Hertfordshire's Historic Inland Waterway: Batchworth to Berkhamsted
Review of John Cooper's latest book
John Cooper, a member of our Society, has recently published a book which takes the reader on a fascinating journey along the towpath of the Grand Union Canal. He traces the history of the canal from its beginnings at the start of the early nineteenth century, when it was an essential means of transporting raw materials to the new factories and mills, illustrated by old postcards and photographs. These are contrasted with modern-day images of the canal-side developments and pleasure boating.
Canal-side industries such as the John Dickinson paper mills* at Croxley, the 'Ovaltine' factory at King's Langley and the wharf at Boxmoor where limes were offloaded to be delivered to the Rose's Lime Juice factory in St Albans.
* (see the Comment for a description of the paper mill at Two Rivers in the 1820s)
Fishery Lock, Boxmoor
Illustration in John Cooper's book
The Lock at Cassiobury Park, Watford. NB the canal was allowed to pass through the Cassionbury estate, but the London to Birmingham railway had to tunnel beneath in the 1830s)
Illustration in John Cooper's book
Pubished by Amberley Publishing, 2015, at £14.99. ISBN 978-1-4456-5297-9. Paperback, 92pp, 180 illustrations: sales@amberley-books.com. In Harpenden, copies can be obtained from Threads, News 4 U and W H Smith.