Market Drayton, Tyrley Locks 1911
Photo ref: 63346
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Photo ref: 63346
Photo of Market Drayton, Tyrley Locks 1911

More about this scene

Below the second Tyrley lock, a loaded narrow boat poses for the camera. The man would work the locks, the little girl would drive the horse, and the mother would steer: this was a family business. As for the children attending school, forget it! Life was hard for the one-man operation. Bargemen worked a six- or seven-day week, received no sick pay and had no salary during freeze-ups. Yet they doubtless relished their independence – and the beautiful scenery.

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Canals and Waterways

Peaceful and thought-provoking scenes of life down by the water.

Memories of Market Drayton, Tyrley Locks 1911

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. These memories are of Market Drayton, Tyrley Locks 1911

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My great grandfather worked as a lock keeper at Tyrley at the time of my grandmother's birth in 1883.  My great grandfather named William Nixon married an Elizabeth Timmis whose father and brothers also worked as lock keepers at Tyrley and lived there.  My grandmother Eva Nixon married Henry Thacker and he too lived near Tyrley and worked as a 'lengthsman' on the canal.