Wilts & Berks Canal Trust celebrate dedicated volunteers

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is celebrating the efforts of local volunteers as part of the national Volunteers Week campaign, which runs until 8th June.

Local couple Chris and Anita Churchouse are volunteers with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, which aims to restore the former waterway through the local countryside.

They joined the charity’s Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch last summer and have been involved in a wide range of activities, from pulling reeds and cutting hedges to crewing trip boats and helping with IT.   

Chris, aged 74, is a former engineer and project management consultant, while Anita, aged 59, currently works in occupational health after originally training as a nurse and midwife.

They were already interested in canal heritage and spending time outdoors, often walking and cycling along the Kennet & Avon Canal.

Chris said, “We enjoy having a shared hobby and were looking for a cause which would keep us physically and mentally fit while also giving something back to the community. I feel that heritage and the environment are critically important and so I wanted to use my time to preserve both.

“A friend introduced us to the local branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, and we were immediately impressed by the warm welcome and the shared sense of purpose.

“There were lots of activities available, and since then we’ve filled many hours with conversation and fun. We’ve loved every minute.”

Much of their time has been spent on the restoration of the canal at Pewsham Locks – a flight of locks which once lifted narrowboats on their journey from Melksham to Chippenham -where both have been learning new skills.

Chris has been taught how to use a concrete mixer so that he can help to build a new bridge across the top lock, while Anita has received training on a strimmer and hedge cutter and supports health and safety activities.

Both have also helped with pulling reeds from the water and clearing the canal banks, and crewing the trip boat and engaging with the public at the Pewsham Locks open days and other events.

Away from the work parties, Chris is leading the redevelopment of the Trust website.

Anita said, “Volunteering is a great way to meet new friends while bringing the charity closer to its goal of a fully restored canal. Each week is different, and we feel we are learning all the time.

“Everyone has their own story about why they got involved but they’re all so friendly, and there’s a great sense of community spirit – we’ve had lots of laughs.

“In years to come, when people are wandering along the towpath or travelling on their boats, we’ll know that we contributed to their joy. It’s wonderful.”

The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.

For more information, visit www.wbct.org.uk

Pictured: Anita Churchouse volunteering aboard The Mary Archard