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HER Number | MWB1502 |
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Record Type | Monument |
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Name | Monkey Marsh Lock (Lock 90) |
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Summary
Scheduled Monument 193, c1723 lock originally with turf-sided chamber, but extensively reconstructed in 1990
Associated Legal Designations or Protected Status
- Scheduled Monument 1006971: MONKEY MARSH LOCK, KENNET AND AVON CANAL
Other Statuses and Cross-References
- Berkshire SMR No. (pre 2000): 01032.00.000
on Kennet and Avon - Berkshire SMR No. (pre 2000): 05050.36.000
Duplicate Monkey Marsh Lock record had Canal sequence Pref Ref - National Monuments Record No.: SU 56 NW 34
SU 524 663
Monument Type(s):
- CANAL LOCK (18th century to Cold War - 1723 AD to 1991 AD)
Full Description
SM 193, built 1723 as a turf sided lock. One of only 2 locks out of 13 on the Kennet navigation section which retains c18th features: horizontal plank lining supported by iron railings every 6ft. Only the upper gates remain. Lock chamber is turf-sided. Until recently retained turf sides and GWR rail and sleeper sides. 1989/90 rebuilt. Extensive archaeological recording indicates rebuilt by 1767 to take Newbury barges. Narrower by 1831 and further rebuilt since. To be reconstructed to appear turf sided.
Tree-ring analysis of the timbers revealed that oak and elms were used in the lock. The timber tended to be fast-grown, so that it was not possible to obtain dating evidence from the growth rings <7>.
Sources and further reading
<01> | Clew, K R. 1973. The Kennet & Avon Canal. [Monograph / SWB6828] |
<02> | Dalby, L J. 1973. The Kennet Navigation. [Unpublished document / SWB14602] |
<03> | Pattray Publications. 1974. Map of the Kennet & Avon Canal - Reading to Hungerford. One inch to the mile. Lock No 90. [Map / SWB14605] |
<04> | Clew, K R & The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Ltd. 1974. The Kennet & Avon Canal Guide. Number One - Historical Background. [Unpublished document / SWB14604] |
<05> | The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Ltd. 1990. The Kennet & Avon Canal (Pictorial Journey). Photo. [Monograph / SWB14608] |
<06> | Wessex Archaeology. 1990. The excavation of a turf-sided lock at Monkey Marsh, Thatcham, Berks. 2016 WBC Network. [Unpublished document / SWB13482] |
<07> | Historic England (previously English Heritage). 1990. Tree-Ring Analysis of Timbers from Monkey Marsh Lock, Thatcham, Berkshire. 121/90. WBC Network. [Unpublished document / SWB14410] http://research.historicengland.org.uk/redirect.aspx?id=4074 (Accessed 27/06/2018) |
<08> | The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust. 1991. Monkey Marsh Lock. [Monograph / SWB13483] |
<09> | Lindley-Jones, P. 2002. Restoring the Kennet & Avon Canal. p94-7. [Monograph / SWB147997] |
<10> | Berry, W. 2009. The Kennet and Avon Navigation - A History. [Monograph / SWB147998] |
<11> | Thatcham Vision & Thatcham Historical Society. 2009. Thatcham - an historic town in a changing world. online. p34, 52. [Monograph / SWB147814] |
<12> | Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group. 1966-1991. Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group Gazetteer of Industrial Sites & Monuments. 2023 WBC Network. OG33. [Unpublished document / SWB12762] |
Related Monuments
MWB5758 | KENNET & AVON CANAL - General record (Monument) |
MWB5824 | KENNET & AVON CANAL - COLTHROP TO MONKEY MARSH LOCK (Monument) |
MWB5827 | KENNET & AVON CANAL - MONKEY MARSH TO WIDMEAD LOCK (Monument) |
Associated Excavations and Fieldwork
EWB342 | The excavation of a turf-sided pound lock at Monkey Marsh, Thatcham |
EWB1415 | Berkshire County Council/Babtie general monitoring |
EWB176 | Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group Survey |
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