News

Characters of the Cut: Nancy Campbell, writer

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Web Editor

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October 7, 2022

Alice Griffin caught up with writer Nancy Campbell: DESPITE growing up in the Scottish Borders and Northumberland – a part of the UK sparse on canals – writer Nancy Campbell has developed a deep love for our inland waters. Moving south to university she encountered her first human-made waterway, the South Oxford Canal, and it…
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Planning inquiry ‘misled’ over assessment into boaters’ needs, claims NBTA

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October 6, 2022

ELMBRIDGE Borough Council did not reveal that it had carried out a Boat Dweller Accommodation Needs Assessment almost six weeks before it reported to a planning inquiry on March 15, 2022 according to the National Bargee Travellers Association. NBTA claims that the council stated that its study had just begun in order to boost its…
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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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Remembering the ‘father of English canals’

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Mark Lancaster

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October 3, 2022

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022, marked the 250th anniversary of the death of ‘the father of English canals’, engineer James Brindley. On that day, his last canal – the North Oxford – had reached just below Hillmorton Locks. Local canal heritage group, the Old Mortonians, planned for years to mark the occasion but, according to chairman Ian…
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WATERWAYS’ WINTER WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2022-23 ANNOUNCED

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Web Editor

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September 30, 2022

The Canal & River Trust has announced its winter works programme 2022-23, providing details of the major repairs and canal improvements the charity will be carrying out between November and March. 48 waterways will benefit from 172 large-scale works to repair masonry and brickwork, fix leaks, update and install hydraulics and electrics at mechanised structures,…
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Thames Flotilla, September 24th 2022

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Janet Richardson

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September 29, 2022

Towpath Talk Editor, Janet Richardson reports: AS DUSK fell over the River Thames in central London on Saturday September 24, the Reflections flotilla of around 150 boats, motorised and manpowered – all decorated in thousands of white lights – started from Albert Bridge. I was a guest on Andrew and Frances Phasey’s narrowboat Doris Katia…
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IWA Launches Comprehensive Resource for Waterways Organisations Seeking Funding

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Web Editor

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September 28, 2022

Taking advantage of its unique position as the only independent, national charity dedicated to supporting and regenerating all of Britain’s navigable rivers and canals, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) has produced a new report, Waterways for Today, which can be used by waterways organisations to highlight the value and importance of the waterways network. This is particularly relevant for anyone…
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Servicing reminder!

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September 27, 2022

River Canal Rescue is reminding boat owners to book a service so they’re cruising-ready for next year. RCR engineers are available up until mid-March, at set times, to undertake engine servicing and inspections, and prices start at £150. By ensuring everything is in working order now, the breakdown and assistance firm says it will reduce…
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CONSTRUCTION PROJECT STARTS TO RESTORE TODDBROOK RESERVOIR

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Web Editor

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September 26, 2022

Major construction work has now started to restore Toddbrook Reservoir in Whaley Bridge. The project is likely to cost around £15 million and take around two years to complete, with the reservoir due to reopen in late 2024. The Canal & River Trust charity which cares for the reservoir and 2,000 miles of waterways across…
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Book and music shop opens in Stonehouse

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Web Editor

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September 24, 2022

WHETHER it’s a classic vinyl album you’ve been searching for or that rare cookery book from another century you are sure to find it at one of the largest book and music shops in the area. On the back of a very successful first year in Brimscombe, the Cotswold Canals Trust has just opened its…
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Towpath ‘ton-up boys’ and Crickheath South project starts

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Web Editor

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September 23, 2022

THE second August work party was well attended by Shropshire Union Canal volunteers despite being in the middle of the holiday season. The weather again was very kind, which resulted in another very productive three days. Its principal aim was to develop as much of the towpath reconstruction as possible. The complete 330m length has…
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Lock gate project shortlisted for technical innovation award

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Web Editor

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September 20, 2022

AN INNOVATIVE fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) lock gate project carried out by ECS Engineering Services has been shortlisted for Technical Innovation of the Year at The London Construction Awards. Installed at Sunbury Dry Dock on the River Thames for the Environment Agency, the lock gates are the first set constructed from moulded FRP in the UK.…
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Riverside Museum, Reading!

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Web Editor

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September 17, 2022

Nicola Lisle continues her museum series with a visit to this delightful museum on the River Kennet. THE Riverside Museum in Reading is one of the town’s unexpected delights. A branch of Reading Museum, it is housed in a Victorian sewage pumping station at Blake’s Lock, just outside the town centre and close to the…
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Annual Balsam Bashing!

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Web Editor

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September 16, 2022

NINETEEN volunteers recently turned up at Haslam Park, Preston, for what has become an annual event – the Balsam Bash. It was a record turnout with members of IWA Lancashire & Cumbria Branch, Lancaster Canal Trust and Friends of Haslam Park taking part. The Lancaster Canal borders the park and so far, not a lot…
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