A REGULAR mudbath on the canal towpath at the beginning of the Whitchurch-arm of the Llangollen Canal will soon be a thing of the past thanks to the work of volunteers.

Beginning at Chemistry Bridge, the canal is a popular spot for walkers, but heavy rain has regularly turned the narrow section at the beginning of the towpath into a quagmire.

Throughout lockdown groups of volunteers have been helping to clear up Whitchurch's walking routes and now Paul Millington, who has helped organise some of the groups, has turned his attention to the towpath.

With the blessing of the Whitchurch Waterways Trust, Paul has helped assemble a team of volunteers and two local firms have come forward to provide materials to drain and resurface the towpath in the form Danny Humphries of DS Landscapes and Jack Peate of Shropshire Tool Hire.

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With this team of volunteers assembled, work will soon start on the towpath.

Paul says despite the 'unfashionable' image of the canal, he has been impressed with the community's desire to help.

"The Waterways Trust has been around a while, and it's membership is ageing, youngsters are very interested in the world around them but giving the canal arm a 'Labrador puppy' image is a test," said Paul.

"However, the towpath has had an amazing response from businesses, the public and volunteers alike, besides the original offer from Jack and Danny, we have had all our fill stone donated by Matt Spooner of Cheshire Demolition, and Creaton Construction, 40 tonnes in total.

"Huws Gray of Waymills, have donated all the drainage supplies, stone, pipe and membrane.

"We have already had around 30 volunteers who will split their efforts through three work sessions over the space of the weekend.

"It has to be mentioned that this is an independent volunteer project, complicated by the use of excavation machinery but risk assessment and social distancing will be exercised."

Paul adds that throughout lockdown, helping clean up the town has become therapeutic for many, with litter-picking initiatives being established in other towns and villages.

"Volunteering has become a lockdown therapy," added Paul.

"In groups and as individuals we can all make a difference is a term adopted all over our area – a small but vibrant group in Higher Heath, litter picking initiatives in Whixall and Ash.

"I know of at least a dozen individuals who regularly patrol their own areas keeping them clean and litter free in Whitchurch.

"The big projects make the headlines but just as important is the civic pride in our beautiful little town, the feel-good factor, the positivity, we can all make a difference."