A Wiltshire-based company has described volunteering with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust as "a wonderful experience".
Pains Fireworks recently joined the trust's corporate workparty scheme, which allows teams to volunteer their time and learn new skills while supporting the restoration of the canal.
Fourteen staff members from Pains Fireworks spent a morning coppicing at Naish Hill, near Lacock, creating a new wildlife habitat alongside the restored stretch of the waterway.
The visit was arranged by the Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch of the charity.
Howard Yardy, branch wildlife officer, praised the volunteers for their hard work. "It was great to welcome so many volunteers, enabling us to tackle some challenging tasks which would otherwise have taken a lot longer without the extra help.
“They spent several hours on an area of woodland between the canal and the River Avon, clearing a tangled mass of branches to create a ‘dead hedge’ to protect wildflowers and saplings from grazing deer.
“We hope it encourages other companies to get involved too. We’ve had groups helping with tree planting, hedgelaying, and installing birdboxes and batboxes.
“It’s a great opportunity for team-building and learning new skills, as well as supporting local wildlife.” he said.
Tom Barrett, operations manager at Pains Fireworks, said the experience was a great opportunity for team-building and giving back to the local community. "Every year we like to arrange a day of volunteering to connect with others and give back to the local community.
“We’re not just work colleagues, we consider ourselves as friends, so it’s heartwarming to make a positive impact together.
“It was a chilly day but we soon worked up a sweat, and everyone was grateful for the tea and cake afterwards!
“It was a wonderful experience - we’d love to do it again", he added.
The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust offers free corporate workparties for teams to volunteer their time and learn new skills. For further information, email
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