The Canal and River Trust (CRT) is celebrating the people whose green fingers and gardening achievements help make our waterways such pleasant places to visit. This summer the CRT will be presenting certificates to those whose plants, flowers and vegetable displays make a positive contribution to our canals and rivers.
The certificates are a way of saying a big thank you to everyone who boosts the CRT's ongoing work to make waterways green and attractive places which everyone can enjoy. Gardening efforts on, and besides, our waterways help:
- Brighten up these spaces for everyone, making them a nicer place to boat, walk and cycle;
- Provide habitats and food sources for birds, insects and other wildlife;
- Contribute to reducing the impact of extreme weather, for example helping heavy rain soak away reducing the risk of “flash-floods”, or by helping cool the air and reducing ‘urban heat spots’ particularly in built up areas when temperatures are very high.
As well as presenting certificates to thank everyone who has made a positive green contribution (big or small), the CRT will also be giving out some special awards for boaters and other groups who are making an extra-special effort to help make waterways blooming lovely.
To find out more and see how you can get involved, visit the page on the CRT's site - Boats in Bloom
Last week the Canal and River Trust along with other individuals and representatives from local organisations and businesses met to see the work that has been taking place - here are some photos from the event:
The Calder Towpath Clean Up will take place on Monday 20 March, 10.00 am to 13.00 pm. It is being organised by Mirfield Community Partnership and Mirfield Co-operative Retail Services.
The next stage of the Mirfield Promenade is about to launch. After consultation with, and expert guidance from, the Royal Horticultural Society and its Greening Grey Britain Programme we need your help to clean and tidy the river towpath from Ledgard Bridge Lock, Newgate.
On this occasion the Canal and River Trust cannot help us (the path is not legally on CRT land) but the Trust has offered tools to assist. There will also be litter picking gangs along the canal towpath.
The tasks: Litter picking, scraping of cobbles to clear debris, painting of seats, cutting back trees and vegetation, saplings and climbers.
Future plans: Planting of pollinators, new seating overlooking the weir, setting and pointing of cobbles, bird and bat box installation, insect hotels, laying of sandstone chipping paths. We aim to keep the riverside as wild and natural as possible.
Please come along on 20 March and bring friends and colleagues. Wear sturdy shoes, clothes and gloves. Please bring, secateurs, loppers, spades, strong black bags, litter pickers, if you have them.
Volunteers and staff from the Canal and River Trust will be taking part in litter picking and general tidying along the riverbank and pathway at Newgate, Mirfield on Monday 20 March, starting at 10 am and finishing at 1 pm. Litter picking and gardening equipment will be available, but feel free to bring your own along.
We look forward to seeing you there.
To find out more and see how you can get involved, visit the page on the CRT's site - Boats in Bloom
