East Farleigh Lock Gate

This is one of the locks on the River Medway Navigation near Maidstone; originally installed in the late 1790s, it was most recently refurbished and re-opened in 2017. The opening coincided with the annual Court of Survey Cruise along the river.

The practice dates back to 1559, when Queen Elizabeth I granted the town, then a tidal fishing port, the right to inspect the waterway. In 1619 King James I extended these privileges to cover the keeping of swans and cygnets, meaning Maidstone is the only borough in England where the swans belong to the mayor rather than the monarch. The practice, called swan upping, was revived in 1975. (Thanks to Wikipedia for the detail).

[Fisher Family]

Great picture with some lovely reflections. Interesting information about the survey cruise and its history.
Katharine

[Shanne]

beautiful reflections and capture

[Anne]

A well-guarded lock Peter! Great reflections too

[Lynda McG]

Nice reflections

[haskar]

A great water building. Lovely reflections.

[Louise]

I did not realise swans belonged to anyone! Interesting information.

[Ann Williams]

And the lock is full to catch those lovely sky reflections. Great capture. I have a soft spot for all things waterways having worked for British Waterways in my 20s.

[Rob Z]

Such a strong image and so good at illustrating the lock.

[Rob Z]

Fascinating info too - especially re the "swan upping" term.

[FBailey]

Goodness me - have never heard of swan upping

[Babs]

Great shot and history. I love the reflections on the water.

My ggg grandfather was a lock keeper in Yorkshire.

[amyK]

Interesting shot and information

[Joan Robillard]

I love dams and locks!

[Jacqueline]

Great reflections!

[Fr1da]

Very interesting patterns and reflections too.