Ashing up the gates

THE article about 'ashing the gates' at the Caen Hill Flight in narrowboatworld has caused great interest, and British Waterways has been kind enough to supply us with photographs.

This one shows the flight lock keeper Trevor Skoyles, who came up with the solution of preventing leaking gates, and David Cole from Avon Valley Railway, that supplied the ash, 'ashing up the gates' at a lock on the flight.

Used every night

The traditional method of ‘ashing up the gates' was used every night in the canal's industrial hey-day when water on the flight was constantly in short supply.

The following photograph shows Trevor with the special tool that is used and David showing the actual ash.

The technique involves pouring the ash into the canal just above a lock. The flow of water then sucks the ash into the small gaps in the gates allowing them to form a totally watertight seal. The method was revived by lock keepers to help achieve and maintain exact water levels which were needed whilst repairs were being carried out, from aboard a boat, lower down the flight.

The Avon Valley Railway donated around eight tonnes of the ash produced by their steam engines to British Waterways, some of which will be held in reserve for future use.