Royal Military Canal, Hythe
The Royal Military Canal is a wonderful but little known treasure of the Shepway District. It is 28 miles long and runs from Seabrook to the east of Hythe to Cliff End near Hastings in East Sussex. Shepway District Counci cares for the six miles of canal that runs through Hythe and the Environment Agency looks after the rest.
We have Napoleon Bonaparte to thank for the Royal Military Canal as it was built as the third line of defence against his planned invasion. (The British Navy was the first line of defence and the Martello Towers the second.) The canal provided a further barrier allowing for raking lines of fire against an invading army. Fortunately the first line of defence held and the Royal Military Canal has only ever been used for peaceful purposes.
The first sod was cut in 1804 and it took four and a half years to build and today, 18 August 2009, we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Royal Military Canal.
The Royal Military Canal is the third longest defensive monument in Britain after Hadrian’s Wall and Offa’s Dyke. Unlike these historic monuments it still serves an essential function as it is part of the drainage and irrigation of Romney Marsh. It is also a well used an well loved part of our district by anglers, walkers and riders and provides a home for all sorts of wildlife.
It must be royal icing for the Royal Military Canal cake!
To celebrate the 200th anniversary, Shepway is staging an event with the Environment Agency to show how the canal is maintained and there is a magnificent cake depicting the canal complete with icing sugar trees, boats and anglers (the bridge and railings were the only non edible pieces). My role is to make a (short) speech and cut the cake and I’m accompanied by my friend and fellow Hythe resident, Richard Samuelson.
The cake is for the chop
Richard and I tour the stands showing the history of the canal, the work of the Environment Agency and some of the equipment that Shepway uses keep the canal free of weeds and the banks full of wildflowers and insects.
Caught today in the Royal Miltary Canal
There are plenty of people taking advantage of free angling lessons from the Environment Agency and a tank full of fish caught that morning on display before being returned to the canal. A grant from the Environment Agency has also paid for a section of the bank, next to Scanlons Bridge, to be made accessible for wheelchair users to fish.
As well as Kate Hayes, Shepway’s Environment Officer, Chris McCreedy, Grounds Manager and their team the event is also supported by two of the Hythe District Councillors, David Owen and Neil Matthews. There is a good turnout from the public and the cake attracts plenty of children eager for a slice of birthday cake at this 200th anniversary.
Kate Hayes, Environment Officer, gets close to Nature
The Royal Military Canal looks good for its age and this is largely down to the efforts of Shepway District Council. In 2003 Shepway won a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £3.35million for works to the canal, the banks and surrounding area. And the regular maintenance by the Shepway groundworks team keeps the Royal Military Canal looking its best. Local people also contribute by buying benches in memory of loved ones and there can be no doubt that everyone’s efforts are much appreciated by both residents and visitors to Hythe.
Chairman of Shepway District Council, Susan Carey and Richard Samuelson
