Unlock Runcorn is a long held vision and hard fought campaign involving local people, engineers, mechanics, landscape gardeners and more, working alongside The Runcorn Locks Restoration Society (RLRS) https://unlockruncorn.org/runcorn-locks-restoration-society/

The RLRS believes that valuable benefits will be derived from restoring the first of the two lines of locks which were constructed in Runcorn to connect the Bridgewater Canal, originally to the River Mersey and later to the Manchester Ship Canal.

Today, I joined in the task of clearing the weeds that covered the society's compound, which houses their HQ and provides the public face of the charity.

Miles of bindweed and stickybuds intertwined through the gates and fences, across the ground and over anything stored on the ground.

With a small but determined team, and almost as many dogs, we filled barrow after barrow of the green stuff, creating quite a compost heap.

Rain didn't stop us, but we did break for a cuppa and some biscuits., before finishing for the day.

Apparently, debriefing takes place at a local micro brewery, which also serves some very tasty food....so, of course I had to join them and check it out for myself 😉