Restoring Heritage, Building Community
Greenfields’ Partnership with the Grantham Canal Society.
Over the past year, Greenfields has proudly supported the Grantham Canal Society (GCS) in their mission to clear, restore, and rewater the historic Grantham Canal. Our efforts have included two full days of manpower dedicated to clearing sections of the canal and participating in a sponsored Canalathon during the summer to raise much-needed funds.
For me, as the social media coordinator for Greenfields, this partnership has been a true perk of the job. It’s been a privilege to connect with various GCS members and delve deeper into their world – not just learning about the society’s overarching aims and ambitions, but also discovering the personal stories and motivations of the people behind it.
The passion of GCS members is infectious. From their dedication to restoring the canal to the camaraderie they share, it’s clear how much this project means to them. Whether they’re hauling out debris, raising funds, or rallying volunteers, their commitment to preserving this vital piece of local heritage is inspiring.
On our latest visit, I had the pleasure of chatting with Alec, team leader of the Friday Volunteer group, over tea and cake. He kindly shared the following insights into their work.
How did you get involved with the society and what is your role?
I retired early at 56 and after doing up our house was then looking for something to get involved with. I recalled seeing a leaflet back in the day about a group rebuilding a series of locks in Woolsthorpe which I had an inkling was not too far away from my home in East Bridgford. So I popped down and had a chat and was told to turn up first thing on a Friday at the Woolsthorpe depot. I hopped on the work boat and over the following weeks leading in to the Autumn/Winter of 2019 was clearing vegetation, trees and shrubs on the offside bank of the canal.
We were much less organised in those days so no inductions etc – just get started with on the job training. Fortunately this was pre-covid and I was lucky there were a handful of characters in a similar position to me that all helped bonding with the team, many of whom are mostly still with us.
Whilst many of the Friday group enjoy being on the work boat and using and fixing the machinery, I was keen to tidy up the canal which tended to be neglected but was the part of the canal all of the walkers and joggers tended to see the most. Roll on 5 years and I spend most of the year mowing and strimming about a mile or so of the grass and bank side near the Woolsthorpe base. I cleared a spot for a picnic area and got my father-in-law to build an 8 man picnic bench which is used regularly so puts a big smile on my face when I see it being utilised. I have also purchased lots of bulbs in recent years to make the place look a bit brighter in the spring. I think most of my fellow volunteers think I am a bit odd but slowly they are buying in to the concept that it’s probably a good thing that the tow path areas look cared for and tidy.
The Friday group is primarily involved with vegetation clearing and ground control along the part of the canal which is in water. There is a separate team who, as I mentioned, builds things and in my time they have completed the restoration of a couple of locks, built a new slip way, a couple of new canal side moorings and numerous other things too.
Following a serious illness of the previous incumbent I was recently appointed team leader of the Friday team so along with the help of the more experienced older members I organise activities each week and make sure everyone remains motivated, involved and aware of what is happening. After all no one has to turn up, they are all volunteers and give up their time and some expense to attend even in the depths of the winter.
What do you get out of volunteering?
Why do we do it? We are all typically partially or fully retired and aged between 58 to 78 +. I am probably the least handy of the whole team but I attempt to manage them as most do not like being responsible after their careers which is fair enough. Volunteering brings together a number of disparate types to achieve a common goal. It gives us purpose, gets us out the house and allows us to meet others we would not otherwise come across. It also improves mental health as we are outside and engaged in physical activity. As long as we achieve something we remain happy and only tend to get frustrated if boats and machinery fail on us and we cannot do what we would like. Given the tiny budget the society operates with it is amazing what we actually get done.
Why do you think restoring the canal is such an important project?
The society has been running for 50 plus years. The progress of the restoration is glacial in timeline but when you stand back and realise what has been achieved you acknowledge it is incredible what gets completed one step at a time. When I started we did not have commercial standard mowers and equipment, adequate storage, processes and procedures, a workshop you could find tools in, a company van, digger, tractor, dumper truck or a slipway to get boats out of the water for maintenance and that is just the items I can recall. As I said, my great grandchildren may see it finished if they are very lucky but the secret is to keep moving things along and ensure everyone enjoys doing it. Rules and regs tend to slow us down in everything we do but that is the modern way and although we hate it, it is the only way we can operate safely in the world today. The canal provides a valuable ‘green space’ resource to everyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors and see a bit of nature. It is a pity we have had to start the restoration at the countryside end of the canal rather than in Nottingham where there are thousands of potential volunteers which we need. In the future we hope to open a western depot which hopefully will allow people around West Bridgford to get involved and help. Additional input and assistance from the local councils and public bodies who do remain supportive, may also move progress along in the future.
At Greenfields, we’re honoured to contribute to the efforts of the efforts of the GCS. Supporting them has given us an opportunity not only to make a tangible difference but also to connect with a community that values collaboration and conservation. Here’s to continuing this rewarding partnership and helping to restore the Grantham Canal for generations to come!
