A large white lift‑bridge frame is being lowered into position by a green crane. Several workers in orange high‑visibility clothing guide the structure from the ground inside a fenced construction area. Tools and materials are scattered around the site, with houses and trees visible behind them under a bright, partly cloudy sky.

Three construction workers in orange high‑visibility clothing assemble a white lift‑bridge frame. One worker stands on a blue hydraulic lift while two others work at ground level, surrounded by tools and equipment. The frame is supported by lifting straps, and the fenced site is covered in gravel with trees and houses in the background.

Workers in orange high‑visibility clothing guide a white lift‑bridge frame suspended by green crane straps. The uneven ground is scattered with tools, containers, and a CAT power unit. Metal fencing lines the work area, with trees and nearby buildings visible behind the site.

A white lift‑bridge frame hangs from a crane as workers in orange high‑visibility clothing oversee its installation. A blue cherry-picker lift and other construction equipment sit nearby, with houses and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

The first stage of the liftbridge installation is complete!

There are still a few more days of work ahead, but it’s already looking fantastic.

We can’t wait to see it finished.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield #UKCanals

A steel lift‑bridge structure sits in an outdoor fabrication yard, with its main frame and pivoting lifting arms mounted on a rusted steel base. Two orange traffic cones mark the front corners, and a green industrial workshop with equipment and shelving stands behind it on the wet ground.

Something exciting is happening this week…

The new lift bridge between Tamworth Road and Longbridge Road is being installed!

Watch this space for more updates! 😃

(This is an old photo – it’ll look a bit different now it’s had a lick of paint.)

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals #Bridges

Our volunteers who are out building the Lichfield Canal in all weathers all value different things - a warm place to change, somewhere to dry clothes, hot water, a kettle.

Find out why upgrading our facilities is vital.

Please donate:
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/lhcrt-welf...

#WeDigCanals #UKCanals

Two volunteers in high‑visibility yellow vests stand beside a small controlled fire made of branches and gorse. One holds a long‑handled tool while smoke rises from the burning pile. They are working on a grassy area next to a brick wall and wire fence.

A volunteer in a yellow high‑visibility vest stands near a small controlled fire of branches and twigs, holding a long branch. Another volunteer in the background carries a bundle of cut vegetation. They are working on grassland beside a brick wall.

A volunteer in a yellow high‑visibility vest uses a long‑handled tool to tend a small controlled fire made of branches on bare ground. Smoke rises from the flames, with a brick wall, scattered equipment, and another volunteer, plus dog walker and dog in the background.

A small controlled fire burns a pile of branches on the ground, with bright orange flames and blue smoke. A volunteer in a high‑visibility jacket stands nearby in a yard area bordered by a brick wall and concrete blocks.

Hard work at Fosseway yesterday from our Green Team and DofE volunteers.

They were busy burning more piles of gorse and clearing brambles from under the boardwalk. (We only burn when necessary - gorse doesn’t compost easily.)

Thank you all for your hard work and energy.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

Campbell Robb left, on the stern of a narrowboat in discussion with a volunteer from the wharf

We were pleased to welcome Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust to Llanymynech Canal Wharf this afternoon. #UKCanals #WeDigCanals

A partially excavated construction area between two retaining walls, with black plastic sheeting laid over the soil and held down by white blocks. Rolled material and scattered construction items sit nearby, with houses visible behind site fencing.

A long, narrow canal channel lined with steel sheet piles and scattered cylindrical spacers, showing early-stage foundation or drainage work. Concrete sections, rebar, timber, and a roll of material lie around the site, with a grassy bank and brick wall above.

A concrete wall at an excavation site marked with blue spray‑paint symbols and the number 85, with an excavator bucket in front. There is a brick wall behind and its surrounded by dirt and rubble.

Excellent progress at Gallows Reach and Gallows Wharf. Another concrete slab coming soon and about six more to go as we work towards our 85m target by May 2026.

📷 photos by Narrowboat Nige

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

A curved brick wall under construction with scaffolding in front. The wall includes the Roman numerals “MMXXVI” in dark bricks. Stacks of bricks sit along the top, and construction materials, fencing, and ladders are scattered around the dirt ground.

A curved brick wall under construction with scaffolding in front. The wall includes the Roman numerals “MMXXVI” in dark bricks. Stacks of bricks sit along the top, and construction materials, fencing, and ladders are scattered around the dirt ground.

A curved brick wall under construction with scaffolding in front. The wall includes the Roman numerals “MMXXVI” in dark bricks. Stacks of bricks sit along the top, and construction materials, fencing, and ladders are scattered around the dirt ground.

You may have seen our previous posts from Tamworth Road Narrows – the Roman numerals, the gabion baskets… but here’s the wider view for a bit of context.

It helps show how all the pieces fit together and the scale of what’s being achieved by our volunteers.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

A construction site showing a freshly poured concrete slab at the bottom of a canal channel. One side of the canal is supported by corrugated metal sheet piling and the other by concrete panels. A generator or pump sits on a plastic sheet in the foreground with a hose running toward the slab. Construction tools and materials are scattered around, and workers in safety gear stand near an overpass structure in the background.

Our volunteers have poured the next concrete slab for the base at Gallows Reach. Onwards to completing the first section for May.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

A dry canal channel with metal piling sides. Safety fencing lines the edges, and trees and greenery rise above the cutting under a partly cloudy sky.

A curved, muddy section of the empty canal channel is bordered by temporary metal fencing. A new concrete retaining wall is being built on the left, with stacked construction materials on the right. Trees and dense greenery fill the background.

A muddy, uneven stretch of the empty canal channel is enclosed by temporary metal fencing. The ground shows tyre tracks and scattered materials such as wooden planks and concrete blocks. Dense vegetation lines the edges, with a cloudy sky above.

It’s getting easier to picture this stretch of Gallows Reach with water again.

There’s still work to do, but we’re closer than ever - Gallows Reach really is within reach now.

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals

In case you missed it:

Make sure you check out the latest video from Narrowboat Nige with news of the Big Pipe, chats with Geoff, Andy, Brian, Dave and more.

youtu.be/skFE4rzlsuQ?...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

A sunny canal‑side garden with narrowboats moored along the water. A white house with a dark roof sits on the right, with gazebos and people gathered for an outdoor event. A small arched footbridge crosses a stream leading into the canal. The garden has benches, plants, and a greenhouse, surrounded by lush greenery.

People gather outdoors beside a canal, standing near tables with displays and items for sale. A white building marked “Whittington Wharf” is behind them. A narrowboat is moored to the right, and a brick bridge and trees frame the background. The scene is a lively community event.

People sit and stand under a blue gazebo in a garden beside a white house. A table with cups is in the centre, and attendees in warm clothing chat and relax during an outdoor community event.

Two people stand at an outdoor display board about the Lichfield Canal. One, wearing a pink safety vest, points to a map while the other looks on. A table nearby holds mugs and small toy animals in safety vests.

What a day at Eric’s Easter Garden Party - blue skies, full crowds, and incredible support!

We sold out of cakes and almost all the BBQ, and early totals show around £1,000 raised for the Lichfield Canal. Six new members joined us too.

Thank you, everyone!

#WeDigCanals #UKCanals

A Tesco employee sits at a table displaying a selection of Tesco groceries, including granulated sugar, napkins, instant coffee, decaf tea bags, original tea bags, blackcurrant squash, a yellow drink bottle, and a stack of disposable cups. Behind them are green chairs and a colourful wall mural with leaf shapes and the words “be creative and let your skills grow.”

Two people stand indoors smiling at the camera. One holds a jar of Tesco Decaff Classic Instant Coffee, and the other holds a red box of Tesco Original Tea. Behind them is a wall decorated with colourful leaf shapes.

Huge thanks to Tesco Lichfield for donating tea, coffee and sugar for Eric's Easter Garden Party. Your support means a lot and will make a real difference to our fundraising.

lhcrt.org.uk/2026/03/30/e...

#WeDigCanals

Two construction volunteers are building a brick wall on a muddy outdoor site. The worker in the foreground wears a blue hard hat, yellow high‑visibility vest, gloves, and boots, holding a trowel beside a partially built wall. Another worker in an orange high‑visibility jacket and blue helmet is laying bricks further along the wall. A cement mixer, buckets, and tools are scattered around, with metal fencing and vegetation in the background.

The countdown is on at Gallows Wharf!

It’s a race to finish the final brickwork in time to bring water back to the first section of canal this May. Will they manage it? Of course they will!

📷 photo by Narrowboat Nige

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals

A person in an orange sleeve points toward a partially built brick wall of a canal channel. Metal fencing surrounds the area, and scaffolding and a large pipe run across the foreground. Leafless trees and greenery are visible in the background.

Close-up of newly built blue bricks steps with fresh mortar between the bricks. The top layer shows angled brickwork detailing, and the inside reveals the hollow cavity. Some plants are visible at the base of the wall.

Two compact excavators are parked in a canal channel with a sloped grassy bank and metal sheet piles to one side. The area is fenced off, with soil, machinery and construction materials visible around the excavation.

A canal channel with concrete lining one side and metal piles on the other side. The channel is under construction, with muddy ground, wooden planks, metal beams and a small trolley scattered inside. Metal fencing runs along the top edge beside a dirt path and dense vegetation, with trees and buildings visible in the distance.

Here's a quick update from Gallows Wharf and Gallows Reach. Bricks, steps and channel preparations. 😃

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

Brick wall with large dark‑brick Roman numerals ‘MMXXVI’ visible now that the scaffold platform has been lowered. Metal scaffolding and orange safety netting stand in front of the wall, with a blue hard hat resting on one of the bars.

Construction site with several empty wire gabion baskets laid out on reddish soil. An excavator sits on the slope above, with trees in the background under a clear evening sky.

Curved brick wall in progress, with loose bricks placed along the top. Behind the wall is a slope of exposed soil, wooden planks, and construction materials, with scaffolding visible further back.

The scaffold is down at the Narrows, which means the Roman numerals are fully on display, and they look fantastic.

Work is moving on quickly - the gabion baskets are being prepared, ready to be added to the top, and you can really see the wall is nearly ready for them.

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals

Graphic announcing a new group member. Text at the top reads ‘Introducing our latest group member’. Centre shows the Lichfield Running Club circular logo with a green running figure. Bottom right displays the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust logo

On your marks, get set… please welcome our newest group member, Lichfield Running Club

We’ve enjoyed a long partnership with the club over the years, so it’s fantastic to now make it official.

And what better day to announce it… it’s #MedalMonday too!

lichfield-running-club.co.uk

#WeDigCanals

Excavated construction site with a new path leading away from the camera. A handrail is set against the path. Bare soil, tools, and construction materials are scattered around, with safety fencing and nearby houses in the background.

Restoration work on a brick retaining wall, with scaffolding, soil piles, bricks, and a yellow generator on site. Orange safety netting runs across the foreground.

Part‑built brick retaining wall set into an excavated slope, with scaffolding and a black tarp in front. Construction materials lie on uneven ground, with trees and a green wooden building behind.

Brick wall under construction with scaffolding and a black tarp. Large Roman numerals ‘MMXXVI’ are built into the brickwork. Tools and materials sit at the base of the wall.

Down at the Narrows, our brickie volunteers have been busy. The towpath wall is nearly there, just the final few courses to go.

The offside is almost finished too, and Geoff & Tony’s masterpiece will soon be revealed. Final gabion baskets are up next to top it all off.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

A promotional graphic titled “Introducing our latest business member.” Below is a business‑card style panel for Cut N Crank Marine, featuring a piston logo and the tagline “Engine Experts for the Waterways.” It lists Marine Engineer John Hallam with contact details including phone number, website, and email, and notes service across the West and East Midlands. The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust logo appears in the bottom right corner.

Delighted to welcome Cut N Crank Marine as our newest business member. Expert marine engineering and brilliant local support - thank you, John.

Find out more:
cutncrank.co.uk
lhcrt.org.uk/membership/m...

#WeDigCanals #Staffordshire

Several volunteers in high‑visibility vests working along a treelined path beside a canal. One person is placing long dead branches into a natural‑fencing line, while others work further along the path. The scene is outdoors with bare trees and overcast skies

A volunteer wearing a high‑visibility vest, helmet, gloves and ear protection is using a grass trimmer on a grassy embankment beside a brick wall. A small metal sign reading ‘Millenium Lock 25' is in front of them, with fencing, trees and construction activity visible in the background.

A volunteer in a high‑visibility vest is mowing grass along a dirt path beside a canal. A wooden bench sits to the left, with trees and bushes surrounding the area on an overcast day.

A volunteer wearing a high‑visibility vest is raking leaves and debris from a stone‑edged bypass. Bare trees, grass, and a road with two cars are visible in the background.

Fantastic effort from our Green & Grounds team yesterday at Borrowcop.

5 adults and 14 DofE volunteers = a huge impact:
• Dead branches cleared
• Natural fencing at Bobbie’s Bend
• Grass cut / brambles tackled
• Canal debris removed

Give them a task and they get stuck in!

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals

Check out the latest fantastic video on our progress from @courtabovethecut.bsky.social

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield #UKCanals #Staffordshire

youtu.be/ULhW0F8aEmM?...

A bright green promotional graphic for the Lichfield District Community Lottery. Large text reads “Enter our Super Draw – Win a Home Robot Bundle! Or £1,000 Cash Prize.” The image shows a black robotic vacuum with docking station and an orange robotic lawn mower. Two logos appear at the bottom: the Lichfield District Community Lottery logo and the LHCRT circular logo with stylised spires.

Relax with a cuppa while robot helpers tackle your home and garden!

Win a Roomba vacuum/mop and Lawnmaster robot mower in tonight’s Lichfield Lottery Super Draw or £1,000 cash.

Get your tickets and support us:
www.lichfieldcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/lich...

#WeDigCanals #Staffordshire

Canal towpath on left side canal in water on the right showing reflection of tree. Purple flowers on a wall to the right and arch of canal above framing the photo

A lovely view under Crickheath bridge on the Montgomery Canal. This section has been restorated by hundreds of volunteers, well done everyone. #UKCanals #Shropshire #WeDigCanals

A quiet rural canal scene with a small white liftbridge crossing over calm water. A dirt path runs alongside the canal, bordered by green grass and low vegetation. Yellow blossoms on branches frame the foreground. On the opposite bank are leafless trees and a small wooden structure. Soft late‑afternoon light casts a warm glow across the landscape.

A peaceful canal at sunset with a white metal drawbridge on the left. The still water reflects the sky and surrounding trees. A gravel path follows the canal’s edge, bordered by grass and low vegetation. In the distance, the sun sits low on the horizon, colouring the sky with warm orange light over open fields and trees.

A narrow rural canal at sunset with still water reflecting the sky and leafless trees. A dirt path runs along the right bank beside a wooden bench. Power lines cross the sky diagonally, and the low sun casts a warm orange glow across the landscape.

A quiet canal scene at sunset with calm water reflecting the sky and bare trees on both banks. A gravel path runs along the left side, while a dirt path follows the right. Power lines and pylons stand in the distance, and the low sun creates warm light and long shadows across the scene.

Rob has been out with his camera again and aren’t we glad he has.

Just look at these stunning shots from Darnford Moors Ecology Park.

📷 photos by Rob Clayton

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals #Staffordshire #UKCanals 🌅

Still scratching your head over the Big Pipe, the diversionary pipe, the attenuation tank and all that jazz?

Narrowboat Nige has you covered and breaks it all down in this video.

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals

youtube.com/shorts/hSGe-...

Black-and-white historic photos show a group of men in suits and workwear gathered beside a canal works site, talking and observing construction with tools visible on the ground. A closer image shows a small group in conversation by the water’s edge, with industrial buildings in the background.

A colour photo shows an open members’ magazine on a table, with the cover titled “Cut Both Ways” featuring volunteers in high-visibility clothing and hard hats, alongside an article page that includes the historic photos.

Back in Feb we asked where/when these BCN photos were taken.

It was Smethwick, 1982!

Read the full story in our latest members’ magazine.

Get your quarterly copy for just £15pa (£10 concessions) + other benefits. A small sub = big difference.

lhcrt.org.uk/membership/m...

#Lichfield #WeDigCanals

Four people stand at a canal construction site. Two wear high‑visibility jackets—one orange holding a blue hard hat, one yellow—and two wear business attire with ID badges. They are standing on a towpath beside fencing and earthworks, with houses and daffodils visible in the background.

Gallows Reach welcomed officers from Lichfield District Council yesterday for a look at how CIL funding is driving real progress.

Their verdict:
“It’s really exciting to see the canal taking shape… great to see so many people supporting the project.”

#WeDigCanals #Staffordshire

A construction volunteer in a blue helmet and high‑visibility vest stands beside a large drainage installation. A black corrugated plastic pipe is strapped into a concrete pipe section, surrounded by muddy water and brick canal wall.

A canal construction site showing a black corrugated pipe connected to a concrete culvert set into brickwork. The area is muddy with scattered building materials, and safety barriers sit above the site near nearby houses.

At Gallows Wharf, it took five valiant volunteers, four ratchet straps, and a fair bit of pipe fitter’s ingenuity to fit a 450mm pipe into a 28" concrete pipe at the interception point.

A brilliant bit of teamwork - well done all!
Now we just need to fix it in place.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

Clear plastic charity donation boxes inside a Waitrose store, filled with green tokens, with shopping trolleys visible in the background.

There's still time to grab your green tokens at Lichfield Waitrose! 💚

If you’re shopping, we’d love your support - just pop your token in our box. We’re one of three fantastic charities to choose from.

#weDigCanals #Staffordshire

A three‑image collage showing construction site welfare facilities. The top image shows five construction volunteers in high‑visibility jackets and helmets standing in mud with excavation machinery behind them. The bottom‑left image shows the old welfare setup: a small white cabin beside a green portable toilet marked “TOILET HIRE,” with a mini‑digger behind temporary fencing. The bottom‑right image shows a modern eco‑welfare unit on hire for trial, branded “euraloo” and “eco welfare,” with solar panels on the roof and enclosed by temporary fencing

What do volunteers who build canals really need on site?

Warmth, hot water, a kettle… and somewhere to dry off.

We need your help to provide these essential facilities.

Find out more in this blog 👇
lhcrt.org.uk/2026/03/23/b...

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield #Staffordshire #UKCanals

Things are really taking shape at Tamworth Road Narrows and Gallows Reach.

Check out the latest weekly update from Narrowboat Nige to see the progress for yourself.

#WeDigCanals #Lichfield

youtu.be/Jnc0co2VPPU