Welcome to Bude Canal Trust
The Bude Canal comprised a mini-network of waterways on the Devon/Cornwall border. It is of considerable historic interest, featuring some of the most unusual and ingenious engineering of the canal-building era. The Aqueduct branch of the system, which is the length in the ownership of the Bude Canal Trust, was the original feeder arm for the whole system, although it was later also used as part of the general canal network.
The Bude Canal Trust is a charity whose aims are to retain the historic interest while managing what has become an important wildlife area. The 5-mile footpath along the old towpath gives an opportunity for all to enjoy this truly wonderful facility.
Volunteer Work Days
Every Wednesday between September and April we try to get some path management work done. This is most often cutting back of hedges and clearing some of the canal basin of overgrowing willow and blackthorn. There is always plenty to keep us busy and the more helpers the better. Most of the work is clearing and burning the cut material. We are generally there between 10am and until we get too tired!, usually about 4pm. If you would like to join us on a regular basis or just for the occasional day call Mike Degnan on 01288 354162.
How You Can Help
Help Us Protect a Devon and Cornwall Heritage Gem.
The Bude Canal is one of the jewels of Devon and Cornwall’s transport heritage.
The Canal’s use of tub boats and inclined planes, including one of the highest in the country, using what was at the time revolutionary technology, makes it important as a heritage feature in a national context, let alone a local one.
The two-mile length of the Bude Canal between the sea lock and Hele Bridge at Marhamchurch is well known and well loved.
Less known is the fact that there was once a 35-mile canal network inland on both sides of the Tamar. Much of this has been lost over the years, but one 5-mile stretch remains in place and accessible, complete with towpath, bridges, buildings and an inclined plane, in the ownership of a local charity, the Bude Canal Trust.
If you are interested in the heritage of Devon and Cornwall you may be able to help the Trust as a volunteer to maintain this important historic feature.
How you may be able to help:-
- Every week the Trust has a work party looking after the Canal, its towpath and surroundings. This may include grass cutting, trimming, branch and overgrowth clearance; or perhaps work on the fences, hedges, gates and stonework.
If you’d like to combine a day of exercise in the countryside with the knowledge that you’re helping maintain an important heritage feature, joining the work party may be for you.
If you’re slightly less physically energetic, but still interested in helping, then the Trust needs:-
- Somebody to help with the volunteers’ work party, especially in recruiting new volunteers or helping with the days’ logistics.
- Somebody with a flair for publicity; who can help get knowledge of the Trust’s work and its importance to a wider public.
- Somebody with ideas about potential sources of funding to help the Trust undertake and pay for the conservation work needed to keep the Canal for future generations.
- Somebody willing to act as a figurehead for the Trust, representing the Trust and its work to the public at events and making its case to funding bodies, local authorities, etc.
If you’d like to help ensure that this superb heritage feature of Devon and Cornwall is passed on to future generations, and you think you can help with any of these roles as a volunteer, or would like further information, please contact the Trust at any of the following:-
Mr R. Edmonds, Touchdown, 29A Manor Park Woolsery, Devon EX39 5RH
Telephone 01237 431134
Email enquiries@bude-canal-trust.co.uk
