Towpath Team Volunteer (Apperley Bridge Towpath Team)

Do you fancy joining us and working as part of a team to look after your local canal and river systems? You'll always be volunteering in a team in the great outdoors. You could be planting, digging, painting, completing vegetation management tasks to litter picking and tackling notifications around the locks. This includes general lock maintenance, greasing the mechanics and reporting back on any safety hazards. We also have a few swing bridges in the area that we take care of and ensure are working safely. All of these contributions make a huge difference to the trust, the team and the local community where we are based.

More specifically, the Apperley Bridge towpath team cover from Dobson Lock up to Field Lock. We are responsible for checking and maintaining the swing bridges, by wash areas, slots and other canal structures. Tasks are organised on the towpaths running in both directions and areas around the Marina too. Towpath maintenance includes edging, hole filling, reporting damages and overhanging branches as well as any other vegetation management tasks. The group meets on the fourth Thursday of every month, with the potential to develop another session in the summer months.

It's a great chance to meet new people and learn about how we look after the canals and rivers. You have the opportunity to learn new skills and pick up on training modules throughout the year. Joining this team will also improve your environmental management skills and give chance for you to learn about the native wildlife and how we can protect it. These teams are always led by one of our colleagues or Lead Volunteers who make sure that you have the best time, are kitted out with PPE and provide knowledge so you can help care for the local waterways to a high standard.