Phil Pickin

Sandford sinkings: Boaters lose homes in Thames weir incident

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Phil Pickin

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October 4, 2022

A COUPLE have been left homeless after an incident on the River Thames in which a weir was emptied, causing their boat to sink. Two other boats on residential moorings also sank after the weir gate was opened at the Sandford weir structure, causing the water level to plummet rapidly. The incident happened near the…
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Happy birthday Staffs and Worcs!

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Phil Pickin

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September 14, 2022

August bank holiday weekend saw a significant birthday being celebrated by the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Society – the 250th anniversary of the opening of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The waterway between the River Severn and Autherley opened in 1772, and to mark the event, a rally, attracting around 26 boats, was held just…
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It’s all been happening at Wappenshall…

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Phil Pickin

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July 27, 2022

Phil Pickin reveals all… IT IS reasonable to assume that, across the country, most canal restoration projects came to a standstill during the lockdowns. And that they have all, to a greater or lesser extent, suffered due to the materials shortages that came afterwards. As a result, projects have been set back, but as restrictions…
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Hot sunshine greeted the second C-Fest at Gnosall!

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Phil Pickin

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July 19, 2022

The July heatwave was underway when the boats arrived for the second canal festival to be held in the village of Gnosall on the Shroppie in Staffordshire. A mix of historic and trading boats took up position along the towpath in the picturesque location between two pubs within the village. With free parking close by,…
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The Monty’s hidden gem.

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Phil Pickin

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June 27, 2022

The Montgomery Canal is not known as a cruising hotspot, and for those who have discovered it, you get the feeling many would like to keep it that way. But as was pointed out at the recent Montgomery Canal Forum, the canal could generate a significant income for the local community if more people did…
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The Crick Boat Show – snapshot video by Phil Pickin

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Phil Pickin

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June 9, 2022

Lovely weather, great show! The Crick Boat Show – a snapshot through the lens of Phil Pickin.. #towpathtalk #crickboatshow2022
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Norbury Canal Festival bounces back

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Phil Pickin

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May 27, 2022

BRIGHT sunshine greeted visitors on the first day of this year’s Norbury Canal Festival held over the May Day bank holiday weekend. The event, held around Norbury Wharf on the Shroppie, once again featured stalls and boat traders along the towpath and around the Junction Inn. Organised by the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust, the…
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After more than 70 years, a narrowboat returns to Newport.

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Phil Pickin

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May 23, 2022

A narrowboat has returned to the Shropshire town of Newport for the first time in over 70 years, with the arrival of a 42 foot cruiser now moored in the town’s basin. The boat, owned and refurbished by David Ray, MD of Norbury Wharf Ltd, was transported from Norbury by a low loader before being…
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Lock gates return to Newport

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Phil Pickin

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May 10, 2022

AFTER two years of planning, lock gates have finally been returned to Town Lock on what remains of the Newport canal in Shropshire, thanks to the hard work of the Shrewsbury and Newport Canal Trust. The section of the Newport canal, just off Water Lane, was reduced to a near trickle of water when the…
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Heritage fly-boat’s new home at Ellesmere Yard

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Phil Pickin

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April 20, 2022

DESPITE winter being a quiet time of the year on the canals, it would seem a lot has been going on at the Canal & River Trust’s Ellesmere Yard. Arguably the most significant news will be the arrival of Saturn, the heritage fly-boat and her companion craft Sweden in north Shropshire. The Canal & River…
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How committed is Canal & River Trust to a greener future?

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Phil Pickin

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March 26, 2022

Phil Pickin questions whether the charity has fully embraced the need to address ‘all things climate change’. OVER the past few years, we’ve all grown more accustomed to reports of the growing need to combat climate change, something that crosses all walks of life. Many organisations have pledged to do more and to change the…
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Covid-19: An update from the Canal & River Trust

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Phil Pickin

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March 23, 2020

Following their message from last week, the Canal & River Trust’s response to this unprecedented Covid-19 crisis continues to evolve. They said: “Our priority is to support the national effort to keep people safe and fighting the pandemic, strictly following the Government’s advice. “Our 2,000-mile network of canals, towpaths, and river navigations remain open, but…
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