VOLUNTEERS have used traditional stone shaping methods to add a personal touch to Droitwich Spa’s Canal Restoration Project.

Over the last three months, people have been trained to use traditional ways to shape over 50 sandstone coping stones.

The stones will be used on new locks four, five and six, as well as the new Junction Canal, with the last coping stone being laid on Friday, February 27.

Former town resident Bill Lambert, who has been volunteering on the project for around six years, returns to his home town every week to give something back to the community. He said: “I found the sandstone shaping really interesting. We received training from a stone mason, which really helped us develop our own techniques to fine shape the stone. It’s great to learn something new and create something that will be part of the canal for another hundred years or more.”

The volunteers’ next project will be brick laying on the spill weir in Salwarpe, where they will be relaying the brick apron.

British Waterways is really keen for local people of any age to join them on a whole range of the exciting projects that they’ve got planned for this year. Everyone is welcome to get involved, no special skills are required as they provide all the volunteers with on the job training, tools and equipment.

If you would like to get involved with volunteering on the Droitwich Restoration Project, the volunteering days take place every Monday and Thursday.

For more information about the scheme please contact John Brownbridge on 07710 175297 or send an e-mail to john.brownbridge@britishwaterways.co.uk