Purton Stop Gates
Contractors began removing two of the 10 tonne stop gates at Purton on 30 March for their periodic inspection and any necessary maintenance. The work extended into a second week due to the diver finding unforeseen ground conditions.
 
Demolition Plans for Bakers Quay
Gloucester planners are being asked to approve the demolition of a number of unsightly structures adjoining listed buildings on the Bishop family’s land at the south end of Bakers Quay, including a row of four derelict houses, a concrete silo and a steel frame shed. (App Ref 09/00346)
 
Patch Bridge Replacement in Use
The temporary fixed bridge at Patch was removed on 3 April, and the newly installed replacement bridge was brought into use for road traffic. The new bridge was formally opened by David Drew MP and children from Slimbridge School on 22 April. (For photo, see link below)
 
Double Exposure
Two film crews were in action in the docks on 7 April. While BBC Points West was reporting on the need for volunteers to help run the National Waterways Museum, an independent company was filming a commercial for the nearby designer outlet shopping centre that will be opening in May. 

 
Unusual Cargo at Sharpness
MV Opus arrived on 11 April carrying four huge brewing silos from Moerdijk in the Netherlands as deck cargo. Two mobile cranes were needed to lift each silo on to a low loader to be taken to a temporary storage yard before being delivered to Ledbury in May.
 
Record Cargo at Sharpness
MV Balticdiep arrived on 13 April carrying 5181 tons of cement from Seville – the largest cargo received by Dragon Alfa cement since the firm came to Sharpness in 1987 and the largest import cargo into Sharpness since 1992.
 
Pier Repairs at Sharpness
Refurbishment work has started on the North Pier to replace pieces of timber fendering and metal fixings that have become damaged over the years.
 
Heritage Boat Comes to Gloucester 
British Waterways workboat Renton, recently leased by the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust, was brought to Gloucester on 18 April by members of the Canal Trust. Renton is a former Grand Union Canal Carrying Co ‘large Northwich’ motor boat that has been shortened to 45ft to become an ice-breaking tug. 

 
Hairy Bikers Filming 
Television chefs Si King and Dave Myers visited the North Quay at Gloucester on 18 April to film scenes for their next series of the Hairy Bikers. 

 
Heritage Centre Refurbished 
The interior of the Cotswold Canal Trust’s Heritage Centre at Saul Junction has been transformed with improved information displays, a slatboard system to display stock and a smaller counter which leaves more space for holding meetings. Most of the work was carried out by the Trust’s volunteers, with financial support from Stroud District Council, British Waterways and Land & Water. 

 
New Bungalow Near Sellars Bridge
A new bungalow is being built on the vacant plot beside the Watershed bungalow to the north of Sellars Bridge. It has a timber frame and cedar cladding.
 
Body Found in Canal 
The body of a man was recovered from the Sharpness Canal near to Hempsted Bridge on 27 April. 

 
Ferris Wheel at Docks 
A giant Ferris Wheel was erected at the south end of the Victoria Dock in just two days, 28-29 April, and it will be operating until 16 August. The wheel is 110ft high with 24 gondolas, each capable of carrying six passengers, and it rotates at 2.6 revolutions per minute.

 
Tall Ships Photographic Competition
The Friends of the National Waterways Museum are organising a competition for the best photograph of a tall ship taken at the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival 29-31 May. (For details, see link below)
 
Web Site Additions
New page about the Tall Ships Photographic Competition:
http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/home/photocomp.htm
 
New page about the tug Severn Progress at work:
http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/vessels/nwmtugatwork.htm
 
Picture of the Month showing the formal opening of the replacement Patch Bridge:
http://www.gloucesterdocks.me.uk/home/picofmonth.htm
 
Please send any information or suggested topics for inclusion in the next issue of this newsletter to hugh@gloucesterdocks.me.uk
 
Hugh Conway-Jones.