Welcome

The Boat Museum Society honours founder members

In 1971 a small group of waterways enthusiasts, concerned that the old working craft of the canals and rivers would completely disappear, formed The North West Museum of Inland Navigation, which subsequently was re-named The Boat Museum Society.  The Society celebrated the 40th anniversary of those beginnings at their November meeting by welcoming two of the founder members, Harry Arnold and Tony Lewery as guest speakers.  In recognition of the part played by them in founding and developing what has now become The National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, Harry and Tony were made Vice Presidents of the Society and were presented with commemorative certificates by Di Skilbeck, President of the Society.

Tony Lewery, Di Skilbeck and Harry Arnold after presentation of the certificates. (Photo:  Waterway Images)

The restored Clayton tar boat, GIFFORD is owned and maintained by the Society. Each summer it attends events throughout the country towed by a horse or motor boat. This gives members the opportunity to learn the skills of operating a pair of boats.

The tunnel tug WORCESTER, restored with the aid of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant is also owned and operated by the Society.

Some Society members enjoy giving practical support. Jobs range from helping to care for GIFFORD and WORCESTER, demonstrating waterways related crafts, helping with restoration projects or interesting work in the museum archives. Other members enjoy talking to visitors about the boats and guiding parties of visitors around the museum

Whatever your interest or ability we can offer the satisfaction of being part of a team of friends helping to preserve the reality of waterway history.

The Boat Museum Society meets monthly from September through to May, usually in the Rolt Centre at the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port . Meetings range from talks, films and lectures by experts in various waterway topics to more informal social events.

Our newsletter RE:PORT appears four times a year and keeps members informed about the activities of the Society and the Boat Museum.

We also produce the Waterways Journal, an annual publication, containing historical articles and waterway research.

BMS is based at the National Waterways Museum , Ellesmere Port, (formerly the Boat Museum) but our members live all over the United Kingdom.

Membership is open to all people who are interested in working craft of the inland waterways and are willing to support and contribute towards the aims of the Boat Museum Society.

Where to look...

For information on opportunities for really making a difference look at the Volunteering opportunities page

For notices, reminders and announcements look at the News page - see what's new since the last time you looked

For information about the boats, especially Worcester and Gifford, look at the Boats page

For information about traditional crafts and skills look at the Tradition page

To find research resources and see what information is needed look at the Research page

For information about Waterways Journal, Re:Port and other booklets look at the Publications page

For links to all manner of waterway sites look at the Links page

For details of meetings and other events look at the Diary page

If you need information turn to the Contacts page