News
Launch of new Canal and River Trust
30 July 2012
The Canal and River Trust (CRT) was officially launched on 12 July and was marked with celebration events around the country, including the lighting up of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
The Trust’s formation marks the largest transfer in the UK of state-owned infrastructure to the charitable sector, with over 2000 miles of canals, rivers, reservoirs and docks in trust for the people of England and Wales. It also brings together the the third largest collection of Listed structures in the country, and the museums, collections and archives of the former Waterways Trust .
CRT Chairman Tony Hales said: "As a new charity it is important that we set out our stall from the start. We have published ourstrategic priorities and launched our Friends scheme. We haven’t forgotten that boating, and boaters, have driven the revival of the waterways for a generation. Now we want to reach out to the millions of people who regularly use our towpaths and show how they can make a tangible difference to their enjoyment of the waterways. ..with this in mind we have unveiled 50 local appeal projects around the country to breathe new life into local towpaths and riverbanks by encouraging new wildlife, engaging with communities or restoring important industrial heritage."
See the video marking the launch of CRT here, including a speech by Prince Charles, Patron of the new charity. More here.
This item was taken from the Heritage Update 235, July 2012
