Swansea Canal Society

Swansea Canal Society was established in 1981 aiming to restore and maintain the derelict canal – making it navigable again and improving its environs for the benefit of education, recreation and biodiversity.
For many years, the Society has organised an annual programme of social events and practical activities including clean-ups along the canal banks. In 2010, the Society decided that the canal needed more than just an occasional litter pick and so two members joined the KWT Litter Champions scheme and started to organise regular, weekly clean up sessions along the tow paths and surrounding areas.
Some members even take to the water to collect rubbish off bank. Since the regular clean-ups began, over 250 hours of volunteer time have been given and approximately 250 bags of rubbish have been collected plus 3 shopping trolleys and 6 bikes rescued from the canal.
A weekend Big Clean Up event held in April 2011 involved over 100 volunteers and resulted in the removal of 9 tonnes of debris and litter. Work days have also involved the maintenance of canal features, tree planting, and the removal of invasive species to improve the habitats along the canal and the nearby cycle path.
The judges commented not only on the environmental improvements that the Society makes but also the opportunities they provide for volunteering and community involvement.