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

News in Photographs ..here

Latest News

Work party Saturday 13th February 2010. Smethwick Stop and Gauging Stop: Clear island and far bank of vegetation.
Pheonix will leave Pumphouse at Titford at 8.30am to make Smethwick Top Lock around 9.45am for work to begin at 10am. Car parking at either Titford or Smethwick in the area of Bridge Street North just before Lewisham Road.
Light lunch provided: Pheonix will leave site at around 2.30pm to return to Titford.

Press Release

For immediate release

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
The full objectives of the Canal Festival - Pelsall 2011 are-
1. To increase the profile of the northern Birmingham Canal Navigations amongst local people and politicians
2. To continue the 'Use it or Lose it' campaign by increasing the number of boats cruising the northern BCN
3. To continue the support for the restoration of the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals as the best way to ensure the long term future of the BCN
4. To contribute to the national campaign towards adequate and sustained funding for the inland waterways and particularly to highlight the risks from underfunding to the BCN.

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


Latest Work Party News
Saturday 13th February 2010: Smethwick Stop/Gauging station: Clear vegetation from island and off side: Pheonix will be in attendance leave Tiford Pumphouse 8.30am for work party starting 10am. Parking at Smethick. Bridge Street North near Lewisham Road.

Details of further meets in News section.


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

Society and Waterways News: Including Work Party dates. ..here

Links to other sites ..here


Latest Site News:
Gallery section: Atlas and Malus Working Boat Group: Joint Venture between BCNS and Coombeswood: News Section: Crew Details: Latest update following Ellesmere Port trip/24 hr Marathon/Summer Rally Titford
Spooner Dredger update in Gallery Day boat section.


Events Section:Rally and Gathering News for 2009: BCN Cruise Details: Events Atlas and Malus will attend



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