Junction Heritage | Restoration | A Day in the Life of . . . .

Log in

User name: Password:

A Day in the Life of . . . .

Restoration of the Cotswold canals

By Jon Pontefract

Introduction

Undertaking the restoration of the Cotswold canals is the council’s biggest regeneration project to date. It’s a big job to restore the waterways to their former glory, so our canal volunteer manager is playing a key role in recruiting members of the community to help out. Never a dull moment in the world of canals, we followed Jon Pontefract on a typical day amongst the reeds.

Canal Project Team Meeting

It’s a Monday morning, and first up for Jon is the weekly canal project team meeting. Jon briefs the team on his latest project; to take on the restoration of Griffin Mill Lock at Thrupp, with the help of the Cotswold CanalsTrust (CCT).

For Jon to put this plan into action he will need the help and expertise of the whole canal team. As the canal restoration has got underway the team has grown and now surveyors, contractors, engineers and fundraisers all make up the restoration squad.

Cotswold Canals Knowledge

After the meeting, Jon then settles down to do some work on Cotswold Canals Knowledge (www.cotswoldcanalsknowledge.org.uk), a hub for information which will provide a resource that can be used by local schools.

Building the team of Volunteers

The long-term success of the canal relies on the support of the community so it is vital that young people are encouraged to take an interest and participate. With this in mind Jon has been working with volunteer officer, Alec Hughes. Alec has been helping Jon to develop youth volunteering, and this morning he has good news; Young Gloucestershire, a voluntary youth organisation, has agreed to provide a group of 16-24 years old for regular canal work.

Working with the Volunteers

Buoyed by this good news, Jon heads out of the office to Eastington to check in with a group of volunteers. Key to Jon’s role is not only recruiting the volunteers but also making sure that everything runs smoothly out on the canal banks. This meeting provides Jon with an opportunity to hear any concerns or ideas that the volunteers have. One volunteer tells Jon that there is a fallen tree across the canal by Upper Mills Estate in Stonehouse. This will be an obstruction to the planned dredging, so Jon organises a team equipped with chainsaw and winches to remove the tree. This is done from both the bank and from on board a work punt, and soon the channel is clear again.

Back on dry land, the next stop is a visit to Stonehouse to meet the team from REACH Gloucestershire, an organisation that provides training for community payback offenders and the long-term unemployed. The REACH team is giving the towpath a total makeover and their hard work has really paid off, making the towpath a safe and pleasant place for all visitors to enjoy.

CCT Visitor Centre, Wallbridge

Finally it’s back on the road to Stroud to spend what’s left of the day at the new CCT Visitor Centre answering questions from the public about the canal project. Jon welcomes a varied bunch of interested members of the public and he manages to field all the questions thrown at him. The restoration of the canal is a big undertaking but the payback to the community will be huge, bringing economic, environment, heritage and leisure benefits to the whole district. Jon communicates this message well and never one to miss an opportunity, his enthusiasm helps him to sign up three new volunteers... not quite what they bargained for when they popped in for a chat but a worthwhile visit for all concerned.