Peterborough Arms Purchased- River Festival at Melksham- Membership soars-AGM details

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust now officially owns the Peterborough Arms at Dauntsey Lock. What an exciting moment it was on Friday to receive the keys from Wadworth Brewery. Looking back at my emails, we actually started the process of trying to acquire the pub in February/March last year. Thanks to the generosity and conviction of our members, we have done it. A team from the local community is starting a tidy-up of the garden and outside areas today. Soon we will carry out an initial assessment of the inside. A lot of people have come forward to volunteer – we now have to focus all that enthusiasm into solid plans for restoration.

Plans for the Melksham River festival continue and the Trust is very grateful to Leekes of Melksham who have agreed at the last minute to step in to sponsor the event. I understand that there will be electric boats in attendance as well as the Wilderness Trail Boats and Steam boats. The new slipway looks very good and will be well used. Do come along on 6th or 7th September, it is free admission although we hope lots of people will buy a lucky draw programme. The prize will be £100 of vouchers each day for the new pub “The Milk Churn”, courtesy of Hall & Woodhouse.

I have really good news about membership. The Trust now has 2511 members. 2500 was my target by AGM this year so we are ahead of expectations. I think we should go for 3000 by end 2014 and 4000 by AGM 2015. If anyone would like to help with a recruitment drive or join a team doing that please let me know.

Speaking of the AGM this year, members will have received the details in the last Dragonfly. We have decided that instead of inviting an outside speaker, we will have several short presentations from the Trust to update you on the ongoing projects of which there are many.

Finally please be careful when going down to feed your chickens in the early morning! I wasn’t and have ended up with an ankle broken on both sides, now with screws and plates. It will quite a few weeks yet before I can put weight on it or drive. I shall still be at the River Festival though.

Kath Hatton