Old Wharf Crane.

A sign of busier, more industrial, times.

Canals were built as industrial transport routes. In their day, they were the backbone of the country. Their presence invariably brought prosperity to towns along the way.

This Wharf Crane serves as a reminder of what this area was used for. Boats would be loaded and unloaded here. This was Newbury Wharf timber yard. Timber would be unloaded, and finished products despatched for sale elsewhere.

Now, of course, the car has taken over, and the area is largely a car park. The sole surviving industrial building here, seen behind, is known as “The Stone Building”. It houses the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Tea Rooms, with a small meeting room and exhibition upstairs.

The wharf now sees cargo of a different kind – passengers! The K&A Canal Trust trip boat Jubilee operates from here, taking people on pleasure trips along the canal.

This image of the old wharf crane has been given some HDR treatment, to give it something of an antique and atmospheric feel. The sky was filling up with thunder clouds at the time this was taken, which adds to the drama of the shot.

Photograph Details:

• Taken: 11 May 2017
• Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10 MkII
• Lens: Olympus 14-42 1:3.5-5.6
• Focal Length 23mm
• F/5.6
• 1/400 Sec
• ISO 200