When people picture canal restoration, they often imagine muddy boots, heavy machinery and teams of men with shovels. But canal restoration isn’t just a man’s world. In this International Women’s Day blog, Christine Howles shares how women are playing a central role in restoring the Lichfield Canal.
At Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, women have been part of our restoration story for many years.
From leadership and planning to hands-on construction, events, fundraising, communications, wildlife work and everything in between, women across LHCRT are helping to shape the future of the canal.
Our Board of Trustees itself reflects that. Two of our trustees are women, one is me and the other is our Chair, helping guide the Trust’s strategy and ensuring the restoration continues to move forward. But the story doesn’t stop in the boardroom.
Across the charity, women volunteer their time and skills in all sorts of ways. Some are out on the construction sites, getting stuck into bricklaying, site preparation and hands-on restoration work. Others help run events, manage communications, support fundraising, clear vegetation, plant trees, or keep the Trust running smoothly behind the scenes.
What they all have in common is a shared passion for the Lichfield Canal.
One of the great things about canal restoration is that there is no single “type” of volunteer. You don’t need to be an engineer, builder or historian to make a difference. Whether you enjoy practical outdoor work, organising events, talking to the public, writing, photography, wildlife conservation or administration, there’s a place for you. And importantly, everyone is welcome.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to say a huge thank you to all the women who already give their time, energy and expertise to the Trust. Your contribution is helping to restore not just a canal, but a piece of local heritage and a green corridor for wildlife and communities.
At the same time, we’d love to welcome even more women into the LHCRT family. So if you’ve ever thought canal restoration looked interesting but weren’t sure whether it was “for you”, the answer is simple: it absolutely is.
I asked a couple of our female construction volunteers what they thought.
Ellen Burrows, told me:
“I was warmly welcomed by the volunteers at the Gallows Wharf section of the canal and encouraged to give everything a go, despite having no construction experience. It has been a joy getting my hands dirty with people that I would never usually cross paths with.”
Catherine Waymouth said:
“The construction team are an interesting bunch, with a wide variety of experience, which they are more than happy to share. I have been made to feel welcome and of value. They are interested in my experience and thoughts, and treat me as an equal, including that I am capable of manual labour.”
So come along and join the team. You might be surprised at just how many different ways there are to get involved. Because restoring a canal takes everyone and the more diverse our volunteer team, the stronger the future of the Lichfield Canal will be.
Christine Howles
Communications and Marketing Trustee
