At this year’s AGM at the Jubilee Conference Centre in Nottingham, we celebrated the winners of the Sustainable Boating Awards, presented in partnership with Towpath Talk. These awards recognise individuals, organisations, and businesses making a real difference in sustainable boating. We also presented the IWA National Awards 2025, honouring members and waterway campaigners whose dedication has helped protect, improve, and bring new life to our inland waterways.
The results of the awards are as follows:
Sustainable Boating Awards:
NON-COMMERCIAL AWARD 2025
Awarded to the individual, charity or community organisation that, in the opinion of the judges, has made the most valuable contribution to sustainable boating during the last twelve months.
Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust
For developing a sustainable strategy for their fleet and helping evaluate a unit that offers the possibility of converting an existing diesel boat to a parallel hybrid at an acceptable cost.
(Thank you video at the end of this article)
COMMERCIAL AWARD 2025
Awarded to the business that, in the opinion of the judges, has made the most valuable contribution to sustainable boating during the last twelve months.
Lynch Motors
For their pioneering work in bringing to market a parallel hybrid technology that offers a cheaper and more sustainable means of retrofitting an electric drive to a diesel boat.
[Details of the Awards are at https://waterways.org.uk/campaigns/sustainable-boating#award]
IWA NATIONAL AWARDS
RICHARD BIRD MEDALS
For members of the Association whose efforts and support are considered to have brought significant benefit to the Association over a sustained period.
• Nigel Hardacre
A dedicated member of the branch committee since 2004, bringing IT expertise and a passion for waterways. He keeps the branch’s online presence active and engaging as well as leading hugely popular guided walks and talks. Nigel’s work has become a vital way of raising funds and awareness for the branch. He also gets stuck into working parties, putting his chainsaw and strimmer training to good restorative use.
• Nick Parker
An outstanding achievement of 17 years volunteering on IWA’s finance and investment committees. Nick’s work has been essential to the strength of the organisation. His attention to detail and persistence have helped steer IWA’s finances with wisdom and security.
• Andrew Phasey
Recognised for exceptional long-term contribution to the delivery of the IWA Certificate of Boat Management Scheme. Andrew is the heart of this training scheme and thanks to his perseverance, over 200 volunteer skippers of small passenger boats have the skills and qualifications they need to operate safely. Andrew ensured the scheme remained one of IWA’s most impactful contributions to waterway restoration.
• Jeanne and Derek Smith
Acknowledged for an incredible 50 years of continuous service. They have both shown loyalty, energy, and spirit during this time, inspiring so many others. They have organised National Trailboat Rallies, edited publications, led waterways walks, and run sales stands and websites. Extraordinary dedication.
• Verna Smith
Verna’s contributions began when she ran local branch stands with her sister. Since then, she has served as branch chair, regional chair and trustee. She has more recently been active with the Environment Agency too. Verna’s work on publicity and campaigning is truly remarkable.
CHRISTOPHER POWER PRIZE
For a person, society or trust who has made the most significant contribution to the restoration of an inland waterway.
There is a cash prize associated with this award, which is given to the waterway restoration group associated with the winner, where the winner is a named individual. The aims and objectives of the group must be consistent with IWA’s aims and objectives. The trophy is a carved wooden otter.
Helen Watson-Moriarty
Helen’s dedication has seen 15 miles of towpath converted and over £2.5million secured in grants. Helen has recently negotiated £10,000 from Lancaster City Council to enable CRT surveys. Alongside this, Helen is passionate about community engagement, organising events and writing walking and cycling guides.
BRANCH ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
For the IWA Branch which, in the opinion of a panel consisting of the National Chair, Deputy National Chairs and Chief Executive, has made the greatest progress and achievement in promoting the Association’s aims and objectives during the past year. All Branches are considered, without need for nomination. The award consists of a silver salver, donated to IWA by former National Chair David Stevenson for the purpose in 1998.
Leicestershire Branch
Celebrated for their exceptional efforts in organising the IWA Harborough ’75 event. Special recognition of Andrew and Debbie Shephard for their leadership and input. The first-class event had national significance for IWA. It was a vibrant, memorable celebration bringing people together. The event honoured the past while engaging new supporters for the future.
CYRIL STYRING TROPHY
This is the Association’s premier award. For an IWA member who has, in the opinion of trustees, made an outstanding contribution in furthering the Association’s campaign.
Helen Whitehouse
Helen’s long-standing service has made her an exemplar for us all. Since joining IWA in 1983, Helen has held multiple roles, from committee to trustee. In each role she has brought energy, vision and commitment. Helen has earned the Association’s highest honour for enduring service, wit and spirit. She has run seminars, organised publicity, and supported members. Helen has also looked after IWA clothing and managed the IWA sales and recruiting stand for many years. Helen brings people together and always offers creative solutions. The waterways have benefitted enormously from Helen’s unfailing support.
IWA is incredibly proud to recognise these champions for their vital contributions to our waterways.
