Join Cotswold Canals Connected on Wednesday 26th October from 10am – 4pm for Flight of Locks.
This free-of-charge event involves a canal-side trail from Newtown Lock to Westfield Bridge (Eastington, Stonehouse) where you’ll discover heritage locks and learn about the local history. A map will be available to download on this website or you can pick one up from a member of the Cotswold Canals Connected team on the day.
Cotswold Canals Connected (CCC) volunteers will be on hand to explain how the locks enable boats to go up a hill. There will be stalls from the CCC team and Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity explaining the restoration project and the history of this section of canal. This part of the event does not need to be booked and can be accessed any time between 10am – 4pm.
The other part of the event is an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek into Western Depot – the very first time the workshop will be open to the public.
Western Depot is run by Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers for the purpose of maintaining and restoring the canal. At the depot there are metal and wood workshops that are used to manufacture and repair a wide variety of objects and machinery for the canal, from building paddle gear, to fixing lawn mowers.
Access to Western Depot is available in 30 minute time slots from 10am – 4pm. Tickets must be booked in advance here. The time slot will involve a tour of the busy depot and engaging workshops for children.
Chris Mitford-Slade, Canal Project Director said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the flight of locks being restored along the canal at Eastington, and find out how to get involved with volunteering. It is also a rare and unique chance to experience the behind the scenes of the canal restoration and see first-hand the hard work of the volunteers.”
Parking will be available along the old turnpike road, next to Little Angels Day Nursery, GL10 3RW and at Western Depot, GL10 3RT.
Cotswold Canals Connected is a partnership of organisations led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust which are restoring the canal network. Phase 1A, which is now complete, restored the section between Thrupp and Stonehouse. Phase 1B, which includes this project, will restore a further four-mile section between Stonehouse and Saul Junction providing a connection to the national waterway network.
Find out more about Cotswold Canals Connected at on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
