Books and booklets

London’s Lost Route to Basingstoke

P A L Vine
234 pages. Black & white photos
1^st edition published by David & Charles in 1968
Revised edition published by Alan Sutton Publishing in 1994
ISBN 0-7509-0228-0

Paul Vine’s definitive history of the Basingstoke Canal was originally written when the canal was still in private ownership and the newly formed Canal Society was battling to stop it sliding gently into oblivion. This book played its part by raising public awareness of the canal and its complicated past. The revised edition continues the story through the restoration and re-opening to the point where Basingstoke Council was looking at the possibility of re-establishing the line into the town.
This very scholarly book is a ‘must’ for anyone interested in the canal. It is now out of print but both editions are not hard to find from Internet sellers.

Basingstoke Canal Restoration

Dieter Jebens & David Robinson

#48 pages. Black & white photos. 1985
ISBN 0 900945 04 4

This book was published by the Canal Society in collaboration with Fulltone Graphics  Ltd who did full justice to the many excellent photographs taken by Dieter and David. The book outlines the early history of the canal and then moves onto the campaign for public ownership and the restoration programme. The publication in 1985 came just over half way through the restoration, so much remained to be done but it was by then clear that it could and would be done. Most copies of the book were paperbacks but there was a limited edition of 125 in hardback. Copies do appear on eBay and Amazon from time to time and it can be viewed in the Society’s online archive.

Hampshire Waterways
P A L Vine
96 pages. Black & white photos. ISBN 0-906520-84-3
Published by Middleton Press in 1990.

These two books provide an overview of the history of all the navigable waterways of the two counties, as well as some that were never built such as the Grand Imperial Ship Canal. They contain many photos that are hard to find elsewhere as well as some good maps which will help anyone trying to trace the waterways today. 32 pages are devoted to the Surrey length of the Basingstoke Canal and 37 to the Hampshire.  The books are quite a nice addendum to Paul Vine’s “Lost Route”. They are out of print but quite easy to find on, say, Amazon.

A Key to Odiham Castle

Rupert Willoughby
A5. 22 pages. Black & white illustrations. 1998.
ISBN 0-9534428-1-0.

This booklet, published with the assistance of Hampshire County Council who now own the castle, is an excellent summary of the history of ‘King John’s Castle’ from its origins in the 13^th century to the archaeological excavations of recent years. Maps and diagrams help to explain where the bits that have been hidden by the canal all were.

The booklet is nicely produced with some charming illustrations by Julie Anne Hudson. It appears to be out of print at the moment, but some copies may still be for sale on the Canal Society’s trip boat John Pinkerton.

Adelina

David W Horsfall

141 pages. Black & white photos. Canal Press, 1981  ISBN 0 906986 00 3

Subtitled “The Canal Memoirs of a Coal Washing Man”, the book recounts the life of the Horsfall family aboard an aged narrowboat. ‘Adelina’ began its life carrying grain on the Severn in the early 1900s and was, much later, converted into a houseboat. David found her half submerged on the Erewash Canal and they all eventually ended up at Woodham on the Basingstoke Canal.  David became involved in the early efforts to save the canal and the rally in Woking in 1962, and the following year sold her to Tim and Liz Dodwell, the Canal Society’s current co-Presidents.

Sadly neither David nor Adelina is still with us, but his book provides a very entertaining snapshot of the canal world 50 years ago. Copies can sometimes be found secondhand and the text can be read on the Canal Society’s website .

A proposal to restore the Canal, a consideration of the benefits that might result and a review of the alternatives. A provisional estimate of works to be done and costings is included

This was the Society’s campaign booklet for that year, in support of the full restoration of the Canal

(For a review, see above)

An early edition of the guide to the Canal featured above

A subsequent edition of the same publication

A description of a dozen inns found along the Basingstoke Canal at various locations. Sadly, not all of these are still open

A description of the wildlife that can be seen along the Canal, and what to look out for during each of the seasons.

Based on a series of articles produced for the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society newsletter, this publication names and describes the boats that used to work on the Basingstoke Canal. Recently updated by Roger Cansdale and available in print (see above).

A description of 10 rambles along various parts of the Canal, ranging from around 3 to 11 miles in length.

Background on the decision to undertake restoration of the Canal and a review of progress made thus far by volunteers of the Society

Another progress report

(For a review, see above)

Once it was clear that HCC and SCC were resolved to purchase the Canal, a working party was set up to give advice to the respective county committees on the problems of restoration, future use and management of the Canal.

A radical proposal for making the Canal navigable beyond the Greywell Tunnel

A brief history of the Canal, and a description of the section between Greywell and Dogmersfield, including historical landmarks, bridges and wildlife

This booklet illustrates a selection of the wildlife that thrives on and beside the Canal, with an emphasis on those species that can only be found here, or perhaps in a very few similar watery places.

A detailed analysis produced for local riparian authorities of the value of money of the Basingstoke Canal. Benefits include recreational opportunity, wildlife conservation value, local economy, employment, house prices, local drainage, health/wellbeing, and education, among others.

A description of the heritage footpath that runs for about 2 miles along the original route of the Canal, from Festival Place (where the terminus was) to Basing House, Old Basing

Descriptions and routes for 13 circular walks incorporating the Canal in Surrey and Hampshire.

Extensively updated in the 3rd edition published in 2017 (see above)

A brief guide to the journey up the Basingstoke Canal, with facts and figures and questions for you to answer.

A commemorative programme for the festival celebrating 200 years since the Canal was opened.

A booklet celebrating the achievements of The Basingstoke Canal Society and its supporters during its first 40 years.

A commemorative booklet published for the celebrations of HM The Queen’s Jubilee and of the 21st anniversary of the reopening of the Canal in 1991