Fred Kelland, lock keeper on the Exeter ship canal
Drawbridge Cottage
Fred Kelland and Chum
Tales from the riverbank
As told to Beryl James by Brian Kelland & Jennifer Leach
My uncle, Fred Kelland, was born in 1901. In the 1950s he was lock keeper on the Exeter ship canal. He lived with his wife, our Aunt Marge and his dog, 'Chum' at Drawbridge cottage which stood by the lock gates opposite the Port Royal pub.
Fred Kelland's work
Fred was employed by Exeter City Council Canal department. He was responsible for the water from the old Exe Bridge to the Double Locks pub, including the leats around Cricklepit Mill. Large coasters came up the canal to unload at the Quay, bringing timber and grain to the heart of Exeter. I also remember tankers called 'Ben Johnson' and 'Fred Everard' that carried fuel to the Esso and BP depots. Most of the ships returned empty; the exception was the sewerage boat, which took its cargo seawards!
Uncle Fred's responsibility was greatest in bad weather, when he was on flood watch. It was his job to close the lock gates if the river got too high, to maintain the water level in the canal.
I loved spending time with Uncle Fred. His job was really varied; on Sundays he sometimes worked as the ferryman at Butt's ferry, which still takes passengers across the river near the Quay, propelled in the same way by the ferryman hauling the boat across on a wire. The fare was one old penny in those days and, when I was lucky enough to help out, I was allowed to keep some of the fares.
River Scavenger
Another part of Uncle Fred's job was River Scavenger; he would sometimes take me with him in his flat-bottomed boat to cut back reeds and collect any litter from the canal. As uncle paddled slowly along using the single oar at the stern, we saw plenty of wild life - swans, ducks and fish. One day a salmon jumped right into the boat; quick as a flash, Uncle Fred splatted it with the oar and covered it with reeds in the bottom of the boat. It didn't make the tea table though: I think Aunt Marge sold it!
More Memories
Aunt Marge worked as a cleaner at St Margaret's school and went out at about 5.00am to cycle to work. She was very house-proud and kept the cottage spotless, in spite of the sulphurous fumes from the coke-fired gas works nearby.
My cousin Jennifer has different memories of Uncle Fred and Aunt Marge. Several times a week, she walked with her mother to visit her grandmother in Haven Road. The route took them past the Match Factory, over the bridge at Trews Weir and up the tow path past Uncle Fred's cottage, where they would often call in for tea and a chat.
Drawbridge cottage
Drawbridge cottage was built of cob, cream washed under a slate roof. It had a kitchen and two rooms downstairs, although the parlour was only used on Sundays. Upstairs were two bedrooms. There was no bathroom, just a tin bath and a chemical toilet. The cottage had a lean-to on the side, called 'the linny' and there were allotments next to the garden, which had a greenhouse; Uncle Fred battled the rabbits to grow vegetables as well as flowers.
The end of an era
Uncle Fred moved to Woodah Road when he retired and died in 1970. Sadly, Drawbridge Cottage was demolished soon after when the flood relief scheme was built following the terrible floods in St Thomas. They say that it was a mistake and the cottage near the swing bridge should have been demolished instead; that story made local news at the time.
It's been years since Jennifer and I talked so much about the old days. We have so many memories; we're both 'only children' but grew up together like brother and sister. We have a huge extended family around Exeter and lots more stories to tell.
15.07.2008
If you enjoyed this why not read more from Brian Kelland & Jennifer Leach: Haven Road