The Trent & Mersey Canal Society
What is the Trent and Mersey Canal Society?
Springtime on the Trent and Mersey Canal near Croxton, Cheshire
The Trent and Mersey Canal Society is one of a number of specialist organisations, whose members share a common interest or concern for their local waterway or are inspired by the beauty and tranquillity of the waterway and its surrounds. In our case we are dedicated and committed to the Trent and Mersey Canal – one of Britain's oldest and best loved canals. Throughout its 93 miles, this superb waterway runs through some of the region's most breathtaking scenery, historic waterway architecture and has some magnificent engineering features – chief amongst them the impressive Anderton Boat Lift.
The Trent and Mersey Canal Society was founded in 1974 to promote the future well-being of the waterway and provide a focus for all who are interested in this time honoured old canal – navigators, naturalists, businesses, farmers, residents and visitors alike.
Members of the society also undertake a wide range of activities related to caring for the waterway and infrastructure such as towpath tidy days, mile post painting and our highly popular lock weekends where Society members lend a hand to newcomers and experienced boaters by manning the Big Lock at Middlewich.
Throughout the year we attend a number of important waterways events promoting the T&M and the work of the Society.
We have a strong membership and are currently concerned with stimulating public appreciation and knowledge of the waterway thus helping to safeguard its future, landscape and ecology. This is achieved by monitoring environmental pressures, commenting on planning applications and developments, discussing important issues, and making recommendations for improving the facilities available for navigation on the waterway.
The programme of social events which we organise for our members each year caters for a wide variety of interests, including presentations, guided walks and boat trips around sites of special interest along the canals length and national events such as the National Rally.
Our magazine, Grand Trunk is published six times a year. It keeps members up-to-date with changes and developments and contains illustrated articles about how the canal was used in the past, other canals and boating activities as well as topical information about our activities, including forthcoming social events.
