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Stenlake Publishing - Shakespeare’s Avon: The History of a Navigation


Shakespeare’s Avon: The History of a Navigation



Author : Dr. Jamie Davies
ISBN : 9780853614906
Cover : paperback
Price : £8.95

Perhaps it could be claimed that what the Talyllyn Railway was to railway preservation what the River Avon was to waterways restoration! This great success story is told here. The beautiful River Avon, which threads its way from Tewkesbury through Pershore and Evesham to Stratford, had largely fallen into disrepair as a navigable route by the end of the Second World War. Tourists have enjoyed the river through the years, particularly daytrippers from the industrial West Midlands and Black Country know colloquially as ‘The Dudleys’. The river is once again navigable thanks to the heroic efforts of preservationists. Since 1974 the river has formed part of the Avon Ring, an extremely popular route with waterways enthusiasts. Jamie Davies traces the history of the river as a trade route from the 15th century, to the aspirations of the 21st century, when hopefully the navigation will be completed to Warwick and the Grand Union Canal. Was the Avon the birthplace of the world’s first steamship? Jonathan Hull’s vessel was said to have been built at Evesham in 1737 where its ignominious failure was witnessed by an excited crowd.

A5 format, 152 pages, 98 illustrations.

Shakespeare’s Avon: The History of a Navigation
£8.95