Probus Club Cruises the Basingstoke Canal
A relaxing afternoon spent cruising the Basingstoke canal was enjoyed by members and their spouses of the Probus Club of Basingstoke.
Organised by Probus member Chris Perkins MVO, a retired RAF officer, he explained. ”We boarded at Odiham and travelled a return journey to Church Crookham with an on-board galley serving snacks and drinks and commentary by “Skipper” Tony Webb who pointed out places of interest and wildlife en-route”
They travelled on the boat ‘John Pinkerton’ which was named after the original contractor when the canal was opened in 1794 connecting Basingstoke with the River Thames at Weybridge via the Wey Navigation. Over the years there were tunnel collapses, bankruptcies, falling demand and constant limited water supply which all conspired to ensure the canal was never a commercial success.
A planned connection from Basingstoke to meet the Kennet & Avon canal at Newbury never came to fruition.
By 1950 the lack of maintenance meant the canal was derelict and it took fifteen years of restoration until 1991 for the canal to be opened as a fully navigable waterway for 32 miles.
Today, the Basingstoke canal provides a superb facility for water activities, a haven for wildlife (it is an SSSI) an amenity for recreation and wellbeing, and a heritage asset thanks to the team of volunteer restorers of the Basingstoke Canal Society. Today, it is run by the Basingstoke Canal Authority financed by Hampshire and Surrey County Councils and local councils along its restored length.
For more information about the Probus Club of Basingstoke see www.probusbasingstoke.club or email their secretary secretaryprobusbasingstoke@outlook.com or phone 07814 937202.
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