Slough Canal described as 'asset' to the town by volunteer group

Members of the Friends of Slough Canal Facebook group shared their reasons why they love the Slough Arm and what makes it so special to them.

“The tranquility, the views of wildlife and the escapism which the Slough Arm provides goes without saying,” said group admin Diane Richards.

She said: "Signs of the canal's history and its integral connection to the local brick making industry can still easily be seen.

"I have always had a huge admiration for the canal engineers who would literally let nothing get in their way, albeit for commercial reasons.

“While the building of the Slough Arm didn’t involve conquering mountains or dealing with steep inclines, there are only 26 cast iron aqueducts on the whole of the UK canal system and the Slough Arm has three of them."

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Picture: Friends of Slough Canal

Group member Louise Lester added: “I do like to walk it a few times a year and I have recommended it to a group I'm on and one person moaned about it stating it was dreadful, but she never gave it a chance and only walked the second bridge.

“Slough Canal is an asset to Slough, it’s fantastic to see the wildlife especially the red kites and herons.”

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And Matthew Taylor also shared his thoughts about the canal as he goes for early morning runs along there at least once a week.

Matthew Taylor took this fantastic shot on his early morning run along the canal. Picture: Matthew Taylor

He said: “It has created some of the most magical experiences for me, an hour that starts in near pitch darkness then charges to hues of crimson and gold, before finally ending with the mirror like surface of the water, motionless in the still air, while swans eerily glide in and out of the morning mist.”

Another member who is part of the group is Ranjit Kooner, who lives very close to the canal.

He said: “I can walk out of my front door and step on to the tow path.

“I work in the NHS and since 2020, the canal saved me.

“I was able to walk every day after my shift and I was able to refocus on the trees, plants, wildlife and just breath and relax.

“From a mental health perspective, it’s been awesome for me.”