A team of volunteers have been busy helping the charity, Canal & River Trust, look after the Kennet & Avon Canal in the historic city of Bath, to ensure it’s a lovely place to visit throughout the year.
Every year thousands of people visit the 200-year-old canal in Bath, and it is kept in tip top condition with the help of a team of local residents, who dedicate a day every week to tidying the canal.
The group carry out a wide variety of tasks including removing graffiti from the historic stonework and monuments dotted along the canal, cut back overhanging trees and bushes, paint lock gates and collect litter.
Max Ward, volunteer leader at the Canal & River Trust, said: “The work our volunteers do is essential in helping us care of our waterways and make our canals a lovely place to visit.
“Volunteering along the waterways is a great way to get some fresh air, it keeps you fit, you can also make new friends and learn new skills.
“Escaping the busy centre of Bath to spend some time next to water, even if it is just for a few moments, can really make a difference to your day.
“I would encourage local people to step on the towpath and see for themselves the work the volunteers have been doing and how lovely our local waterways are.”
Trevor Clark, a local volunteer, said: “We love our local canal and wanted to get involved and help the Canal & River Trust care for it, and we really enjoy what we do. We are out whatever the weather and do what we can to keep the area looking neat and tidy to encourage more people to visit.
“We are always looking for new people to join our team so if you can spare some time please get in touch. We’re a friendly bunch and the work isn’t too hard but it certainly is rewarding and you’ll definitely have job satisfaction at the end of the day.”
For more information on the Canal & River Trust including how you can volunteer, or donate money to support their work, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk.
