Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) Information and aims: Precis
Birmingham Canal Navigations Society
The Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) today consists of nearly one hundred miles of canals weaving their way around Birmingham and the Black Country.
In its heyday two hundred years ago the BCN then comprised of around one hundred and sixty miles of waterways with countless arms and basins serving collieries and all manner of businesses as the industrial area of Birmingham and the Black Country thrived.
The next two centuries saw the birth of both rail and roads as methods of transport and the 20th Century saw these gradually take over from the canals, leaving much of the system derelict. At this time the option for many canals was to fill them in.
Today the situation is quite the reverse as more and more waterways are being restored as councils and private investors realise the value of canals, for regenerating areas abandoned by the demise of our industrail past.
Leisure is the new word for canals of the BCN with walking, cycling, fishing and boating taking off and replacing industrial transport, giving them a new lease of life.
The Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) was formed in 1968 and has been promoting the areas canal system for forty years. In the early days it fought campaigns against the closure of many canals, but now thankfuly it can help promote restoration and awareness schemes.
The BCNS has its own Headquaters at the restored Pumphouse on the Titford Canal in Oldbury. This impressive structure was responsible for keeping the water supply of the area topped up to ensure the continuation of business. It stands proudly on top of the highest part of the BCN at 511 ft above sea level and is a rather fitting home for the Society. Complete with residential moorings and full facilities, the Pumphouse is a fine example of the aims and achievements of the BCNS.
The BCNS hold two main events per year, a Summer Boat Rally at its headquaters and an established Bonfire and Fireworks Rally in November at Galton Valley, as well as supporting or attending many other events throughout the canal network and in local communities.
It also promotes use of the canal system and helps to keep it clean by encouraging members to use its purpose built 38ft work boat "Phoenix" and our open butty boat "Crow" on regular work parties organised throughout the year.
The Society frequently provides speakers to spread our message, not exclusivly to canal based organisations. For further information see contact details below, or visit the
events section on our Website.
The Society meets monthly at the Oldbury Pumphouse to hear relevant talks and discussions by various speakers from throughout the country on the subject of canals. Members can meet like minded enthusiats to share company and partake in the many diverse interests, be it historically or on a more upto date theme connected with canals.
BCN members are kept up to date with news and events around the region by its quaterly magazine " Boundary Post " named after the many posts which once lined the edges of the BCN to mark the then companies boundary, few of which survive today. The magazine is also available for sale to non members at the many event attended by the BCNS.
You can join us and help us conserve this valuable Labyrinth of canals and history for the benefit of everyone. Moreover you can take part in our events, learn to handle a canal boat or get more out of your interest by completing and returning the application form on this site, 'Membership Section' to the below address with the appropriate remittance.
We hope you have enjoyed this precis, which summarizes what we are about and that we have encourage you to find out more by joining us.
Please explore this website which contains many photographs and full details of meetings, events and contacts.
The Birmingham Canal Navigations.
The BCNS a company limited by guarantee is a registered charity (1091760) first formed in 1968, which exists to conserve, improve and encourage a wide range of interests on the 100 mile network of the Birmingham and Black Country Waterway known as the Birmingham Canal Navigations.
The BCNS can be contacted by post at:
The Titford Pumphouse
Engine Street
Oldbury:
West Midlands:
B64 4NL
A list of E mail addresses of various officers of the Society can be found ..here
Most Social Meetings are held at 7.30pm on the first Thursday of each month at the Pumphouse
