Camp REport Swansea

The first of two weeks’ restoration work at Trebanos Locks, featuring chamber wall repairs, repointing, rebuilding steps... and ‘Mortargate’

Swansea Canal 3 – 10 September

IWA’s former National Chair found a new job this summer leading the first of two camps on the Swansea Canal at Trebanos. Camp correspondents the ‘Chuckle Brothers’ report from South Wales...

Thirteen souls arrived at Ystradgynlais (approximate pronunciation: ‘us-trad-gun-lice’) Scout Hall for a week on the Swansea Canal, each one grateful that they didn’t get lost and have to ask for directions!

The goal of the first of two Swansea camps was to spend the week on Lower Trebanos Lock repointing the lock chamber, restoring a section of the lock walls and rebuilding some steps that were nothing short of a danger to life and limb for any potential future boaters.

Thirteen may be an unlucky number and could explain the first incident to afflict that camp over the week: with just 24 hours to go it looked like were facing the ultimate catastrophe – the camp cook’s car had developed a terminal fault and it would be three weeks before it would be repaired! However, the ever-resourceful camp cook – and IWA’s Volunteering Manager - Jenny Hodson got a second opinion and it was determined that it wasn’t immediately terminal and could probably cope with the six-hour drive from Lincolnshire to Glamorgan! With a whirlwind shopping trip to the local supermarket immediately on arrival, we were miraculously but marvellously fed. This culinary prowess continued all week.