The Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project (OCGCP) team have welcomed a New Ecology and Youth Trustee.

The Oakham Canal Green Corridor Project is a registered charity working to preserve and restore the old Oakham Canal in Rutland, UK, in order to "share the economic, environmental, social and leisure opportunities this beautiful waterway offers". ​

The 'Green Corridor' will provide around 2.5 miles of footpaths between the Springfield Estate in the south, and the Oakham Enterprise Park in the north, with work so far having taken place on the canal paths between and around Oakham and Langham.

The Oakham Canal has been improved by a group of local volunteers passionate about the community and environment. Image credit: Nub News.

As well as continuing with ongoing works along the Oakham-Langham canal, the team have welcomed a new trustee following the resignation of the former Ecology and Youth Trustee in June.

They introduced Max Devere-Summers, the volunteer stepping in to fill the role, in their recent newsletter: "Sadly, due to pressure of other commitments, our previous Ecology Trustee, Beth Hunt, had to step down from the project in June. We wish Beth all the best and thank her for her efforts supporting the project.

"We have been fortunate enough to find an excellent replacement in Max Devere-Summers, also an experienced Ecologist, with specific background in field surveying, which will be vital to the ecological wellbeing of the Canal going forwards.

"We are delighted to welcome Max on board, as our newest and youngest Trustee. As can be seen from the photo, Max was keen to get his hands dirty straight away!"

On top of these exciting developments for the group, thanks to National Lottery funding, the OCGCP is working with Arts for Rutland to explore the life of Oakham's canals in an intriguing new audio book project.

The team said: "We have been lucky enough to secure funding to create a "Talking History" audio guide, which will help us preserve the cultural heritage of the Oakham Canal, in posterity.

"The guide will be freely available and describe the history of the canal, how it was constructed, how it impacted life in Oakham, the lives of canal people and run through time right up to our project today.

"Many local groups are getting involved in the creation of this artefact.

"Do get in touch with us if you want to be involved."

You can get in touch with the team on Facebook or find out more about the team and what they do online.

Find out more about the guided walks on offer along Oakham Canal in 2023.

Alternatively, share your own projects, news, views and local opinions with us by emailing [email protected]. No news is too small, so get in touch!

The OCGCP run walks and gudied tours of the calan to highlight the area to Rutland residents and showcase their hard work. Image credit: Nub News.