About The Thames

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Goring Lock

While the longest stretch of river between Thames locks is that linking Molesey with Teddington, the reach between Goring and Cleeve locks is the shortest - at just 0.62km.The travelling theatre company, Mikron Theatre, give a performance annually at Goring Lock.

(The professional actors live and travel on board the narrowboat, Tyseley, performing at canal and riverside venues).

Goring Lock was, it is believed, a flash weir back in the 16 th century - it ws build by the local miller to provide him with a head of water to drive the water wheel. It became a timber pound lock in 1787, costing, it is said, £1,000 to build.

When Goring Lock was rebuilt by the Thames Conservancy in 1921, it was built with a pair of middle gates - a rarity on the river. It was a normal lock in every other way, but part way along the lock chamber, an extra pair of wooden gates were installed. The intention was to save water and enable river craft to travel faster through the lock. Also, less water was used every time the lock was used.

The middle gates were removed in 1981, but upon close examination, you can see the infilled recesses where the gates were installed.

Wildlife abounds here at Goring Lock. Frequent visitors are kingfishers, buzzards, red kites, and Egyptian geese. There have been recent sightings of pipistrelle bats here too.

 


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