Canal Societies

Whilst the Canal and River Trust (CRT) may legally own the inland waterway network, one could argue that a major group of stakeholders are the various Canal Societies who's members give their time and money to make our watery pleasure ground better and bigger.

A core dimension of the charitable trust is to develop the profile, encourage visitors and to harness the enthusiasm of the various volunteer groups. It is expected that the public engagement aspect will grow and grow in significance, with local communities encouraged to care for "their" canal. Exciting stuff.

In my wanderings around the network, and my interest in the many restoration projects, I have come across lots of Society and Trust websites which are a mine of information. Here are some links to the 70 or so I have come across, take a look or better yet, get in touch and get involved!


Ashby Canal Association - East Midlands
Aylsbury Canal Society - South
Aylsham Navigation Trust - East Anglia
Barnsley Dearne and Dove Canals Trust - North East
Basingstoke Canal Authority - South
Bedford and Milton Keynes Waterways Trust - South
Birmingham Canal Navigations Society - West Midlands
Black Country Museum - West Midlands
Buckingham Canal Society - South
Bugsworth Basin - IWPS - North 
Boaters Christian Fellowship - National
Bude Canal Trust - South West
Calder Navigation Society - North East
Caldon and Uttoxeter Canals Trust - Midlands
Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Trust - South East
Chesterfield Canal Trust - East Midlands
Cotswold Canals Trust - South
Coventry Canal Society - Midlands
Friends of the Cromford Canal - East Midlands
Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust - East Midlands
Droitwich Canals Trust - West Midlands
Dudley Canal Trust - West Midlands
Forth and Clyde Canal Society - Scotland
Foxton Inclined Plane Trust - East Midlands
Friends of President - West Midlands
Grand Western Canal Trust - South West
Grantham Canal Society - East Midlands
Hereford and Gloucester Canal Trust - South West
Historic Boat Owners Club - National
Hollinswood Canal Society - North
Horseboating Society - North
Huddersfield Canal Society - The North
Inland Waterways Asociation - national with local branches
Kennet and Avon Canal Trust - South
Lagan Canal Trust - Ireland
Lancaster Canal Trust - North West
Lapal Canal Trust West Midlands
Leeds and Liverpool Canal Society - North