Many of the Lowland canal societies, waterside charities and
social enterprises were represented including The Seagull Trust,
Edinburgh Canal Society, Bridge 19-40 Canal Society, Re-Union Canal
Boats, Linlithgow Union Canal Society and the Forth & Clyde
Canal Society as well as a host of individuals from neighbouring
communities.
Co-ordinated by the Lowland Canal Volunteer Group and supported
by British Waterways Scotland Volunteer Co-ordinator, Linton
McBurnie, and Richard Millar, Waterway Development Manager, the day
was a great success.
A staggering 329 metres of overhanging scrub was cut back; the
railings along the Almond Aqueduct were painted and 262m² was
picked clean of litter. Altogether, the work carried out by the
group was equivalent to three week's activity for a British
Waterways Scotland waterway operative.
Richard Millar, Waterway Development Manager, British
Waterways Scotland, said;
"This was a tremendous start to what we hope will be regular
large scale volunteering work days across the Scottish canals and
we are grateful to the Lowland Canal Volunteer Group for bringing
the event together and to everyone for turning out and working
so hard.
"The success of the event shows the dedication and enthusiasm of
all those individuals and groups involved in the lowland canals. It
also proves the real value they place on these revitalised
waterways which now contribute so much in economic, environmental
and social terms to the communities which they pass through.
"This day comes only six months after Union 10, the flotilla
celebration marking the tenth anniversary of the reopening of the
Union Canal, which was also brought together by the Lowland Canal
Volunteer Group. Again, this shows what is achievable when everyone
pulls together."
The next big Volunteer Work Day will be held on the Forth
& Clyde Canal in May. Further information will be released
soon. A second, smaller Volunteer Work Day will be held on the
Almond Aqueduct next month. Keep up-to-date with volunteering work
days and what's happening across the Scottish canals at www.scottishcanals.co.uk
The next in the trilogy of ten year anniversary celebrations
- Forth & Clyde 10 - will take place on Friday 23rd,
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September.
Follow the flotilla as it leaves Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, on Saturday
travelling to Kirkintilloch then Auchinstarry that day and on
to journey's end, The Falkirk Wheel, on Sunday. Please see further information on the event
including how to register for a place in the flotilla.
-ends-
Issued by Joanna Harrison, Communications Manager,
British Waterways Scotland.
Mobile: 07824 499180