On a recent Shropshire Union Canal Society work party on the Montgomery canal a newcomer to volunteering arrived and was sensibly cautious about how much he would commit to the project as the weather was cold and damp with a chilly breeze blowing.

Alexander Ford said at the end of a long day, “I planned on volunteering for the morning but stayed for mid-morning break, Lunch and Afternoon break. Free Cake and Tea – well, they had me at Free Cake!”

The Society has been restoring the Montgomery for many years and have recently hit major milestones with Crickheath basin being opened for navigation in 2023 and Crickheath Tramway Wharf being restored and filled to the correct level at the end of last year.

Alexander continued, “A fantastic bunch of volunteers from all walks of life and from almost all four corners of the UK, some from as far as London. All gathered to help the restoration of the Montgomery Canal at Crickheath. Found my calling at the bonfire, burning the brush left over from the hedge laying team. If I am free next month, I will help out again. Thank you to all for making me most welcome”.

If you’d like to get involved and share in some first-class cake, go to www.shropshireunion.org.uk and find out more.