This Notebook is the property of Mr C.E. Faulkner 14 Noakes Avenue Chelmsford Essex 9 Chapel Hill Halstead Essex CO9 1JJ 36 Fakenham Road Great Ryburgh Norfolk NR21 7AN

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

1 Field Excursions W & B C. N W C.

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

2 1. Observations based on state of // discovered at first dated visit, with any changes, re annotated against further dates.

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

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C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

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C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

5 SECTION I. Abingdon to Grove Junction Canal Entrance & Abingdon Lock SU 469966 Visited:- 7.5.60:31.5.60:18.6.60:22.9.60. Access:- Photograph Nos: 280, 273, 261, 281, 346 Observations: Site entrance of lock now occupied by a small nissan-type building (see 280, 261). The lock was located approximately 40 yards northeast of Boat house on river's edge (see 280). 25" plan consulted at Borough Surveyors office (31/5) shows part of Boat Ho projecting over river, possibly had some canal purpose. Indentation of river bank ///ting canal entrance is clearly visible (280). "Old Anchor" Inn on riverside may have been resort of boatmen. SW of lock site is large house in walled grounds (no wall on C[anal]. side)

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

6 "Kingsland Lodge", possibly wharfinger's house. (22.9.60) Observed name 'Wharf House' on one of the gate pillars. This visit by Eve and myself, was to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Canal's opening. There was no one else in sight, and nothing out of the ordinary in the town, despite my letters to the mayor (which were not answered).

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

7 2. Abingdon Town Wharf and Basin SU495966 Visited:- 7.5.60: 31.5.60: Access: Photograph Nos: 274 Observations: Basin, immediately west of lock, has been filled in: it is now a grassed over area which defines shape and extent. Line west from the Basin is shown by a hedge parallel to Caldecott Road: about half way along this road, it disappears under a row of houses fronting the road, which continue down to the A34 junction.

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

8 3. Caldecott Bridge SU 487965 Visited:- 7.5.60: 31.5.60: 18.6.60: 22.9.60 Access:- *Track from A.34 on W bank at farm Photograph Nos:- Observations:- Bridge no longer exists but there is a very slight hump in the A34 at the crossing point. Farm is still there, also row of small cottages southwest of bridge (doubtful authenticity). There was a wharf ('Tythe') west of bridge on south bank. *Line re-appears about 200 yards west of bridge and is embanked: double hedged and very overgrown: bed accessible in one or two places, with aquatic-type plants still growing in it.

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66

9 4. Caldecott Lock SU 484965 Visited:- 31.5.60: Access:- Rough TP scramble from SU 482963 Photograph Nos:- Observations:- Very overgrown embankment and lock site cannot be traced exactly. Possibly it was where concrete block house (war construction?) is placed right on line. There is a second one of these about 400 yards west, but standing on north bank - some adjacent masonry may be significant. (See note re SU 482963). Average height of embankment in this region is app. 5’. TP only a vague trace and very difficult to follow. Dense hedge growth.

C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66