Esri UK volunteers clean up local canal

Ten employees from Aylesbury based company Esri UK the world-class geographic information systems provider, have spent the day working with the charity, the Canal & River Trust, as part of a project to spruce up the Grand Union Canal. 

In the last twelve months, more than 40 Esri UK staff have been involved with various tasks to help improve the Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal.  In their latest outing, the team has been busy repainting a footbridge which crosses the canal and filling sandbags which, once in place, will be used to help protect the canal bank from water erosion.

Richard Parry, Canal & River Trust chief executive, said: “The volunteers have been doing a fantastic job in helping us to look at this stretch and they should be proud of their efforts. We’ve been working with Esri for a number of years and it’s great to give the team the opportunity to get out of the office, enjoy some fresh air and help out on the canal. Already I can see that they have made a big difference.”

Stuart Bonthrone, managing director at Esri UK, said: “Our office is located right next to the canal basin in Aylesbury and often my team pop out during their lunch hour to get some fresh air and take a break beside the water. We’ve all really enjoyed the opportunity to get away from our desks, get a bit mucky and helping the Trust look after our local canal.”

 For more information on the work of the Canal & River Trust visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk