The new Oakham Canal Audio Walk will be launched to at Rutland County Museum this week.

Produced by community theatre company Excavate in collaboration with Arts for Rutland and with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Audio Walk explores the life of Oakham Canal.

The project looks at the people who have lived and breathed the canal from the very first blueprints to today, bringing to life the buildings and history of the town of Oakham at the same time.

Do you know why the old Gaol closed? Where was the original canal basin? Who funded the project and how did they get caught up in 'canal mania'? Why did the canal go into decline, and what did its backers think?

 This project explores these questions and much more.

Volunteers take care of the paths, greenery and add new structures to make the path more accessible. Image credit: Nub News.

Dozens of individual stories, including those of the original engineers and investors, have been recorded by a variety of performers and storytellers to a musical soundtrack, creating a unique public resource that anyone walking the Oakham Canal can download for free and listen to as they walk past the landmarks featured in the stories. 

The team shared the news, adding: "We are very proud to announce the launch of the new Oakham Canal Audio Walk, a beautiful journey detailing the history of Oakham Canal through personal stories, memories and extensive research."

In celebration, the Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project team are holding a launch event at Rutland Museum on Thursday 16 May, from 5.30pm-6.30pm. 

The event will featuring a variety of live readings, as well as some of the fascinating historical documents behind the building of the canal that are not normally on public display.

MP Alicia Kearns will be officially launching the Audio Walk on the night – although if you'd like a sneak peek you can visit the Oakham Canal Project website or search Oakham Canal on Spotify to listen right now.  

The team concluded: "Refreshments will be provided on the evening, and we would love for you to join us."

The canal has been enhanced by hard working volunteers. Image credit: Nub News.

Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project is a registered charity working to enhance and improve the old Oakham Canal in Rutland.

Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project aims to create a linear heritage, environment and leisure facility to the north of Oakham, based around the former Oakham Canal.

Work on the project has made good progress, but work continues, with thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers.

​The Green Corridor will start at the Springfield Estate in the south and end close to the Oakham Enterprise Park. Ultimately it may be possible to extend the corridor further north towards Rocks by Rail.