The Basingstoke Canal Society are working towards providing a sustainable future of the Basingstoke Canal and offer a range of boat trips to visitors.
As a team of 300 volunteers, collectively contributing around 30,000 volunteer hours per year, the group says they are committed to supporting the maintenance and upkeep of the Canal for navigation and for leisure users. They also focus our efforts on raising the profile of the Basingstoke Canal for visitors and in addition run two Trip Boats.
Kitty is the smaller 12 seater trip boat based in Woking, Surrey. You’ll find Kitty welcoming passengers on weekdays and weekends for an approximately 75 minute trip. If you’re looking for something a little extra special, they also run Cream Tea trips.
John Pinkerton II is the larger of their trip boats, seating up to 50 passengers and runs trips from Odiham in Hampshire on various weekdays, weekends and evenings too. Whether a summer’s day, family outing on the weekend or maybe a themed evening with dinner and drinks and some music too, the trip boat provides entertainment for a variety of occasions.
Throughout the year, you will find volunteers from The Basingstoke Canal Society at events up and down the 32 mile length of the Canal where you can learn more about them, what they do and how you can support their charitable efforts and raise vital funds for the Basingstoke Canal.
They said: “We know we can’t take the beautiful Basingstoke Canal for granted, if you’d like to support us or find out more, then there are many ways to get involved:
“Make a donation on our website and help us protect the canal through helping to fund essential projects.
“Become a member for as little as £15 per year and with your membership join many others in supporting the Society, receive a quarterly members newsletter and receive a free space on our annual members boat trips too. Get involved and volunteer, help us to help the Canal.”
To find out more about the Basingstoke Canal Society, visit their website or follow them on Facebook: www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk
