1. Who We Are and What We Do An Introduction to the Work of The Inland Waterways Association

2. The Inland Waterways Association The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a registered charity, founded in 1946, which advocates the conservation, use, maintenance, restoration and development of the inland waterways for public benefit ©Tim Lewis From left: Boats at Bodiam Castle Trailboat Festival, 2013 (Photo: IWA); Boats at Canalway Cavalcade, 2013 (Photo: Tim Lewis; Boaters on the Caldon Canal (Photo: IWA)

3. Background IWA Founders Robert Aickman - c 1960: in the room in his Gower St. / London flat, where IWA was founded in February 1946. Tom Rolt - 1946

4. Structure

5. Use and Maintenance IWA: – Believes that effective maintenance of the waterways is essential in encouraging their safe use for leisure, transport and trade – Believes that waterways mainly used for leisure should be under the management of one independent body – Opposes reductions in waterway connectivity – Supports continuous cruising within the rules – Believes waterways should be accessible to all, encouraging newcomers Boaters of all ages enjoy the Caldon Canal (Photo: IWA)

6. How? Campaigning Navigation Committee Work Parties: © Greta Russell Clockwise from top left: IWA Warwickshire Branch volunteers grappling, Grand Union Canal at Warwick, 12/05/13 (Photo:Greta Russell); IWA Middlesex volunteer litter picking, Paddington Arm at Southall, 01/06/13; Ford corporate volunteers, Lee Navigation at Bow, 04/07/13; IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Volunteers, Caldon Canal at Etruria Junction, 02/05/13; IWA Chiltern Branch volunteers Himalayan Balsam bashing, Grand Union Canal at Marsworth, 24/07/13. (All photos (unless stated): IWA).

7. Freight Water transport : Is environmentally friendly generating less Carbon Dioxide, less noise and using less land than other methods of goods transportation Is cost effective Canal being used to carry freight (Photo:IWA)

8. Conservation and Restoration IWA: – Accepts the need for development but maintains that this must be sympathetic to the historical and natural environment – Campaigns for, supports and promotes restoration – Provides technical and engineering advice – Waterway Recovery Group (WRG) provide labour, skills and management – Recognises the need to think ahead – how is the waterway managed once restored?

9. How? Restoration Committee Fundraising WRG From left: WRG volunteers laying coping stones at the Whitehouse Pumping Station on the Wendover Arm; WRG volunteers preparing the bed of the Lancaster Canal for dry stone walling at Stainton; WRG volunteer painting Lady Capel’s Bridge on the Grand Union Canal. (Photos: WRG)

10. Development IWA: – Recognises the need for development around our waterways – Supports development that provides facilities for all waterway users – Supports the modernisation of facilities for freight carriers How? – Planning Officers – Honorary Consultant Engineers Historic work boats in Staffordshire (Photo: IWA)

11. Education IWA – Implements and supports initiatives to engage with and educate the public How? – Information stands – Activity programmes such as Wild over Waterways (WoW) – Volunteer opportunities – Boating certificates WoW display at IWA National Festival, 2013 (Photo: IWA)

12. Current Campaigns HS2 Himalayan Balsam Transfer of Environment Agency waterways to Canal & River Trust Red Diesel Dredging Long Term and Visitor Moorings Pinch Points Volunteer tackles Himalayan Balsam at Beeston, Nottingham (Photo: IWA)

13. 10 Reasons Why People Should Support IWA IWA: 1.Campaigns for properly funded waterways 2.Supports waterway restoration 3.Provides over 10,000 days of volunteer labour per year 4.Helps improve your local waterways 5.Provides a voice for waterways users and businesses 6.Monitors planning applications 7.Educates people about the waterways 8.Provides expert advice on restoration 9.Arranges affordable insurance for waterway societies 10.Organises events to get volunteers restoring and maintaining waterways

14. Join Us A disused lock (Photo: Derek Pratt)

15. Join Us Member Benefits – Regular bulletins – Free quarterly Waterways magazine – Regular newsletter from your local IWA branch – Opportunities to take part in various local branch events – Access to member discounts and special offers Membership stand at IWA National Festival, 2013 (Photo: IWA)

16. Contacts General Enquiries – iwa@waterways.org.uk iwa@waterways.org.uk Membership – membership@waterways.org.uk membership@waterways.org.uk IWA Work Parties and Campaign Information: – Alison Smedley, Branch Campaign Officer Alison.smedley@waterways.org.uk – Stefanie Preston, Branch Campaign Assistant stefanie.preston@waterways.org.uk WRG – Jenny Black, Volunteers Coordinator jenny.black@waterways.org.uk All phone enquiries – 01494 783 453