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TRADE SHOW promises to be electric!

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June 19, 2025

Electrika 2025, the second ever gathering of narrowboat owners, industry experts and manufacturers, is shining the spotlight on sustainable boating. Lucy Wood reports… With more and more electric narrow boats on the canal network and increasing interest in sustainable boating, Electrika aims to encourage and support the wider adoption of electric propulsion on the UK…
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MISSING in action

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June 18, 2025

Jonathan Mosse’s monthly look at freight development on the inland waterways… EQUATING the green shoots of spring with by far and away the greenest form of transport on the planet often appears to be something of a challenge to the minds of our politicians and general policy makers. This might partially be explained by an…
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ANCHORS AWEIGH for Campbell Wharf

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June 17, 2025

Alice Elgie reports… STEPPING into Campbell Wharf Marina in the heart of the city of Milton Keynes, it’s easy to see why it recently received a Five Gold Anchor Accreditation from the Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA). The idyllic setting offers moorers not only all the modern conveniences they could wish for, but also a front…
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VOLUNTEERS revive Cotswold Canals

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June 16, 2025

TUCKED between the River Thames and the River Severn lies one of the most ambitious and inspiring heritage projects in England – the full restoration of the Cotswold Canals. At the heart of this effort is the Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT), a passionate, volunteer-driven charity working tirelessly to breathe life back into 36 miles of…
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DREDGING the Barrow

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June 14, 2025

KILDARE County Council has granted planning permission for Waterways Ireland (WI) to carry out a series of restoration and maintenance works including dredging on the River Barrow Navigation. Alison Alderton reports… The permission comes off the back of an extensive planning process which is believed to have taken more than a year to be accepted…
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CHARACTERS OF THE CUT: Paul Lowry, The Leather Boat

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June 13, 2025

PAUL Lowry has always enjoyed messing about on boats so when he decided to leave his career in print and graphic design to develop his burgeoning leatherwork business, the freedom of living and working from a narrowboat became an obvious choice. Alice Elgie caught up with Paul… Paul explained: “Print was becoming digitised, I could…
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ENJOY the spectacle of the Ware Boat Festival

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June 12, 2025

Ware’s summer boat festival takes place this year from July 4-6. Join IWA Lee & Stort Branch at the beautiful and historic market town on the upper reaches of the River Lee as a colourful cavalcade of boats wends its way through the middle of the town, overlooked by the unique and iconic Victorian gazebos.…
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GUIDED WALKS unveil hidden treasures

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June 10, 2025

THE Friends of Bradford’s Becks group has launched a collection of 22 guided walks between now and September. Lucy Wood reports… The 10 routes take in the city itself and the countryside around Bradford. Participation is free, but places must be booked in advance. The group is formed of Bradford-based residents and interested ecologists who…
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SCIENCE SURVEY reveals state of rivers

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June 9, 2025

Lucy Wood reports… The results of this spring’s week-long Big River Watch will create the current picture of river health. ORGANISED by The Rivers Trust twice a year, the most recent week-long watch between April 25 and May 1 saw 3900 members of the public download a special app, visit their local river, and spend…
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SUPERMARKET supports canal efforts

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June 7, 2025

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has donated £1500 to the Shropshire Union Canal Society for its work on the Ellesmere Canal. The society topped the poll in the Ellesmere Tesco Stronger Starts Scheme for its Enhancing Ellesmere’s Canal project. The money will be used to buy tools and other equipment for the work, and to train three…
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£382K LOCKS BOOST for Canal

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June 6, 2025

WINTER repairs to the Kennet & Avon Canal have been completed with £382,000 being spent on locks at Caen Hill Lock Flight in Devizes. The 87-mile canal, which links London with the Bristol Channel, is more than two centuries old and requires year-round maintenance work by the charity. Larger-scale repairs take place between November and…
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CROMFORD CANAL PATH: Completed

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June 5, 2025

NEW steps along the Cromford Canal have completed a circular route at the Forge site. A mixed group from the Friends of Cromford Canal (FCC) and Friends of the Forge worked over two visits to establish a good, sound footpath and a location where the steps would be sited. A small group of FCC volunteers…
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PERCH HERE TRAIL RETURNS: Celebrating Sutton Bridge with Art, History and Riverside Charm

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June 4, 2025

A ONE-OFF outdoor trail inspired by its local community is once again taking centre stage as a visitor attraction this summer. Lucy Wood reports: The Perch Here project in Sutton Bridge and Wingland celebrates the unique characteristics of the area known as the gateway to Lincolnshire. Quirky seats and bespoke artwork along the riverbank act as…
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RIVER RODING REVIVED: Woody Deflectors Clear the Way for Wildlife

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June 3, 2025

Lucy Wood reports… WOODY flow deflectors have been installed in the River Roding, Essex, to add habitat diversity and direct the water’s power to sweep away excess sediment. The project was managed by the Wild Trout Trust. “Just one day later, the gravels downstream of the deflectors were noticeably cleaner than the upstream ones,” it…
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