Cash Splash For Canalside Cottages Thanks To Packaging Firm

A charitable trust that was formed to celebrate the heritage of Beeston Canal and its cottages has been given a cash boost by a Nottingham based packaging giant.

Having restored the historic weir cottages at Beeston Lock, Canalside Heritage Centre opened to the public as a heritage, education and art centre in 2017. It followed seven years of fundraising and hard work by charity founder and Trust chairman, Stuart Craven.

Now, Colwick-based The Wilkins Group has sailed in with a £1,000 donation to further support the charity as part of the firm’s ‘Year of Giving’ campaign, in which the firm supports a different Nottinghamshire charity for every month of 2025.

Justin Wilkins, joint managing director of The Wilkins Group, said:

“The Canalside Heritage Trust immediately stood out to us because of the dedication and passion given to protect and restore the historic canalside cottages."

“These beautiful, historical structures have been brought back to their original state, giving the community a wonderful asset, educational facility and place to enjoy by the canalside.”

“We are proud to support this truly worthy cause, which continues to enrich the local area and support the well-being of the community for generations to come.”

The trust has documented the history and renovation of the site. It found that the cottages and lock keepers house opened in 1796 as accommodation for the Trent Navigation Company. In 1839, the first detailed census showed the lock house and three cottages at Beeston were occupied by a total of 21 people.

However, as freight moved away from the canals and the waterways declined, by 1970, the UK’s last regular long distance canal boat carrying contract ended. At this time, the original 18th century side-bridge at Beeston Lock was removed and residents of the weir cottages began to leave. By 1980 the last resident of the cottages moved out. It would never be occupied as a home again.

Stuart Craven, who used to live on a narrow boat nearby, saw the decline of the cottages and vowed to take action. He rallied an army of volunteers, community help, and Heritage lottery funding. While never lived in again as a home, the cottages came to life as the Canalside Heritage Centre.

Stuart, now chairman of Canalside Heritage Centre Charitable Trust, said:

“We are a small charity but have a large, amazing community which has ensured this facility has become a reality and the canal’s history is preserved."

“We have around 60,000 visitors a year and we’re only able to keep doing what we are doing through donations and the help of volunteers. We are so grateful to The Wilkins Group for their donation.”

As well as providing a heritage centre, there is a tea shop, gift shop, community space, exhibition area for artists and stunning gardens to enjoy. Stuart said:

“Educating the next generation about the history of the canals is so rewarding. We recently had a visit from Royal School for the Deaf, and we are reaching out more to local schools and groups who may be interested in visiting the site.”

The centre is open 9.30am to 4.00pm, seven days a week. A special open day event is being held on Saturday, September 13, when there will be narrow boat trips, artists exhibiting in the gardens, and an array of dance groups including Morris Dancers. Justin said:

“Nottinghamshire is our heartland, the place where many of our UK teams live and so to support local charities such as the Canalside Heritage Centre is a privilege."

“Throughout our year of giving campaign, we have seen first-hand the breadth of different charity groups operating on our doorstep and the commitment of the volunteers and staff that work tirelessly for the community. To have been a part of this has been amazing.”

Other charities that have been supported by a £1,000 donation so far this year include Gedling Conservation Trust, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, The Nottinghamshire Beekeepers’ Association, Papplewick Pumping Station, Green’s Windmill, in Sneinton, Walesby Forest outdoor activity centre and Stonebridge City Farm.

The Wilkins Group, which, in addition to its Nottingham headquarters, has packaging plants in China, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, is dedicated to improving the environmental impact of industry.

It creates packaging designs and innovations that aim to reduce and ultimately eradicate single-use plastics within the industry. It is already leading the way in alternatives including board trays for food packaging, including the use of compostable materials.

The Wilkins Group is a family run firm that produces food packaging for the likes of Pukka, Pizza Express, Harrods and Cadbury. It also is credited with producing bespoke and award-winning items such as eco-friendly coat hangers and the iconic M&S light-up glitter gin bottles.