About us

The Club was established in the autumn of 1970 by a small group of enthusiasts, inspired by Eileen Lakin, who at the time owned the Ash Tree Inn—a canal-side pub near bridge 62 on the Trent and Mersey Canal in Rugeley.

Eileen generously provided a strip of land along the canal for moorings. Shortly after, a J.C.B. was brought in, bank work was undertaken, and boats began to occupy the newly created moorings.

Fueled by enthusiasm, significant progress was achieved during the summer of 1971. By the end of the year, a concrete slipway had been completed, and all bank work was finalised.

The next major milestone came in 1973, following several months of negotiations. The club secured a lease with the National Coal Board for an additional strip of land adjacent to the existing "Pub Moorings

The club suddenly found itself the proud owner of several hundred feet of overgrown, deteriorating banks with shallow water levels. However, within a year, staging was constructed along the entire length, allowing the majority of members to moor their boats at the club. The work completed in 1973 proved to be remarkably durable, with replacement efforts only being undertaken by the current membership in more recent years.

In 1972, through the French Tourist Office, the club established a partnership with Club Nautique de Segre, a similar boating club located in the village of Segre (population approximately 6,000 at the time), about 150 miles south of St. Malo in France. Over the years, several exchange visits have taken place between the two clubs. One of the most memorable events was when the Mayor of Segre visited and was honored with a "Civic Reception" hosted by the Lichfield District Council.

During the club's early years, monthly meetings were held at the Ash Tree Inn. However, due to frequent changes in the pub's ownership, the club eventually relocated its meetings to The Brereton Sports Club on Armitage Lane in Brereton.

Today, the club continues to welcome both boating and non-boating members, all united by a shared goal: to promote interest in the past, present, and future of British Inland Waterways. Some members have even ventured abroad to explore the inland waterways of other countries.

The club's mission is further supported through collaboration with other local boating clubs, as well as active involvement with pressure groups and societies dedicated to improving and preserving the waterways system.