A volunteer lock keeper is needed to help run the locks at Newlay/Kirkstall Forge.
The Canal & River Trust is launching a new campaign to recruit men and women from all backgrounds to take on the iconic role of lock keeper on some of Yorkshire’s canals.
The volunteer will be expected to help boats through locks, clearing vegetation, maintaining towpaths and teaching children via the charity’s education programme.
Becca Dent, volunteer development coordinator at Canal & River Trust, said:
“The nation’s canal and rivers go through such a diversity of cities, towns and villages and this is reflected in our volunteers.
“We value each and every one of our volunteers and appreciate everything they do to help look after our historic waterways. In return we do all we can to ensure they have opportunities to learn new skills and meet new people in a friendly and supportive environment.
“We believe that anything you do to spend more time by water is good for your mental and physical wellbeing, so that’s an extra benefit for everyone.”
To support the recruitment drive and showcase the benefits of volunteering, the Canal & River Trust has penned a poem. Watch it here:
In Yorkshire, the charity needs new volunteer lock keepers at:
Bingley Five Rise in Bingley on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Newlay/Forge Locks in Kirkstall, Leeds on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
Tuel Lane Lock at Sowerby Bridge on the Rochdale Canal
To apply for a volunteer lock keeper role in Yorkshire or to find out more, visit the Canal and River Trust website.
The closing date for applications is 31st January 2019 and the key qualities sought in a volunteer are enthusiasm, a friendly manner, a hands-on approach and a willingness to learn. Training will take place in spring and volunteers will be in post from April to October. Volunteer lock keepers are most often required at peak times during summer from Fridays to Mondays, but days and times will vary.