United Kingdom
Ireland
The Netherlands
Belgium
Italy
Germany
Luxembourg
Switzerland
Middle East
A team of volunteers from our Walsall depot (in Birmingham) recently traded their office wear for high-vis and spades, marking a significant milestone in our partnership with the Canal & River Trust.
This November, the Andrews Sykes team became the very first group to break ground at the historic Aldersley Canal Junction. Their mission? To kickstart the ambitious “Great Canal Orchard” project. However, what started as a ground preparation task quickly turned into a journey through time, as the team uncovered original industrial-era infrastructure buried beneath decades of overgrowth.
Restoring “The Great Canal Orchard”
The Canal & River Trust is spearheading the “Great Canal Orchard,” a visionary ten-year project. Spanning fifty miles from Wolverhampton to Worcester (passing through Birmingham), the initiative aims to transform the canal networks into a vibrant green corridor.
The inspiration for this project is deeply rooted in local heritage. During the Industrial Revolution, boating families living on the water would often plant fruit trees along the canal banks to sustain themselves during long journeys.
Today, the project aims to replicate that spirit by creating a free community orchard. Once fully established, these trees will provide:
- Fresh food for the local community.
- Vital habitats and nesting sites for wildlife.
- Crucial support for pollinating insects.
A Step Back in Time: Aldersley Canal Junction
The site of the dig, Lock 21 at Aldersley Canal Junction, is a location steeped in history. Part of the Wolverhampton canal system, this junction opened in 1772.
Based on historic photographs, we know this area was once a bustling hub of activity. It served as a vital rest stop for boaters and horses, featuring six cottages, stables, and a wharf.
Over the centuries, however, the buildings vanished, and nature reclaimed the site, leaving only traces of foundations hidden beneath dense vegetation.
Did you know? The canal network was the “motorway” of the 18th century, and locations like Aldersley were the service stations that kept the country moving.
The Big Dig: Uncovering the Past
In November 2025, the Andrews Sykes Walsall team arrived on-site as the vanguard for the restoration. Their primary task was to clear soil and heavy vegetation to identify brickwork boundaries that might obstruct future tree planting.
Armed with spades and determination, the team cleared the ground level and overhead brush. During the excavation, they made a remarkable discovery: Historic industrial-era paving.
Buried under the soil, this original paving is a tangible link to the site’s 18th-century origins. Rather than being removed, this discovery has shaped the future of the site. The Canal & River Trust plans to restore and reuse this historic stonework to provide long-term access paths for the orchard, blending conservation with community utility.
Looking to the Future
the “Great Canal Orchard” community project was just the beginning. Following the Walsall team’s initial clearance, specialist historic teams will continue the work and perfectly prepare the site before we finally plant the fruit trees
Andrews Sykes is proud to commit to the long-term success of this project. We aren’t just here for the digging; we will be returning for follow-up visits to maintain the young trees and care for the surrounding grounds.
It was a privilege for our Birmingham team to lay the groundwork for a project that honors our industrial past while building a greener, more sustainable future for the Wolverhampton community.
