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Basingstoke Canal Society The Basingstoke Canal is currently underfunded by £100,000. Since the launch of the “Keep your Canal Alive” campaign in April, we have had a great response from members, local communities, local businesses, and media but the challenges remain and so does the substantial risk to the long-term future of the Basingstoke Canal. As guardians of this beautiful waterway, The Basingstoke Canal Society continues to raise awareness of the importance of the canal and the risks of declines in funding. As such an important resource for both local people as well as those travelling from further afield, the Basingstoke Canal delivers business to the local economy, whether that’s through independent coffee shops, local campsite and holiday cottage or even people stopping for a quick drink at my local pub in Ash Vale which has a lovely view of the Canal from the garden. Throughout Surrey and Hampshire, we are very fortunate to have the 13th most beautiful waterway in the world, as voted for by Paddleboarders, on our doorstep for recreational activities from walking to cycling and of coarse fishing and navigating. Without the funding from riparian councils, the canal could fall into disrepair making it no longer the space we currently all appreciate. Our campaign is very much aligned with the challenges facing waterways across the UK and our messaging echoes the larger campaigns across the country. To find out more about our “Keep Your Canal Alive” campaign and how you can help, visit www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk/keep-your-canal-alive . John Pinkerton II & Kitty Trip Boat Summer Success This summer has seen a very successful season of boat trips across the Basingstoke Canal Society trip boats based in Odiham and Woking. 2023 has seen us successfully put on more trips that in 2022 and 2021 (and in 2020 too but due to lockdowns that was a very quiet year!). There has been a total of over 150 trips take place year to date which is many thousands of passengers all given the opportunity to experience the Basingstoke Canal from the water. Many of which included cream teas, entertainment and even a trip on the Summer Solstice at Sunrise with many passengers enjoying a wonderful start to the longest day of the year. Don’t forget our trip boats our also available for Private Charters for special occasions or corporate visitors too.
