‘Canalcoholic’ welcomed aboard
CHICHESTER Ship Canal Trust was recently delighted to welcome BBC Radio 2 news presenter Adam Porter on board.
As the first patron of its fundraising campaign, he will help to raise awareness and support one of the city’s much valued community assets.
Adam moved to the Chichester area in the mid-1990s, when he was the first news editor at Spirit FM and helped to launch the station. He lives in Fishbourne and serves on the parish council.
Canals and boating are his passion. Adam and his partner have a narrowboat, which is moored in Northamptonshire and has taken them to places as far apart as Manchester, Godalming and Lincolnshire.
He said: “It’s often said that canals spread their green fingers into cities. If you follow the towpath of the Chichester Canal from the basin you almost don’t notice you are passing under the A27 and by the time you’re halfway to Hunston you already feel as if you are in the countryside.
“The history and heritage of the canals fascinate me. Their routes tell the stories of industrialisation.
“Being on the water or close to the water is good for well-being. It gets you close to nature; there are few better things than seeing the blue flash of a kingfisher darting low across the water, or a heron deep in concentration before it catches a fish.”
He added: “The Chichester Canal is a fantastic resource for the area. The towpath provides a safe walking route, while the canal itself is busy with canoes and kayaks, and the latest fitness craze, stand-up paddle boarding. It’s vital the canal is preserved and maintained, and I’m delighted to help the trust promote its work.”
Jill Dennison, volunteer fundraising campaign manager said: ‘We’re thrilled that Adam is giving his time to highlight the work of the trust, the charity behind the canal. Having spent time with Adam, his enthusiasm and passion for canals is clear, and we’re so fortunate to have Chichester Canal right on our doorstep.
“Adam’s support means we can continue to raise our profile among the local community and further afield.”