Phase 1 Opening, August 2013
Unless stated, all material © Stover Canal Trust 2023
Charity Number, 1138316 Company Number: 5835573
A Major Milestone Achieved -
Stover Canal Towpath Opening
2013 was a very big year for both the Society and Trust as it saw the culmination of twelve
years of dedicated effort with the completion of phase one of the planned restoration of
this historic waterway. The opening ceremony took place on Saturday 17th August with
the ribbon being cut by Justin Templer, a direct descendant of James Templer who
ordered the constuction of the canal in the late 1700’s. This opening allows walkers to
again use a section of towpath that has not been open to the public for over 50 years.
Roger Harding introduced Mr Templer, who had travelled from Bristol for the event, and
thanked all those who had contributed time, effort and money to achieving the first goal of
enabling a walking route from the Jetty Marsh Nature Reserve, Newton Abbot to the Old
Exeter Road and the Teigngrace level crossing.
Following the ceremony, those attending made their way along the towpath following a
route not previously available to the public for the past 50 years.
© Rob Harris
© Brian Harrap
© Brian Harrap
We are very sorry to have to record the death of Mr Justin Templer in January 2015.
He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered.
Roger Harding spoke of all the hard work involved
in reaching this important landmark for the canal
restoration.
The moment that marked the completion of Phase 1
of the restoration of the towpath.
Access to the towpath can be gained through the Jetty Marsh
Nature Reserve by passing under the Heathfield railway line on
a metal walkway which was constructed by our volunteers. This
area was the site of the original sea lock but this was sterilised
when the railway was constructed over it in the 1860’s.
The pathway alongside the canal is on land owned by the local
clay company, Sibelco, who have given permissive rights to
access it.
Phase 1 work involved the design and construction of the
walkway and reclaiming the route from many years of neglect
and surfacing it for walkers. The route is not robust enough to
allow for use by horses or cycles.
It is now possible to enjoy a peaceful, mile long walk
in safe, countryside surroundings to the Old Exeter
Road at Teigngrace crossing where the old clay
cellars can be seen.
At certain high tides the canal will fill with water from
the River Teign and the channel is designated as a
flood relief structure by the Environment Agency to
assist with winter drainage when the Teign is high.
The works were funded by a grant from Ugbrooke Environmental which was created to distribute proceeds from the Landfill Tax
imposed at the local Viridor waste tip.
Built by our forefathers, preserved for our grandchildren
