Volunteers are celebrating a major milestone in their restoration of a former flight of locks.
The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has completed the rebuilding of the dry dock at Pewsham Locks on the edge of Chippenham. Together with the adjacent carpenter’s workshop which is still under construction, the aim is to recreate how the former waterway would have looked in the nineteenth century.
The fundraising appeal for the dry dock invited people to sponsor the slate roof tiles, with personal messages from supporters around the world written on the underside and visible from below.
Pewsham Locks was a busy section of the canal during the 1800s – not only did it raise narrowboats almost 30 feet on their journey from Melksham to Chippenham via its three locks, but it also included a lockkeeper’s cottage, carpenter’s workshop, saw pit and lime kiln.
However, the presence of the dry dock was unknown until the remains were discovered during a regular workparty.
Initial excavations uncovered the walls and the brick floor, together with pieces of pitch which had dropped from narrowboat hulls during repairs. Slate tiles were also unearthed, showing how the roof was originally covered.
The full restoration began in 2019, carried out by members of the charity’s Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch. The low wall was rebuilt, with oak posts supporting a roof of recycled Welsh slate.
Supporters were invited to sponsor the roof tiles for £10 each and include personal messages. Some congratulate the team on their efforts while others are in memory of loved ones. Almost 300 tiles were sponsored. Many are from residents and businesses, but others are from around the world, including the USA and Australia.
The cost of the project was £65,000, funded by the charity and by local organisations including Wiltshire Community Fund.
Dave Maloney, a retired RAF engineer, has been leading the project. He said
“The discovery of the dry dock was a complete surprise, but we quickly recognised how it could support our wider plans to create a visitor attraction and educational facility.
“It’s been a massive undertaking, but everyone’s justifiably proud of their efforts.
“Some of the team had backgrounds in carpentry and building, but the rest of the group included a wide range of current and former occupations, including a music teacher, meteorologist, printer, plumber, computer programmer and even a former submariner!
“We were particularly pleased to involve so many members of the community in the sponsorship of the slate tiles, with tributes to loved ones and lots of drawings by local children.
“Many of the messages were written by people who attended last year’s open days, and will be seen by visitors for many decades to come.”
The dry dock is located next to the bottom chamber of Pewsham Locks, which is the charity’s next major project. The lock chamber is already being drained and cleared so that the brickwork and entrance walls can be repaired. Once rebuilt, the flight of locks and dry dock will be connected to the restored stretch of canal which leads towards Lacock in the south.
The Pewsham Locks restoration is usually screened by fencing but visitors can take a closer look – and read the messages on the tiles – when the charity hosts its next open day, on Saturday 13th June, which includes a pop-up café, guided tours and boat rides.
Visit www.wbct.org.uk/mcc-branch-events for further details, including a map and directions.
