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April 20
Trent & Mersey Canal Society: Joeys, Joshers and James, A BCN miscellany by Phil Clayton. The Big Lock, Webbs Lane, Middlewich, Cheshire CW10 9DN, 7.30 for 8pm. Contact Gillian Watson 01606 835606
IWA Notts & Derby: Be careful what you wish for, an update on the Cromford Canal and trip boat with Mike Kelley. Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7HY, 7.45pm. Non-members welcome.
IWA East Yorkshire: The history of the Hull & Barnsley Railway by Brian Crowther. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham HU16 4BD, 8pm. Contact Roger Bromley 01482 845099, roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk
April 21
Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust: Guided walk on the Summerhill section of the restoration project. The 2km tour from The Boat Inn, on the A461 Walsall Road, to the aqueduct over the M6 Toll Road and back, will show walkers the huge progress made on this section in the last year, with help from corporate volunteers from all over the country as well as the trust’s own volunteers. There is no charge for the event, which will run from 10.30am to 1pm, but a donation would be appreciated.
April 21-22
National Boat Share Show: Braunston Marina, Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm. Free admission and parking, boatshare4u.co.uk
River Canal Rescue: Boat and engine maintenance course with RCR engineers. RCR head office, Baswich, Stafford (by Bridge 101, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal). Two-day course £120. Contact 01785 785680, enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk or visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/rcr-courses/
Day-Star Theatre: Roses & Castles workshop weekend at The Old Stables, Bottom Lock, Audlem, Cheshire CW3 0HA, 10am-4pm each day. £75. Contact Jane Marshall on 01270 811330, jane@day-star-theatre.co.uk or visit www.day-star-theatre.co.uk
The Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show: Stafford County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 0BD. Contact 01507 529430, exhibitions@mortons.co.uk
April 22
41st Beaulieu Boatjumble: Open from 10am-4pm and as well as the Boatmall and Boatmart, will be the return of popular Trunk Traders, as boatjumblers sell off surplus boating items. Advance tickets are available online until 5pm on April 12 at £8.80 an adult, £5 for 13 to 16-year-olds. From 5pm on April 12 and on the door standard tickets cost £9.80 an adult, £6 for 13 to 16-year-olds, under 12s free. Admission includes access to all the Beaulieu attraction. www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/boatjumble
IWA Warwickshire: A guided walk with Athina Beckett along parts of the Buckingham Canal. Meet at the Barley Mow, 7 The Stocks, Cosgrove MK19 7JD, 10.30am. www.waterways.org.uk/warwickshire
Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: Sandiacre Lock Cottage open, 1.30-4.30pm. Admission and refreshments free, donations appreciated towards costs of opening cottages. Due to historic nature of cottages disabled access is limited. Special openings can be arranged, contact Glyn Stenson 0780 925 1441, glynstenson@hotmail.com
April 24
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: The Birmingham Canal network by Mick Golds. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 7.30pm. Admission £2 members, £3 non-members.
Wurzel Bush Folk Club: Prof Roy Bailey MBE with Marc Block. The Bulls Head, Coventry Road, Brinklow CV23 0NX, 8.30pm. The pub is a 15-minute walk from the Oxford canal and the folk club is popular with visitors from the canal. There is no admission charge but a collection is taken. www.wurzelbush.co.uk
April 25
IWA Chiltern: Concorde – 20th century icon by former pilot Capt John Hutchinson. Little Chalfont Village Hall, Cokes Lane, Little Chalfont, Bucks HP8 4UD, 8pm. Contact John Brice, john.brice@waterways.org.uk
April 26
IWA Lancashire & Cumbria: Lancaster bicentenary events, activities and celebrations with Sarah Knight of the Canal & River Trust and Bob Pointing. St Chads Parish Centre, 235 Town Lane, Whittle-le-Woods, Chorley PR6 8AJ, 7 for 7.30pm. Parking and bar available. Contact: 01257 274440, lancsandcumbria@waterways.org.uk
April 28
River Foss Society: Litter pick along the River Foss. Meet 9.15 at footbridge opposite Morrison’s, Foss Island Road. Work clothes, gloves and sturdy footwear advised. Come and help keep the river banks clear of plastic and rubbish. Contact Barry Thomas 01904 490081.
April 29
IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: King’s Cross – Hitchcock’s Hackney. Starts King’s Cross tube station (taxi rank) at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.
May 1
IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Grand Union Canal: Uxbridge – Denham. Starts Uxbridge tube station High Street exit at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.
Sleaford Navigation Trust: AGM followed by speaker Jim Bailey, manager of Heckington Windmill. Meeting at the windmill at Heckington near Sleaford. Mill open at 7pm for visitors to look round, AGM will start at 7.30pm. Open to members and non-members, refreshments available.
Worcester Birmingham & Droitwich Canal Society: Boulton & Watt’s stream engine building at Soho Works by Laurence Ince. The Meeting Room, Alvechurch Boat Centre, Scarfield Wharf B48 7SQ, adjacent to The Weighbridge pub, 7.45pm. Contact Denis Pike 07870 939121, www.wbdcs.org.uk
Wurzel Bush Folk Club: Singers night. The Bulls Head, Coventry Road, Brinklow CV23 0NX, 8.30pm. The pub is a 15-minute walk from the Oxford canal and the folk club is popular with visitors from the canal. There is no admission charge but a collection is taken. www.wurzelbush.co.uk
May 2
River Foss Society: Evening walk at Hagg Wood. Meet The Cross Keys, Dunnington, at 6pm. Contact Anne Bednarski 01904 674086.
May 5-7
Norbury Canal Festival: Event on both sides of the canal around Norbury Junction and Wharf. Daytime and evening entertainment with Sunday canalside church service at 3pm on the quayside. Norbury Junction, Staffordshire ST20 0PN.
May 6
IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Regent’s Canal: R Tyburn – Little Venice. Starts Baker Street tube station Baker Street north/Lords exit at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.
May 6-7
Friends of Cromford Canal: Horse drawn boat trips from Cromford and High Peak Junction on Birdswood. Leawood Pump in steam. Contact 07552 055455, www.birdswood.org
Grantham Canal Society: Half-hour boat trips on The Three Shires from Lock 18k, Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir NG32 1NY, near the Dirty Duck pub between 10am-4pm. Adults £3, children £2. www.granthamcanal.org
May 7
Preston Boat Jumble: Hamilton House, St Michael on Wyre PR3 0TB. Gates open 10am. Adults £3.50, children/parking free. Contact Compass Events 07971 250139, www.compassevents.co.uk
Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: Sandiacre Lock Cottage open, 11am-3pm. Admission and refreshments free, donations appreciated towards costs of opening cottages. Due to historic nature of cottages disabled access is limited. Special openings can be arranged, contact Glyn Stenson 0780 925 1441, glynstenson@hotmail.com
May 8
IWA Chester & Merseyside: Joeys, Joshers and James by Phil Clayton of the BCN Society. Holiday Inn (Mercer Suite), Ellesmere Port CH65 2AL, 7.45pm. www.waterways.org.uk/chester
IWA Northampton: Middle Danube and connecting waterways by John Pomfret. Walnut Tree Inn, Blisworth, 8pm. www.waterways.org.uk/northampton
Wurzel Bush Folk Club: Bernard Hoskin. The Bulls Head, Coventry Road, Brinklow CV23 0NX, 8.30pm. The pub is a 15-minute walk from the Oxford canal and the folk club is popular with visitors from the canal. There is no admission charge but a collection is taken. www.wurzelbush.co.uk
May 9
IWA Warwickshire: Demonstration of signwriting and decorative boat painting by Dave Moore. The Sports Connexion, Ryton-on-Dunsmore CV8 3FL, 7 for 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. www.waterways.org.uk/warwickshire
May 10
River Foss Society: Circular walk from the Derwent Tidal Barrage. Meet at the Barrage car park, near Barmby, at 9.30am. Contact Bob Jowett 01904 764702, bobjowett1@btopenworld.com
May 11
IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire: Fenland Waterways by John Pomfret. Stoke-on-Trent Boat Club, Endon Wharf, Post Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9DU, 7.45 for 8pm start. Non members welcome. Contact Barbara Wells, socialsec.nssc@waterways.org.uk
May 12-13
River Canal Rescue: Electrics course with electrical specialist Howard Williams. RCR head office, Baswich, Stafford (by Bridge 101, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal). Two-day course £150. Contact 01785 785680, enquiries@rivercanalrescue.co.uk or visit www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/rcr-courses/
May 13
Solent Spring Boat Jumble: Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley, Southampton SO31 5DR (Jct 8/M27). Opens 10am, adults £4, children/parking free. Contact Chaddock & Fox Promotions, 02392 381405/078987 771451, boatjumbles@yahoo.com, www.boat-jumbles.co.uk
May 15
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust: The Kennet & Avon Canal, an update, by Mike Rodd. Royal Oak, Much Marcle HR8 2ND, 7.30 for 8pm. Visitors welcome.
Wurzel Bush Folk Club: Marc Block. The Bulls Head, Coventry Road, Brinklow CV23 0NX, 8.30pm. The pub is a 15-minute walk from the Oxford canal and the folk club is popular with visitors from the canal. There is no admission charge but a collection is taken. www.wurzelbush.co.uk
May 17
IWA Chester & Merseyside walks: Shropshire Union – Middlewich Arm. A very rural route, the first part of which is a moderate grade. The 4.75 mile walk starts at 10am at the Barbridge Inn car park in Old Chester Road, Grid ref: SJ 615 567. If you are using a SatNav, enter the post code CW5 6AY or the co-ordinates: 53.10658, 002.57599. Toilet facilities should be available. Contact 07746 955931, derek.smith@waterways.org.uk
River Foss Society: Boat trip on the River Aire through Leeds with lunch. To book, contact Peter Hopwood 01904 768071, peter147haxby@gmail.com
Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: AGM at Sandiacre Lock Cottage, 7.30pm.
May 18
IWA Notts & Derby: Visit to Beeston Lock Cottages.
IWA East Yorkshire: A Cuckoo in the Curriculum by Bob Watson. Methodist Church Hall, Cottingham HU16 4BD, 8pm. Contact Roger Bromley 01482 845099, roger.bromley@waterways.org.uk
May 19
Southern Classic Motorcycle Show & Motorcycle Jumble: Kempton Park, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex TW16 5AQ. Contact 01507 529430, exhibitions@mortons.co.uk
May 19-20
St Pancras Cruising Club: Annual Thames Tideway Cruise downriver through the Thames Barrier to Margaretness then upriver to Brentford and Teddington. Details: Andrew Phasey 07850 753633, vicecommodore@stpancrascc.co.uk
May 20
Day-Star Theatre: Roses & Castles day workshop at The Old Stables, Bottom Lock, Audlem, Cheshire CW3 0HA, 10am-4pm. £45. Contact Jane Marshall on 01270 811330, jane@day-star-theatre.co.uk or visit www.day-star-theatre.co.uk
Friends of Cromford Canal: Open Day at Codnor Park Forge. An opportunity to learn about this 71-acre site alongside the canal, recently purchased to become a nature reserve. 11am-3pm.
Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: Sandiacre Lock Cottage open, 1.30-4.30pm. Admission and refreshments free, donations appreciated towards costs of opening cottages. Due to historic nature of cottages disabled access is limited. Special openings can be arranged, contact Glyn Stenson 0780 925 1441, glynstenson@hotmail.com
IWA Towpath Walks Society, London: Grand Union Canal: Uxbridge – Denham. Starts Uxbridge tube station High Street exit at 2.30pm. Costs £10, £8 student/concs. Contact Roger Wilkinson 0203 612 9624.
May 21
IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcester: Rebuilding locks by Mike Palmer, Waterways Recovery Group. Coombeswood Canal Trust, Hawne Basin, Hereward Rise, Halesowen B62 8AWk, 7.15 for 7.30pm. Visitors welcome. Contact Dave Pearson 01299 404273/07527 197842, dave@daveapearson.com
Friends of Cromford Canal: Bess of Hardwick Hall with Sonia Preece. Ironville Church Hall, Casson Street, Ironville NG16 5NN, 7.30pm. Admission £2, bar, raffle, tea and coffee are available. All welcome.
May 22
Derby & Sandiacre Canal Society: Be Careful What You Wish For, Cromford Canal and trip boat by Mike Kelley. The Wilmot Arms, 49 Derby Road, Borrowash, Derby, 7.30pm. Admission £2 members, £3 non-members.
Wurzel Bush Folk Club: Cosmotheka. The Bulls Head, Coventry Road, Brinklow CV23 0NX, 8.30pm. The pub is a 15-minute walk from the Oxford canal and the folk club is popular with visitors from the canal. There is no admission charge but a collection is taken. www.wurzelbush.co.uk
May 25 and 28
Erewash Canal Preservation & Development Association: Sandiacre Lock Cottage open, 11am-3pm. Admission and refreshments free, donations appreciated towards costs of opening cottages. Due to historic nature of cottages disabled access is limited. Special openings can be arranged, contact Glyn Stenson 0780 925 1441, glynstenson@hotmail.com
May 26-June 3
St Pancras Cruising Club: The Five Creeks Cruise to Bow, Deptford, Dartford, Crayford and Barking Creeks. Details: Andrew Phasey 07850 753633, vicecommodore@stpancrascc.co.uk
May 27-28
Grantham Canal Society: Half-hour boat trips on The Three Shires from Lock 18k, Woolsthorpe-by-Belvoir NG32 1NY, near the Dirty Duck pub between 10am-4pm. Adults £3, children £2. www.granthamcanal.org
May 29
Wurzel Bush Folk Club: John Ward Trio. The Bulls Head, Coventry Road, Brinklow CV23 0NX, 8.30pm. The pub is a 15-minute walk from the Oxford canal and the folk club is popular with visitors from the canal. There is no admission charge but a collection is taken. www.wurzelbush.co.uk
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