Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | BBHT |
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| Formation | 1958 |
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Formerly called
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Inland Waterways Protection Society |
The Bugsworth Basin Heritage Trust (BBHT) is a group in Britain that helps bring old canals back to life. It was started in 1958 and was first called the Inland Waterways Protection Society (IWPS).
At first, the group explored canals and wrote reports. They wanted to save the canal system when it was in danger of closing down. Since 1967, when canals were officially supported for fun activities, the group has focused on one main project. They work to fix up and run Bugsworth Basin. This basin is at the end of the Peak Forest Canal and was one of the first places they checked out in 1958.
Contents
Why Canals Needed Saving
After 1948, the government took over many canals. They mostly saw canals as ways to move goods, not for fun. But some people wanted to use them for pleasure boat trips.
Early Plans for Canals
In 1954, the government looked at what to do with the canals. A special group made a report in 1955. It put canals into three groups:
- Group 1: Important canals like the River Trent and River Severn. These 336 miles (541 km) of canals should be kept and made better.
- Group 2: Other canals, including many narrow ones. These 994 miles (1,600 km) of canals should try to get more business. If not, they would move to Group 3.
- Group 3: All other canals, about 771 miles (1,241 km) long. These should be given away or closed. About a third of them were already closed.
New Ideas for Waterways
In 1958, another report, called the Bowes Report, came out. It suggested two main groups of waterways, Class A and Class B. These were similar to the first two groups from 1955. All other canals, it said, should be used for things other than boats or simply removed.
How the Trust Started
Many people worried that most canals would disappear if no one acted fast. So, on April 21, 1958, some canal fans started the Inland Waterways Protection Society (IWPS). This group broke away from another large canal group, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA).
Sir Geoffrey Lowles was the president of the new IWPS. Mrs. Bessie Bunker became its secretary. She was a key person in getting the new society going.
Taking Action for Canals
When the Bowes Report came out in July 1958, the IWPS was ready. They immediately began visiting and checking the Class C waterways (the ones most at risk). They wanted to gather facts to show why these canals should be saved.
In 1958, they surveyed the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, the Dearne and Dove Canal, and the Chesterfield Canal. In early 1959, they checked the Pocklington Canal, the Macclesfield Canal, and the Peak Forest Canal. They continued to survey many other canals after that.
Fighting for Canal Futures
In February 1959, the government admitted that fixing the canals would take a lot of work. They set up a new committee to help with the Class C waterways. This committee included people who wanted to see canals restored.
In May 1959, the IWPS held a protest boat trip on the Chesterfield Canal. They wanted to show the government that it should be kept open. The next month, they gave their first report to the committee. It argued strongly for fixing the Pocklington Canal instead of filling it in.
They also wrote reports about the Dudley Canal, the Stourbridge Canal, and the Titford Branch Canal. Members also started a campaign to save the Cromford Canal.
Continued Efforts and Challenges
The IWPS surveyed the Ashton Canal in late 1959 and early 1960. They also checked the Peak Forest Canal in February 1960. This included looking at Bugsworth Basin at the end of the canal. They also inspected the Caldon Canal.
All this work helped them write detailed reports for the government committee. These reports showed how the canals could be fixed up well and without too much cost. They even suggested a new canal route between Leeds and London.
Despite their hard work, the government announced in November 1961 that some canals would close. These included parts of the Chesterfield Canal and the Dudley Canal. Both the IWPS and the Inland Waterways Association protested this decision.
The Minister of Transport said canals were "not viable" (not able to make money). He suggested closing them to save taxpayer money. As canals remained under threat, local groups often joined the IWPS in their campaigns. For example, a group formed in 1962 to save the Chesterfield Canal.
A Turning Point for Canals
In 1962, a new group called the British Waterways Board took over the canals. There was a big discussion about whether canals were public or private pathways. If they were public, the government had to keep them open for boats. It was decided they were public, and this was made law in 1962.
The IWPS kept checking canals that were in danger. In 1964, their survey of the Chesterfield Canal showed big problems. Parts were dry, and a lock was filled with rubble.
It took three more years for officials to see that canals had a future beyond just carrying goods. In September 1967, the government released a report. It said that pleasure boating was for everyone, not just the rich. The British Waterways Board would now have to make sure canals were good for pleasure boats. About 1,400 miles (2,300 km) of the canal network would be kept open.
Restoring Bugsworth Basin
The Peak Forest Canal was one of the first canals the IWPS looked at. At its end, the canal splits. The main line used to go to Bugsworth Basin, but it was abandoned in 1925. It had not been used for boats since 1922.
Since 1968, the main goal of the IWPS has been to fix up and run Bugsworth Basin. In 1982, the society became a non-profit company. The old disagreement with the Inland Waterways Association ended in 1995. The IWPS then rejoined the IWA.
Early Restoration Work
On September 14, 1968, the IWPS got permission to start fixing Bugsworth Basin. In 1970, they won an award for their conservation work.
On September 6, 1975, the Entrance Basin was filled with water again. Boats entered it for the first time in over 30 years! But the canal was leaking, so it had to be drained soon after.
On April 18, 1982, the Entrance Basin was filled again for boats. But it was still leaking and had to be drained once more. In November 1998, a larger part of Bugsworth Basin was filled, and boats came in again. In April 1999, there was a celebration for the return of boats. But again, the canal leaked and had to be drained.
Making it Watertight
After a detailed study of the ground, work began in December 2003 to seal the canal. Another company also cleared and sealed part of the Entrance Canal to stop its leaks. This work finished just in time for the official opening of Bugsworth Basin on Easter Saturday 2005.
Since the successful opening, the IWPS (now BBHT) continues to work with British Waterways and other groups. They want to make sure Bugsworth Basin has a long and bright future. Many organizations support the BBHT, including High Peak Borough Council, Derbyshire County Council, and English Heritage.
