Studley news, management changes, & draw tickets on sale

 Well at long last I can report that the ‘big machines’ are on site and starting to excavate and profile the canal at Studley Grange Royal Wootton Bassett. (see Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wiltsberkscanal ). If you  have followed progress on this you  will realise  that  there have been a number of delays with the project  and directors of WBCT have had to  make some difficult  decisions to keep things on track. Perhaps a good time to remind you of the continuing need for funds- see details about the appeal at  http://bit.ly/1w23LrJ

 
You may have read in the last few months that  management changes are being planned for WBCT. The proposals will be announced shortly with a series of ‘road shows’ to gauge members views before the final changes are proposed for ratification at the AGM on 17^th October .

One of the issues that is being addressed is maintenance. A new policy is being devised by Derek Flexer in consultation with Branch Chairs . Making the canal look good after restoration is an essential part of the project. It is the ‘shop window’ to encourage further support so getting this aspect right is taking high priority.

 

Apart from the obvious publicity surrounding the opening of the Wichelstowe landing stage, it is good to know that further positive things are coming from the event. Following looking at the canal and housing at East Wichel one of the guests, a major developer from Chippenham, met the Swindon Borough Council Wichelstowe team last week to learn how they might use the same idea of a canal for water management in their proposals.

 

Finally Kath reports a good response so far to the purchase of draw tickets by members since the recent issue of  Dragonfly – she received £1100 in the first week and some coming back into the office too.  She will give a fuller update in the next blog. Draw ticket monies are always very useful to fund those small tasks that other funding sources can’t help with.

 

Ken Oliver