Recording oral histories of people involved in canal restorations 1950 – 1990

The Society has been contacted by the Inheritage group, who, in working with CRT, are seeking to capture an oral history of those who were involved in canal restorations locally between 1950 and 1990.   The aim is to record this important period in the history of Britain’s canals by talking to people who worked on restoration projects.   If …

BCLM Tug Gathering – 3-5th May 2025

A rally for Tugs, dayboats and IceBoats is planned to be held on the Black Country Living Museum Site. The event is scheduled for the weekend of 3rd – 5th May 2025.

BCLM Boaters Gathering – 20-21st September 2025

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 20th – 21st September 2025. The Black Country Living Museum would like to invite applications for Boats to take part in an event to re-create traditional canal scenes and activities …

Brownhills Canal Festival – 16-17th August 2025

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

Black Country Boating Festival – 12-14 September 2025

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  

BCN 24 Hour Marathon Challenge – 24-25 May 2025

The BCN 24 Hour Marathon Challenge will take place again next year on the weekend of Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May 2025.   The finishing point will be Withymoor Island, where the Trust made a great job of hosting the finish line gathering in 2022.   The format will remain similar to previous events.    It is intended to …

BCNS ICICLE CRUISE – 11th – 12th April 2025 – Top of Perry Barr Locks

Following the success of our early season cruises to the Fens Pools in 2023 and the Parkhead Locks in 2024, the Society have planned another short cruise for 2025. BCN Society Icicle Cruise 11th-12th April 2025. We seek to coordinate a meeting point for boaters on Friday evening and are liaising with CRT about an activity on Saturday afternoon. More …

BCNS WORK PARTY – 11TH JANUARY 2025 ****** Please note that this event has had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions – to be rearranged ******

****** Please note that this event has had to be cancelled due to the weather conditions – to be rearranged to a future Work Party date****** A BCNS Work Party is normally scheduled for the second Saturday in a calendar month The planned work for January is to tackle the growth at Sandwell Park Colliery Wharf Site (aka ‘Smethwick Chutes’). …