A New Chairman for the Trust

The most exciting news of the week is the forthcoming appointment of Roderick Bluh as Chairman of the Wilts & Berks. We are all very much looking forward to working with Rod – it is such a busy time with so much going on.  He will be able to bring his expertise to the re-organisation of the Trust and it is just the right time for the projects that are unfolding all along the canal.  Rod already knows the project quite well and as a previous Leader of Swindon Council, has a lot of local knowledge about the town.  I hope that I will now have more time for fundraising – there is a lot to do.  We have been without a Chairman for 2 years and 8 months.

I am grateful to Dauntsey Parish Council for their contribution to the fund to update the toilet at the Peterborough Arms to one that is DDA compliant.  This should release the funds already agreed from Malmesbury Area Board.  Having met up with a member of the Peterborough Arms Cricket Club the other night, I have realised how much some of the local groups are missing the pub being open so it has inspired me to push on with fundraising for the restoration.  I am hoping that we can attract some European funding for part of it.

At Studley Grange preparations continue for the start of the work.  We hope it will be next month.  The appeal is doing well – just a few pounds under £10K at £9994.  Thank you to everyone who has donated – every pound counts.  Please keep them coming!  If in the unlikely event there is any spare, I shall put it to Chaddington Lane bridge, which is the next target, so we can connect the new stretch up to Chaddington Lock. 

This week the branch manager of the Bristol branch of the Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) is coming over to Pewsham to have a look at our progress with the culvert (YBS funded the work with a £10K grant) and to present us with our Lasting Legacy Award.  I hope he is as impressed as I was last time I was there – it looks amazing.  Ray Canter and his team are doing great work.  

Kath Hatton