Wey and Arun Canal Trust Apprenticeship is UK first

A student has become the first water environment worker apprentice in the UK to be taken on by an independent canal trust. Nineteen-year-old Adam Rayner has begun work at the Wey and Arun Canal Trust on the level 3 apprenticeship, run in tandem with Bridgwater and Taunton College. The course was developed by the Environment Agency, in partnership with the National Trust, the Canal and River Trust and Somerset Drainage Board. The Wey and Arun Canal Trust is the first independent canal trust to invest in the 18-month apprenticeship scheme. Adam said: “The trust has achieved so much already and I am keen to be a part of their future success.”

A public sponsored walk along the Wey and Arun Canal which was cancelled last year because of the pandemic is to go ahead this summer. The Wey and Arun Canal Trust has confirmed the walk - dubbed the Poddle - will take place on Sunday June 6. The walk is the charity’s most important fundraiser of the year with proceeds going towards future restoration projects as well as current towpath maintenance. For more information, go to www.weyandarun.co.uk.