Boxing Day Floods

The following photos show the flooding at Battyeford, Newgate Lock and Lower Hopton, Mirfield:

Photography competition

For its latest photography competition, the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is looking for photographs that illustrate the changing seasons of the year. Shots of waterways from all over the UK can feature bustling canal and river scenes to more serene, lesser used waterways.  You can also enter images with various structures, craft and activities, to demonstrate the fantastic and diverse ways in which waterways are used. Winning photos will feature in IWA's calendar and Christmas cards. The top prize for the latest photography competition is a complete set of OS Nicholsons Guides to the Waterways, worth over £130, kindly donated by Harper Collins. All shortlisted entries will receive three copies of IWA's 2017 calendar.

For more information about the competition visit the IWA's website.

Daffodil planting

Many thanks to you all for coming along on Friday and for all your efforts in planting up the daffodil bulbs along the waterway paths at Battyeford Island.

Bulb planting at Battyeford Island

If you fancy an afternoon out in the sunshine, with vistas of the canal one way and the river to the other then join us this Friday afternoon at Battyeford Island.

Mirfield Community Partnership and the Canal and Rivers Trust will be planting daffodil bulbs, kindly donated by Knowle Park Nurseries, on Friday 30 October starting at 1.30 pm, at Battyeford Island, adjacent to HaPenny Bridge, Mirfield.

Your help is needed! Bring your pals.  If you cannot plant, you can always encourage and support.  Please wear stout shoes and protective gardening gloves.  Equipment will be provided but it would be great if you could come armed with trowels or bulb planters.

Tea, coffee and biscuits provided along with a warm welcome to all.

Improvements to Battyeford Island

A huge thank you for all the time, effort and good will that many people contributed towards the improvement to Battyeford Island last Friday morning.  It was a great effort and a great result.  Canal and Rivers Trust staff and Board worked alongside Mirfield Community Partnership, the Rotary Club, Skills Social Enterprise, Volunteers from the Huddersfield Broad Canal and local people responding to advertising.

We are bidding for further funds from charities and local business to continue our work. 

Volunteer Day at Battyeford Island - 16 October

Volunteering with the Canal and River Trust

If you're looking for voluntary work - why not look at the opportunities available with the Canal and River Trust?  Its volunteers help with all aspects of the CRT's work to keep the canals and rivers flowing, so there are always a large variety of roles available.  Whether you want to help wildlife, learn more about canal heritage, meet new people or gain work experience through an office-based role, the Trust is likely to have a suitable volunteering opportunity for you.  To find out more visit the Trust's website.

The Canal and River Trust on Twitter

To find out what is happening at the Canal and River Trust over the summer months, why not visit the CRT on Twitter?

Living Waterways Awards Finalists

Launched by the Canal and River Trust in January, the Living Waterways Awards seek to recognise the most inspiring and exciting waterway-based improvement projects across the UK.  This year's finalists have just been announced and in the category covering Education and Learning is Dewsbury Water Linked, Dewsbury arm of the Calder and Hebble Navigation.

The winners of the 2015 awards will be announced at a ceremony in October.  Good luck to our colleagues in Dewsbury.

 

New Chair for Canal and River Trust

Allan Leighton, chair of the Co-Operative Group, and formerly CEO of Asda Plc and chair of the Royal Mail, will formally take over as chair of the Canal and River Trust following the meeting of Council on 23 September.  Allan joined the Board in September 2014. To find out more visit the Canal and River Trust site.

Wild flowers along the Promenade

 

If you have the time this Bank Holiday, walk along the canal from Battyeford to Mirfield - you will be amazed at the varieties of plants on display: speedwell, white deadnettle, archangel, forget-me-not, bluebells, wild garlic, stitchwort - to name but a few.

 

Canal and River Trust's Council Elections

Could you get involved in the Canal and River Trust's Council elections 2015?

Looking after more than 2,000 miles of canals and rivers is a serious responsibility.  It’s a rewarding yet challenging job, and the CRT Council plays an important role in this.  It appoints Trustees, helps to shape policies and provides guidance and perspective on key decisions.  If you would like to get involved as a member of Council, take a look at how you can vote or stand in the next CRT Council election click here.

Feed-back on the Friday Fun Day

Thanks to all of you who joined in the Friday Fun Day - a great time was had by all!  We'll put information about any future events on this blog. 

If you have any photographs from the event that you would like to share - please send them to us at Mirfield Promenade. 

Friday Fun @ the Canal - 20 February

Rotary Navigation Walk - 19 April

The walk is for everyone who wishes to join the Mirfield Rotary Club in raising funds for the four Hospices which provide excellent service to the public of Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield namely, Overgate Hospice, Kirkwood Hospice, Wakefield Hospice and the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice. Each Hospice will receive an equal share of whatever money is raised by the event.  This year's walk is being extended and will now incorporate the Rotary Club of Huddersfield.  The walk is almost exclusively on the tow-paths of the Hebble, Calder, Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canals.  For more information visit the Rotary Navigation Walk.

Nature Walk - 21 February 2015

Colleagues in Groundwork and CRT are organising a Nature Walk along the canal, starting at the Library in Mirfield at 10 am on 21 February.  The walk will be led by Russ Hedley of Nature Talks and Walks.  Places are limited - and so you will need to book early.  To book a place call Jane Halladay on 0113 2380601.

Consultation Questionnaire

Thanks to everyone who found the time to share their views with colleagues from the Canal and River Trust and Groundwork on 10 January in Mirfield.  If you weren't able to get along to the consultation event you can now register your views by completing a questionnaire on line - simply click on Community Questionnaire.  The consultation lasts until the end of January.  Please find time to complete the questionnaire, as your views really are important.

Canal Consultation Reminder