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  • Closing the Shropshire Gap on the Montgomery Canal

    Closing the Shropshire Gap on the Montgomery Canal

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    THE Shropshire Gap has become the colloquial term for the unrestored section of the Montgomery Canal between Crickheath Basin to Llanymynech, on the Welsh border. But the gap is steadily diminishing as work continues at Crickheath South and Schoolhouse Bridge. This work has been helped in no small part by public donations and volunteers from…

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  • Haven Knox-Johnston launch their next series of “From the Helm” webinars

    Haven Knox-Johnston launch their next series of “From the Helm” webinars

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    The Haven Knox-Johnston crew have announced their new series of ‘From the Helm’ webinars, designed to keep all the grounded mariners company throughout the long winter months and beyond. From the comfort of the main saloon, you can tune in to expert advice about the latest maritime matters or embark on extraordinary boating adventures, all while discovering…

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  • The Boat Safety Scheme Advisory Committee (BSSAC) is seeking a new Chair

    The Boat Safety Scheme Advisory Committee (BSSAC) is seeking a new Chair

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    The Boat Safety Scheme Advisory Committee (BSSAC) seeks a constructive, dynamic, and well-organized individual as its new Chair. We are seeking boat users or members of the marine trade who likely have some experience working in committee processes and are interested in helping to keep people and property safe. The BSSAC has a critical role…

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  • Fund Britain’s Waterways message to be delivered to Westminster at 14:11 on 14/11

    Fund Britain’s Waterways message to be delivered to Westminster at 14:11 on 14/11

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    The need to Fund Britain’s Waterways will be heard from the River Thames on 14/11 at 1411 hours as boats gather off the Palace of Westminster to show their concerns.  A flotilla of around 20 boats dressed with Fund Britain’s Waterways banners, including privately owned narrowboats and commercial working boats, will pass under Westminster Bridge after travelling upstream…

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  • Explore the wonders of the night sky from one of the wonders of the region’s waterways

    Explore the wonders of the night sky from one of the wonders of the region’s waterways

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    PEOPLE IN LEICESTERSHIRE INVITED TO EXPLORE THE WONDERS OF THE NIGHT SKY FROM ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE REGION’S WATERWAYS The Canal & River Trust and the National Space Centre are inviting people to a special night of stargazing at Foxton Locks as part of a programme of events taking place at the historic…

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  • Tenders sought for fishery management

    Tenders sought for fishery management

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    MANAGEMENT of Harthill Reservoir near Sheffield has been put out to tender by the Canal & River Trust with a deadline of 12 p.m. on Monday, December 4. The upper reservoir is mainly used for specimen carp fishing but also has some specimen tench, bream, pike and roach. The main reservoir is currently undergoing engineering…

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  • Duck collector is not quackers

    Duck collector is not quackers

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    Words & photos: Les Heath WHEN Pete Gammond and his late partner Jeanette began collecting rubber ducks for their narrowboat Andromeda, her justification for their unusual hobby was: “The important thing is it makes people smile.” That was around 18 years ago and although Jeanette died three years ago Pete has ensured her legacy lives…

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  • New community barge gets royal sail of approval

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    WALKERS on the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal towpath were astonished recently to see HRH, The Princess Royal, steering a 57ft-long barge into Sheffield city centre. Princess Anne had flown in by helicopter to view the work of the Ethel Trust, an award-winning charity, providing day and residential waterways experiences for disadvantaged groups in South Yorkshire.…

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  • Canal boss volunteers for a day!

    Canal boss volunteers for a day!

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    CHIEF executive of the Canal & River Trust Richard Parry swapped his day job for volunteering when he joined the crew of Chesterfield Canal Trust work boat Python. The 94-year-old ex-British Waterways narrowboat is used for clean-ups along the canal, partially sponsored by CRT. It is crewed by volunteers and is usually out working for…

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  • A Spooktacular success at Mercia Marina 

    A Spooktacular success at Mercia Marina 

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    Spirits of the spooky kind were present at Mercia Marina for a weekend of witchcraft as many visitors headed to the Derbyshire destination marina to see Halloween displays and enter a ghoulish Halloween costume competition.  Performers dressed as Wednesday Adams, Jack Skellington, Harry Potter, Zombie Bell, and Deadpool hit the Boardwalk to shop and scare.…

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  • Nominations invited to join Canal & River Trust’s Council of Members

    Nominations invited to join Canal & River Trust’s Council of Members

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    The Canal & River Trust charity is inviting people to put themselves forward for election to sit on its Council. Those elected will serve a term of four years on the Council, which is responsible for the appointment of the charity’s trustees, provides guidance and perspective from different stakeholders, and acts as a sounding board…

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  • First aid for all the family

    First aid for all the family

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    WHETHER you’re taking a boating holiday with the family or just a day out with the kids, it’s always handy to have a first aid kit in your bag for those little mishaps. Dragon’s Den viewers may remember Mini First Aid securing an investment from Sara Davies. The brand is best known for delivering award-winning…

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  • Clearwater Boats trial new all-electric Wilderness Beaver on River Trent

    Clearwater Boats trial new all-electric Wilderness Beaver on River Trent

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    I MET Laurie Lavender of Clearwater Boats at Farndon Marina where he was trialling the all-electric, 23ft long Wilderness Beaver, writes Alison Alderton.  Now fabricated in Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire, the latest Beaver is assembled from three constituent parts: the roof, body and modified hull, now increased to 10mm thick glass fibre, to cope with the ‘rough…

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  • Storm Babet canal damage: counting the cost of climate change

    Storm Babet canal damage: counting the cost of climate change

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    The Canal & River Trust, the national canal charity, is working across its 2,000 miles of historic canals and navigable rivers to respond to the damage left by Storm Babet. Hundreds of trees have been blown down, and the canal network has suffered structural damage, including towpaths washed away, a landslide on the Worcester &…

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