The 2025 Annual Restoration Conference, jointly organised by IWA and Canal & River Trust, will take place on Saturday 26th April at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FW.
This year’s Conference will focus on the challenges of delivering sustainable restorations from different viewpoints. There will be keynote speakers from Canal & River Trust, IWA, Waterway Recovery Group, Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, and Severn Trent Water.
Plenary sessions include the Grand Union Canal Water Transfer Project; the conversation around water transfer will be further examined by a workshop highlighting the options and issues of which waterway restorers should be aware in putting forward the case for use of their waterway for water transfer. Further plenary sessions will look at the challenges of balancing modern needs while retaining the best of our heritage; and on Youth Volunteering in restoration with particular focus on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
We will also be running a choice of breakout sessions including:
A: Water Transfer; continuing the conversation.
B: Changing Conversations Around Heritage
C: Q&A Workshop with Canal & River Trust
There will be plenty of time for networking over the extended lunch break. After lunch, a guided visit will offer the chance to explore the Museum. The day’s agenda is available here.
With its collections and archives focussed on Britain’s inland waterways, including canal boats, traditional artefacts and historical photos, the National Waterways Museum will provide a unique and exciting location, with the chance to visit the Island Warehouse, the Power Hall and the blacksmith’s forge where the ironwork for the canal and its boats was made.
The conference is a valuable chance for those involved in waterway restoration to experience new insights into the important topics facing restorations today. Delegates will have the opportunity to network, and attend in-depth sessions and workshops led by experts across the field.
The conference will run from 9.30am with an optional tour of the Museum in the afternoon. The fee for the day is just £10.00.
Spaces are limited and bookings will close on 14th April. We strongly suggest you book in advance and make sure your organisation is represented. Book Your Place Now
Any questions you may have, please email verena.leonardini(at)waterways.org.uk or call 01494 783 453 Ext 607.
Restoration
Waterway Restoration Conference 2025
The 2025 Annual Restoration Conference, jointly organised by IWA and Canal & River Trust, will take place on Saturday 26th April at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH65 4FW.
This year’s Conference will focus on the challenges of delivering sustainable restorations from different viewpoints. There will be keynote speakers from Canal & River Trust, IWA, Waterway Recovery Group, Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, and Severn Trent Water.
Plenary sessions include the Grand Union Canal Water Transfer Project; the conversation around water transfer will be further examined by a workshop highlighting the options and issues of which waterway restorers should be aware in putting forward the case for use of their waterway for water transfer. Further plenary sessions will look at the challenges of balancing modern needs while retaining the best of our heritage; and on Youth Volunteering in restoration with particular focus on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
We will also be running a choice of breakout sessions including:
A: Water Transfer; continuing the conversation.
B: Changing Conversations Around Heritage
C: Q&A Workshop with Canal & River Trust
There will be plenty of time for networking over the extended lunch break. After lunch, a guided visit will offer the chance to explore the Museum. The day’s agenda is available here.
With its collections and archives focussed on Britain’s inland waterways, including canal boats, traditional artefacts and historical photos, the National Waterways Museum will provide a unique and exciting location, with the chance to visit the Island Warehouse, the Power Hall and the blacksmith’s forge where the ironwork for the canal and its boats was made.
The conference is a valuable chance for those involved in waterway restoration to experience new insights into the important topics facing restorations today. Delegates will have the opportunity to network, and attend in-depth sessions and workshops led by experts across the field.
The conference will run from 9.30am with an optional tour of the Museum in the afternoon. The fee for the day is just £10.00.
Spaces are limited and bookings will close on 14th April. We strongly suggest you book in advance and make sure your organisation is represented. Book Your Place Now
Any questions you may have, please email verena.leonardini(at)waterways.org.uk or call 01494 783 453 Ext 607.
