'We're celebrating in style this year' - Canal volunteer speaks ahead of 40th anniversary Open Weekend in Stourbridge

The anniversary event will take place at and around The Bonded Warehouse in Canal Street, Stourbridge, on Saturday October 18 and Sunday October 19.

The Trust, and its predecessor organisation, have been hosting the popular free event every year since 1983 - although there was a two-year pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2025 event promises to be one of the biggest yet, not only marking the 40th staging of the Open Weekend but also commemorating several major milestones in local canal history. 

Most notably, this year marks 50 years since volunteers began concerted efforts to reopen the Stourbridge Town Arm, a revival sparked in the wake of the 1962 Inland Waterways Association (IWA) Battle for the Stourbridge Canal.

Further adding to the significance, 2025 celebrates four decades since the formation of the current Stourbridge Navigation Trust, which was legally established in 1985.

The Bonded Warehouse –now a hub for community use – was officially opened to the public the following year, in 1986.

A pivotal turning point came in 2000 when the Trust achieved financial self-sufficiency, no longer dependent on public funds or charitable appeals. 

Another landmark being remembered is the transformation of the once-muddy towpath in 2000. Thanks to a partnership between the Trust, British Waterways, and Dudley Council, the towpath was fully rebuilt – an effort entirely funded through resources raised by the Trust itself.

As part of the 40th Open Weekend celebrations, boaters attending the event will receive a commemorative plaque.

Organisers have promised a weekend rich with heritage, community spirit and appreciation for the enduring role of volunteers in safeguarding Stourbridge’s canal legacy.

As well as a rally of canal boats, attractions at the family and dog-friendly event will include food and craft stalls, a real ale bar, live music, classic cars on both days - plus canal boat trips on the Sunday.

There is no admission charge for the event, which runs from 10am to 5pm both days, although a fee is payable for the canal boat rides.

Nicolas Barlow, vice-chairman of Stourbridge Navigation Trust, said: "We're celebrating in style this year, we've got almost 50 boats coming, some craft boats, some working boats - there'll be a good display for people to have a look at this year.

"We've got craft stalls over the three floors of The Bonded Warehouse, and also along Canal Street, and we have a number of classic cars as well, plus a good selection of food vehicles as well so lots for people to come and see and do and it's free, what more can you ask for?

"It's also commemorating the activities of getting the canal network reopened after the Battle of Stourbridge back in the 1960s. Before that the canal was badly neglected - you could almost walk across it, but it was down to sheer determination and hard work of volunteers that is still going on today to keep the canal network alive in Stourbridge town and also keeping the historic Bonded Warehouse alive as well."

Canal Street will be closed for the duration of the Open Weekend.

Stourbridge Navigation Trust can be contacted by emailing stourbridge-trust@btconnect.com or calling 01384 395216.