Monday 25 April 2016

Headlines for the week ending 29 April



Out and About


WBCT Executive

Very packed agenda at the Executive meeting on Monday with among other matters, 3 PIDs to consider: Moulden Hill in Swindon, Childrey Bridleway Bridge in East Vale and The Easter Towpath Challenge Walk 2017. All were extensively discussed and approved in principle. And all will be back when needed with updates and for further approvals.


Easter Towpath Challenge Walk and Festival 2017

Yes its back...  The PR & Communications team with Tim Pyatt is planning the re-appearance of this favourite event, and alongside it will run a series of Towpath Festivals. Still very early in the planning stage and has a number of hoops to jump through before we can confirm...  but great news!

Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre

Good progress is being made with Phase 1 refurbishment. It's a big space! Worth popping in to see: Monday to Friday 9.30 to 12 am. Ann and Justine are there to welcome you, but it is a work in progress so be prepared for dust!

First planning meeting this week to organise our celebration event on Saturday 18th June. Funders and supporters of the Peterborough Arms will be our guests. More information later.

New WI group opens in Pewsham: Lockside WI


First talk to the new group given by MCC member Alan Lank on WBCT, to celebrate their connection with the canal. Members delighted with talk and commit to ongoing relationship with the Trust.


New Eastern Villages Consultation


Many thanks to all those who have responded... and there are many!

The closing date for responses is Wednesday 4th May so, if you haven't yet responded, please do so tomorrow.

To remind you, our aim is to see the construction of the canal in New Eastern Villages as an enforceable part of the infrastructure development, and that will mean that the canal must be built as part of any built development.


We need you to influence Swindon Borough Council to place the canal at the heart of this development.


You can help us by responding, as an individual, to the online consultation document.
http://www.swindon.gov.uk/easternvillagesconsultation


The more responses SBC receive on this subject, the more likely they are to consider including funding for the canal within the development proposals, as they go through the planning process.


Respond with your individual comments by email to: nev@swindon.gov.uk.
Or by post to: 
Planning Service Swindon Borough Council, Freepost SCE5251
5th Floor, Wat Tyler House Beckhampton Street,  Swindon, SN1 2JG.


What do you need to say?


You need to use your own words but we would like to suggest the following bullet points that you might want to select from:


·         It’s very good to see that the protected canal route has been included
·         The construction of the canal must be included as part of the New  

          Eastern Villages infrastructure
·         The canal should be funded by the developers
·         The canal offers opportunities for flood relief and land drainage
·         The canal offers a wonderful opportunity to make a distinctive character 

          for NEV
·         Working canals in other location have created property uplift, and will

          do here as well

·         A built canal will create recreational and leisure assets and increase 

          peoples well-being
·         A built canal will create wildlife habitat assets, and increase biodiversity


Thank you


Please do look online and respond to the consultation: the closing date is Wednesday 4th May, so there is not much time left.
And talking to family and friends about this, and asking them to respond as well, would create an even larger impression.


Together we can achieve our goal of restoring the canal, and this is an important way that you have helped. 


Requests


Volunteer Needed For the Boat Group

We are looking for a volunteer to lead on
taking boat bookings

You will be involved in responding to enquiries from the public via
a dedicated mobile phone and messaging system, managing a booking
speadsheet system, and communicating and co-ordinating with the boat
team, especially on the days when the trip boat is running.
This role would be ideal for someone who wants to help, but may not be
local to our canal, as the whole role can be carried out remotely. 
This role could also be role-shared with a friend or colleague.

If you are thinking “hey, this sounds like it would be good for me”
please get in touch with Derek Flexer for more information.

Email:derek.flexer@wbct.org.uk
Mob No: 07753 980 297




Find out all about the W&BCT by:
Read “On the Button”, our monthly email newsletter, available on request from the web site and read about us in Dragonfly, our quarterly journal: next issue due out shortly, and look at our web site  (new web site coming soon): www.wbct.org.uk
Follow us on twitter: @wiltsberkscanal, and like us on Facebook: Wilts & Berks Canal Friends

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