We’ve picked some of the best IWA events happening across the canals this month
Sunday 1st & Tuesday 17th March – IWA Northampton Branch – Fortnightly work party on the Northampton Arm to help maintain the waterway following the Branch’s adoption of the navigation. 10am-2pm. Work includes a variety of tasks such as painting, vegetation clearance and litter picking. Location is dependent on work completed at the previous work party so is still to be confirmed. All volunteers are welcome and should wear sturdy shoes, old clothes, be prepared for the weather and bring a packed lunch. For more information contact Geoff Wood: geoff.wood@waterways.org.uk.
Thursday 12th March – IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Caldon & Uttoxeter Canals Trust – Monthly work party on the Uttoxeter Canal. 10am to 3pm. Bridge 70, Crumpwood. No parking available at site so please meet at 9.30am at Denstone Village Hall, College Rd, Denstone, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire ST14 5HR for a lift, or meet on site at Bridge 70 at 10am having made your own way on foot. Please wear old clothes, stout shoes and bring waterproofs and a packed lunch if staying all day. For more information contact Steve Wood: steve.wood@waterways.org.uk or 07976 805858.
Sunday 8th March – IWA Lincolnshire Branch supporting Sleaford Navigation Trust – Regular work parties on the second Sunday of the month. Volunteers carry out a variety of tasks to maintain the navigable section of the Sleaford Navigation at these work parties. Dates are subject to change so contact Mel Sowerby 01522 856810 to confirm date and location: workparty@sleafordnavigation.co.uk.
Thursday 19th March – IWA North Staffordshire & South Cheshire Branch and Trent & Mersey Canal Society – Monthly work party on the Cheshire Locks, Trent & Mersey Canal. 10am to 3pm. Meet at Church Lawton flight, to re-furbish the four sets of locks in the flight, starting at top Lock 49 – (Halls Lock) – a double lock in poor condition. Meet at Cherry Tree Avenue, Church Lawton ST7 3EL. Please wear stout shoes, old clothing and bring a waterproof. If you are staying all day you may also want to bring a packed lunch. This work party is held in partnership with the Trent & Mersey Canal Society. Contact: John Lawson John.lawson@waterways.org.uk; or 07940 878923.
Saturday 14th March – IWA Chester & Merseyside Branch – Monthly work party in the Chester area working at various locations alongside the Shropshire Union Canal. 10am to 4pm. Work will include painting and vegetation clearance. Please wear stout shoes and old clothes and bring waterproofs and a packed lunch if staying all day. For further details contact Jason Watts: jason.watts@canalrivertrust.org.uk.
Saturday 14th March – IWA Manchester Branch – Monthly work party at a venue to be confirmed in Greater Manchester. 10am to 4pm. Tasks will include vegetation clearance, litter picking, painting and pulling rubbish out of the canal. For more information contact: barry_m@manchester-iwa.co.uk or 0787 5999 825.
Tuesday 10th & 17th March – IWA Oxfordshire Branch supporting Banbury Canal Partnership – Regular work parties on the Oxford Canal near Banbury. 9am to 1pm. Tasks to be confirmed. All tools will be provided, please wear old clothes and stout shoes and take waterproofs in case of rain. For more details please contact Colin Garnham-Edge: bcpontheoxford@gmail.com.
Every Friday to mid-March 2020 (days may vary) – IWA Lichfield Branch and CRT joint work party. A weekly work party on the Coventry Canal between Fradley and Fazeley to help clear offside vegetation. CRT will provide a workboat, equipment, PPE and supervision. Prior training on use of a wood chipper and/or a pole saw may be needed but not mandatory. Starting at Fradley Junction and working south. 9.15 am – 3.30 pm. Start location may vary. Be prepared for the weather and bring a packed lunch. For more information or to volunteer contact Neil Barnett neil.barnett@waterways.org.uk or 07808 846434.
Every Saturday in March – IWA West Country Branch (Taunton): weekly work party in the Taunton area. 10am – 1:30pm. Exact work and location to be confirmed. Volunteers are advised to wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions and sturdy boots or shoes and bring a bottle of water. Please let us know if you are intend to join us, by 6pm the day before. For further details contact Mike Slade: mdslade8@gmail.com on 07977 263840.
Every Tuesday & Saturday in March – IWA West Country Branch (Bridgwater): Twice weekly work parties in the Bridgwater area. 10am – 1:30pm. Exact work and location to be confirmed. Volunteers are advised to wear clothing suitable for the weather conditions and sturdy boots or shoes and bring a bottle of water. Please let us know if you are intend to join us, by 6pm the day before. For further details contact Mike Slade: mdslade8@gmail.com on 07977 263840.
