Our new Thomas Telford Society includes a series of exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ events for those leaving Canal & River Trust a gift in their Will.
From his work across canals to designing and building the incredible Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Thomas Telford envisaged projects that transformed travel, communities and commerce. He left an impressive legacy that continues to benefit so many of our lives, demonstrating the power of a legacy that lasts beyond a lifetime.
Lasting impact is at the heart of the Thomas Telford Society. Every gift, regardless of size, contributes directly to our work to preserve our waterways for future generations.
Thomas Telford Society member benefits
As a member, you’ll enjoy exclusive opportunities to connect with our work on a deeper level, gain behind-the-scenes insight into projects and witness the incredible difference that gifts truly make.
Take a look at what you can expect at an event:
Launching the Thomas Telford Society
Our first event took place at Ellesmere Yard on the Shropshire Union Canal. Society members learned about our exciting plans to restore, conserve and protect this historic working canal yard, which is also home to a blacksmith shop, pattern room, dry dock and the famous ‘Saturn’ Fly Boat. With the help of gifts in Wills, we aim to transform the yard into a sustainable hub for heritage crafts over the next few years
It’s no coincidence that Ellesmere yard was chosen to mark the launch of the Thomas Telford Society; it was Telford’s base while building the nearby Pontcysyllte Aqueduct up to 1808. Today it remains the oldest working canal yard in the country having served canals down the generations. Although its rapidly ageing heritage is urgently in need of restoration, work has already begun to revive many areas of the site.
Our wonderful Volunteers Maurice, Ian and Keith and historical guides, shared their intricate knowledge of the working yard, from the heat and smoke of the blacksmiths, where iron plates, braces, nails and rivets for lock gates were once forged, to the workshop where gate timbers were carved, sawn and assembled.
Seeing first-hand the incredible pattern room, which houses intricately carved wooden templates, from which iron winding gears are still cast today, highlighted the important role our members play in keeping traditional skills alive. Members were also fascinated to take a trip down memory lane spending time aboard Saturn, one of the last remaining horse-drawn Shropshire flyboats, a fleet of which once carried fresh and perishable goods like cheese, beer, and milk into Birmingham and Liverpool 24 hours a day.
Get in touch
You can email us with any queries at [email protected] or call 07917 078121. We’d be delighted to explain how a gift in your Will helps keep all our canal treasures alive – not only celebrating your passion for canals, but protecting heritage and wildlife for the future too.
