account arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right closecontact-us emailFacebookheart instagramjoin linkedin phonepinterestplaysearch twitteryoutube
Back
Volunteer bricklaying

Our latest contribution to the restoration and reopening of the Cotswold Canals will be to rebuild the part-demolished and largely buried Westfield Lock (now John Robinson Lock) and to reinstate the aqueduct/culvert carrying a stream under its top end.  We’re running three camps this summer, with our friends in KESCRG (Kent and East Sussex Canal Restoration Group) and NWPG (Newbury Working Party Group) supporting two of them.

This Camp, the second week, will be NWPG-led.

Fully booked
Event Dates

8th to 15th July 2023

Location

Stroud, Gloucestershire

Restoration

Cotswold Canals Camp 2023 – week 2

Our latest contribution to the restoration and reopening of the Cotswold Canals will be to rebuild the part-demolished and largely buried Westfield Lock (now John Robinson Lock) and to reinstate the aqueduct/culvert carrying a stream under its top end.  We’re running three camps this summer, with our friends in KESCRG (Kent and East Sussex Canal Restoration Group) and NWPG (Newbury Working Party Group) supporting two of them.

This Camp, the second week, will be NWPG-led.

Details

Activity

Lock Restoration

Booking

Our camps are open to anyone aged 18 or over with each camp costing just £80 per week, with food and accommodation included. We welcome participants from all different backgrounds, including those completing the residential section of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

This event is currently full. However you can register now and be added to a waiting list. You will be notified if spaces become available.

Ticket Type Price
Canal Camp CC2023 - 03 £80
Volunteers on a WRG Canal Camp on the Grantham Canal

About The Camp

Where is it? 

Located in the scenic Cotswolds near Stroud the Cotswold Canals consists of the Thames & Severn Canal and Stroudwater Navigation. It is one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. 

What will I be doing? 

Volunteers will be at the start of this exciting project – both preparing the former Westfield Lock ready for the restoration, then investigating and repairing the structure. Above the lock the canal must pass over Oldbury Brook; this brook will eventually be channelled under the canal in pipes with inlet and outfall structures at either end. However, to enable the restoration works on the lock we need to perform some temporary works to divert the brook away from the lock. This will both protect the initial lock works and enable some further investigation of the entrance to the lock. Once these initial, temporary works are complete and the lock is protected from the brook then we will move on to restoring the lock walls. Whilst it is expected that the first week (CC2023-02) will include some investigation of the original structure, all three weeks (CC2023-02/03/04) will include restoring the original features of the lock. Expect lots of brickwork (preparation, repair and rebuilding).

Why is it important? 

Phase 1B is the four mile gap between the recently restored canal at the Ocean, Stonehouse and the rest of the connected network at Saul Junction on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. This section of the Stroudwater Navigation closed in 1954. Over the subsequent years, structures deteriorated and one mile of the canal was obliterated by the construction of the M5 and its slip roads. Westfield Lock is the start of the ‘missing mile’ with the restoration of this lock acting as the gateway to further restoration work.

 

 

Contacts

If you want to find out more about any of our Canal Camp working holidays, please get in touch.
Phone 01494 783453 extn 607

Email [email protected]

View event location

Location

Stroud, Gloucestershire

Stroud, UK

Find directions to the Event

Events

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.