Canal & River Trust, together with Marsh Charitable Trust, have announced those who have been recognised in the national canal charity’s annual volunteer awards.
Recognition has been given to teams and individuals across the Canal & River Trust’s 250-year-old navigable network and reflect the diversity of achievements made to keep these waterways open and alive. There are awards for Volunteer of the Year, Volunteer Team of the Year, Lead Volunteer of the Year, and Young Volunteer of the Year. The Awards are held in each of the Trust’s six regions and are open to all Trust volunteers across regional and national teams.
Recipients include volunteer lock keepers; Towpath Taskforce teams who have transformed their local areas; education volunteers who have taught thousands of children about water safety; volunteers who have been instrumental in the charity’s response to floods; a team who has led on tackling overgrown vegetation and another that has delivered wildlife improvements.
Christine Mellor, head of volunteering at Canal & River Trust, said: “Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and I’d like to thank everyone who’s chosen to give their time volunteering on the canals.
“We simply couldn’t keep our waterways navigable and alive without the incredible dedication, enthusiasm, and skills of our volunteers. They play a huge part in protecting these vital spaces, whether by getting stuck into practical work, helping boaters through locks, inspiring the next generation of canal supporters, and even providing invaluable assistance during our response to flooding brought about by climate change. It’s amazing to see what we can achieve together, and it really shows how canals can bring people and communities together.
“Our canal network is 250 years old and needs this support now more than ever, and we’d love to welcome more people to join us. Volunteering with the Canal & River Trust is flexible, fun, and a wonderful way to learn new skills, meet new friends, and make a real difference. If you’ve ever thought about giving it a go, come along to one of our participatory welcome sessions. There’s something for everyone, and we’d love to have you on board to help us keep our wonderful canals open and alive.”
Brian Marsh OBE, chairman at the Marsh Charitable Trust, said: “We are pleased to be able to work with the Canal & River Trust once again to deliver these Awards, recognising those who give their time to volunteer on our nation’s waterways, enhancing their heritage and supporting the wellbeing of those that use them. We would like to congratulate the individuals and volunteer teams who have been recognised through this year’s Awards, from all across the UK, and we look forward to continuing to highlight these invaluable contributions in years to come.”
Award ceremonies took place in each of the Canal & River Trust’s six regions during October.
Recipients:
Yorkshire & North East
Individual: Philippa Gibbons. As a volunteer lock keeper for four years, Philippa is primarily at Bingley Five Rise Locks, as well as volunteering for a whole host of tasks across the area. She played a significant role in the Bingley Five Rise 250th celebrations, and secured funding for the event through external partners.
Team: Chesterfield Canal Towpath Taskforce. This group has been volunteering collectively for over seven years. They recently installed a 22-metre-long bridge. The project was planned meticulously and completed within budget to high safety standards. During the winter, they cut back overhanging branches and vegetation, using the chippings to shore up the soft canal banks – a fantastic idea that combined environmental care with practical maintenance.
Young Volunteer: Antonia Geldard. Antonia joined the Selby Towpath Taskforce when she was 15 as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award and, three years later, she continues to fit in volunteering on Saturdays and Tuesdays during school holidays.
Lead Volunteer: Paul Richardson. Paul is lead volunteer on the South Yorkshire Navigation and lock keeper at Thorne Lock. Paul is always willing to help, especially in times when the canal is at risk of flooding, such as assisting with operating flood defence gates. Paul consistently supports the Trust with over 1,000 hours a year.
North West
Individual: Karryn Brooks. Karryn has been the driving force across the Trust’s destination sites, such as Anderton Boat Lift and the National Waterways Museum, to update and review all the risk assessments and is working closely with the Health & Safety Team, alongside collating masses of paperwork and training records. With her expert knowledge, Karryn has supported everyone in the project.
Team: Wigan Water Safety Education Volunteers. The Trust’s first team of Water Safety Education volunteers has, in just five months, delivered face to face water safety sessions to 4,852 children. These interactive sessions help children to understand the dangers around open water and how to help in an emergency – and stay SAFE (Stay Away From the Edge).
Young Volunteer: Adam Kearsley. Adam has fitted into the Chorley Towpath Taskforce superbly, developing skills including dry stone walling, towpath repairs, hedge laying, canal lock operations and maintenance. Adam’s commitment has led to a partnership between the Trust and Myerscough College to develop volunteering opportunities with their students.
Lead Volunteer: Barbara Sharples. Since starting the Hyndburn Towpath Taskforce, Barbara has been instrumental in creating an amazing team of volunteers performing numerous tasks in the area. The numbers of volunteers have increased steadily under Barbara’s leadership and the interest just keeps on going!
Wales & South West
Individual: Siou Coleman. Siou developed the visitor experience at Diglis Island and the Fish Pass, building on a 90-minute public tour to include weekly fish pass drop-ins, Island open days, photography workshops and talks to the local community.
Team: Planned Canal Maintenance Team, Eastern Kennet & Avon. A newly-established team, the volunteers have taken on the task of vegetation control along the waterway, operating a fleet of two workboats and three paint flats. They have also assisted engineers to gain safe access for surveys on the offside bank, supported crew to repair cabling in Reading, and enabled the movement of craft and materials to key worksites.
Lead Volunteer: Sally Hodnett. Sally has volunteered for the Trust for over ten years and has contributed over 31,000 hours through her volunteering. As the first Lead Volunteer for the Explorers programme in the region, Sally brings her experience as a qualified teacher, as well as extensive local knowledge about the canal, developing curriculum-relevant activities, and leading sessions for uniformed organisations.
West Midlands
Individual: Judith Foulkes. Judith has several volunteering roles. She assists with booking enquires for Harecastle Tunnel, helping customers, hire boat companies and businesses. Judith also supports teams preparing work plans to address defects and has been a key liaison for a programme that measures the force required to open a lock gate and to open a paddle.
Team: Hatton Coir Roil Project. This dedicated team carried out work that would have been prohibitively costly to outsource, installing coir rolls along the Grand Union Canal, and their efforts meant the entire project was volunteer-led. The area is already seeing ecological benefits.
Young Volunteer: George Dunn. Volunteering since 2022, George supports maintenance that directly benefits customers. He is now an accomplished member of the operational team, carrying out preventative maintenance, installing fences, tackling windblown trees and continues to develop his learning, including as a helmsperson to operate workboats.
Lead Volunteer: Tina Jones. Tina has built a team that shows tremendous team spirit, with social meet ups and litter picking days, a tea and scones afternoon, and talks from experts. She produces a monthly newsletter which provides recognition for her team.
East Midlands
Individual: Rob Westlake. Rob has been lead volunteer on the historic workboat ‘Sculptor’, led the first volunteer offside vegetation event and now chairs the Stoke Bruerne adoption group. At a time when the canal was in flood most days, Rob stepped in to coordinate the on-the-ground response, overseeing operations, and keeping everyone informed of what was happening.
Team: Beeston and Meadow Lane Towpath Taskforce. This remarkable group has played a crucial role in transforming and maintaining the towpaths, repairing potholes and uneven surfaces, removing invasive aquatic weed, cutting back overgrown vegetation, and creating wildlife habitat zones through wildflower meadows and planters. Their efforts have also fostered a strong sense of community and pride among local residents.
Young Volunteer: Cameron Fletcher. Since starting volunteering in 2023, Cameron has been fantastic support to the Beeston Towpath Taskforce, weeding, painting, removing fly tipping and gardening.
Lead Volunteer: Martin Pearce. Martin brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience in the engineering and aerospace industry. He advised on the installation of a new operating system for the River Trent non-tidal locks which has eased the operation of locks. Martin uses his technical expertise to monitor water control systems to anticipate issues and organise corrective works.
London & South East
Individual: Andy Gee. Andy started his volunteer journey with a plan to eradicate floating pennywort from the River Stort. He engaged people who paddle on the river, briefing them to remove the smaller leaves before they could grow into large matts. Andy, his twin brother, Stuart and their canoe club, Whoosh Explore, removed matts of floating pennywort by hand, occasionally weighing well over a tonne, followed by regular patrols to prevent regrowth. A year later, the river was declared free from this invasive plant.
Team: Milton Keynes Offside Vegetation Project. This community-led project tackled over 24km of overgrown offside vegetation throughout Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. Their efforts have contributed much-needed care to the canal, ensuring it is accessible and sustaining its natural beauty.
Young Volunteer: Peter Brookwalker. Peter started volunteering at drop-in sessions and quickly established himself in the team, taking on new challenges as part of the Enfield Boat Crew and even training up as a lock keeper during his exams. He has turned to everything from learning new computer systems, supporting training of new volunteers, and developing social media content to practical tasks like painting, graffiti removal and litter and debris removal.
Lead Volunteer: John Thomlinson. John’s dedication to the Trust over 11 years of volunteering is incredibly inspiring. With the help of John, the team have successfully run many more events that wouldn’t have been possible without his support. His positive outlook has been amplified and created a ripple effect, ensuring every volunteer has a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
