IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Boston Road, SLEAFORD, NG34 7HD

Looking towards what was once Navigation Wharf towards the modern Hub, once an old seed warehouse.

Both "Berkeley Court" apartments on the right and this row of terraced houses look out onto this dry, disused spur of the Sleaford Navigation (a canal) that once continued to Money's Corn Mill in the town centre, several hundred metres ahead. Behind the photographer the footpath carries pedestrians towards the new-ish (2008) 'lift-up' bridge and to facilities on the other side of "The Navigation", including the National Centre for Craft and Design, a Health Centre and other parts of the town.

The River Slea takes a turn past these retirement homes. The sculpture is by Will Lasdun (http://www.williamlasdun.com/ ). The Arts Centre is "The Hub" http://www.thehubcentre.org.

The basin is on the left. It is mostly silted up now.

On the left of the Sleaford Navigation (canal) some of the Berkeley Court apartment blocks can be seen. These were built in 1980 on the former Lee & Green mineral water factory site (1880-1940s). On the right is The Hub, the National Centre for Craft & Design, housed in a former seed warehouse. The original seed business was founded in 1880 by James Hubbard and the company eventually became the largest supplier of marrowfat peas in the country. The present building dates from 1938 but in 2004 it was converted into an ultra-modern art and craft gallery with 1,000 square metres of exhibition space, craft workshops, a shop and café. The rooftop gallery and veranda provide some excellent views. "The Navigation" continues ahead through the town centre up as far as Castle Causeway.

On the left is the gable end of one of the Berkeley Court apartment blocks. These were developed in 1980 and they occupy the former Lee & Green mineral water factory site. The factory operated between 1880-1940s. The metal sculpture seen here, where the dry, non-navigable spur heads towards the former Money's Mill, represents the sails of the barges which travelled up and down "The Sleaford Navigation". It was erected by The Civic Trust. The pedestrians are walking in the direction of Carre Street - 100 or so metres ahead. On the photographer’s right, albeit not visible here, is The Hub, the National Centre for Craft & Design premises that are housed in a converted seed warehouse. A slipway on the opposite bank allows small boats to use the section of waterway between Cogglesford Mill and Riverside Green.

Installed in 2003 the 10 metre tall stainless steel sculpture celebrates the sailing barges that once unloaded their wares at Navigation Wharf and makes reference to the fact that these barges had an unusual rigging system which allowed them to lower their masts to pass under bridges. Developed in partnership with Aerotrope it has been designed to be movable so that the sculpture can be repositioned should the river ever become navigable again in the future.

There are two bridges in Carre Street, with the same stylish arrow-headed railings. One is across the River Slea, the other over the former route of the canal to the town basin in what is now the Money's Yard car park. This is the route of the canal.

Former spur of the Sleaford Navigation, with new properties on the left on the site of former wharfage.