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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 09/10/2026

Seven volunteers from Coventry Building Society joined us at Darnford Moors Ecology Park to clear weeds, remove dead flowers and trim hedges. The autumn tidy-up is nearly complete. Huge thanks to everyone, especially the volunteer who travelled from South London! #lichfield #UKCanals

Seven Coventry Building Society volunteers wearing high-visibility vests stand together for a group photo at Darnford Moors Ecology Park after a conservation work session. Strimmers and other equipment lie in the foreground, with trimmed vegetation, trees and open green space visible behind them under a bright blue sky.

A volunteer wearing a high-visibility vest, safety helmet and ear protection uses a strimmer to clear vegetation along the bank of a canal at Darnford Moors Ecology Park. Cut plants are piled in the foreground, with trees, open grassland and calm water reflecting the blue sky in the background.

A volunteer wearing a high-visibility vest, safety helmet and ear defenders uses a strimmer to cut vegetation along the edge of a canal at Darnford Moors Ecology Park. Freshly cut grass and plants line the bank, while the canal reflects a bright blue sky and surrounding trees.

Coventry Building Society volunteers carry cleared vegetation from the canal bank into a large waste sack during a conservation workday at Darnford Moors Ecology Park. Additional volunteers work beside the water using hand tools, with freshly cut vegetation visible along the towpath under a cloudy sky.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 08/10/2026

At Gallows Reach, the focus was back on the concrete pads this week. The team also completed a 'rough cut', removing several hundred tonnes of spoil for future base pads. They also need to dig out up to the bridge in order to set out for the surrounding brickwork. #WeDigCanals #UKCanals #Lichfield

Reinforcement mesh and groundwork prepared for a concrete pad, with excavation continuing towards the bridge for upcoming brickwork installation.

Freshly poured concrete base pad within a retained excavation, with steel piling on one side and a muddy access route running alongside.

Excavation area following a rough cut, showing spoil removed along the length of the site and workers preparing the ground for future construction.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 06/10/2026

Previously at Gallows Reach... What do you think we'll achieve this week? #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

Three people wearing blue safety helmets, high-visibility yellow vests and work gloves stand in a construction site next to a large mound of excavated soil. A wheelbarrow and wooden boards are visible in the foreground, with shovels leaning against a retaining wall. Temporary metal safety fencing surrounds the site, and trees and greenery form the background. The ground is muddy, suggesting ongoing excavation or landscaping work.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 05/10/2026

We were delighted to welcome visitors from Lichfield’s twin towns, Limburg an der Lahn and Sainte‑Foy‑lès‑Lyon, for a canal tour. Volunteers shared the story of restoration, wildlife improvements and future plans, with guests amazed the project is entirely volunteer-led. #Lichfield #UKCanals

Visitors gather beside a canal basin during a guided tour, looking out across the water and surrounding wildlife habitat. Reeds line the water's edge, while trees and dense greenery frame the scene on a sunny day.

A group of visitors stands on a canal-side path, listening to a guide during a walking tour. Trees, shrubs and canal infrastructure surround the group, with brickwork, railings and water visible under a bright blue sky.

Visitors gather around the newly installed canal lift bridge at during a guided tour. The group listens to an explanation of the restoration work while standing on a path beside the bridge structure under a clear blue sky.

Visitors on a guided canal tour stand beside the restored canal channel at Gallows Wharf in Lichfield. The group waves to the camera from a towpath next to the water, with brick-lined canal walls, trees and historic wharf buildings visible in bright sunshine.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 03/10/2026

For now, it’s a digger in the foreground, but look beyond the bucket… 👀 There’s the lift bridge in the frame, waiting patiently, as another piece of the canal takes shape. One day, boats will pass through here. For now, we dig. ☺️ #Lichfield #WeDigCanals #UKCanals

Orange excavator digging and grading red soil beside a concrete retaining wall on a fenced construction site. The excavator bucket is cutting into the earth, with a large mound of excavated soil in the foreground. In the distance, a white lift bridge is neatly framed within the curve of the excavator arm, creating a striking focal point. Trees line the left side of the site, while temporary metal safety fencing runs along the right. Construction materials and equipment are positioned beside the wall under an overcast sky.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 02/10/2026

Dumper issues meant we couldn’t complete this week’s concrete pour, so the team switched focus to drainage. A 150mm connection and inspection chambers were installed, and the drain crossing onto our land was picked up. Now backfilled, with benching and covers to follow. #UKCanals #Lichfield

Construction team standing beside a newly excavated drainage trench and inspection chamber at Gallows Reach. An excavator, spoil heaps and boundary fencing are visible as drainage works progress along the site boundary.

Volunteer levelling drainage pipework in a trench beside a new concrete inspection chamber. Additional workers and an excavator are visible nearby as drainage connections are installed before backfilling.

Volunteer standing inside a new concrete inspection chamber while colleagues work in a drainage trench behind. Underground pipework is being connected along the trench, with soil stockpiles and an excavator visible in the background.

Long drainage trench running alongside a boundary fence and mature trees, with newly installed drainage pipework and an inspection chamber visible before backfilling. Soil stockpiles line the edge of the excavation.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 30/09/2026

A welcome return from Natalie at Nationwide on Tuesday, volunteering through their CSR scheme. She joined our regular volunteers and helped ready another base for concreting and saw the big strides since her last visit. #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

Workers in high‑visibility clothing and helmets stand around a rectangular rebar frame set into an excavated area. The steel grid is supported on small blocks, ready for concreting. Temporary fencing and a brick retaining wall marked “18” sit behind the team.

Several workers in safety gear prepare a concrete foundation. One kneels to adjust rebar inside a wooden frame while others inspect the structure. An excavator and tools sit in the background, with temporary fencing around the freshly dug site.

A worker in a high‑visibility jacket stands over a rectangular rebar grid framed with timber, checking the reinforcement before concreting. The area is enclosed by metal fencing, with a corrugated retaining wall on one side and trees and construction materials behind.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 29/09/2026

Lovely to see our duck family enjoying Darnford Moors Ecology Park. This section has only been in water since 2023, yet it’s already flourishing. 🪶 Thanks to support from Biffa Award #theLCF this section of the canal has become a rich, thriving environment for wildlife. 🌿 #Lichfield #UKCanals

A male mallard with a green head and yellow bill swims beside a female mallard with mottled brown plumage in a canal. The water is dotted with floating green leaves, and the bank is lined with dense vegetation.

A single duck with brown plumage, a greenish head, and a yellow bill floats on calm water near a plant‑covered bank. Small clusters of oval aquatic leaves drift on the surface, surrounded by rocks and thick greenery.

Three ducks swim near the edge of a canal bordered by tall grasses and dense vegetation. Lily pads float across the water, and a towpath runs parallel in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 28/09/2026

Here's a sight you won't see every day! Our 14-tonne excavator making its way under the liftbridge. Not something you see on your average canal towpath! 😄 #UKCanals #Lichfield #WeDigCanals

A 14‑tonne orange excavator is positioned on a gravel construction site, with its arm raised beneath a white liftbridge. A worker in high‑visibility orange clothing operates the machine while several other workers in safety gear stand nearby, guiding the manoeuvre. Temporary fencing surrounds the area under a bright blue sky.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 27/09/2026

The Green Team, led by Margaret with John, Jane and a dozen DofE volunteers, had a busy morning yesterday. They made great progress bund weeding and tidying along Tamworth Road, clearing undergrowth and smartening up the whole stretch... #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A group of volunteers in high‑visibility vests gather near a green metal structure, listening to instructions. Two strimmers lie on the ground in front of them. The scene is outdoors on a sunny day with trees and a fence in the background.

Volunteers in bright yellow vests work along a grassy roadside, clearing vegetation. Cars pass on the adjacent road and a brown directional sign stands nearby. The sky is clear and blue.

Three volunteers in high‑visibility vests work on a grassy verge, bending to clear vegetation. Dense green trees and a lamp post frame the sunny outdoor setting.

Several volunteers in high‑visibility vests work along a dirt path, cutting back vegetation beside thick woodland. The weather is bright with a clear blue sky.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 26/09/2026

Did you know you can read all our workparty blogs on the website? They're full of technical detail and progress from the teams on the ground. Members see them first (about a month early) in Cut Both Ways, complete with all the photos. lhcrt.org.uk/category/blo... #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

Construction volunteers in high‑vis vests and hard hats level freshly poured concrete over a rebar base. They use long‑handled tools inside a fenced work area, with trees and a brick wall in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 26/09/2026

At Gallows Reach, as the inclement‑weather season draws near, the team is taking no chances - they’ve built another bund as a secondary line of defence at the second headwall. Hopefully this means they can continue to cast concrete bases, without fear of flooding. #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A canal construction site set within a tree-lined area, showing a channel excavation between two reinforced concrete walls. The ground is covered with a grid of steel rebar ready for concrete pouring, and various tools and materials - including a wheelbarrow, buckets, bags of aggregate, and ladders - are scattered around. In the distance there are two bunds across the channel, made of sand bags. Soil banks and fencing surround the site, with trees visible beyond the perimeter.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 25/09/2026

Great progress at Darnford Moors Ecolgy Park this week - they backfilled the towpath wall with concrete, and started filling the offside blocks too. Brilliant teamwork! #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A partially built retaining wall made of grey concrete blocks runs along a towpath. A green cement mixer, wheelbarrow and a yellow construction vehicle sit in front of the wall. Wooden stakes mark the line of the wall, and behind it is a raised bank with vegetation, a wooden fence, and parked cars.

A construction worker in a yellow hi‑vis suit and white hard hat stands beside a retaining wall made of concrete blocks. In the foreground are bags of building materials, cement bags, a wooden pallet and a green mixer or tank. Behind the wall is a grassy bank, a wooden fence and a red brick building.

Several construction workers wearing hard hats and hi‑vis vests mix concrete at a worksite. A concrete mixer is in use, surrounded by stacks of concrete blocks, a yellow bucket and large green bags of aggregate. A partially built retaining wall and a sloped soil bank form the background.

Two workers in hi‑vis vests and gloves pour and compact wet concrete into hollow concrete blocks reinforced with steel rebar. One worker uses a wooden rod to tamp the concrete. The close‑up shows the rebar grid and the wet concrete being placed.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 24/09/2026

At Gallows Reach, volunteers have had a productive couple of days. They dug out for the next 5 m pad and concreted it, and then cleared the following 8 m section. #UKCanals #Lichfield #WeDigCanals

A construction area with excavated ground between two concrete retaining walls. Steel reinforcement bars are laid out across the centre, ready for concreting. The soil shows fresh machinery tracks, and tools, buckets and materials are scattered around the site. Safety fencing runs along one side, with trees visible beyond the works.

A freshly poured concrete slab sits between two retaining walls in an excavated section. An excavator bucket is visible to the right, with compacted soil and scattered bricks in the foreground. Construction materials and fencing line the edges, and trees frame the background.

An excavated construction area with reddish soil and machinery tracks between two retaining walls. Several shovels lean against the left wall, which has “18” painted on it, and safety fencing runs along the top. Bags of materials, a wheelbarrow and trees sit in the background, with vertical reinforcement visible on the right side.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 22/09/2026

Can anyone help us move a 12ft x 12ft container (a bit like this one) between two of our sites? If you have suitable transport / lifting equipment (or know someone who does) we’d be grateful for your support. 🙏 #Lichfield #Staffordshire #UKCanals

A metal storage container sits outdoors on grass and dirt. It has corrugated sides painted olive green, with white double doors at the front showing rust and worn hinges. The container rests on a red‑brown metal base, slightly raised from the ground. Bushes and trees fill the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 21/09/2026

Big shout‑out to our boat club friends: Wolverhampton Boat Club Longwood Boat Club Ash Tree Boat Club Their support helps us work towards reconnecting the Lichfield Canal. Clubs of any type can join us for £40 a year. lhcrt.org.uk/membership/m... #UKCanals #WeDigCanals #MembershipMonday

A three‑image collage showing different UK boat clubs.
Top left: several narrowboats moored at Longwood Boat Club beside trees and a small shed.
Top right: a narrowboat passing under a footbridge at Wolverhampton Boat Club, decorated with colourful signs.
Bottom: an aerial view of a single narrowboat travelling along a green, tree‑lined canal near Ashtree Boat Club, with a road and power lines nearby.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 20/09/2026

Another milestone at Darnford Moors Ecology Park as the final block goes in on the new canal wall. Bricklaying is up next. Great work! #Lichfield #WeDigCanals #UKCanals

A construction volunteer in a high‑visibility vest taps a concrete block into place on a newly built wall. A taut string line runs along the top for alignment, and the background shows fencing, a wooden post, and vegetation under a cloudy sky.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 18/09/2026

We’re still looking for our new Environment Trustee. It's a role with real impact, boosting biodiversity and strengthening habitats as we restore Lichfield Canal’s blue‑green corridor. 🌿 #lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals #Staffordshire lhcrt.org.uk/volunteer-op...

Young tree sapling protected by a translucent plastic guard, growing in a landscaped area with soil, yellow flowers, and a canal construction site in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 17/09/2026

At Gallows Reach this week, our volunteers dug out and concreted a slightly larger 5m pad. It was also getting a bit awkward to grade the sides, with the redundant big pipe sections still in-situ, so they removed the final ten sections. Yay! Great work! #Lichfield #WeDigCanals #UKCanals

Two construction volunteers in high‑visibility clothing stand at the end of a long excavated trench bordered by a concrete wall on one side and metal sheet piling on the other. The ground shows heavy machinery tracks, with a portable generator positioned near the wall. The workers appear to be inspecting an area of wet concrete, with fencing and construction materials visible in the background.

Several large cylindrical pipes lie on the ground beside an excavated trench, with soil and machinery tracks visible. Part of an excavator bucket appears on the right, indicating active work. A concrete retaining wall and metal fencing run along the site, with trees and cloudy sky in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 16/09/2026

Tamworth Road is clear of spoil again (for now) so our Gallows Reach team can keep digging. Fast forward to 2028 and this will be a completed canal. 😃 #UKCanals #WeDigCanals #Lichfield

A freshly excavated, muddy track runs through a wooded area, with deep tyre impressions from heavy machinery visible along its length. Dense green trees and vegetation line both sides of the path, and a small gate with signage stands in the distance beneath a partly cloudy sky.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 14/09/2026

Can you help us take down the “being” restored from this sign? Join us for as little as £10 a year - no digging required. You’ll get our magazine, e‑news, access to our FB group, and you’ll help show funders the support behind the restoration. lhcrt.org.uk/membership/m... #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A weathered white metal signpost stands against a clear blue sky. The embossed text reads “Huddlesford Jnc – Being Restored By – Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust,” with the arrow pointing to the right.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 13/09/2026

Our Green and Grounds team and DofE volunteers carried on Saturday after Thursday’s corporate group ran out of time. They tidied the Falkland Road bund, planted hedging, tackled brambles and cut the grass. Top work, team! 👏🌱 #WeDigCanals #Lichfield #UKCanals

Three people in high‑visibility vests work on a grassy roadside area. One volunteer bends down using a shovel to dig into the ground while others stand nearby observing. Houses, parked vehicles, and an open field are visible in the background.

Two volunteers wearing bright yellow vests marked “VOLUNTEER” clear branches and vegetation in an overgrown wooded area. One holds a rake while the other lifts cut branches. Dry leaves and twigs cover the ground, with a wooden fence behind them.

A person in a fluorescent yellow vest operates a red heavy‑duty mower, cutting tall grass in a residential field. They wear ear protection, and trimmed grass is visible behind the machine. Modern brick houses and a blue car are in the background.

A person wearing an orange helmet with ear protection, a face shield, gloves, and a high‑visibility vest uses a brush cutter to trim overgrown grass near a wooden fence. A road with vehicles and industrial buildings is visible in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 12/09/2026

The team had run out of spoil storage space at Gallows Reach and is only half way through constructing the canal section up to the lift bridge. So they had a 'muckshift' this week to create more temporary storage space. They've cleared about fifty metres so far. #UKCanals #WeDigCanals #Lichfield

An orange excavator sits on freshly dug earth beside a road, its bucket lowered toward the ground. Deep tyre tracks run along the cleared dirt path, where a second piece of construction machinery is visible further back. Dense green trees and bushes surround the site, and traffic signs line the adjacent road under an overcast sky.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 11/09/2026

Huge thanks to the Co‑operative Bank team who travelled from across the UK to volunteer with us. Over 20 volunteers helped clear towpaths and tidy open spaces along the canal at Fosseway Heath - a fantastic effort. 🙏 #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A group of volunteers in high‑visibility yellow vests stand together on a dirt area beside a trailer branded “Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust.” Tools lie on the ground in front of them, and trees, a brick wall and a portable toilet are visible in the background.

Volunteers in high‑visibility vests clear overgrown vegetation along a brick canal towpath near a residential house. Cut branches are piled on the walkway, and the dry canal bed and surrounding fields stretch out behind them.

A volunteer wearing a helmet with face shield, gloves and a high‑visibility vest uses a brush cutter to trim dry grass on a roadside embankment. More volunteers and a passing car are visible further along the road.

Several volunteers in bright yellow vests work along a roadside verge, removing weeds and trimming vegetation. Brick houses and other residential buildings sit behind the grassy area they are clearing.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 10/09/2026

After the August flood, and the construction of bund mk II, our volunteers were back in business this week. They poured the next concrete pad. Only four linear metres this time but it's nearly a whopping eight metres wide. #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

Two construction volunteers in hi‑vis and helmets stand in a muddy excavated channel between concrete retaining walls. A reinforced concrete slab with exposed rebar sits in the centre, and a drainage pipe is set into the far wall. The ground is wet with machinery tracks.

A freshly poured concrete pad sits in a muddy construction area. A wheelbarrow and small generator lie in the foreground. Three volunteers in hi‑vis and helmets stand around the pad, with ladders against the left wall and fencing along the top edge. Trees and vegetation line the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 09/09/2026

The water has cleared and the team was able to continue with the concreting at Gallows Wharf. 🥳 Stay tuned for a full report coming soon. #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A fenced construction site containing a freshly poured rectangular concrete slab. Metal retaining walls and soil embankments surround the slab, with tools and materials such as a wheelbarrow, wooden blocks, and pipes scattered around the perimeter.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 07/09/2026

Shout‑out to our brilliant business members who choose to support us and our work - and we’re incredibly grateful. I can't list them due to the character limit so here's a screenshot. Find out more: lhcrt.org.uk/membership/m... #MembershipMonday #UKCanals #Lichfield #WeDigCanals

Two open magazines lying on a wooden surface, showing two pages of local business advertisements. The left page features ads for landscape gardening, boating services, logistics, and civil engineering. The right page includes ads for holiday cottages, arts and crafts sessions, artisan bread and pottery, canal‑themed books, and luxury narrowboats. Page numbers and issue details are visible at the bottom.

List of business names displayed in blue text, each preceded by a green checkmark. The names include Beautiful Gardens, Birmingham & Midland Marine Services, Braunston Marina, Civia, Cransworth Springs Holiday Cottages, Cut N Crank Ltd, Hunnypot Cottage, In2Colour Arts & Crafts, Kings Bromley Wharf Narrowboats Ltd, RJK Logistics, and UKvacationsAfloat.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 06/09/2026

Wear your support for the Lichfield Canal with our t‑shirts and hoodies. Made with natural materials and powered by renewable energy. FREE UK shipping ends tonight. This is your last chance to save while supporting the restoration of the Lichfield Canal. lhcrt.teemill.com #UKCanals

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 06/09/2026

... Meanwhile, the senior group led by Ed cut back weeds and grass in the field from Cricket Lane up to the welfare cabin, using the all‑terrain mower and battery strimmers. A productive morning and great teamwork all round. 👏

A volunteer wearing a yellow vest and orange safety helmet trims grass along a roadside verge using a strimmer. Trees, shrubs and a house sit behind them under a bright sky.

A volunteer in a high‑visibility vest uses a heavy‑duty red mower on a grassy area beside a tall hedge. The sky is bright blue with scattered clouds.

A volunteer in a high‑visibility vest operates a large red brush cutter on uneven grass while another volunteer uses a strimmer nearby. The scene is a roadside verge with trees and bushes in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 06/09/2026

Yesterday our Green & Grounds team was almost back to full strength, with 5 adults and 6 DofE volunteers working along Tamworth Road and the Narrows. Under Margaret’s guidance, one group planted a donated holly tree, and cleared brambles and weeds... #Lichfield #UKCanals

Three volunteers in high‑visibility vests are working beside a holly tree in a residential area. A brick wall is at the front and modern houses sit behind them.

Several volunteers in high‑visibility vests are clearing vegetation along a raised brick wall. One person places cut plants into a large white bag while others trim and tidy the area. Houses and a metal fence line the background.

A volunteer in a yellow vest stands on a dirt path beside a wooden fence, handling green mesh netting tangled in vegetation. Overgrown plants surround the area, with houses visible in the distance.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 05/09/2026

Fancy a new Lichfield Canal themed t-shirt or hoodie? We’ve got FREE UK shipping this weekend, and every purchase supports the restoration of the Lichfield Canal. With lots of designs available, there’s something for everyone. Browse the collection at lhcrt.teemill.com #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A person wearing a dark T‑shirt and cap stands outdoors in front of a blue promotional banner. The T‑shirt displays white printed text with directional arrows showing distances to Lichfield Canal locations including Huddlesford, Ogley, Catshill Junction, and Walsall/Birchills Junction. Behind them, the banner advertises free UK shipping and notes that purchases support restoring the Lichfield Canal, along with the lhcrt.teemill.com web address.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 05/09/2026

The Borrowcop heron has been enjoying the high water levels. But then again, it's quite happy with lower water levels too. #lichfield #UKCanals 🪶 @everyheron.bsky.social

A tall grey heron stands on the moss‑covered brick edge of a canal, its long neck upright and feathers sleek. The water below reflects part of the bird and the wall. Behind it, dense overgrown vegetation and a metal fence create a contrast between wildlife and an urban setting.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 04/09/2026

We'll be at the Whittington Craft & Country Fair tomorrow. Come and find out about how we'll reconnect the Lichfield Canal to the #UKCanals, how you can join as a member or volunteer, or come and browse/buy our merchandise. See you there. Saturday 5 September Bit End Field, Whittington, WS14 9LQ

Aerial view of a countryside fairground with tents, stalls, and activity areas set up on a large grassy field. Cars fill a nearby parking area, and houses and trees surround the site. Overlaid text promotes the Whittington Craft & Country Fair, listing attractions such as kids’ fair rides, tractor tours, countryside displays, classic cars, dog show, artisan crafts, live music, food and drink stalls, alpaca experience, rare sheep, and falconry.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 03/09/2026

The answer to yesterday's teaser... Bund Mk II - built by hand with dumpy bags and scaffolding poles. Then we pumped out the water, dug out the waterlogged soil and placed it behind the sheet piling, with the remaining spoil spread across the site to help it dry out. 👏 #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A group of volunteers in high‑vis gear work on the Lichfield Canal. One person in waders stands in shallow water while others handle soil, sandbags and tarps along the bank. Metal fencing lines the area and trees sit behind the work zone.

Workers in hard hats and high‑vis vests adjust a sheet of black lining on a canal wall. One person holds the material at the water’s edge while others supervise. The area is fenced off and the canal wall shows a blue “90” marking.

A muddy excavation site with freshly dug earth surrounded by metal safety fencing and corrugated retaining walls. Construction materials, including red stands, bricks and a pallet, sit near a brick wall. Trees are visible in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 02/09/2026

What’s going on here? Wrong answers very welcome - the more imaginative the better. The real answer will be revealed tomorrow 😃 #Lichfield #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A close-up view of a practical outdoor setup involving tools, materials and water, suggesting some kind of hands‑on work or problem‑solving activity taking place.

(This alt text is suitably vague in view of the question in the post.)

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 01/09/2026

A Southern Hawker dragonfly spotted at Borrowcop Locks Canal Park. It was hiding from the camera, but still reminds us how wildlife thrives thanks to the canal. 🐝🌿 (Added to @inaturalist.bsky.social - helping build the picture of the biodiversity along the Lichfield Canal.) #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A close-up of a Southern Hawker dragonfly resting on a moss‑covered concrete edge beside canal water. The dragonfly’s green and black body and clear, veined wings are fully visible, with small patches of moss and pebbles surrounding it. Floating leaves and debris sit on the water in the background.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 30/08/2026

Help bring the Lichfield Canal back to life. 💦 The canal is being restored because people like you believe it’s worth doing. You don’t have to dig it - you can just join it. 😄 👉 Membership comes with benefits too - find out more: lhcrt.org.uk/membership/m... #UKCanals #WeDigCanals #Lichfield

Aerial view of a canal restoration site bordered by trees and nearby houses. One section of the canal is filled with water while another is under construction, marked by fencing and construction materials. A blue panel on the right displays white text promoting membership in the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, encouraging people to help bring the canal back.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 29/08/2026

We’ve lost count of the number of clutches our Borrowcop moorhens have had this year! 🪶🐣 It’s got to be at least three, so they clearly love it here! Borrowcop Locks Canal Park is obviously prime moorhen real estate. #Lichfield #UKCanals #Staffordshire

A small juvenile moorhen, swims on a calm canal creating circular ripples. The water reflects a fence or netting structure, forming wavy lines across the surface.

An adult moorhen with a red‑and‑yellow beak swims along a canal wall, while a smaller juvenile moorhen walks along the brick edge. Reflections of greenery ripple across the water.

An adult moorhen with a red‑and‑yellow beak swims along a canal wall, while a smaller juvenile moorhen swimd close to the brick edge. Reflections of greenery ripple across the water.

An adult moorhen in an algae‑covered canal beside two fluffy chicks. Green aquatic vegetation and floating leaves surround them near a brick canal edge.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 28/08/2026

After yesterday’s deluge and overnight rain, the water level is now dropping. The overflows and weirs did their job, even with the slower temporary diversion. Once levels return to normal we’ll assess next week’s plans. The concrete pour will be delayed, but we’ll catch up. #UKCanals #Lichfield

A narrow canal with brown water runs between brick and concrete walls. On the left is a walkway with benches, plants, sandbags and construction materials. On the right, a fenced path follows the canal beside dense greenery. The scene shows an active canal restoration area after heavy rain.

A canal passes under a brick bridge, where a colourful painted mural of a narrowboat bow decorates the wall. The water is muddy, with submerged concrete structures visible. A metal fence lines the canal, and a stairway with railings leads up beside brick walls and flowering plants.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 27/08/2026

This canal really wants to be fully watered! Many thanks to the storm... but wait - we're not ready yet. 😂 📷 photos by (a brave and wet) Andrew Gamston. #UKCanals #Lichfield #WeDigCanals

A full canal beneath a small brick bridge. Temporary fencing and railings line the sides, and vehicles are visible on the road above. Fallen leaves float on the water and the scene looks wet and misty after heavy rain.

A long, narrow canal filled with water, bordered by brick walls and metal fencing. Ripples and scattered leaves sit on the water’s surface, with trees and vegetation along the edges under an overcast sky.

A canal under construction flooded with rainwater, with an excavator in the water. The canal is bordered by brick walls and metal fencing. Ripples and scattered leaves sit on the water’s surface, with trees and vegetation along the edges under an overcast sky.

A large pipe releasing fast‑flowing water into a brick‑lined canal channel. Foam forms where the water enters. Scaffolding stands beside the structure, with soil and vegetation along the upper edge.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 27/08/2026

Panic over, they break out the now redundant inspection chamber and dig out for the next base pour, next Tuesday. Excellent work!

A canal construction area with deep tyre tracks surrounds a small hole edged by loose bricks. To the right lies a large cylindrical pipe or tank on the ground beside a brick wall and concrete ledge, with small plants growing at the base.

A partially excavated canal construction site shows black plastic sheeting and a metal reinforcement grid laid out for concrete. Retaining walls of concrete and metal line the sides, with tools such as wheelbarrows and red frames on the left. At the back stands a small brick structure with a circular pipe opening, fenced off with vegetation beyond.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 27/08/2026

... They then had several hours to remove the Big Pipe and route our 300mm pipe back into the Big Pipe, behind the sheet piling and pack it with concrete...

Three construction volunteers in safety vests and helmets stand in an excavated canal channel as an excavator lifts a large concrete drainage pipe using straps. More pipes lie on the ground nearby, with metal barriers, a wheelbarrow and other site materials around the trench.

A muddy canal under construction with tyre tracks and scattered tools sits beside a brick and concrete wall containing a large circular drainage pipe. An excavator bucket, red ladder, wheelbarrow and concrete blocks rest on the left, while metal sheet piling supports the right side. Trees and a wire fence line the background.

A black plastic pipe lies semi buried in the ground between two sections of metal piling. A wheelbarrow and buckets are to the right and an earth bank is behind.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 27/08/2026

... Dave G made a temporary wooden plug for the first headwall. They needed it to slow the water down so the team could safely fit the proper stopper on the second headwall...

A metal ladder leans against a brick canal wall, reaching down toward still reflective water. A pipe is visible with a wooden stopper.

The brickwork forms a patterned edge above a concrete ledge, with trees mirrored on the water’s surface and a patch of soil and vegetation visible to the left.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 27/08/2026

At Gallows Reach, there's been significant progress this week, thanks to our amazing volunteers. First they added a special connector with a 6‑inch side outlet so that, if the car park ever floods, there’s a built‑in place for the water to escape safely... #UKCanals #Lichfield #WeDigCanals

A concrete drainage pipe lies exposed in a narrow excavation trench, with newer black corrugated plastic pipes forming a T‑junction behind it. The surrounding area is soil and gravel, bordered by metal sheet barriers, with vegetation visible at the edges.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 25/08/2026

At Brownhills Canal Festival 2025 we marked the Jam Butty’s final outing before she joined the @nbwakamatandoto.bsky.social crew. Christine had suggested the name of Waka Butty and it was chosen, so this year was an ideal time to perform the official naming ceremony 🍾 #FloatingTraders #UKCanals

Two people sit on the roof of a red canal boat moored beside the water. The boat displays a green and cream sign reading “The Jam Butty – handmade preserves.” Chalkboard signs on the dock list different jam and jelly flavours. The scene includes calm water, railings, and green trees in bright sunlight.

Three people stand next to a boat decorated with blue and white bunting and colourful macramé plant hangers. One person is holding a bottle of wine against the boat, while two others stand together smiling.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 25/08/2026

Recently @wendymorton.bsky.social MP came to see our work and find out how the Lichfield Canal will link up with Brownhills to help the future of the W&E Canal. Shr was keen to understand the progress and challenges ahead, and enjoyed seeing our work up close. Thanks Wendy! #UKCanals

Four adults stand on a sunny canal towpath beside a narrow waterway, dressed in light summer clothing, with trees and power lines in the background.

Four adults stand on a shaded dirt path next to a metal fence overlooking a canal construction area, with red‑brick houses visible behind the site.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 24/08/2026

Some amazing drone shots of Gallows Wharf and Gallows Reach showing the section in water and the section we're working on up to the lift bridge. It's looking more and more like a canal every day thanks to our volunteers. 📷 @courtabovethecut.bsky.social #UKCanals #Lichfield #Staffordshire

Aerial view of a narrow canal running between residential gardens and a landscaped walkway. Several volunteers are visible along the water’s edge, with one person standing in the shallow water. The canal has concrete sides and reflects the sky, and the surrounding houses, benches, and greenery frame the scene.

Drone view of a straight, shallow canal bordered by metal fencing. The water appears brownish, and the canal runs beside a grassy landscaped area with trimmed bushes, small trees, and a wooden bench. Dense green vegetation surrounds the scene.

Aerial shot of a canal construction site. Workers in high‑visibility clothing and an excavator are carrying out groundworks within a fenced area. Pipes and concrete structures are visible, and the site is surrounded by residential buildings and early‑autumn trees.

Drone view of a suburban residential area with fenced gardens and brick apartment buildings. A canal construction area runs through the centre and hosts active construction work, with machinery and workers present. A lift bridge sits near the bottom right of the image.

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Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust @lhcrt.org.uk · 23/08/2026

... The last time we were down there was last September, apart from Bramble Bill who has been steadily clearing the canal bed. 🤩

An empty canal bed with dry grass and small hay piles scattered across it. A person works near the edge of the field, with green vegetation and a line of trees in the background beneath a partly cloudy sky.

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