The Trustees of Stourbridge Navigation Trust have decided that the Annual Stourbridge Open Weekend at The Bonded Warehouse will go ahead again this year on October 18th and 19th. This will be the 40th Open Weekend staged by the Trust, and its predecessor; although the first was 42 years ago in 1983 as Covid-19 caused us to miss two years.
We are determined that this anniversary event will be one to be remembered. It will also be recognising 50 years since the start of determined efforts by a band of volunteers to reopen the Town Arm after neglect following the 1962 IWA Battle for the Stourbridge Canal. This year also celebrates 40 years of the legal existence of the present Trust and the availability of the Warehouse to community use with the formal opening in1986. The year 2000 saw the Trust become financially sustainable and stopped relying on public funds and begging bowls. Also, 25 years ago, the Open Weekend boaters were treated to a mud-free towpath. This had been completely rebuilt with the Trust working in partnership with British Waterways (now Canal & River Trust) and Dudley Council using funding all raised by the Trust.
For Boaters attending this year we will be producing a special boater’s plaque with no extra cost to boaters above the Boat Entry fee of £15.00.
One request we make now – we need volunteers to help run the event. Like all voluntary organisations, we are short of help. Why not do your bit to help run this event? A few hours between Friday morning and Monday lunchtime would be very welcome. Or how about becoming a Trustee? Please email your interest as soon as possible to our Manager.
Please download the Boater’s Entry Form below and return the completed form to us by post or simply popping in to The Bonded Warehouse, Canal Street, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY8 4LU.
The team of Harbour Masters look forward to welcoming you this year.
We wish you a good cruising year.
