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Welcome to the BCNS Website

The Birmingham Canal Navigations Society was originally formed as a registered charity in 1968. In 2002 the Society was reconstituted as a Company Limited by Guarantee having a company number of 4306537 and a charity number 1091760. The Society’s original aims to conserve, improve and encourage a wide range of interests in the 100 mile network of the BCN continue.

For a quick view and Precis of the Society please see ..here

Please See Foot of Page for more site details

The Black Country Museum The NIA Birmingham City Center Ogley Junction
Titford Pumphouse: Titford Canal A BCN Boundary Post Toll House: Smethwick Locks: Old Main Line
Beans Foundry, Tipton: Main Line Wolverhampton Level: 2008 Demolished Engine Arm Aqueduct: Main Line Smethwick
Spon Lane Junction Pelsall Junction Walsall Canal Basin

News in Photographs ..here

Ray Shill 2010 BCN Walk:

BCN Walk Thursday 5th August 2010. Meet 7pm at Tame Bridge Parkway Railway Station.

Work Party News:

Most members out cruising so no events JULY.

Below Information on Rallies etc effected by the Dewatering of Chasewater: Please see EVENTS section for overall view as some events have been re-arrangeed or new events added.

Latest News - Parkhead Rally Cancelled

The fall out from the Chasewater Reservoir being drained to enable the dam to be repaired continues to spread.
BW have been looking at the water level fiqures and have now asked that other boat gatherings miles away from the northern BCN area be restricted.
On the 12th February at a meeting with the organisers of the Parkhead Rally which includes this society, all were asked to cancel the event in September of 2010. Although well away from the area this rally is still on the same level as the northern BCN so is directly affected.
BW are happy that the water available will be able to support the normal BCN traffic but are concerned that any big boat gatherings will effect this. The Rally which usually attracts over a 100 boats and having many routes to it that will drain the affected level could tip the balance, so as a result the 2010 Parkhead Rally has been cancelled. Further news on any re arranged dates in the following years will be advertised later.
2010, its going to be a very stange year on the BCN without so many gatherings not taking place.

Canal Festival - Pelsall 2010 Postponed

The organisers of this event regret to announce that it will not be possible to hold it this year.
This decision comes after extensive discussion with the British Waterways Region Manager regarding the dewatering of Chasewater Reservoir. Lichfield District Council has been required to implement this to carry out remedial work to the dam and there will be no feed of water from the reservoir to the canal from May to October this year.
BCNS together with the supporting organisations, Inland Waterways Association, Longwood Boatclub and the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust has taken a responsible attitude to this unforeseen situation. Continuing with the event would have put further pressure on the limited water supply and may have caused problems for boaters cruising to Pelsall. It may also have restricted BW's ability to maintain these canals open for the remainder of the Summer.
The organisers regret this decision particularly following the great support for the event that they had already received from the local community. It is planned to hold the event on 11/12th June 2011 and discussions with all those involved with will be continued in the interim period. Boaters and other who have expressed an interest will be contacted individually to explain the reasons for the postponement.
BCNS is also reconsidering its programme for the reminder of 2010 in the light of this situation.
Its main Summer event will be held at the Titford Pumphouse, Langley over the same weekend 12/13th June.
The Marathon Cruise of the BCN has been cancelled and discussions are being held with BW regarding holding a revised version of its popular Explorer Cruise.
For further information please contact;
Ivor Caplan (BCNS Secretary) mobile 07778 685674 email ihcaplan@msn.com
Jenny Maxwell (BCNS Publicity Officer) email theblackcat@fsmail.net

Contact details for the BCNS Council and society officials ..here

Links to other sites ..here


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