The Arts Council Renaissance Strategic Support Fund will contribute to a total project budget of £193,000, which will support a major 'Revealing the Treasures of Foxton Locks' reinterpretation project.
The project will include a new interpretation strategy with trails, guides and audio and digital enhancements, an interactive website portal, improvements to and full re-curation of Foxton Canal Museum, interpretation panels installed at key sites, the creation of a 3D digital model of the boat lift, as well as the installation of a local wifi network.
The Arts Council bid was led by Leicester Shire Promotions with support from The Canal & River Trust, Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, Foxton Canal Museum, Leicestershire County Council and Harborough District Council.
Thousands of visitors
James Clifton, enterprise manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: “This is fantastic news for Foxton Locks and we are delighted that this money has been awarded. Foxton Locks is really popular with thousands of people coming to see the locks every year. This funding will help us bring its history alive in a fun and interactive way and hopefully show visitors why the locks are so special.”
Steve Bowyer, chairman of the Foxton Inclined Plane Trust, adds: “This funding will enable us to make great improvements to the Foxton Locks site and museum with a particular focus on a major piece of our Victorian industrial heritage, the unique Foxton Inclined Plane Boat Lift. While ideally we would like to rebuild the boat lift, the use of digital technology will be a fantastic way of improving the understanding of the role the boat lift played in the history of the site and surrounding waterways.”
