The IWA held it's National Rally in Leicester in 1967 and the lock was refurbished as part of the accommodating improvements. It's sad to say that the basin in Abbey Park, once crammed with boats is now too silted up and choked with floating pennywort.

A piece of important 'local knowledge' is that beyond the next bridge, downstream, is a popular place for the local Hindus Asians to sprinkle the cremated ashes of their beloved deceased relatives into the flowing waters of the Soar (read Ganges here) No problem with inert ashes but they have to throw in the clothes that they were wearing too, along with a coconut and colourful wreaths. A length of sari material in synthetic thread is a fearsome thing when it's wrapped securely around your prop, so the answer is to exit lock at full revs until under the bridge then down to tick over for the next 200 yards while praying to the gods for a safe journey!

Photograph taken by roger hutchinson and was added to the database on Monday the 11th of December, 2006

This photo is one of 4 of Limekiln Lock No 43 on the Grand Union Canal (Leicester Section - River Soar Navigation) [Previous | Next]