SUMMER’S here and the time is right…not necessarily for Dancing in the Street a la the Tamla Motown disco classic, but possibly getting your narrow boat stuck in a canal lock.

As the holiday season approaches people traditionally flock to the waterways for a peaceful vacation gliding slowly past scenes of pastoral peace and beauty.

Changing the lock gates near Worcester Commandery in 1987. Apparently the tricky operation took four hours.Changing the lock gates near Worcester Commandery in 1987. Apparently the tricky operation took four hours. (Image: Newsquest)

Unfortunately some will also lack even the navigational skills of the bridge of the Costa Concordia, which memorably went aground off Tuscany in 2012 with much loss of face and even more money.

The state of it. The canal at Lowesmoor Wharf in 1978.The state of it. The canal at Lowesmoor Wharf in 1978. (Image: Newsquest)

Although maritime mishaps of that scale do not apply to canals,  when they do they can be equally as embarrassing, for scrutiny is much closer to hand. There’s always someone leaning over a bridge or standing hands in pockets on the tow path offering free advice.

Atmospheric scene near Sidbury Bridge in the early 1950s when working craft still featured regularly on the canalAtmospheric scene near Sidbury Bridge in the early 1950s when working craft still featured regularly on the canal (Image: Newsquest)

For many decades Worcestershire’s canal system was one of its hidden gems, having fallen far from grace since its 18th century heyday with mile upon mile overgrown, blocked and unusable. But thanks to the remarkable efforts of local volunteer groups and a £60m British Waterways-led canal building and restoration programme, the waterways today are being used and enjoyed in ways that few people could have imagined when they were built 250 years ago, or even when they were nationalised 70 years ago.

You’re a bit close to that one side, dad. Always an expert on hand to offer advice. Bilford Road lock in 1971.You’re a bit close to that one side, dad. Always an expert on hand to offer advice. Bilford Road lock in 1971. (Image: Newsquest)

The main canal arteries of the nation were dug by hand between 1760 to 1840 with the Birmingham to Worcester route being completed in 1815. It was a time when roads were poor and one horse hauling a laden canal boat could carry far more than pack animals, as well as doing the job more quickly and safely. By the mid 19th century almost all the major cities and towns had a canal.

Who had a Raleigh Chopper in 1976? Work on the Cromwell Street-Padmore Street stretch in progress,Who had a Raleigh Chopper in 1976? Work on the Cromwell Street-Padmore Street stretch in progress, (Image: Newsquest)

However the arrival of the railways – Shrub Hill station, Worcester opened in 1850 - spelt the death-knell for canals and they entered a period of neglect and decline which was to last the best part of a hundred years.

A canal boat being christened in 1913 when many more folk than now lived on the water.A canal boat being christened in 1913 when many more folk than now lived on the water. (Image: Newsquest)

But now the corner has been turned and last year craft numbers on the UK’s inland waterways rose to more than 36,000, putting more boats on its canals and rivers than in the 18th century. In addition more than twelve million people visited the public 2,200-mile network of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs for angling, cycling, walking, going to a waterside pub or simply to feed the ducks.

So there’s a lot of fun to be had messing about on a canal, just as along as you don’t try to go through the locks sideways. Danger – Domestic Ahead!