Posted on October 13th 2014

Griffin Mill Lock Final Report

Phase 1A

Griffin Mill Lock Final Report The last nut and bolt has been fitted at Griffin Mill Lock to complete the installation of the paddle gear making ready for operation for the first time in many years.
The value of volunteers The restoration of the lock and spill-weir was initially undertaken by a team of Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) volunteers led by Steve Hake. The latter stages have been overseen by Jon Pontefract of Stroud District Council. Jon has coordinated the efforts of local volunteers and four Waterways Recovery Group (WRG) work camps. Teamwork & technical expertise reprised Below are some reminders of the process leading to successful completion of the Griffin Mill Project. The lock gates have been manufactured by Hargreaves of Sowerby Bridge in Yorkshire The Hargreaves team, assisted by Ellis Cranes of Gloucester, installed the gates in July 2014 The paddle gear was designed by CCT engineering director, Jim White who worked on the design with Davall Gears of Hatfield in Hertfordshire DM Foundries of Chalford cast the component parts Truturn Engineering of Thrupp carried out the final machining Assembly of the parts was carried out at the CCT Western Depot by a team led by Colin Parsons CCT Eastern Depot volunteers machined the timber jackposts upon which the assembled paddle gear is mounted This hard & heavy timber is reclaimed Greenheart Finishing, final drilling and installation was carried out by CCT Western Depot volunteers. Installation team leader Les Morris explains… "Invaluable experience was gained during the lock gates and paddle gear installation at Wallbridge Upper Lock, the only other 'Thames & Severn' lock to have been fitted out so far. "The knowledge gained has enabled the teams to adapt to the inevitable variations encountered in a structure created in the 1780’s." Canal Project Manager Ian Edwards agreed saying… "The standard of work done by all the volunteers gets better all the time, so it’s not surprising that this is definitely the best lock restoration yet. As always, we’re very grateful to everyone who has freely given their time. Without them, we wouldn’t have a canal project." Previous reports Click on the links below to view previous reports on Griffin Mill. Progress & Personnel Report Griffin Gates Installed Paddle Gear – 2011


	Click on photos 1-3 to view larger versions Click here to view Mike Gallagher's Griffin Mill Lock Album Click here, or on the fourth photo, to view Robert Paget's Griffin Mill video



Support the scheme – Join the team! In the meantime the professionals and volunteers will once again be working together on the nearby Bowbridge and Ham Mill Locks. Click here to read about volunteering options and benefits. Click here,or on the icon below, to register as a CCT Volunteer.