News

Canal & River Trust issues final fundraising push as Brent Reservoir’s waters recede

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December 14, 2023

The Canal & River Trust is asking the public for one last push to help crowdfund a once-in-a-generation opportunity to clean up the drained Brent (Welsh Harp) Reservoir. The £15,000 appeal is now less than £700 away from reaching its target, as the programme of winter maintenance work presents the Trust and its partners with…
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National Trailboat Festival to return after five-year break

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December 13, 2023

THE Inland Waterways Association has announced that next year’s IWA National Trailboat Festival is to be held at Moira on the Ashby Canal. It will be hosted and organised by the Ashby Canal Trust over the weekend of May 18-19, and will be hosted and organised by Ashby Canal Trust. The event is the largest…
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IWA and Towpath Talk Launch the ‘IWA/Towpath Talk Sustainable Boating Award’

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December 12, 2023

Have a read of this IWA announcement, below! IWA is pleased to announce the launch of an IWA/Towpath Talk Sustainable Boating Award, which will recognise the individuals, organisations, or businesses making the most valuable contribution to sustainable boating during the previous calendar year. There will be two categories, one for individuals or groups representing charitable or…
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Boat stripped out for hull inspection

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December 11, 2023

TRIPBOAT Birdswood, operated by the Friends of Cromford Canal, was recently lifted out for the biennial hull inspection by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, writes John Guyler. It involved craning the boat out of the mooring position beside the Arkwright cafe and placing it on to boat stands, kindly loaned by Langley Mill Boat Yard…
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Mersey on the work beat at Wigan

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Colin Wareing

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December 8, 2023

VOLUNTEERS have been operating from the workboat Mersey clearing vegetation from the canal wash walls in Wigan, Greater Manchester, writes Colin Wareing. The boat is a nearly new addition to the Canal & River Trust’s fleet and was built by Aqueduct Marina. It was collected by CRT volunteers in early October from the marina on…
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Take A Friend Fishing – Twelve days of opportunity for festive angling success.

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December 8, 2023

A new experience for your winter holidays To access the Take a Friend Fishing initiative this winter between Friday 22nd December and Tuesday 2nd January (inclusive), existing fishing licence holders can register for a FREE one-day fishing licence from the Environment Agency at www.takeafriendfishing.co.uk and take someone they know fishing. Get Involved with Angling This…
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Southampton International Boat Show 2024 announces Christmas ticket offer!

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December 7, 2023

Get your tickets today because once they’re gone, they’re gone! Plus, find out how you can win two tickets for the Quayside Club! This festive season, gift yourself or your loved ones a truly unique experience with our Christmas ticket offer for the 2024 Southampton International Boat Show. We have just 500 general admission tickets…
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First lift bridges opened on Surrey canal

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December 6, 2023

A MAJOR restoration achievement was celebrated when the Wey & Arun Canal Trust officially opened its first two lift bridges in Birtley, near Bramley in Surrey. This completes the restoration of a 700m section of canal and construction of two lift bridges which means that the causeways that blocked its route have been removed. The…
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Past volunteers recognised with honours board

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December 5, 2023

AN honours board recognising the work of canal volunteers was unveiled at the recent Stourbridge Open Weekend. Handcrafted from scratch and lettered by local artist Meg Gregory, it will take pride of place on public display in the town’s Bonded Warehouse. The board was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Dudley, Coun Andrea Goddard, and…
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The canal that never was!

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December 4, 2023

THE Grand Contour Canal project was an ambitious endeavour, both in name and scale, as it would have dwarfed the current HS2 project – whichever bit is going ahead – but it may have achieved more. It aimed to build a 100ft wide, 17ft deep canal with 25ft headroom down the spine of England to…
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Week-long freeze ahead! Canal charity reminds people of towpath safety

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December 1, 2023

With forecasts of a week-long freeze for the North of England and seasonal festivities beginning for many, the UK’s largest waterways charity, Canal & River Trust, reminds people of ways to keep safe along its 2,000-mile network of canals and rivers this winter. The nation’s waterways are beautiful places to spend time, especially when it’s…
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Boats to use stretch of Monty for first time in 90 years

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December 1, 2023

THE Canal & River Trust in Wales (Glandŵr Cymru) has started the second phase of dredging on the 200-year-old Montgomery Canal. Restoration of the canal has included decades of work by volunteers and partners. Now, more than four miles of the canal between Llanymynech and Maerdy is being restored thanks to Glandŵr Cymru’s successful Levelling…
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Traditional skills revive tramway wharf

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December 1, 2023

IN A world stuffed with technology it’s great to see that traditional skills and methods are still being used to great effect. This is true at Grinshill Stone Quarry where masons are dressing large coping IN A world stuffed with technology it’s great to see that traditional skills and methods are still being used to…
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Vandals deface newly painted artwork

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November 30, 2023

Within hours of its completion a beautiful canalside mural – designed to promote well-being – was defaced. Sally Clifford finds out more. WHEN the canalside mural he’d painstakingly spent a week creating was defaced, Jaydon Rowbottom decided to write those who’d done it a letter. Unconventionally, he didn’t put pen to paper; his medium was…
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