Join the navvies: call for volunteers to help rebuild Stubbing Wharf canal moorings

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

The project is a collaboration between the Canal & River Trust (CRT) and the Boat Club. The canal pound between locks 11 and 12 will be drained and fallen rocks removed from the canal bed. The 'wash wall' will be rebuilt with stone and puddle clay, and new mooring bollards and rings installed. It's one of the largest volunteer projects undertaken on the canal since restoration work back in the 1990s.

Paul Bowerman Supervisor from the Rochdale Canal CRT told the HebWeb, "This is an opportunity for volunteers and the local community to engage in working together with CRT and improving the canal in the short term to achieve a long term gain. This would also give volunteers invaluable time in the canal and develop skills in wash wall repair and dry stone wall repair. Everybody wins and it will be a great opportunity for all to partake in this event."

Tom Sapey from the CBC said, "The canal is one of Hebden Bridge's historic features and home to a thriving boating community. We're really pleased to be able to work with the Canal & River Trust to return this stretch of canal to a good standard for boaters and towpath users."

A big team of volunteers is needed to help achieve the improvements at the Stubbings. People who get involved will learn first-hand about how our canals were constructed, get a great workout and hopefully have a lot of fun.

Tom Sapey added, "This is a unique opportunity to roll up your sleeves and do something different. We need people to come and support this project with a bit of time and energy – including keeping the navvies topped up with cups of tea!"

If you can spare a day for the local canal, please visit the website: www.jointhenavvies.org.uk

The Boat Club is also looking for people who might be able to lend waders to the project.