Destination Froghall Complete

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The 23rd of July 2005 was the Opening Day for the 1st Lock and Basin on the Uttoxeter Canal.

I was there with my camera, as was someone called Tim Lewis, whose pictures can be found here.

Click the images to enlarge.

Some men in orange made noise in the name of jazz.
I went to The Railway Inn for a couple of pints. The beer was nice and the food looked good, too, though I didn't eat anything myself.
Back at the canal, the crowd was growing.
When, just after 2 o'clock, the Beatrice charity boat approached the lock.
Speeches were made and the ribbon was cut by Charlotte Atkins, the MP for Staffordshire Moorlands.
The top gate was opened.
And the Beatrice entered the lock.
A plaque was unveiled at the side of the lock.
Before the ground paddles were opened and the boat began to descend.
The Beatrice emerged from the lock; the first boat to do so since the 1930s.
And many photographs were taken.
Before the boat began to turn.
And head towards the new moorings.
The Beatrice became the first boat to moor in the rebuilt Froghall Basin on the Uttoxeter Canal.
The Froghall Basin was now open for business.
The Waterway Recovery Group got in on the act.
And took the band along with them.