Stock N Lock Self Storage Staff Volunteer for Canal Cleanup in Worcester, England

Employees at Stock N Lock Self Storage in Worcester, England, have been volunteering their free time to help clean up the banks and walkways of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, a popular waterway connecting the two cities that bear its name. The staff was organized by business manager Anne Huston and regularly pick up trash left behind by visitors.

"I feel so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area of the country, and I think it is a terrible shame to come across rubbish people leave behind when taking a stroll down the towpaths,” Huston told the source. “At the moment there are baby swans and ducklings swimming around, and it should be a magical place were it not for the litter bugs.”

Huston decided to motivate her staff to assist in her cleanup efforts when she grew wary of the amount of litter present during her morning walks. “We all need to do our bit and look after our countryside, lock, stock and barrel,” she said.

The canal’s origins date back to 1791, with its original intent to provide a shorter path between Birmingham and the River Severn. Its system of 58 locks is concentrated in the southern half of the canal, as it winds through rural Worcestershire. The lock flight at Tardebigge, between Birmingham and Worcester, features 30 locks in just more than two miles, making it the longest flight in the country, according to the Canal & River Trust. The canal served as a commercial waterway until 1960 and today is enjoyed by recreational boaters.

Stock N Lock is in the Venture Business Park off of Weir Lane. The facility comprises 44,000 square feet of storage space in 680 units, which are individually alarmed and monitored with closed-circuit television, according to the company website. Additional offerings include electricity in some units, forklift services, package acceptance and delivery, and WiFi. The facility also offers records storage and outdoor vehicle storage.