Working Holidays
2010
www.wrg.org.uk
volunteers restoring the waterways
For 40 YEARS people like YOU have been helping restore the derelict waterways of Britain Waterway Recovery Group working holidays, called ‘Canal Camps’, are a great experience for anyone who loves being outdoors and is interested in having fun whilst meeting people from all different backgrounds and countries. Our camps also offer you a fantastic chance to learn new skills such as bricklaying, stone walling, machine operation and restoration techniques.
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Who goes on our camps? Our camps are open to anyone aged between 18 and 70 – no previous experience is necessary; just a willingness to have fun and get involved. Each camp usually has around 15 volunteers and will be led by an experienced canal camp leader and assistant. Our volunteers come from all walks of life… so why don’t you to do something completely different in 2010. Accommodation Our standard accommodation is best described as basic – usually in village halls, scout huts or community centres unless otherwise stated… don’t worry; there will always be a hot shower on offer after a muddy day on site!
40 years of restoring the waterways
The working day Our week-long canal camps usually start around 4pm on the first Saturday and finish at lunch time on the following Saturday. The working day usually runs from 9am to 5pm (depending on the weather) with plenty of tea-breaks and lunch on site. In the evening a substantial, home-cooked meal will be provided by your canal camp cook.
Duke of Edinburgh Award WRG welcomes participants completing the residential aspect of their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. All volunteers participating in the scheme must attend the camp for the full seven days to be eligible for the award.
What do I need to bring? You’ll be sent a full list of what to bring, the essentials being a sleeping bag, sleeping mat (or mattress), waterproofs, old work clothes and steel-toe capped boots or wellies. We will supply any other safety equipment required, including hard hats.
It’s easy to book onto one of our canal camps and become a 21st century canal navvy!
How do I get outdoors and dirty? Either go to www.wrg.org.uk and book online or call 01494 783 453 or email enquiries@wrg.org.uk to receive a booking form in the post.
get outdoors and dirty in 2010
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Cotswold Canals In 2010 WRG is helping the Cotswold Canals Partnership restore two locks on the Thames and Severn Canal and Stroudwater Navigation (known collectively as the Cotswold Canals) which once linked the Thames, through the Cotswold Hills, to the Severn. Although the canal closed over fifty years ago, the waterways are still part of the landscape with many sections still visible today in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Both camps offer exciting opportunities to be part of a major lock rebuild as well as giving you the opportunity to learn new skills and meet new people.
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book now www.wrg.org.uk
Goughs Orchard Lock (Gloucestershire)
26th June-3rd July | 3rd-10th July 10th-17th July | 17th-24th July
This year we are returning to one of our favourite sites in the Cotwolds - Gough’s Orchard Lock, at Brimscombe Port near Stroud. In 2009 WRG started to rebuild the lock walls and this year sees us continue to re-construct the lock chamber wall, undertake repairs to the lock bridge, towpath, and replace the by-wash. There is a lot to do over the four weeks so they will be busy camps. If you have bricklaying experience or want to learn how to bricklay then these are the camps for you. cost: £56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: bricklaying
Eisey Lock (Wiltshire)
24th-31st July | 31st July-7th August 7th-14th August
Eisey Lock is a Thames and Severn Canal lock designed to take Thames Western Barges. Following on from a successful summer of camps in 2009, WRG is returning to continue work on the chamber walls by tying in new brickwork to the remaining wall, as well as reinstating the original coping stones. If you are looking to learn how to bricklay or already have lots of experience to offer, then book on an Eisey Lock camp. cost: £56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: bricklaying
bricklaying
mortar mixing
heritage skills
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Grand Western Canal, Nynehead Lift (Devon and Somerset)
23rd-30th October
The Grand Western Canal was originally part of an ambitious scheme to link the Bristol Channel with the English Channel for shipping. Nynehead Lift is a spectacular historic lift constructed by James Green between 1831 and 1838. The lift was designed to raise small rectangular wooden tub boats 24 feet from the canal to the aqueduct above. This year’s camp will continue working on preserving the structure with plenty of scrub bashing, tree felling and restoration work in the main lift chamber. We will also have a tractor and excavator on site to enable us to divert the canal feeder stream. This camp is always very popular, so book now to avoid disappointment!
cost: ÂŁ56 | accommodation: basic learn skills: vegetation clearance, machine operation
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for more information call 01494 783 453
Wilts & Berks Canal
27th March-5th April
(Wiltshire and Oxfordshire)
The Wilts and Berks is one of the most ambitious canal projects in the whole of Britain. This year we are back at Steppingstone Bridge, near Shrivenham, working on the collapsed canal bridge. The bridge parapet walls are now built, the mass fill for the track is in; what more is there to do? Well the copings stones have to be bedded, the scaffold removed, canal under the bridge cleaned out, wing walls completed, landscaping and towpath reinstatement. Phew! This is going to a be a busy, fun-filled week so do something different this Easter and book now. cost: £64 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: bricklaying
Chesterfield Canal
10th-17th July
(Derbyshire)
The Chesterfield Canal was officially opened in 1777, and its most famous cargo was stone to rebuild the Houses of Parliament. This restoration is now well advanced with much of it open to navigation. This year we will be working at Renishaw Narrows constructing a wash wall to protect the new bank. Work will include building foundations in concrete and the laying of blocks (see pictures on the right) and bentonite matting. There’s lots to do in a week so this will be a busy camp! cost: £56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: block laying
preserve
get involved
learn
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grantham, nynehead & basingstoke
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book now www.wrg.org.uk
Grantham Canal
17th-24th July 24th-31st July
(Nottinghamshire)
The Grantham Canal was originally one of the principal waterways of the Midlands but eventually became derelict in the 20th century. This year WRG is working alongside the Grantham Canal Society to help create a 33 mile leisure corridor running through the glorious Vale of Belvoir. Work will include vegetation clearance and restoration of a leaky culvert near Colston Bassett, which is the only significant engineering issue preventing the re-watering of a further 5 miles of canal. This is a great chance for volunteers to get involved in a technical and fun canal camp. cost: ÂŁ56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: machine operation, vegetation clearance
(Surrey)
7th-14th August 14th-21st August
The Basingstoke Canal is one of the few canals we work on that is navigable. In the early 1970s restoration work began and although 32 miles of the canal have now been fully restored there is an ongoing need for maintenance and improvement works to sustain it. This year we will be involved in a multitude of tasks including the installation of a pipeline to provide the canals with a reliable water supply. These camps offer volunteers the chance to operate excavators and dumpers, so why not come along and try your hand at something completely different. cost: ÂŁ56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: machine operation, canal maintenance
drive a digger
new skills
Towpath Talk
Basingstoke Canal
restoration
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for more information call 01494 783 453
Montgomery Canal (Shropshire)
26th June-3rd July 3rd-10th July
Come and spend a week in the stunning countryside of the Welsh Borders. In 2010 we will continue work reconstructing the historic Crickheath Wharf near Oswestry. These are great camps for first-timers and experienced WRGies alike because of the varied tasks. There will be some site clearance, casting of concrete foundations, as well as the chance to get involved in constructing a stone wall using heritage techniques. Volunteers will also be transplanting vegetation into the new canal and nature reserve habitats as well as painting canal mile markers. cost: £56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: habitat creation, stone walling
Monmouthshire Canal (South Wales)
7th-14th August 14th-21st August
Generally referred to as the ‘Mon and Brec’, the Monmouthshire, Brecon and Abergavenny Canals form a 50 mile link between the Brecon Beacons National Park and the South Wales Valleys. In 2010 we are working on the restoration of Drapers Lock, near Cwmbran and preparing other locks for restoration, so tasks will vary from construction to vegetation clearance. Some volunteers will also be able to attend a 1-day training course at Ty-Mawr Lime Mortar Centre. This hands-on course introduces you to the principles of lime mortar which you can use on site. cost: £56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: use of lime mortar
new friends
new experiences
great memories
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Chelmer & Blackwater 13th-20th February Navigation (Essex)
31st July-7th August 23rd-30th October
The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation runs through a largely unspoilt part of rural Essex and connects Chelmsford with the tidal estuary of the River Blackwater at Heybridge Basin. In 2005 Essex Waterways, a subsidiary of the Inland Waterways Association, took over the management of the navigation. To help maintain this beautiful waterway WRG is running three camps this year. Working with the Essex Waterways team you will be helping with bank protection, painting, towpath clearance and repairs – in the summer there will also be the chance to repair brick walls on Treasure Island at Papermill Lock. These camps are different from our normal restoration projects but if you fancy helping us keep this active and vibrant waterway alive then this is the camp for you!
cost: ÂŁ56 | accommodation: Barge (beds provided) learn skills: vegetation clearance, bricklaying
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book now www.wrg.org.uk
Festival Camp
23rd August-2nd September
(Berkshire)
Now for something completely different! Don’t fancy going out and restoring a canal … then why not come along and help us set up the largest waterways event of its kind in Europe. Every year we help set up the Inland Waterways Association’s National Festival by building the site, putting up market stalls, fencing, track-ways and then dismantling it all at the end. Also whilst the festival is running we provide site services and help entertain and educate the public. We are celebrating our 40th birthday this year so it’s sure to be a fun 10 days. cost: £80 | accommodation: marquee/tent | learn skills: festival site building
Christmas Camp
26th December-1st January
(TBC)
Our main Canal Camps programme ends in October, but that doesn’t mean we go into hibernation for the winter. WRG works all year round and every year we run a Christmas Camp from the 26th December through to New Years Day. We haven’t confirmed a site for Christmas 2010 but we can assure you when we do it will involve lots of scrub bashing, bonfires and other winter activities. Festive Season Canal Camps are just as much fun as summer ones so book now! cost: £56 | accommodation: basic | learn skills: vegetation clearance
scrub bashing
people
festivals
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look the part with one of our t-shirts Design includes WRG logo on front and camp dates for 2010 on back.
dirty weekenders Somewhere every weekend throughout the year there will be a dirty weekender helping restore the waterways of Britain.
Find your local group...
Colour red or black Size s, m, l, xl, xxl Cost ÂŁ8 (+ p&p) Order online at www.wrg.org.uk
WRG North West digs in and around the North West of England and North Wales.
donations
WRG Bit In The Middle draws membership from around the home counties and works on sites based mainly around central and southern England.
As a charity we rely on donations to buy our equipment, vehicles and machinery to ensure we can successfully restore the waterways. With over 2,500 miles of waterways still derelict we are going to be busy for many years to come.
WRG South West aims to restore the canals in the South and South West, including the Cotswold and Grand Western canals. Essex WRG runs both single day and weekend work parties in the East and occasionally in the Midlands.
Help us keep the waterways alive by donating online at www.wrg.org.uk
London WRG has regular weekend digs mainly working on canals in Southern England.
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www.wrg.org.uk
01494 783 453
calendar February 13th - 20th February Chelmer and Blackwater CC201001
March/April 27th March - 5th April Wilts & Berks CC201002
June 26th June - 3rd July Cotswolds (Goughs Orchard) CC201003 Montgomery CC201004
July 3rd July - 10th July Cotswolds (Goughs Orchard) CC201005 Montgomery CC201006 10th July - 17th July Cotswolds (Goughs Orchard) CC201007 Chesterfield CC201008 17th July - 24th July Cotswolds (Goughs Orchard) CC201009 Grantham CC201010
All camps (except CC201002 & 23) run from Saturday to Saturday 31st July - 7th August Cotswolds (Eisey Lock) CC201013 Chelmer & Blackwater CC201014
August 7th August - 14th August Mon & Brec CC201015 Basingstoke CC201016 Cotswolds (Eisey Lock) CC201017 14th August - 21st August Mon & Brec CC201018 Basingstoke CC201019 23rd August - 2nd September National Festival, Beale Park CC201020
October 23rd October - 30th October Grand Western CC201021 Chelmer & Blackwater CC201022
December 26th December - 1st January Christmas Camp CC201023
TBC
24th July - 31st July Cotswolds (Eisey Lock) CC201011 Grantham CC201012
save
environment
heritage
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book now! online: www.wrg.org.uk call us: 01494 783 453
email us: enquiries@wrg.org.uk
Waterway Recovery Group is part of The Inland Waterways Association (registered office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA). The Inland Waterways Association is a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee, registered in England no 612245, and registered as a charity no 212342. VAT registration no 342 0715 89. Copyright Waterway Recovery Group 2009. WRG reserves the right to decline bookings without a specified reason. Photos supplied by WRG volunteers.