I Dig Canals

I Dig Canals Birmingham

Tunnel Voices

Stories from Dudley Tunnel

Written and narrated by Heather Wastie, this creative audio trail celebrates the history of the Dudley No 2 Canal, based on a 2.5 mile walk between Windmill End junction and Coombes footbridge. This project is supported by Creative Black Country (as part of Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places scheme), Paycare and Black Country Living Museum.  

Sound design and voice: Sam Frankie Fox 
Music: Sam Frankie Fox & Heather Wastie
Mixing and mastering: Fox & Rocha
Interviews recorded by Heather Wastie & Kate Saffin 
Luke Perry sculpture recordings by Roger Noons
Extracts from Vivian Bird's ‘By Lock and Pound’ recorded by Fabian Hiscock 
Incorporating information provided by Coombeswood Canal Trust, including their downloadable guide (PDF) http://www.hawnebasin.org.uk/
Photo by Brenda Ward

For more stories and photos and a transcription, visit https://alarumproductions.org.uk/portfolios/the-netherton-cut-to-coombeswood/

Audio trail: The Netherton Cut to Coombeswood

When the country’s canals fell into disrepair after the Second World War, they could have disappeared into the landscape, left only in the memories of those who had used them, but there was appetite among a minority of people to restore them and bring them back to use. The campaign to save the canals is the reason they such an important part of the world of leisure today. 

In 2019, Alarum Productions began a project collecting memories of women who had been involved in this campaign in the Black Country. We called this project I Dig Canals, echoing the phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. But there are many more stories to tell, and so, in 2021, I Dig Canals Birmingham was begun to collect stories linked to the canals in the city.

In this podcast, the first of this series, we look at the state of the canals in Birmingham. The podcast includes excerpts from interviews with Brenda Ward, Sarah Pressland, Jeni Hatton, Debbie Gunn, Sue Constable and Lucy Waldron. 

This series of podcasts was put together by Alarum Productions with support from the John Feeney Charitable Trust. To find out more about Alarum Productions, visit www.alarumproductions.org.uk. To find out more about the John Feeney Charitable Trust visit www.feeneytrust.org.uk

I Dig Canals Birmingham - Episode 1: What a State

When the country’s canals fell into disrepair after the Second World War, they could have disappeared into the landscape, left only in the memories of those who had used them, but there was appetite among a minority of people to restore them and bring them back to use. The campaign to save the canals is the reason they such an important part of the world of leisure today. 

In 2019, Alarum Productions began a project collecting memories of women who had been involved in this campaign in the Black Country. We called this project I Dig Canals, echoing the phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. But there are many more stories to tell, and so, in 2021, I Dig Canals Birmingham was begun to collect stories linked to the canals in the city.

In this podcast, the second of this series, we look at memories of Gas Street Basin in Birmingham. The space was once used to load cargo to be transported around the country’s canals, but as rail grew, the need for the canals began to fade away. Talking about Gas Street Basin when it was still home to a closed boating community, we hear the voices of Lucy Waldron, Sue Constable, Sarah Pressland and Debbie Gunn.

This series of podcasts was put together by Alarum Productions with support from the John Feeney Charitable Trust. To find out more about Alarum Productions, visit www.alarumproductions.org.uk. To find out more about the John Feeney Charitable Trust visit www.feeneytrust.org.uk

I Dig Canals Birmingham - Episode 2: Gas Street Basin

When the country’s canals fell into disrepair after the Second World War, they could have disappeared into the landscape, left only in the memories of those who had used them, but there was appetite among a minority of people to restore them and bring them back to use. The campaign to save the canals is the reason they such an important part of the world of leisure today. 

In 2019, Alarum Productions began a project collecting memories of women who had been involved in this campaign in the Black Country. We called this project I Dig Canals, echoing the phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. But there are many more stories to tell, and so, in 2021, I Dig Canals Birmingham was begun to collect stories linked to the canals in the city.

In the third podcast of this series, we begin to uncover Birmingham’s varied industrial canal heritage. The canals were instrumental to the growth of industry and commerce as manufacturers tried to find ways to transport commodities around the country. As rail and road increased, the use of canals began to falter. The memories shared here capture the period when the canal was no longer in its heyday. Featured in this episode are Jeni Hatton, Sarah Pressland and Sue Constable. 

This series of podcasts was put together by Alarum Productions with support from the John Feeney Charitable Trust. To find out more about Alarum Productions, visit www.alarumproductions.org.uk. To find out more about the John Feeney Charitable Trust visit www.feeneytrust.org.uk

I Dig Canals Birmingham - Episode 3: Captains of Industry

Tunnel Voices – Dudley was written and performed by Heather Wastie and features the voices of women interviewed for the I Dig Canals project: Tina Gittings, Margaret Clark, Sheila Smith and Rosemary Phillips. You also heard the voices of Paul Baker, Kate Saffin, Glyn Phillips and Richard Jones and stories told to us by Derek Gittings and Cliff Sherwood. The sound engineer was Paul Baker. Alarum Productions would like to thank the Sir Barry Jackson Trust for funding this project. To hear and see more of our work visit alarumproductions.org.uk

Broadcast on Black Country Radio, February 2022

Tunnel Voices - Dudley, Part 1

Tunnel Voices - Dudley, Part 2

Tunnel Voices - Dudley, Part 3

Tunnel Voices - Dudley, Part 4

Tunnel Voices – Netherton was written and performed by Kate Saffin. Emma Purshouse plays the tunnel and Paul Baker the ventilation shafts. It features the voices of women interviewed for the I Dig Canals project: Jean Dobbs, Tina Gittings and Sheila Smith. You also heard the voice of Ken Dunham and stories told to us by Nick Bate and Phil Clayton. The original music was written and recorded by Heather Wastie. The sound engineer was Paul Baker. Alarum Productions would like to thank the Sir Barry Jackson Trust for funding this project. To hear and see more of our work visit alarumproductions.org.uk

Broadcast on Black Country Radio, March 2022

Tunnel Voices - Netherton, Part 1

When the country’s canals fell into disrepair after the Second World War, they could have disappeared into the landscape, left only in the memories of those who had used them, but there was appetite among a minority of people to restore them and bring them back to use. The campaign to save the canals is the reason they such an important part of the world of leisure today. 

In 2019, Alarum Productions began a project collecting memories of women who had been involved in this campaign in the Black Country. We called this project I Dig Canals, echoing the phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. But there are many more stories to tell, and so, in 2021, I Dig Canals Birmingham was begun to collect stories linked to the canals in the city.

In the fourth podcast of this series, we continue to step back into memories of industrial canal heritage. We hear the memories of two women in this podcast. Sylvia Eades worked in the office of Thomas Clayton Oldbury Ltd which carried industrial liquids up and down the canals, and Brenda Ward remembers some of the industrial waste uncovered during canal clean ups. 

This series of podcasts was put together by Alarum Productions with support from the John Feeney Charitable Trust. To find out more about Alarum Productions, visit www.alarumproductions.org.uk. To find out more about the John Feeney Charitable Trust visit www.feeneytrust.org.uk

I Dig Canals Birmingham - Episode 4: Heave Ho!

When the country’s canals fell into disrepair after the Second World War, they could have disappeared into the landscape, left only in the memories of those who had used them, but there was appetite among a minority of people to restore them and bring them back to use. The campaign to save the canals is the reason they such an important part of the world of leisure today. 

In 2019, Alarum Productions began a project collecting memories of women who had been involved in this campaign in the Black Country. We called this project I Dig Canals, echoing the phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. But there are many more stories to tell, and so, in 2021, I Dig Canals Birmingham was begun to collect stories linked to the canals in the city.

In the fifth podcast of this series, we hear the memories of three women as they reminisce about growing up on the boats. Early childhood family memories, teenage school trips and finally the development of the actual boats themselves over the years - listen to the recollections of Brenda Ward, Debbie Gunn and Lucy Waldron.

This series of podcasts was put together by Alarum Productions with support from the John Feeney Charitable Trust. To find out more about Alarum Productions, visit www.alarumproductions.org.uk. To find out more about the John Feeney Charitable Trust visit www.feeneytrust.org.uk

I Dig Canals Birmingham - Episode 5: Childhood memories

When the country’s canals fell into disrepair after the Second World War, they could have disappeared into the landscape, left only in the memories of those who had used them, but there was appetite among a minority of people to restore them and bring them back to use. The campaign to save the canals is the reason they such an important part of the world of leisure today. 

In 2019, Alarum Productions began a project collecting memories of women who had been involved in this campaign in the Black Country. We called this project I Dig Canals, echoing the phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. But there are many more stories to tell, and so, in 2021, I Dig Canals Birmingham was begun to collect stories linked to the canals in the city.

In the sixth and final podcast of the series, Brenda Ward and Jeni Hatton discuss the community spirit surrounding life on the canal, highlighting the many different aspects to which people contributed. 

This series of podcasts was put together by Alarum Productions with support from the John Feeney Charitable Trust. To find out more about Alarum Productions, visit www.alarumproductions.org.uk. To find out more about the John Feeney Charitable Trust visit www.feeneytrust.org.uk

I Dig Canals Birmingham - Episode 6: Making a Difference

True stories told by Tina Gittings and Glyn Phillips. In our 2019 ‘I Dig Canals’ project, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we researched women’s involvement in campaigns to restore the Black Country waterways in the 1960s to 1980s. In 2020/21 we used some of the wealth of interviews recorded for the project to create a new live show which premiered at Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust in September 2021. Tina Gittings was one of the women interviewed. Glyn Phillips’ stories are taken from recordings made during our ‘Tunnel Voices’ audio drama project, funded by the Sir Barry Jackson Trust.

Stories from Dudley Tunnel: Boats Getting Stuck

Stories from Dudley Tunnel: Tina And The Donut

One of three true stories told by Tina Gittings and Glyn Phillips. In our 2019 ‘I Dig Canals’ project, with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we researched women’s involvement in campaigns to restore the Black Country waterways in the 1960s to 1980s. In 2020/21 we used some of the wealth of interviews recorded for the project to create a new live show which premiered at Dudley Canal & Tunnel Trust in September 2021. Tina Gittings was one of the women interviewed. Glyn Phillips’ stories are taken from recordings made during our ‘Tunnel Voices’ audio drama project, funded by the Sir Barry Jackson Trust.

Stories from Dudley Tunnel: The Story Of Push Boys Push

The Black Country has some 100 miles of canals, many of which exist today thanks to dedicated campaigners who wouldn’t give up when they fell into disrepair. They formed canal societies, protested, lobbied, dug out weeds, removed tons of rubbish, took risky journeys through tunnels to prove they were navigable… The list of activities is a lengthy one. There are lots of accounts of these campaigners, but until now they have mostly focused on the role played by men.

“I Dig Canals” was a phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. The I Dig Canals project – funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – has collected together hidden stories of women who helped save and restore canals in the Black Country between the end of the Second World War and the 1970s. 

This podcast includes extracts from interviews with Tina Gittings and Jean Dobbs. The full recordings will be available at the National Waterways Archive, Ellesmere Port, as a legacy for others to research in the future.  There is also a book, available through our website. For more information go to www.alarumtheatre.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I Dig Canals Podcasts - Episode 1: Introduction

The Black Country has some 100 miles of canals, many of which exist today thanks to dedicated campaigners who wouldn’t give up when they fell into disrepair. They formed canal societies, protested, lobbied, dug out weeds, removed tons of rubbish, took risky journeys through tunnels to prove they were navigable… The list of activities is a lengthy one. There are lots of accounts of these campaigners, but until now they have mostly focused on the role played by men.

“I Dig Canals” was a phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. The I Dig Canals project – funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – has collected together hidden stories of women who helped save and restore canals in the Black Country between the end of the Second World War and the 1970s. 

This podcast (the second in our series) includes extracts from interviews with Tina Gittings, Jean Dobbs, Heather Cox, Penny Clover and Sammy Rose. The full recordings will be available at the National Waterways Archive, Ellesmere Port, as a legacy for others to research in the future. There is also a book, available through our website.

Ashwood Marina is on the Staffs & Worcs Canal and is now run by Sammy Rose. The word 'butty' in this podcast is nothing to do with bread... It refers to an unpowered narrow boat, usually towed by a motor boat, making up a pair. Just to confuse things, the butty Penny refers to, Emscote, had been motorised!

For more information please visit our website www.alarumtheatre.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I Dig Canals Podcasts - Episode 2: First Encounters

The Black Country has some 100 miles of canals, many of which exist today thanks to dedicated campaigners who wouldn’t give up when they fell into disrepair. They formed canal societies, protested, lobbied, dug out weeds, removed tons of rubbish, took risky journeys through tunnels to prove they were navigable… The list of activities is a lengthy one. There are lots of accounts of these campaigners, but until now they have mostly focused on the role played by men.

“I Dig Canals” was a phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. The I Dig Canals project – funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – has collected together hidden stories of women who helped save and restore canals in the Black Country between the end of the Second World War and the 1970s. 

This podcast (the third in our series) is presented by oral history trainer, Julia Letts. It includes extracts from interviews with Tina Gittings, Jose Wyles and Sheila Smith. The full recordings will be available at the National Waterways Archive, Ellesmere Port, as a legacy for others to research in the future.  There is also a book, available through our website.

For more information please visit our website www.alarumtheatre.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I Dig Canals Podcasts - Episode 3: State of the Canals Part 1

The Black Country has some 100 miles of canals, many of which exist today thanks to dedicated campaigners who wouldn’t give up when they fell into disrepair. They formed canal societies, protested, lobbied, dug out weeds, removed tons of rubbish, took risky journeys through tunnels to prove they were navigable… The list of activities is a lengthy one. There are lots of accounts of these campaigners, but until now they have mostly focused on the role played by men.

“I Dig Canals” was a phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. The I Dig Canals project – funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – has collected together hidden stories of women who helped save and restore canals in the Black Country between the end of the Second World War and the 1970s. 

This podcast (the fourth in our series) includes extracts from interviews with Gillian and Caroline Whittaker, Rosemary Phillips, Ann Edwards, Kit Acott, Jeni Hatton, Maureen Griffiths and Jean Dobbs. When Jeni and Kate referred to ‘The Shed’, this is what they were talking about (Jeni’s words): “a barge pontoon, one of the things they used to build Bailey bridges out of, with a shed on, literally a shed on, it was all wooden with an outboard motor.” A Bailey bridge was a portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge invented by Donald Bailey, making a huge contribution to the eventual outcome of the Second World War.

The full recordings will be available at the National Waterways Archive, Ellesmere Port, as a legacy for others to research in the future.  There is also a book, available through our website.

For more information please visit our website www.alarumtheatre.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I Dig Canals Podcasts - Episode 4: State of the Canals Part 2

The Black Country has some 100 miles of canals, many of which exist today thanks to dedicated campaigners who wouldn’t give up when they fell into disrepair. They formed canal societies, protested, lobbied, dug out weeds, removed tons of rubbish, took risky journeys through tunnels to prove they were navigable… The list of activities is a lengthy one. There are lots of accounts of these campaigners, but until now they have mostly focused on the role played by men.

“I Dig Canals” was a phrase used in the 1970s by waterways enthusiasts. The I Dig Canals project – funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund – has collected together hidden stories of women who helped save and restore canals in the Black Country between the end of the Second World War and the 1970s. 

This podcast (the fifth in our series) was created by guest presenter, Fabian Hiscock and includes extracts from interviews with Gillian Whittaker, Margaret Clark, Mavis Waldron, Jose Wyles, Sheila Smith and Penny Clover.

The full recordings will be available at the National Waterways Archive, Ellesmere Port, as a legacy for others to research in the future.  There is also a book, available through our website.

For more information please visit our website www.alarumtheatre.co.uk. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I Dig Canals Podcast

I Dig Canals Podcasts - Episode 5: Recovery and Restoration

Telling the stories of ordinary extraordinary women: Idle Women of the Wartime Waterways; I Dig Canals. See website to buy our books and for links to videos and more. #TheIdleWomen #IDigCanals

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