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Sustainable Boating Awards 2026: Meet the Innovators Changing Britain’s Waterways

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Web Editor

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November 7, 2026

From electric boats on the Broads to river clean-ups and an innovative sanitation service for boaters, the third Towpath Talk/Inland Waterways Association Sustainable Boating Awards celebrate three very different approaches to sustainability on Britain’s waterways. This is the third year that the Towpath Talk/Inland Waterways Association Sustainable Boating Awards have been presented, writes the IWA…
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Whitchurch canal breach exposes growing cost of underfunding Britain’s waterways

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Mark Lancaster

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November 6, 2026

FUND BRITAIN’S WATERWAYS WITH FRANCES PHASEY The 2026 Whitchurch Canal Festival took place as planned despite the continuing closure of the canal following the breach last December. THE festival was well-attended, and Canal & River Trust staff were on hand to explain the work in progress to restore the canal, which is expected to reopen…
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Canalside café fights back against canal closure with walkers’ get-together and Christmas market

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November 5, 2026

Despite the ongoing closure of the Llangollen Canal, a popular Shropshire canalside café is determined to keep welcoming visitors. Lockside Café at Grindley Brook is organising two community events this November and December, bringing together walkers, local residents and Christmas shoppers while supporting independent businesses. Lockside Café, on the edge of Whitchurch, is preparing to…
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Art meets nature as Salisbury River Park unveils sculpture trail and family treasure hunt

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November 4, 2026

Art, nature and adventure now flow together in Salisbury, where visitors can follow an artwork trail and family treasure hunt through a waterside landscape transformed by imaginative creations from local and regional artists. FROM sculpted willow and striking murals to music inspired by the landscape, Salisbury River Park has become an open-air gallery. The Environment…
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Marking 80 years and setting out course for 2027

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Web Editor

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November 3, 2026

ROUND THE COUNTRY WITH IWA’S AMY TILLSON Celebrating 80 years of championing Britain’s waterways, the Inland Waterways Association brought members, volunteers and supporters together in Worcester for its 67th AGM to reflect on recent achievements, set campaigning priorities for 2027 and recognise the people driving positive change across the network. THE Inland Waterways Association (IWA)…
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England’s Drought Crisis: Water Shortages Could Continue Into Spring 2027

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Mark Lancaster

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November 2, 2026

ENGLAND’S waterways are under mounting pressure, with almost three-quarters of the country still in drought. Fresh modelling suggests every region may need 120% of its usual rainfall to escape drought by April 2027. The National Drought Group is meeting weekly, bringing together ministers, regulators, water companies, farmers and environmental organisations. Suppliers have been ordered to…
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460 Young Anglers Take Over 30 Miles of Canal for Britain’s Biggest Fishing Celebration

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Web Editor

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October 31, 2026

Around 460 young anglers lined more than 30 miles of the Shropshire Union Canal for the National Celebration of Young People & Fishing. Organised by the Canal & River Trust, the event celebrated fishing, friendship and the benefits of spending time outdoors. Hundreds of young anglers took part in National Celebration of Young People &…
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Reopen the Wendover Arm! Boaters Unite as Sir David Suchet Backs Canal Campaign

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Web Editor

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October 30, 2026

Boaters, kayakers and paddleboarders have joined forces in a campaign flotilla calling for the reopening of the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union Canal. The Inland Waterways Association and Dunstable & District Boat Club are pressing for action, with support from actor and IWA vice president Sir David Suchet. The Inland Waterways Association and Dunstable…
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England’s Reservoirs Under Strain as Drought Permits Raise Concerns for Rivers

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Web Editor

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October 29, 2026

Reservoir levels across England remain under pressure following prolonged dry weather, with the Environment Agency issuing drought permits for Wimbleball in Somerset and Ardingly in West Sussex. The measures are intended to protect public water supplies, while raising concerns about the impact on rivers and wildlife. MOST of England’s reservoirs are now classed as notably…
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Bristol’s Bid to Become the UK’s First Wetland City Includes Over 200 Projects

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Web Editor

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October 28, 2026

Bristol is aiming to become the UK’s first Wetland City through an ambitious five-year programme led by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT). More than 200 projects are planned, including restoring ponds, rivers and brooks and creating new wetlands to help tackle flooding, improve water quality and support wildlife. More than 200 wetland projects are…
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Historic Tooley’s Boatyard Fights for Survival as Oxford Canal Closure Threatens Livelihoods

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Mark Lancaster

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October 27, 2026

After another year of disrupted access to its historic dry dock in Banbury, Tooley’s Boatyard is appealing for funds to begin restoring the wooden narrowboat Hardy. The £29,000 restoration appeal could also help sustain traditional boatbuilding skills while canal closures prevent customers reaching the yard. Tooley’s Boatyard is launching a £29,000 appeal to begin restoring…
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39 Million Pieces of Litter: Canal & River Trust Launches Waterways Clean-Up Campaign

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Web Editor

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October 26, 2026

An estimated 39 million pieces of litter accumulate along Britain’s canals and towpaths each year, according to new research. The Canal & River Trust’s Little Canal Litter Pick campaign is encouraging people to help clean up waterways and record their efforts on an interactive map. A NATIONWIDE campaign is urging the public to take action…
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HEADLINE: Navigating the switch to lithium batteries

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Web Editor

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October 24, 2026

NEW guidance from IWA and the Cruising Association (CA) helps boaters understand the opportunities, risks and practicalities of switching to lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are becoming increasingly popular with boaters looking for more efficient ways to power their boats, but making the switch is not as simple as replacing one battery with another. The Installing…
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New panel brings waterways groups together

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Web Editor

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October 23, 2026

A new restoration structure is now operational within the Inland Waterways Association so we can promote this activity wherever we can and have the most impact. IWA’S new Restoration Panel is our new forum for knowledge exchange on this, and we want the panel to be complementary and contributory to other networking and knowledge-sharing forums.…
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