Volunteering
The Association is run entirely by volunteers.
Volunteers have helped us achieve a tremendous amount over the last few years -and with your help we could do even more!
We work along the navigable 22 miles of canal from Bedworth to Snarestone, often in co-operation with Canal & River Trust. We also assist along the restored stretch of canal between Donisthorpe and Moira in co-operation with Ashby Canal Trust
Here’s what our volunteers have been doing recently –
PAINTING BENCHES ALONG THE TOWPATH
REPAIRING THE TOWPATH
HEDGE TIDYING
PREPARATORY WORK ON THE ASHBY CANAL TRAIL TO MEASHAM
INSTALLING MOORING RINGS
CLEARING SCRUB IN PREPARATION FOR CANAL RESTORATION
ATTENDING LOCAL VILLAGE FESTIVALS TO PROMOTE THE RESTORATION SCHEME
PUTTING UP NOTICE BOARDS
KEEPING OUR SITE TIDY
LITTER PICKING ALONG THE TOWPATH
INSTALLING MILEPOSTS
During the autumn, winter and spring months we hold regular work parties – usually on the third Sunday of each month. We usually start around 10am. Our regular meeting place is Snarestone Wharf, off Quarry Lane, Snarestone, DE12 7DD, though sometimes we work elsewhere along the canal. We are a friendly bunch – and make newcomers very welcome. Refreshments are usually provided. Our programme of work parties is listed in our members’ newsletter “Spout” and on the web site.
Age is not a limit – we welcome young people with their parents/guardians and even great grand parents! Endorsement of community work is available for Duke of Edinburgh Award participants and Scout schemes.
We welcome any kind of volunteer help. If strenuous physical work is not for you, there are many less active support and administrative roles you might wish to consider,such as helping with our publicity, assisting with our archive of documents and photographs, maintaining contact with our magazine advertisers, liaising with schools, helping at events, and so on.
To find out more please contact our Work Party & Volunteer Co-Ordinators:
Arran Jenkins or Anne-Marie Eccles
arran.jenkins@ashbycanal.org.uk or anne.marie@ashbycanal.org.uk
JOINT PROJECTS WITH CANAL & RIVER TRUST
As well as running our own work parties, ACA has co-operated with Canal and River Trust to tackle some necessary jobs. ACA volunteers and IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group members have helped with several joint projects in recent years, including repairs to brick work on Bridge 41, and towpath improvements at Snarestone and Stoke Golding. CRT would like to continue with joint projects, for example to improve the condition of the towpath in Hinckley, and in the Sutton Cheney area. If you want to know more. check out “volunteering in my area” on the Canal & River Trust website ( link on our LINKS page).
For more details contact Richard Bell (Coordinator for Waterways and Volunteering Operations):