Residents invited to explore depths of 20ft Newark Town Lock with family open days this weekend
There is the chance to explore the depths of 20ft Newark Town Lock during family open days this weekend.
Visitors can climb down into a drained section of the River Trent as part of a behind-the-scenes tour of £330,000 works to replace the giant lock gates.
People will be able to see the giant lock gates up close, speak to specialists about how locks are repaired and find out about the structure’s 200-year-old masonry work, which is usually hidden below the waterline.
As well as descending into the lock, visitors can take a peek inside the nearby dry dock — one of the largest of its kind in the country.
Families will be able to take part in arts and craft activities and explore a special interactive model showing how locks work on Saturday.
The following day, visitors can have a go at fishing with the Trust’s Let’s Fish! sessions or join in with water safety demonstrations, trying to hit a target with a safety throw line.
Diana Vogtel, community engagement manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “The works at Newark Town Lock are a great example of the work that we do to ensure our historic waterways are protected and preserved for boaters and the local community to use and enjoy.
“We’re really excited to open the works up to the public and to give local people the rare opportunity to walk along the lock floor. Descending down to the bottom of the lock and staring up at the giant oak lock gates is a real experience.
“It’s a great way to bring local history to life and show people the work that we do to look after this important part of the area’s heritage.”
“Research shows that being by water has a positive effect on people’s physical and mental wellbeing events like this are so important in encouraging more people to spend time by the river.”
This winter the Canal & River Trust is undertaking a £59m major overhaul across the 2,000 miles of waterways in its care, as part of a five-month maintenance programme to canals and rivers across England and Wales.
The new lock gates at Newark Town Lock have been made in the trust’s specialist workshop at Stanley Ferry in Wakefield, Yorkshire.
Each lock gate is hand-crafted by a skilled team of carpenters and made from sustainably-sourced British oak with a working life of 25-30 years.
The open days run from 10am until 4pm each day with pay and display parking available at Riverside carpark.
Friends Of Newark Castle and Victorian Gardens will also open the castle tower and undercroft for visitors on Saturday, from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Visitors can learn more about the castle, including the proposed Gatehouse Project.
There is also the chance to explore the Leicester Trader, one of the few remaining barges that carried cargo on the river, which will be moored opposite the castle on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors can learn more about the history of the river, boatyard and those who worked on the river. The museum had an upgrade in lockdown to add new facilities, including new entrance and exit and an improved collection of books and films.
