London Waterway Volunteers Pick Up Award

12 November 2008

British Waterways (BW) has commended volunteers for their work as rangers on the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal.

BW London has recognised the work of Canalkeepers and Thames21 as part of their celebration of the diversity and importance of the volunteering that takes place across its canals and rivers. Ten projects across the UK that have been particularly successful in the past 12 months have been awarded for their efforts.

Thames21 is an environmental charity working with communities to bring London's waterways to life. Thames21 mobilise thousands of volunteers every year to clean up waterside grot-spots, remove graffiti and create new habitats for wildlife. The charity also engages with children and young people. Thames21 organises activities such as angling days, which encourage youngsters to learn more about their local environment and respect the wildlife that inhabit the canals and rivers. The charities focus on the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal has seen hundreds of local residents and young people engage with their local waterway.

Canalkeepers is a scheme developed by Thames21 and supported by British Waterways. The five volunteer Canalkeepers who have ‘adopted’ the Slough Arm as their patch, provide an invaluable service to British Waterways and the local community. As Canalkeepers the group champion their stretch of waterway, liaising with the local council, clearing litter and cutting back vegetation, as well as reporting problems and issues to British Waterways. This is a dedicated group of volunteers whose actions have made a great difference to the area.

The ten projects singled out from across the country to receive one of the inaugural awards were all nominated by BW staff and the presentations will be made during November by BW’s regional general managers.

Last year BW was involved with volunteer-led projects that contributed over 8,000 volunteer days to the promotion and upkeep of the waterways worth in excess of £400,000.

Simon Bamford, BW London general manager, comments: “The waterways have a long history of volunteering which is still central to the delivery of physical works, customer service, research and promotional activities. Through their dedication, commitment and extensive knowledge of the waterways, volunteers directly benefit the fabric of the nation’s canal network as well as adding colour and interest for visitors and improving daily life on the waterways.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all volunteers on the capital’s inland waterways. If we could, we’d thank them all individually but I hope that the recognition of this project can be seen as a start to greater recognition of their efforts and their importance to our canals and rivers.”

Earlier in 2008 BW appointed a national volunteering manager to improve BW’s engagement with volunteers and increase volunteer support. A further objective of the role is to create greater consistency in approach to working with volunteers and support for volunteer organisations.

ENDS

For media enquiries contact: Felicity McClintock? T 020 7985 7205 mb 07500 226 139

Notes to editors:

British Waterways is a not-for-dividend public corporation which cares for a 2,200-mile network of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs across Britain. It is accountable to the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs in England and Wales and to the Scottish Government in Scotland and works with a broad range of public, private and voluntary sector partners to protect and find new uses for the nation's historic waterways.

For more information about Thames21’s activities throughout London’s waterways, please visit www.thames21.org.uk