he objectives of the Guild are to encourage, set and maintain high standards of knowledge and practice in the traditional skills of those who lived and worked on and around the waterways in the days of commercial carrying.

he Guild’s strength comes through its members and we welcome those practising or who just have an interest in seeing the objectives of the Guild being achieved. Communication with members is principally through its quarterly newsletter, ‘The Journeyman’. To assist our members we offer discounts on approved training courses and a limited number of bursaries to help pay course fees.

o help raise the publics’ awareness of the quality of work commercially available while encouraging members to develop their skills, members practising a relevant skill, either professionally or as an enthusiast, may apply to have their work accredited by the Guild. There are three categories. Apprentice, the entry level. Journeyman, for the more experienced, often carrying out their work on a commercial basis. Master, for the experts in their particular skill. Accredited members are listed in the widely distributed Directory which is now here online. Click to see.

Larger images Tony Lewery (left) & Phil Speight (above).