PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday 24th April 2013
ACTOR UNVEILS HISTORIC STRUCTURE ON THE STRATFORD-UPON-AVON CANAL
After refurbishment works to repair the centuries old structure, and then unfortunate recent
vandalism, the iconic Guillotine Lock on the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal will be officially
unveiled by canal enthusiast and star of stage and screen, Timothy West, on Tuesday 30 th
April.
The £200,000 restoration takes the Grade II* listed and scheduled ancient monument off the
heritage ‘At Risk’ register and was made possible thanks to funding from players of the People’s
Postcode Lottery. Unfortunately, the lock has suffered a set-back since it was fully refurbished in
December 2012 as vandals have caused over £2,500 of damage, leaving the Canal & River Trust’s
conservation team to repair it a second time.
Timothy West CBE, known for his long and celebrated career as actor on the stage and screen,
will be joined by chair of the West Midlands Waterway Partnership, Peter Mathews, waterway
manager Dean Davies and Kate Pearson, Trusts Manager at People’s Postcode Lottery, who will
be navigating through the non-operational lock on a beautiful example of one of the West Midlands’
historic working boats, ‘Scorpio’.
Timothy, a regular on the canals in England, said: “It’s such a pleasure to see projects like this
bringing our wonderful heritage back to life. My family and I have taken so much enjoyment from
our canals and rivers for so many years that it’s comforting to know that another important part of
our waterway heritage will be preserved for future generations.”
Jo Bucci, Managing Director of People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We are incredibly proud to play
our part in the Trust’s essential work to preserve the canals and rivers of England and Wales. Few
people realise that many canal locks, buildings and structures are listed monuments and that the
waterway network is one of the finest living references to Britain’s industrial revolution. On behalf
of People’s Postcode Lottery and all of our players, we are delighted to be involved in helping to
conserve, enhance and restore the heritage of our national waterways.”
Peter Mathews CMG, Chair of the West Midlands Waterway Partnership, said: “We’re delighted
that Timothy is joining us on Tuesday 30th April to unveil Guillotine Lock after all the hard work that
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T 0203 204 4514 E press.office@canalrivertrust.org.uk W www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Twitter @CanalRiverTrust
Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales
with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address: First Floor North, Station House, 500
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has gone into refurbishing it. It’s wonderful to have an opportunity to shout about the hard work
that has gone into the project, from the maintenance teams doing the skilled brickwork to the
generous support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who funded a quarter of the total cost,
as we want to make sure this valuable addition to our West Midlands waterway heritage is around
for the next generation to enjoy.”
The refurbishment project saw repairs to the brickwork, both in the lock and around the lock gate
structure using traditional methods to ensure the work is carried out in keeping with the heritage of
the canal network. During the works, the local community also had the opportunity to walk down
into the empty chamber to view the works taking place.
Over the winter months, the Canal & River Trust spent £50m on conservation and maintenance
works across 2,000 miles of waterways in England and Wales, replacing over 100 lock gates and
undertaking other essential repairs.
To donate £3 to the Trust to the vital projects set up to maintain our history and wildlife on
and along our waterways, text TRUST to 70007 or visit the website –
www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
For more details about how to get involved by volunteering to help the canals in the West
Midlands, please call 0303 040 4040 or visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
ENDS
For further media requests please contact:
Claire Risino, National Campaigns Executive, Canal & River Trust
t 0203 204 4430 m 07785 920 863 e claire.risino@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Notes to editors:
 Guillotine lock has not been operational since the nationalisation of the canals in 1948,
when water loss from one canal to another was no longer an issue. The lock has in recent
years been subject to neglect and vandalism and, in 2011, was placed on the English
Heritage ‘At Risk’ register. To take this special structure off the list and preserve this
important and rare waterway wonder, skilled heritage engineers are carried out repairs to
the brickwork and sandstone in the chamber walls and the lock gate structure. Repairs are
also being made to the non-operational timber lock gates and cast iron lock gate fittings.
 The Stratford-upon-Avon canal, which was built between 1793 and 1816 and runs for 25½
miles, had 15 different maintenance projects over the winter to ensure the on-going smooth
and safe passage for its many boating and towpath visitors.
 The Canal & River Trust is the guardian of 2,000 miles of historic waterways across
England and Wales. We are among the largest charities in the UK, maintaining the nation’s
third largest collection of Listed structures, as well as museums, archives, navigations and
hundreds of important wildlife sites.
 We believe that our canals and rivers are a national treasure and a local haven for people
and wildlife. It is our job to care for this wonderful legacy – holding it in trust for the nation
in perpetuity and giving people a greater role in the running of their local waterways
 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk
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About People’s Postcode Lottery
 With People’s Postcode Lottery players play with their postcodes to win cash prizes while
raising money for good causes in their area.
 People’s Postcode Lottery manages multiple society lotteries promoted by different causes
supporting a range of good causes. For details on which society lottery is running each week,
visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk/society
 People’s Postcode Lottery is regulated by the Gambling Commission. It holds an External
Lottery Manager’s Licence and promotes a series of society lotteries in Great Britain.
 People’s Postcode Lottery players support the following Trusts – Postcode Green Trust,
Postcode Care Trust, Postcode Culture Trust and People’s Postcode Trust. These Trusts
support a variety of charities, including:
o Postcode Green Trust: Canal & River Trust, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, Scottish
Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Trusts Wales, Woodland Trust, WWF Scotland, Yorkshire
Wildlife Trust and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.
o Postcode Care Trust: CHILDREN 1ST, Children North East, Daisy Chain, Maggie’s
Cancer Caring Centres and Missing People
o Postcode Culture Trust: National Galleries of Scotland
o People’s Postcode Trust is a grant-giving charity which funds hundreds of projects that
benefit local communities
 The Trusts are funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
 There are five large draws a month and each draw costs £2 – paid in advance by monthly
direct debit. 40p from every £2 ticket goes to good causes and all money raised stays local to
the players
 Player have raised over £21.3 Million for great causes across the country
*For texts asking for £3 you will be charged £3 plus one message at your standard network rate. The Canal & River Trust will
receive at least £2.97 from all major network providers for your £3. Where the donation is for a specific project then that entire
donation will go towards the project. If we receive more money than we need for a specific project then your donation may be used
to fund similar projects.