Kendal Civic Society

  • Increase font size
  • Default font size
  • Decrease font size
Thompson's Wharf

Two buildings associated with the canal have been rescued, but what of the old CoalWharf on the north side of Change Bridge? Three wharves were built in 1819, one on the north side of Parkside Road, one immediately south of Parkside Road and the third just north of Change Bridge. On the 1898 O.S. Map this is shown as 'LoundWharf’ 'Coal Depot, with the exit from the wharf on to what is now Garden Road. It was only yards away from the rear entrance to the Lound Iron Foundry. Coal was brought in to the Gas Works on Parkside Road, using this wharf for almost a century.

The wharf is the reason for Change Bridge. South of the bridge, the tow path was on the west of the canal but, to avoid interference with loading and unloading of barges moored at the wharves, the tow path continued north from the bridge to Canal Head only on the eastern side. At Change Bridge barge horses on the west bank were led up a ramp and over thebridge to continue on the other side.

In 1848 the wharf, later known as Thompson’s Wharf, was purchased by Miles Thompson, partner in the Websters’ building firm, who had built himself a house, Ivy Bank, immediately to the west of the horse ramp. When this property was redeveloped recently as flats, it was discovered that the wharf, long infilled with soil, is intact with, still in place, the sluice gate to carry excess water to the river, and even scratches of paint from barges on the side walls.

Thompson's Wharf (The Wharf that Got Away) - AN UPDATE

Activity - Thompson's Wharf

 It is with great sadness that we have to report that Thompson's wharf is no more!

During September and October the whole area was excavated in preparation for the large development of sheltered accommodation which will cover most of the site.

The initial phase was to dig out the wharf itself and allow access for an archaeological survey. This was done although little of interest was found. The wharf itself was in a remarkably good state, as the attached photos show, and still ahd existing walls and floor which shows just how good the original workmanship was. The stones were removed and nothing remains to show the wharf ever existed. Yet another piece of Kendal's historic heritage bites the dust!

 

 

 

 

Thompson’s Wharf (The Wharf that Got Away)

Activity - Thompson's Wharf

Infilled Thompson's Wharf 2008

There is so much history bound up in this area, yet it will all be lost when development starts soon on a block of 40 sheltered housing units. The site to be developed will be within yards of the Change Bridge and the canal and will cover most of the old wharf. How did this situation come about? The development could have been moved slightly, since it is an extensive site, to leave the wharf area clear. The wharf could have been emptied of landfill and filled with water to give a turning area or for short-term mooring.

In its place will be, as stated on the Grant of Planning Permission, “an interpretation board to explain and illustrate the function of the former canal wharf.” All that will be left will be the coping stones - which formed the boundary of the wharf - but not in situ. Again to comply with the Granting of Planning Permission these must be “carefully removed and stored by the applicant company before the commencement of development. The applicant company shall, when requested to do so, deliver the coping stones to such location for storage as the Local Planning Authority may specify.” It is meaningless to remove stones from their original site to re-use in a place for which they were never intended.

Infilled Thompson's Copings 2008 (south side)

Infilled Thompson's Copings 2008 (north side)

Why was this allowed to happen? Kendal Civic Society fought long and hard to save Thompson’s Wharf, even giving a heartfelt plea to the Planning Committee. It stood alone. Not British Waterways nor any other body concerned with the restoration of the Canal supported the Society or was at all opposed to the obliteration of Thompson’s Wharf and all its history, apart from requesting that the coping stones be removed. Consequently, permission was granted for this large development. How much more will be lost before the Canal is re-watered to Canal Head? The original ticket office is in line for demolition if plans, as yet in preparation, go through. Will the Canal Agent’s house, the covered wharf archways, and the Castle Foundry, amongst others be sacrificed so long as there is water for boaters? Kendal needs the Canal, it needs tourists and employment and all the benefits which the Canal will bring, but the destruction of Kendal’s past must not go unopposed. The Society has, successfully, recently argued for the Canal Head to be re-instated within the Conservation Area, but if all the remaining links with the Canal and Kendal’s rich history are to be preserved from the developer, then British Waterways, The Lancaster Canal Trust and all interested parties must realise how easily it can all be lost. Thompson’s Wharf is the wharf that got away. It need not have been. It must never happen again.

Hogarth’s Map 1853, clearly showing Change Bridge, the Coal Wharf, the Cinder Ovens, the Lound Iron Foundry and the Gas Works. O.S.Map 1898 showing Change Bridge, the Lound Wharf and Coal Depot.