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We will meet on the last Wednesday of every month.
Check this page for details around the middle of the month, or contact us directly
We met at 10am on the towpath at the alleyway to Logan Crescent.
We didn't get to do any Painting! The forecast was just uncertain so the Waterproof treating the wooden bridge where the towpath joins the wharf will have to wait another Month.
We were able to address some of the new vegetation growth that was overhanging/encroaching the towpath, ensuring safe passage for all users. (Limited & targeted action only due to bird nesting season).
Also the litter picking & Towpath tidying resulted in not a huge amount given the 2km we cover, it is a shame that there is any at all though.
What an excellent day to be out on the canal. It was very warm but the sunshine was beautiful.
We met at 10am on the towpath at the alleyway to Logan Crescent.
The overall plan was to address some of the new vegetation growth that is now overhanging/encroaching the towpath, ensuring safe passage for all users. The brambles were particularly obtrusive!
We also had the idea to treat the bridge by the basin, but this was postponed until the next session in August.
Some were also able to do some litter picking & general Towpath tidying
If you want to join us next time please just contact us via the contact page on this website.
Any queries, and we'll be happy to help.
Best wishes,
Simon Morris & Dave Martin
CHANGE OF DATE for June Work party – Weds June 17th
An early date this month due to Holidays, as you can see from the images below there has been a lot of growth, especially of the thorny kind it seems !
We managed to cut back the main offenders, completed some litter picking and cleared out some nettles.
Best wishes
Dave Martin
What lovely weather we had for Wednesday 27th May
Session report to follow, Images below...
Best wishes, Simon Morris & Dave Martin
Canal Towpath Adoption Group – Market Harborough Branch
Working session report from 29th April 2026
I hope you got time to enjoy the sunshine this week, we certainly did on Wednesday when 8 volunteers assembled at the Logan Crescent alleyway, welcoming new volunteer Katie and the return of Judy B.
Splitting into 2 teams, an elite group of 3 armed with litter pickers and secateurs set off litter picking and to address some of the new season's growth that has started to impede the towpath.(Limited & targeted action only due to bird nesting season). They covered the entire length of our stretch down to the crossover bridge. A fantastic effort, with 2 black bags of little and half a canoe picked! With strong will power and some assistance from passersby the canoe was brought back to the alleyway, where credit to HDC removed it later in the afternoon.
The other team headed to the visitor moorings with paint brushes in hand! With some narrow boats moored, we agreed to complete all bollards without mooring ropes and for those that did have boats attached, just to paint the white tops! As you can see from the before and after photos, it has very much improved the look of the moorings.
The waterpoints didn't escape our attention either, they look fab now as well!
A big thank you to Ben@C&RT for providing the paint. I hope you're enjoying your week off!
We started the citizen science project "Birds In Green Spaces"(See previous email), recording a healthy variety of species, including; Blue Tit, Great tit, Wren, Robin, Goldfinch, Woodpigeon, Blackcap, Greenfinch, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Starling, Long-tailed tit and quite a rare Greater Whitethroat! We truly are so fortunate to have the canal on our doorstep.
Our next work party will be on Wednesday 27th May10am-12pm.
We will meet on the towpath at the alleyway to Logan Crescent. (I will confirm as usual nearer the time).
Simon & Dave
Canal Towpath Adoption Group – Market Harborough Branch
Working session report from 25th March 2026
Hello,
I hope you're well. This week's work party was a tale of 2 halves...The recent high winds saw 2 well established trees come down on our stretch and a further tree out towards Great Bowden. A large willow opposite the Logan crescent alleyway, cutting off navigation, but not impacting the towpath. A second much larger tree between the alleyway and wharf came down, blocking both the canal & towpath and doing a substantial amount of damage to the fence & garden on the towpath side of the canal.An early start to clear as much of the towpath as we could to enable people to get through. Removing a lot of debris, twigs & smaller branches, putting them onto the verge for nature or processing by CRT. Some of the larger limbs were tackled by CTAG with a selection of hand tools, bow saw and a good old fashioned axe, enabling passers by to get through the obstruction, although it was a bit like the Krypton Factor assault course.🪓🪚💪We spent some time working with the householder to clear some of the biggest limbs, with him using an electric chainsaw and making further inroads to easing towpath passage. It was a great example of community spirit and collaboration.🤝❤️The CTAG is very grateful for the householder's action and we rewarded him with warm thanks and mini-eggs. C&RT and their contractors have since made good progress clearing the fallen trees and we hope the navigation will soon reopen.
The normal work party started at 10am, with 9 volunteers meeting by the visitor moorings. Following a safety briefing, we set to work, weeding and clearing the cobblestones and path of built-up leaf mould & mud. This was relocated to the verge to breakdown, support growth and make sure the creepy crawlies were happy.It was hard work with a mish mash of tools from the depths of my shed, but very rewarding to see such a big difference along the length of the cobblestones and 32 bollards. We were very fortunate with the weather, a small shower didn't dampen spirits and we had a break at 11am to catch our breath and share some mini eggs.🐰🥚Judy R very kindly donated some wild primroses, which she and Dave planted on the small green overlooking the wharf. These look beautiful and natural. We do have plans to continue sowing wildflower seeds, planting natural bulbs and plants throughout the year(as the seasons allow) to enhance the look of the towpath and add to the nature corridor. Watch this space!🪻🌼🏵️Passersby and stranded boat owners alike shared their thanks for the sterling effort and achievements of the group.
You may have seen a small armada of vessels along our stretch and out towards Great Bowden, C&RT have been doing some dredging.🚢 More details on the Harborough FM website📻
Our next work party will be on Wednesday 29th April 10am-12pm. Meet point tbc, I will send out a note nearer the time.
If you have any queries, please contact Dave or me and we'll be happy to help.
Take care, best wishes,
Simon Morris & Dave Martin
On Tuesday 10th March, six volunteers of the CTAG assembled near the Peter Callis Way bridge for a very special work party in collaboration with Harborough Welland u3a
We completed some tidying along path and also planting next to the fence and on the slope. It was lovely to see the fruits of previous work parties blooming, with the tete-a-tete making a cheerful scene. Four hollyhocks and six primula were planted near the fence while some poppy seeds were sown further up the slope. We also did a bit of strimming and planting some sunflower seeds along the base of the wall.
The u3a Movie Group, aboard a day hire boat from the wharf, moored alongside and filmed an interview with AJ, Gerry and Dave about the work we do along the Canal towpath and the posters & website, also capturing volunteers in action doing some towpath tidying and planting next to the fence and on the slope.
Once this concluded the movie makers continued to Foxton, filming various aspects of the canal arm and its fascinating history.
The footage is in the cutting room and we look forward to the release of the film and will share it once editing is completed. Who knows we may even have a CTAG Premiere! In the meantime, here are a few photos.
Take care, best wishes, Simon & Dave
Canal Towpath Adoption Group – Market Harborough Branch
February Working session report from 25th Feb 2026
We were very lucky with the weather, a blue sky day in the midst of what was a very wet period. We welcomed new volunteer Jan and also recruited another, Nick, a chap who was navigating the Harborough Arm on a Stand Up Paddle(SUP) board!
8 volunteers filled 2 black sacks of litter and made significant progress tackling the ivy(Clear Ring photo) from the wooden steps to the country park to Peter Callis Bridge. This is vital on trees with sparse canopies, like ash and larch, which can become heavily smothered and weakened from competition and on old, weak or previously damaged trees, where ivy growth can hide problems such as cavities or signs of decay, potentially making a tree unsafe.
The extra weight of ivy on an already ailing tree can also make the canopy unstable, particularly in windy conditions. We experienced this on the large oak tree this Winter (see Broken Limb photo). Lot's of praise was received from the many towpath users about the positive impact we have on "our" stretch of the arm.
As we are now in bird nesting season (March-September), our hedge related activities will be very limited. By exception, brambles and low branches that are at head height and/or impacting the safety of towpath users will be targeted. So depending on the weather, our work parties will focus on litter picking, weeding, tidying, wildflower sowing and painting woodwork and waterpoints.
Dates for your diary:
10th March - u3a Work party & filming 9:30 onwards.
** Change to rendezvous point ** Meet at Peter Callis Bridge 9:30ish **
25th March - CTAG Work Party 10-12, meet point to be confirmed nearer the time.
Check the map at the bottom of this page for Rendezvous point details.
Canal Towpath Adoption Group – Market Harborough Branch
January Working session report from 28th January 2026
On 28th January, Ann Hoxley from C&RT joined 10 volunteers who met at Logan Crescent alleyway and worked towards the wooden steps to the country park. The main focus was taking action to reduce the impact of ivy on the mature trees, particularly those that lean towards or overhang the towpath. Sterling work with loppers and pruning saws has seen a visible gap on those trees and the ivy will naturally die away. (NB: We left plenty of other trees & bushes with ivy as it is a vital source of food for wildlife).
Dates for your diary:
25th February - CTAG Work Party 10-12, meet at the steps to the country park. Rendezvous Point 3.
10th March - u3a Work party & filming 9:30 onwards, meet on the towpath at Logan Crescent alleyway. TBC
25th March - CTAG Work Party 10-12, meet point to be confirmed nearer the time.
Check the map at the bottom of this page for Rendezvous point details.
Alley way from Logan crescent, usual time10.00 am.
Map location: 2. https://what3words.com/populate.escapades.cards)
Please check out the pictures below...
Canal Towpath Adoption Group – Market Harborough Branch
December Working session report from 17th December 2025
A large amount of wet leaves were cleared from the moorings while a fallen tree (see our 'Projects' page) was removed and other potential hazards were trimmed back. All in all another very successful morning’s work
Please note, Simon and Dave have decided to add more consistency to the dates of the work sessions. They will be on the last Wednesday of the month going forward, so we hope to see many of you on the 28thJanuary, meeting on the towpath by the alley way from Logan crescent, usual time10.00 am.
The main focus will be litter picking and cutting back the ivy.
Map location: 2. https://what3words.com/populate.escapades.cards)
Please check out the pictures below...
The picture above taken on 19th November by the Peter Callis Road Bridge (The Old Wooden Bridge)...
Bitterly cold but a good job done. 👍
Next Time...
The group will meet again on Wednesday DECEMBER 17th. 10am – 12 noon at the wooden bridge by the wharf.
All tools and equipment will be provided, or you can bring your own... but please …
– Wear sturdy footwear
– Wear weather appropriate clothing
– Bring a good pair of gloves
Afterward will will have some festive mince pies and a coffee!
Please remember that anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer.
Contact for more information: mhbranchctag@gmail.com
See the Canal Section Map below for details
CTAG were saddened to hear that our neighbours at the Foxton Canal Museum face financial difficulties and are at risk of closure. A fundraising campaign has been launched.
Please read the full article in the Leicester Mercury on-line page below...
Please donate via their Crowdfunder Page using the link below.
Items1 - 5 are designated rendezvous points.
Canal Basin (https://what3words.com/informed.guru.surpassed)
Logan Street Jetty (https://what3words.com/populate.escapades.cards)
Steps to the Country Park (https://what3words.com/lakes.dive.wimp)
Peter Callis Bridge (https://what3words.com/camped.overheat.page)
The Cross Over Bridge (https://what3words.com/later.elder.interacts)
Section A, B, C, D are the areas of the towpath we work on.
Please note that the shortest route from 1 to 5 is along the main road.
Please click on the map to download a PDF copy
