Elton Reservoir Basin Countryside Warden Service receive donation from United Utilities

Elton Reservoir Basin Countryside Warden Service has received a welcome boost to their canal clean-up and conservation efforts, thanks to a donation from United Utilities’ Community Fund.

The group, based in Bury, was presented with brand-new equipment to help continue their vital clean-up and conservation work. The Warden Service is a non-profit organisation that helps maintain the canal running through Bury and Radcliffe, and the surrounding countryside areas. The group is also committed to improving the habitats for wildlife nesting on the canal embankments.  

Volunteers met with River Rangers from the north west’s water company as they handed over the equipment and undertook a group clean-up on and around the canal. The donation from United Utilities provided the group with a range of equipment such as gloves, litter pickers, and rakes so that they can continue their work safely and efficiently.

The donation from The United Utilities’ Community Fund will help the volunteers of Elton Reservoir keep the canal free from litter and other debris which could be harmful to the water ways and the wildlife around it. The area is enjoyed by many in the community, and the group is extremely passionate about the improvement of habitats for the canal’s water birds, otters and amphibians. 

David Bentley, from Elton Reservoir Basin Countryside Warden Service, comments: “We've been running conservation work in Bury since 1984. We are qualified wetland ecologists with 32 years of professional experience, our work allows us to create a nicer environment for quiet recreation for others and for our special wildlife.

We have also been litter picking and maintaining the canal since 2016, with our main aim to record and protect the wildlife in alliance with the birders and Canalside farmers. We want to save as many wildlife species as possible and create a space for everyone to enjoy.”

We want to say a massive thank you to United Utilities for all their help and patience in providing us with the equipment we needed.”

Shy Bayly, Area Engagement Lead for Greater Manchester at United Utilities, added: “The Elton Reservoir Basin Countryside Warden Service group is extremely passionate about what they do and it’s encouraging to see the volunteers doing all they can to maintain the canal and its surrounding areas - we’re really pleased to have been able to support the group with their ongoing efforts.”

The community fund supports community groups whose activities:

• Benefit local watercourses and riverside environments
• Act as catalyst for improved community and environmental wellbeing
• Reconnect communities to riverside environments
• Promote sustainable drainage

Groups can apply to the fund for up to £2,500 worth of support by emailing:  Stakeholderrelations@uuplc.co.uk with details of their request.