Towpath Talk

RIVER FOSS: Citizen Science Project

by

Web Editor

–

November 19, 2024

Creatures living in the River Foss in York are helping volunteers to maintain water quality, as Sally Clifford finds out. THEIR presence is crucial to keeping on top of river pollution. To the naked eye the tiny creatures are simply pond life, but to the river detectives they provide important evidence. Retired freshwater biologist, Barbara…
Continue reading »
STOURPORT: The clue is in the name!

by

Web Editor

–

November 18, 2024

Jonathan Mosse’s monthly look at freight development on the inland waterways. IN MOST people’s minds, ports have strong coastal affiliations and are unlikely to be poked tidily away up rivers or canals. But 200 or more years ago, the fabric of commerce between Britain and the rest of the world had a very different weave…
Continue reading »
MUSEUM FOCUS: Canal gem in the heart of the Devon countryside

by

Web Editor

–

November 16, 2024

Nicola Lisle explores the history and wildlife of the Grand Western Canal at the Visitor Centre in Tiverton THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the reopening of the Grand Western Canal to boat traffic, and also of the formation of the Tiverton Canal Company. Today this lovely stretch of canal is a country park…
Continue reading »
REDEVELOPED: Connaught Harbour visitor destination officially opens

by

Web Editor

–

November 15, 2024

Alison Alderton reports… WATERWAYS Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, in the company of Minister of State Anne Rabbitte TD, have officially launched the redevelopment of Connaught Harbour, Portumna, Co Galway. This €2.8m investment is a significant milestone in the Shannon Tourism Masterplan. The redevelopment of Connaught Harbour, one of two significant tourism and navigation projects in…
Continue reading »
CANAL RESTORATION: On track thanks to volunteers

by

Web Editor

–

November 14, 2024

VITAL work completed by volunteers has ensured the Cromford Canal restoration continues to progress.The team from the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) worked tirelessly to complete preparation work at the site at at Beggarlee, Langley Mill, Derbyshire, so the main canal restoration work could take place. The group has donated nearly 700 hours to the project,…
Continue reading »
SELLARS SWING BRIDGE: Repairs complete

by

Web Editor

–

November 13, 2024

Lucy Wood reports… THE Canal & River Trust has completed a six-week programme of repairs to Sellars Swing Bridge, which carries Sellars Road over the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. The increased weight in vehicles over the years had taken a toll on the condition of the bridge, which dates to the 1950s. The repairs were…
Continue reading »
CHESHIRE LOCK: Open again after £10k repair

by

Web Editor

–

November 12, 2024

HUNTS Lock on the Weaver Navigation in Cheshire is now open to boaters after a complex repair operation by the Canal & River Trust. The work means the link between the 250-year-old waterway and the Trent and Mersey Canal, via the Anderton Boat Lift, is now working again. The trust had to bring in cranes,…
Continue reading »
CHARACTERS OF THE CUT: Sally & Stephen, Narrowboat Bears

by

Web Editor

–

November 11, 2024

Alice Elgie reports… FOR English teachers Sally and Stephen Underwood and their companion, a knitted travelling frog called Mathew, holidays seem to be the catalyst for new lifestyle adventures and this is one family certainly not afraid to take that leap. In 2003 they leapt to the Canary Islands and then in 2022, back to…
Continue reading »
REPAIRS MADE: To bank washed away in floods

by

Web Editor

–

November 9, 2024

Lucy Wood reports… MAJOR repairs to a section of canal bank that was washed away by winter floods in Leicester have been completed. The Canal & River Trust has repaired and strengthened a 100-metre section of the Grand Union Canal bank, which was severely damaged when floodwater from the non-navigable River Soar, which runs parallel,…
Continue reading »
CRUISERS THWARTED by failed structures and lack of dredging

by

Web Editor

–

November 8, 2024

A SIX-DAY cruise by a group of 23ft-long trailable boats failed in its bid to visit Brandon, Santon Downham, the village of Reach, Ely and Denver Sluice. In the event, the boaters could only go as far as Brandon Lock, which has been out of use due to silt from flood alleviation work earlier in…
Continue reading »
MARINA LODGE: To be retreat for cancer victims

by

Web Editor

–

November 7, 2024

A YOUNG cancer victim is more than halfway to her goal of buying a waterside haven as a sanctuary for other patients. Hannah Roberts, who suffers from glioblastoma (GBM4), has already raised £106,000 towards the £203,000 she needs to buy the lodge at Mercia Marina in the Midlands. She hopes it will provide a much-needed…
Continue reading »
£140K DREDGING: 1200 Tonnes of silt removed

by

Web Editor

–

November 6, 2024

THE Canal and River Trust has spent £140,000 dredging the River Soar in Leicester, removing more than 1200 tonnes of silt as part of works to make it easier for boaters and encourage wildlife. The work was carried out on a 500-metre section of the river at Limekiln Lock, near Abbey Park, as well as…
Continue reading »
NEW: Wetland and gardens open

by

Web Editor

–

November 5, 2024

A COMBINED effort has seen a green corridor to aid well-being open alongside a London waterway. The Southall Wellbeing Way is a combined park and wetland area, linked with towpaths to improve access to a series of green spaces in the area. The canal towpaths and linked green spaces between Spikes Bridge Park and Glade…
Continue reading »
ANCIENT CRAFTS: Demonstrated along the Leeds & Liverpool

by

Web Editor

–

November 4, 2024

CROWDS enjoyed a series of free special blacksmith’s forge demonstrations to celebrate this year’s Heritage Open Days at Apperley Bridge, Bradford close to the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Thanks to Canal & River Trust volunteer and former blacksmith David Wadsworth and fellow volunteer Phil ‘bellow boy’ Bristow, the charity was able to reignite history and…
Continue reading »

Towpath Talk

Latest Issue

Free Digital Issue

Search

Tags