Over 100 WRG volunteers descend on Stroud

The 9th & 10th of November saw W R G volunteers from across the U K in Stroud this month to help with the Cotswolds canal restoration project.

More than 100 volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group descended on Stroud to help with the on-going canal restoration work of the Cotswold Canals Trust.  Every year WRG are invited to a different site by a canal trust to hold their annual get-together, for new and regular WRG volunteers. The reunion  provides WRG volunteers with the opportunity to meet up and undertake some major canal restoration work.

This year volunteers worked at six sites along the line of the canal,  carrying out an enormous amount of work over the weekend:

• Vegetation was cleared up and down stream of Hope Mill
• Griffin Mill Lock was cleared out and landscaping      work was started
• Coping stones were reinstating at Griffin Mill Lock
• Trees and vegetation were cleared by the WRG Forestry Team at Ryeford Lock and Skew Railway Bridge
• Vegetation was also cleared around Gough’s Orchard Lock and from the channel below
• Volunteers also spent time clearing and burning debris in and around Brimscombe Port.

Jon Pontefract, Volunteer Manager of the Canal Project said ‘Despite the rain and mud, many volunteers achieved a huge amount of work that gave Phase 1A a good clearance, together with the technical work at Griffin Mill Lock and Forestry work at Upper Mills. It was an enjoyable experience to host so many and to introduce newcomers to the Cotswold Canals.’

Thanks to the Waterways Recovery Group for this information and images.