News

A fitting final boat

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Phil Pickin

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October 24, 2023

I’M NOT about to drop the bombshell news that Electric Dragon is the last boat from Ortomarine. Far from it; the company has an order book that takes it well into 2025. No, Electric Dragon was the last shell to be built by the renowned boat builder Jim Sparks, who for many decades traded as…
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Storm Babet canal damage: counting the cost of climate change

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Web Editor

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October 23, 2023

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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Vandals deface new canalside mural

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Web Editor

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October 21, 2023

A STRIKING new large-scale art mural along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in Leeds has been defaced in a thoughtless act of vandalism – less than 24 hours before it was due to be celebrated at a public unveiling. But Canal & River Trust, who secured funding for the 25-foot artwork, is determined that the local and wider…
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Noble Marine Insurance provides support during cost of living crisis

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Web Editor

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October 21, 2023

THE cost of living crisis has swept across the UK and impacted most monthly and annual household expenses. For those living on a narrowboat, this means increases in costs such as licences, fuel, maintenance, groceries, mooring fees and insurance. As a market leader in marine insurance, Noble Marine Insurance prides itself on always putting its…
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Fishing celebration brings global communities to UK canal

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Web Editor

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October 20, 2023

On 21 October 2023, young people with ancestral connections to 39 countries will gather at Market Drayton on the Shropshire Union Canal to participate in a global angling event. Hosted by national charity Canal & River Trust, the Daiwa Global Communities Celebration brings together young people from all backgrounds. The communities represented include Bangladesh, China,…
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Chief executive resigns from IWA

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Web Editor

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October 19, 2023

PROFESSOR Sarah Niblock has resigned her position as chief executive of the Inland Waterways Association. IWA is extremely fortunate to have the interim support of some highly experienced volunteers who, along with an enthusiastic trustee team, will cover the position in the short term. National chairman Les Etheridge said: “IWA would like to thank Sarah…
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Building better access in Selly Oak Park

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Web Editor

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October 18, 2023

THE Lapal Canal Trust was recently fortunate to host 12 volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group for a week to help with restoration work on the Dudley No 2 Canal in Selly Oak Park. They took on the task of starting work on an accessibility path linking the towpath to the bridge built in 1797…
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West Country canal trust appeals for help

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Web Editor

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October 17, 2023

FRIENDS of the Grand Western Canal Trust are promoting plans to develop a wildlife and heritage corridor along the Somerset section which is mostly not in water and often overlooked. The canal once linked Tiverton with Taunton as a flourishing trading route. And following a meeting last autumn, it became clear from the enthusiastic feedback…
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Characters of the Cut: Lazydays – Colicia Summers

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Web Editor

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October 16, 2023

Alice Griffin reports… FOR actress and photographer Colicia Summers, canals and water have always been part of her life. As a teenager she performed in a narrowboat musical at Her Majesty’s Theatre, and her all-time favourite job was a 2019 feature film shot in Switzerland on Isole Di Brissago, Lake Maggiore. Not only that but…
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Good Energy volunteers boost Wilts & Berks work

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Web Editor

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October 14, 2023

THE restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal received a welcome boost after a team of Good Energy volunteers swapped deskwork for digging. Staff from the renewable energy company in Chippenham lent their support to the creation of a new woodland and wildflower meadow alongside the nearby waterway. They helped with protecting hedgerows and sowing…
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River health: Joining forces to tackle pollution

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Web Editor

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October 12, 2023

River health is more than a talking point, as Sally Clifford finds out. WHEN it comes to looking after our rivers, actions speak louder than words. “The health of our rivers is a key national conversation, and we have a lot to do to deliver investment in the areas that will make improvements to water…
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Signalling the way to new stop gate

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Mark Lancaster

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October 11, 2023

ASHBY Canal Association has celebrated the opening of the new stop gate and associated pedestrian bridge at Snarestone. The stop gate is for safety and also to give access to the association’s shop and other facilities. “The event was well attended,” said chairman Peter Oakden. “I was a bit pessimistic due to the uncertainty of…
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Canal appeal raises nearly £100,000 in first quarter

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Web Editor

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October 10, 2023

ORGANISERS of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal are delighted with generous donations from many supporters in the canal area and across the country. Of the target of £250,000, more than £95,000 has been raised already with donations online, cheques by post and cash and notes in collecting buckets, all boosted by a substantial donation…
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Swansea Canal 225th anniversary exhibition heads out on tour

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Web Editor

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October 9, 2023

A special exhibition looking back on 225 years of the Swansea Canal is going on tour throughout the Swansea Valley after a successful six-months on display at the National Waterfront Museum Swansea. The exhibition is a partnership project with Glandŵr Cymru, the Canal & River Trust in Wales, and Swansea Canal Society, which looks back…
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