19 Feb 2007 - Volunteer artists excel at the canal
Batchworth Lock Canal Centre on the banks of the Grand Union Canal in Rickmansworth has been developing a miniature canal garden for the last two years which demonstrates a working canal system complete with locks, tunnels and barges, with the help of volunteers.
The garden is nearing completion but the presence of a large but essential metal storage container marred the scene.
Elaine Dalzell of the canal centre turned to Three Rivers Volunteer Centre for help and an e-mail alert resulted in so many volunteers coming forward that not only is the container being transformed with murals, but the fence and the signage are being decorated in a traditional "boating roses and castles" design and other volunteers will be helping with the Learning at the Lock project during the summer.
Volunteers Bob Howard and Tony Ward have decorated the container with a Lowryesque Victorian city scape. Tony gained his experience in the film industry and Bob in theatrical scenery. Both volunteers are keen to show young people that a work of art can be created with ordinary household paints and material.
Tony said: "I am very pleased that everyone who has seen the mural is so enthusiastic about it. I hope it will refresh the area as it's such an eye catching feature and will encourage people to visit."
A delighted Elaine said: "We were hoping to have some help with the container but the response has been amazing and we are looking forward to the summer here at the lock. The volunteers have been turning out in all weathers and we appreciate their help immensely. We would also like to thank Travis Perkins for donating the paint."
Stephen Behrman of Three Rivers Volunteer Centre said: "We do our best to help out organisations who need one-off help like this and as always the volunteers registered with us turned up trumps."
The miniature canal garden was started two years ago with all work done by volunteers. The main aim is to demonstrate to primary school children how a canal works.
Although the system has been completed and opened to the public throughout last summer, the garden is being further developed with miniature features including a water wheel, mill, and canal side cottages.
Currently the miniature canal system incorporates a scale working model of a canal, lock and tunnel complete with model barges.
To find out more about volunteering at Learning at the Lock or other opportunities call Three Rivers Volunteer Centre on 01923 711174.
The garden is nearing completion but the presence of a large but essential metal storage container marred the scene.
Elaine Dalzell of the canal centre turned to Three Rivers Volunteer Centre for help and an e-mail alert resulted in so many volunteers coming forward that not only is the container being transformed with murals, but the fence and the signage are being decorated in a traditional "boating roses and castles" design and other volunteers will be helping with the Learning at the Lock project during the summer.
Volunteers Bob Howard and Tony Ward have decorated the container with a Lowryesque Victorian city scape. Tony gained his experience in the film industry and Bob in theatrical scenery. Both volunteers are keen to show young people that a work of art can be created with ordinary household paints and material.
Tony said: "I am very pleased that everyone who has seen the mural is so enthusiastic about it. I hope it will refresh the area as it's such an eye catching feature and will encourage people to visit."
A delighted Elaine said: "We were hoping to have some help with the container but the response has been amazing and we are looking forward to the summer here at the lock. The volunteers have been turning out in all weathers and we appreciate their help immensely. We would also like to thank Travis Perkins for donating the paint."
Stephen Behrman of Three Rivers Volunteer Centre said: "We do our best to help out organisations who need one-off help like this and as always the volunteers registered with us turned up trumps."
The miniature canal garden was started two years ago with all work done by volunteers. The main aim is to demonstrate to primary school children how a canal works.
Although the system has been completed and opened to the public throughout last summer, the garden is being further developed with miniature features including a water wheel, mill, and canal side cottages.
Currently the miniature canal system incorporates a scale working model of a canal, lock and tunnel complete with model barges.
To find out more about volunteering at Learning at the Lock or other opportunities call Three Rivers Volunteer Centre on 01923 711174.