Can you sign up to help?
Following on from celebratory canal cruises at the weekend, we held our Big Help Out event on Monday 8th May. A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped to make it a special day. The weather had forecast rain, but we were lucky and it was mainly dry with even a little sunshine. Visitors to our busy cafe and shop were keen to take up the offer of a free canal ride to learn how to drive a trip boat and what’s involved in cabin crewing. The Kingfisher gave them the best views of the canal in Spring. The yellow flag irises are flowering brightly on the banks, the water lily leaves are pushing up with the promise of flowers yet to come. The first family of coot chicks were out on the water with the parent coot bird vigorously chasing off any ducks that dared to come near.
Back on land, Richard explained how he is recruiting volunteers for the work parties maintaining the canal banks, and skippering the Kingfisher and Richmond. The community group showcased their projects for children on fun days with butterflies, masks and trees that could be made. Whilst Catherine, Richard’s wife, enticed visitors to the cafe with samples of scones and coronation jam, a speciality jam made locally especially for this weekend.
Fishbourne Mill Morris rounded off the day with their own brand of traditional dancing. Overall the day was a great success.
Wendy Mahe (canal volunteer, who signed up on the Big Help Out Day!), photos by David Richardson and Dave Standley
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