Bishops Meadow Lock
People who enjoy the outdoors – and don’t mind mucking in with its upkeep – are invited to help out at a volunteer work day on the River Soar in Loughborough.
The work, taking place on Wednesday 16 March 2011 from 10am to 2pm, will focus around Bishops Meadow Lock just outside Loughborough and will involve a general tidy up and litter pick both on the River Soar towpath and adjacent land belonging to Charnwood Borough Council. Charnwood Borough Council’s Accessing Nature in Charnwood Team will be present alongside a British Waterways’ Volunteer Leader and local volunteering group Clear Cut Conservation who will be taking to their boat to remove litter from the water.
The day will be a great opportunity to get some fresh air, meet new people and give your local community a boost. Anyone can join in – they will need to be dressed for the outdoors and bring a packed lunch. Youngsters under 16 are welcome with an adult and no specialist skills are needed.
British Waterways’ volunteer leader Stuart Collins said: “Volunteers who come along to help with this kind of activity are a massive support and previous feedback tells us they get a lot out of it, too – they enjoy the outdoors, feel healthier, make new friends and feel good about contributing to their local environment.
“We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with local bodies, canal enthusiasts and community volunteers to encourage them to help us raise awareness of, enhance and enjoy the waterways.”
Charnwood Borough Council’s Access to Nature Officer, Karen Fry said: “We’re aiming to show that there is nature to be enjoyed even here in the middle of Loughborough, and that local people can make a big difference by coming along and helping out for a day – or even just an hour or so.”
The meeting place for volunteers will be Swingbridge Road off Sulivan Way. To find out more about the work day and register to attend please contact Stuart Collins on 07879884802 or Karen Fry/Tim Adkin on 01509 634975.
Volunteering will be integral to the success of the New Waterways Charity scheduled to take over the running of the canals and rivers in England and Wales in 2012. People wanting to find out about future volunteering opportunities can visit www.waterscape.com/volunteer.