Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Gailey Lock)

Join our recently expanded, friendly team of Volunteer Lock Keepers at Gailey Lock.

Gailey Lock is a very busy point on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. It has a boatyard, a busy holiday boating company and is a well-used water and waste spot. It is also, despite the busy A5 running straight over it, a very picturesque spot, complete with a surviving Roundel house.

The Lock Keeper’s duties at this site is to manage and assist boats going through a small but busy lock flight. Management is in the form of a friendly word to keep the water points available, or getting boats to wait their turn when traffic is coming in both directions. With more members of the team we will also be able to offer help through the next two locks on the way towards Penkridge, so a moderate degree of fitness is required. This is often requested by boaters with mobility issues or single handers.

The lock keepers also keep the lock and surrounding area neat and tidy, mowing, strimming and litter picking. You also need to be the friendly, public face of the Canal & River Trust to the many visitors to the site.

Initially you would join our friendly existing team either on a Monday or Saturday. After Easter we will start the Thursday rota back up.

The role is amazing for both physical and mental wellbeing, as the exercise is modest, and the environment, and the camaraderie are both excellent.

This team run throughout the year, although the boats are few and far between in the winter, so maintenance becomes the main job.

If this sound like the ideal role for you, and you can spare five or six hours one day a week (or more) then please get in touch.