Towpath Talk

WATERWAYS: Cash needed or closure risked

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Web Editor

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December 20, 2024

A PRESSURE group has called on the Government to give more cash to maintain the UK’s waterways – warning a lack of funds may force some rivers and canals to close. Fund Britain’s Waterways (FBW), which represents a wide range of river and canal businesses and users but not Canal & River Trust, a charity…
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VOTED: UK’s best marina

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Web Editor

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December 19, 2024

A CHESHIRE marina is the best in the UK – according to members of The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA). Overwater Marina, near Audlem and next to the Shropshire Union Canal, was crowned TYHA Inland Marina of the Year 2024 at the Southampton International Boat Show (see more on the boat show on page 43). The…
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January 2025

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Alex Bestwick

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December 19, 2024

Towpath Talk features everything you need to know about boats, marinas, wildlife, conservation, heritage and superb days out.
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POEM & ARTWORK inspired by canal

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Web Editor

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December 18, 2024

Lucy Wood investigates… THE Canal & River Trust charity and The Poetry Society have announced details of a new collaborative arts project inspired by the historic Sheffield & Tinsley Canal. Canal Works is a crowd-sourced poem by acclaimed poet Warda Yassin, and it has inspired a striking new installation by Sheffield-based artist Grace Visions, which…
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CANAL NETWORK: Education for kids

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Web Editor

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December 16, 2024

A NEW website aims to educate children and adults alike about the UK’s waterways. The Explorers programme provides a range of free material for primary school-aged children, parents and teachers. Funded by the People’s Postcode Lottery, it will encourage children to connect with nature and enjoy the physical and mental well-being benefits of outdoor learning,…
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GREY HAIR: Too much on the canal?

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Web Editor

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December 14, 2024

Phil Pickin poses a question that many groups associated with the waterways grapple with… what to do to overcome an ageing membership. DURING the IWA’s recent AGM in Leicester, the issue of membership came up. This was not unexpected, and the subject wasn’t discussed simply out of a desire to increase the number of IWA…
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FESTIVE SPIRIT: Safe Anchor Trust

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Web Editor

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December 13, 2024

Sally Clifford meets the family helping to bring the festive spirit to the Safe Anchor Trust. CHRISTMAS comes but once a year and the McGurty family are among those helping to spread the festive cheer. In the warm and cosy confines of the cafe at Shepley Bridge Marina in Mirfield, West Yorkshire – home to…
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CRUISE with Claus

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Web Editor

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December 12, 2024

CHILDREN and adults can cruise with Santa Claus from four different locations on the Chesterfield Canal this Christmas. For just £10, you will get to cruise with Father Christmas. Children will get a present and adults will get a drink and a mince pie. The Chesterfield Canal Trust will be running these cruises on all…
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VITAL WORK stops canal and river merging

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Web Editor

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December 11, 2024

EMERGENCY repair work to the UK’s longest canal and adjacent river has prevented the two waterways from merging. Recent heavy rainfall meant flooding from the River Soar found its way into the nearby Grand Union Canal and the increased pressure on canal walls meant vital repairs were necessary. The remote location of the flashpoint meant…
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FREIGHT DEVELOPMENTS on inland waterways

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Web Editor

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December 10, 2024

Jonathan Mosse’s monthly look at freight development on the inland waterways. IT IS my unshakeable belief that the fact that we still have a functional commercial inland waterways system is largely down to individuals and not to the people who are entrusted with running them – the navigation authorities. Wood, Hall & Heward (WHH: a…
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EXPLORING your canal ancestry

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Web Editor

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December 9, 2024

In the latest in her family history series, Nicola Lisle looks at how you can trace ancestors who fell foul of the law… IF YOU’VE hit a brick wall with any of your ancestors – such as names suddenly disappearing from census returns – it’s possible they had strayed from the straight and narrow. Crime…
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CANOE RIVER CLEANER Jim Elliot

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Web Editor

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December 7, 2024

Lucy Wood reports… An environmental campaigner is on a one-man crusade to make his local waterways cleaner – and educate people in the process. NATURE lover James (Jim) Elliott regularly takes to his local waterways in a canoe to clear litter and fly-tipping, conduct wildlife surveys and more, all the while promoting the well-being benefits…
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CHARACTERS OF THE CUT: Paddy Screech

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Web Editor

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December 6, 2024

Paddy Screech – Word on the Water, The London Bookbarge By Alice Elgie WHEN Paddy Screech and his friend, Jon Privett, were moored together in Springfield Park, Hackney back in 2010, they found themselves discussing ways to ensure they would never have to leave the canal again. “It’s not enough to just live on a…
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LICHFIELD BRANCH: Winter vegetation management

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Web Editor

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December 5, 2024

Amy Tillson Reports… Recently, IWA Lichfield Branch’s intrepid team of volunteers began their seventh consecutive year of winter vegetation management. This year they have been given a variety of tasks in addition to the usual cutting back of the overgrown vegetation. Repainting bridge names and numbers, removing ivy and other such growth from bridges and…
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