Capturing the Impact – Lichfield Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust

This year we introduced a new climate action grant to increase the impact of work we are doing in protecting and enhancing our environment. The Lichfield Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust (LHCRT) were successful in receiving a ￡21,000 grant to restore a section of the new ‘Lichfield Canal’ at Darnford Moors Ecology Park. LHCRT is a volunteer lead organisation who’s mission is to restore Lichfield and Hatherton Canals, helping to form a new canal network called the Heart of West Midland’s Canal. ?

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Our Sustainability Manager Dan Gamson and I went to visit the site where the canal restoration was underway and we met with the very passionate and knowledgeable LHCRT team of Christine Bull (Environment Director), Bob Williams (Finance Director) and Peter Buck (Engineering Director).

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'It was great having the opportunity to visit the team over at the LHCRT. Being able to support projects like this is really rewarding - especially when you can see them coming to fruition. The team there have a genuine enthusiasm for enhancing the environment, and are already making a really positive impact' Dan Gamson, Group Sustainability Manager

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The work which has been completed since we awarded the grant has been phenomenal. ?Over 500 metres of canal has been dug out, natural embankment and concrete walling has been installed to the sides of the canal and the base has been lined with a material called Raw Mat which has a clay like consistency with its role to retain the water.

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The funding from Wesleyan Foundation, was primarily used to purchase the Raw Mat but it also contributed towards the professionals who laid the material. Peter Buck explained to us how the raw mat was installed and why the material was so important. In ‘lay’ man terms the laying of Raw Mat involves using a crane to lift down the material, and then it is unrolled by a team of people much like when you are laying a carpet. It’s essential that this is done carefully, so that the raw mat isn’t broken, and there are no gaps between each layer, this prevents the water of the canal from leaking and potentially causing flooding in areas surrounding the canal. The water stored in the canal will then contribute to flood attenuation and the biodiversity of the canal will help to capture carbon, preventing further carbon releases from land that would be flooded downstream.

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As we walked down the canal, there was a group of volunteers from a local business laying down a footpath. Bob Williams said they had a very busy volunteering programme, with a lot of local business and community members helping with different tasks around the canal restoration. The tow path has several planted fruit and nut trees growing down it which were planted by our own Investment Team earlier in the year. Christine Bull explained that they think carefully about how to manage the habitat around the canal, so that as many species of animal and insect can benefit from their work. For example, the fruit trees will help to support the local community and wildlife as food, on top of that the earth will benefit when uneaten fruit composts in the surrounding ground.

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As we looped back round the canal, we came to the original canal lock which was built in 1794.The area is now overgrown with trees, moss and plants, with trees around it making a small woodland. LHCRT volunteers have started to create a path around the lock, and they will plant further trees and plants to fill out the woodland, to create a thriving habitat and beautiful place to walk.

“We are delighted with the funding support from Wesleyan Foundation, which has enabled us to make significant progress and will engage more volunteers in another step towards combating climate change.” Bob Williams Finance Director, LHCRT.

We spoke to Bob Williams about the future canal restoration, and an anticipated timeline for the completion of the Heart of the West Midlands canal loop. Bob explained that how quickly the work could be completed will depend on how quickly the funding to complete the work is raised. Wesleyan’s donation has been particularly useful to LHCRT as it has unlocked further funding which means the Darnfood Moors Ecology Park restoration can now be completed, but further funding is required for the adjoining parts of canal.

Having visited the site it’s clear to see that LHCRT are making a meaningful contribution to climate change mitigation with canal restoration works at Darnfood Moors Ecology Park. The restoration not only enhances the ecological health of the area but also promotes sustainable practices and biodiversity, educating volunteers from the local community. LHCRT's commitment to environmental conservation, coupled with the support from the Wesleyan Foundation, exemplifies the positive impact that collaborative efforts can have on addressing climate change at a local level. We look forward to visiting the site again next year and volunteering to further the cause.