- David Stevenson October 1982 to October 1989 - Ken Goodwin October 1972 to October 1982 - John Heap April 1972 to October 1982 - Lionel Munk August 1970 to April 1972 - John Humphries 1958 (Incorporation) to August 1970 - Lionel Munk Main Activities IWA is a volunteer-led membership charity that campaigns for the waterways. Members can get involved with local and national committees to debate and influence policies and campaigns. Campaigns IWA formulates policies and undertakes local and national campaigns to work on specific issues that have, or may in the future, have a real impact on the UK's inland waterways. Navigation authorities IWA works closely with navigation authorities such as Canal & River Trust, the Environment Agency and other smaller navigation authorities. The association seeks to maintain good relationships with navigation authorities in order to influence policy and decision making, acting in the best interests of IWA members and the waterways. IWA also works with other waterway bodies, a wide range of national and local authorities, voluntary, private and public sector organisations. Restoration IWA actively supports waterway restoration by providing expert advice and grants. IWA's Waterway Recovery Group, organises and subsidises waterway restoration holiday schemes for volunteers around the country and its regional groups carry out restoration work most weekends. IWA as Navigation Authority In November 2005 IWA signed a maintenance and operating agreement with the Administrator of The Company of Proprietors of the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation Ltd, whereby IWA is responsible for the navigation in perpetuity. The Chelmsford Branch of the IWA worked closely with the C&BNCo from 1994 until it went into administration in August 2003. IWA has formed a subsidiary company, Essex Waterways Ltd. and, with support from local authorities, operates and maintains the navigation for the benefit of the general public. This is the first time that IWA has taken full operational and maintenance responsibilities for a navigation. IWA National Festival The association has organised a total of 60 IWA National Festival & Boat Show, all of which were run entirely by volunteers. These regularly attracted large numbers of boats and visitors. For example, the rally at Beale Park in 2006 on the Thames above Reading had 600 boats and 28,000 visitors. IWA National Campaign Festival The Campaign Festival has been an integral part of IWA activities since its inception. Bringing a large number of boats to a particular waterway highlights the