Between 1797 and 1936, the Grantham Canal moved coal lime, groceries and building material between Grantham and the River Trent at West Bridgford. Through its 18 Locks, the cargo drove the economy in this part of the East Midlands. The coming of the railways in the 19th Century saw the canal decline until it eventually closed after the First World War.
Today, large parts of the canal have been restored, thanks to more than 40 years of work by the Grantham Canal Society Although there is a huge amount of work still to be done before boats can travel from Grantham to the Trent, what they've achieved so far is impressive.
Today I met with volunteers from the society just outside Cropwell Bishop to hear about their ambitious plans to get the Rushcliffe end of the canal back in operation. They have teamed up with local business Greenfields Countryside Ltd who have generously donated their time and expertise to assist with the efforts.
It was fantastic to hear their plans and to see how the reconnection of the waterway would be tied to an enhancement of the sustainability and biodiversity of the area around the canal.
Huge thanks to Greenfields for being so generous and for supporting this important local cause.
If you would like more information about the restoration project or to donate or volunteer to the restoration, you can find out details on the Grantham Canal website here: https://www.granthamcanal.org/