Towpath Talk

REOPENED: Scale Lane footbridge

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May 16, 2025

Alison Alderton reports: THE Scale Lane swinging footbridge over the River Hull has reopened to pedestrians and cyclists following its closure late last year. The bridge was closed to the public in December 2024 when essential repair works to its swing mechanism were scheduled to take place. However, a routine inspection identified several bearings also…
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ANOTHER ONE bites the dust!

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May 14, 2025

Alison Alderton reports… FURTHER demolition to the former Cottam Power Station on the banks of the River Trent in Nottinghamshire has taken place. Cottam Power Station was commissioned in 1968 and capable of generating enough electricity for 3.7m homes. It was originally designed to be operational for 30 years but had its life extended to…
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CHARACTERS of the Cut: Christine Wood, Traditional Canalware

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May 13, 2025

Alice Elgie reports… IT SEEMS like Christine Wood was blessed with the right name for her trade, busy as she is painting not only traditional canalware but also restoring interesting, unusual and antique pieces of furniture. She shared with me: “When I was 14 I saved my pocket money and bought a wood turning lathe…
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MARINA hosts MP visit

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May 12, 2025

WHITE Mills Marina at Earls Barton was delighted to welcome local MP Stuart Andrew, who visited the family-run business as part of a constituency fact-finding tour. Of course, no official visit would be complete without a ribbon-cutting ceremony, so White Mills arranged for Stuart to officially mark the start of the Marina’s Phase 3 development…
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EMERGENCY REPAIRS keeps longest canal lock flight closed

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May 10, 2025

URGENT repairs to the longest canal lock flight in Britain will keep the locks closed until August. The Canal & River Trust is undertaking urgent works, costing £500,000, to Tardebigge Top Lock on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal after investigations revealed that the 200-year-old lock wall is in need of restoration. The work is vital…
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SHARE YOUR STORY and win a CRT licence

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May 9, 2025

River Canal Rescue is reminding boaters they have until 16 May to submit their short story about life on the water. It must relate to a boating experience over the past 25 years, and can be funny/dramatic etc, as long as it reflects ‘real life’ on the cut. A maximum of 700 words and three…
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LONDON CANAL MUSEUM gets royal visitor

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May 8, 2025

HRH The Princess Royal visited the London Canal Museum where she saw first hand the work of volunteers and the exhibits on show. The museum, located near King’s Cross, is devoted to the history of London’s canals and Princess Anne is its patron. During the visit, the princess met front-of-house volunteers and other helpers who…
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MONTGOMERY CANAL RESTORATION: Work continues apace

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Mark Lancaster

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May 7, 2025

VOLUNTEERS from the Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) are inching the Crickheath section of the Montgomery Canal closer to Schoolhouse Bridge. During a recent work party, volunteers laid 3500 blocks to line the canal, completing 135 metres towards the bridge. Their work was approved by Jason Leach, head of external programme delivery at Canal &…
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TOXIC LEAK: Canal recovery work cost hits £500K

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May 6, 2025

THE COST of essential remedial work to the Walsall Canal after it was poisoned by 4000 litres of highly toxic sodium cyanide and zinc cyanide has reached £500,000. The Canal & River Trust revealed it has diverted funds to manage the aftermath of the leak and added there was no date for the reopening of…
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FUND BRITAIN’S WATERWAYS Wesminster campaign cruise

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May 5, 2025

Event: Fund Britain’s Waterways Westminster Campaign Cruise Date: Wednesday 7th May 2025 Location: Westminster Bridge Time: The flotilla will cruise to the Palace of Westminster on a rising tide, arriving at the Palace from 10.30 a.m. High Water Westminster Bridge is at 11.00 a.m. Why: A large flotilla of boats will be travelling in convoy up the River Thames and standing…
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£5000 NEEDED to restore canal history

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May 3, 2025

THE GRANTHAM Canal Society is asking for the public’s help as it bids to restore the historic Canal Wharf and Weigh House at Muston Gorse, near Bottesford in Lincolnshire. The building is derelict and needs full renovation. So far, a Crowdfunder has raised £735. The society aims to restore the structure, creating a vibrant visitor…
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HERITAGE HEROES AWARDS recognition for canal volunteer

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May 2, 2025

A NORTHAMPTONSHIRE canal volunteer is celebrating after receiving recognition in the Heritage Heroes Awards, organised by the Heritage Alliance. Kathryn Dodington, who has volunteered with national charity Canal & River Trust since 2014, has been selected as a runner-up in the Lifetime Achievement category of the awards, which recognise the invaluable role that volunteers play…
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£234K GRANT saves rare ‘puffer’

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May 1, 2025

A RARE Clyde puffer boat which is on the National Historic Ships Fleet Register has been saved from ruin – but is still short of its cash target. The Canal & River Trust is hoping the public will help fund the remaining £20,000 needed to rescue and preserve the vessel at the trust’s National Waterways…
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NORTHERN CANALS ASSOCIATION: Busy year ahead

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April 30, 2025

THE NORTHERN Canals Association looked to the future and the past at its recent meeting. The association heard about various restoration projects ongoing and planned in the region, including a new bridge and trip boat. The meeting was held at Langley Mill, in the Amber Valley, Derbyshire, where 57 members heard about the history of…
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