If you are an ACA member, and you are on the e-mailing list for work party notifications, you will receive an invitation by email, once a date and venue for a work party has been scheduled. If not, and you may wish to attend, please contact ACA’s Work Party and Volunteer Coordinator, Arran Jenkins, ASAP to register for future work parties: arran@not-bad.co.uk
Our work parties usually take place on the third Sunday of the month, and the usual starting location is Snarestone Wharf, Quarry Lane, Snarestone (sat nav postcode DE12 7DD), or Ilott Wharf, Bosworth Road (Google map ref. 52.696407-1.484737) from around 10:00 a.m.
There are some ongoing projects, which also require volunteers:
Benches –We have a number of benches, seats or picnic tables spaced along the canal between Snarestone and The Lime Kilns pub. A small number of volunteers have been assigned to various locations along the canal corridor and good progress is being made in repainting these.
If you can help, or would like to know more, please get in touch with Clive Walker on 01827 282298 or David Watts on 01455 846007, or e mail: info@ashbycanal.org.uk
Working Wednesdays
We hold informal work parties most Wednesdays at Snarestone Wharf, from approx 10.15 am to early afternoon. There are usually plenty of jobs to be done – including grass cutting, weeding, keeping the site tidy, sorting bric-a-brac, putting up notices, maintaining our sheds, etc. Very informal but rewarding. If you would like to join us – you would be most welcome.
Please call Rod Smith on 01530 833307 or David Watts 01455 846007 for details
Report from the work party on Sunday 18th October 2020
A small group of volunteers made more progress today towards the new footpath project. Scrub was cleared from the area beneath the Horses Lane bridge in Measham working back up towards the Measham Museum/former railway station.
Report from the work party on Sunday 26th July 2020
The first work party of this Summer took place on Sunday 26th July 2020. The nature reserve by Snarestone Wharf was tidied up in advance of an inspection by Heritage England at the start of August.
Report from the work party on Sunday 23rd February 2020
Scrub was cut and cleared from the site of the new nature reserve beyond bridge 61a, where the fence was constructed during the work party in January 2020. Some of the scrub was used to create habitat piles for wildlife.
Report from the work party on Sunday 19th January 2020
A fence was erected between the land where the wooden chalets are being built (the offside bend in the canal just north of Snarestone slipway) and the land bordering the canal, which is owned by the ACA. Wooden posts were inserted into the ground and cross timbers attached to create a secure fence.
Report from the work party on Sunday 21st September 2019
The hedge was trimmed and the middle of the offside nature reserve was strimmed. A large amount of orange balsam was also removed. Work also continued on the canopy over the shop front.
Report from the work party on Sunday 28th April 2019
Essential maintenance was carried out on a birch tree at Snarestone Wharf that is in danger of becoming uprooted following recent stormy weather.
Report from the work party on Sunday 24th March 2019
At Ilott Wharf a number of volunteers repaired a fence that had been damaged by a fallen willow, whilst others made the most of the good weather and burnt scrub. The day finished with some reed cutting in the nature reserve at Snarestone Wharf.
Report from the work party on Sunday 18th February 2019
Eight volunteers continued to trim the towpath hedge, whilst two other volunteers removed the planks from two damaged benches opposite Hinckley Marina. The benches will eventually be re-fitted with fresh, treated planks..
Report from the work party on Sunday 20th January 2019
Six volunteers helped trim the towpath hedge between Snarestone Wharf and bridge 62.
Report from the work party on Sunday 16th December 2018
Twelve volunteers helped trim the towpath hedge between Snarestone Wharf and bridge 62.
Report from the work party on Sunday 21st October 2018
Fourteen volunteers cleared scrub at the entrance to the car park at Ilott Wharf, thus improving the visibility of the noticeboard from the Bosworth Road. In addition, grass and brambles were cut around the bases of the saplings that line the wooden fencing. This will improve their chances of further growth.
Report from the work party on Sunday 3rd June 2018
Six volunteers cleared rubbish, cut down saplings and burned scrub in preparation for the visit of the University of Leicester between 5th and 7th June 2018. In order to improve accessibility, and to make the terrain more visible, it has been decided to contract a local farmer to mow the grass before the start of the archaeological dig. This may also help to reduce the prevalence of ruts which make the ground very uneven and difficult to walk or work on.
Report from the work party on Sunday 15th April 2018
Twelve volunteers cleared scrub at Ilott Wharf, and repaired the wire fence that borders the site of the car boot sale. Afterwards the volunteers enjoyed a BBQ at the new purpose-built site at Snarestone Wharf.
Report from the work party on Sunday 18th February 2018
Twenty two volunteers, including several new faces, cleared scrub, broke up large hay bales, painted gates and tidied the hard standing area at Ilott Wharf.
Report from the work party on Sunday 28th January 2018
Sixteen volunteers worked either side of the Gilwiskaw Brook clearing and burning further scrub and brambles.
Report from the work party on Sunday 12th November 2017
Fifteen volunteers, five of whom turned up for the first time, helped clear scrub and brambles from both sides of the Gilwiskaw Brook, The yellow and red engineering posts, that mark the location of the pending aqueduct are now clearly visible and more easily accessible.
