Staffordshire canal restoration continues to protect local heritage
Lichfield-based civil engineering product manufacturer Wrekin Products has strengthened its ongoing partnership with the Canal & River Trust charity following the successful clean up of the canal towpath near the site of the historic lock keeper’s cottage in Staffordshire.
A team of seven from across several departments at Wrekin joined forces with the Canal & River Trust for a hands-on volunteering day, clearing overgrown ivy, soil and rubble to reveal an old footpaths and building foundations which had been hidden for decades - continuing the collaborative effort to protect and restore the UK’s canal network.
Earlier this year, Wrekin completed a similar day of volunteering, helping to repair the canal bank between Gorse Lane and Fradley Junction, as well as supporting with removing plastics from the canal and towpath, and painting to preserve the historic canal network which is valued by local wildlife and towpath users.
Barry Turner, technical manager at Wrekin Products, said: “Sustainability and environmental responsibility are ingrained in everything we do and our ongoing partnership with the Canal & River Trust is proving to be an effective way to enhance the positive impact of routine volunteering. Having grown up in the local area and spent much of my childhood playing with friends on the banks of the canal that we have helped restore, I’m proud of our efforts to ensure future generations can enjoy our heritage spots which make the area unique.
“It’s important that we practice what we preach through our own environmental campaigns – demonstrating the actions that everyone can make to reduce pollution and increase appreciation of the natural infrastructure which surrounds us.”
The partnership between the two organisations supports the Canal & River Trust’s Great Canal Orchard project, an ambitious initiative to plant the world’s largest linear orchard along canal towpaths across the West Midlands. It also amplifies Wrekin’s The Sea Starts Here® campaign, which raises awareness of how everyday pollution impacts UK waterways and marine life.
Terry Hodgetts, business and corporate engagement partner at Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re pleased to have local businesses like Wrekin helping to improve the health of our canal network – proving that a little bit of support can go a long way. The Wrekin team always brings a good attitude and plenty of enthusiasm, which is an encouraging reminder that many of us are on a similar mission in our own different ways. However, we’re stronger together and there are limitless opportunities to reap the benefits of collaboration.”
The recent clean-up day is the latest example of the growing partnership between Wrekin and the Canal & River Trust. In addition to its financial donation to the Great Canal Orchard earlier in the year and ongoing volunteering, Wrekin has pledged support for community and educational initiatives aiming to inspire more people to care for waterways and biodiversity.
For those interested in learning more about the Great Canal Orchard project or getting involved, contact Terry Hodgetts at Canal & River Trust via email using terry.hodgetts@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
