Our second winter talk was a non-beekeeping talk from the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust entitled Conservation Credentials.
Bob and Chris came to talk to us about their current and future projects. Lichfield canal opened in 1797 and Hatherton opened in 1841 as part of (in excess of!) 60 miles of static water in and around Birmingham. The canals were then closed in 1954/5 when the right to navigate was removed as this was deemed uneconomical.
The Trust is committed to restoring these canals with a view to them being able to be re-opened at some stage in the future. The amazing aspect of this is that it is all achieved by volunteers. The dedicated volunteers are then joined by various additional helpers such as Duke of Edinburgh participants or different companies as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility projects and policies.
We got an insight into both the financial side of things such as grant applications and land transfers as well as environmental elements that are taken into account as part of the restoration. They try and ensure that any existing infrastructure is re-used or re-distributed and that a suitable environment is put in place for existing wildlife or to encourage new wildlife e.g. wild flowers and bug hotels.
It was interesting to hear the challenges that need to be overcome due to the appearance of housing estates or other transport routes e.g. A38 / M6 toll / HS2 that have occurred since the canals were decommissioned. However, they confirmed that they can engineer their way around everything!
An informative and interesting topic to learn about as the canals are transformed more to a leisure system from a transport system. Thank you Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust!
