News

Exploring your canal ancestry: canal boat registers

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Web Editor

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August 23, 2022

In the latest in her family history series, Nicola Lisle looks at canal boat registers and how they can help your research. SO FAR this series has explored the family history basics, such as census returns, parish registers and so on. Now it’s time to start looking at records that relate specifically to the canals.…
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Rolling on the river

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August 22, 2022

Jonathan Mosse continues his monthly look at freight developments on the inland waterways. AS WRITER and researcher for the Nicholson Waterway Guides, bumping along what passes for a towpath on the lower Trent astride a bicycle, checking for changes to the navigation, could easily be numbered at the bottom end of the job’s attractions. By…
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Heatwave forces canals to close across the UK – BBC News

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August 19, 2022

In what is usually the busiest time of year on the waterways, partial closures are having an impact on the boating holiday and tourism trade. The BBC put this together, this week. Take a look!
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Aqueduct Marina proud to have been involved in the Commonwealth Games

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August 19, 2022

The recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham generated a considerable amount of pride in the athletic achievements of the competitors. Still, the event was also a proud moment for Cheshire-based Aqueduct Marina, who supplied two boats to the Canal and River Trust just as the event began. The new 35 ft boat is called Aquarius II and…
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GIANT Hogweed on the Kennet & Avon!

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August 18, 2022

Giant hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) has recently been found at Garston Lock near Reading on the Kennet & Avon Canal. The Trust only became aware of the incidence when it was reported in the media and social media. When this highly toxic plant is identified on our network we take action to remove the plant as…
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Grounding warning from River Canal Rescue!

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August 17, 2022

With water shortages and low water levels causing closures in some parts of the inland waterway network, River Canal Rescue is urging boat owners to take care to avoid grounding. In the last week, RCR engineers were called to the same spot on the River Severn on the approach to Bevere Island from the north. This…
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CANAL & RIVER TRUST PROVIDES UPDATE AS DROUGHT DECLARED

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August 15, 2022

As a drought is declared by the National Drought Group across much of the canal network, the Canal & River Trust is encouraging boaters to check their routes before they cruise and to follow water-saving best practice wherever possible. As at 15 August, the charity has introduced water saving measures at various locations, with more…
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Heritage under the hammer..

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August 13, 2022

Towpath Talk contributor Geoff Courtney reports on three auctions that saw canalia go under the hammer, including 18th century paperwork, Thames Conservancy boat registration plates and a collection of colour slides. AUCTIONS deliver the past in abundance and the quarterly email and postal sale held by transport paperwork specialist Paperchase in May was no exception,…
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New mooring rings for Loughborough

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August 12, 2022

IWA Leicestershire Branch has supported Canal & River Trust to secure £885,000 funding from Charnwood Borough Council for new towpath upgrades and moorings with rings on the River Soar through Loughborough. The moorings will be just before the T-junction and bridge at Schwabisch Hall Way. There will be 16 mooring rings interspaced with fishing pegs.…
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Automatic updates aid navigation while water levels remain low during drought

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Arianne Davey

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August 12, 2022

A drought has been declared for parts of England following the driest summer for 50 years and it’s important to check The Canal and River Trust’s updates on water levels while they remain low.
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£500m waterways engineering contracts awarded..

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August 11, 2022

Civil engineering contracts awarded to help protect and preserve 2,000 miles of historic waterways, providing resilience to a changing climate From flights of locks, to reservoirs and 250-year-old tunnels and soaring aqueducts, the Canal & River Trust has awarded contracts to JN Bentley and Kier to carry out large-scale construction and engineering projects across its 2,000…
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NABO Statement following the increase to boat licences

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August 10, 2022

The National Association of Boat Owners have sent Towpath Talk their response to the recent boat licence increase announcement from CRT: Targeting boaters is CRT’s easy option but it should not be just boat owners who are expected to make up any shortfall in CRT’s finances, whether this is due to the current economic situation…
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Canal cruise a hit with Ukrainian scout group

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August 9, 2022

ANGEL Community Canal Boat Trust, a charity based in Islington, has been providing day and residential boat trips for community groups on its boat Angel II of Islington for more than 40 years. Recently it provided free trips for an especially deserving group. After hearing of their work in raising funds to supply trauma kits…
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Housing association chief to join CRT

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August 6, 2022

David Orr CBE proposed for appointment as next Canal & River Trust chair The Canal & River Trust is proposing to appoint David Orr CBE as its new chair subject to approval at the meeting of the charity’s Council in September and subsequent endorsement by Board members the following day. Orr will join the Trust…
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