Exploring the Cannock Extension Canal

Cannock Extension Canal rediscovered
Feb 2020

I published three YouTube videos on the long lost Cannock Extension Canal last month, collating loads of old photos I have found into the sequence in which they would have been encountered had you traveled the canal 60 years ago.

This is an obscure lost canal sitting out on the extreme northern edge of the BCN, and ne which was totally lost to opencast coal mining in the 1960's.

Cannock Extension Canal - part one

Cannock Extension Canal - part two

Churchbridge Locks

Wyrley Bank Branch Canal videos

Wyrley Bank Branch Canal Hunter Videos
Jan 2020

I posted two videos exploring the Wyrley Bank Branch canal on my YouTube channel a few weeks ago and realise I failed to provide a link on the blog.

So, if you havn't seen them, they can be found  by clicking the links below:

Wyrley Bank Branch Canal - Sneyd area

Wyrley Bank Branch - northern sections

Exploring the Anson Branch Canal

Anson Branch Canal - BCN
December 2019

I have been out and about again with my Go Pro, this time exploring the line of the abandoned Anson Branch Canal. 

Technically, this is a branch  of the Walsall Canal, but as the Bentley linked into and used the last half mile, it seemed appropriate to include it in my hunt for the abandoned branches of the Wyrley and Essington.

It's funny what you turn up in the research for these videos. I figured that this was just another little branch built to reach another coal field but in the event there was much more to this waterway, bisected by the construction of Junction 10 of the M6.

Not only did I find myself looking at the collieries in the Reedswood area of Walsall, I also found myself in a quarry with links to the Giants Causeway and Noddy Holder, plus gaining an understanding of how the canal was an essential element of the mighty Birchills power station which stood on the site of todays Sainsburys.

Link to The  20 minute Anson Branch YouTube video

Exploring Bentley's bottom

Exploring the lower half of the Bentley Canal

December 2019

I have attached a link to the latest Canal Hunter video, this time exploring the lower half of the Bentley Canal.

I can promise that there are no spontaneous bursts of song in this one.....

Link to Bentley Canal Part 2 YouTube video.

Exploring the lost Bentley Canal

Bentley Canal in Wednesfield
December 2019

Well, I have finally got cracking on the next series of Canal Hunter, starting off with the elusive upper half of the Bentley Canal and the Neachells Branch.

Bentley top lock

This section has been heavily built over, but thankfully there are lots of photos to fill in the gaps. 

Here is an easy link to the video:

Canal Hunter series three - Bentley Canal (part one)

Click subscribe on the YouTube channel to catch future episodes.