Stoke on Trent Boat Club

In 1957, Guy Barks formed Stoke on Trent Boat Club with a group of like-minded enthusiasts. The first meeting place was the Copeland Arms, Stoke. Later in 1957, the Club moved into the old grain store, Town Yard. As first Commodore, Guy Barks put a notice on the towpath inviting passing boaters to visit them. Soon Guy was in contact with British Waterways protesting at the neglect of the Caldon and Trent & Mersey Canals. He challenged the Inland Waterways Association to hold its 1960 national campaign rally in Stoke on Trent, organised by the Club - the only such rally ever to be organised by a club. Things moved on apace, with a protest cruise to Froghall in 1961. In 1963, the Caldon Canal Society [now the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust] was formed with strong support from the boat club, leading to a protest rally at Consall Forge. In 1966, Endon wharf was purchased and remains the headquarters. A lot of work was done by members to restore the Caldon Canal as a navigable waterway. The Club purchased land for road access to the club arm in 1970, and the clubhouse itself followed in 1973 - all carried out by members. The Caldon Canal was formally re-opened in 1974 - the Club met at The Victoria Hotel, Shelton [otherwise known as The Jug] between 1973 and 1976, when the move to Endon took place. Much work has been done by members to improve the building and grounds, and to this day, all work required is carried out by volunteers. In 2007, the Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a rally of visiting boats, and an open weekend at our premises. We held an exhibition of photographs selected from our archives and ran a ‘canal week’ for the local primary school with visits and competitions. Later in the year, we held a celebratory dinner at Westwood Golf Club. With some 140 members, the Club is thriving with a programme of social events for the winter months, and in summer, members cruise many hundreds of miles around the network. Members also serve on committees such as the Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust, Inland Waterways Association, Leek & District Sports Council, and the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs. We are also involved in various activities in the village of Endon.