For many years the bridges along the Gravesend stretch of the canal continued to give access for people to cross over to the railway bank. There was also an old boathouse (destroyed in the 1930s) said to have given Dickens his inspiration for Peggotty’s home in David Copperfield:
There was a black barge, or some other kind of superannuated boat, not far off, high and dry on the ground, with an iron funnel sticking out of it for a chimney and smoking very cosily…the wonderful charm of it was, that it was a real boat which had no doubt been upon the water hundreds of times, and which had never been intended to be lived in, on dry land...
During the second world war, London’s bomb rubble was brought to fill in parts of the canal and the outer gate between the canal basin and the River Thames was damaged by enemy action.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the lock leading from the basin into the canal, and the canal itself up to Mark Lane, were filled in. A timber yard was built over the in-fill, which has been succeeded by dereliction and some patchy industrial usage. In 1973 the Lock Cottages alongside the canal basin were demolished.
In the 1970s, a growing national interest in industrial history generally, and canal history in particular, led the Inland Waterways Association to designate the remainder of the Thames and Medway as part of the waterway network.
This directed local attention towards what had been a much-neglected resource. To capitalize on the interest, in September 1975 a Rally of Boats was organised. Activities took place on the Gordon Promenade and at the canal basin. Politicians, reporters and several hundred local residents attended the festivities. A brochure was produced and a rally queen crowned.
The success of the rally led to the formation of Thames and Medway Canal Association (TMCA) in February 1976. Since that time it has been very busy.(see Achievements)
The TMCA has been very fortunate over the years in attracting dedicated people to its committee. It has been supported in times of need by co-opted enthusiasts with specific skills. The committee has been further encouraged by the long-term support of members, locally and in many parts of the country, including several life members.
Others came as volunteer navvies on some of the initial Big Digs and then to the regular Sunday digs. Some have turned their hands to manning information stands, fundraising events and publicity work.
In 2005 the Association achieved Charitable Status and now have a Board, company secretary, a registered office, a set of official objectives and has to submit annual accounts. However, the Association’s original aims remain the same.
Members receive a regular bulletin with stories, photos, the latest news and upcoming events. The TMCA is not supported financially by any other organisation, relying on membership subscriptions to continue to operate. This enables us to supply facilities like rubbish bins and information boards and is also spent on petrol, consumables and spares for the normal duties of keeping the towpath and canal clear for all to use. Please join so you can keep up to date with all the latest news and developments in and around the canal.