‘Sponsor a slate’ for restoration of Pewsham Locks dry dock

A fun new scheme has been launched to support the rebuilding of a former dry dock next to a restored stretch of canal.

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is breathing new life into Pewsham Locks, a flight of three locks which once lifted narrowboats on their journey from Melksham to Chippenham.

Volunteers have already restored more than a mile of the waterway and towpath, together with a wharf and bridge.

The charity’s latest project is to recreate the dry dock next to the locks, where boats were repaired during the 1800s. The brick wall of the base has been rebuilt and the oak frames to support the roof are in place.

Now the Trust is inviting supporters to leave a lasting mark on the structure by sponsoring a slate roof tile and including their own personal message, which will be seen from below when visitors enter the dock.

Slates are available for sponsorship for just £10 each, with the words remaining there for as long as the structure exists. People can learn more about the project at the Pewsham Locks Open Day due to be held this Saturday 12th July, with the roofing work due to begin soon afterwards.

The fundraising scheme is being led by Dave Maloney of the charity’s Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch.

Dave said: “The Pewsham Locks dry dock was the only one on the Wilts & Berks Canal, so we’re very excited to be recreating such an important piece of our industrial heritage.

“We’ve been able to match the colour and thickness of the new slate with what we’ve found onsite and will be carefully removing the grass and soil to expose the brick floor, so it will hopefully look quite similar to the original structure.

“When complete, it will be an impressive 25 metres long and six metres wide and will display information on boat building and repairs during the nineteenth century. Longer-term, it would be nice to include a replica of a narrowboat too.”

Public messages will be written on the sponsored slate in paint marker and then the surface will be sealed.

Almost a hundred tiles have already been sponsored, from supporters as far away as Texas in the USA.

Some messages are in memory of loved ones, while others praise the volunteers for their hard work. Some simply record the names of couples, or parents and children. Several local businesses are also featured.

Dave added: “This is a great opportunity for people to leave a lasting mark on a beautiful building while also demonstrating their support for a worthwhile cause.

“The messages will only be visible from the underside of the dry dock but, when the site is full open to the public, we hope visitors will be reading them for many decades to come.”

Messages can be written at the Pewsham Locks Open Day on Saturday 12th July from 10am-3pm, which will also include boat rides, guided tours and a pop-up café.

Alternatively, QR codes are available from dave.maloney@wbct.org.uk

For further information on the open day and how to access the site, visit www.wbct.org.uk/mcc-open-days-2025/

The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.
Visit www.wbct.org.uk