Some housekeeping and an appeal for your support

Before the spring arrives and the weather outdoors becomes a little more enticing I’m getting on with some housekeeping.

Reorganisation

Last year Chris Coyle and our Chairman, Rod Bluh visited the Branches to explain our re-organisation plans. I was invited in autumn last year to become CEO and since then I have put together a new organisation structure – aiming to get us readier than ever to press on with the canal restoration – and invited applications for positions on the new Executive Committee to be submitted by 31^st January. Working with Rod Bluh and Colin Fletcher I am almost ready to make my choice, which would then be ratified by the Board of Trustees at its meeting this week.

The reorganisation will be presented to members at our EGM on 5^th March less than a month away now.

Our website and IT infrastructure

One of my ongoing tasks is to rebuild our website. Without losing the huge archive of material that is on the current site my aim is to update the IT infrastructure that is the motor of the site, to modernise the look of the site and to broaden the appeal of the site to talk to our funders and sponsors, and also to landowners along the length of the canal whose goodwill we rely on to make the restoration possible.

Our plans include an exclusive area on the site where members will have access to a wealth of archive material and where – in time – they could update their personal records, and manage membership fee payments and donations to the Trust. All things to come. Please let us have your thoughts on what you would like from the new website.

Peterborough Arms
 As Chris and Kath have mentioned in previous blogs the Peterborough Arms (or should I speak rather of the Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre!?)  is a firm priority. We are pushing ahead to get basic repair work completed so that we can get a part of the building open and used more fully by the spring. I too share the dream of a thriving canal centre being developed around the pub and want us to move on to progress building works further just as soon as we can raise the funds to do so.

A gentle reminder to support the making  of the 300 Club

 We set ourselves the target of turning the 200 Club into a 300 Club this year. We’re almost there being only 20 applications short of the 300 mark. Maybe in the few days left until the deadline of 17^th February there will be enough new supporters to get us there. Not only can you support the work of our Branches by raising money for equipment and other needs, but you can win prizes too. Until now about £9,400 has been given way in prize money.

Application forms are available here. Or read more about the Club on our website where you can also see a list of prize winners.

Finally if you have a look at this month's Canal Boat magazine you  will see John Lavericks's answers to 20 Waterway Questions

 

Jonathan Till