THE Canal & River Trust, together with Marsh Charitable Trust, has announced the volunteers who have been recognised in its annual awards scheme.
To coincide with the trust’s 10th anniversary, this year included an extra category to recognise a volunteer in each region who has been volunteering with the trust since its inception.
CRT head of volunteering Christine Mellor said: “We have seen an incredible change in the number of people volunteering on the canals and the impact that they have. This summer, volunteers donated their five millionth hour to the Canal & River Trust since our launch 10 years ago.
Marsh Charitable Trust chairman Brian Marsh said: “We are pleased to be able to work with the Canal & River Trust and to deliver these awards in its tenth year.
“They recognise some very special people who give their time to volunteer on our nation’s waterways and support the wellbeing of those who use them.”
Ceremonies have been taking place in each of the Canal & River Trust’s six regions. Pictured are winners from the first four regions.
PHOTOS: CRT
The London & South East award winners pictured with CRT head of volunteering Christine Mellor and regional director Ros Daniels, right: Colin Parker, of team award winner South East Action Days; individual award winner Frank Stimpson, for his work as a roving lock keeper on the Lee Navigation; and 10-year award winner Dick Pilkinton for his efforts in enabling people to get outside and enjoy fishing.
East Midlands individual award winner Jules Hall, centre, with from left: CRT chief executive Richard Parry, volunteer leader Jane Stubbs, head of volunteering Christine Mellor and Marsh Charitable Trust manager Annie McCarthy. The 10-year volunteering award went to John Carvel from Rugby, who is not pictured.
The East Midlands team award went to the Foxton Lock volunteers. Pictured, front row, are: CRT chief executive Richard Parry, Tony Gale, Mike Dex, Matthew Wakely, head of volunteering Christine Mellor, and Foxton Locks duty manager Julie Nottingham. Back row are: Nigel Cooke, Kevin Burton and Martin Nicholls.
North West volunteer of the year Tommy Higson, recognised for his work on the Rochdale Green Recovery Project. The 10-year award went to Jon Stopp.
The Tuel Lane Lock volunteers won the Yorkshire and NE team award. Pictured from left are:
Ian Kelshaw, Andrew Cotterill, Phillip Denison, Cath Munn, Mike Brennan and Jim Wright.
The North West team award went to the Middlewich lock keepers, pictured at the presentation ceremony at Anderton.
Yorkshire & North East individual award winner David Wadsworth.