TONY Condor was the latest guest speaker at Stroud Probus when he gave an illustrated talk on the 'Introduction to Canals'.

He said the Chinese are considered to be the fore-runners in canal construction with what is know as their 'Grand Canal'.

It is thought Marco Polo, a Venetian traveller, who visited China in the thirteenth century, brought the idea of canal building back to Europe.

Unsurprisingly Italy became the first European country to embrace this concept which quickly spread across the continent and into Britain.

The canals made a significant difference to the whole population as it meant commodities, such as coal could be transported form the mining areas at a much reduced cost and a good deal faster than horse drawn wagons.

A factor which helped considerably in the industrial revolution.

The canals, although affected to some extent by the spread of railways, still attracted a good deal of trade but went into decline with the construction of the motorway system when lorries could travel at speed and deliver right to a destination.

However canals are now enjoying a regeneration driven by factories and houses being built alongside.

The fact that people now have more leisure time has also been a contributing factor with many taking to the water or using the tow-path for walking.

This was a most interesting talk and he was thanked on behalf of members by the president, Peter Nairn.

Probus meet at 10.15am on the second and fourth Wednesday each month at the Cotswold Indoor Bowling Centre, Dudbridge, Stroud and is open to all retired men.

Ample free parking is available on site.