Phil Pickin

West Midlands mayor opens Whitehouse Wharf

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Phil Pickin

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June 24, 2023

Report & photos: Phil PIckin WEST Midlands mayor, Andy Street, helped by children from the Tiverton Junior and Infant School, has unveiled an information board to officially open the refurbished Whitehouse Wharf in Selly Oak, Birmingham. The opening attracted significant attention from both members of the Lapal Canal Trust, Canal & River Trust and the…
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Crick Boat Show 2023

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Phil Pickin

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May 29, 2023

The Crick Boat Show is in full swing, finishing today. It has been an excellent weekend, blessed by some great weather. Towpath Talk’s Phil Pickin was on hand to capture the atmosphere! #crick2023 #crickboatshow #towpathtalk #canals #canalsandrivers #narrowboat #rivers #waterways #lifeonthecut #boating #boats #canallife #canallifeuk
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Proposals to ban powered boats on the Montgomery Canal

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Phil Pickin

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February 28, 2023

THE Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust sparked concerns recently when it put forward a proposal to ban powered craft on the Montgomery Canal. These concerns sparked a number of reports in the local press, with both sides of the argument urging supporters to take part in online surveys set up to gauge public opinion. Powys County Council…
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The state of the waterways: a real-time picture

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Phil Pickin

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January 3, 2023

ALTHOUGH you may not have heard of it, Planet Patrol mobilised more than 1000 people to participate in its Autumn Water Watch to locations across the UK. Over three days in October, the environmental non-profit organisation co-ordinated the activities of concerned individuals who recorded a series of observations looking at the pollution levels in their…
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Tanat Feeder dredging under way

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Phil Pickin

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December 12, 2022

THE Tanat Feeder, an important source of water for the Montgomery Canal which brings in water from the River Tanat above the locks at Carreghofa, is undergoing some major dredging work. This is being carried out as part of the Levelling Up Fund [LUF] works being undertaken on the Montgomery Canal. The hope, expressed by…
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Vegetation and dredging are major issues

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Phil Pickin

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October 27, 2022

THE issues of uncut vegetation and what was seen as a lack of dredging in the West Midlands were just a couple of the standout issues raised during the recent Canal & River Trust regional users’ forum meeting. Many users attended the meeting hosted by the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society in the Titford Pump House.…
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Happy birthday Staffs and Worcs!

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Phil Pickin

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September 14, 2022

August bank holiday weekend saw a significant birthday being celebrated by the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Society – the 250th anniversary of the opening of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The waterway between the River Severn and Autherley opened in 1772, and to mark the event, a rally, attracting around 26 boats, was held just…
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It’s all been happening at Wappenshall…

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Phil Pickin

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July 27, 2022

Phil Pickin reveals all… IT IS reasonable to assume that, across the country, most canal restoration projects came to a standstill during the lockdowns. And that they have all, to a greater or lesser extent, suffered due to the materials shortages that came afterwards. As a result, projects have been set back, but as restrictions…
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Hot sunshine greeted the second C-Fest at Gnosall!

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Phil Pickin

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July 19, 2022

The July heatwave was underway when the boats arrived for the second canal festival to be held in the village of Gnosall on the Shroppie in Staffordshire. A mix of historic and trading boats took up position along the towpath in the picturesque location between two pubs within the village. With free parking close by,…
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The Crick Boat Show – snapshot video by Phil Pickin

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Phil Pickin

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June 9, 2022

Lovely weather, great show! The Crick Boat Show – a snapshot through the lens of Phil Pickin.. #towpathtalk #crickboatshow2022
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After more than 70 years, a narrowboat returns to Newport.

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Phil Pickin

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May 23, 2022

A narrowboat has returned to the Shropshire town of Newport for the first time in over 70 years, with the arrival of a 42 foot cruiser now moored in the town’s basin. The boat, owned and refurbished by David Ray, MD of Norbury Wharf Ltd, was transported from Norbury by a low loader before being…
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