Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust received the Queen's AwardFor Voluntary Service last year, and the Trust is particularly proud of its record of introducing young people to the benefits of volunteering. The Trust's chairperson Chris Bull explains here why she is especially pleased with the current crop of Duke of Edinburgh award volunteers.
“For many years LHCRT has had young people volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and we are delighted that several who long ago completed their necessary hours carry on,” she said. “Harry Wem is one of them: in his seventh year, now putting all the skills he has learnt in helping to maintain the Trust’s machinery and plant to good use studying mechanical engineering at University.
“Liv Baker is another: now in her third year with the Grounds Team, and
energetically turning her hand to anything, including making a superb Vote of
Thanks at the Queen’s Award ceremony and doing a full day on the BBQ at
Huddlesford Heritage Gathering.
“She usually brings her equally energetic Dad, too!
“A year ago, there were six DofE volunteers; by October 2019 there were 11;
there is now a record 16, ranging in age from 14–19.
“Many of them, especially the older ones pursuing their Silver and Gold Awards,
also have other commitments such as school work, sports matches and
Scouting.
“Most are working on one of LHCRT's sites every Saturday, whatever the weather,
with the Green/Grounds team, and we also have two youngsters now working
with our plant maintenance team.
“Whatever they're tasked with they do enthusiastically, though planting daffodils was not one of the favourites. “They love to get stuck into harder graft, especially when they can stand back and see what fantastic progress they have made. “Have a look at Falkland Road: They have filled and carefully placed many of the sandbags, raked the new bank and moved and laid turf; they have cleared tons of hedging and tree offcuts and made habitat piles at Gallows Reach; they have stacked bricks, saving the time and skills of our construction parties; they happily get very mucky clearing the by-wash; repaired fencing and also willingly done other grounds team work such as deseeding the wild flower beds on Tamworth Road ready for reseeding and rescued and replanted celandines at Fosseway.
“Their work is hugely valued by LHCRT, and we all love their commitment and energy. “With this number of young people we might have been short of tools and gloves, but thanks to a £1000 grant last year from TSB’s Community Fund specifically for equipping our growing numbers of young people; others are Scouting Groups and Queen’s Croft High School. “Thanks to all of you and to TSB.”
Tom Reid, Press Officer