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 13 th 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.

Odiham Raft Race

This year The Basingstoke Canal Society was very lucky to be selected as one of the two beneficiaries of the much loved and fantastic Odiham Raft Race.

The Odiham Raft Race is organised by Galleon Marina and has been a favourite in the calendar for local families and canal lovers.

Taking place on Sunday 3rd September, this year’s Odiham Raft Race, as always, was a fabulous day out. It is such a shining example of local people, families and businesses coming out to enjoy the Basingstoke Canal, on this year what was a particularly hot and sunny day.

The day sees the highly competitive raft race with teams made up of local friendship groups and work colleagues all keen to complete the course in the fastest time, of course without ending up in the canal themselves.

Galleon Marina organised an impeccable well-arranged event, including BBC 4’s Canal Boat Diaries, Robbie Cummings who was present to award the prizes and enjoy the Canal. Thank you to everyone involved in the event for both the opportunity to see so many enjoying the canal and for selecting us as one of the charities to benefit from the fundraising!

Charlotte Rodgers, Press Officer BCS

Trips aboard the John Pinkerton II and Kitty

Boat Trips: The John Pinkerton II trip boat operates from Odiham in Hampshire, running public, themed and chartered cruises. Trips last about 3. 25 hours and run through farms, woodlands and the occasional small settlement. Information for times and prices for trips and how to charter the boat for a special occasion or social outing is available on our website: https://basingstokecanal.org.uk/book-your-trip/

All bookings are done online but for help email: jpbookings@basingstokecanal.org.uk, or call: 07506 864411 (10am – 6pm).

Kitty public boat trips are at 11am, 1pm and 2.45pm from the town wharf in Woking.

Trips from Mytchett: Boat trips on board our friendly 12-seater boat Rosebud usually run at weekends and on public holidays from Easter to September. Please contact us for up to date information. Tel 01252 370073, email info@basingstokecanal.co.uk or check on Facebook or Twitter.

Editor’s note: You will see I have included the BCS advert at the end of Cargoes. This is indicative of all our waterways. Please help Fund Britain's Waterways.