The Basingstoke Canal Society is run entirely by volunteers. Currently there are around 300 volunteers who in total contribute over 30,000 hours per year helping to keep the Basingstoke Canal alive and the towpath and navigation safe and open for all to use.
To each and every one of our current volunteers, thank you!
There are many reasons why people volunteer and why you may wish to get involved:
- To socialise. It’s fun and there’s opportunities to meet new people and learn new skills
- To maintain health and fitness both physically and mentally
- For a sense of “giving something back”
Organisation and Support Volunteer Roles
A list of current vacant organisation and support volunteer roles is linked below or keep reading for details of some of the other roles we have available.
Work parties
Our work parties undertake a variety of tasks for the benefit of the canal and its users. The work parties help to maintain the canal, by clearing the footpath, removing weeds, overhanging tress, repairing banks and construction work such as building wharves and paving footpaths, where necessary.
It can be physically demanding but work is always completed in good humour and is a great way to keep fit and enjoy the outdoors.
We welcome new volunteers to join us, even if not for every assignment and currently have two working party groups.
Tuesday Work Parties and other Projects
In conjunction with the Basingstoke Canal Authority, we also run other work parties including a regular Tuesday Work Party tasks includes clearing vegetation, painting lock gates, litter picking and towpath repairs. We also have smaller groups helping on other various projects during the week depending on what needs doing along the Canal.
These groups are great fun and very rewarding. At the same time, they are flexible as we recognise that volunteers have other commitments. All necessary PPE equipment and tools are provided – you just bring your coffee and sandwiches!
Regular Weekend Work Party
The weekend work party group usually meets on the second and fourth weekend of each month and undertakes a variety of tasks for the benefit of the canal and its users. The work parties occasionally host visiting groups to provide specialist skills.
Lengthsmen
These are our eyes and ears of the canal. Each Lengthsman regularly monitors a section of the Canal, or lengths, to keep an eye out for anything untoward, for example, litter, possible leaks and obstructions to the navigation and towpath.
Currently around 70 volunteers regularly monitor sections of the Canal. Where the lengthsmen cannot deal with any particular problem themselves, they ensure that these issues are reported appropriately.
The whole 32 miles of the Canal are covered by this scheme. Lengthsmen can be regarded as the public face of the Canal Society on the ground.
Working on our Trip Boats
The Society run two trip boats, one in Woking, Surrey and one in Odiham, Hampshire. These boats generate a significant amount of money for the upkeep of the Canal and are crewed entirely by volunteers.
Crewing
The Trip boats are crewed by trained volunteers who are all members of the Basingstoke Canal Society. Crew members are responsible for the safety and comfort of up to 50 passengers and undertake all operational tasks such as:
- Steering
- Serving in the Galley
- Overseeing embarking and disembarking
- Mooring
- Lock and Bridge Operation
Training in steering the boat, boat and passenger safety etc, will be given.
A crew consists of 4 volunteers, including a skipper who holds a Boatmaster’s Certificate issued by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, an Executive agency of the Department of the Environment.
Volunteer Evening Cruises
If you are unsure about whether this is for you, every month we have fully crewed Volunteer Cruises on a Monday night for Society or prospective members and volunteers. For dates and times, please see the trips page. These trips usually involve a bit of a Crew Social. You will have the opportunity to talk to our crew members and find out more about the John Pinkerton Canal Cruises Ltd operation and, if you like, have a go at the helm. There will also be other Society members available with whom you can discuss other volunteering opportunities. If you would like to join us for one of these trips, which are free of charge, these may be booked via our online booking system. Alternatively, please email our Booking Team, or call on 07506 864411 (10am – no later than 6pm please).
Maintenance
Weekly Maintenance (Cruising season)
A number of routine jobs need to be carried out when the boat is working during the cruising season. Jobs include restocking the galley, refuelling, filling the water tank and pumping out. A small team of volunteers meet at Colt Hill in Odiham as required to do this.
Winter Maintenance
During the off-season, the boat needs to be serviced. It is also the opportunity to carry out any necessary repairs, modifications or repainting. Another team under the acting leadership of Dick King will meet as and when is required to complete this work, usually during November to January.
If you’d like to help support the Basingstoke Canal by maintaining the John Pinkerton II please contact Dick King.
Crewing
Kitty is crewed by 2 trained Society volunteers, one of whom will be an MCA-accredited skipper or a helmsman appropriately certified for this type of vessel. Crews have similar responsibilities to those working on the John Pinkerton II (and in fact, some individuals work on both boats), ie steering, ensuring the safety of passengers when embarking and disembarking, and mooring. Kitty crews will also be responsible for the operation of the lift for wheelchair users (but not of the wheelchair users themselves, who will be the responsibility of an able-bodied attendant). However Kitty has no galley, and there are no locks along the section of canal on which it operates.
Maintenance
Routine maintenance of Kitty during the cruising season (for example, refuelling and basic engine checks) will be undertaken by the crews. However, volunteers are needed to assist with as required off-season servicing, repairs, modifications and repainting which is likely to take place between February and April, and of course with any emergency repairs. If you would like to be involved with Kitty maintenance, please contact Ian Moore (contact details above) for more information.
If you would like to register your details to become a volunteer then please click on the ‘Apply to Volunteer’ button.
