Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

Clare Guy, Environment Director (member since 2009, Director since 2009)

I have worked in the environmental sector for 17 years, including 7 years for the Environment Agency and 8 years for British Waterways. While working for British Waterways, I took a keen interest in canal restoration and during my final year of employment I worked as an ecologist on the restoration of the Cotswold Canal and Droitwich Canal. My specialisms are water quality and ecology.

I became interested in the Wilts and Berks Canal when I started working in Wiltshire for an environmental consultancy. I was asked to stand as Environment Director by Chairman of the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, John Laverick, who I used to work with at British Waterways. I am interested in this role as an opportunity to help to guide the restoration work whilst conserving and enhancing the environment. I think canal restoration has a lot to offer the environment by linking fragmented habitats and restoring wildlife corridors.

I have worked with many canal trust volunteers and admire their commitment, interest and drive to restore a fantastic piece of British heritage that is of such huge value for public recreation and education and consider the position of Environment Director a good opportunity to continue to work with canal trust volunteers on a worthy and interesting cause.

If re-elected I will continue to provide advice and guidance on water quality and ecological matters concerning the canal restoration. I would like to spend some time researching the ecological importance of the canal and provide information for members on the ecology of the canal via the website and Dragonfly.

17th October 2009