Homeless shelter adopts canal mile

A MILE of the Shropshire Union Canal in Chester has been adopted by the Richmond Court Homeless Shelter.

The people of the homeless shelter will be helping Canal & River Trust take care of the length of the canal as part of the charity's ‘Adopt a Canal' initiative.

Painting railings

The group, which was presented with the official adoption certificate last week, will start work in March, initially taking part in an angling and photography workshop. The group's first hands-on task will be painting the railings at Hoole Lock.

Ani Sutton, Development and Engagement Manager for the Canal & River Trust, explained:

Hope more follow

"Canals and rivers are a terrific resource to have on our doorstep and we only hope more people follow the lead of groups like this in caring for their local waterway. Sarah McGrady, the group leader, is obviously very proud of this waterway and it's great that the homeless shelter are doing their bit to help improve the local area.

"Our time and money is spent on major priority repairs like repairing locks, bridges, aqueducts and towpaths, so the work of our amazing volunteer groups is essential and brings huge and equally vital benefits."

Adopt a mile

Communities across England and Wales are invited to adopt mile long lengths of canal or river and help transform some of the Trust's 2,000 miles of waterways, and over 100 groups have now joined the scheme up and down the country in a bid to improve canals and rivers. Other adoption groups in Cheshire include ADAPT gardening group in Audlem & SUMBA in Church Minshull.