Volunteers are turning back the clock at Aston Locks nature reserve on the Montgomery Canal, using traditional hand-held tools to manage the site in the spirit of the canal lengthsmen of a century ago.
WORKING at Queens Head, near Oswestry, the group plans to rely only on non-motorised equipment such as scythes, loppers, billhooks and secateurs to clear walkways and tackle invasive species, while also carrying out wildlife surveys at the reserve.
Lina Patel, a Canal & River Trust volunteer coordinator, said: “We are striving to engage with the public and make them aware of the treasures that exist on the wonderful Montgomery Canal.
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“The Aston Crew, as I like to call us, are operating as the lengthsmen would have done – traditional waterway workers responsible for the routine maintenance and upkeep of a specific stretch, or length, of a canal.
“I realised that it was the best way to clear without destroying and preserve the tranquillity for wildlife and humans alike.
“I’d particularly like to thank Sarah and Steve Jerman for buying and donating the two, hand-crafted scythes. They’re great, and what a difference they will make.”
The Montgomery Canal was abandoned in the 1930s and became a haven for flora and fauna, so when restoration of the navigation became an option, it was decided that nature reserves would be built to offset any disruption.
The first Aston Locks nature reserve was built in the mid-1990s, followed 30 years later by two larger pools next to it. With a changing climate and limited funds, the CRT has appealed for the public to get involved, have fun, and help keep these places accessible to all.
Lina added: “I think that volunteering has its own rewards in the form of exercise, comradery and a sense of achievement, so I’d love to hear from anyone interested in joining our crew.”
For more information, visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk and search ‘Aston Nature Reserve.’
Dawn of the de-industrial revolution?
Scythes have often been looked upon as tools from yesteryear and only seen in the Poldark TV series or the paintings of John Constable, but Canal & River Trust (CRT) would beg to differ as volunteers are now being trained to use these traditional tools to cut grass, vegetation and weeds in a quiet, practical and sustainable manner.
Ellesmere Canal Yard hummed, not with the sound of motors running but with the chatter of volunteers as they realised that scything is not quite as straightforward as they first thought.
Simon Tomlin, the scythe instructor said, “Of course, Scythe matters – the scythe is all but forgotten by many people but luckily, not by me. I’ve been at it for many years now and can hopefully show others the great advantages, possibilities and just the sheer pleasure of mowing with a scythe. It seems to me to be the perfect tool for working on the Monty canal and I will be down to check their work in the spring, next year”.
Jenny Spelling, CRT ecologist looking after the Montgomery canal said, “I did the course myself and now feel it is the future for rural groups as there is not really a downside, scythes are portable, economic, and volunteers like to use them so it’s great from all angles. And, of course, they’re also good for the planet”.
While the Montgomery canal is being restored near Crickheath, the nature reserves and parts of the line of the canal have been left to their own devises to a certain extent so groups of volunteers have taken on the task of maintaining these areas. A group called Tramps has been working in the Welshpool area for many years, but the nature reserves near Oswestry have only just been adopted by a relatively new group, the Aston Crew.
If you’d like to be part of this journey into the future whilst referencing the past, just contact Canal & River Trust.
