Towpath Talk
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BIG RIVER WATCH reveals water health picture
Thousands of people around the UK and Ireland joined forces and became springtime citizen scientists for The River Trust’s biannual citizen science event, the Big River Watch. Lucy Wood tells us what we need to know: THE River Trust has since been busy combing through the data and has now shared the results of the…
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WILDERNESS BOATS on the Ahby Canal
SPECTATORS at the Moira Canal Festival were delighted to witness a convoy of wilderness boats at the annual event – and the boaters showed their support for the Ashby Canal restoration. Lucy Wood brings us up to speed… Wilderness boats are trailboats which can be easily loaded on to a trailer and towed to get to…
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CRT: New Chief Executive
Lucy Wood reports… WATERWAYS charity the Canal & River Trust has announced the appointment of Campbell Robb as its new chief executive. Mr Robb will join the charity on October 6, after six years leading the social justice charity Nacro as its chief executive. He is replacing Richard Parry, who joined the trust in 2013,…
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NEXT STEP: Reaching the Shropshire Gap
WORK being carried out by the Shropshire Union Canal Society to restore part of the Montgomery Canal continues apace. Lucy Wood brings us up to speed The society’s regular working parties are currently focused on the Crickheath South project to restore the dry channel between Crickheath Bridge (bridge 85) at Crickheath Basin and Schoolhouse Bridge…
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NEW SLIPWAY brings disused waterway back into regular use
A SEVEN-MILE stretch of Louth Canal at Austen Fen, a few miles outside the Georgian market town from which the canal takes its name, is accessible once again to paddleboarders, kayakers and canoeists. Lucy Wood reports… It’s thanks to the state-of-the-art slipway, which is free to use from dawn to dusk, and has a dedicated…
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WIN A BILGEAWAY FILTER KIT
TO celebrate River Canal Rescue’s 25th anniversary, managing director, Stephanie Horton, is giving away prizes every month, throughout the year. In July, three Towpath Talk readers can win a 10” Bilgeaway filter kit, worth £99.98 each. Described as ‘the world’s first truly environmentally-friendly bilge discharge filter’, Bilgeaway uses a non-toxic solution to extract hydrocarbon contaminants…
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CRUISING IN STYLE: ‘Coral’ joins the fleet
Although we mainly look at new, privately owned boats, it’s good to occasionally see what is happening within the hire fleets. With this in mind, Phil Pickin took a trip to the Trevor Basin to see a new boat entering the Anglo Welsh fleet. YOU would be hard pushed to find a more iconic location…
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COMPLETE! Fish superhighway
A PROJECT to help fish navigate a stretch of river in West Yorkshire has ended in success. Lucy Wood reports… The Wild Trout Trust said: “After partially removing a step that stopped brown trout from migrating upstream, Jon Grey, the trust’s research and conservation officer, has now added baffles to this culverted stretch of river. “These…
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1000 MILE CANAL WALK for charity
A 72-year-old fundraiser has completed a challenge to walk along all the major canals in England. Lucy Wood reports Kate Ainslie Williams has succeeded in her goal, finishing with the Thames and Severn Canal at Lechlade, but starting in Stratford-upon-Avon. Over the years she has walked more than 1000 miles along the canals, raising money…
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RIVER FUNDRAISER is all Wight!
A 14-hour run around the Isle of Wight has raised more than £2000 for The Rivers Trust. Lucy Wood reports… The Foresters Friendly Society’s head of insurance operations, Grant Streader, took on the epic 106km Isle of Wight Challenge in aid of the organisation. He ran 109.55km, tackled 1724m of elevation, and crossed the finish…
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DERBYSHIRE SALMON reveals powerful insights into river health
An Atlantic salmon from the River Dove in Derbyshire has revealed crucial details about the success of local conservation efforts. Lucy Wood reports… The female salmon, or ‘hen,’ was found on the riverbank in December 2024. She has since been studied by the Wild Trout Trust and the Environment Agency. Through careful analysis, experts have…
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PHOTO CONTEST closes June 30
There’s still time to take part in The Riverfly Partnership’s photography competition. Lucy Wood reports… The partnership is encouraging people to submit images on the theme of riverflies. “If you don’t have any photos yet that you’re particularly proud of, then you’ve got until the end of June to get out to the river and…
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TRADE SHOW promises to be electric!
Electrika 2025, the second ever gathering of narrowboat owners, industry experts and manufacturers, is shining the spotlight on sustainable boating. Lucy Wood reports… With more and more electric narrow boats on the canal network and increasing interest in sustainable boating, Electrika aims to encourage and support the wider adoption of electric propulsion on the UK…
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July 2025
Towpath Talk features everything you need to know about boats, marinas, wildlife, conservation, heritage and superb days out.
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