Towpath Talk

Showcasing the power of volunteering

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Web Editor

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June 20, 2026

From thousands of hours to hands-on enthusiasm, volunteers at the Canal & River Trust are fine examples of what working together can achieve. This is the penultimate article in a series about the teams and individuals who were honoured at the trust’s annual awards ceremony, this time focusing on the Wales and South West region.…
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From revival to ruin? IWA presses CRT over delays on Wendover Arm

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Web Editor

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June 18, 2026

The Inland Waterways Association is actively campaigning to resolve the ongoing issues affecting the Wendover Arm, following significant delays and restrictions imposed on its restoration. For many years, the Wendover Canal Trust has led extensive work to restore the previously dry section of the Wendover Arm between Little Tring and Drayton Beauchamp. This has included…
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Campaign Cruise on ‘The Danny’ Celebrates IWA’s 80th Anniversary and Champions The River Weaver

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Mark Lancaster

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June 18, 2026

The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) marked its 80th anniversary of campaigning for Britain’s waterways with a special cruise aboard the historic SS Daniel Adamson affectionately known as “The Danny”, on Friday 12 June. The event celebrated eight decades of IWA’s work to protect, restore and promote the nation’s inland waterways, while also shining a spotlight on…
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Expanding citizen science on England’s waterways

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Web Editor

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June 17, 2026

A pilot project testing a digital tool that lets you report on the health of your local waterways in real time, directly from your phone, ends next month. BluePrint, developed by the Environment Agency in partnership with Hello Lamp Post, follows WaterWatch, a year-long pilot that gathered public observations at five bathing water sites. The…
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Milton Keynes clean-up collects seven tonnes of rubbish

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Web Editor

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June 15, 2026

THE IWA’s Milton Keynes branch held its annual Canal Clean-up across the 10-mile stretch through Milton Keynes from Fenny Stratford to Cosgrove on April 10/11. The usual mix of discarded items were found, including several supermarket trolleys, six tyres, four electric hire scooters, three bicycles, an outboard motor, a plastic barrel, a motor bike frame,…
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Biggest boat clean-up in a decade underway on Upper Thames

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Mark Lancaster

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June 13, 2026

‘Sunk, wrecked, abandoned – they’ve got to go,’ says Environment Agency as Thames boat crackdown continues “Sunk, wrecked, abandoned – they’ve got to go.” That is the message from the Environment Agency’s deputy director of navigation as 53 boats have already been removed in an ongoing crackdown on the non-tidal Thames. The agency is on…
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The canal campaigners who refused to let the Monty run dry

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Mark Lancaster

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June 12, 2026

Sixty years after a last-ditch meeting in a Newport hotel, the Shropshire Union Canal Society is still fighting for the waterways of the historic Shropshire Union network – turning threatened closures into volunteer-powered restorations and keeping up the pressure to bridge the final ‘Shropshire Gap.’ THE Shropshire Union Canal Society (SUCS) began life on Wednesday,…
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New canal boat joins Scouts’ fleet

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Web Editor

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June 10, 2026

THE Wakefield Scouts have unveiled Scouting Explorer, the latest addition to its canal boat fleet, following months of dedicated renovation work by volunteers and committee members. The vessel, which has been transformed into a fully equipped hire boat, is intended to provide young people in Scouting with new opportunities for adventure, teamwork, and learning on…
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River rights recognised in growing grassroots movement

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Web Editor

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June 9, 2026

Two more local authorities have formally recognised the rights of rivers in their areas to live, thrive and evolve. COUNCILS in Hampshire and East Sussex are among the latest to commit to considering the health and legal rights of rivers and streams in future decision-making. As reported, the growing Rights of Rivers movement in the…
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One man and his dog – and a 250-mile towpath challenge

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Web Editor

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June 8, 2026

FOR more than 30 years, Britain’s canals have been a place of refuge, connection and joy for Mark Willis. But when the Whitchurch breach devastated the Llangollen Canal, closing a vital waterway and then demanding an immense, costly rebuild, it exposed just how fragile some blue spaces have become – and how heavily they now…
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Kayaking pair rewrite Thames history

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Web Editor

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June 6, 2026

A new world record has been set for paddling the full navigable length of the River Thames. JOE Petersen and Brynde Kreft completed the 200km route in a double kayak ,from Lechlade to Teddington in 14 hours and three minutes – an astonishing one hour and 41 minutes faster than the previous record, held by…
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RCR offers £100 discount on July/August courses

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Web Editor

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June 5, 2026

River Canal Rescue is offering a £100 discount to those who book a place on its two-day diesel engine and boat maintenance course running on 22-23 July and 19-20 August. Held at its Stafford HQ, the £300 course (now £200), covers how to maintain diesel engines and the systems within a narrowboat, such as propulsion,…
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New venue for canal concerts

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Web Editor

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June 4, 2026

The Chesterfield Canal Trust is promoting two concerts at the newly restored Barrow Hill Memorial Hall. The proceeds will go towards the further restoration of the canal. The Swing Commanders will be appearing on Friday 26th June followed by Simon Mayor & Hilary James on Saturday 27th June. To book, click here or ring 01246…
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Calls grow for residential boaters to be recognised in housing and planning policy

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Web Editor

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June 3, 2026

Thousands of people make their homes on Britain’s canals and rivers, but many residential boaters say they face mounting barriers to healthcare, basic services and legal security, with campaigners warning that unclear rights and patchy recognition are leaving a significant community exposed. PRESSURE is growing on ministers to confront what campaigners describe as a blind…
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