Students adopt canal for benefit of community

Skills for Life students who have adopted part of Rochdale Canal with Principal Derek O'Toole.

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Hopwood Hall College has officially adopted a stretch of Rochdale Canal.

The adoption came about through voluntary work that the students have been doing at the canal since last October.

The students are currently studying at the College’s Middleton campus on the ‘Progressions’ course, which is a course which helps learners to build up their skills to enable them to progress in their chosen area/career.

They were involved in clearing the tow paths near to lock 64, not far from the Middleton Campus of the College. Trees were trimmed and undergrowth cut back, some students got to grips with the build up of moss on the old cobbles near the lock gate.

The student volunteers worked alongside volunteers from British Waterways, arranged by Vinvolved. Many of the students signed up for the prestigious V 50 awards, given out once 50 hours of volunteer work has been undertaken; these proud students recently their V50 certificates from Vinvolved’s Roz Hayes, who helped to set up the opportunity.


David Baldacchinno from British Waterways has met and thanked the Skills for Life students who have been involved in the adoption process.

The purpose of the adoption scheme is to ensure that the canal is looked after so that it can provide habitats for wildlife and pleasure for the local community; students have made an agreement which specifies that activities will take place throughout the year on a regular basis to maintain and promote the canal and its surrounding area.

Activities will include trimming overhanging trees and bushes, planting and weeding and monitoring wildlife and their habitats. The students have also produced leaflets as part of their Wider Key Skills qualification to promote the canal project to future groups.

Hopwood Hall College tutor Mandy Fletcher said: “This is a very exciting opportunity for the College to work alongside British Waterways, in particular Kate Statham and Cassie Weaver, who have helped to make the project a success.

“The project will be of great benefit to the local community.”

Principal Derek O’Toole added: “I’m delighted with the voluntary work that our students have completed; we are a local college, serving the local community and we encourage our staff and students to get involved and help our local community.”