The canal, which was built in 1773, is just 2.3 miles long, has three locks, and is a real gem on our network of canals. This beautiful canal, which runs through the ancient city of Ripon and the scenic North Yorkshire countryside, is a green and tranquil destination for boaters, walkers and wildlife to enjoy - and a wonderful place to volunteer.
Join the team
Lucy Dockray, our volunteer team leader, says: “As a charity, we rely on volunteers to help us maintain this picturesque canal. It’s a great opportunity to spend time outdoors with a fantastic team of volunteers. The roles vary – from painting to cutting back undergrowth, helping boats through locks to protecting the habitat of a wide range of wildlife. It’s a wonderful place to volunteer.
“Volunteers play an important role in the care of our historic waterways. Last year saw the landmark of five million hours of volunteer time given since the creation of our charity, a remarkable commitment. This has allowed us to spend more time and resources on the larger scale engineering projects to keep our locks, bridges and reservoirs safe and accessible for local communities.”
Lesley, who has been volunteering on the Ripon Canal for three years, adds: “There are so many ways you can volunteer and you don’t need to be skilled – I started not knowing anything about canals, I hadn’t even been on a boat. If you like being outside, getting to meet new friends, learning new skills and feel like you’re doing something useful, give it a go, see what you think.”
Maintaining our canals
Built by William Jessop, the Ripon Canal was designed to link rural Ripon with the River Ure, and onwards to York and the port of Hull. But its commercial success was short-lived, with the arrival of the railways leading to its decline. Restoration efforts began in the early 1960s when a canal society was formed, gradually restoring the canal mile by mile until it was fully reopened in 1996.
We are faced with soaring costs of looking after the region’s ageing canals, including the Ripon Canal, at a time when available funding is stretched. The Government’s recent announcement of cuts to the future funding provided to the Trust, and continued lack of provision for inflation, means a reduction of over £300 million in funding in real terms in the years ahead. So, if you’re thinking about volunteering, now is the perfect time to sign up.
