Got chatting to Bob and Aileen on NB Petrino last night. It turns out they moor at Thurmaston, just north of Leicester, and Bob and I seem to be related, somewhat tenuously, going back to our Grandmothers. Small world isn’t it.
We travelled the short distance into Evesham today, sharing Chadbury Lock with Petrino on route.
In Chadbury Lock
As expected, Evesham is busy on a fine day. River trips, day boats hire boats and cruisers were zipping up and down this afternoon, but it’s quietened down a bit now.Busy river
Gives a whole new meaning to “doggy paddle”, doesn’t it.
We moored opposite Abbey Park, where lots of Eveshamites were out enjoying a warm Saturday afternoon.
The river from Workman’s Bridge, we’re in the middle distance on the left.
This bridge is named for Henry Workman, who raised the funds to have it built, in 1865. Two earlier bridges were destroyed during the Civil War. Dredging to clear the channel to navigation was used to construct the Workman Gardens, near where we’re moored.
The town has always been prone to flooding, built as it is in a loop of the river.
It’s very placid now, but in July 2007……
The town has also been of strategic importance. In 1265 a major battle was fought here between forces led by Simon De Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and supporters of King Henry III. This clash effectively ended the Second Baron’s War, a civil war in which the Barons attempted to curtail the power of the crown. Although De Montfort was defeated here, the war led to the birth of our modern Parliamentary system.
Just sat here typing with the side hatch open and heard a shout from across the water. A bunch of lads on the park had kicked their football into the river.
Now what?
They were lucky, a passing narrowboat was on hand for the recovery operation.Oh, Happy Days….
Locks 1, miles 4
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