Canal Centre at Dauntsey moves a step closer

On Friday, contracts were exchanged between Wadworth and the Trust for the purchase of the Peterborough Arms at Dauntsey Lock. This very exciting purchase has been made possible by loans and donations from members and supporters. Now that contracts have been exchanged we will be finalising all the legal documentation relating to the loans that members have made. As many of you know, the pub has been closed for about 15 months and is looking rather sad. Work has already been started on the plans for a complete refurbishment to turn it into a community-based canal centre whilst retaining it as a pub. The next stage is to set up a team to carry forward the project and we would welcome volunteers with experience or just enthusiasm to register an interest in that – contact Chris or myself. There will be a lot of money to be raised and priorities to be established, but this is a great step forward.

Rumours have been circulating in the media lately about possible funding for building a road tunnel under the M4 to link up with the Wichelstowe development. I can confirm that we are in touch with the team from Swindon BC about our long-held ambition to put the canal under the motorway, by co-siting it in a tunnel alongside the new road but decisions are not likely yet, as the money is only allocated at the moment, not awarded. Be assured, we are watching it closely.

Staying at Wichelstowe, the interpretation boards that Ken mentioned in his blog on 7th July outside the Waitrose store are proving to be a great success with everyone, including the staff at the store who are not having to answer endless questions about “what canal is that?” or “I didn’t know Swindon had a canal”.

Plans for the River Festival at Melksham on 6th and 7th September are continuing apace following the news of the support from Leekes that Chris reported in the last blog. We now also have some support from Hall & Woodhouse, the Dorset based brewery and pub operators, who have just opened a new pub, the Milk Churn, on the A350 at Melksham. (only a short walk from the new route of the Melksham Link at Berryfield when it is built). They will support the music and programme prizes. We are very grateful to them. For all Melksham traders - we are just seeking advertisers for our Festival programme so please get in touch if you are intereste- Email Paul Lenaerts: lenaerts@waitrose.com

And finally, membership is now standing at 2457 – getting close to my target of 2500 by the AGM.

Kath Hatton