Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Sykehouse Lock)

Sykehouse Lock is a mechanised lock located on the New Junction Canal which encounters 100s of boats each year, including 2 commercial vessels (Exol Pride & Off-roader). We currently have 2 other volunteer lock keepers at this lock site on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday. This advert is someone wishing to volunteer on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assisting boaters through the locks and helping to maintain the area.

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working in the outdoors and are perhaps looking for something different to do and want to help support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone can join as long as you are over the age of 18 and have a least a day a week available. Following appropriate selection, training and induction sessions we expect the role to commence fully around April and run through to October (local variations may apply).