News

IWA branch to join key River Dee committee

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October 7, 2023

THE Inland Waterways Association (IWA), Chester & Merseyside Branch, has been invited to take a seat on the Dee Estuary Consultative Committee by the Environment Agency for Wales. The agency manages the basic navigation structures such as moorings, navigational aids etc in the area covered by law for the estuary. This area is basically from…
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North Cheshire Cruising Club celebrates oak anniversary

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October 6, 2023

THE North Cheshire Cruising Club launched its 80th anniversary celebrations on September 9, when Rt Hon Lord Andrew Stunell cut a red ribbon on a rare surviving exhibit, recently dredged out of the Macclesfield Canal High Lane Arm. This historic relic, a significant section of tram rail that can be dated to 1922, is part…
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Canal & River Trust Shares Structure of Boat Licence Pricing

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October 5, 2023

Following the announcement on 19 September about changes to future boat licensing, the Canal & River Trust is today giving further details about the increases in licence fees to be applied from 1 April 2024 for boats without a home mooring and wide beam boats. Licences for all boats on the Trust’s waterways will increase above inflation…
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Tribute paid to WACT stalwart

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October 3, 2023

THE Wey & Arun Canal Trust is mourning the loss of its vice-president John Wood MBE who died on September 5 in Didcot, Oxfordshire, at the age of 85. John was truly a key figure in the early history and development of the trust. He joined the Wey & Arun Canal Society (which later became…
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Marina nets garden centre cup hat-trick

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October 2, 2023

Words & photo: Tim Coghlan BRAUNSTON Marina was recently awarded the Dennett’s Garden Centre Cup, presented annually to local businesses to encourage floral displays on their premises. Since the cup was introduced in 2015 by the Daventry-based garden centre, the marina has now won it three times taking on the likes of local canalside pubs,…
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Winter works programme on the non-tidal Thames

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September 30, 2023

THE Environment Agency is investing up to £8 million as part of its annual programme of essential works to maintain key navigation structures along the non-tidal River Thames. This is part of a long-term programme to replace or keep maintained 45 locks and their associated structures, towpath bridges and pleasure navigation facilities in a reliable…
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Historic Stourport is third Heritage Inland Port

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Mark Lancaster

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September 28, 2023

HERITAGE Stourport was formed through a partnership of organisations and individuals who saw the benefit of applying for Heritage Inland Port status. They included Stourport Forward, Stourport Civic Society, Stourport Yacht Club, S&W Canal Society, Inland Waterways Association, several town councillors and other interested local people. Stourport-on-Severn in Worcestershire will celebrate its Heritage Inland Port…
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Tackling one of IWA’s Silver Propeller challenges

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September 27, 2023

IT IS rare to have a passage enquiry more than 60 days ahead requesting a specific day and time – it has sometimes been less than 60 hours, writes IWA and River Foss Society member Peter Hopwood. However, on May 17 skipper Mike Wright confirmed his 57ft long, 6ft 10in wide narrowboat, Uz Boat, would…
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New guide to electric boats published

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September 26, 2023

IWA is pleased to announce the publication of its new guide An Introduction to Electric-Drive Narrowboats. It believes that it is vital for members of the inland waterways community to make their contribution to a more sustainable environment. IWA’s Sustainable Boating Group has been looking at how inland waterways leisure boating can become more sustainable…
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Boat licence fees to rise for next five years

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September 22, 2023

THE Canal & River Trust has announced that boat licence fees will need to rise above the baseline inflation rate for each of the next five years. It will also introduce a surcharge for boats that continuously cruise and an increase for wide beam boats to reflect the greater utility they receive. The above-inflation increases…
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HS2 Select Committee report acknowledges IWA route concerns

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September 22, 2023

Amy Tillson reports THE HS2 (Crewe-Manchester) Bill Select Committee has published its First Special Report (19/7/2023). It covers responses to individual petitioners, some traffic and design issues, and a major section on ground conditions in Cheshire. IWA’s correspondence on the subsidence risk to HS2 and the Trent & Mersey Canal is referenced several times in…
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Lichfield Branch fundraiser turns a profit

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September 21, 2023

Amy Tillson reports.. THE Lichfield Branch of IWA recently held a fundraising ‘lock wind’ event at Barton Turn Lock on the Trent & Mersey Canal. Branch members assisted boaters through the lock, in order to raise awareness of the organisation, and held a cake sale, raising more than £100 for the branch. #towpathtalk #canals #canalsandrivers…
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Fund Britain’s Waterways flotilla heading for Westminster!

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Mark Lancaster

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September 20, 2023

A FLOTILLA of boats will navigate the tidal River Thames to Westminster in November to support the campaign for better funding of Britain’s waterways. This cruise past the Houses of Parliament follows the successful event held in Birmingham in August when between 40 and 50 boats filled the canal outside the Mailbox. Action group Fund…
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Training trainers on the Droitwich canals

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September 19, 2023

Ralph Barber reports… AT TIMES it felt like learning a new language. In short, this organisation is a charity that runs boat projects for the benefit of the community somewhere in the country. This is the definition of the NCBA, or should I say the National Community Boats Association. It’s been going since 1985, when…
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