Towpath Talk

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

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Mark Lancaster

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August 7, 2026

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

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Web Editor

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August 6, 2026

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

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Web Editor

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August 5, 2026

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

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Mark Lancaster

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August 4, 2026

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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Waterway heroes make waves on West Midlands canals

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Web Editor

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August 1, 2026

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

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Mark Lancaster

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July 31, 2026

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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Council and canal trust unite to restore historic waterway

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Web Editor

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July 30, 2026

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (WBCT) and Swindon Borough Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming their commitment to work together to progress restoration of the canal. The agreement sets out how both organisations will work together, with the trust aiming to deliver a blue/green canal corridor between Swindon and Royal Wootton…
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August 2026

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Alex Bestwick

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July 24, 2026

Towpath Talk features everything you need to know about boats, marinas, wildlife, conservation, heritage and superb days out.
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Steady as she goes for the twenty-second 2026 Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally

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Web Editor

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July 23, 2026

Tim Coghlan reports… Despite the weather warnings for extreme heat, this year’s Braunston Historic Narrowboat Rally – held in its traditional slot over the last weekend in June – remained as popular as ever. Whilst visitor numbers were somewhat down, historic narrowboat attendance was the best for several years, with 90 of them, versus 79…
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Steamship Shieldhall to lead Clipper Race fleet home and offer SailGP views

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Web Editor

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July 22, 2026

Steamship Shieldhall will take part in the official Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Parade of Sail on Saturday, July 25, before giving passengers a prime view of the SailGP racing in the Solent. The special sailing will bring together two major international sailing events in what promises to be one of the highlights of…
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Invitation to the Ashby Canal Diamond Gathering 5th, 6th September

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Web Editor

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July 21, 2026

The Ashby Canal Association is celebrating its first 60 years by holding its Diamond Gathering over the weekend of 5th, 6th of September, at the former Snarestone terminus of the Ashby Canal. Open from 10 to 6 both days, this is a chance to come along and see what is happening on the Ashby Canal.…
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Canal Trust gets 10th Green Flag

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Mark Lancaster

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July 16, 2026

Hollingwood Hub has been awarded the coveted Green Flag Award and is officially recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces. The Chesterfield Canal Trust, which leases the site from Derbyshire County Council, is celebrating today after receiving the award for the tenth year running. Jim Bower, who leads the Trust’s Gardening Team at…
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Sound of music comes to canalside cafe

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Web Editor

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July 9, 2026

A family-run cafe in north Shropshire will ring to the sound of music at a special event being staged as part of its fight back against the closure of a canal. The Lockside Café at Grindley Brook, near Whitchurch, is staging a music day on July 12, bringing together four sets of musicians for an…
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Major repair work underway on 180-year-old Worcester lock

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Web Editor

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July 8, 2026

The Canal & River Trust is carrying out essential repairs to Diglis Small Lock on the River Severn in Worcester. The top and bottom oak gates of the 180-year-old lock are being repaired as part of ongoing work to maintain and improve the structure for boaters navigating the river. Conservation work to the lock’s Victorian…
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