Plans for Stourport Basins

STOURPORT Forward and partners have given a preview of the latest developments at Stourport, as part of the plan to develop the town's canal basins as a major heritage tourism attraction.

Councillor John Holden, Mayor of Stourport, cut a ribbon to open the newly refurbished Tontine Stable Heritage Room and unveiled the Window on the Past at the Old Ticket Office which shows how the basins may have appeared when Stourport was a busy working canal port. Representatives of the project partners were treated to a preview of the latest developments which will be fully open to the public for the first time on site from 12 noon to 4pm on Easter Sunday.  Representatives of the various organisations are shown in the photograph.

Displays

The latest developments include the creation of the Old Ticket Office as a Heritage Room, providing information about the basins and the growth of the town, and the refurnishing of The Tontine Stable Heritage Room which contains displays about the history of the basins and some of the animals that worked there.

The event culminated in the launch of the new events and activities programme for 2010, made possible by the small group of dedicated volunteers formed last year. The programme includes Easter at Stourport Canal Basins, a May Heritage Weekend, a Pirates Weekend in August, Heritage Open Days Weekend in September and a Halloween Weekend.

Jewel in the crown

Pauline Annis, Chair of Stourport Forward, told that the new Heritage Rooms, Education project and Events Programme will usher in a bright new future for the attraction which will be the jewel in the crown of the local waterway network.

At the Easter opening there will be a chance to go inside the living quarters of a British Waterways Heritage Working Boat, canal boat trips from Stourport Basins and a costumed guided walk on Easter Sunday and Monday.

From Easter Sunday the Tontine Stable Heritage Room will be accessible for customers of the Windlass Café/Restaurant. Both Heritage Rooms will be open during most events and at other dates during the year.