The canal has always been in my blood and once it gets in your blood it stays there.
My grandad was a carpenter on the Leeds/Liverpool Canal and in later years became the resident lock keeper at Dowley Gap, where he had an orchard and kept pigs.
I have visited and been around canals all over the country but the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is always the one for me!
I took early retirement, at the age of 57, from working as a secondary school science teacher and became a volunteer ranger. It seemed a good fit for me!
I really enjoy having a positive impact on my local area and because of the length of time that I have served, I have developed a very keen eye whilst out on the bank!
I think that Canal & River Trust are doing a very good job of opening canals up to the whole community. And I would encourage anybody to get out there and volunteer.
