Towpath Talk
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1930’S BOAT: Now a seat…
CHESHIRE’S Overwater Marina saw a different type of launch when its workshop team unveiled a painstaking conversion of a piece of boating history. The stern of Saxon, a hand riveted cast iron open day boat first built for the London Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) Company, has been restored and converted into a seating area…
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SUCCESS: ABC’s Apprentice Scheme
CHARLOTTE Ginger is one of four ABC Leisure Group employees enrolled in a new apprenticeship scheme, and she is already reaping the rewards. The group, which owns and operates 18 inland waterway marinas, has partnered with leading training provider Paragon Skills to launch the scheme, supported by the National Apprenticeship Service. Charlotte is the office…
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PYTHON WORKBOAT: Gets some new volunteers
AS PART of a programme of activities to support staff well-being, the Bassetlaw Community and Voluntary Service (BCVS) team spent the day volunteering on the Python workboat on the Chesterfield Canal between Shaw Lock and West Stockwith. A total of 17 BCVS staff took part in two sessions; the morning team joining Python under blue…
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HOLLINGWOOD HUB: Green Flag awarded
THE Chesterfield Canal Trust is celebrating after receiving a Green Flag Award for Hollingwood Hub – the eighth year in a row that it has received the accreditation. The hub, four miles from the centre of Chesterfield next to Hollingwood Lock, is home to the trust, from where it runs boat trips, towing demonstrations with…
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SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW: New Inland area
There’s a new Inland area at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show – Phil Pickin reports… Robert Parton, BM President and MD of Aqueduct Marina, has announced a new feature at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show, highlighting the importance of the inland waterways. Thanks to the proactive efforts of the Canal & River Trust…
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RATCLIFFE LOCK: Temporary repair
REPAIRS to Ratcliffe Lock, on the River Soar in Nottingham, have been conducted to ensure that boaters can use it during the summer holidays. The Canal & River Trust was due to replace the aged gates last winter after boaters reported difficulties operating them, but wet weather meant the River Soar was in flood for…
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REPAIRS: Underway at Swing Bridge
A SIX-WEEK programme of repairs to Sellars Swing Bridge, which carries Sellars Road over the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, is under way. Over the years, vehicles have become heavier, which has affected the condition of the bridge, which connects Hardwicke and Quedgeley with Elmore. The Canal & River Trust is making improvements that will strengthen…
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HEROIC EFFORTS: On the Shropshire Union
THE steady progression of restoration work on the Shropshire Union Canal has seen the working party move ahead of schedule – and members also discovered the remains of a haunted ‘ghost’ ship! Members of the Shropshire Union Canal Society working party met in July to upgrade the towpath in the area of Crickheath Wharf, constructing…
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CANAL FESTIVAL: Oxford
Oxford’s residents are proud to announce the line up for this year’s Oxford Canal Festival on Saturday 21 SEPTEMBER 2024 between 11 am to 6pm. Come and enjoy a community day of festival fun on the Aristotle Lane Recreation Ground, OX2 – entry is free! Proceeds will go to ‘The Kilsby Theatre Boat Project’ –…
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CHARITY WALK: 100 miles along the Grand Union!
The 100-mile Grand Union Ramble is in aid of two great charities and will take place from the 19th to the 22nd of September. One of the walkers, George Kelly, told Towpath Talk: “After last year’s success with “The Great Commute”, we’re taking to The Grand Union Canal for 2024’s 100+ miler. Going from Braunston…
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ROTARIANS: Helping Montgomery Canal Volunteers
A COMMUNITY group is hoping to help speed up the closing of the Shropshire Gap. Enthusiastic members of Borderland Rotary have seen at first hand the work to restore the Montgomery Canal and, in particular, the section known as the Shropshire Gap which covers two miles from Crickheath Basin to Llanymynech. The group, which included…
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GREEN FLAG STATUS for waterways
Almost 750 miles of waterways managed by the Canal & River Trust have been honoured with the prestigious Green Flag status by Keep Britain Tidy. CANAL & River Trust has retained all its existing 736 miles of Green Flags, with waterways maintaining the standard required for the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.…
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25TH AUGUST: Event with Waterways Ireland
Celebrate National Heritage Week and Waterways Heritage in Tullamore: Unveiling “A Boatman’s Journey” Alison Alderton reports: Waterways Ireland, in collaboration with the Heritage Boat Association (HBA) and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI), is delighted to announce a special event during National Heritage Week to celebrate our shared inland waterways heritage. This event will…
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‘INHUMANE’ RULES: NBTA want rethink
The National Bargee Travellers’ Association, which represents thousands of itinerant UK boat dwellers, calls for end to the Canal and River Trust’s current enforcement policy. THE trust which manages most of the UK’s inland waterways has published the full results of its Boater Census first conducted in 2022, which highlights the issues and challenges faced…
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