Historic workshop opens door to public

The workshop is one of the hubs of the nation’s waterways and one of only two places where lock gates are renovated and new ones are crafted to be used across the country.

Originally Stanley Ferry’s workshops were used to manufacture Tom Puddings – the freight train of the waterways. As part of the open day, fully-restored Tom Puddings from the Yorkshire Waterways Museum will be making a guest appearance.

Stanley Ferry workshop manager for British Waterways, Janet Carter, said: “The open day will give visitors a unique opportunity to take a tour of the workshops including the engineering rooms, the impressive dry dock and then on to the woodworking workshop where the gates are put together. There will also be a chance to chat with the guys who have worked here and collectively know all there is to know about lock gates.

“We hope opening up the workshop will give people in Yorkshire a chance to see the scale of the work we do to ensure that the waterways are preserved for today’s users and future generations, as well as gain an appreciation for the magnificent industrial heritage in their local area.”

British Waterways spends about £100m a year maintaining its 2,200-mile inland waterway network, work that is funded through a combination of Government grants and income from commercial activities such as property and boat licenses.

When British Waterways transfers to a charity, expected to take place in April 2012, funding will come through a long-term contract from the Government, commercial revenue and charitable income. The workshop, in Ferry Lane, Stanley, Wakefield, will be open between 9am and 3pm. There is no need to book for a self-guided tour.