Maud Foster and Frith Bank Drains were probably the first
of the Modern Drainage projects to be cut north of Boston.
(Monastic drainage works had been taking place as early
as the 11th Century)
First attempts were cut in 1568 but proved inadequate due to flooding.
Enlargement in the 1640s created social mayhem by removing
traditional Commoner’s foraging rights and failed due to sabotage.
The Drains were enlarged again in 1734 as part of a larger land
drainage project which in turn was modified in accordance with
recommendations made by John Rennie. This work included a
totally new discharge sluice at Hobhole down stream of Boston
and a new sluice at Boston which was completed in 1807.
Essentially this is what we explored today.
Access to Frith Bank Drain is via Anton’s Gowt Lock, see:-
Witham Navigable Drains, Antons Gowt to New York
Maud Foster is not part of the Fourth District Internal
Drainage Board (4IDB) area, who’s boundary is Cowbridge Lock.
Cowbridge Lock
Plenty of room under the gate as can be seen
by the result of my over enthusiasm.
I over wound the gate (no stop) so the counter weight
was below the bottom of the gate something to look out for.
Directly in front of the lock is the entry to the Cowbridge Drain
and the infilled East Fen Lock, which did lead down into the
low level 4IDB Hobhole Drain System.
To the right is the first of the two 1811 Butterly Iron Works
foot bridges which span the channel into Boston.
I was interested in looking at East Fen Lock, so a short walk
over the Butterly bridge and left along the side of a field brought
me to the site of the 10th Tee where the lock can be seen.
The next two bridges are also high the first being Rawsons,
an original brick Rennie Bridge.
The steel bridg was originally opened in 1848
for the East Lincolnshire Railway, Boston to Leith line,
it now serves Skegness.
In the background can be seen the much lower cemetery foot bridge.
Several cruisers are moored between the three bridges,
proving, that country to popular belief that some drains
are suitable for cruisers.
The concrete Cemetery foot bridge is the first low
bridge but as can be seen, still plenty of room for us.
This bridge is unsightly and to narrow to be used as
a modern cycleway, and steps make it unsuitable for
wheelchair use it would make an ideal candidate
for replacement giving greater headroom.
Maude Foster windmill (built in 1819)
and the approach into the centre of Boston.
The silver pipe just before Hospital Bridge and
the second Butterly foot bridge are about the same
level as the concrete foot bridge but looks lower.
Bargate Bridge, this A16 road bridge has some interesting accoutrements.
On the right is a set of steep curving steps set back into the brick retaining wall.
The steps lead down to water level from what is now a dreary car parking area.
It is difficult to imagine that at one time this little area, and others adjacent,
would have been a hive of activity as Market Boats discharged their cargoes
of rural workers and traders all bound for the Wednesday and Saturday
Markets complete with goods and live stock to trade.
Original Packet Boat steps, just a little upstream and opposite the windmill.
From these steps in 1841, boats traveled to,
New York, Bunkers Hill, Castle Dike, Cunsby, New Leake
Friskney, Hagnaby Lk, Hobhole Drain, New Bolingbrooke,
Coningsby, Revesby, Sibsey, Stickney, West Keal and Toynton.
Unfortunately now boat access is restricted to shallow drafted
boats due to incomplete EA building work. Access to the
road requires a clime over the timber railing.
An alternative set of steps on the opposite bank give
access to the mill and Willoughby Street via a CART key.
On the left of the bridge appeaser to be the remnants of more recent history.
These cut outs resemble the remains of a WW II defensive position
designed to cover the opposite left hand approach to the bridge and
the steps, or it could just be an industrial relict.
I would be interested to know which.
Vauxhall Br is the next bridge and is of steel and concrete.
We found this to be the lowest on the trip,
it replaced a third Butterly foot bridge .
The sweeping arch of the last red brick bridge.
Unfortunately road widening has extended the
bridge by the use of deep concrete beams which
have also restricted headroom.
John Rennie’s 1807 Sluice Gates into the Witham.
This area is wide and almost rural apart from the rear gardens
of a victorian terrace on the right bank who’s owners have felt
the need to fortify against invasion from recent developments
below the opposite flood bank.
Apart from the “Must See” element, this is also
the best place for longer boats to turn.
After turning at the sluice we moored up below the mill for lunch.
This scene has an almost Dutch feel to it.
In practical terms this is the only usable mooring in the town
centre of Boston and it was only secured after a great deal
of lobbying by the local brach of the IWA.
As mentioned earlier the steps opposite have been made unusable by the EA.
The Maude Foster is controlled by the EA who seem to have a policy of
studied apathy when it comes to the heritage aspects of this waterway.
Added to this the Boston Council also appear oblivious of the “Quality of Life”
opportunities that this rivers environs offer to its urban residents.
It is true that the Maude Foster is a floodway but so is the Witham.
Cautionary Note:- Out trip was made during a high tide and
altho the Maude Foster is non tidal, it is marginally tidally affected
as river water within the drain cannot escape into the tidal Witham
at high tide and levels may rise a few inches during this time.