The basin is managed by the Canals in Hackney Users Group. This is a charitable company which was founded by local people in 1982. The people who moor their boats in the basin form the core membership of CHUG and work to keep the organisation running, both in terms of its charitable activities and management of the moorings. It is therefore essential that those applying for moorings are interested in CHUG and are willing and able to contribute to our work on a voluntary basis as we have no paid staff. Participation is part of the mooring agreement and ability and willingness to participate is the major criteria for being successful in your application.

CHUG’s Aims:
CHUG is involved in environmental projects and planning issues relating to the canals in Hackney and Kingsland basin.
CHUG also supports the educational work of Laburnum boat club.
CHUG manages the moorings in Kingsland Basin.

Some of the activities we are involved in include:
Organising and participating in clean up days for the canal
Coppicing
Guided walks and boat trips
Membership of the management committee of Laburnum Boat Club
Liaising with developers, local residents and the council
Campaigning for safety and access to the canal as a resource for local people
Maintenance of the facilities associated with the moorings.

At present CHUG is developing a scheme to incorporate a wildlife area within the basin with a class room for school children.

How to Apply for a Mooring
There are residential and non-residential moorings in Kingsland Basin. To apply for a mooring you should own your boat. If you are applying for a residential mooring the boat should be your primary residence. You should be able and willing to actively participate in CHUG. Membership in CHUG prior to application for a mooring is a distinct advantage.

We also have temporary residential moorings which have a maximum stay of three months. If you are interested in a permanent residential mooring, it is in your interest to apply for a temporary mooring so that we can get to know you.

Mooring fees are as follows:
Temporary £170 per month
Residential £143 per month
Non Residential £85 per month

Please fill in and send back the enclosed application form in order to be placed on the waiting list. CHUG holds a waiting list of suitable candidates who will be contacted should a mooring become available. Moorings are awarded by interview of suitable candidates by members of CHUG.

What is CHUG looking for?
As a self managed community group everyone is responsible for the direction of the organisation and for ensuring their own active participation through the initiation of projects, participation in team activities and working groups, and volunteering and following through on specific tasks.

These are some examples of the skills that are useful
People who have experience of running meetings effectively
People who are able to carry out administrative tasks
People who have a range of computer skills including desk top publishing.
People who can make models and drawings to get ideas across
People who enjoy managing documents and archives
People who are interested in Canal History and would like to share this interest
People who have experience and/or a desire to build and run environmental projects.
People who are interested in fund raising.
People with outreach and public speaking skills
People who are interested in planning issues
People with project management skills
People who have practical skills and could contribute to the maintenance of the basin
People who enjoy working co-operatively with others to achieve tangible goals

CHUG has a number of officers, for example - Chair, Secretary, Company Secretary, Trustee, Moorings Officer, Post Mistress, also Sub Groups such as the planning, maintenance and the environmental.
You probably have more skills than you are aware of that would help CHUG.

It is also important that those who have a mooring at Kingsland Basin are willing to positively contribute to the community and are conscious of the shared responsibilities associated with this. For example everyone is responsible for security and for keeping the basin a tidy, safe and pleasant place to live.

The contribution of time to CHUG activities averages out at 2-3 hours a week.

If you are interested in being placed on the waiting list please download the questionnaire and return it to:

The moorings officer.
Canals in Hackney Users Group
Kingsland Basin
Regents Canal
Hackney
N1 5BB