2024 marks 150 years since the opening of Sharpness New Dock — and a whole host of celebrations are in store.
Sharpness 150, a volunteer-led community group, has announced a year of free celebratory events to mark the occasion.
A launch event is taking place on Saturday 30 March 2024, at Sharpness Sports and Social Club in Berkeley — with the historic canal just a stone's throw away.
Starting at 12pm and running until 5pm, the event will include guest speakers; the opportunity to see a functioning steam engine; a live oral history recording session; as well as Easter egg treasure hunts for little ones to take part in.
Later in the year, a plethora of other events are set to take place — including boat trips, local walks and talks from experts — all to help people discover the heritage of the dock.
The project will also develop an online archive, which will preserve stories of Sharpness for future generations.
Martyn Slater, a member of Sharpness 150, said: 'Sharpness 150 is an initiative aimed at uniting
people as they discover not only the heritage of Sharpness New Dock, but also
its influence on the area, its industries and, most importantly, the personal
stories it has helped to shape.'
Along with local volunteers, the project is supported by local charities and clubs, such as the Canal and River Trust and the Vale of Berkeley Railway Charitable Trust.
Since the dock's completion in 1874, it has contributed significantly to the local community and economy, as well as providing an essential passage to Gloucester, via the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
