A FREE open afternoon is planned to mark the 180 years of Worcester’s historic Diglis Locks on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.
This will take place on Wednesday afternoon 9th October, with the picture showing an aerial shot of Diglis Island and Fish Pass with one of the two locks on the extreme right in the top of the picture.
The event will also launch an oral history project to capture memories of Diglis Locks and Island over the decades. Those experiences will be used to help future visitors discover more about the role the locks have played in the lives of many local people.
Began in 1842
The story of the locks began in 1842 with the passing of the Severn Navigation Act and the opening of Lincomb Weir in 1843. Diglis Lock was opened on 9th October 1844 and was within the estimated costs of £140,000 (a current value of around £22 million).
The open afternoon will give people a chance to explore Diglis Island and visit the Island’s restored Victorian workshop which was once a hive of activity for lock gate construction and lock and weir maintenance. The workshop will house a display of archive images from our collection. The display will, it is hoped by the trust, inspire people to share their own experiences of Diglis Island and the locks.
Diglis Island guides will be on hand to answer questions and share fascinating insights into the island