Reigniting 250 Years of History for Heritage Open Days

Thanks to our volunteer and former blacksmith David Wadsworth, and fellow volunteer Phil ‘bellow boy’ Bristow, we were able to reignite history and bring to life the traditional craft of blacksmithing, explaining the process from working hot metal on the anvil to finishing off with beeswax coating.

Dobson Locks

Nestled next to Dobson Staircase Locks on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, the forge forms part of the larger, Grade II Listed canal workshop. The forge is complete with fireplace, bellows and chimney, and is surrounded by original canal paraphernalia.

Dobson’s Lock is a staircase system of two canal locks the Leeds &Liverpool Canal, located on a picturesque spot in Apperley Bridge, Bradford. In the early 1800s warehouses were built along the waterway to hold merchandise being transported along the busy canal. Lock gates and swing bridges were made onsite and the blacksmith’s workshop would have been essential for the successful operation and maintenance of life on the canal.

Our staff and volunteers were also on hand to explain about volunteering and learning projects happening along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal people can get involved in, from horticulture to lock keeping. Plus, our heritage advisors gave insight into life 250 years ago and the challenges of looking after these amazing historical structures.

Behind the scenes

Sharron Bright, our community roots engagement coordinator, has been working on the event. She explained: “Our charity cares for a remarkable network of historic waterways which are still working just as they were designed to 250 years ago. Repairing and maintaining these waterways is painstaking task and our charity still employs centuries old skills and methods to maintain them.

“Getting involved in Heritage Open Days has been a great opportunity to showcase behind the scenes and we’ve really enjoyed bringing to life this amazing resource and explaining how people can help support this vital part of our industrial heritage now and look after it for future generations.”