336. Reviving the 200-year-old Grantham Canal

Рет қаралды 87,670

9 күн бұрын

Formed in 1969, the Grantham Canal Society is undertaking the huge task of restoring a 33-mile canal dating from the Industrial Revolution, over 200 years ago. I went up to see how they're getting along.
For more information about the restoration, visit www.granthamcanal.org/
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Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZfaq music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

Пікірлер: 322

@woodenman1954 7 күн бұрын

David always shows us the better part of society and the idyllic canal lifestyle. Making the world a little bit better one video at a time !

@charlesjordan8364 6 күн бұрын

Perfectly said!

@joshuahafer 6 күн бұрын

@8:07 really got me. I'm glad I changed my career/work years ago to something I find "meaningful". It really helps to make life worth living :)

@Bee-ih5uy Күн бұрын

Hear hear!

@poissonpuerile8897 7 күн бұрын

The British canals' volunteeer culture is a national treasure you will find in few places around the world!

@richardstuart325 6 күн бұрын

We young lads used to explore the Grantham canal towpath on our bikes in the 1960s. At that time we had to force our way through the thorn bushes and drag our bikes through the mud. It's wonderful to go back now with my wife and stroll along the restored towpath.

@curlybrownliz 3 күн бұрын

Good for the individual, good for the canal, good for society. Well done to all the volunteers working on this project

@hectordelvalle4428 7 күн бұрын

Volunteering is a big plus for those who suffer from depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Jump in and have an adventure you will never forget. 😊😊😊

@davidpettitt4712 7 күн бұрын

David, once more your humanity is on display for all to see. Your work appears like a life raft for us to cling on to. A good news story guaranteed to lift the spirits. Thank you.

@ernestcashion4462 7 күн бұрын

It's nice to see that man being honest about mental health and the importance a good set of friends and activities. As always a nice video.

@iangill8984 7 күн бұрын

As usual, a very good video. There are all sorts of volunteer activities going on. My daughter took us out for father.s day near Warwick some 50 miles away and when checking whereabouts found a walled garden being restored by volunteers. A visit ensued with a donation of course. Even if you dont help give a donation, pay for a trip, buy something. Anything to help

@rosssharp9988 7 күн бұрын

Ah, yes - the Grantham. Acquired and eventually closed by a railway company, as many were, of course. The Cromford was bought by the Midland Railway, who raised freight charges on the canal, until everything was going by rail. A lovely sight to see progress being made, and plans laid for the future. Who knows? One fine day - if all goes well - you will able to travel from the centre of Derby all the way to Grantham by narrow boat! Thank you, David.

@jamesa7506 7 күн бұрын

Glad that the one fellow was able to find a way to ease his troubled mental state! Peace is in short supply in this world.

@timtam6442 7 күн бұрын

There are some truly wonderful folk on this planet

@Rick-vm8bl 7 күн бұрын

Love projects like these. It's the kind of project where if by some miraculous chance my numbers came up on the Lottery I'd love to write them a blank cheque to see it over the line!

@raitchison 7 күн бұрын

0:17 Restoring a canal: Perfectly Balanced with absolutely no exploits.

@defective6811 4 күн бұрын

This was a great way to recognize these gents and ladies and give them some of the notoriety they deserve for their work, good job :)

@hughs591 7 күн бұрын

Very interesting and great to hear about such a supportive and tolerant group of people. And once again I must compliment your excellent production and technical standards, really excellent and streets ahead of a lot of material shown on TV these days!

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

Many thanks!

@rosscoe218 7 күн бұрын

Thank you for the map presentation at the beginning. It's a great help for followers not familiar with British geography. Many thanks, David.

@nilo70 5 күн бұрын

Time spent away from it all is Always A Good Thing ! Thank you David for bringing me along with you! Cheers From California 😎

@CruisingTheCut 4 күн бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it 😀

@corriedeacon7842 7 күн бұрын

Thanks we have volunteers what would we have done without them❤

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

Agreed!

@t1n4444 6 күн бұрын

Yes, quite so, however it might be said that the project provides a diversion or even a raison d'etre for supporting the well being of those who need it. David covered this underlying theme in an earlier excellent episode featuring very old timber built boats being rescued by a similar group of volunteers who said exactly the same thing ... of having something worthwhile to do. And also the Lichfield restoration project. Excellent work David.

@Valentijnzz 7 күн бұрын

Looking forward to another video. Thanks David! Cheers

@vadmal5210 7 күн бұрын

Apart from the fact that you make good and informative videos I´m both amazed and impressed of all engagement and enthusiasm you british seems to have in your history. 😊😊

@malcolmrichardson3881 6 күн бұрын

Another ambitious canal restoration which relies on the commitment of its volunteers - the backbone of all restoration projects. An inspiring video which nicely captures the Society's ethos of cooperation and camaraderie. Thank you.

@timothywalker4563 4 күн бұрын

It’s a very slow dream that is becoming a reality for a dedicated crew 👍

@tr3vorb438 7 күн бұрын

Wish I lived close by, I’d be there in a heartbeat 😁

@t1n4444 6 күн бұрын

Perhaps you could find other volunteering projects nearer to yourself? Might not be canal restoration oriented but your help would be appreciated without a doubt.

@CJN1946 6 күн бұрын

Volunteering is a magic job. You meet like minded people, and work at your own pace and choose the hours you want. It is a disgrace that the government doesn't appreciate the miles of national park that canals provide, maintained mainly by volunteers.

@henryblake3064 5 күн бұрын

"...the ONLY way to hold a meeting." 🤣 Thank you for this video! Greetings from germany

@spencerjhog4429 7 күн бұрын

Splendid video. I had not considered the mental health aspect but there are no doubt quite a few individuals that would benefit from physical labor, camaraderie, getting out of the house and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Nothing helps one's attitude as much as knowing you played a part in something bigger and more permanent that our mortal existence.

@wacholder5690 7 күн бұрын

They couldn't get any better for promotional work. 🙂 Thanks a lot for that enthusiastic video. If *I* would live near that canal (and not in Germany) *I* would apply to join.

@robertrenwick9436 7 күн бұрын

Thanks for another great video. A cause well worth promoting. Hope you can give a progress report later in the year.

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

Oh it won't be later this year, it's taken them 55 years to get to this point so no hurry for any updates!! I will check back in a few years...

@robertrenwick9436 7 күн бұрын

😂

@veronicaroach3667 7 күн бұрын

What a lovely & meaningful way to spend some time helping to make the environment more beautiful for everybody !

@mish28282 7 күн бұрын

How cool is that job, restoring and building waterways and locks. Wouldn't that be great, a fulltime job on the channels

@jhertz89 7 күн бұрын

So glad to learn so much about the canal networks through your videos. So much fun watching them. Keep up the great work. :-)

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

Glad you like them!

@wattster71 5 күн бұрын

I’ve been interested in the various canal restorations going on since your Lichfield video. The restorations mean you have historically important spaces that you can access and use! Bravo to all the volunteers nationwide!

@terryannanderson8812 7 күн бұрын

Love to see such commitment. Thanks for sharing.

@JackNance22 7 күн бұрын

Another brilliant production, David, thank you for the excellent content. I've noticed from your videos that the volunteers the canals attract are top quality people.

@simonsallen 7 күн бұрын

As I watch I am cheering them on. You can do it. Connect it back up. Go on. it is inspiring.

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

😀😀

@tedmiles2110 7 күн бұрын

My family had a sailboat that went to a boatyard with a marine railway like this. They must be one of the oldest ways to move boats in and out of the water. TM retired sailor

@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg 7 күн бұрын

Lovely vlog,David….it’s so warming to see these canals being restored …even if you are Norwegian and live 1000s of miles away…well done the volunteers …..keep them coming David.

@sianwarwick633 6 күн бұрын

Very pleased to see this as a short break in a quiet part of the canal system seems to be on the cards.

@ericbengtson2822 7 күн бұрын

You know, you get a lot more out of volunteering then you put into it. The relationships and people you encounter for the most part are wonderful. Give it a go! I do a fair amount of volunteer work in different areas, and I have found this to be true.

@wetcardie66 6 күн бұрын

hear hear .. the Keighley, the Bluebell and the Kent and east Sussex all had exactly the same appeal in their embryonic states .concrete sleepers ,anyone ?

@steveowens398 7 күн бұрын

Thanks David! What about marketing to vacation volunteers? Tourists might be willing to spend a day or two assisting the effort - especially if there's a good lunch in it!

@paulhaynes8045 8 күн бұрын

Excellent, as always, David - made me want to volunteer, even though I live miles away and have absolutely NO spare time! The government ought to support projects like these on mental health grounds alone. Think how much a project like this helps society - and how much pressure it could ultimately take off the NHS.

@CruisingTheCut 8 күн бұрын

There are lots of canal restoration societies, probably there's one nearer to you that would welcome any time you have.

@glencrandall7051 6 күн бұрын

Lots of work to be done. A bunch of dedicated folks to do it. thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

@azhiaziam2005 2 күн бұрын

David, I had a tremendous chortle when you showed the "dredger", that got me.

@MaryAmesMitchell 7 күн бұрын

Fun to see. Grantham is close to my American heart. My great-great-grandfather was mayor of the town when the railroads were coming in. Love your videos.

@michaelhiggins7365 6 күн бұрын

David the phone is ringing off the hook ! The BBC is begging you to name your price !!! Thank you sooooooooooooooooooooooooo much for another nothing short of excellent documentary and for raising awareness of such an awesome group doing such an endearing work.

@CruisingTheCut 6 күн бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣 thank you

@brianlopez8855 7 күн бұрын

Good to see the team are going to be providing us with a place for our shopping trollies.

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

😡😡😡

@t1n4444 6 күн бұрын

😂😂😂😂 There again perhaps orphan trollies can be "harvested" and sold for scrap. If work done by volunteers then apart from very essential costs of tea and biscuits then some sort of profit is assured. During "works to" on my yard/moorings a metal recycling outfit left a small skip for the unwanted scrap found during said "works to" and anyone to fill up with the usual scrap we keep on our boats/moorings for absolutely no good reason whatsoever other than it might come in useful one day. They collected every week for some time. We only had to take scrap a few hundred yards in the boot or barrow, job done. Always look on the bright side, money can be found everywhere even if not obvious at first sight.

@missmanners7644 3 күн бұрын

We currently pull them out and give them back to the supermarket. They are a bit pongy and worse for wear though 😂 Nikyla Grantham Canal Society Committee Member

@raymaulder7383 7 күн бұрын

Brilliant David, just like here in New Zealand as with the UK, the country would not manage well at all without the dedicated volunteers. Thanks David.

@lucindawilson5510 7 күн бұрын

absolutely truly amazing take my hat off th all concerned.so very thankful three cheers and bless all of you. thanks again David

@DaringDan 7 күн бұрын

They talked to a lot of agencies in Nottingham, but I didn't hear mention of the most important official: The Sherriff. For shame, lads.

@MrJames_1 4 күн бұрын

David, you help us feel very hopeful for the UK canal system by highlighting the amazing work done by these volunteer groups. I really hope I can one day visit from Australia and see the work first-hand 👍😃

@CruisingTheCut 3 күн бұрын

I hope so too!

@heitorq7795 7 күн бұрын

One of my favorite content creator releases two videos at the same time. How great is that?

@MACMoneU2 7 күн бұрын

It’s lovely that these canals seem to curve and meander. However the idea that it was all manual labor you’d think they’d tried more direct paths. These volunteers are awesome and a twofer video upload today. Thanks a lot!

@emmajacobs5575 7 күн бұрын

A lot of the time, the meandering curves are to follow height contours of the landscape, as I suspect labour was cheaper than complicated infrastructure like locks to change elevation. I don’t know if that’s the case here, though.

@CruisingTheCut 6 күн бұрын

Exactly; digging straight means having to tunnel through hills or build locks or at the very least embankments. All very costly hence why a meandering but level route is much more straightforward.

@normanboyes4983 6 күн бұрын

Ever wondered why old roads meandered across the countryside or bridges built at the narrowest part of a river?

@icedave2004 6 күн бұрын

Thanks David for another great Vid these volunteers are amazing people and deserve all the support they can get.

@FireDoc911 6 күн бұрын

I'll say it again, thanks for posting these vids along with your usual ones! Very enjoyable

@SecretSquirrelFun 7 күн бұрын

Outside in the fresh air and sunshine, making friends or spending quiet time focused on a task - what’s not to like 🙂 Great video David. What a fascinating project to be a part of. That gentleman did such a wonderful job of explaining the different tasks, as well as how his mental (and physical) health had improved etcetera. Honestly, if I was in the area, I’d be checking it all out.

@xiiibujinkan 7 күн бұрын

Beautiful landscape footage....places and things like the canals are a must for society....even if you have zero interest...it's possible that a few visits by anyone could find a reason to visit more frequently by accident....places look different each season...multiple reasons to go have a lookey once in a while...Happy Summer Dave

@chrislesiter4531 4 күн бұрын

As a former Treasurer for a state school alumni group for over 10 years can I say that even joining as a committee member helps reach a quorum. The cruises look interesting.

@Simonsboxster 7 күн бұрын

Oh wonderful my week is complete, another of your lovely films. Thank you David - best wishes as always from Holywood N Ireland, please keep on doing your superb work :)

@ericlacefield4628 7 күн бұрын

This channel keeps getting better and better keep up the good work, David

@normanboyes4983 6 күн бұрын

Thank you David a very well produced video and for a most worthy cause.

@gafrers 7 күн бұрын

Love these projects and these videos about them

@trixierosco 7 күн бұрын

David, another wonderful video. Your interviews with the volunteers are great, and their reasons for being there are as diverse as they are. Wonderful job.

@dr.chrismort8448 6 күн бұрын

They are doing a Stirling job and well done to all volunteers 👍

@zapfanzapfan 2 күн бұрын

Awesome! Another piece of canal being restored by the power of tea and biscuits 🙂

@hughcarson6837 7 күн бұрын

Very interesting vlog David. Wish these people all the best for their project.

@edwintschopp1493 6 күн бұрын

Great work. You are saving a piece of history. Hats up.

@helenbizzotto8844 6 күн бұрын

Aww....this is the area I grew up in.❤ I loved the canal as a kid. The Mucky Duck pub is by this stretch. It's so wonderful to see it being restored. I'll have to pop by next time I'm up to see the progress.

@CruisingTheCut 5 күн бұрын

Yeah the pub's being refurbished at present too.

@peteh9720 4 күн бұрын

Yay for this channel and for those volunteers ❤

@sharpbends 7 күн бұрын

Fabulous project at their current pace they should be finished in time for the 500 year anniversary of the canal. Here's hoping they can stretch that out for another 500 years, well done :-)

@caz-nbgalatea1528 6 күн бұрын

If I didn’t have to earn money id love to help restore the canals. As you said.. it’s our history and wildlife sanctuary and we all know we need to keep those going!! Well done David. Another great and interesting vlog.

@missmanners7644 3 күн бұрын

Those pesky bills always get in the way! It can be done though. The beauty of volunteering is that you only give time when you have it 🥰 Nikyla Grantham Canal Society Committee Member (and also other stuff to pay the bills 🙄😂)

@matroosoft4589 7 күн бұрын

Would be interested to stay informed about the digging through the city!

@nevillemason6791 5 күн бұрын

Sadly I think you'll have a long wait unless you can come up with several million pounds to fund the major engineering works needed.

@shirleylynch7529 6 күн бұрын

Absolutely fabulous. What an excellent interview with all those beautiful people who give of themselves. Thank you David. So interesting.

@CruisingTheCut 5 күн бұрын

Thank you kindly!

@layalabi1667 6 күн бұрын

Wonderful!! Wish I didn't live so far away!!! Thanks!!

@Rovinman 6 күн бұрын

More power to their ELBOWS ! Great Video David ! Stu xx

@davidjones8680 7 күн бұрын

Another delightful and interesting episode. I love watching along and learning as I view.

@davelawrence6777 6 күн бұрын

From the other side of the pond thanks for posting I always look forward to seeing them

@barbarataylor1535 6 күн бұрын

Thank you David for the awarenss of this project. Cheers.

@haraldclark6206 6 күн бұрын

Love to see these updates on canal restoration projects!

@JanelleVocate-Ames 7 күн бұрын

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

@thomasbernecky2078 Күн бұрын

I'm envious of your network of beautiful canals.

@Corymon 7 күн бұрын

Mmmmmm 26 minutes fresh..... The best

@re33ce 7 күн бұрын

Great Blog As Always ❤️ Well To All The Volunteers On Excellent Job 💯 👏 👏 ❤️

@ozziepilot2899 7 күн бұрын

A worthy and heartwarming video, thanks David.

@Santafefrank 7 күн бұрын

Thanks David 😊

@PeterfromQld 6 күн бұрын

Brilliant work as usual David, what a great project they have going.

@nannag5801 7 күн бұрын

Great video David! Thank you for sharing!

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@nannag5801 6 күн бұрын

You are very welcome!

@paulpalmer7353 7 күн бұрын

Fantastic Project

@curtissorg4687 7 күн бұрын

Another well done video david

@dulciemargaretcolton145 7 күн бұрын

Interesting. Be amazing when completed. Thanks David 😊

@JeghedderThomas 6 күн бұрын

This vid made me happier for watching it. Cheers, David - wonderful bit of journalism as always.

@matthewgordon-clark2392 6 күн бұрын

good on you David for making this video

@wallyclark1895 7 күн бұрын

And yet another excellent vlog! Keep up the extraordinary work!

@CruisingTheCut 7 күн бұрын

Thank you! I will try!

@leer798 4 күн бұрын

Coincidentally this video was put on KZfaq the day before we’d already booked to visit the area with the intention of walking down a stretch of the canal which is unrestored, which we did a few years ago and it was a beautiful walk. That was between Redmile and plungar. Lovely well kept towpaths with wildlife in abundance! So disappointing to see how overgrown and almost unwalkable it was this time around between Bottesford and Redmile :( but it’s still good to hear they’re restoring the canal little by little :)

@MrCSutton 4 күн бұрын

Hopefully you called in to The Coffee Shot in Stathern for a cuppa and some grub? If not, they're worth diverting for next time you're there. The Garage in Harby, which is close to the canal does nice food and cuppas too.

@BEVERLEYBROOK-ix9mb 6 күн бұрын

Hi David, we live in New Zealand and do not have canals as such, it is wonderful to watch your videos and the history. You always give a great commentary.

@CruisingTheCut 5 күн бұрын

Many thanks!