Why the SCC Needed Pumping Engines Social Evening with Patrick Moss & Derrick Hunt
2024-03-21 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7LW, United Kingdom
The talk will look at water demand, supply and management on canals from the earliest canals up to the time the Coal Canal was proposed. It introduces the topic and illustrates the “known technology”. Patrick will cover where the water goes (clue – it’s not just locks by any means) and how we can end up with too little water in one place, yet too much only a short distance away. It will also cover where the water comes from! Roger Halse will present on the Water Supplies to the SCC.
Entry is free, but we would very much appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs.
Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW
For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.org.uk

Coalfield Engines Social Evening with Steve Grudgings
2024-04-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7LW, United Kingdom
Steve’s talk will describe the development of engines used in the SomersetCoalfield that were powered by men, horses, water and of course steamfrom the Tudor period onwards.Steve (of the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group) will outline how methods of draining water from mines developed andsome examples of Somerset pioneers in this field.The talk will also briefly cover our work on excavating and conservingthe 1791 Newcomen Engine house at Serridge in South Glos. Please come prepared with lots of questions – Steve will endeavour to answerthem all!
Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW
Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs.
For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.org.uk

Visit to the Purton Hulks with Paul Barnett
2024-04-28 10:30 - 12:30
Visit and guided tour of Purton Hulks or Purton Ships Graveyard as described in our recent talk by Paul Barnett.
Meet in Radstock at Waterloo Road car park by the museum at 9.30am to car share. The other rendezvous point will be at the Tog Hill picnic area BS30 5TB at 10am again to car share.
Directions: from A38 take turning signposted Breadstone Halmore – Purton. Travel for 2 miles. Take right turning on sharp left hand bend, signposted Purton. Park in car park opposite the church.
Start time 10.30am at Purton. More info at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purton_Hulks
All welcome. This important site is fragile and deteriorating. A great opportunity for a guided tour by the expert.
Lunch afterwards or just a drink at the Malt House in Berkeley, about 2pm. If you want lunch then I suggest that we book. Let Derrick know by Monday 22nd April.
For further details please contact: Derrick Hunt 07986 972984

Dunkerton Village Day - stand
2024-06-15 12:30 - 17:00 | Dunkerton Cricket Ground, Church Lane, Dunkerton, BA2 8BN
Come and visit us at this village day and find out more about the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society. You can find out all about the history, learn about volunteering opportunities and become a member to support us in our mission to restore the canal.

Location: Dunkerton Cricket Ground, Church Lane, Dunkerton BA2 8BN.

From Bath take the A367, slow down as you approach the bottom of Dunkerton Hill, turn right (there is a big yellow Fair sign).

From Radstock/Peasedown St John direction, same instruction but left turn.

Parking (free) is in the field next to the cricket ground, follow signs. Hi-vis stewards will direct.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.org.uk

Annual General Meeting 2024
2024-06-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7LW, United Kingdom
Come and join us for an update on all of the work the society have been doing in the last year. The AGM is open to all members as well as the general public and will cover updates from:

Chair

Secretary

Treasurer

Membership Secretary

Marketing Secretary

Events Secretary

Magazine Editor

Work Party Leaders

Paulton Party in The Park - stand
2024-06-29 12:00 - 16:00
Come and visit us at this village day and find out more about the Somersetshire Coal Canal Society. You can find out all about the history, learn about volunteering opportunities and become a member to support us in our mission to restore the canal.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.org.uk

Hallatrow & High Littleton Village Day - stand
2024-08-24 12:00 - 16:00

The Severn Railway Bridge Disaster Social Evening with Paul Barnett
2024-10-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7LW, United Kingdom
The 25th of October 1960 started like any other however by the end 5 men would be lost believed dead two vessels lay as smouldering wrecks and a bridge link to the Forest destroyed. This talk attempts to unravel the whys the hows and the what ifs of the loss of the Severn and Wye Railway Bridge
Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs.
For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.org.uk
Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs.
For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.org.uk

Visit to Twinhoe Basin (southern branch of the SCC)
2024-10-20 10:00 - 13:00
A guided walk from the former S&DJR station in Wellow along the route of the tramway to Twinhoe Basin. Jeremiah Cruse described it as “Twinny Bason” on his famous map. Some sections may be in water. No dogs allowed on this permissive path.

Meeting location: car park in Wellow, Station Road, BA2 8QB. What3words pool.expired.unguarded

The Avon Wharf by Jim Pimpernell
2024-11-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7LW, United Kingdom
The Avon & Gloucestershire Railway, better known as The Dramway, was a child of the Kennet and Avon Canal Company. The line opened in 1831 and ran from Mangotsfield to the banks of the Avon close to Keynsham. It provided the canal company with access to the north Bristol coal fields for the transport of coal to London and intermediate points. The Dramway had a short life, closing in 1851, with a short reopening later in the century. Although the route of the line is well understood, no contemporary description has so far come to life of the operation at Avon Wharf. This talk uses the results of an archaeological survey of the site, together with records of early traffic on the line, to provide an insight into how the wharf was used during its short life.

Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.org.uk

Talk - Research on the Somersetshire Coal Canal by Roger Halse
2025-03-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
Research on the Somersetshire Coal Canal by Roger Halse.

Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Road, Paulton, BS39 7LW. Roger will be talking about the sources, maps and photographs with examples from his decades of researching the SCC.

A fascinating evening guaranteed with Roger revealing aspects of the SCC of which many of us are unaware, no matter how long we have been involved. All welcome.

Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW

Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Walk - Dunkerton Pumping Engine site
2025-03-23 10:00 - 13:00 | Withyditch Baptist Church, 3 Withyditch Lane, Bath BA2 8AY, 3 Withyditch Lane, Bath, BA2 8AY
A visit to the site of the former Dunkerton Pumping Engine site and the mill pond below which supplied it. Weather and ground conditions permitting we plan to walk to the site of Hill’s Colliery.

We are grateful to Robert Gardiner for granting permission to access these sections of farm land which have no public access. This will be a members only event and no dogs please.

Meet 10am by the Withyditch Baptist Church, 3 Withyditch Lane, Bath BA2 8AY. what3words flitting.cashew.scan

Parking is very limited. Please car share. You may need to park further down the hill at the Dunkerton Water Treatment works.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Talk - The Weigh-House and its weighing machine plus the Caisson Lock
2025-04-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
The Weigh-House and its weighing machine by Roger Halse (SCCS Archivist), plus Robert Wheldon’s Hydrostatick Caisson Lock, how it worked, the problems and locations by Derrick Hunt (SCCS Chairman).

Roger & Derrick will talk about these two important features of the SCC. One made a major impact on the fortunes of the canal. The other nearly stopped it before it had started.

Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW

Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Walk - Bath locations connected to the SCC
2025-04-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Charlotte Street car park, Bath BA1 2NE, Charlotte Street car park, Bath, BA1 2NE
A walk around Bath locations with connections to the SCC. Subjects will include the company offices and William Smith.

Meeting location: entrance to Charlotte Street car park, Bath BA1 2NE at 10am.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Annual General Meeting
2025-06-19 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
Come and join us for an update on all of the work the society have been doing in the last year. The AGM is open to all members as well as the general public and will cover updates from:

ChairSecretaryTreasurerMembership SecretaryMarketing SecretaryEvents SecretaryMagazine EditorWork Party Leaders

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Paulton Party in the Park stand
2025-07-05 04:30 - 17:00 | Paulton Memorial Park, Paulton, Bristol, BS39 7RT

High Littleton & Hallatrow Village Day stand
2025-08-23 12:00 - 17:00 | High Littleton Recreation Club, Butlass Close, High Littleton, BS39 6HD, Butlass Close, High Littleton, BS39 6HD

Talk - The early years of the SCC 1793 to 1810
2025-10-23 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
Roger Halse will give an illustrated talk on “The Early Years of the SCC”, from the beginning in the early 1790s up to 1810. It nearly failed several times. By 1810 both the SCC and the Kennet and Avon Canal were fully operational leading to successful trading for over 50 years. Although the company records no longer exist, extensive research has revealed a significant amount of information about the beginning of the Somersetshire Coal Canal. Roger will illustrate his findings with old photos, maps and documents.

Walk - Timsbury and Paulton Basins, including water supply
2025-10-26 10:00 - 13:00
A guided walk by Roger Halse to Timsbury and Paulton Basins. It will include the water supply, the tramways which brought the coal to the SCC and an interpretation of the whole area’s fascinating history. If you require any additional information contact Derrick by text on 07986 972 984 or email on d.hunt@coalcanal.com.

Meet at the top of Hanham Lane, Paulton at the junction with Bath Road ie opposite Britten’s Hill. BS39 7PD. What3words joystick.reissued.swatting

Talk - The final years of the SCC, including the finances, 1870 until closure
2025-11-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
Roger will give an illustrated presentation on “The Final Years of the SCC”, the last 30 years from 1870 until closure. Fortunately some documentary evidence has survived for the last 30 years of the Canal. His research over many years has uncovered financial information which reveals the story of the decline of the SCC. The story of the declining years, the final demise and surrender to the railway industry will be illustrated using a selection of the documents in Roger’s vast collection.

Walk - Midford Basin to Twinhoe
2025-11-23 10:00 - 13:00
A guided walk by Roger Halse at Midford Basin. This walk is on private land by kind permission of Bob Honey and hence is a Society Members only event. The tour will include Midford Aqueduct, the Powder House, Midford Basin and part of the route of the tramway from Radstock. If you require any additional information contact Derrick by text on 07986 972 984 or email on d.hunt@coalcanal.com.

Meet in Twinhoe Lane. Midford. Directions- from the B3110 turn into Twinhoe Lane which is just uphill from the Hope and Anchor pub. Go over the iron bridge for 70 yards. Parking on the track or in the field. What3words keen.sits.handed

Talk - Pensford Coal Mining
2026-03-20 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
Pensford and Bromley Collieries opened Pensford Colliery to mine the Pensford syncline in 1909. By 1947 the output was 70,000 tons pa. It closed in 1955.

Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW

Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Walk - Coal, coke ovens, railway remains plus railway and canal projects that never happened!
2026-03-29 10:00 - 12:30 | Vobster Inn, Lower Vobster, Radstock, BA3 5RJ
Walk description: A guided walk of coal, coke ovens, railway remains, plus railway and canal projects that never happened!

Walk duration: 2.5hours

Meeting location: Meet at Vobster Inn, Lower Vobster, Radstock BA3 5RJ

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Talk - The SCC & The British Newspaper Archive
2026-04-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
Martin Wilson will talk about his research into the SCC through newspaper reports, notices, and advertisements, found online through The British Newspaper Archive website.

Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW

Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Talk - Annual Meeting followed by Roger's continuing Pictorial Journey
2026-06-19 19:30 - 21:30
This years Annual Meeting will be followed by a talk from Roger Halse (Archivist) titled ‘Roger’s continuing Pictorial Journey’.

A look at some of the more unusual and rarely seen images of the SCC.

Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW

Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com

Talk - Coleford in the Somerset Coalfield
2026-10-30 19:30 - 21:30 | Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW, Farrington Rd, Paulton, BS39 7LW
It has been written (by its Parish Council) that Coleford was in the Domesday Book, but some people do not do their research! Even Adge Cutler sang, “If ‘tis in the papers then I spose ‘tis true”. Come and listen to the correctly researched History of Upper Middle Coleford (there are four Colefords in England) – a 17th Century village, with parts owned by a family with a slave trade history! My writings are available at the Radstock Museum, Frome Library and Somerset HER centre Taunton.

Location of talk: Paulton Village Hall, Farrington Rd, Paulton, Bristol BS39 7LW

Entry is free, but we would appreciate a donation of £3-4 to cover our costs. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

For further details please contact: events@coalcanal.com
