Stourport Heritage Open Day 2024 is to celebrate the first year of the local Heritage movement, led by Stourport Heritage Port Group which  has ambitions to assist in the planning and regeneration of the Basins area as part of the town – which Stourport Forward started on at the time of the ‘millennium’ – but now has to change because of lack of continuous funding.

The Group has a ‘vision’ – of better facilities for all visitors, local employment improvements, better preservation of remaining heritage structures and ease of appreciation of the whole concept of a working port. Ater all, Stourport has two working boatyards in the Basins area and several other boat businesses in the town or a mile up or downstream, a dry dock, two chandleries, the Yacht Club, a rowing club, Sea-Scouts and other Scouts and other youth organisations, etc. However,  Stourport has limited mooring for visiting craft, a sometimes hazardous river navigation, and several ‘stalled’ initiatives by the local council which teh Group hopes to stimulate with co-operation from Canal & River Trust and the planning authority (Wyre Forest District Council).

The event on 14th September will include talks by noted historians, walks and stalls by IWA, Staffs & Worcs Canal Society, Canal & River Trust and others – together with a barbecue and some activities for children. The organisers hope to attract local people – as there is a perception that many see the town as quite separate from the waterside.  There will be several historic craft to see, and other boating interest.