Volunteer Lock-Keeper (Llangynidr)

Canal & River Trust; Wales; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Canal & River Trust as a volunteer Lock Keeper, where you’ll welcome visitors and assist boaters through locks on the beautiful Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. This is a perfect opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts keen to learn and support the waterways, gaining valuable experiences while connecting with other volunteers.

Benefits

Meet other volunteers

Learn new skills

Discover more volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Engaging with visitors requires excellent communication.
• Minor maintenance skills to assist with lock upkeep are essential.
• Ability to work as part of a team is important.

Responsibilities

• Assisting boats through the locks.
• Engaging in customer interactions.
• Participating in litter picking and vegetation maintenance.

Skills

Communication skills

Practical skills

Teamworking skills

Job description

Lock keepers have been a fixture on Britain’s canals for hundreds of years and are one of the oldest traditions of the waterways. As ‘the face of the waterway’, modern-day volunteer lock keepers play an integral part in the visitor experience. Their role is to provide a polite and friendly welcome to waterway visitors, assist boaters through the locks, and help maintain the area.

It’s a perfect opportunity for those who enjoy working outdoors, are looking for something different to do, and want to support the Canal & River Trust. The key qualities we’re looking for are enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Anyone over the age of 18 with at least a day a week available can join. After appropriate selection, training, and induction sessions, the role is expected to commence around April and run through to October, with possible local variations.

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal (Welsh: Camlas Sir Fynwy a Brycheiniog) is in South Wales. For most of its current (2025) 35-mile (56 km) navigable length, it runs through the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its rural character and tranquility contrast with its original purpose as an industrial corridor for coal and iron, transported via tramways and railroads, many built and owned by the canal company.

We have 6 operational locks on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal: one at Brynich and five at Llangynidr, where this opportunity is based.

Why we want you

Lock keepers are a historic part of Britain’s waterways and play a vital role in the visitor experience. They welcome visitors, assist boaters through the locks, and help maintain the area. This role is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who want to support the Canal & River Trust. Key qualities include enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

What you will be doing

• Helping boats through the locks
• Talking to customers
• Litter picking and minor vegetation works
• Declaring any unspent convictions during registration and participating in risk assessments as needed

The skills you need

• Excellent communication skills for engaging with people
• Practical skills for minor maintenance of locks
• Teamworking skills, as you will be part of a team

What's in it for you

• A great opportunity to meet other volunteers, learn new skills, and discover more volunteering opportunities if interested