WRG Reunion 2025 

Grove Locks, Wantage – Wilts & Berks Canal

What is the Reunion event?

The WRG Reunion serves two purposes: firstly, it’s an opportunity for people who have been on a Canal Camp (perhaps this year, but perhaps years ago) to get together again, remake friendships and find out what has happened to everyone since that wonderful week of mud, bricks, concrete, etc. It’s also a chance to discover the wider WRG community and, as well as all that, to do some good, enjoyable work in good company. You could say it’s a celebration of times past.

However, it’s also an opportunity for the WRG Board to tell you all about what we are planning for the future. This will be a mix of confirmed events (dates, site, work, accommodation, etc.) and, inevitably, a few projects we are still investigating.

We also make no secret of the fact that, hopefully as a result of revealing as much as we can of what 2026 will bring, we can start to recruit leaders, cooks and volunteers for each event. It’s also an opportunity for the WRG Board to say thank you for all the excellent work that was completed this year.

What’s the work?

The work is based around Grove locks on the Wilts and Berks Canal. There will be lots of the traditional work that you would expect: vegetation clearance (both on the towpath and in the channel). But there is an extra twist to this years work: the local branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust are hoping that 2026 will bring the start of the restoration of these locks. Which means we are not just preparing a channel for boats but we are preparing a flight of locks for restoration. There is lots of uncovering and investigation to be done so that the local team can plan work for the next few years. This is an opportunity to be in at the start of a site that may well be a regular venue for us over the next few years. Put simply we have been asked to give this project the kick start it deserves.

And the accommodation?

Accommodation will be a nearby outdoor activity centre. This too will be a twist on most of our events as you can expect beds (but do bring your sleeping bags).