Wednesday, 16 November 2011

'Adopt a Length' of Rochdale Canal

Come and meet representatives from British Waterways and Upper Calder Valley Renaissance on Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 6pm at Riverside School.

Would you like to become actively involved in keeping Rochdale Canal clean and beautiful?

Calderdale Council, British Waterways and Upper Calder Valley Renaissance are launching a new volunteer programme called 'Adopt a Length', to encourage local people to look after their canal.

Residents, community groups, schools and companies are being invited to 'adopt a length' of the Rochdale Canal, and to help give the canal some TLC.

Groups are encouraged to do as much or as little as they like - work can range from simple litter picks to vegetation management, painting, plant surveys and minor repairs. British Waterways will provide full training, tools and refreshments for work parties, and work boats to help with certain tasks.

Groups are asked to keep an eye on their stretch of canal and to report any problems to British Waterways. If the problems can be tackled by the volunteer groups, British Waterways will help them to organise work parties.

The stretches of canal to 'adopt' can be between a few yards and a mile in length, and run between known points such as locks or bridges.

Calderdale Council's Cabinet member for Economy and Environment, Cllr Barry Collins, said:

"This is a fantastic opportunity for people to come together with a real sense of pride and ownership to preserve a key part of Calderdale's landscape."

Calderdale Council's Rural Champion and Director of the Rochdale Canal, Cllr Mrs Geraldine Carter, said:

"Since Rochdale Canal was restored and reopened, more and more people are using the canal as a route to work, an aid to fitness, a nature walk in the country, a holiday destination or a place to fish.

"This is an exciting time for you to make a difference!

"If the scheme is successful, I would like to see this rolled out to the whole canal network in Calderdale."

To express your interest and find out more, come and meet representatives from British Waterways and Upper Calder Valley Renaissance on Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 6pm at Riverside School, Holme Street, Hebden Bridge, HX7 8EE. Alternatively, please call Anne Holdsworth on 01422 392249 or email.

Representatives will be on hand to discuss how the scheme works. Anyone with an interest in taking care of their canal is welcome to come along, either as individuals or representing an existing group, school or company that may consider adopting a length of the Rochdale Canal. We are just looking for expressions of interest for the time being, with a view to starting the scheme in spring 2012.

 

See also

Have your say on canal boost bid (10 Nov 2011)