Chichester Canal enlists four patrons for £200,000 fundraising campaign

Chichester Canal has enlisted the help of four patrons as it continues to campaign for funding to repair the banks of the popular waterway.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The charity has been raising funds to shore up the eroding banks of the canal and 'ensure the towpath and the waterway are safe for the future'.

Thanks to more than 100 supporters, the initial target of £10,000 has been raised two weeks before the December deadline.

The charity has been raising funds to shore up the eroding banks of the canal and 'ensure the towpath and the waterway are safe for the future'. Photo: Meryn WoodlandThe charity has been raising funds to shore up the eroding banks of the canal and 'ensure the towpath and the waterway are safe for the future'. Photo: Meryn Woodland
The charity has been raising funds to shore up the eroding banks of the canal and 'ensure the towpath and the waterway are safe for the future'. Photo: Meryn Woodland
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This is part of a bigger campaign, working alongside specialist experts over the next two years. The aim is to raise £200,000 by April 2022 to celebrate the Chichester Shop Canal Trust’s 200th Anniversary.

Click here to donateA canal spokesperson said: "As part of this campaign we have enlisted the help of four patrons, being; Adam Porter, BBC 2 Radio News presenter; Richard Meynell, conservation architect; Gemma and Tony Caslin, owners of TJ Boardhire."

Adam Porter, who moved to the Chichester area in the mid 1990s, was the first news editor at Spirit FM, and helped to launch the station. He lives in Fishbourne and serves on the parish council.

Canals and boating are his passion. Adam and his partner have a narrowboat, which is moored in Northamptonshire and has taken them to places as far apart as Manchester, Godalming and Lincolnshire. He also writes for Canal Boat magazine.

Chichester Canal has enlisted the help of four patrons; Adam Porter, BBC 2 Radio News presenter; Richard Meynell, conservation architect; Gemma and Tony Caslin, owners of TJ BoardhireChichester Canal has enlisted the help of four patrons; Adam Porter, BBC 2 Radio News presenter; Richard Meynell, conservation architect; Gemma and Tony Caslin, owners of TJ Boardhire
Chichester Canal has enlisted the help of four patrons; Adam Porter, BBC 2 Radio News presenter; Richard Meynell, conservation architect; Gemma and Tony Caslin, owners of TJ Boardhire
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “It’s often said that canals spread their green fingers into cities. If you follow the towpath of the Chichester Canal from the basin you almost don’t notice you are passing under the A27 and by the time you’re halfway to Hunston you already feel as if you are in the countryside.

“The history and heritage of the canals fascinate me. Their routes tell the stories of Industrialisation.

“The Chichester Canal is a fantastic resource for the area. The towpath provides a safe walking route, while the canal itself is busy with canoes and kayaks, and the latest fitness craze, stand-up paddle boarding. It’s vital the canal is preserved and maintained, and I’m delighted to help the trust promote its work."

Award-winning local conservation architect, Richard Meynell, became architect to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral in 1987 where he had responsibility for looking after the Cathedral Close properties 'for about 30 years'.

Adam Porter, who moved to the Chichester area in the mid 1990s, lives in Fishbourne and serves on the parish councilAdam Porter, who moved to the Chichester area in the mid 1990s, lives in Fishbourne and serves on the parish council
Adam Porter, who moved to the Chichester area in the mid 1990s, lives in Fishbourne and serves on the parish council
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was also retained as a surveyor to the Fabric of St Mary’s Hospital, the Medieval Almshouses in the north eastern part of the city.

He was asked to help with the drawings and conversion of the Heritage Centre at the Canal Basin for which he won a heritage award. Having moved to the local area in 1949, he is also bestowed with the title ‘Freeman of Birdham’.

On Chichester Canal said: "I take my hat off to the volunteers. The amount of clearance work done by the volunteers is exemplary.

"I’m humbled by being asked to be a patron. I am just a local lad enjoying something which is close to my heart and where I live. I am looking forward to continuing my support, championing such a worthy cause and helping the trust to conserve, maintain and improve the heritage of the canal now and for generations in the future.”

Award-winning local conservation architect, Richard Meynell,became architect to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral in 1987Award-winning local conservation architect, Richard Meynell,became architect to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral in 1987
Award-winning local conservation architect, Richard Meynell,became architect to the Dean and Chapter of Chichester Cathedral in 1987
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

TJ Boardhire owners, Gemma and Tony Caslin, said they have 'always been well supported' by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust and 'see first-hand the dedication and hard work' that the volunteers put into maintaining the canal.

Gemma and Tony have lived locally for many years raising their family whilst enjoying outdoor sports including windsurfing, mountain biking and snowboarding. However after a life-changing ski injury in 2013 and a year of rehab for Gemma, she and Tony chose resume 'low impact outdoor activity' using paddleboards.

At the time stand up paddle (SUP) boarding was 'very new' but, 'as interest grew', they were asked to teach. In 2015, they set up their own business, TJ Boardhire and have been teaching on Chichester Canal ever since.

Tony said: "The canal is the ideal place to learn to paddle as it is very calm and sheltered, allowing our customers to learn and progress quickly. There are many positive health benefits associated with paddle boarding; being out on the tranquil water of the canal allows people to relax and unwind whilst learning a new and accessible sport.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gemma continued: “As the sport has grown we have adapted to the increasing demands by operating the Chichester SUP Club bringing together new and more experienced paddlers. We planned to enlist their support with the fundraising campaign and they are already coming up with some exciting ideas for the new year."

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

TJ Boardhire owners, Gemma and Tony Caslin, said they have 'always been well supported' by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust and 'see first-hand the dedication and hard work' that the volunteers put into maintaining the canalTJ Boardhire owners, Gemma and Tony Caslin, said they have 'always been well supported' by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust and 'see first-hand the dedication and hard work' that the volunteers put into maintaining the canal
TJ Boardhire owners, Gemma and Tony Caslin, said they have 'always been well supported' by the Chichester Ship Canal Trust and 'see first-hand the dedication and hard work' that the volunteers put into maintaining the canal

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.