Today, the Jericho Living Heritage Trust, working on behalf of the Oxford City Canal Partnership has received a £65,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for an exciting project in Oxford. The project aims to raise awareness of the Oxford Canal and to celebrate its history and will begin in Spring/Summer 2013.

Through the project people will learn more about the role that the Oxford Canal has played in the development of the city, and about the lives of people who worked on the canal and lived in neighbouring communities. Local schools will also be involved in the project which will include better signposting of the canal, an art exhibition, radio plays, an oral history archive and a community event later in the year. A web site will also be produced to ensure that information remains accessible after the project has been completed.

The story of the Oxford Canal is varied and colourful. From its beginnings as a busy industrial trade route in the 18th and early 19th centuries, through gradual decline, to its current role as a leisure resource and host to a floating residential community, this hidden green corridor of Oxford has a rich, if little-realised, heritage. Its importance to the city has been huge, bringing benefits to both Town and Gown. The canal has also been the focus of two high-profile campaigns in recent decades: one in the 1950s, championed by Sir John Betjeman, saved the canal from possible closure; and more recently there have been the ongoing efforts, in which JLHT has been instrumental, to retain a boatyard in Jericho.

A project manager is currently being recruited to lead the project, working with local volunteers, schools and writers. The team will also be drawing on the skills of local professional writers and experts in oral history. Potential volunteers are invited to visit www.jlht.org for more information about how to get involved.

“Tony Joyce, chairman of the Jericho Living Heritage Trust said: As the Canal  and River Trust’s resources are fully committed to their main responsibility, the operation and maintenance of the waterways, it is excellent news that the Heritage Lottery Fund can step in to fund this project which ensures that the very significant heritage aspects of the canal are not neglected.”

Commenting on the award Roger Hanbury, chairman of the Oxford City Canal Partnership and head of governance services at The Canal and Rivers Trust said:

“The Canal Partnership is delighted that we have won this grant which will help to bring a unique part of Oxford’s heritage alive, telling its story, improving signage and providing interpretation and opportunities for learning”.