Although this lies close to the village of West Challow it is important to point out that the canal at this point lies within the parish of Childrey. Bridleway No 7 goes between the two villages and is well used by walkers, horse riders and cyclists. The path crossed the canal by way of a bridge but until recently we were not entirely certain as to what type of bridge was there originally. Brickwork is visible indicating a structure 16'6" square and having done limited investigative work appears to be in reasonable order. At the Uffington Show we were approached by someone who lived in West Challow as a child and walked to school in Childrey every day. He remembered that it was a flat plank bridge ( which in turn had replaced the original lift bridge) until being demolished in 1948. Incidentally at that time the next lift bridge to the west only a few hundred yards away was still in situ.

Several years ago we had the opportunity to purchase a ready-built 40' long and 10'wide bridleway bridge previously used for that purpose in Wiltshire. It is currently in storage a few miles away. The plan is to move it to adjacent to the bridleway and then once further design work has been completed on restoring a flat bridge for the bridleway apply for all the necessary permissions, and then divert the bridleway temporarily whilst the new bridge is built. Obviously until permissions were in place the temporary bridge would not be open to the public, but we would invite locals users ( especially the horse owners) to inspect it in situ.

Once the new bridge is complete then the diversion will end and the temporary bridge will be used elsewhere on the canal. We should then be able to connect properly the two isolated stretches of canal and re-connect the towpath.

The public footpath along from East Challow finishes at Silver Lane West Challow resuming a westerly route from near the village hall to cross the fields back to the canal near Childrey Wharf. However by courtesy of the landowners and with a grant from N-Power we have been able to create a permissive path from Silver Lane (i.e. the site of the canal bridge) along the tow path to the Childrey/West Challow Bridleway Bridge. (See separate article re the planned restoration of this bridge). Replacement fencing has been installed along the north side including behind the village cemetary. I am delighted to announce that the seat has now put into place overlooking the canal behind the cemetary.

In due course we will dredge through from Silver Lane to create a longer stretch of water, however, this will take time as in order to protect the wildlife it will have to be done gradually. We will also need to lower the siphon carrying the Childrey Brook under the canal (obviously with the necessary permissions) and without affecting adversely the water flow.

Interestingly enough Childrey Brook and the village road past the Church would appear to form the parish boundary and therefore despite is being nearer West Challow most of the canal is actually within Childrey Parish.

As a permissive rather than public footpath we will be closing it for at least one day a year to preserve the owners rights.

In 2006 the Trust undertook the first project to link the canal back to the national waterways network.

The name of Jubilee Junction reflects the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Inland Waterways Association. Considerable matched funding for the project was given by WREN and the Trust volunteers were augmented by the Waterway Recovery Group.

This section lies to the west of Childrey Wharf. Our extremely co-operative landowners here have given us a lease over this length of canal and we have been working over the last few years to put in suitable field drainage to enable re-watering of the canal. The length includes the wharf, partially restored in 2005 where you can find an information board and living willow seat.

The final piece of the restoration jigsaw here is nearly place following planning permission being granted for the spill weir at the eastern end. This will enable completion of this project and should be finished in 2010. Water comes in from drainage west of the Childrey New Road and exits via a man made ditch at the east end,

A number sections of the canal have been restored in the area- a walk leaflet is available from the Trust Office (0845 226 8567) or can be downloaded from the maps and walks section of this web site.

Elm Farm- Grove Top Lock adjacent to Mably Way

The bridge was originally constructed in 1804/5 to carry the road from Shrivenham to Bourton. With the construction of Avenue Road, access to Bourton was improved and this route became less important and has been a simple track and bridleway for many years. In the late 1940's the bridge had become unsafe and was culverted and then collapsed onto the culvert to take the bridleway across the canal bed.

The project to rebuild this bridge is nearing completion; it has been rebuilt from the foundations up, with a brick arch similar to the original.

Current Position

We are looking forward to re-opening the bridleway over the new bridge. The brickwork is complete except for coping stones along the tops of the walls; unfortunately so far, we have been unable to source suitable items. The building up of the bridleway surface is also nearly finished.

Despite it being wet and very muddy, we had a successful Easter Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) working party.

All the scaffolding was removed to reveal the full structure for the first time.

Also, donated kerbstones were collected and laid to both sides of the bridleway adjacent to the parapet walls. The infill material, laid last year, was then levelled, a geo-textile membrane put down and, despite difficulties caused by the wet conditions, an additional 40 tons of ashphalt scalpings were moved to the site and laid to the achieve the final gradient.

Finally, the area around the bridge was cleared and made tidy in preparation for landscaping the embankments.

A very good weeks work!