Waterway Recovery Group

The formation of the Waterway Recovery Group was a logical progression from events which had happened over the previous eight years.

Mr T. Dodwell had been responsible for organising volunteers who had cleared part of the Basingstoke Canal in order to facilitate a boat rally at Woking, which was held in 1962.

With this experience in mind, he suggested that the London and Home Counties Branch of the Inland Waterways Association should set up a Working Party Group, whose members would be available to travel around the country, giving help to local restoration schemes as required.

[1] Navvies Notebook was the idea of Graham Palmer, at the time the secretary of the London and Home Counties Branch.

[3] Another major step forwards was taken in 1968, as part of a renovation scheme around the Ashton Canal, which was semi-derelict at the time.

The event was a success, as over 1000 volunteers from all over Britain arrived and removed large quantities of rubbish from the canals.

[11] WRG have regional groups across England, who co-ordinate weekend visits to restoration projects.

[13] WRG run a series of canal camps each year, typically week-long, and open to volunteers of all ages and abilities.

[15] WRG owns a fleet of vans, and a range of plant including excavators, dumpers, pumps, mixers, winches, and other equipment.