Hawkesbury Junction / Sutton Stop at dusk

There's something about dusk I love.  The crepuscular shot wins out every time.  It's why I love cruising at this time of day - I like to 'go gentle into that good night'.

Here, Hawkesbury Junction, known to generations of old-time working boatmen as Sutton Stop, slowly sinks into night, last Saturday.

I have no compunction about photo editing to improve composition. If I was more competent at the process I'd remove that cable hanging above the canal – and also the bit of rubbish on the grass at the end of the narrows in the foreground.  But I'd keep the electricity pylon, and even (ahem) the plastic-wrapped floral grievings attached to the signboard in the foreground. 

By the way, Sutton Stop was the primary scene for the many photographs taken by Robert Longden, in the book A Canal People, with notes by Sonia Rolt.   She mentions Mr Veater, the canal company man who assigned many of the loads and thus controlled much of the life of the boat people, and who kindly made great efforts to accomodate their personal needs.

Veater seems to be an uncommon surname, so I was interested when researching this post to find someone named Veater online saying it was pronounced 'Vater', as in 'pater'.  Mr Vater was vaternalist indeed.

Comments

[Andrew Denny]

Tim

Many thanks, that's fascinating!

One small point:  Mr Veater was not the lock keeper, but the man who allocated and controlled cargoes for the boat men.  As such, I suspect he would have been a bit higher in status, and may well have left behind more official records.  

 

Sonia Rolt is one of the last survivors of this time - she would probably know.

 

Andrew

 

[Tim Veater]

Came across this whilst browsing. As a current Veater originating in Pensford and Chew Magna, Somerset (now BANES!) I can confirm that we are still known locally as "Vater" so I found the reference to pronunciation fascinating. Prior to 1881 census, it appears as both, but prior to 1800 only as Vater or Vator. How word sounds tell their own story and how said locksman is related (as I asume he must be) is charmingly diverting.

[Chris]

The floral tribute, death by reckless narrow boating?