Help the Grantham Canal Society revive canal history

THE GRANTHAM Canal Society needs your help!

To restore the historic Canal Wharf and Weigh House at Muston Gorse.

This restoration will breathe new life into a vital piece of our local heritage, creating a vibrant visitor attraction for the community, history lovers, and canal walkers alike, the society claims.

The history

The Duke of Rutland's Grantham Canal Wharf, located at Muston Gorse near Bottesford, was historically connected to Belvoir Castle via one of England's earliest horse-drawn railways, established in 1815 by the Butterley Ironworks Company. This tramway facilitated the transportation of various goods between the canal and the castle.

While coal was a primary commodity transported to the castle, the tramway also carried other essential supplies. The Grantham Canal played a significant role in regional trade, bringing in materials such as fertiliser (notably night soil from Nottingham) and building materials. Additionally, the canal facilitated the movement of agricultural products, including ground corn, rolled oats, and malt for local beer production.

At the Muston Gorse Wharf, a weigh bridge was installed to measure the weight of goods being transported. This infrastructure ensured accurate accounting for various commodities, including coal, fertilisers, building materials, and agricultural products.

The establishment of the Grantham Canal and its associated tramway significantly enhanced the efficiency of transporting goods to Belvoir Castle, reducing costs and improving accessibility to essential supplies beyond coal. ( Credit to Bottesford Living History.)

Your donation will fund

A new roof, brickwork repairs, and restoration of the 1815 Weigh House.
Removal of overgrown bushes along the wharf, new fencing enhancing the overall appearance of the site.
Skilled volunteers will provide much of the labour required to carry out the work.
We desperately need your help to provide the heritage materials needed.

We will also erect a sculpture depicting the original wharf crane.
Heritage displays with historical photos, information boards, and more.

Every contribution gets us closer to preserving this unique educational site for future generations to enjoy.

Donate

Please donate now and help us bring history back to life!
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/gcsweigh-house