Waterway Recovery Group

23/10/2026

⏰ 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲!

Applications to host a WRG Canal Camp in 2027 close on 30 October.

There’s still time to prepare your application, so don’t miss out!

A Canal Camp can act as a catalyst to your restoration project – by making significant progress in just one week, attracting positive publicity, introducing new volunteers to canal restoration and helping you to complete jobs which require skills and experience your volunteers may not have.

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
• Traditional ‘Canal Camp’ activities for up to 18 people in the summer of 2027
• Similar activities in February, Easter, October and Christmas 2027

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧:
• A large vegetation clearance or similar scale project for up to 80 people in November 2027 (our Reunion weekend)
• Smaller projects requiring fewer volunteers and/or a duration of less than a week, both for our main Canal Camps schedule and for weekend visits by our Regional Groups.
• Early expressions of interest for 2028 and beyond – for these we will work with you to support you in preparing for an application in 2027.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 & 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Instructions have been emailed to registered contacts for each restoration group.
If you haven’t received them or need more information, please contact IWA Head Office - 01494 783 453.

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Please submit the above to [email protected]

Useful resources
• Webinar ‘Hosting a Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camp’ which we hope will support you in preparing applications:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE2k-2fFPL8
• We suggest you have a look at the ‘Guide to: Hosting a Canal Camp’:https://waterways.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Guide-to-Hosting-a-Canal-Camp.pdf
Please note that the deadile is now 30th October 2026, and that we are not utilising the application form in it this year. Also please address any queries to [email protected]

19/10/2026

When you join IWA, you may be wondering where the membership funds go. Well, contributing to organising and funding for projects like this one at Griffin Mill Lock, part of the Three Locks Project on the Thames and Severn Canal, is a big part of it. So when your membership fee goes out, picture this and remember that you are part of waterways restoration across the country.

Griffin Mill Lock had brand new lock gates, custom made by Hargreaves Lock Gates of Sowerby Bridge. The Cotswold Canal Trust have spearheaded the Three Locks Project, with help from IWA's Waterway Recovery Group. This was just part of a larger, on going restoration project.

There are always more miles to restore and improve. 5000 miles of inland waterways, 5000 reasons to protect, restore and champion them.

24/09/2026

𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐖𝐑𝐆 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕

With the successful summer 2026 programme at an end, applications for hosting WRG Canal Camps in 2027 are now open.

A Canal Camp can act as a catalyst to your restoration project – by making significant progress in just one week, attracting positive publicity, introducing new volunteers to canal restoration and helping you to complete jobs which require skills and experience your volunteers may not have.

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
• Traditional ‘Canal Camp’ activities for up to 18 people in the summer of 2027
• Similar activities in February, Easter, October and Christmas 2027

𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧:
• A large vegetation clearance or similar scale project for up to 80 people in November 2027 (our Reunion weekend)
• Smaller projects requiring fewer volunteers and/or a duration of less than a week, both for our main Canal Camps schedule and for weekend visits by our Regional Groups.
• Early expressions of interest for 2028 and beyond – for these we will work with you to support you in preparing for an application in 2027.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 & 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧:
Instructions have been emailed to registered contacts for each restoration group.
If you haven’t received them or need more information, please contact IWA Head Office - 01494 783 453.

𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝟑𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Please submit the above to [email protected]

Useful resources
• Webinar ‘Hosting a Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camp’ which we hope will support you in preparing applications:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VE2k-2fFPL8
• We suggest you have a look at the ‘Guide to: Hosting a Canal Camp’:https://waterways.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Guide-to-Hosting-a-Canal-Camp.pdf
Please note that the deadile is now 30th October 2026, and that we are not utilising the application form in it this year. Also please address any queries to [email protected]

23/09/2026

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐖𝐀 - 𝐂𝐑𝐓 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

We’re heading to Dudley Canal and Caverns on Saturday 14 November for a day of discussion, ideas and conversations about the future of our waterways.

There will be sessions on the role of placemaking and how the social impact of this work can be measured and demonstrated, and workshops on funding, the realities of maintaining a working canal network, and the first six months of CRT's Restoration Delivery Plan.

In the afternoon, there will be a 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, giving delegates the opportunity to share ideas and contribute to discussions about the future direction of the waterways sector.

𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭.
Make sure you save your seat!

https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/autumn-waterways-conference-2026?fbclid=IwY2xjawUsnyNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6asiSOWi3l6GwO1rxaqSdU3a-1ImHqGOIBICJEPyJVXl5MpoXCD3kv8KV5Zg_aem_MuH0IKEMJt6hPFTAmq8_OA

The 2026 Autumn Waterways Conference jointly organised by IWA and CRT is taking place on Saturday 14th November at Dudley Canal and Caverns.

15/09/2026

Would you like the chance to shape the future of waterway restoration across Britain, supporting 50+ independent groups working to reopen former navigable routes and forging new strategic waterway links? Do you have excellent communication and networking skills, project management experience and experience of waterway restoration, heritage restoration or similar?

The Inland Waterways Association is currently recruiting for a Waterways Restoration Officer. You will be at the frontline of restoration, directly interacting with restoration groups and providing support by signposting to advice, identifying where IWA can develop resources and leading in their development.

This is a full time, but flexible role and all the information can be found on our website here: https://waterways.org.uk/about-us/the-charity/work-with-us

IWA is seeking a confident individual with sound organisational and communication skills who has a passion for the nation’s waterways and heritage. If this is you, we look forward to receiving your application! Closing date is 12th October 2026.

04/09/2026

And just like that, the WRG Summer Canal Camps are over!

We’re feeling a little bit of the post-Camp blues, but mostly incredibly proud of what our volunteers have achieved over the past few months.

Our final camp of the summer has just wrapped up on the Cotswold Canals where volunteers spent three weeks working on John Robinson Lock. The latest week saw the lock cill laid, the culvert given a new brick face, the original cobbled path uncovered, a new quadrant wall taking shape, coping stones cast and reset, and a huge amount of pointing completed in the lock chamber. Not bad for a week’s work! A huge thank you to the The Cotswold Canals Trust for hosting us!

And that’s just the finale. Across this summer’s Canal Camps, our volunteers have tackled dust, heat, challenging conditions and the inevitable changes of plan, and they’ve kept turning up, getting stuck in and getting the job done.

It has been a fantastic summer, with many young people and DofE participants getting their first taste of canal restoration, alongside many brilliant returning volunteers and leaders. We’ve had plenty of enthusiastic feedback, some helpful suggestions for how we can improve, and hopefully quite a few new canal restoration converts along the way!

The many impressive achievements have also attracted attention from both local and national media, helping to highlight the importance of these restoration projects to stakeholders and funders, and showing just what can be achieved when people come together.

So, a huge THANK YOU to every volunteer, leader and society who has helped make this summer’s Canal Camps happen.

For more updates and reports from this summer Canal Camps, check out Navvies, the WRG magazine, for just £5 a year: https://waterways.org.uk/waterways/sites/waterway-recovery-group/navvies

You can also follow the WRG Facebook group for detailed day-to-day diaries, photos and updates from the Camps: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2218205010

A huge well done to everyone who took part!

Here’s to getting our network closer to reconnection, one lock, wall and muddy boot at a time.

26/08/2026

𝐖𝐑𝐆 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲

Join us for the Autumn Leaders Day on Saturday 26 September, 10am–4pm, at Lowsonford Village Hall.

The day is for:
• Volunteers interested in finding out more about canal camp leadership
• Assistant Leaders considering taking the step up to leadership
• Current Leaders, particularly those who are newer to the role

Book your place now! Details and booking link below.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Interested in becoming a WRG Canal Camp Leader?

Following our first Leadership Teams Day earlier this year, Waterway recovery Group is pleased to be running another event this autumn.

When: Saturday 26th September (10:00 to 16:00)
Where: Lowsonford Village Hall, Rookery Ln, Henley-in-Arden, B95 5ER
Who should attend: Volunteers interested in knowing more about canal camp leadership, current assistant leaders considering the step up to leadership, and current leaders who have only recently started their leadership journey.
What we will cover: The agenda is being finalised, but will include undertaking a site visit, site planning, demystifying the paperwork, canal camp logistics, and what to consider away from site.

There is no commitment to become a Leader by attending. It’s simply an opportunity to learn more about the role, ask questions and meet others interested in Canal Camp leadership.

The day is free to attend, but spaces are limited. Find out more and book your place here: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/leadership-training-day

We look forward to welcoming aspiring and new Leaders to the day!

25/08/2026

Another great week on the Cotswold Canals!

The WRG Cotswold Canal Camp Week 2 team made excellent progress at John Robinson Lock, with the north wall taking shape and the first reinforced courses going in. Over the week, the team completed more courses, tied in and concreted the final horizontal reinforcement, and made good progress with raking and pointing in the lock chamber.

The walls are now just about ready for the cast copers, while work also continued on the inspection chamber and lid, soil preparation and some light landscaping.

There was time for a little exploring too, including a quick guided tour of the Missing Mile lock site and a lovely evening at Stroud Brewery admiring the new winding hole!

A huge well done to the Week 2 team for all their hard work and the excellent progress made! And judging by the photos, there was plenty of fun and good spirit along the way too.

For the full day-by-day diary and lots more photos from the camp, head over to the WRG page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2218205010

Meanwhile, Week 3 is already in full swing! We’ll be sharing more updates from the latest team very soon.

Good luck to everyone on Week 3, and a massive thank you to all our volunteers and camp leaders who have already put so much into this summer’s camps!

10/08/2026

Another two WRG Canal Camps came to an end on Saturday, with a huge thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time and hard work over the past week!

Hanwell Flight Canal Camp, Grand Union Canal

During the second week of the camp, volunteers continued restoration work on the side-pond at Lock 95, including bricklaying, rebuilding sections of the walls, removing damaged brickwork, crack-stitching and pointing.

The team also welcomed visitors including WRG’s Martin Ludgate and Chris Reade, Inspector of Ancient Monuments at Historic England, the main funder of the project.

ITV London also featured the team working at Lock 95, including interviews with two of the volunteers.

For day-by-day updates from the week, check out the WRG Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2218205010

Photos from the week will also appear in Navvies, so make sure your subscription is up to date!

Wilts & Berks Canal Camp

Meanwhile, the KESCRG team were at Pewsham on the Wilts & Berks, working primarily on the bottom lock of the Pewsham Flight. The main tasks were starting the foundations for a new lock wing wall and casting new coping stones in concrete.

The work is helping the local branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust continue the restoration of the Pewsham Flight, with the longer-term aim of extending the navigable section through the flight and onwards.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in both camps and helped keep these restoration projects moving forward!

And now, on to the Cotswold Canals!

The WRG team has started the first of three weeks rebuilding the Basin Wall at the bottom of John Robinson Lock. Volunteers will be tackling an interesting mix of work, including the restoration of original walls and the construction of new walls using more modern techniques.

More updates from the Cotswold Canals Camps coming soon!

12/05/2026

One month to go until the WRG Leadership Teams Day 2026 on Saturday 13th June at Lowsonford Village Hall, B95 5ER.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a WRG Camp Leader, Assistant Leader or Camp Cook, come and join us for this free training day.

We’re looking forward to a practical and engaging event, bringing together current and prospective Camp Leaders, Assistants and Cooks, alongside those supporting WRG activities and local society representatives.

Spaces are limited, so don’t leave it too late.

To learn more and book your place: https://waterways.org.uk/support/ways-to-get-involved/events/canal-camps-leadership-teams-training-day
or call us: 01494 783453 Ext 607