News

Campaigners Renew Calls for Long-Term Waterways Funding After £6.5m Government Boost

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February 26, 2026

CAMPAIGNERS responding to the Government’s extra £6.5 million investment in England’s and Wales’s canal network are once more calling for a top-level rethink into how waterways are funded. They say although the boost is welcome, it yet again underlines the ongoing underfunding crisis – and warn that this is only a one-off payment, not systemic…
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Marine Resources Launches Fixed-Fee Recruitment Model and 12-Month Replacement Guarantee

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February 25, 2026

SPECIALIST recruiter Marine Resources has introduced a new service model for clients that combines adaptive pricing with a sharper sector focus. It includes a fixed-fee model and a 12-month risk-free replacement guarantee, different to the traditional three months usually offered, giving greater value, flexibility, and transparency for the marine and maritime industry. “This isn’t a…
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Raymarine first to integrate new smart lighting control

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February 24, 2026

Designed to streamline helm installations and free up space for small leisure craft and tenders, Raymarine has launched Mini IYS, linking BluefinLED’s advanced underwater lights directly to a vessel’s multi-function display. With a single ethernet connection, the system delivers a clean, graphical interface that’s simple to install and effortless to use. “Owners want a simple,…
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New venue for artefacts exhibition

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February 23, 2026

THE Stafford Riverway Link Artefacts Exhibition, displaying artefacts unearthed at the Baswich site by volunteers, is on the move. You can catch it at Rising Brook Community Library, in Merrey Road, Stafford, ST17 9LX, until Saturday, March 28. As reported, the Stafford Riverway Link CIC is a canal restoration group aiming to reconnect the county…
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Trust salutes volunteers in North West for their exceptional contributions

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February 21, 2026

The waterways – and canal volunteering – are for everyone. The Canal & River Trust celebrated this by honouring its volunteers in its annual awards scheme, supported by The Marsh Charitable Trust. In an ongoing series, we are featuring all the winners. THIS month we continue to shine the spotlight on the work of trust…
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£220k project to restore historic water-saving canal engineering at Hanwell

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February 20, 2026

Work underway on a Historic England-funded project to restore 200-year-old side ponds at the Hanwell Flight of Locks in West London. The initiative follows a year of navigation closures caused by drought and climate change and focuses on locks 94 and 95. The scheme is supported by Historic England, the Inland Waterways Association and the…
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Trust ‘gets the hump’ as county’s historic bridges suffer more collision damage

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February 19, 2026

An historic humpback canal bridge near Preston has suffered its 11th vehicle strike in five years. The Canal & River Trust says the Lancaster Canal has seen the most bridge strikes across its 2000 miles of waterways and is calling on motorists to take more care. Repeated Damage to Stone Chimney Bridge AN historic humpback…
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National Historic Ships UK Awards celebrate vessels, people and communities

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February 18, 2026

The recent National Historic Ships UK Awards recognised maritime history while placing vessels, people and communities at the heart of the winning entries, including photography, conservation and Flagship of the Year honours. The recent National Historic Ships UK Awards not only recognised maritime history, but it also put vessels, people and communities at the heart…
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Towpath Talk 2026 Events Guide – Submit Your Event

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Mark Lancaster

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February 17, 2026

Planning an event for 2026? Towpath Talk is compiling its 2026 Events Guide and inviting organisers to submit details for inclusion. Whether you’re hosting a festival, rally, open day, exhibition or waterways-related occasion, we want to hear about it. Please send:• Event name• Date(s)• Location• Brief description (50–100 words)• Website or contact details for more…
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Go behind the scenes of lock restoration at Chesterfield Canal open day

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February 16, 2026

The Canal & River Trust is giving members of the public the opportunity to get an up-close view of newly installed lock gates at Stret Lock in Worksop to highlight what it takes to look after the nation’s centuries-old canal network. The trust has replaced two sets of lock gates on the narrow beam lock…
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Community mural brings a splash of colour to Doncaster Lock

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February 14, 2026

Volunteers have completed a vibrant mural at Doncaster Lock to celebrate the city’s heritage and encourage more boaters to experience this part of the waterway network. Creation of the mural CREATED by local artist Kate Rhodes, with assistance from volunteer lock keeper and ex-boater Jan Miller, the mural – measuring more than 10 metres long…
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From industrial lifeline to revival

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February 13, 2026

Early industrial achievement THE Stroudwater Canal, completed in 1779, stands as one of Gloucestershire’s earliest and most significant industrial achievements. Designed to connect the River Severn at Framilode with the market town of Stroud, it was conceived and financed by local merchants and mill owners seeking a reliable route for transporting coal, stone, and timber…
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WIN!! a first-class trip behind Flying Scotsman

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Mark Lancaster

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February 11, 2026

It’s the most famous steam locomotive in the world, and in just a few days you could be riding behind it in first-class style. We’ve teamed-up with leading railtour company Vintage Trains for a limited-time exclusive competition, as we have reserved a table for four people in first class on Thursday, February 19… and you…
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Historic tug’s bell rings again

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February 11, 2026

The bell from a long-scrapped Shroppie canal tug is on public display for the first time. Steam tug W. E. Dorrington was built in 1906 for the Shropshire Railway and Canal Company (SR&CC), and its bell is on show in Warrington Museum until February 28. This has prompted further research into its role in the…
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