Community Involvement
The Trust has worked with a lot of people, from many different
backgrounds, since it was formed. The intention has always been to take the
work of the Trust out to people; as well as getting people involved in the
working of the Trust. During the past few years, we
have been to :
- Cheshire Local History Event, September 2002 at the Racecourse
in Chester, sponsored by Radio Merseyside. There we talked to people who
were interested in canals and our work, and made contacts with other local
history societies.
- The Cheshire Show, June 2003, with a grant from Awards
for All, we took children from Overleigh St Mary's School Chester. Visitors
to our stall had at go a painting castles, roses and rope knotting, taught
by the children as well as our volunteers.
- Vale Royal Environmental Network, May 2004 saw an annual
conference at Hartford High school Northwich.
- The Cheshire Young Peoples Learning Journey, October 2004,
we mounted an exhibition and painting plates activity for children at Tatton
Park.
Members and trustees have been invited to WIs, local historical
societies and other Waterways Societies to give talks about the Trust and
the history of the Chester Canal. We have been to schools to run work shops,
teaching children how to do canal art and about how people used to live on
canals. We helped teachers and their pupils who were involved in the Cheshire
Young Peoples Learning Journey to find out about the history and heritage
of the canals in Cheshire.
There are always opportunities for people to volunteer with
the Trust, become a member or just help out from time to time with our projects:
- We've had volunteers from companies taking part in 'Business
in the Community' workplace volunteering projects- they helped work on the
Towy in the dry dock (much to their surprise and enjoyment)We
have also had volunteers through Chester CVS who have helped advise us about
funding, create a database and also design our previous newsletter.
- Four children from St Thomas of Canterbury School, Chester,
have recently starred in the production of our story about life on the canals
, due for release during the summer of 2005. Coming to a school near you!
- Over the past 3 years, groups of Students from University
College Chester have done work experience with the Trust ranging from writing
Business Plans, to creating a website, producing newsletters and designing
our new logo
