Canal Camps Brochure 2018

2018 Canal Camps Canal Restoration Volunteer Holidays

Volunteer www.wrg.org.uk

"

I absolutely love volunteering on WRG Canal Camps - I’ve met some of the most amazing people, learnt new skills and come away with some amazing memories!

Becky Parr, 2017

Why you’ll love volunteering for WRG!

• • • • •

Meet new people and make lifelong friends.

Be part of a friendly and diverse team.

Learn new practical skills.

Gain valuable work-related experience.

Help restore our industrial heritage…and maybe get a little muddy!

"

Sites for 2018 - Midlands

Just Add Volunteers Why restore canals?

Canal Camps are a great experience for anyone who loves being outdoors and enjoys meeting new people from different backgrounds and of different ages.

Run by the Waterway Recovery Group (WRG), Canal Camps allow participants to learn new skills whilst helping bring derelict waterways back to life.

Over the last 70 years campaigners from The Inland Waterways Association and WRG volunteers, amongst many others, have managed to bring hundreds of miles of canals back into water. Today, restored canals benefit communities in so many ways. They form a network of linear leisure parks, providing wildlife sanctuaries, a place to enjoy the waterways by foot, bike or boat and a link to our industrial past. But there are still many more miles of derelict waterways that can be restored and that’s where we need your help!

Our volunteering holidays act as a catalyst to a canal restoration project making significant progress on a site in just one week. Working together WRG volunteers can achieve great things such as building a new section of canal, restoring a flight of locks, removing tonnes of rubbish from a canal or even rebuilding a bridge.

Keep up to date with WRG:

Who will I meet?

WRG Canal Camps attract a wide range of people... the common ingredient being people who just want to have fun! You will meet young volunteers taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, waterway enthusiasts who wish to make a contribution to restoring and preserving the canal and river system, teachers, engineers, accountants, office workers and many other types of people.

Do I need to have experience?

It doesn’t matter whether you are a complete beginner or have tried your hand at canal restoration before, you will be guided through every task by the Canal Camp leadership team. Our volunteers often learn new skills such as bricklaying, stone walling, machine operation and restoration techniques.

age limits Our Canal Camp working holidays are open to anyone aged 18 and above (except the Family Camps on page 15).

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Tell me more Each CAnal camp costs £70 What's included?

Food - Each day there will be a cooked breakfast, lunch on site and a substantial home cooked evening meal…along with plenty of tea and cake! If you are vegetarian or have special dietary requirements it is vital that you let us know at the time of booking so that the cook can cater for your needs. The cook may also contact you to discuss your requirements.

Accommodation - WRG accommodation is

best described as basic with volunteers sleeping in one large room in a village hall, scout hut or similar.

Although it doesn’t usually include beds, you can expect electricity, toilets and draught-free sleeping areas! Access to a hot shower will be provided at the end of each working day.

Navvies - One year’s free subscription to our

Navvies magazine (first time volunteers only) which will keep you updated on our activities.

Sites for 2018 - Midlands

Kit List - You’ll be sent a full list of what to bring, the

essentials being a sleeping bag and camping mat (or airbed), pillow, waterproofs, old clothes, and steel toe capped safety footwear. We will supply any other safety equipment required, including a hard hat.

Free Time - Evenings are free to socialise with your fellow campers. Your Canal Camp Leader will organise activities such as bowling, boat trips or visits to the local pub. Don’t forget to bring some extra money if you want to join in.

Transport - If you arrive by train or bus we will pick you up from the nearest station in one of our big red minibuses. We also provide travel between the accommodation and site.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award -

A Canal Camp is a great way to complete the residential section of your Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. All volunteers participating in the Award are asked to attend the Camp for the full seven days.

Volunteer Now It’s easy to book onto one of our Canal Camps!

• Book online www.wrg.org.uk • Call 01494 783 453 • Use the booking form at the back on page 19

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Why do i love Canal Camps?

Name: Sarah Lewis Age: 51 Occupation: Family Support Officer What was your first Canal Camp?

My first Canal Camp was in 2017 at Inglesham Lock. We spent the week placing coping stones, repairing lock walls and getting stuck in with other jobs.

What did you enjoy about your first Canal Camp?

I enjoyed everything!! Loved being outdoors and being so physical, even loved the fact that I ached after my week because I felt like I had achieved something. I loved meeting new people, the social events and of course lots of laughter.

What was the most useful thing you’ve learnt on Camp?

The most useful thing was no matter what your age, background, gender or personality, there is a place for everyone, with everyone able to bring their own level of skill or energy to camp.

Final thoughts?

It was the most amazing experience! New skills, new people, laughter, great food and the transformation of the lock. I was particularly impressed with WRG as an organisation as I felt they had considered everything! All I can say is thank you for the experience....you will be seeing me again!

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Sites for 2018

Sites for 2018 - Midlands

Midlands

Grantham canal

£70

Location: Lincolnshire Activities: Lock restoration Dates: 11th-18th August 18th-25th August 25th August-1st September 20th-27th October WRG is supporting Canal & River Trust and Grantham Canal Society’s successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid to restore locks 14 and 15. Over the past two years WRG volunteers have spent 1100 volunteer days helping restore Lock 15 and with the restoration of the lock nearly complete volunteers will be turning their attentions to Lock 14. Set in the beautiful Vale of Belvoir, volunteers will spend the summer helping establish the

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new site compound, dismantling the offside lock wall and clearing debris from the lock chamber. Once the chamber wall has been dismantled volunteers will start the rebuilding work – creating concrete foundations and constructing the new wall with bricks and blocks. With excellent local support and the opportunity to learn new skills, these will be popular camps.

New Site for 2018 Shrewsbury & newport canals Location: Shropshire Activities: Vegetation clearance, towpath repairs and brickwork

£70

Dates: 10th-17th February

Derby canal

£70

Location: Derbyshire Activities: Lock restoration

Dates: 21st-28th July

The goal of the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust is to form a continuous navigable waterway linking Norbury Junction with Shrewsbury.

The Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust plans to restore the Derby Canal which connects the Trent & Mersey Canal at Swarkestone to the Erewash at Sandiacre via Derby.

This February, volunteers will be working at Berwick Tunnel’s North Portal clearing vegetation, removing stumps, demolishing brickwork and improving access to the site with a new towpath. This camp will offer you plenty of activities to keep you warm and active over the week.

This summer volunteers will be working at the partially restored Borrowash Bottom Lock undertaking technical restoration work – from reinstating the coping stones to rebuilding the stone gate recesses and wing walls.

Hopefully by the end of 2018 the lock will be restored – demonstrating what volunteers can achieve!

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Sites for 2018 - Midlands

New Site for 2018 Lichfield canal

£70

Location: Staffordshire Activities: Bricklaying and towpath creation

BCN Cleanup Dates: 28th July-4th August

Despite the Government’s attempts to block the canal with the building of the M6 Toll road in the 1990s, the restoration of the Lichfield Canal has continued to gather pace.

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Work this summer is focused at Fosseway Heath Nature Reserve with volunteers spending the week building a new retaining wall and towpath. Once restored the Lichfield & Hatherton canals will form a natural wildlife corridor from Huddlesford to Hatherton becoming a valuable amenity for walkers, cyclists and boaters.

£13

Location: Wednesfield on the Wyrley and Essington Canal Activities: Canal cleanup

Dates: 24th-25th March

Ever wondered what’s lurking beneath the waters of the Birmingham Canal Navigations? Over the past three years volunteers have cleared over 120 tonnes of rubbish from the BCN – including lots of ‘treasures’ such as an electric guitar, gas BBQ and of course lots of shopping trolleys!

WRG’s annual cleanup weekend is a great opportunity to have fun and meet new people whilst making a welcomed improvement to the canal environment below the water!

South west

Inglesham Lock

ÂŁ70

Location: Lechlade (Cotswolds) Activities: Lock restoration, bricklaying and demolition Dates: 7th-14th July 14th-21st July 21st-28th July 11th-18th August 18th-25th August 25th August-1st September The Thames & Severn Canal and Stroudwater Navigation (collectively known as the Cotswold Canals) once linked the Thames to the Severn through the Cotswold Hills.

Over the past three years significant progress has been made in our efforts to restore Inglesham Lock at Lechlade. In 2017 volunteers spent the summer restoring one side of the lock chamber and in 2018 we will be

returning to rebuild the other wall. With the site well established volunteers will jump straight back into rebuilding work with lots of bricks and blocks to lay.

There will also be the chance to get involved in some technical brickwork projects – rebuilding a paddle arch and a wing wall. If you enjoy bricklaying or want to learn how to lay bricks then these are the camps for you!

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Sites for 2018 - Midlands

wales & the borders

£70

Swansea Canal

Location: South Wales Activities: Heritage construction skills and archaeology

Dates: 11th-18th August 18th-25th August

Location: South Wales Activities: Heritage construction skills

After successfully running our first archaeological dig in 2017, volunteers will spend another week digging trial pits to uncover more artefacts from the canal's industrial past. Over both weeks volunteers will also learn traditional heritage techniques including repointing and rebuilding using lime mortar working to restore Cabin Lock.

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£70

Monmouthshire Canal

These camps will give volunteers the chance to take part in a wide range of activities, so book now and help us bring this 200 year old waterway back to life!

Dates: 4th-11th August

The Swansea Canal originally climbed 377ft through 36 locks from sea level at Swansea up the valley to Abercraf – now only six miles remain in water.

This summer volunteers will be working at two sites – Trebanos Locks and Ynysmeudwy Locks. At Trebanos Locks volunteers will finish repointing the lock chambers before removing debris and rubbish so the new lock gates can be fitted. Ynysmeudwy Locks is a new site for 2018 with volunteers clearing vegetation and starting repointing work.

New Site for 2018 Montgomery Canal

£70

Location: Shropshire Activities: Canal relining Dates: 31st March-7th April 7th-14th July 14th-21st July

The Montgomery Canal runs for 35 miles from Frankton Junction near Ellesmere to Newtown in Powys. Over the years this restoration project has received significant support from WRG.

rebuilding work. In the summer volunteers will then re-lay the waterproof liner and build up a protective layer of blocks. Once repaired this section of the canal will be used by a horseboat to promote the restoration.

Camps this year will be focused on repairing a leaking section of the recently restored canal. Over Easter volunteers will remove the existing waterproof liner and wall, before pouring new foundations and starting

Sounds very technical doesn’t it…don’t worry the majority of our volunteers are new to canal restoration and everyone is supported by an experienced Leader.

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North West

Lancaster Canal

East Anglia

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Chelmer & Blackwater navigation £70

£70

Location: Kendal, Cumbria Activities: Canal relining and vegetation clearance

Sites for 2018 - Midlands

Dates: 31st March-7th April 7th-14th April

Location: Essex Activities: Towpath surfacing, brickwork repairs and footbridge refurbishment

Dates: 28th July-4th August

The Lancaster Canal Trust’s main objective is to restore and open the canal to full navigation from Tewitfield to Kendal.

The Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation is an unsung gem – relished by the people of Essex but comparatively little known among the wider canal community.

This Easter volunteers will be returning to Stainton to reline a leaking section of the canal known as the ‘First Furlong’. Once repairs are completed, this section will be re-watered and connected to the part of the canal that the Trust uses for trip boats. Volunteers will also be involved in vegetation clearance work at Hincaster Tunnel.

This summer volunteers will be undertaking a wide variety of work including brickwork repairs at Barnes Mill Lock, resurfacing a section of towpath as well as refurbishing a footbridge. Accommodation for the camp will be on a barge converted for residential use, moored in the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater.

South East

River Waveney

£70

Location: Bungay, Suffolk Activities: Lock chamber repairs

Wey & Arun Canal Dates: 14th-21st July 21st-28th July

The River Waveney forms the boundary between Suffolk and Norfolk running past Bungay and Beccles.

In 2017 WRG volunteers started restoration work at Geldeston Lock and this summer, working alongside the River Waveney Trust, volunteers will focus their efforts restoring one side of the lock – removing damaged brickwork and carrying out repairs using lime mortar.

This restoration project has excellent local support so why not come along and spend a week exploring a relatively unknown corner of our waterways network.

£70

Location: Surrey Activities: Towpath creation and concreting

Dates: 7th-14th July 20th-27th October

The Wey & Arun Canal was opened in 1816 as a safe route from London to ports such as Portsmouth. It was abandoned in 1871 but significant restoration work has been carried out since the 1970s.

This year volunteers will be working on two different projects – one at Birtley creating 850m of new towpath and associated recreational paths, and another at Shalford putting in foundations for a new visitor centre and boardwalk for a nature conservation zone.

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Sites for 2018 - Midlands

Other events

Christmas Camp

£70

Location: TBC Activities: Vegetation clearance, bonfires and other winter activities

Reunion Weekend 2018 £13 Dates: 26th December-1st January 2019

Our main Canal Camps programme ends in October, but that doesn’t mean we go into hibernation for the winter.

WRG works all year round and every year we run a Christmas Camp from the 26th December through to New Years Day. Work will include vegetation clearance, so there will be plenty of scrub bashing, bonfires and other winter activities. It’s the perfect way to work off your Christmas dinner and start the New Year in style!

We haven't decided on a site for 2018 but keep checking the website for more information.

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Location: TBC Activities: Vegetation clearance and bonfires

Dates: 3rd-4th November

WRG’s Reunion Weekend is our big annual get together and working party for over 100 volunteers.

It’s also known as the Bonfire Bash because we usually spend the weekend clearing vegetation along the line of a canal and warming ourselves by bonfires!

There will also be the chance to have a sneak peek at our Camps programme for 2019!

Family weekend camps

£15

per person

Location: Uttoxeter Canal: 8th-10th June Grantham Canal: 17th-19th August Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation: 31st August-2nd September

Due to popular demand, WRG’s Family Weekend Camps are back for a second year with even more sites and new activities to welcome families to the world of canal restoration. Don’t worry, it’s not all work and no play, evening activities will be planned for the weekend. Families will be provided with accommodation whether that’s camping, sleeping in dorms or on a barge. The activities involved are to help make practical

improvements to the canal, help enhance the waterways for wildlife and learn what it is like to live like a modern day navvy!

The Family Camps are open to families with children aged between 8 and 14.

To book spaces on one of these weekends please call 01494 783453 ext 610

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Help run a canal camp Our Canal Camps also need leaders and organisers to help run them. Volunteers donate their own holiday time to ensure that each and every volunteer who joins us can have a fun filled and safe week.

As a WRG Canal Camp leader, assistant or cook you will need to have some experience of Canal Camps and be willing to look after (or feed) 18 wonderful volunteers!

To find out how to get involved please email enquiries@wrg.org.uk or find out more at www.wrg.org.uk/volunteer

Why volunteer...what's in it for you?

• •

Meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and of any ages.

Gain new, transferable skills that make your CV stand out.

Have a fun, enjoyable and FREE holiday.

Become a vital member of the WRGie team!

• •

"

Being a Canal Camp leader is an extremely rewarding experience, to look back at what you have helped achieve over a single week is an amazing feeling.

"

Matt Baines, Assistant Leader 2017

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Weekend digs

Sites for 2018 - Midlands

WRG’s Regional Groups organise weekend canal restoration ‘digs’ for volunteers throughout England and Wales. The work can be anything from restoring a lock chamber to vegetation clearance, there really is something for everyone. The weekends start on the Friday evening and volunteers work on site from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon. Each weekend costs between £8-£15 which includes food and accommodation.

Are you looking for exciting ways to fill a weekend? Are you interested in learning new skills? Maybe you want to improve your bricklaying or hone your digger operating skills? If your answer is ‘YES’ then WRG has something for you.

For more information and upcoming dig dates visit the WRG website at: www.wrg.org.uk

Dates for 2018 10th-17th February Shrewsbury & Newport Canals CC201801 24th-25th March BCN Cleanup BCN2018 31st March-7th April Montgomery Canal CC201802 Lancaster Canal CC201803 7th-14th April Lancaster Canal CC201804 12th May Leaders & Cooks Training Day LTD2018 8th-10th June Family Camp - Uttoxeter Canal

21st-28th July Inglesham Lock (Cotswolds) CC201811 River Waveney CC201812 Derby Canal CC201813

31st August-2nd September Family Camp - Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation

28th July-4th August Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation CC201814 Lichfield Canal CC201815

20th-27th October Grantham Canal CC201825 Wey & Arun Canal CC201826 WRG Forestry Camp FT2018

4th-11th August Swansea Canal CC201816

3rd-4th November TBC Bonfire Bash BB2018

11th-18th August Inglesham Lock (Cotswolds) CC201817 Grantham Canal CC201818 Monmouthshire Canal CC201819

26th December-1st January 2019 TBC Christmas Camp CC201827

17th-19th August Family Camp - Grantham Canal

18th-25th August Inglesham Lock (Cotswolds) CC201820 Grantham Canal CC201821 7th-14th July Monmouthshire Canal Inglesham Lock (Cotswolds) (KESCRG) CC201805 CC201822 Wey & Arun Canal (NWPG) CC201806 Montgomery Canal CC201807 25th August-1st September Inglesham Lock (Cotswolds) 14th-21st July CC201823 Inglesham Lock (Cotswolds) CC201808 Grantham Canal CC201824 River Waveney CC201809 Montgomery Canal CC201810 23rd/24th June TBC WRG Training Weekend TW2018

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Sites for 2018 - Midlands

Love your Waterway Restoration Over five hundred miles of the UK’s waterways have been saved from dereliction since the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) was founded in 1946. Many more miles are gradually being brought back to life thanks to the work of IWA and WRG volunteers as well as the extraordinary hard work and dedication of restoration groups all over the

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country. But it is estimated that there are still 2,000 miles of waterway left to restore.

WRG is part of IWA and together we aim to support, enable and champion restoration nationally. IWA spends around a third of its membership subscription income to benefit WRG’s practical hands on work. And it’s not just financially that IWA supports restoration. Volunteers regularly lobby politicians, provide advice, expertise and publicity and combined with WRG volunteers our aim is to ensure the future of our waterway heritage.

Canal Camp Booking Form Personal Details

I wish to attend Canal Camp(s): Camp No: .................................. Location: .............................................. please use block capitals

Title: (delete as appropriate) Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms/Other: ....................

First name(s): ............................................................................................

Date: from...................................................to............................................

Camp No: .................................. Location: ..............................................

Date: from...................................................to............................................

Address: .....................................................................................................

Dietary Requirements Please indicate any special dietary requirements (e.g. vegan, vegetarian etc and any food allergies)

......................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................

......................................................... Postcode: .........................................

Other Information

Tel: ................................................... Mobile: ............................................

Do you hold a current First Aid Qualification?

Surname: ...................................................................................................

Email: ..........................................................................................................

DoB (you must be over 18 at the start of the camp): ...... / ...... / ......

Please note: Booking confirmation, kit list and Health & Safety booklet will be sent out via post once booking is confirmed. All other correspondence will be sent via email including camp directions. Please note: Navvies is only sent out by post not email.

Emergency Contact Details Please provide details of someone who we can contact in case of emergency during the camp Name: .........................................................................................................

Tel: ...............................................................................................................

YES / NO If yes, please specify details: ................................................................. ......................................................................................................................

Occupation: ...............................................................................................

Are you attending as part of your Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

YES / NO How did you hear about us? ..................................................................

How do you intend to travel to the Camp? (Car, Public Transport) ......................................................................................................................

Medical & Access Information

Cancellation Policy

Please let us know if you have any conditions for which you are currently seeing a doctor for treatment (e.g. asthma, epilepsy, allergies, or other health issues) and/or if you have any access needs. Please also include any information about medications including the dosage. This information will help the leader plan suitable activities for the Canal Camp. Please advise us of any changes before the start of the camp.

If you wish to cancel or transfer your booking please inform us at least 21 days before the start of the camp.

Your payment will be refunded less a £10 administration fee, or transferred to another camp free of charge. If you cancel less than 21 days before the start of the camp no refund can be made.

...............................................................................................................

Please read the following before signing: I agree that information on this form may be stored on an electronic database and that this information may be provided to organisers of the camp that I will be attending and to other authorised WRG personnel. WRG may use the information you supply for administrative purposes and to send you information about our activities.

...............................................................................................................

Payment

I enclose a cheque for £

Declaration

Please make cheques payable to ‘The Inland Waterways Association’

Signature: ......................................................................................

Please debit my credit/debit card Amount £

Date: ........../............../...............

Card Number:

Please sign me up to the monthly WRGie E-newsletter Please add me to IWA’s E-Bulletin to keep me up to date with IWA’s campaigns and waterway news

Start Date* Security Code**

Expiry Date Issue No.***

*Start Date/Issue No. is for Maestro cards only. **Security code is the last 3 digits on the back of the card. ***If applicable

I agree that you can make my contact details available to WRG local groups and other WRG event organisers.

Please return your completed form to:

WRG, Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA