Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

We work to promote the Kennet and Avon Canal to the benefit of all its users

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Crofton Beam Engines to the rescue.

25 August 2023

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Crofton Beam Engines to the rescue.

There was an unusually high level of excitement for four and a half days at Crofton Beam Engines last week.  On Wednesday a request for help was received from Canal and River Trust, the water level in the Summit Pound of the Kennet and Avon Canal was found to have reached an unacceptably low level in the middle of the week.  Boaters were stranded and the fish had very little water in which to survive.  Following some swift communication with Crofton Beam Engine Volunteers, by 9.00 a.m. on Thursday morning ‘warm through’, the process for warming the boiler was getting underway. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday a dedicated team of Volunteers and a member of staff leapt into action for three days of steaming to replenish the water level in the canal.

Crofton Leat

Over the four days, one day for ‘warm through’ and three days of steaming, with the help of 23 Volunteers giving a total of 364 hours of commitment the task was completed.   As a result of the effort put in over the three days of pumping, around 19.5 million litres of water (18,000 tons) were pumped over 27.9 hours, enabling the Summit Pound to be reopened earlier than expected.

“Hard work, but a lot of fun for all.  Back to do it again tomorrow” Duty Engineer after Saturday steaming

Crofton Launder

“All in all it was a hard 3 days of work. Flexible working was required each day which was carefully managed and I think all the Volunteers enjoyed the challenge.” Duty Engineer after three days steaming

“My sister and I visited Crofton last Sunday when, as good luck would have it, steam was up on both engines.  We met with volunteers who explained everything with enthusiasm.  We had a very enjoyable, and unexpected, time at Crofton Beam Engines” Richard Jackson, visitor

The post Crofton Beam Engines to the rescue. appeared first on Crofton Beam Engines.

Filed Under: Crofton

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Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, The Wharf, Couch Lane, Devizes, SN10 1EB

Please note that our office is only staffed on Mondays and Thursdays, 9am to 2pm.

01380 721279  admin@katrust.org.uk

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© 2023 Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. Registered in England, number 726331. Charity number CC209206. Privacy Policy

    • Latest News
    • About us
      • Our History
      • Trust Governance
    • Our branches
      • Bath and Bristol
      • Bradford on Avon
      • Devizes
      • Bruce Boats
      • Hungerford
      • Newbury
      • Reading
    • Book A Trip
      • Barbara McLellan – Bradford on Avon
      • Kenavon Venture – Devizes
      • The Rose – Hungerford
      • Jubilee – Newbury
      • Matilda Too – Reading
      • Bruce Boats – fully accessible day trips & holidays
    • Charter a boat
    • Things to do
      • Visit our historic pumping station
      • Visit our museum
      • Find refreshment
      • Organise a school trip
      • Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
    • Crofton Beam Engines
    • Support us
      • Donate
      • Membership
      • Volunteer
    • Contact us
    • Become a member