Young enthusiasts open a new chapter in waterway volunteering

3 June 2010

A new generation of volunteers is making its mark on canals in Cheshire and across the region through a programme of events and activities ranging from wildlife habitat creation to celebrating the centenary of an iconic waterways figure.

Waterways Action Squad is a groundbreaking youth volunteering project being delivered in partnership by The Waterways Trust and British Waterways. Funded by v, the national charity for youth volunteering and the Bank of America, it is initially set to run until March 2011.

The project is encouraging young people aged between 16 and 25 to become involved in the care and promotion of canals and rivers in Cheshire and across the North West – and just six months on, their efforts are beginning to bear fruit.

Lucie Unsworth, Waterways Action Squad Project Manager said the programme has two core objectives.

“Our first aim has been to introduce young people to a hands-on environment that will equip them with valuable work and social skill sets. The second is a legacy of tangible improvements for communities and waterway visitors to enjoy,” said Ms Unsworth.

These diverse environmental and celebratory activities are transforming both the appearance of our region’s waterways, including:

• Woodland management skills and butterfly conservation on a nature reserve near the Shropshire Union Canal at Ellesmere Port. Volunteers are now developing a trail to link the reserve with the National Waterways Museum via a towpath walk. They received a £50 grant from the Community Service Volunteers ActionEarth? to help them complete the project;

• Musical celebration of Tom Rolt Centenary Rally in his home city of Chester on 26 and 27 June. Waterways Action Squad is arranging workshops with young people and professional musicians to compose pieces of music inspired both by the man and the waterways. The groups will visit the National Waterways Museum and sites including Anderton Boat Lift to gain inspiration, while meeting with waterway enthusiasts;

• Biodiversity recording is focusing on mapping invasive species and collating freshwater fish data. Volunteers have been working independently along the Shropshire Union Canal, throughout Cheshire liaising with British Waterways’ specialists;

• Volunteers have constructed personalised habitat boxes, which are now ready for installation along the Shropshire Union Canal at Calveley in Cheshire;

• hedge-laying on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Maghull, with 22 year-old volunteer Sarah Edwards organising work parties, recruiting volunteers and planting 160 CSV funded new trees.

Sarah says she has gained invaluable project management experience, along with a John Muir Award.

“Volunteering has provided me with the opportunity to do things I thought I would never have chance to do with the valuable support of experienced people. The skills I’ve acquired will help me develop the career I want to pursue in Woodland Conservation,” said Sarah.

Now the Waterways Action Squad is looking to roll out hedge laying projects across other British Waterway sites starting this autumn.
British Waterways North Wales & Borders Waterway Manager Wendy Capelle said the project is already having a significant impact on the way in which volunteering is perceived.

“As British Waterways seeks to move to the third sector, volunteer activities like this will give communities greater involvement in the running of their local canals and rivers,” said Mrs Cappelle.

“National Volunteer Week is now underway to encourage greater hands on involvement in social projects – something the Volunteer Action Squad is undertaking with professionalism and dedication,” she added.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:
• British Waterways Marketing & Communications Manager Michelle Kozomara on 01606 723854 & 07917 899222, John Clayton Media Unit on 01606 723866 & 07754 278511;
• Hazel Mycow, Waterways Action Squad Volunteer Leader on 07920 466237.

Notes to editors:
British Waterways cares for Britain’s 200-year old network of historic canals, rivers and docks, which attract over 13 million people each year for walking, cycling, angling, boating or simply the peace and quiet. We wish to establish a ‘national trust’ for the waterways in order to secure the network for future generations and to give local people a greater say in how they are run. www.britishwaterways.co.uk

Learn more about the life of Tom Rolt at www.ltcrolt.org.uk. For more information about the Tom Rolt Centenary Rally, visit www.waterways.org.uk/Events.