PRESS RELEASE – 17 March 2003

BERKHAMSTED CANAL and RIVERSIDE PARTNERSHIP were finalists and achieved a commendation in the prestigious Waterways Renaissance Awards promoted by the British Urban Regeneration Association and The Waterways Trust held at Madam Tussauds on 16 March 2004.   This is held to be the biggest night in the waterways calendar, known as the Waterways Oscars. 

Project description in the British Urban Regeneration Association Awards Brochure: 

“A stylish project dealing with a series of environmental improvements along the Berkhamsted stretch of the Grand Union Canal, coordinated by the redoubtable Lindy Foster Weinreb, who chairs and leads the partnership.  The partnership brings together British Waterways, The Inland Waterways Association, Local, Borough and County Councils, The Environment Agency, Berkhamsted Citizens Association, The Youth Council, the Intermediate Labour Market, the Probation Service, local schools, volunteers from the community and various environmental stakeholders. 

A fountain of ideas evolved and a series of canal related projects were designed and brought to fruition as a result of endless hard work, vision and enthusiasm.  The partnership’s achievements include environmental, visual and interactive educational enhancements along the canal side and a strategic tie-up with Waitrose (JLP), who were persuaded to install a set of lock gates to make a visual connection with the canal for shoppers.  Improvements to the towpath have opened it up to previously excluded groups, particularly for wheel chairs; push chairs, children on tricycles, and the visually impaired. 

The partnership encompasses Heritage, Culture, Social Inclusion, Leisure, Tourism, Economic Regeneration, Corporate Feedback to the Community, Community/ Partnership Involvement, Public Art, Education, & PR. 

Contact : Lindy Foster Weinreb, The Warehouse, Castle Wharf, Ravens Lane, Berkhamsted HP4 2DZ phone: 01442 385581  mobile: 07990 500 450   fax: 01442 385582   Email: lindy@castlewharf.com