A ring to mourn a canal builder

John Rennie was a Scottish civil engineer – a young East Lothian farmer’s son – and born in 1761. He made his name designing many bridges, canals and docks.

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John Rennie 1761 – 1821

South of the border he will always be remembered in these parts as the designer of the Kennet and Avon canal which passes through Bath.

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The canal towpath through Bath’s Sydney Gardens.

The total length of the waterway he created – linking the Avon with the Thames – is 87 miles. The actual canal section – dug out of the earth by thousands of navvies – is 57 miles. The job was done between 1794 and 1810.

Today after restoration – and thanks to an army of volunteers who maintain it – this industrial water motorway is back in use for more recreational purposes.

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Off the Wall Antiques in St Margaret’s Buildings.

With this in mind, Bath Newseum was interested to hear about a piece of jewellery that had come into the hands of Alexander Tennant who runs Off The Wall Antiques in St Margaret’s Buildings near the Royal Crescent.

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Owner, Alexander Tennant.

It’s very much connected with the death of this great man – who died after a short illness at his London home in 1821 and was buried in St Paul’s Cathedral.