navvies News

Support the Wey & Arun Raffle

You should find a book of raffle tickets for the Wey & Arun Canal Trust’s annual raffle enclosed with this issue.

Whilst there is of course absolutely no compulsion (nor even any gentle coercion) to contribute in this way, we wouldn’t include them if we didn’t support WACT’s aims. You can read opposite about work starting on the Trust’s latest project, a liftbridge similar to the one we helped them build in 2019. On page 24 you can read a report from a canal camp there earlier this year. And see below for their plans to give another apprentice a good start in a waterways career while progressing their restoration.

So please consider supporting them.

Wey & Arun Apprentice wanted

Having become the UK’s first canal restoration trust to take on an apprentice when Adam Rayner joined in 2021, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust is looking to take on a second apprentice as Adam prepares to join WACT’s small permanent staff.

The new Level 3 (A Level) Water Environment Worker Apprentice will help guide and lead teams of volunteers constructing new bridges (see opposite page) and carry out a wide range of waterway and environmental mini projects along the length of the canal as well as maintenance tasks.

The role offers on-the-job training combined with studying both remotely and in person at Bridgwater and Taunton College. Applicants need to enjoy working out-ofdoors, be self-motivated and have a clean driving licence. Applicants also require good organisation and problem-solving skills, as well as physical fitness and ability to communicate well with a wide range of people of all ages.

As WACT says, it offers “a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to learn new skills and forge a career in waterway restoration”, while “the training and experience offered will provide a great avenue for progression within the industry”.

See www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/ apprenticeship, search ‘Wey & Arun Canal Trust’

Congratulations...

...to John Hawkins of WRG Print on being awarded the Inland Waterways Association’s Richard Bird Medal for long service on Navvies printing. John is pictured receiving the award from IWA’s acting Chief Executive (and longstanding WRG volunteer and supporter) Jonathan Smith.

Apologies (1)...

...for failing to include anything in the last Navvies about the Inglesham Lock completion ceremony acknowledging all the hard work by volunteers from WRG an others (particularly KESCRG) at the lock at the eastern end of the Cotswold Canals. Our picture shows Rick Barnes and Jenny Morris with the commemorative pillar.

Apologies (2)...

...for the increasingly late arrival of the last few issues of Navvies including this one. The editor takes full responsibility for this, and will endeavour to get the next one out on time before the Christmas break, if only so he doesn’t have to wish you all a happy Christmas in this issue while it’s still October...