Aims and Objectives

The primary objective of the Southern Canals Association (the “Association”) is to promote communication and the dissemination of information between Canal Societies and similar bodies involved in the restoration and preservation of canals and waterways in the south of England and South Wales. The Association recognises and supports the vitally important role performed by the Inland Waterways Association (the “IWA”) in representing the waterways movement in England and Wales and shall maintain close links with the IWA at both national and local level. The Association shall achieve its aims through the following means:- by providing a forum for communication between members with particular reference to those members actively involved in the restoration of canals and other inland waterways. by encouraging collective political action directed at creating a favourable climate of opinion towards the restoration of inland waterways. by promoting discussion between its members on topics of direct importance to the restoration and preservation of canals and inland waterways including planning issues, navigation rights, restoration methods, organisation and management issues and environmental matters. by providing a focus for the pooling of knowledge, experience and expertise in the restoration of canals and inland waterways. Membership of the Association shall be open to all societies, preservation trusts and similar bodies engaged in promoting the restoration and preservation of canals and other inland waterways in the south of England and Wales. Membership of the Association shall not detract in any way from the independence of member societies. The Association shall hold three meetings in each year, two of which shall be held in the spring and autumn when a waterway under restoration is visited at the invitation of members, and one of which shall take the form of an indoor winter seminar. It is hoped that each member of the Association can be represented at each meeting by one member of its main committee or governing body and one other person with knowledge of policy making, management and/or restoration matters. Each meeting of the association shall be self supporting and members shall ensure that hosts are suitably reimbursed for the costs of providing accommodation, refreshments and administrative support.