News

CHARACTERS OF THE CUT: Paul Lowry, The Leather Boat

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Web Editor

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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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IWA urges ‘joined-up’ thinking in water review

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Mark Lancaster

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June 11, 2025

THE IWA has submitted a response to the Call for Evidence issued by the Independent Water Commission. The commission was launched by the UK and Welsh Governments in October 2024 and is chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England. It is tasked with carrying out the largest review…
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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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IMPROVING ACCESS for disabled canal users

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June 2, 2025

THE Accessible Waterways Association is working closely with the Canal & River Trust to expand the scope of disabled boaters’ meetings. Founder Tracey Clarke said: “The current meetings began after I had a series of consultations with the CRT to discuss the needs of all canal users – not just boaters – with accessibility issues. …
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BRIDGE REPAIRS: Complete

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May 31, 2025

THE CANAL & River Trust has completed a five-month programme of works to refurbish Royal Oak Swing Bridge, which carries Woodhouse End Road over the Macclesfield Canal in Oakgrove, Cheshire. With the repairs requiring a road closure, the bridge reopened on April 25 following the work by the UK’s largest canal charity. The increased weight…
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SEDIMENT REMOVED by floating digger

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May 30, 2025

WATERWAYS charity Canal & River Trust is carrying out dredging on the Ashby Canal in Leicestershire as part of vital works to help ensure boaters can continue to use the centuries-old waterway. The dredging will see the charity remove around 7000 tons of sediment at various locations on the canal between Sutton Cheney and Market…
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WIN chandlery vouchers worth £250

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Web Editor

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May 29, 2025

To celebrate River Canal Rescue’s 25th anniversary, managing director, Stephanie Horton, is giving away prizes every month, throughout the year. In June, Towpath Talk readers can win £250 worth of chandlery vouchers. Choose between vouchers from online marine equipment distributors, ASAP Supplies and Aquafax, or Midland Chandlers who as well as an online service, has…
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