News

  • Tamworth childminder brings canal wildlife to life in new children’s book

    Tamworth childminder brings canal wildlife to life in new children’s book

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    A Tamworth childminder with a passion for Britain’s canals and waterways has turned her enthusiasm into a children’s book designed to introduce young readers to counting and waterside wildlife. Sophie Hendrick has written Adventures of Charlotte Rose, an educational counting and rhythm picture book which follows its young character on a canal boat adventure. Along…

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  • White Mills Marina retains four Gold Anchors on the River Nene

    White Mills Marina retains four Gold Anchors on the River Nene

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    White Mills Marina, on the River Nene at Earls Barton, Northamptonshire, has once again achieved four anchors in The Yacht Harbour Association’s prestigious Gold Anchor scheme. Director Ben Skinner said: “The awards are a fantastic benchmark for marinas to work towards. For a medium-sized family-run marina, to achieve four anchors is awesome. It is a…

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  • Canal-side Georgian home with potential 60ft mooring comes to market in Stourport-on-Severn

    Canal-side Georgian home with potential 60ft mooring comes to market in Stourport-on-Severn

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    A Grade II-listed canal-side home in Stourport-on-Severn has come onto the market for £239,950, offering buyers the unusual prospect of living directly beside the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal. The two-bedroom property at Parkes Quay forms part of a former canal maintenance yard workshop, converted into residential accommodation in 1998. It sits in a quiet private…

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  • Discover a summer of family fun, wildlife and heritage at Foxton Locks

    Discover a summer of family fun, wildlife and heritage at Foxton Locks

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    The Canal & River Trust is inviting visitors to make the most of the summer holidays by joining a programme of free and low-cost events at Foxton Locks, one of Leicestershire’s most unique historic destinations.  The charity’s summer programme offers something for all ages, from wildlife-themed activities and nature discovery sessions to hands-on workshops and…

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  • NEW Hire Platform turns unused boats into income

    NEW Hire Platform turns unused boats into income

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    A new platform is giving Britain’s private boat owners a way to share their vessels with holidaymakers on their own terms and earn from them when they’re not aboard. BOATSTAYS, a newly launched service connecting private boat owners with guests looking for something more personal than fleet hire, is designed to make weekend breaks, week-long…

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  • Sankey Canal group adopts Earlestown railway station

    Sankey Canal group adopts Earlestown railway station

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    The Sankey Canal Restoration Society has formally adopted Earlestown Train Station – and you are invited to get involved. The station, located near the historic Sankey Canal, England’s first modern canal, sits in the heart of a transport corridor that shaped regional trade and engineering. Under the adoption scheme, SCRS volunteers are carrying out regular…

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  • Restoration work transforms Sprotbrough Ings

    Restoration work transforms Sprotbrough Ings

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    A major conservation effort is underway at Sprotbrough Ings, near Doncaster, as the Don Catchment Rivers Trust (DCRT) reshapes an historic water meadow to restore natural processes and improve conditions for wildlife. The site, owned by the Environment Agency, contains an ancient channel of the River Don and plays a crucial role during flood events,…

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  • Canal & River Trust temporarily suspends 14-day movement to help conserve water during drought

    Canal & River Trust temporarily suspends 14-day movement to help conserve water during drought

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    Canal & River Trust has temporarily suspended the requirement for boats without a home mooring to move at least every 14 days as part of efforts to conserve water during the current drought. The temporary measure, which comes into force with immediate effect, has been introduced to help reduce demand on the network and avoid…

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  • Edinburgh Canal Festival

    Edinburgh Canal Festival

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    Celebrating community, canalside life, and the Union Canal, the Edinburgh Canal Festival is back this year with three free events.   BOROUGHMUIR High School Pipe Band opened the festival by performing aboard hotel boat Camillia as it sailed from Lochrin Basin to Harrison Park and back. Visitors also enjoyed creative workshops with Edinburgh Printmakers, activities organised by St Andrew Boat Club, canoe polo demonstrations from Forth Canoe Club, model boat displays, and the…

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  • Marking three years – join the call for fair funding

    Marking three years – join the call for fair funding

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    The Fund Britain’s Waterways campaign celebrated its third anniversary on June 27. LOOKING back, it’s encouraging to see how the campaign has grown in size and scope, and we have gained the support of national and local politicians as well as boaters and other waterway users. Our banners have been seen all over the country,…

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  • Railwayana with canal connections makes its mark at auction

    Railwayana with canal connections makes its mark at auction

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    Railway safety instruments with strong canal connections were the star items of inland waterways memorabilia under the hammer in May and June, while a poster and a Shropshire Union Canal bridge notice also made their mark. The highest-priced canal-related safety instrument, featured in a major auction held by Great Central Railwayana on June 6, was…

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  • From 1802 to 2026: reservoir’s embankments get a modern fix

    From 1802 to 2026: reservoir’s embankments get a modern fix

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    A £7 million project to strengthen the 200-year-old embankments at Wilstone Reservoir, Hertfordshire, is complete. THE 14-month programme of statutory safety works at the reservoir near Tring, required under the Reservoir Act, included driving 1400 steel piles into the structure’s 1350m-long embankments to strengthen them. Built in 1802 to supply water to the Grand Union…

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  • Waterway heroes make waves on West Midlands canals

    Waterway heroes make waves on West Midlands canals

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    Celebrating the dedication and passion of those who give their time freely to protect and enhance the region’s waterways, the Canal & River Trust has honoured its most outstanding volunteers in the West Midlands. From young nature enthusiasts to long-serving community champions and hardworking teams, the winners highlight the impact volunteers have in keeping canals…

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  • £60,000 boost for fish passage in River Teign catchment

    £60,000 boost for fish passage in River Teign catchment

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    The Westcountry Rivers Trust is to receive £60,000 to fund river barrier removal in the Teign catchment. Through Environment Agency intervention, Valley Pet Crematorium in Paignton has agreed to pay the money as part of efforts to improve passage for salmon and other fish in the area. The company had failed to obtain the correct…

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