Waterways News
Waterways restoration in the new normal Several IWA branches re-started vegetation clearance, canal clean-ups and other activities this summer to ensure our waterways look good for all of the extra visitors getting afloat and enjoying the towpath throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Continuation of this type of work through the winter will depend on the impact of local lockdowns. While no one could doubt the enthusiasm within the sector for getting back to work, there were concerns regarding the viability of doing so during the current climate. To get an initial picture of early post-lockdown canal restoration, we conducted a survey in August asking groups to report their experiences, concerns and issues. Following the lifting of lockdown restrictions in July, work restarted across the restoration movement – but the sector had to adapt. With smaller numbers of volunteers and changes to working practices, such as no tool sharing, productivity has reduced as much as 50% from pre-lockdown figures. Groups have noted a drop in morale, with many older volunteers still cautious about returning. Welfare arrangements on site have also had to change, i.e. volunteers having to maintain a 2m distance during staggered tea breaks. The picture is not all gloomy, however. Organisations have reported that the forced break in work gave them opportunity to step
back and assess their projects – from spending more time in the pre-construction planning (permissions, surveys) through to arranging the delivery phase of their restoration. Projects have also benefited from increased public awareness at a local level with people discovering their canal for the first time and signing up to become members and volunteers. The drop in fundraising events and grant opportunities has affected restoration groups but the pandemic has led to more creative approaches and the possibility of new sources of funding. Groups are also seeing more positive local authority support for their project, as post-Covid-19 regeneration efforts seek to revitalise green spaces. It’s a mixed picture and going forward the volunteer sector will have to become increasingly versatile in order to adapt to the ever-changing situation. IWA’s Restoration Hub will be working closely with organisations within the sector to ensure we are all able to adapt and access opportunities on the horizon as Government funds to kickstart the economy come online, local ‘micro volunteering’ becomes more popular, and post-Brexit funding streams develop. The Hub can also assist with Covid-19 guidance and risk assessment templates to help groups plan and manage their return to volunteering.
The attraction of youth
IWA's new website is here!
Many organisations are wrestling with the need to attract new audiences who are willing to get active and involved, and the restoration sector tackled this issue head on at the recent Waterway Restoration Conference, jointly organised by IWA and Canal & River Trust. Postponed from March, the event was held online for the first time and drew the largest audience in its history. Presentations included a session on governance, led by IWA’s interim chief executive Sarah O’Grady, a talk from ex-BBC journalist and liveaboard David Akinsanya about the importance of a diverse volunteer base, and a presentation on the power of heritage volunteering including how to attract and motivate these teams. The focus of the conference went beyond simply encouraging new people to volunteer, and sought to inspire attendees to think about their succession planning and how to get younger people involved at senior levels. The conference presentations are available to view on IWA’s YouTube channel alongside the full selection of waterway webinars, which have been running throughout the summer. The restoration conference seminar programme continues weekly into November and all are welcome to attend.
Please visit waterways.org.uk to view the newly designed IWA website. We think you will be excited to see a much bigger focus on what’s happening locally to you. The waterways in your area, links to how you can get involved with our volunteering activities, related campaigns, and events will also be easier to find. The most visited page on our site is the map of the waterways – waterways.org.uk/map. It is the best digital waterways map in the UK right now, including derelict routes and restoration locations, as well as Silver Propeller challenge sites and areas likely to be most affected by HS2. Nearly 60% of visitors to our website use a mobile phone or tablet to browse, so we’ve made accessing the new site in this way more user friendly. Over the coming weeks we will be sending you a personalised link to the website inviting you to take a look, sign up to any of our email newsletters, renew your membership, buy Christmas cards and much more.
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IWA Appoints New Trustees Following a recruitment drive among IWA’s membership, five new trustees were announced at the Association’s AGM in September. Earlier this year IWA notified its supporters of a change to the way that trustees would be chosen, moving from a membership election model to panel selection. Dave Chapman, IWA Deputy Chair, who led the recruitment process said: “In our 75th year, and with plans to influence the regeneration of our waterways for many years to come and several trustee vacancies to fill, we felt a new approach was needed. We concluded that a more diverse board, with a wider range of identified skills, experience and perspectives, was required to ensure the most effective delivery of IWA’s objectives.” The new trustees are Alison Woodhams, Nick Dybeck, Philippa Bursey, Ian Sesnan and Sue O’Hare, who between them bring professional experience in accounting, planning, HR, engineering and new technology, as well as senior volunteer experience from a breadth of organisations. The sixth vacancy was filled by IWA Chair, Paul Rodgers, who following selection by the panel returns for a second term as trustee. All six trustees will now serve for a three-year term. Special thanks were extended to retiring trustees Paul Strudwick and Ray Carter, who had both completed a maximum 12-year term, and Verna Smith, IWA South East Region Chair, Mike Palmer, Waterway Recovery Group Chair, and Chris Howes, who all stood down from the trustee role earlier in the year.
Winter 2020 22/10/2020 08:23
