Even if you don't recognise the title of this weeks blog it is more than likely that you have done it!
Sitting watching the world go by from the canal-side is something I would like to do more of especially in Swindon. So it was with great pleasure that I joined Chris Coyle for an early morning cup of tea at Waitrose's new canal-side cafe in Wichelstowe last Thursday to herald the opening of the supermarket. The Trust's trip boat Dragonfly completed the scene and it was interesting to hear the comments of the customers, many of who did not realise Swindon had a canal - it was also gratifying to see the number of green tokens going into the WBCT box at the checkout!. The whole scene will be viewed on Monday by the Leader of the Council and senior Councillors with a special trip on Dragonfly.
On the Wichelstowe section of the canal there is much activity at present with a water vole trapping project to allow future work in the area for the next phase of development. The trapped voles are being safely shipped to a 'vole hotel' in Devon under the watchful eye of the UK's leading expert Derek Gow. When the next phase of construction is completed the local population of voles in Westleaze will be allowed to repopulate the waterway. The canal is also having its fish stock ( put there by the local Angling Society) moved to the new lakes at Wichelstowe- much activity above and below the surface.
In Melksham the final work is taking place on the new slipway and we look forward to September when the River Festival will herald the future for the town as part of the national waterways network.
The Economic Benefits Study for the Melksham Link has just been published. You can view the full report on the Partnership web site http://www.wiltsandberkscanal.org.uk/projects/melksham-link - in summary huge benefits expected for the town and local community when the project is completed.
Finally to note the Dauntsey Lock Visitor Centre ( Peterborough Arms) project is progressing. If you subscribe to 'On the Button' you will have just received further information about the call for loan funding to secure purchase of the building and adjacent land - summarising with a short section from this request from Chris Coyle :
'If you have not pledged a loan but
would like to do so, please go to the following page on our website for more
details and to download the form. I want to emphasise that if the transaction
does not proceed your money will be returned to you:'
http://www.wbct.org.uk/branches/foxham-lyneham/news/1232-dauntsey-lock-loan-investment-appeal
Ken Oliver
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