Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust
Our objectives
Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust preserves and engages the public with a unique, historic and geological wonder which dates back 428 million years. It is an ancient scheduled monument and part of the UNESCO Black County Geo Park. As a charitable trust which has been in operation over sixty years in various formats - as a canal society members organisation, a canal and tunnel restoration and preservation society and latterly an educational charitable trust and cultural heritage attraction our mission is to preserve and conserve the fabric, history and peoples stories associated with the canals, caverns, tunnels and basins in which we operate. Using them as an amazing resource in which to educate and inspire everyone to recognise their historic and current and future importance. We were born from the passions for the place by the local youth in the community and so we are committed to being a vibrant part of the community - offering heavily subsidised and free opportunities for young parents and carers, adult with learning difficulties, lonely and isolated people and those with low incomes to engage with our site and activities as well as opportunities to socialise, learn new skills and meet new friends.
Our activities
Care, maintenance preservation and restoration of the historic environment - canals, caverns, tunnels and basins.
Care, maintenance and restoration of original working canal boats.
Canal clean ups, work parties and corporate social volunteering opportunities.
Archives collates stories, articles, images and research from the local area and makes it available to all.
Guided underground boat trips through the historic caverns and tunnels.
Education - formal and informal workshops, activities and online resources.
Outreach and community engagement.
Community based subsidised activities - Chit Chat, (social befriending group) Toddler Boats, (young parents and carer trips for under three's) Green Team (adults with learning difficulties upskilling opportunities) - displays, play areas, historic trails and displays outside of pay barriers.