Ever wondered what treasures lie at the bottom of the Birmingham Canals? Every year, about 50 volunteers spend two days removing an estimated 20 to 30 tonnes of rubbish from the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN). The Annual Birmingham Canals Clean-up weekend is the perfect chance to have fun, meet new people, and help clear shopping trolleys, tyres, bicycles – and …
BCNS – Boat Gathering – Friday 22nd – Monday 25th May 2026
BCNS invites you to attend our Summer Gathering of Boats at Titford Pump House over the weekend of the 22nd/25th May. This year there is no charge to attend the event which will also coincide with the finish of the first Explorer Cruise (on Friday 22nd) and also the completion of the 24 hour Challenge on Sunday 25th. This will …
BCLM Boaters Gathering – 3rd-4th October 2026
The Historic Narrowboat Club (HNBC) have announced plans for a Boaters Gathering to be held on the Black Country Living Museum Site. The event is scheduled for the weekend of 3rd – 4th October 2026. As in previous years, unconverted boats in appropriate livery will be moored in the Museum Arm. Other historic boats will be accommodated outside the arm …
IMPORTANT UPDATE- BCNS Social Events Talks Programme February to April 2026
Due to extenuating circumstances, the Social Secretary and Meetings organiser, Andy Tidy, has rearranged the following programme of talks for February to April 2026 Thursday 5th February 2026 Andy Tidy – Coal from Cannock – A journey from Hednesford to Saltley Thursday 5th March 2026 Phil Wild – Illustrating changes in the BCN using photos from the …
BCN 24 Hour Marathon Challenge – 23-24th May 2026
The BCN 24 Hour Marathon Challenge will take place again this year on the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May 2026. The finishing point will be Titford Pumphouse to coincide with the BCNS Summer Rally & AGM The format will remain similar to previous events. The organiser is Jonathan Pegg and the email address for …
Black Country Boating Festival – 11-13th September 2026
The Black Country Boating Festival is an annual boating and community festival held on the Dudley No2 Canal at Bumblehole Local Nature Reserve. The festival is open on Friday evening 6 pm to 10 pm and on Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Further details on the event can be found on the website – BCBF
Brownhills Canal Festival – 15-16th August 2026
The Brownhills Canal Festival is held on the third weekend of August each year, on the Wyrley and Essington Canal at Silver Street. The festival has floating traders, historic narrowboats, land traders and lots more. It is organised by the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust Further details can be found at the LHCRT website –LHCRT
BCNS ICICLE CRUISE – 20th – 21st March 2026 – Walsall Canal – Moorcroft Junction to Walsall Town Basin
BCN Society Icicle Cruise 20th-21st March 2026. The meeting point for boaters on Friday evening is at Moorcroft Junction moorings. Disperse Sunday 22nd March 2026. The event is free to enter and your details are only required for insurance purposes. The point of contact for the event is Michael Smith-Keary, email – sk63@btinternet.com Please download and complete the form (below) …
BCNS Social Events Talks Programme January to April 2026
The Social Secretary and Meetings organiser, Andy Tidy, has arranged the following programme of talks for January to April 2026 Thursday 8th January 2026 Phil Wild – Illustrating changes in the BCN using photos from the BCNS Archive Collections Thursday 5th February 2026 Julian Souter – History of the Staffs & Worc Canal Construction Thursday 5th March 2026 …
BCNS – Boat Gathering – Friday 16th – Sunday 18th May 2025
The BCNS Boat Gathering will be held at Titford Pumphouse on the weekend of May 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2025. It will coincide with the end of the first Explorer Cruise and the Society AGM, which will be held on Friday evening. Friday 16th May 2025 Explorer Cruise Arrives AGM Quiz night and real ale bar Saturday 17th …