Senedd reception marks ten years of us caring for Wales’ waterways

The event, celebrating the charity’s tenth anniversary, provided an update on the work to protect and preserve waterways in Wales and promote the vital role they play for the benefit of the nation.

The reception showcased how the canals in Wales are being used more than ever before, by more people than at any time in history and was a celebration of the renaissance of canals.

Making life better by water

Attendees heard about the progress Glandŵr Cymru has made in our first ten years as a charity, delivering our vision for living waterways that can transform places and enrich lives, providing blue-green corridors that support nature recovery and underpin local economies, as well as how waterways are a source of health and wellbeing for both local people and the large number of visitors they attract. As a charity that focuses on making life better by water, the event also heard about the large number of volunteers and local partner groups that play a crucial role in making this possible.

Julie James MS, Minister for Climate Change, spoke at the event and talked with passion about how she and her family have enjoyed and made lasting memories on the canal network, and its value in providing opportunities for Welsh communities to engage with nature and improve their health and wellbeing. She spoke of her desire to see the canals in Wales continue to thrive.

A bright future for the waterways

Steve Thomas CBE, Chair of Bwrdd Glandŵr Cymru, commented: “Glandŵr Cymru was launched in 2012, with public assets transferred into the care of a new charitable Trust and we have seen how successful this can be.

“Glandŵr Cymru brings free and accessible spaces to communities across Wales, whilst also providing a draw for visitors , supporting Wales' strong tourism economy.

“Our reception was an important opportunity to speak with Senedd members and other partners about the threat that climate change poses to such historic infrastructure, and the need to ensure that investment in the waterways continues to avert the risk that they decline.

“I would like to thank everyone who attended this celebration and look forward to working to realise a bright future for the waterways for the next ten years and beyond.”