Glorious weather and lots to look forward to.

The AMEC report on the economic and tourism benefits to Melksham from the Melksham Link is eagerly awaited by many – it is drafted and should be available by the end of the month. It will help to raise the profile of the Wilts & Berks and hopefully will boost our fundraising. These days much funding is based on how many jobs can be created and this report will tell us that and more.

Timothy West and Prunella Scales did a great job of promoting canals in their programme on the Kennet & Avon Canal last week. It really is that busy on some of the stretches of the K & A, can’t wait for Melksham to be the same in a few years time.

The plans to link the new canal at Wichelstowe and the old line at Kingshill are well underway with costs being worked out. I hear it is to be called the Wichelstowe Link. I’m looking forward to the new Waitrose store opening there on the 10th April, I will be able to do my shopping after meetings at Spittleborough! The café will have splendid views of the canal and what a boost it will be for trips on Dragonfly. There are other projects that could be started in Swindon, we just need a few more volunteers to lead them. You don’t have to have specific qualifications or be an engineer, we work in teams with a good deal of expertise on hand so the leader is not working alone. Come and talk to us!

Jeff and Linda have again organised the 200 Club this year and they report that 256 tickets have been sold, a few more than last year. As usual half the takings go into prizes and half into a fund for the branches who will be able to apply for money towards a piece of equipment or a restoration project. The first draw will be made at Council of Management meeting on 25th March. Thank you Jeff and Linda for all your hard work.
I hope all this lovely dry weather is helping to reduce the water level in that damaged culvert at Pewsham so that we can fully inspect it and work out the best way to repair it as soon as possible.

Kath Hatton