A HISTORIC dock in the area was transported back to Victorian times as part of a 150th anniversary celebration.

The event last Saturday celebrated the opening of the Sharpness New Dock - which officially opened back in 1874.

Volunteers have hosted various Sharpness 150 events throughout this year - with Saturday’s event being the last for 2024. 

The afternoon at Sharpness Sports and Social Club included talks, rare photos and artefacts on display.

Several people were also dressed as Victorians donning bowler hats and bonnets.

In attendance was the area’s MP Dr Simon Opher who had a go at oiling a Waller steam engine.

Also on display was a clipping from the Gazette reporting the opening of the Docks Sports and Social Club back in 1978.

Organiser Bryan Whitfield said: “Although this year's programme has finished, the Sharpness 150 concept will continue next year, to grow its legacy and encourage the people of Sharpness to bring their own ideas of how the community's past, present and future should be celebrated.”

All pictures by Simon Pizzey - for more see our photo gallery. 

John Grange (front) Director of Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club with Sharpness 150 Committee Members and friends

Howard Parker and Judith Levy at the Sharpness Docks 150 celebrationCarole Mills member of the Sharpness 150 team with her docker father's bill hook that he used at Sharpness docks between 1947 and 1985Martyn Smith part of the Waller steam engine support team shows Stroud MP Dr Simon Opher where to oil the engineHistorian Andrew Perrin for the Vale of Berkeley railway with a photograph dating from 1908 showing the Sharpness dock policeman, dock master and dock managers