May 2017 - One of Birmingham’s most neglected historic canalside buildings is set to be brought back to life with a £2.5m National Lottery grant, reports Peter Underwood

The cash will enable an unusual partnership of the Canal & River Trust and National Trust to revitalise the Grade II* listed Roundhouse into a city base 'from which to explore Birmingham’s famous canals by foot, bike or boat,' as the press release puts it.

May 2017 - A corporate spasm of spite, that would be described as a fit of pique in an individual, has resulted in an historic lightship being sold for one eighth of its minimum value, with no guarantee it won't go for scrap, as Allan Richards reports.

Alan Robert's historic Mersey Bar light vessel, 'Planet', which was seized by Canal & River Trust last year, and, for reasons never explained, towed from Liverpool to Sharpness, has been sold for just £12,500.

May 2017 - Allan Richards has had to use Freedom of Information requests to see minutes of a Waterways Ombudsman Committee Meeting back in December, which, he reports, show just how hard C&RT tries to maintain the pretence that this committee is independent.

The minutes, which were which were recorded by C&RT Assistant Company Secretary, Yetunde Salami, show three 'Independent' members present and one C&RT representative, Gill Eastwood. However, one of the so called 'independent' members, Janet Hogben, just happens to be a C&RT Trustee.

May 2017 - You have just about a month to have your say if the Canal & River Trust's planned winter stoppages will affect you travelling around the system, reports Peter Underwood.

The Canal & River Trust has published its draft winter maintenance programme for 2017-18 and is asking boaters to take a look and give their feedback on the plans – but you only have until June 16 to have your say.