#WeDigCanals
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lhcrt.org.uk
At Tamworth Road Narrows our volunteers have been hard at work - digging out at the curve and laying another concrete base (ready to extend the wall), bricklaying the towpath wall and clearing the canal channel of vegetation.

Well done team!

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals
An orange excavator lifts a bucket of soil at a fenced construction site surrounded by autumn trees. The machine sits on reddish-brown earth, with residential houses partially visible through the foliage in the background. A deep excavation site with curved retaining walls made of bricks and concrete blocks. Water flows from a pipe at the bottom, surrounded by scattered construction materials. A wooden fence, green shed, and houses are visible beyond the site. A volunteer in a high-visibility vest and rubber boots stands in a canal channel, working near the brick wall. Scaffolding and wooden planks line the canal, with tools, buckets, and a large white bag placed on the canal bed. The scene shows active restoration work in a historic waterway. A person in a high-vis vest and blue hard hat uses a shovel beside a wheelbarrow filled with debris in a narrow, brick-lined canal channel. Above the channel, a grassy embankment with shrubs leads up to a white picket fence and residential garden.
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
One for the #UKCanals and #WeDigCanals feeds. 👍
westcountrywand.bsky.social Paul Westcountry Wanderings @westcountrywand.bsky.social · 4d
My latest video is another in my long running series looking at the restoration of The Cotswold Canals in Gloucestershire (and a bit of Wiltshire).

There has been a significant and positive development to take this exciting project forward.

@cotswoldsnl.bsky.social

youtu.be/v09_cpZ4tiY?...
Huge News on the Cotswold Canals | Stroudwater and Thames & Severn Canals | Update 18a
YouTube video by Westcountry Wanderings
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 5:16 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
Our brand new members’ magazine is out now! Packed with stories and behind-the-scenes action that you won't see anywhere else.

Avoid FOMO - become a friend of LHCRT and get your copy – plus a FREE gift if you join this month. 🎁

lhcrt.org.uk/2025/11/09/j...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield #Staffordshire
A stack of LHCRT’s “Cut Both Ways” magazines, Issue 125, November 2025. The cover shows a person unveiling a blue cloth from a sign in a wooded area. Headlines include “Bull Wood unveiled,” “Festival roundup,” and “New digger and new ambassador.” The magazine is priced at £1, free for members.
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
🌟 Be a Friend of the Lichfield Canal 🌟

Support restoration for just £15 a year, no shovel required!

Stay connected, get updates, and show you care.

🎁 Join in November for a free thank-you gift.

lhcrt.org.uk/2025/11/09/j...

#WeDigCanals #Staffordshire
Promotional graphic for Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust. Blue background with white text reads: “Become a friend of the Lichfield Canal. Claim your free gift if you join in November.” A white gift box icon reinforces the offer. The Trust’s logo appears in the bottom right corner, and a call to action at the bottom says: “Sign up today at lhcrt.org.uk.”
November 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
Great work by the Green team and DofE volunteers on Saturday! A small group tackled the rotten gate post at Fosseway Lane, while the rest continued cutting back gorse and bramble along the canal bed below Wood Lock 18.

Thanks all!

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Three volunteers in high-visibility vests work together in a designated construction zone outdoors. One person uses a power tool to break up the ground around a wooden post, while two others observe and assist. Red and white safety barriers surround the area, and a green litter bin sits nearby, suggesting a public space like a park or roadside. A group of volunteers in high-visibility yellow vests clear dense foliage and brambles in a natural setting. They use hand tools like loppers and shears to maintain a pathway or field, surrounded by autumn trees and fallen leaves. The scene reflects community care and environmental stewardship.
November 9, 2025 at 9:47 AM
iwa-uk.bsky.social
Did you know we have more than 5000 miles of waterways in the UK? That's the same as coast to coast of the USA and back again. And it deserves protecting. #iwa #inlandwaterways #ukcanals #navigatetherisk #5000miles #wedigcanals
An image of a lock flight with countryside surrounding, blue sky and the tag line 5000 miles of waterways, 1 future to protect.
November 9, 2025 at 9:45 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
Catch up on what's been happening at Tamworth Road Narrows in this video from Narrowboat Nige.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

youtube.com/shorts/1xqn5...
More Lichfield Canal Excitement at old lock 24 … Bonfire 🔥 Action @LHCRT
YouTube video by Narrowboat Nige!
youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:54 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
🌿 Love nature and want to make a local impact?

Help lead our environmental work on the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals – protecting wildlife, shaping green spaces, and keeping nature at the heart of restoration. 🌱

lhcrt.org.uk/volunteer-op...

#TrusteesWeek
#TrusteeVacancy
#WeDigCanals
#Staffordshire
Promotional graphic for Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust showing a canal restoration site with green foliage and a protective tube around a young plant. Overlaid text reads: “Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust – Environment Trustee Vacancy.”
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
It’s our final blog of #TrusteesWeek and it's #FinanceOnFriday

Our Finance & Funding Trustee shares why good financial governance is about more than numbers — it’s about trust, legacy, and doing right by our supporters.

lhcrt.org.uk/2025/11/07/t...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
A group of trustees gather around a meeting table, reviewing documents and discussing financial matters. The table is scattered with papers, folders, mugs, and a laptop, suggesting active collaboration. Overhead lights and a window with blinds frame the room. A text overlay reads “Trustees’ Week – Financial stewardship,” highlighting the theme of responsible governance.
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
Huge thanks to the 10 volunteers from Algeco who joined us at Fosseway Heath for a day of hard graft!

They cut grass, cleared brambles and gorse, tidied the Towpath Trail... 1/2

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals #CanalVolunteers
Seven adults stand outdoors near a vehicle, some in high-visibility jackets. The group is standing at a site near grassy terrain and trees under a cloudy sky. A person in bright orange protective workwear operates a brush cutter on a grassy slope, clearing vegetation. Behind them, a metal sculpture of a horse rises from the landscape, blending manual labor with artistic scenery under a partly cloudy sky. Two individuals in high-visibility vests work along a reddish gravel path bordered by overgrown grass and sparse trees. One person bends over in the foreground, possibly clearing vegetation or litter, while the other works further down the gently curving path. The scene suggests quiet, hands-on care for a natural space. Three people in high-visibility vests and red gloves stand on a grassy path beside a wooden fence and autumn-colored trees. One person operates a red and black brush cutter, while the others observe and adjust ear protection. The scene captures teamwork and care in maintaining a natural space.
November 7, 2025 at 7:59 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
This #TrusteesWeek, our Communications & Marketing Trustee shares how good governance — through clear communication, transparency, and responsible fundraising — helps build trust and keep our restoration moving forward.

lhcrt.org.uk/2025/11/06/t...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Two smiling volunteers stand beside a vibrant display booth for Trustees’ Week, themed “Governance through communication.” The booth features posters, leaflets, and a branded table cover. Both individuals wear name badges and branded clothing, reinforcing their connection to the organization.
November 6, 2025 at 5:11 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
After all that rain, it was like working in a quagmire at Gallows Reach - water and mud up to the ankles!

But our volunteers still managed to fill two verticals and a double base pad section. They emptied the concrete lorry, which held over 7.5 cubic metres.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Construction volunteers in high-visibility jackets and helmets stand beside a small excavator in a muddy can channel. The channel is lined with a concrete pipe and partially built brick walls. A retaining wall is under construction on the right, supported by metal braces and wooden planks. Puddles of water cover the ground, and safety fencing separates the site from the adjacent path. A waterlogged construction site with thick mud and scattered puddles. A wheelbarrow, scaffolding, and machinery connected to a hose lie in the foreground. On the left, a retaining wall borders the site; on the right, a sloped dirt embankment rises. A heavily muddied construction site with deep tire tracks and footprints across a saturated pathway. Red and silver scaffolding leans against a wooden barrier on the left, while a steep, muddy embankment with sparse vegetation rises on the right. Puddles and fallen leaves are scattered throughout the site, and construction equipment—including a concrete mixer—is visible in the background, highlighting challenging wet-weather working conditions. A canal bed under restoration, featuring a large cylindrical pipe along the left side and a freshly poured concrete slab in the centre, still wet with a puddle at the near end. Scattered tools, wooden planks, and buckets surround the work area. In the background, an arched brick bridge frames the scene, bordered by brick walls and fencing, indicating active civil engineering work.
November 6, 2025 at 10:25 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
Ever wondered how canal restoration plans come together? 🛠️

For #TrusteesWeek, Derek Lord – our Planning & Technical Trustee – shares how planning applications fit into the bigger picture of canal restoration and strategy.

lhcrt.org.uk/2025/11/05/t...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Two people walk along a canal channel beside a wooden fence under a clear blue sky, with open fields and trees in the distance. A colorful star-like logo sits above the words “Trustees’ Week” and the tagline “The governance of planning,” highlighting a celebration of trustee leadership and decision-making.
November 5, 2025 at 12:20 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
🌈 Jane sent us this gorgeous photo of a rainbow over Borrowcop Locks Canal Park!

Do you think the pot of gold is at Bobbie’s Bend? 💰 It could come in handy for paying for that culvert under the A38! 😄

📷 photo by Jane Smiley Francis

#Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals #Staffordshire #Rainbow
A vivid rainbow arcs across a partly cloudy autumn sky, its colors glowing where sunlight breaks through. Below, a modern house with large windows and a brick-and-stone exterior sits peacefully beside a calm canal. Golden and amber trees frame the scene, adding warmth and seasonal charm to this tranquil blend of nature and residential life.
November 5, 2025 at 8:18 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
This #TrusteesWeek, we’re celebrating the quiet power of good governance.

Our Construction and Operations Trustee takes us behind the scenes of canal restoration, where safety systems and accountability are just as vital as bricks and mortar.

lhcrt.org.uk/2025/11/04/t...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Construction volunteers in high-visibility gear build a concrete structure near a bridge, surrounded by tools and metal supports. A graphic overlay reads “Trustees’ Week – Good governance in construction,” linking the hands-on site activity to themes of leadership and oversight.
November 4, 2025 at 1:19 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
Catch up with everything that happened at Gallows Reach and Tamworth Road Narrows last month.

Our ambassador Narrowboat Nige rounds up all the action, progress, and behind-the-scenes moments from October.

youtu.be/qBFlDKKDAPU?...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
A person wearing a bright orange high-visibility jacket stands outdoors, smiling and making a peace sign with their right hand. Behind them is a dirt area, a wooden fence, leafless trees, and a house partially visible in the background. The sky is overcast, suggesting cool or cloudy weather.
November 4, 2025 at 7:04 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
What does good governance look like when you're restoring a canal?

For #TrusteesWeek Colin, our Company Secretary, shares how LHCRT trustees lead with strategy, transparency and heart.

lhcrt.org.uk/2025/11/03/t...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
A group of people seated indoors with hands raised, suggesting active participation in a vote. Overlaid text reads “Trustees’ Week – What is good governance?” alongside a colourful star-shaped graphic made of circles and lines. The image promotes engagement and leadership during Trustees’ Week.
November 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
Our brilliant volunteers have wrapped up the backfilling of the wall at Tamworth Road Narrows, and made some bespoke curved gabion baskets to complete the top level. A thing of beauty!

The final touch? The scaffolding is down. 👍

📷 photos by Narrowboat Nige

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
A multi-tiered retaining wall built into a slope, featuring three distinct layers: a base of large concrete blocks, a middle section of red and brown bricks with a decorative dark band, and a circular brick structure at the top. The surrounding soil is freshly excavated, and a wooden fence runs along the top edge. A wide view of a canal restoration site showing a multi-tiered retaining wall built into a slope. The wall features curved brickwork and a circular gabion and brick structure at the top. Below, muddy water runs through the canal channel, flanked by exposed reddish soil and construction fencing. Trees and a wooden fence line the top of the slope. A construction site showing a curved canal channel with curved gabions on the top. The surrounding reddish soil is steeply cut, highlighting recent excavation work. A long brick wall along a canal, with the word "LICHFIELD" embedded in black bricks across the centre. The wall includes decorative dark brick bands and sits above a muddy water channel. Construction materials—wooden planks, metal rods, and plastic sheeting—are scattered along the canal edge, with trees and a wooden fence above.
November 3, 2025 at 8:20 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
A busy (and very green!) morning for our Green Team & DofE volunteers!

Thanks to the Edwards family for donating six trees 🌱 — Richard planted them, Bill sharpened tools, Oscar’s team cleared the gate area, and the other Oscar oiled benches.

Great teamwork all round! 💚

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Two volunteers in high-visibility jackets work together on a sunlit dirt path surrounded by greenery. One person uses a pickaxe to dig into the soil near the path’s edge, while the other observes supportively. The scene suggests trail maintenance or preparation for planting, with autumn leaves scattered across the grass. A newly planted young tree stands beside a rural path, its slender trunk and fresh green leaves catching the light. The soil around its base is freshly turned, and nearby bushes with red berries hint at seasonal change. The setting evokes care for the environment and community-led conservation. Two volunteers in high-visibility vests work together to oil a wooden bench in a grassy area under a tree. Fallen leaves and open countryside in the background suggest a crisp, sunny autumn day filled with teamwork and care. A volunteer in a high-visibility vest uses a shovel to dig along the edge of a metal gate near a roadside verge. The area is dotted with fallen leaves and greenery, with a litter bin, wooden fence, and buildings visible in the background. The scene reflects practical maintenance work in a semi-rural setting.
November 2, 2025 at 8:32 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
Our 2025 Grand Prize Draw was held yesterday at Darnford Moors, with eight fantastic prizes from £20 to £750 up for grabs!

Huge congratulations to our winners and an even bigger thank you to everyone who bought tickets and to our amazing volunteers who made it all happen.

1/2

#WeDigCanals
A child reaches into a transparent container labeled “Grand Prize Draw” to select a winner, while two adults in high-visibility vests look on. One holds a clipboard, and the other steadies the container. They stand beside a white tent near a peaceful canal, with sunlight casting gentle shadows—suggesting a cheerful outdoor community event. A group of adults, some in high-visibility jackets, gather under a yellow canopy at Darnford Moors Ecology Park in Lichfield. Behind them, a sign introduces the park, and a canal winds through the green landscape under a bright blue sky. The mood is welcoming and engaged, reflecting a shared interest in nature and community. Seven adults stand together near a yellow canopy beside a sunlit canal, dressed in jackets and outdoor wear. One person takes a photo with a smartphone, while another holds a hot drink. The group appears relaxed and engaged, enjoying a community gathering in a peaceful natural setting Four older adults stand near a canal on a sunny day, dressed warmly in jackets and hats. One person holds a paper cup, and another stands with arms folded, smiling. The grassy embankment and trees in the background add to the calm, welcoming atmosphere of the outdoor event.
November 2, 2025 at 8:05 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
Got a question about the Lichfield Canal? 💬

💚 How long till it’s finished?
🚧 What’s that big pipe about?
🤝 Thinking of volunteering?

Ask us in person!
📍 Darnford Moors Ecology Park
🕙 Tomorrow, 10–11:30am (prize draw at 11)

We’d love to see you!
lhcrt.org.uk/event/grand-...
#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Open morning and Grand Prize Draw - Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust
Curious about our work on the canal restoration or looking for a rewarding way to give back? Come and meet us on 1 November.
lhcrt.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:42 PM
iwa-uk.bsky.social
Only 2 weeks left to join the WRG Reunion Weekend 🚤

21–23 Nov, Grove Locks, Wantage.

Help prepare a flight of locks for restoration, reconnect with Canal Camp friends and celebrate this year’s achievements.

Book by 14 Nov: waterways.org.uk/support/ways...

#wedigcanals #volunteering
WRG Reunion Weekend 2025
Waterway Recovery Group is holding a reunion weekend on the Wilts & Berks Canal in Oxfordshire over the weekend 22nd & 23rd November.
waterways.org.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:15 PM
lhcrt.org.uk
Here are some shots of our concreters in action at Gallows Wharf.

Five cubic metres poured in just two hours — great teamwork all round!

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
An overhead view of a construction site shows workers in high-visibility jackets and hard hats spreading concrete along a dirt pathway. A small dump truck loaded with gravel is parked nearby. Workers are placing concrete slabs against a retaining wall lined with black plastic sheeting. Metal fencing separates the site from a footpath above, and tools and materials are scattered across the red soil. Three volunteers in high-visibility jackets and hard hats position a wet concrete slab into a metal framework, reinforcing a retaining wall. The wall is lined with black plastic sheeting and topped with dark bricks. A metal safety fence runs along the top, separating the site from a gravel path. Tools, wooden planks, and yellow electrical cords are scattered across the red soil ground. The scene captures teamwork and precision in structural construction. Three volunteers in high-visibility jackets and hard hats position a wet concrete slab into a metal framework, reinforcing a retaining wall. The wall is lined with black plastic sheeting and topped with dark bricks. A metal safety fence runs along the top, separating the site from a gravel path. Tools, wooden planks, and yellow electrical cords are scattered across the red soil ground. The scene captures teamwork and precision in structural construction. Volunteers in high-viz safety gear pour and level concrete into a rebar-reinforced formwork beside a retaining wall. One worker uses a concrete vibrator to ensure proper settling. The wall is partially built, with black sheeting and yellow spacers visible. The ground is covered in red soil, and tools and timber are positioned around the work area.
October 31, 2025 at 7:54 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
While part of the Gallows Reach team has been busy with concrete pours, Alan and Catherine have been hard at work on the inclined retaining wall on the non-towpath side.

Looking good!

#WeDigCanals and build walls 😆
#Lichfield #Staffordshire
Two volunteers in high-visibility vests and helmets build a decorative brick wall along a dirt pathway. The wall features a mix of red and dark bricks in a patterned design. Wheelbarrows, a ladder, and covered materials are scattered around the site. Behind the volunteers, a row of houses with gardens and trees lines the edge of the residential area under a cloudy sky.
October 31, 2025 at 7:43 AM
lhcrt.org.uk
At Gallows Wharf / Gallows Reach, another five cubic metres of concrete is in place!

Our volunteers filled the furthest upright, the final base, and cast two gate foundation slabs for the pedestrian lift bridge too — all completed in around two hours. Amazing!

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield
Two volunteers build a concrete wall next to an existing brick wall. They use metal formwork and wooden panels to shape the concrete. A large pipe runs parallel to the site, and a temporary metal fence surrounds the area. The ground is covered in reddish soil, with tools and materials scattered nearby. A concrete retaining wall under construction, with steel reinforcement bars capped in yellow for safety. Black plastic sheeting partially covers the wall. Fresh concrete footings are sectioned by wooden forms at the base. Tools, a wheelbarrow, and fallen leaves are visible on the reddish soil ground. A construction site enclosed by orange safety netting, with large concrete slabs laid on exposed soil. Some slabs appear newly installed. The ground is partially excavated, with scattered debris and smaller concrete pieces. The site borders a grassy area and a paved walkway, suggesting a public outdoor setting.
October 29, 2025 at 7:53 AM