Lichfield Branch

or towpath vegetation in need of trimming. Finally, in his branch role as volunteer co-ordinator, Neil would like to acknowledge the immense job that our member Jeff Steele has done for the offside vegetation team during the last two years. Having initially joined us in 2019, Jeff then undertook the training to become a registered lead volunteer and took on the responsibilities that went with the role. Organising the weekly workparties, liaising with CRT, sorting the logistics of the operation, the Health & Safety aspects, and the dreaded paperwork. All of this presented numerous challenges which had to be overcome, and must have been quite stressful for Jeff at times. His hard work in achieving this has been invaluable in ensuring the ongoing success of the offside vegetation operation, and we are extremely grateful for all that he does.

Each winter the team clock up around 1,600 hours of volunteering, and this helped significantly towards our Lichfield Branch being awarded the coveted Branch of the Year award at the last National AGM, something we can rightly be very proud of.

IWA Festival of Water 2023 – Call for help!

The IWA Festival of Water will this year be held at Pelsall over the August Bank Holiday weekend (August 26th – 28th).

You may be aware that this festival is run entirely by volunteers. The team preparing for the event is looking for extra volunteers to ensure that it is a success. In particular, they would like to hear from anyone who could assist with selling space to stall holders and exhibitors. The aim of the festival is to highlight the waterways and the restoration projects in the area. It is essential that any event run by our charity should at the very least “break even” financially. This is only possible if we have a wide and varied selection of traders booked into the event in advance. Achieving this is essential and preparatory work is the key. The more exhibitors and traders at the festival, the more attractive it becomes to visitors so this aspect of preparation for the event is absolutely crucial. Whilst we have some regular stall holders who join us every year, finding new and interesting stall-holders keeps the event alive so if you are interested in helping to “sell space” or to help in co-ordinating this effort please contact John Butler john.butler@waterways.org.uk

Nearer the event, people will be needed to distribute leaflets and place banners and posters around the area. Volunteers will also be needed on site to help set up. If you would like to register an interest in any aspect of this, without committing yourself in any way, please contact me: helen.whitehouse@waterways.org.uk or phone for a chat on 01543 491161.

Looking forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Helen Whitehouse

IWA West Midlands Region Chairman