“Put on your life jacket, try not to fall in, and attach the windlass to the spindle so we can raise the paddle.”

These instructions were given by Elaine Stanley, who was showing me the ropes, as she handed me what looked like a giant, shiny silver wrench (the windlass).

Elaine smiled: “Honestly, it’s extremely easy, you wind up the paddle which covers a hole in the gate. Now all the water from the canal will rush through into the lock until the water on both sides is the same level.  When this happens we can push open the gates and let the boat through.”

I was at Clitheroe’s Lock in the Grand Union Canal, Brentford, to try my hand at becoming a volunteer lock keeper, part of an initiative by British Waterways (soon to be the Canal and River Trust) backed by actor Brian Blessed, to get more people on the country’s canals.

Elaine, education volunteer co-ordinator for the group, explained: “Only a few locks now have full-time keepers so we really need volunteers to spend a few hours once a week out by the river.

“The role will involve opening locks for passing boats, sharing local knowledge like where the nearest pub is, and spending a bit of time maintaining the lock and area around it.”

Luck was not on my side with the weather and I found myself shivering and sniffing as a rain cloud positioned itself above my head.

“Just like you don’t like the rain, Lima, neither do boaters,” Elaine assures me: “That’s why we are only looking for someone in the warm weather between April and October to sit in the sun for a few hours once a week.”

Not especially mollified I grasped the windlass, started winding up the paddle and watched as the water level in the lock rose satisfyingly.

As I stepped back to admire my handiwork I noticed I was surrounded by curious swans, ducks and moorhens, who were probably wondering why a bedraggled woman was manoeuvring heavy machinery.

However, it was not over yet – I then had to lean against the gates to open them up and wait for my imaginary boat to motor through before repeating the same on the other side.

All in all the whole process took about 20 minutes and, despite my huffing and puffing, actually required very little energy.

For anyone who loves boats or being by canals and wants to give something back, this would be a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

After my taste of canal life a group of potential volunteers gathered round Elaine all keen to get involved.

Some had taken early retirement, some wanted to start volunteering and some had always loved being by the water.

The soon-to-be Canal and River Trust is also looking for other voluntary roles to be filled. These include educational roles teaching children about canals and towpath ranger roles, helping with the maintenance of the footways used by cyclists and horse riders.

For more information on getting involved or being a lock keeper contact Elaine on 07733 124 565.