A WILTSHIRE volunteer is supporting a national campaign that encourages people to get more involved in their communities. Howard Wilson, from Semington, is a member of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust which aims to restore the former waterway through the local countryside.
He joined the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the charity seven years ago and says his only regret is that he didn’t do it sooner. Howard explained: “When I first joined the charity I wasn’t sure what skills I would bring but I’ve found my management and IT experience has been very useful.” Now he’s sharing his experiences as part of national Volunteers’ Week, which runs from Monday, June 3 to Sunday, June 9.
Active retirement
Howard, 66, worked for the Met Office for 37 years but was keen to stay active when he took early retirement. He often walked along the Kennet & Avon Canal near his home, where the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has an information board at the former junction of the two waterways. He’d always been interested in waterways and often enjoyed canalboat holidays, so he noted the details and attended his first work party just two weeks after retiring, and now plays an important role in his local branch. Howard continued: “I’m now involved in developing and maintaining the branch pages on the trust website, and managing our photographic archive and social media. I also help to produce leaflets, posters and other materials. I’ve stayed involved with the physical restoration too, as a work party organiser responsible for supervising tasks for other volunteers. It keeps me busy but I thoroughly enjoy it.”
Training courses
The charity has arranged for Howard to attend training courses on quad bikes and dumper trucks, as well as bricklaying and other courses. This has enabled him to support a wide range of recent and ongoing projects, including the rebuilding of the dry dock and waiting wall at Pewsham Locks, the extension of the towpath towards Reybridge and the ongoing maintenance of the restored section of canal. His voluntary work with the trust has also led to him being featured in national waterways magazines and interviewed on BBC Wiltshire. Howard added: “I would encourage everyone to try volunteering if they have a few hours to spare. The team are great, and new members are always welcome.
Purpose
The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon. Several sections have already been restored. For more details visit: www.wbct.org.uk
