The society was formalised in 1984 by a group of individuals who were working informally on the restoration of the milestones along the canal. In recognition of 25 years the society published the 100th edition of Milestone, its quarterly magazine, together with a Silver Jubilee Celebration - A pictorial view of 25 years of People and Projects.
The members of the society welcome all lovers of canals. We exist to promote the Macclesfield Canal for the benefit of all its users - boaters, fishermen, walkers and those who just like looking at the loveliness of this most beautiful part of the world.
The society publishes a quarterly magazine Milestone. A number of items are offered for sale including sweat shirts and our own guide to the canal.
Projects
The Society has been pleased and proud to accept the Mersey Basin Dragonfly award for the good works carried out along the canal during the past almost 20 years. It is very nice to have our many activities recognised and the £500 prize came in very useful in our further projects.
Our secretary, Malcolm Bower, was in 2005 most deservedly awarded a Mersey Basin Dragonfly for his personal contribution to the the society and the canal.
We usually have a project or two going:
Ramsdell Hall railings - This project has been completed.
Between bridges 86 and 87, at Scholar Green, Ramsdell Hall and its extensive garden lies on the off side of the canal. In order to set off the entire scene the towing path is bounded by a most attractive decorative ironwork fence mounted on a low stone wall. Unfortunately this was allowed to fall into a dilapidated state over the years and needed some serious restoration work if it was to be saved.
In preparation for the restoration of the wall and railings a major effort was put in by society volunteers to clear the foliage, bushes and small trees which were growing up through the railings, damaging them as well as the stone wall beneath.
This project became part of the English Heritage Partnership Project to protect buildings at risk along the canal. This project was a Partnership project managed by Macclesfield Borough Council and Congleton Borough Council with a steering group composed of all parties including the Macclesfield Canal Society and chaired by Tim Boddington.