Looks like a fascinating event.
Just a quick note to point out that this weekend (18-19th February 2017) there’s a rather unique vent at Fradley Junction between Lichfield and Alrewas, where you can tour lock 17 which is currently drained, undergoing maintenance.
This is a great chance to inspect past and present canal engineering at its finest, right on our doorsteps. There are also entertaining displays and activities, two great cafes and a wonderful pub to visit.
It’s a great weekend for the weather, so why not pop down?
The Canal and River Trust said:
18th February 2017 to 19th February 2017
10:00am – 3:00pm
Junction Lock 17
Trent & Mersey Canal
Lock 17 on the Trent & Mersey Canal
Fradley Junction
Alrewas
Burton-upon-Trent
Staffordshire DE13 7DN
Works at Lock 17 involve replacing the beam on the off-side bottom gate and relining and refitting both the top and bottom gates to stop leaks. The timber quoins on both sets of gates will be replaced and the team will also be fixing any damaged bricks and stones in and around the lock. The works, which are running for four weeks from 6 February to 5 March, will cost £80,000.
Lock 17 is very busy! Image from the Canal and River Trust.
Visitors will be able to come along and walk in the drained lock chamber on the original brickwork and learn about the essential works here from the Trust’s experts. Volunteers from Explorers will be on site running activities for children, the yard workshop will be open where people will be able to make bat and bird boxes and nature walks will be running during the day.
It’s not often you get change to walk into a lock. Look at the quality of that brickwork! Image posted on Twitter by the Canal and River Trust.
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I have very happy memories of Fradley Junction, even though I haven’t seen it in some 46 years! There was a pub there called The Swan, which we nicknamed “The Mucky Duck”!
🙂