Yesterday, I went to the West Midlands Advisory Board of the Canal and River Trust. It was the first time the Board had met in person since the Covid-19 pandemic started.
I am coming to the end of the second term of Office I have served on the Board.
I am very proud of the fact that the Wyrley and Essington Canal has been improved, during this period. We have seen the Wyrley & Essington become a Local Nature Reserve something I first raised in 2007! We have seen the Wednesfield Canal Festival start and grow with ever bigger attendances, I have tried my best to ensure that the role and the advice that I offered the CRT was valid and effective.
I have met lots of people with an interest and a passion in waterways whilst fulfilling this role. The hundreds of users of the W&E, the boaters that use the canal, have always offered me their thoughts and advice. I have often used those conversations, in fulfilling the ‘Board Member’ role.
I have been mesmerised by the Wednesfield community, when and whom I have asked to do litter picks have done so with pep and humour. They have been wonderful as the picture shows!
So I think as I approach my last CRT meeting, that I really have done the best I can for my Ward ,My City, My Community, and the CRT users as a whole.
Now for some new and uplifting information. Yesterday we learnt at the Board meeting that the CRT West Midlands Region has secured two new ‘Green Flag’ awards, and renewal of two existing ones. The new awards are for the Coventry 5.5 mile, from the Basin to Hawksbury Junction, and in Stoke for the Etruria to Harecastle Tunnel stretch; while the renewals were for Revolution Walk from Brindley Place in Smethwick to Chance Glasswork in Sandwell, and for the Montgomery Canal in Shropshire. Renewal was also secured for Riverside Park, a partnership between Worcester City Council and Canal and River Trust. Three new applications will be submitted this November, which will be assessed in May-June next year and awarded in October of next year. Have a good day folks!
