Cubs spread the word about the Lichfield Canal
Lichfield Cubs are helping to spread the word about the city's canal restoration project. The 7th Lichfield Scout Group's Somers Pack took part in a word search challenge at Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust's Tamworth Road site, finding missing words in posters explaining the project. The Pack, led by Group Scout Leader Richard Taylor, also helped to collect 220 -year-old bricks for recycling in the canal's restoration.
The posters, paintings by Trust artist Stuart Sampson imagining the canal with
restoration completed, contain brief descriptions of the work being carried out at
various places along this section of the canal.
From a list of words provided, the Cubs' task was to find which of those words
did not appear on any of the posters.
While half the group of Cubs were taking their turn in the words challenge, the
other half sorted through spoil heaps created from excavation of the canal
channel, to find bricks which had been part of the original Lock 24, for re-use.
The bricks were then cleaned up by Duke of Edinburgh Award students ready for
Trust volunteers building the new canal walls.
Chris Bull added "The name of your Pack is after Lord Somers, who was Chief Scout after the
founder, Lord Baden-Powell, died. And I know that because I was tested for my
Beekeepers Badge in 1st Ledbury Guides (about 60 years ago!) by Lady
Somers, who lived at Eastnor Castle"
Tom Reid
Lichfield Shop Staff Support Canal Restoration Project
A Lichfield shop's staff have been helping to shape the future of the city's
canal restoration project.
Workers at the the Three Spires Shopping Centre branch of Seasalt
Cornwall, the national womens clothing and accessories retailer, and its
Outlet shop at the Heart of the Country, took on the task of interviewing
visitors to Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust sites to discover
users' motives and views.
This information is important in helping LHCRT to understand what visitors
are interested in, to inform the Trust's future plans, and is vital to its funding
applications.
Seasalt encourages its shop managers to find volunteering opportunities
which help communities and which fulfil the company's commitment to
Corporate Social Responsibility.
Part of Seasalt’s Sustainability mission is to provide all its employees with 1
day extra paid leave to undertake volunteering hours in a way of giving back
to the communities where they live.
Two members of staff from the Lichfield shop surveyed people using the
Fosseway site in September, two pairs from the Outlet interviewed visitors to
the Fosseway again and also Borrowcop Locks in October, and another pair
from the Outlet were talking to people at Gallows Reach on November 5.
Several years ago, Seasalt staff carried out planting on the canal route, and
its CEO and several senior directors accompanied a local manager for a day
helping to create the footpath at Gallows Reach.
LHCRT chairperson Chris Bull said: “The fact that these volunteers are so
experienced and skilled in people-facing work makes them ideal for this task.
“We are most grateful to the lovely folk of Seasalt.”
Tom Reid
Our Grand Prize Draw for 2021 was made on October 30th at 10am at Gallows
Wharf, with a small but perfectly formed audience.
Thank you to everyone who bought tickets - we've raised over £5,800 - and
congratulations to the winners!
