Inland Waterways Protection Society

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The Inland Waterways Protection Society (IWPS) was founded on the 21 April 1958 by the late Mrs Bessie Bunker of Sheffield, who became its Secretary.

On the 14 September 1968, the IWPS received permission from British Waterways to commence restoration of Bugsworth Basin at the terminus of the Peak Forest Canal.

In 1970, the IWPS was awarded a Bronze Plaque under the Countryside Awards Scheme of the European Conservation Year.

On the 6 September 1975, the Entrance Basin was re-watered and boats passed into it for the first time in more than 30 years. However, the canal was found to be leaking and it had to be drained shortly afterwards.

On the 18 April 1982, the Entrance Basin was re-watered again to admit boats but the canal was found to be still leaking and it had to be drained once more.

In November 1998, a greater area of Bugsworth Basin was re-watered and boats entered again. In April 1999 there was a celebration of the return of boats but once again the canal was found to be leaking and it had to be drained.

Following an extensive geological survey of the ground, which included the drilling of core sample for analysis, DewPitchmastic commenced work on sealing the canal in December 2003. In addition to this work, GallifordTry, the omnibus contactor for British Waterways, cleared and then sealed (i.e. made its bed watertight) part of the Entrance Canal, which was also leaking. The latter work was completed in the nick of time for the Official Opening of Bugsworth Basin on Easter Saturday 2005.

Following this successful opening of Bugsworth Basin, the IWPS is still working with British Waterways and others to secure the long-term future of Bugsworth Basin. The IWPS is supported by British Waterways, High Peak Borough Council Derbyshire County Council, the Inland Waterways Association, English Heritage, English Nature, the Waterways Trust, the East Midlands Development Agency, Awards for All, and the Countryside Agency.