, but p.
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New Road Bridge SU 357887
Visited:- 7.8.60
Access:- From B 4507 in Sparsholt
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:- No bridge, but crossing is railed: road not humped. Very overgrown, but dry channel discernable each side by penetrating growth.
Easier on east side, where a considerable quantity of rubbish has been tipped.
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New Road Bridge SU 357887
Visited:- 7.8.60
Access:- From B 4507 in Sparsholt
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:- No bridge, but crossing is railed: road not humped. Very overgrown, but dry channel discernable each side by penetrating growth.
Easier on east side, where a considerable quantity of rubbish has been tipped.
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Broadleaze Farm SU 341889
Visited:- 7.8.60
Access:- B 4507 via Westcot Lane
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:- Dense vegetation to the east of crossing: but on west side fairly open for several hundred yards. Channel full of reeds and somewhat indistinct passing by Broadleaze farm house.
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Broadleaze Farm SU 341889
Visited:- 7.8.60
Access:- B 4507 via Westcot Lane
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:- Dense vegetation to the east of crossing: but on west side fairly open for several hundred yards. Channel full of reeds and somewhat indistinct passing by Broadleaze farm house.
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Kingston Common Farm SU 330889
Visited:- 7.8.60: 10.9.60: 22.9.60: 16:8:64
Access:- B 4507 via Kingston Lisle
Photograph Nos:- 331, 332
Observations:- Channel to east very confused and overgrown: fairly open to west, but rather shapeless.
(10.9.60) Milestone found, about 140 yards west of crossing, on south bank. Apparently limestone block, inscription side leaning towards canal, and much weathered. Figure '39' can be discerned (see 1880 map).
West of milestone line narrows again and becomes more definite.
(16.8.64) No change.
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Kingston Common Farm SU 330889
Visited:- 7.8.60: 10.9.60: 22.9.60: 16:8:64
Access:- B 4507 via Kingston Lisle
Photograph Nos:- 331, 332
Observations:- Channel to east very confused and overgrown: fairly open to west, but rather shapeless.
(10.9.60) Milestone found, about 140 yards west of crossing, on south bank. Apparently limestone block, inscription side leaning towards canal, and much weathered. Figure '39' can be discerned (see 1880 map).
West of milestone line narrows again and becomes more definite.
(16.8.64) No change.
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9. Uffington Arch Bridge SU 313897
Visited:- 7.8.60: 28.8.60.
Access:- From Kingston Lisle
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:- No significant trace. Crossing railed, but no elevation.
Growth very dense indeed, line fairly discernable on west side.
[continuation from page 49. Gary K]
distance, then dense growth and line is narrow. also walked about 300 yards west but line overgrown, embankment not so high: line further to railway curve, very difficult.
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9. Uffington Arch Bridge SU 313897
Visited:- 7.8.60: 28.8.60.
Access:- From Kingston Lisle
Photograph Nos:-
Observations:- No significant trace. Crossing railed, but no elevation.
Growth very dense indeed, line fairly discernable on west side.
[continuation from page 49. Gary K]
distance, then dense growth and line is narrow. also walked about 300 yards west but line overgrown, embankment not so high: line further to railway curve, very difficult.
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6. Uffington Wharf Bridge SU 300898
Visited:- 7.8.60: 10.9.60: 22.9.60: 13.5.61.
Access:- From Uffington
Photograph Nos:- 358, 360
Observations:-
(7.8.60) Comparatively well preserved spot. Traces remain of parapets of masonry bridge(?) and distinct road hump. Embanking again in evidence:- to the east for some distance, but filling has taken place, and to the west where line and bank are very open and visible. Northwest curve to railway is very weakened[?]. Wharf cottage remains apparently in inhabited condition: there is a very ugly pre-fabricated dwelling on the wharf-canal site.
(13.5.61) Walked about 400 yards east, well defined line in high embankment approximately 15 feet. Quite dry and clear over
[Cont. opposite] [Page 48]
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6. Uffington Wharf Bridge SU 300898
Visited:- 7.8.60: 10.9.60: 22.9.60: 13.5.61.
Access:- From Uffington
Photograph Nos:- 358, 360
Observations:-
(7.8.60) Comparatively well preserved spot. Traces remain of parapets of masonry bridge(?) and distinct road hump. Embanking again in evidence:- to the east for some distance, but filling has taken place, and to the west where line and bank are very open and visible. Northwest curve to railway is very weakened[?]. Wharf cottage remains apparently in inhabited condition: there is a very ugly pre-fabricated dwelling on the wharf-canal site.
(13.5.61) Walked about 400 yards east, well defined line in high embankment approximately 15 feet. Quite dry and clear over
[Cont. opposite] [Page 48]
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Longcot Bottom Lock SU 279895
Visited:- 10.9.60
Access:- From Longcot old wharf, very tough going.
Photograph Nos:- 336
Observations:- actual lock site not certainly detected as line is densely overgrown in this region: probably lies in thickly wooded copse.
Embankment fairly substantial to railway. Overline railway bridge partially demolished and arch filled in with continuation of railway embankment: but portions of bridge abutments on west side still remain. (p336)
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Longcot Bottom Lock SU 279895
Visited:- 10.9.60
Access:- From Longcot old wharf, very tough going.
Photograph Nos:- 336
Observations:- actual lock site not certainly detected as line is densely overgrown in this region: probably lies in thickly wooded copse.
Embankment fairly substantial to railway. Overline railway bridge partially demolished and arch filled in with continuation of railway embankment: but portions of bridge abutments on west side still remain. (p336)
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Longcot Top Lock and Old Wharf SU 275893
Visited:- 7.8.60: 10.9.60
Access:- From Uffington
Photograph Nos:- 335
Observations:- Lock probably just west of bridge, but no remains seen.
Remaining parapet (low) of bridge in existence, but arch filled with masonry //.
Line west very overgrown with reeds etc..
Two buildings:-
(a) cottage northeast of bridge, apparently period.
(b) somewhat older(?) cottage northwest.
51 Longcot Top Lock and Old Wharf SU 275893 Visited:- 7.8.60: 10.9.60 Access:- From Uffington Photograph Nos:- 335 Observations:- Lock probably just west of bridge, but no remains seen. Remaining parapet (low) of bridge in existence, but arch filled with masonry //. Line west very overgrown with reeds etc.. Two buildings:- (a) cottage northeast of bridge, apparently period. (b) somewhat older(?) cottage northwest.