An Introduction from our Chairman.

The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society (SWCS) was formed in 1959 and is one of the longest established and most respected canal societies in the country. Its remit is essentially to protect and promote the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal (SWC) for the benefit and enjoyment of all.

One of the Society's principal concerns is of course maintaining the navigation yet whilst many of its members are boat owners SWCS is expressly not a boat club and instead aims to cater for all waterways-orientated tastes. Whatever your interest, be it boating, fishing, industrial archaeology, photography, wildlife or simply the pleasure of walking by what is undoubtedly one of the prettiest waterways in the country, there is something along the SWC for you.

Society affairs are conducted by an elected Committee, every member of which is a volunteer who receives no fiscal remuneration. SWCS fosters good relations at the highest levels from both within and beyond the waterways; the Annual Dinner of 2007, for example, attracted the incumbent British Waterways Chairman Tony Hales as Guest Speaker whilst the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at Stourton in May 2007 was undertaken by Lord Morris of Aberavon.

Society activities are varied; our monthly meetings at Bradmore are open to all and feature guest speakers of the highest calibre. Other activities include informal social functions such as skittles evenings and organised outings around Great Britain and beyond. Our in-house magazine is the highly respected and influential Broadsheet. It is edited and designed by Society personnel and circulated free to members every month.

This website presents an armchair overview of what SWCS can offer. It also includes a message board facility and a comprehensive Education & Resources section that will prove of particular interest to schools, educational establishments, committed researchers or those simply wishing to find out more about our wonderful waterways heritage.

New members of all ages, backgrounds and interests are actively encouraged to join SWCS. Membership fees are kept competitive for younger enthusiasts though annual adult and group fees for the whole family are set at less than the cost of trip to the cinema. Details are available either direct from our Membership Secretary or via the website application form.

Thank you for your interest in the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society. We look forward to meeting you.

Graham Fisher MBE
Chairman SWCS
January 2008