Canal Locks, Newport
Photo reference number: 1832
Postcard view, posted in 1952. This section has now been restored - a project between Newport City Council and the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals Trust which has been funded by over a million pounds from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other funding bodies.
This open pond area was used for swimming and was known as the 'Stone and Pad'. At the stone end the more adventurous would dive into the canal from the stone walls by the lock entrance. The pad end (behind us in this photo) was popular with those learning to swim.
You might just be able to make out the remains of a barge just to the right of the lock entrance. This barge was left behind due to a damaged lock gate when the last boats were being taken down to Newport. We have a photo of the remains of this barge taken in the 1950s. See below.
Many thanks to Dafydd Powell for the information about 'the last barge' and the 'stone and pad'.
