The Trust is now a completely independent organisation, although it does have strong links with the local branch of the Inland Waterways Association. They also hope to forge links with all the other groups that have an interest in the well being of the Gipping Valley.

The directors and trustees of the Trust are busy creating a Vision Statement which they hope to launch at a public meeting to be held later on this year. They will be looking to get as many people as possible at the meeting.
In particular they would like to meet the riparian owners, local councillors and businesses along with everyone else who cares for our beautiful river valley.

Working Parties are held at Baylham Lock from 0900 to 1700 every Wednesday, and the first Saturday in the month, (unless the Saturday is in a Bank Holiday weekend, the Work Party then will be on the Second Saturday.)

A Canal Camp is....

• ...an enjoyable week's outdoor holiday spent working on the canals
• ...an opportunity to meet all sorts of new people from all walks of life, and from all over the country - and abroad.
• ...a chance to do your bit for the environment
• ...a worthwhile and fun-filled week with plenty of social activities when you're not actually working
• ...an excellent opportunity to qualify for one of the sections of your Duke of Edinburgh's Award
• ...a chance to gain lots of CV points
• ...a chance to do 101 things you have never done before.....

Book on the camp required - via online booking or a form to print & post

They have been doing the Sudbury to Manningtree 'Length of the river' cruise on the Stour most years since the early 1990's. When they started there were only a handful of craft, last year it was nearly 200.

Suffolk County Council have done an excellent job in establishing the Gipping walk along the old tow path. This has opened up access to the river and overcome some major obstacles to water craft.
In the end we decided to wait no longer and do the navigation for ourselves.

Details with beautiful photos of the 2008 trip can be found, and trip for the May bank holiday 2009. (No Photos!) Based on the 2008 trip, they have put together a down-loadable two page portage guide that others may be interested in (.pdf)