News
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Step back in time along London’s waterways
LONDON’S canals and rivers will take centre stage over the coming months as the IWA Towpath Walks Society unveils its full programme of guided walks through to November. The programme offers people the chance to explore centuries of hidden history along some of the capital’s most characterful waterways. July 7: Starts at 6pm, following the…
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Milton Keynes clean-up collects seven tonnes of rubbish
THE IWA’s Milton Keynes branch held its annual Canal Clean-up across the 10-mile stretch through Milton Keynes from Fenny Stratford to Cosgrove on April 10/11. The usual mix of discarded items were found, including several supermarket trolleys, six tyres, four electric hire scooters, three bicycles, an outboard motor, a plastic barrel, a motor bike frame,…
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Biggest boat clean-up in a decade underway on Upper Thames
‘Sunk, wrecked, abandoned – they’ve got to go,’ says Environment Agency as Thames boat crackdown continues “Sunk, wrecked, abandoned – they’ve got to go.” That is the message from the Environment Agency’s deputy director of navigation as 53 boats have already been removed in an ongoing crackdown on the non-tidal Thames. The agency is on…
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The canal campaigners who refused to let the Monty run dry
Sixty years after a last-ditch meeting in a Newport hotel, the Shropshire Union Canal Society is still fighting for the waterways of the historic Shropshire Union network – turning threatened closures into volunteer-powered restorations and keeping up the pressure to bridge the final ‘Shropshire Gap.’ THE Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) began life on Wednesday,…
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Shropshire Union Canal Society – June 2026 work party report
A very busy work party. 5 days, record volunteer numbers (again), multiple different activities. Apologies if this report is a little longer than normal. “June was the second successive work party with two days of preparation before the main work party started on Friday. And once again, two full days of profiling the channel was…
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New canal boat joins Scouts’ fleet
THE Wakefield Scouts have unveiled Scouting Explorer, the latest addition to its canal boat fleet, following months of dedicated renovation work by volunteers and committee members. The vessel, which has been transformed into a fully equipped hire boat, is intended to provide young people in Scouting with new opportunities for adventure, teamwork, and learning on…
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River rights recognised in growing grassroots movement
Two more local authorities have formally recognised the rights of rivers in their areas to live, thrive and evolve. COUNCILS in Hampshire and East Sussex are among the latest to commit to considering the health and legal rights of rivers and streams in future decision-making. As reported, the growing Rights of Rivers movement in the…
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One man and his dog – and a 250-mile towpath challenge
FOR more than 30 years, Britain’s canals have been a place of refuge, connection and joy for Mark Willis. But when the Whitchurch breach devastated the Llangollen Canal, closing a vital waterway and then demanding an immense, costly rebuild, it exposed just how fragile some blue spaces have become – and how heavily they now…
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Kayaking pair rewrite Thames history
A new world record has been set for paddling the full navigable length of the River Thames. JOE Petersen and Brynde Kreft completed the 200km route in a double kayak ,from Lechlade to Teddington in 14 hours and three minutes – an astonishing one hour and 41 minutes faster than the previous record, held by…
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RCR offers £100 discount on July/August courses
River Canal Rescue is offering a £100 discount to those who book a place on its two-day diesel engine and boat maintenance course running on 22-23 July and 19-20 August. Held at its Stafford HQ, the £300 course (now £200), covers how to maintain diesel engines and the systems within a narrowboat, such as propulsion,…
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New venue for canal concerts
The Chesterfield Canal Trust is promoting two concerts at the newly restored Barrow Hill Memorial Hall. The proceeds will go towards the further restoration of the canal. The Swing Commanders will be appearing on Friday 26th June followed by Simon Mayor & Hilary James on Saturday 27th June. To book, click here or ring 01246…
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Calls grow for residential boaters to be recognised in housing and planning policy
Thousands of people make their homes on Britain’s canals and rivers, but many residential boaters say they face mounting barriers to healthcare, basic services and legal security, with campaigners warning that unclear rights and patchy recognition are leaving a significant community exposed. PRESSURE is growing on ministers to confront what campaigners describe as a blind…
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National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, celebrates 50th anniversary weekend with 1976 ticket prices!
The Canal & River Trust’s National Waterways Museum, in Ellesmere Port, will celebrate its 50th anniversary weekend on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June by offering visitors entry to the historic boat museum at 1976 prices. For one weekend only, an adult day ticket will cost a mere £1.95 and a child/concession ticket only £1.50,…
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River Canal Rescue in Channel 4’s Narrow Escapes
Look out for River Canal Rescue (RCR) in the new episodes of Channel 4’ Narrow Escapes, airing from Monday 1 June at 4pm. The breakdown and emergency assistance firm features throughout the first week of the series, which after broadcast can be viewed on Channel 4’s streaming service. A film crew followed RCR engineers during two…
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