Technical Social Visit to Stoke Bruern and Blisworth Tunnel.
Several committee Members and guests arrived early at the Boat Inn at Stoke Bruern. Early so as to avoid traffic delays at and perhaps try some local some bru-ha-ha. At noon we boarded the Indian Queen to enjoy a trip through the Blisworth Tunnel with the ship’s captain and our narrator. The Grand Union Canal was built in the late 1700’s but stopped either side of Blisworth hill so loads had to be taken by horse drawn cart over the hill. It was decided to build the tunnel which was started in 1793 and, after many mishaps, the tunnel opened in 1805. However there was no tow-path so men had to walk the barges through, laying on their backs and “walking” on the roof of the tunnel. Excellent wages - 7½d for an empty barge, 12d for a full one (that is in real money, £sd, and a family could live…