The Ipswich Branch of the Inland Waterways Association has for many years been restoring parts of the Navigation but it was felt that the river and it's environment would be better served by a group that has purely local aims rather than one that has both local and national interests.
A small sub-committee from the IWA were charged with setting up the Trust both as a limited liability company and a registered charity. They completed that task and in May 2007 it was granted charitable status and was registered as a company.
The objects of the Trust as defined in the Memorandum of Association are;
to maintain and improve .... for the benefit of the public the navigation of the River Gipping;
to advance the education of the public in the history , industrial archeology and natural history of the Ipswich & Stowmarket Navigation;
to promote and develop the recreational opportunities along the river;
to promote and develop the natural environment of the Gipping Valley.
The Trust is now a completely independent organisation, although it does have strong links with the local branch of the Inland Waterways Association. They also hope to forge links with all the other groups that have an interest in the well being of the Gipping Valley.
The directors and trustees of the Trust have published their Vision Statement which was launched at an open meeting in September.