The Calne branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal, which included three locks, two wharfs, and one tunnel, was completed by 1802.

Running from Stanley to its termination at the Town Mill, now Town Hall, the canal utilised a wharf created by canalising the River Marden.

The Wilts and Berks Canal was primarily a coal canal, which brough this much needed fuel from the Somerset coal fields.

In 1822, there were four coal merchants working out of the wharf: George Baily, Richard Blampin, John Fowler, and Charles Wilcox, the proprietor at the time.

All this traffic required a wharfinger, who was likely also the lock keeper. The wharfinger’s job was to ensure that the Navigation could be travelled as easily as possible, by maintaining correct water level and that correct fees were paid for cargoes and passage.

In the early days of the canal, a wharfinger in a town such as Calne would have been paid £36; £2,067.49 in today’s money.

A building with warehouse was erected for the use of the wharfinger by 1828. These days this building is known as The Marden House Centre, which was visited by Prince Charles in 1988, and is well used for art exhibitions and by local community groups.

The Wilts and Berks canal was not a prosperous canal. It was most successful when transporting materials for the Great Western Railway. After which, it entered a decline, with the canal changing hands numerous times; each time for less and less capital.

By 1896 the first discussions on the closure of the canal began. Then in January 1901 the aqueduct at Stanley burst, draining much of the canal, with bricks falling into the River Marden – where they remain to this day.

While the last traffic to be seen in Calne was in 1906, the canal was not formally abandoned until the closure Bill was given Royal Assent on 31 July 1914.

It was 3 July 1863 when James Ogle Brinkworth, who was seated in this office, heard the screams of the children who had been playing outside.

Brinkworth, a coal merchant, who also managed the Calne Wharf, acted quickly. By now he knew the drill.

Pulling off his coat, he rushed outside to see a child named Seymour struggling in the water. Running to the spot, he plunged into the water, just as Seymour was sinking.

This was the third time that Brinkworth had saved a child from drowning in the canal.

Just one year later, in 1864, he was awarded a Royal Humane Society parchment for his conduct in rescuing no less than seven children from drowning at the Wharf.

Brinkworth, who in 1863 gave £4 towards the restoration of Calne church, was also skilled at raising poultry. He often took home prizes or commendations at the Calne and Devizes poultry shows for his Black East India ducks or his Spanish chickens.

An 1881 advert shows Brinkworth advertising ‘Best Somerset Forest and North Country Coals at greatly reduced prices.’ From 15s 6d per ton customers could have ‘capital house coal’.

• About the Wharf text: Tim Havenith
• About the Wharf audio: Tim Havenith
• The Wharfinger text: Tim Havenith
• The Wharfinger audio: Tim Havenith
• The Wharf and Blue Plaque Images: Tim Havenith