Monday 18 November 2013

Appeals for Your Help- An Amazing Response

You, the members of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, never cease to amaze me. We came to you for help with buying the land at Bowd's Lane / Seven Locks, and you responded with great generosity and speed. Then we asked for donations for the Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre, and a very worthwhile sum has been given. And then we asked for pledges for a loan scheme to buy the pub. Even without knowing all the details, you have responded magnificently. I am very confident that we will be able to raise the sum we need, if negotiations are successfully concluded. We are working very hard on finalising the details of the scheme; it takes a bit of time - more than I would have liked - but we need to make sure we get all the legal aspects right. In the meantime, we have had an initial meeting with Wadworth, the current owners, and they listened carefully to our proposals and agreed to consider them. The business plan for the canal centre is being worked on. Again, we want to make sure we get this right, and as professional as we can make it, so Tim and Lynne are spending lots of time on it, and we are engaging outside expert help as necessary. Away from that there is a lot going on - too much to list. I am sure that Tim Pyatt would want me to remind you that we are intending to run the Easter Sponsored Walk again, and ask you to put at least half a day aside in your diaries to walk part of the route or to help. On Saturday we attended the Open Day organised by the East Wichel Residents Association. A great bunch of people, very proud of their new community, and of their new canal, and very willing to help us in the task of looking after it. We are looking forward to working with them. Chris Coyle

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