David Carter, chair of the Shropshire Union Canal Society, attended the Inland Waterways Association AGM and, much to his surprise, was presented with the extremely prestigious, Christopher Power Prize which is awarded to a person, society or trust who has made the most significant contribution to the restoration of an inland waterway – and it comes with £1,000. The trophy is a carved wooden otter.
Mr Carter said,
“I attended the meeting having no idea I was even nominated for any prize so, as you can imagine, I was very pleasantly surprised by the award but, of course, it’s the volunteers who should who should really take a bow. They face some very unusual and challenging civil engineering problems, but their hard work, dedication and good humour see the team through every time”.
For at least nine years, David organised the restoration work parties on the ‘Monty’, helping to bring a long section of the canal back into use as far as Crickheath Basin.
Working with volunteer labour and funding from a Heritage Lottery grant, David led a team through an ambitious programme of practical restoration. He organised regular work parties and everything needed to make them happen, from materials and plant to volunteers and safety arrangements, including navigating the additional challenges of working during the Covid pandemic.
The result was a remarkable volunteer-led restoration effort that saw sections of canal reappear where they had effectively disappeared into farmland.
David continues to lead the Society’s enhancement team, helping to maintain and improve the canal around Ellesmere. As Chairman, he also supports volunteers, works with CRT, councils and landowners, and takes on the many less visible jobs that keep the Society moving.
