Plans have been announced for a major Waterways conference to take place at the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port in May 2012.

The Waterways Heritage Conference will be taking place at the museum on Wednesday May 16 and will be opened by Dr Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage and a trustee of the new Canal and River Trust.

Delegates will be able to learn more about the work of heritage organisations in the waterways sector including the approaches taken by the National Waterways Museum. The conference will address a range of topics including partnerships with volunteers, management of collections and the use of objects from museum collections in learning activities. 

There will also be the chance to share best practice in workshop sessions, network with other colleagues and take a guided tour of the museum.

National Waterways Museum Collections Manager Peter Collins said: “This conference will be a great day to showcase all the best practice innovations in the waterways heritage sector. We’re a close knit group of organisations but this will be the first time we’ve sat down together to share our successes and help each other with our common challenges.”

Full details of the programme and speakers will be released in the new year.