Cornard Lock has been built on land which was donated by Edward Baker Ltd., on the site of the original lock of
1705. It reconnects by water the town of Sudbury in Suffolk, with the village of Great Henny, Essex.
It is the first lock on the River Stour in 200 years of its history as a statutory Navigation.
The lock has been constructed entirely of reinforced concrete, with brick facing, whilst gates and balance beams are of steel, with conventional paddle gearing. An improved design was thought more appropriate at Cornard than the one at Dedham and Flatford, which was restored by the Trust. Nevertheless, a link with the past has been maintained by the provision of the crossbeams, or lintels over each pair of gates, in keeping its traditional appearance of locks on this river.
The chamber is 50 feet long by 14 feet wide, this will enable traditional-sized Stour craft to pass through.
The total cost of the project was £335,000, half of which was provided by the
Millennium Commission from National Lottery Funds. The remainder was raised by the Trust, although the withdrawal of the Babergh District Council grant of £10,000, resulted in a shortfall of funds which is
currently being bridged via loans.
Three hundred guests enjoyed lunch provided by Le Talbooth Restaurant in a silk-lined marquee on the lock island and the after-lunch speeches from our Chairman and Mr. David Neill, a Director of May Gurney, was followed by a presentation from
Councillor Mrs. J. Lyons of Essex County Council, of their cheque for £750.
