Safety first

For those of you that don't recognise it, this is the brake on a lock gate on the canal. A windlass is used to lift up the sluice paddle and this ratchet mechanism is a safeguard to stop the windlass from 'kicking back' and breaking your arm if you lose your grip whilst winding it up. It makes a great noise as it clicks over each of the teeth on the cog and I am horrified when I see people using the locks and holding up this brake as they wind the paddle up rather than letting it do its job properly. You can tell the boating season hasn't really got under way yet as this brake is so rusty - it needs a good dollop of thick black grease!