Hungerford Arcade are very aware that sometimes it is easy to forget where we are. Every day we are immersed in our world of antiques and collectables, people popping in to have a browse, selling some treasured items or simply passing through our beautiful town of Hungerford. We meet a whole variety of people from all walks of life so it was nice to meet Em and Pat this week who work for the Canal & River Trust.
L-R Em and Pat with manager, James
It was a wet and windy day when they visited the Arcade, looking for shelter and drumming up support for this fabulous national charity. The canal is an important aspect of town life, as it snakes its way from Newbury to Hungerford and onwards into Wiltshire. It attracts all sorts of people from those on vacation or, who simply enjoy the pleasurable walks at their disposal, to those whose homes are on the canal itself.
Set up in 2012, the Canal & River Trust is a nationwide charitable trust. The Trust helps to support the local communities and the infrastructure of the waterways which has a staggering 2980 bridges, 1580 locks and 335 aqueducts which are open and readily used each day.
By championing the benefits of the “Local Canal” both socially and educationally, it is securing a great part of our nation’s heritage for future generations to come. As Em and Pat enjoyed looking around the Arcade and having a cup of tea in Rafters cafe, I agreed to sign up to their monthly newsletter which keeps you up to date with news and events.
The Trust is a charity of course, and donations can be made online by visiting their website https://canalrivertrust.org.uk and they’re always looking out for ‘canal volunteers’. So if you ever have any free time, be sure to get in touch with them.
