THE Kennet & Avon Trust is congratulating itself that it has been awarded £559,300 by the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the £845,000 project to to secure the future of the steam driven Crofton Beam Engines.

These engines originally supplied the summit pound of the canal with water from the Avon, but were eventually replaced by electric motors.

crofton beamEssential restoration

The project includes what is described as essential restoration and conservation work on the Grade I Listed engines and the buildings containing them, Mike Rodd tells us.

There will also be better visitor facilities and activities, and  explanation of the engineering and history of the engines, with an emphasis on entertaining families.

Visitors at the heart of the Crofton story

The Trust states that its aim is to 'put visitors at the heart of the Crofton story'. It hopes the work will attract more volunteers to get involved.

The Trust intend to hold open days for visitors during the winter whilst the work is progressing, with it all being ready for its reopening next Easter.