I have many memories of the Canal Bank as we used to call it. From going on the boats to dipping my feet in the water and watching the "Toe Biters". I wondered what it was for, as it seemed to go from nowhere to nowhere. I did some search, and the canal is actually called the "Queenborough Lines". A Napoleonic defence work designed to keep the French at bay. That includes the large magazine buildings that were there in my youth. The earthwork bank included firing steps, that if you know what to look for, you can still find traces of. Anyway, one mystery put to rest.
Graham White
05-Jun-2012 11:37
I worked on the boats from the age of 10 till I was 15 good old days
Susan
05-Mar-2011 01:58
I remember this so well. My brother and I (age 6 & 10) had so much fun on the canal. I remember the monkeys too. We especially loved to skate on the canal in the winter on ice in our socks!! (Unbeknown to our parents).
