Volunteers keep museum open

THOUGH there have been doubts about the viability of the small canal museum at Brentford Lock, people have volunteered to open it every Friday.

The museum, one of London's smallest, is situated in the old Grade II Listed Toll House at the lock at the end of the Grand Union Canal, and contains artifacts appertaining to the waterways.

Important role

Visitors will be able to find out about the history of the waterways and why Brentford Lock, at the junction between the Thames and the Grand Union Canal, played such an important role when London's canals and rivers were a transport gateway to the rest of the world.

The Toll House dates from the 1900s, when the building would have contained ledgers that recorded the type and weight of cargo passing through the lock. The boats would pay a toll on the cargo they carried.

Local memories

People with any information about the history of Brentford Lock are being asked to come into the museum and talk to the volunteers. Canal & River Trust wants to build up a picture of the area from the memories of locals, boaters and everyone else who enjoys the canal.

The museum will be open from 10am to 1pm.