On Thursday 19 August, as part of Worcester Festival, we opened the (lock) gates to Diglis Island and welcomed over 600 people who were eager to explore this secret island in the Severn.
This open day had been a long time coming; after more than a year of cancellations, it was our first major event since 2019, so it felt extra special to see the island buzzing with activity again. The flags were flying, the gazebos were up, and the sun even shone on us (just about!). Families, couples, friends and dogs all joined us to find out more about the history of the site, and the role it plays today in the conservation of rare fish in the river.
Welcoming visitors over the lock gates. Photography: Paul Kilgallon.
Lots has changed on the island since it last hosted visitors almost two years ago. The Victorian lock making workshop has been restored and freshened up, with banners, information panels, and a beautiful mosaic made by students from Cherry Orchard Primary School. And our Green Team volunteers have been busy improving the outside spaces, including creating a new weir viewing area.
Weir Viewing Point. Photography: Paul Kilgallon.
Selfies at the weir viewing point! Photography: Paul Kilgallon.
Our open day visitors made the most of this new viewing platform, with many saying how much they enjoyed getting a different perspective of the weir and the river. For others, favourite parts of their visit were discovering the old machinery and tools in the workshop, and learning about the plight of the twaite shad in our ‘shad-venture’ film. Another creative masterpiece by the talented Cherry Orchard pupils!
Visitors looking round Diglis Island Workshop. Photography: Paul Kilgallon.
This Open Day was a chance for us to share a sneak preview of the island before it opens for tours later this year. Unsurprisingly, the most asked question of the day was definitely ‘When can we go inside the fish pass viewing gallery?’ and we’re glad that so many people are excited to experience the underwater world of the Severn!
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Diglis Fish Pass Viewing Gallery. Photograhy: Barbara Evripidou
Thank you to all of those who came along for a look around, we’re really looking forward to sharing the next chapters in the lives of the island and the river with you.
Header: Paul Kilgallon
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