ON March 21, 1774, around 30,000 people gathered along the towpath to watch the first boats make the 60 ft descent through Bingley Five Rise Locks.
Reported to be the “noblest works of the kind that perhaps are to be found in the same extent in the universe”, the locks
went on to become a popular leisure attraction and a vital link in the Leeds Liverpool canal’s wildlife corridor, stretching over the Pennines.
This month, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the landmark Five Rise Locks, the Canal & River Trust is holding a special event showcasing the past, present and future of Britain’s steepest lock flight on the longest single canal in the country.
The event, on Saturday, March 23, 10am-3pm, will also highlight the modern challenges of looking after this historic working structure.
There’s a chance to seethe staircase locks in action and meet the experts and volunteers who look after the Grade 1 listed site - one of the seven ‘wonders of the waterways’.
Ruth Garratt, Canal & River Trust’s Yorkshire & North East heritage advisor, says: “With just 2.5per cent of the country’s houses and structures awarded Grade I listing, Bingley Five Rise Locks are of exceptional historical importance and Grade 1 listing puts these locks in the same category as Buckingham Palace.
“Constructed in Georgian times, the locks were a vital part of a commercial thoroughfare to transport goods across the Pennines to the North Sea.
Thanks to the work of our charity to keep canals alive, it is staggering to think that 250 years later these locks are still in daily use by boaters, but also by thousands of walkers, cyclists and runners who come to enjoy spending time by water.”
As the UK’s steepest flight of locks, Bingley Five Rise Locks lifts boats around 18 metres (60 ft), with the five locks operating as a ‘staircase’ flight, in which the lower gate of one lock forms the upper gate of the next.
Each set of lock gates weighs six tonnes (the equivalent of an African elephant) and at seven-metres tall, they are some of the tallest lock gates in the country. The gates are handmade by the Canal & River Trust at its workshop at Stanley Ferry and are replaced approximately every 25 years to keep the locks and canal open.
Bingley Five Rise Locks is part of an important section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, together with Bingley Three Rise Locks, Dowley Gap Locks and Dowley Gap Aqueduct they are the finest engineering feats to be found on the whole of Britain’s longest canal. The early optimism for a swift completion was ill founded. It actually took 46 years to complete the canal between Leeds and Liverpool.
The drop-in celebration, on March 23 is packed with free activities, from town to towpath. Donations are welcome to support the continued work to #KeepCanalsAlive.
What events will be held to mark the 250th anniversary of the Bingley Five Rise Locks?
* Lock-keeper demonstrations and talks by volunteers
* Boat trips along the canal
* Guided heritage walks and talks
* Ecology and environment talks, plus fish tank display
* Bird watching, nature spotting trail and activities at Bingley North Bog
* Canoe and SUP sessions - some sessions pre-bookable through the Eventbrite page (see below)
* Floating market and Kennet boat and floating museum
* Canal art and craft activities, bushcraft, sketch walks
* Demonstrations, handling sessions and talks
* Let’s Fish taster sessions (book through the Eventbrite page)
* #TopOfTheLocks selfie opportunity
* Bell ringing and brass band performances
Organising the event is Sharron Bright, youth and community engagement co-ordinator at Canal & River Trust, who says: “We hope people from the local community and beyond will join us in helping celebrate this remarkable wonder of the waterways. You’ll have chance to meet the experts who care for and keep our canals and locks alive, learn how to support your local waterway and get involved by volunteering. It’s a really varied programme, something for everyone - families, boaters, crafters, and those interested in history and nature. The top of the locks offers stunning views of the Aire Valley, with Five Rise Locks Café open. Walking towards Bingley Three Rise Locks there will be paddle sports and family-friendly activities. Damart Café, next to the canal, is opening to the public for the first time offering refreshments and an arts programme with talks, weaving demonstrations, readings by the Trust’s Canal Poet Laureate Roy McFarlane.”
Adds Sharron: “The local community are supporting the celebrations and helping to extend the event from the canal towpath into the town centre, with Bingley Town Council hosting an artisan market, plus live music and performances.
“We’d like to thank all those who are helping with this event, including Bingley Town Council, Bradford District Council, Damart, Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, Sport England, BD25, Sustrans, Players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Northern Rail.”
* Visit canalrivertrust.org.uk. For Let’s Fish book a timeslot online via the Eventbrite link. Paddle sports sessions will run on a first come, first served basis, with a sign-up sheet on the day.
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