chairman’s
Comment
Preparing for a WRG return to work - and looking back at how much the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has given us over the years Chairman’s Comment You will have already read on page 4 the excellent breakdown of the last twelve months or so from our esteemed editor, together with his explanation of why he (and the rest of the WRG committee) feel confident about the next few months. As ever it is eloquent, honest and well written. So there is no point in me attempting to go over the same ground. However, as we start to think about shaking out our overalls and evicting the sleeping mice out of our boots, I can push some key messages: As you return to site it may well have been up to two years since you last laid bricks, drove a dumper, mixed mortar, lit the Burco, whatever. If you are unsure about any of this then take the time to practice these activities safely before you get going for real. Whilst it might feel important to make up for a year of inactivity, nobody is going to thank you if on day one everything grinds to a halt because you forgot which was the fuel filler cap and which was the hydraulic oil filler cap.
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The site you are returning to may have been ‘fallow’ for two years. Take time to check undergrowth, trip hazards, etc. Remember that while in lockdown, we have been actively encouraging restoration sites and projects to spend time rethinking and improving their working practices. Rather than just piling back into the old ways of working, please take the time to check on any new developments. It will be the case that, as we come back together, you will work alongside people and you will have no idea of how their year has been. You have no idea of their personal life, their work life, their fears or concerns. Please respect people’s individual decisions and actions as we all find out what we feel comfortable with.
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Those four messages apply to all restoration work, this fifth one is really rather specific to WRG:
Yes, making sure our behaviour on the worksite is appropriate is going to be vital, but we have a good track record of managing that. The real challenge is going to be in the accommodation. It would be easier if there were new rules and laws from Government / Authorities etc. But by the time we start it will actually be guidance and recommendations from Government / Authorities etc. And guidance is always a little harder to follow than a law. Now personally speaking I believe that people will behave responsibly, but the WRG Board would not be giving our leaders the support they need and deserve if we didn’t make a clear statement regarding this. It is vital that all volunteers behave responsibly not only on site but also back in the accommodation – we will absolutely back any leader who has to send someone off the Camp if they cannot act responsibly. As I write this the news has arrived of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. The story of waterway restoration and the royals has tended to feature the Queen Mother or Prince Charles. However perhaps it may well be that Prince Phillip had a subtler but bigger influence. I have been leading Camps for over 30 years and there has never been a time that the acronym “DoE” has not been in wide use. The hours of work that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme has given us must be a huge figure, not to mention all the brilliant people that have passed through our ranks. There is already much chat on social media about peoples favourite “DoE” story and perhaps we will find time to pull together an article for the next Navvies. The Award Scheme has evolved over the years but at its heart it has a simple objective: A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. No wonder we got on so well. I’m really looking forward to the summer. Mike Palmer
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