Wilts & Berks Canal at Naish Hill nr Lacock gets a corporate boost 

19 Corporate volunteers from SLR (Sustainability Consultancy) at Bradford-on Avon spent the day at Naish Hill near Pewsham. Between them they planted wildflowers and sowed seeds, coppiced a hazel area and built a huge dead hedge to help protect a newly planted hedgerow. An energetic group of people working with WBCT to improve the environment for wildlife as part of the restoration of the Wilts & Berks canal, creating a blue and green corridor along its route. 

Group organiser, Helena Preston, said the group thoroughly enjoyed the day and thanked WBCT for the opportunity to help with the restoration work. 

Howard Yardy, Wildlife Officer at Melksham, Chippenham and Calne Branch, was delighted with the group’s work saying ‘Having such a large group of enthusiastic environmentalists was a great opportunity to make a big impact on the project at Naish Hill. The wildflower planting and coppicing work will create a great environment for wildlife along the canal. I can’t thank them enough for their hard work and hope they will visit again.’

The work at Naish Hill to create a wildflower meadow and associated woodland is supported by the Underwood Trust, Aviva Community Fund , Wiltshire Council and The National Trust. It is a 3 to 4 year project and the Trust would welcome the support of more corporate volunteers especially during autumn and winter.  

Corporate work parties are an important source of volunteer help. If your company or organisation would like to take part in the restoration and environmental work of WBCT in the future please contact Melksham, Chippenham and Calne Branch Chairman, Dave Maloney.  dave.maloney@wbct.org.uk