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February 2012

February 21
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust – Restoration of Paddle Steamer Medway Queen, a presentation by Mike Bathurst. Held at 7.30pm, The Grange Free Church, Southcote.

 

February 22

IWA Chiltern – talk Haunted Canals with Allan Scott-Davies. Held at 8pm, Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club. Contact 01494 725161.

 

February 23
IWA Chester & District – waterway walk. 10.15am start at The Grosvenor Arms, 32 Handbridge, Chester. Heading upstream alongside the River Dee on Marches Way, before following the Chester Approach to return to the starting point. Four miles in total. Break for ‘bring your own refreshments’.

February 25

Big Waterways Clean-up: Channelsea River, part of Bow Back Rivers in east London. Tasks will include vegetation management. Meet on the Greenway, near the new Abbey Road DLR station. 10.30am-1pm. Contact ben.fenton@thames21.org.uk

February 26

Canal open day: Iron Trunk Aqueduct, Cosgrove, Northants. Get a free behind-the-scenes tour of the restoration work also talks, guided circular walks and boat trips. 11am-3pm. Booking required for talks and guided walks. http://www.waterscape.com/features-and-articles/features/canal-open-days-201112/iron-trunk-aqueduct-26-february

February 27

IWA Milton Keynes – AGM plus MK Confidential – Episodes from the History of the Milton Keynes Branch by Les Franklin, Richard Bird Medal winner. Held at 7.45pm, The Pavilion Sports Club.

February 28

Friends of the Gloucester Waterways Museum – talk, Sharpness Docks – Past and Present by Dr Ray Wilson. Gloucester's only remaining working port with a fascinating history as told by Dr Ray Wilson. Begins with the origins and construction of the docks, looks at the vessels and their cargoes and the buildings of the docks and the social history of the area. Held at 7.30pm, Llanthony Warehouse, Gloucester. Contact 01452 526202.

 

February 29
Kennet & Avon Canal Trust – talk, The Canal du Midi with Ron and Myra Glover. Held at 7.45pm, Stone Building, Newbury Wharf.

March 1

Southampton Canal Society: talk on Ellesmere Port and Liverpool 2011 by Peter Oates and Laura Sturrock. Pictures of the 2011 Easter gathering at the Ellesmere Port Museum, the crossing of the Mersey and a journey along the new Liverpool Link. Chilworth Parish Hall, Chilworth, Southampton, SO16 7JZ. 7.45pm. Contact Angela Rose 02380 675312, info@apas-engineering.com

 

Birmingham Canal Navigations Society: talk on bridge chapels by Ken Turner. Titford Pumphouse B69 4NL. 7.30pm. Contact Geoff Peckman 0121 559 7486 

 

March 3

Big Waterways Clean Up: floating litter pick using canoes and kayaks on the Lea Navigation. The Leaside Trust, Spring Lane, Clapton, London E5 9HQ. 10.30am-1.30pm. Instruction is provided but spaces are limited so booking in advance is essential. A bank team is also needed so you don't have to have a canoe or kayak. Contact Ben Fenton 07920 230970, ben.fenton@thames21.org.uk

 

IWA Ipswich: annual lunch. Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market. 12pm for 12.30pm. Pre-booking is essential with Chard Wadley chairman.ipswichbranch@waterways.org.uk

 

March 4

Michele Field: solo art exhibition featuring a large display of waterway paintings and modern floral art until March 30. Churchill Hospital, South, Street Corridor, Headington, Oxford. 9am to 7pm. Contact 01865 371188

 

March 7

Big Waterways Clean Up: free narrowboat trip on the Lea Navigation. Thames21 Office, Gillender Street, Bromley by Bow E3 3JY. 10am-1pm. Spaces are limited so booking in advance is essential. Contact Ben Fenton 07920 230970, ben.fenton@thames21.org.uk

 

March 9

IWA Stoke-on-Trent: annual meeting followed by illustrated update on local waterway projects, including Burslem Port in Stoke-on-Trent and on the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canal in the Churnet Valley. Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9DT. 7.45pm for 8pm. Contact Alison Smedley 07779 090915

 

IWA West Riding: annual meeting. South Pennine Boat Club, Wood Lane, Mirfield WF14 0ED. 8pm. Contact Katy or Alastair Sayles 0113 393 4517, kandal@btinternet.com

 

March 10

Crofton Beam Engines: venue and café reopen. Crofton Beam Engines, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 3DW. 10.30am to 5pm. Adult £4.50, steaming season ticket £8, under-16s free. Contact Jo, Di or Roger Edwards 01672 870300

 

March 10/11

Day Star Theatre: canal painting spring 2012 workshops – learn to paint the traditional folk art of the canals. Day Star Theatre, The Old Stables, Bottom Lock, Audlem, Cheshire CW3 0HA. 10am-4pm each day. £75 including lunch. Contact 01270 811330, jane@day-star-theatre.co.uk

 

March 11

Deep Clean East: Thames foreshore clean-up. Newcastle Drawdock, Glenaffric Avenue, Isle of Dogs, London E14 3BW. 9am-11.30am. Close to Island gardens DLR. Contact Ben Fenton 07920 230970, ben.fenton@thames21.org.uk

 

Audlem Mill: fifth annual exhibition of original canal art and photographs including at least 15 artists and more than 150 pictures. Audlem Mill, The Wharf, Audlem, Cheshire CW3 0DX. Continues until April 8. Contact 01270 811059/07006 022604

 

March 13

Deep Clean East: Thames foreshore clean-up. Poplar Rowing Club, The Boat House, Ferry Street, Cubitt Town, Isle of Dogs, London E14 3BW. 9am to 11.30am. Close to Island gardens DLR. Contact Ben Fenton 07920 230970, ben.fenton@thames21.org.uk

 

IWA Chester & District: talk on 'how the IWA saved the route to the canal port and what happened next' by Norman Stainthorp, former conservation officer at Ellesmere Port Council and Boat Museum guide. Top floor of the Tom Rolt Conference Centre, the Boat Museum, Ellesmere Port. 7.45pm. 

 

IWA Middlesex: annual meeting followed by talk. Hillingdon Canal Club, Waterloo Road, Uxbridge. 8pm. Contact 01753 651975

 

March 14

IWA South London: annual meeting followed by presentation by London region chairman Paul Strudwick. The Primary Room, The United Reformed Church Hall, Addiscombe Grove, Croydon CR0 5LP. 7.30am for 8pm. Contact Alan Smith 0208 255 1581/07774 890750

 

IWA Warwickshire: annual meeting follow by talk on The Daventry Canal by David Colins. The Sports Connexion Leisure Centre, Ryton-on-Dunsmore CV8 3FL. 7.30pm. Contact Richard Sanders 01926 403179

 

Chesterfield Canal Trust: production of Cuckoo – Tales of the Chesterfield Canal. Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield. 7.30pm. Runs until March 17. Adult £11, concessions £8.50, children £7.50. Book in person at the box office or contact 01246 345222

 

March 15

Somersetshire Coal Canal Society: talk on the Kennet and Avon Canal Archives by Elaine Kirby. The Radstock Working Men's Club, Radstock BA3 3EP. 7.30pm. Contact Patrick Moss 07736 859882, lazydaysafloat@yahoo.co.uk

 

March 16

IWA East Yorkshire: annual meeting with presentation by Roger Yorke from the Residential Boat Owners Association. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham, East Yorkshire HU16 4BD. 8pm-10pm. £2 including refreshments. Contact 01482 845099, roger@roger.karoo.co.uk

 

March 17

Big Waterways Clean Up: help remove invasive pennywort weed. Lee Valley Ice Centre, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton E10 7QL. 10.30am-1.30pm. Contact Vicky D'Souza 07827 852599, vicky.dsouza@thames21.org.uk

 

Century Theatre: performance of Where the Working Boats Went by folk duo Life and Times – the show traces the 250 years of the development and demise of British canals through song, story and images. Century Theatre, Snibston, Coalville. Doors open 7pm, show begins 7.30pm. £5 advance, £7 door. Fully licensed bar. Contact 01530 278444.

 

March 17/18

National Waterways Museum: two-day course on how to make traditional fenders for canal boats – students can make a pair of side fenders, a short button, a deck matt and have a go at splicing mooring lines. National Waterways Museum, South Pier Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 4FW. Costs £65. Contact 0151 355 5017

 

March 18

Somersetshire Coal Canal Society: walk at Sapperton Tunnel. Meet Tunnel House Inn, near Coates, Gloucestershire GL7 6PW. 10am. Do not use pub car park unless you are a patron. Contact Richard Hignett 01793 855631

 

IWA Warwickshire: exploring the lost loops near Wolfhamptcote Church. Meet in the lay-by on the A45, west of Braunston. 10.30am. Contact 01926 422764

 

March 19

IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcester: annual meeting. Ashwood Marina Social Club, Ashwood, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0AQ. 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Contact Chris Osborn 01299 832593, jcosborn@btinternet.com

 

March 20

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust: Reading branch annual meeting. The Grange Free Church Hall, Circuit Lane, Southcote, Reading RG30 3HD. 7.30pm for 7.45pm. Contact John or Pam Swift 0118 941 5549, swift.john21@gmail.com

 

Big Waterways Clean Up: tidying up the Lea Navigation around Three Mills. Thames21 Office, Gillender Street, Bromley by Bow E3 3JY. 10.30am-1pm. Contact Simon Reddecliffe 07553 713400, simon.reddecliffe@thames21.org.uk 

 

March 21

Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society: talk on the Hereford and Gloucester Canal by Dick Skeets. Parish Pavilion, Recreation Ground, Station Road, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AZ. 8pm. Contact David Millett 01252 617364, d.millett7@ntlworld.com

 

Driotwich Waterways Trust: talk by Jack Hegarty, chairman of South Wales & Severn Waterways Partnership. Rotary House, Corbett Avenue, Droitwich Spa. 7.30pm. Patrons £2, visitors £4. Contact Margaret Rowley 01905 345307

 

March 22

IWA Chester & District: three-mile waterway walk starting and finishing at The Tunnel Top pub, Northwich Road, Dutton WA4 4JY. 10.15am. Bring your own refreshments. 

 

March 24

St Pancras Cruising Club: daffodil cruise. Vincent Terrace, Islington. Lunchtime/afternoon. Moorings on the other side to the BW moorings. Lunch upstairs at the Island Queen in Noel Road. Contact 0207 278 2805

 

March 26

IWA Milton Keynes: talk on 'so you think that you want to own a narrowboat' with Ian Fletcher, David Darvill and James Griffin. The Pavilion Community Sports Club, Worrelle Avenue, Middleton, Milton Keynes Village MK10 9AD. 7.45pm. Contact 01494 783453

 

March 27

Big Waterways Clean Up: Cody Dock reed bed revival – planting reed plugs and managing the existing reed bed. Meet on the riverside path next to Prologis Park, Bromley by Bow E14 0LP. 10.30am-1pm. Contact Aimee Felus 07554 402727, aimee.felus@thames21.org.uk

 

Friends of Gloucester Waterways Museum: talk on Gloucester & Sharpness Canal From Above by Richard Kelsey – a pictorial look at Gloucestershire canals with high quality photography from the ground and the air. Coots Conference Suite, Llanthony Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester. 7.30pm. Contact Chris Witts 01452 526202, 07788 953777

 

March 28

IWA Chiltern: annual meeting followed by social evening and ploughman's supper. Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club, Ash Grove, Weedon Lane, Amersham HP6 5QU. 8pm. Contact 01494 725161

 

March 30

Old Union Canals Society: talk on the restoration of the Stratford Canal 1963-64 by Robert Martin. Great Bowden Village Hall, Great Bowden, Market Harborough. 7.30pm. Admission £2. Contact Keith Howlett 01536 711919

 

As always please check with organisers on the details of the event before setting out on your journey.

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