News

Kennet & Avon Canal Fish Rescue The Canal & River Trust’s project to replace the pumping system at Crofton, which ensures the charity can keep the summit of the Kennet & Avon Canal topped-up with water for boats, will be completed this winter.  The works, started in September and will continue through to March 2023.  …

The results so far A trial steaming using Homefire Ecoal (partially made from coal with a proportion of ground olive stones) was held on 5 July 2022, having warmed the boiler through the previous day. The team of Crofton volunteers started their first test on the 120 year old Lancashire boiler. No one was really …

Restricted Steaming this Weekend Due to ongoing problems with the available water situation for the Kennet and Avon Canal there will be restricted steaming on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 July 2022.  The last available tickets will be for 14.45. Advance booking is recommended. A New Member for the Crofton Team Please welcome our new Learning and …

Ecoal Trial Steaming – First Report A trial steaming using Homefire Ecoal (partially made from coal with a proportion of ground olive stones) was held on 5 July 2022, having warmed the boiler through the previous day.  From a slow start from light up the boiler managers developed a different firing method and were then …

Looking forward to summer weekends at Crofton Summer Steamings There’s no better place to be on a sunny day than beside the Kennet and Avon Canal, with the sights and sounds of steam. (Although we do admit to being slightly biased!)  We are delighted to announce our dates for steaming days in July, August and September …

Full steam ahead for the Summer! We are open on Saturdays and Sundays and will be in steam on 25 and 26 June 2022, with further steaming dates to be confirmed in July, August and September. Advance booking for steaming days is recommended. We look forward to seeing you there! For all the information you …

Crofton’s boiler will steam for the 2022 season Storm Eunice tried to delay us, but the damage she caused to the Engine House roof has been repaired.  The scaffolding has been removed, and the site is ready to bask in the photogenic Easter sunshine.   Our volunteers have been working hard to prepare for opening, both …

Part-time Learning and Community Engagement Officer We are looking for a person with a passion for connecting people – in particular young people and families – with heritage. 15 hours/week, £10,000 pa; 2 year contract with possibility of renewal You will work with the General Manager, Assistant Site Manager and volunteers at Crofton to help …

Crofton Beam Engines Need Your Help Crofton Beam Engines need your help. If we are to steam again in 2022, we need to carry out work on the boiler. It will cost around £30,000. Once this is completed, we would not expect any further major work for around ten years. So please help us raise …

Twelve Days of Crofton We joined in with the Museums in Wiltshire #12DaysOfMuseumObjects (and people!) leading up to the end of December 2021. Great fun, and quite a challenge matching up the numbers. It doesn’t scan very well, except for ‘Five Square Head-ed Bolts.” Will try harder next year! We wish a Happy Healthy New …

Crofton 2021 Highlights Despite the problems caused by covid. Crofton Beam Engines was still able to open to the public during 2021. Enjoy some of the highlights from this past year. That helped bring Crofton back into steam once more after a break of over two years.

Thank you to all our visitors at the first Winter Works Open day this year (27 November) for making the journey to see behind the scenes at Crofton despite the atrocious weather. Thank you also for your very kind donations to help keep Crofton steaming into the future. Information on how we are following Government …