The series was called "Byways and Backwaters of Manchester", and one of the first visits was to a flight of nine locks on the Rochdale Canal, where the towpath had been restored by a Community Task Force.
Some weeks later, a return visit found that a wall had been built across the towpath, preventing access, and the group decided to take action.
The report was ready for publication in 1988, as the WEA course drew to a close, and several members of the group thought it was appropriate to carry on monitoring the situation.
The work has expanded further afield, and members of TAG are regularly consulted by British Waterways and Defra.
TAG aims to build up good relations with walkers, ramblers, cyclists, anglers, horseboaters and other towpath users, and environmental organisations.