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This camp is a perfect opportunity for volunteers to learn heritage restoration skills whilst making a positive contribution to the local area.

The volunteers will work at Trebanos Lower Lock to rebuild and repoint the lock chamber, reinforce the banks and repair the chamber features. 

Dredging of the 1 mile section in 2019 below Lower Trebanos Lock means that a navigable working lock here is now a top priority for the canal. The Swansea Canal originally ran for 16.5 miles; it was steeply graded and 36 locks were needed to enable it to rise 373 feet over its length. Subsequently, parts of it were closed and filled in but around 6 miles of it remains in water.

Cancelled
Event Dates

4th – 11th July 2020

Sign up Deadline

01/07/2020 12:00 am

Location

South Wales

Restoration

Swansea Canal Camp

This camp is a perfect opportunity for volunteers to learn heritage restoration skills whilst making a positive contribution to the local area.

The volunteers will work at Trebanos Lower Lock to rebuild and repoint the lock chamber, reinforce the banks and repair the chamber features. 

Dredging of the 1 mile section in 2019 below Lower Trebanos Lock means that a navigable working lock here is now a top priority for the canal. The Swansea Canal originally ran for 16.5 miles; it was steeply graded and 36 locks were needed to enable it to rise 373 feet over its length. Subsequently, parts of it were closed and filled in but around 6 miles of it remains in water.

Details

Activity

Heritage Construction

Accommodation

1st Ynyscedwyn Scout Hut, Tir Y Waun off Brecon Road, Ystradgynlais, Powys SA9 1QL

Booking

Our camps are open to anyone aged 18 or over with each camp costing just £70 per week, with food and accommodation included. We welcome participants from all different backgrounds, including those completing the residential section of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Ticket Type Price
General Admission £70

About The Camp

Where is it? 

At Swansea Bay, South Wales. The Swansea Canal originally climbed 115 metres through 36 locks from sea level at Swansea up the valley to Abercraf. Like most canals in South Wales, the lock chambers are built entirely of fairly thin courses of stone rather than brickwork used on most English canals.

 

What will I be doing? 

This summer volunteers will be working at Trebanos Lower Lock to rebuild and repoint the lock chamber, reinforce the banks and repair the chamber features  This is a great camp for all abilities whether you are a beginner or a more experienced ‘navvy’.

 

Why is it important? 

About 6 miles remain in water from Clydach to Ynysmeudwy. Parts of other bridges, locks and aqueducts (some CADW listed) can also be found along the 10 miles which are no longer navigable. At this camp, we are working with the Swansea Canal Society to restore Swansea canal. The Society aims to be part of the local community and works with schools, businesses and disability groups in the area to safeguard the heritage, local environment and restore back to navigation.

 

 

Contacts

If you want to find out more about any of our Canal Camp working holidays, please get in touch.
Phone 01494 783 453 607

Email [email protected]

View event location

Location

South Wales

Cape Horner, St Thomas, Swansea SA1 8BX, UK

Accommodation

1st Ynyscedwyn Scout Hut, Tir Y Waun off Brecon Road, Ystradgynlais, Powys SA9 1QL

Find directions to the Event

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.