A waterways charity is hoping to recruit an army of lock-keepers to look after the region’s cherished canal network, and keep alive a centuries-old tradition.
The Canal and River Trust, which cares for 240 lock and around 300km of canal and river stretches in Yorkshire, is looking for volunteer lock-keepers for Newlay, at a stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Leeds city centre and Bramley, as well as Bingley Five Rise locks, Bingley, Salterhebble Locks in Halifax and Ripon Canal.
Lock keeping has been a fixture on the canals for hundreds of years and the role of the modern day volunteer lock keeper is to help the Trust look after the waterways.
This includes helping boaters through the locks, providing a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors and helping to maintain many historic, listed locks.
Actor and adventurer Brian Blessed supported the first national appeal last year, which saw over 250 people come forward and become volunteer lock keepers. Edd Moss, national volunteering manager for the Canal and River Trust said: “Volunteers are integral to the future of the nation’s waterways and our growing groups of volunteers have been making a huge difference to local canals and rivers up and down the country.
“This is one of the oldest roles on the waterways so we’re asking the millions of people who visit the nation’s canals and rivers each year to become a volunteer lock keeper.”
Volunteers collectively contributed over 4,500 volunteer days to the country’s waterways last year. They assisted 1,500 boats and engaged with over 1,700 towpath visitors on average per week.
Edd added: “Working outdoors and staying fit have been a key incentive for people, as has a sense of pride in knowing they’re helping protect this 250 year old working heritage. The waterways are a national treasure that everyone can participate in.”
Visit: www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/volunteer or call 0303 0404040.
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