THE Lichfield Canal at Darnford Moors Ecology Park has been officially opened by TV’s Robbie Cumming, following its completion by Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT).
This 0.5km section of canal was completed thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) with match funding from HS2’s Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and separate grants from the Biffa Award and the Wesleyan Foundation.
Representatives from each of the funders attended the ceremony along with the volunteers who have worked tirelessly on site and behind the scenes. All watched as the ecology park including the stretch of canal was formally opened by LHCRT patron Robbie Cumming, of TV’s Canal Boat Diaries, together with LHCRT president Eric Wood.
Robbie said: “You’re not only showing the local community this lovely ecology park, you’re showing the whole country your passion for regenerating canals like this. I’m not just here as someone off the TV, I’m here to represent all the people that live on boats, the 35,000 registered boat owners in the country, who hopefully, will be making use of this one day.”
Two commemorative trees were planted, one by Robbie Cumming and the other by John Horton, LHCRT’s former engineer, when Darnford Moors was first initiated. There was then a guided walk, while paddleboarders took to the water, along with LHCRT volunteers in a canoe and a coracle.
LHCRT chairman Carole Mills said: “This fantastic achievement is due to the fabulous collaboration of Team Lichfield and is a superb example of what can be done when people work together. That’s what LHCRT is all about. The Lichfield Canal will provide a new gateway to the Black Country navigations and is already bringing huge benefits to the city and surrounding areas. Overall we’re creating a wonderful legacy for Lichfield and for our communities to use now and in the future.”
She went on to thank the funders who between them have provided over £420k of vital grants and to every member of Team Lichfield for creating Darnford Moors Ecology Park, saying: “We should all feel very proud of having combined our energy, talents and sheer hard work to make this happen.”
For more about Darnford Moors Ecology Park visit lhcrt.org.uk
