The Thames and Medway Canal Association is holding a public open day on Sunday 22nd May at Mark Lane in Denton, Gravesend.

This free event, which is taking place from 10am to 4pm, will give visitors a chance to understand first-hand the expertise and work that went into creating the canal and also what goes into preserving and protecting Kent’s only historic commercial canal. Visitors can also walk a little further to get up close to the iron framed timber swing bridge.

The Association has been meeting with many of those intending developments affecting the canal including the proposed new Lower Thames Crossing.

We’re looking forward to speaking with visitors about the work the Association, a charity, is doing, explaining how the swing bridges and water system worked and how people can get involved in supporting the Association to look after this important part of the nation’s heritage.

We are trying to put boats on the canal with free rides for members from the Mark Lane slipway up to the Swing Bridge and back depending upon weed growth.

We usually mow all the grass around our Headquarters at the Old Sea School at DA12 2HR which will be used for displays showing the history of the canal. This year we are trying to help the bees by not mowing some of it except around stalls area with merchandise including items that have been dredged and various other jumble.

Research shows that spending time by a canal has a positive effect on people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and the open day is part of the charity’s drive to encourage more people to visit and spend time by water so after ‘On-Yer-Bike’ starts at the promenade why not stroll along to take a look.

IWA Kent & East Sussex Branch has long supported this waterway restoration.