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

Monday, 18 April 2016

Headlines for the week ending 15th April





Out and About

WBCT Executive

Directors continue to get out and about meeting the volunteers and recruiting new membersLots of work on strategic plans. 

Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre

Fantastic progress both inside and out. The original stone walls look wonderful. Well done team!

New Web Site

Web site group about to start rewriting exercise. We are still looking for photos, particularly of people enjoying the canal. Contact Jenny Stratton: jenny.stratton@wbct.org.uk

Melksham Link

Meeting of Melksham Link project team. Agreed response to Wiltshire Council planners. Hopefully will result shortly in a new public consultation on the planning application.


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




Tuesday, 12 April 2016

Headlines for the week ending 8th April

Out and About

Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre

Volunteer works continue at Peterborough Arms to prepare Community Rooms for opening. Visitors are coming in to see progress. 

WBCT Executive

Directors continue to get out and about meeting the volunteers!
A second packed and constructive Executive meeting with strategy featuring high on the agenda.

Pewsham HLF Funding 

MCC Pewsham Locks bid team met again with the aim to submit application to HLF by June 1st

Boating on the Canal 

Exploratory meeting with Chippenham Sailing Club to look at ‘river access for all ‘project.

Boat Group

nb Dragonfly
Very busy boat bookings using the new landing stage at Waitrose, Wichelstowe.
Great public reaction to these trips and as a consequence we need more admin help: see Requests below. Many thanks to the fantastic skippers and crew who have risen to the challenge of the much busier boat activity.
Charges: £5 for adults £2 for children (2-15 yrs) 
Times: 10:30, 11:45, 1:30 and 2:45 
See web site for more details


Requests

Volunteer Needed
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.
If you are thinking “hey, this sounds like it would be good for me” please get in touch with Derek Flexer for more information. This role could also be role-shared.
Derek Flexer: derek.flexer@wbct.org.uk

Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre
Please would volunteers and visitors sign in and sign out. There is a visitors book on the small bar.

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
·         

Monday, 4 April 2016

Headlines for week ending 1st April 2016





OUT AND ABOUT

Derek Flexer has met with Branch Chairs, ResCom and other key contributors to explore ideas around how to structure his team. Plus discussions with Andrew Matters: – their two teams need to work together like jigsaw pieces. Progress on the local maintenance plans (LMPs)with the Branches. DF spent a delightfully sunny Good Friday morning being shown all the work in the Foxham & Lyneham area.

New office at Peterborough Arms visited by many in the Trust and by passers-by:  Kath Hatton reports all looking very good, with Ann and Justine settling in well. Lovely setting on a sunny day. 
The new contact details are: Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre, Dauntsey Lock, CHIPPENHAM, Wiltshire SN15 4HD   Tel: 0845 226 8567  Office hours remain the same.

Wednesday was the last working day for Kate Jones, our project leader for Studley Wildlife Trail.  She is going off to Camp America for the summer to look after 10-14 year olds. Work on the trail will continue, just waiting for it all to dry out.

Draft action plan for the Heritage Lottery Fund bid for Pewsham Locks has been sent to the Development Officer at HLF South-West for her comments. A massive amount of work done by the MCC team and special thanks to Val Melville.

Top Lock at Pewsham almost ready for work to start. £20,000 funding from Chippenham Area Board now received.

Good productive meeting with Canal and River Trust regarding PR for the Pewsham Locks project.

Land Team meeting with very comprehensive mapping information produced by Martin Stubbs: a great deal of important work going on here.

First meeting held with Peter Brett Associates to start work on Oxfordshire Biodiversity study.

CIOB AGM in Bristol: attended by John Laverick and Sheila Wade. Good talks on canal structures. Useful contacts made.

Dragonfly busy with trippers over Easter. Rain never stops play!

Sack House, Wantage Wharf open again for 2016: First and third Wednesdays and Saturdays in the month, from 10 am to 2 pm. Lots of history, great photos and a warm welcome. Well worth a visit. 

REQUESTS
Still looking for great photos of people and wildlife for the new web site: Contact Sheila Wade:  sheila.wade@wbct.org.uk

Don’t forget the online consultation survey for Pewsham Locks:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/63KKLDN

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




Monday, 21 March 2016

Headlines for week ending 20th March 2016

OUT AND ABOUT
Grant of £27,500 under the Landfill Communities Fund from Crappers & Sons Landfill received for the Studley/Chaddington connection: thanks to Crappers for all their support.
Presentation to Wiltshire Council’s Flood Group of possible use of the canal for flood prevention.
Meeting of Wiltshire Swindon & Oxfordshire Canal Partnership.
Appointment of Peter Brett Associates to prepare biodiversity study for the Oxfordshire section of the canal.
Positive meeting with IWA Restoration Committee at the Peterborough Arms, with an excellent lunch and good chat at the Cross Keys Bradenstoke. Thanks to the WBCT team for preparation of displays and for refreshments.
Very well-attended talk on the Wilts & Berks Canal to Melksham and District Historical Association; good support for the canal coming back into Melksham.
Further work on key appointments and team building within the new Executive.
Office move to Canal Centre at Peterborough Arms. Many thanks to all those who helped in all sorts of ways, forward planning, moving desks and boxes, cleaning, installing phone and IT systems, sending flowers, making cups of tea: a real team effort!
The new contact details are: Wilts and Berks Canal Trust, Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre, Dauntsey Lock CHIPPENHAM, SN15 4HD   Tel: 0845 226 8567  Office hours remain the same
F&L Branch team win the Branch award at the very well attended MCC Quiz night: well done Nancy, Robin, Sheila and Susan.
REQUESTS
Still looking for great photos of people and wildlife for the new web site: Contact Sheila Wade:  sheila.wade@wbct.org.uk
Don’t forget the online consultation survey for Pewsham Locks:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/63KKLDN
Find out all about the WBCT by:
Read “On the Button”, our monthly email newsletter, available on request from the web site ( Click here to subscribe)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,

Monday, 14 March 2016

Blog: Headlines for week ending 11th March 2016

This is a summary of some of the things that have happened in the Trust over the last week.
OUT AND ABOUT
  • Lots of moving stuff inside Peterborough Arms in preparation for electricians, fire alarms and fire doors and the main office move on 20th.
  • Another £200 in donations this week: thank you so much everyone.
  • EGM enthusiasm and energy carries on: Martin Stubbs appointed as Head of IT. Congratulations Martin
  • Another positive and productive Peterborough Arms meeting on Tuesday: Phase 1 on track for Community Rooms to be opened in summer.
  • Environment Statement for Melksham Link handed in to Wiltshire Council: a massive document and a massive effort: Well done Paul and team
  • Meeting of Canal & River Trust restoration officers group – discussion on classification of restoration projects into local regional and nationally significant + framework for agreement for connection of restored waterways to CRT network
  • Meeting with leaders of Swindon Borough and Vale of White Horse District Councils-discussion on how Local Authorities and WBCT can co-operate more
  • Work plan for restart of work at Studley Grange – emphasis on early  delivery of towpath surfacing
  • First meeting of Board of Trustees

REQUESTS
Looking for great photos of people and wildlife for the new web site: Contact Sheila Wade:  sheila.wade@wbct.org.uk
Volunteers with skills sought to join highly motivated  Peterborough Arms group: Contact Dave Maloney: dmaloney@sheldonschool.co.uk
Don’t forget the online consultation survey for Pewsham Locks:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/63KKLDN
IT savvy volunteers needed to support Trust wide IT function: Contact Martin Stubbs: martin.stubbs@wbct.org.uk

Find out all about the W&BCT by:
Read “On the Button”, our monthly email newsletter, available on request from the web site ( Click here to subscribe)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,

 

Monday, 7 March 2016

Its been a very busy week -here are the headlines...



  • Melksham Link:  Environment Statement completed and revised drawings and documents about to be submitted to Wiltshire Council planners.
  • Pewsham Locks:  HLF bid team met : likely submission date June 1st. As part of the continuing community consultation there is an online survey https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/63KKLDN
  • Planning application for the next phase of works at Naish Hill near Lacock has been submitted and registered -Ref 16/01709/FUL http://bit.ly/1LtP8W5
  • Grant awarded by Chippenham Area Board of £19,873 towards restoration of Top Lock Pewsham. Lots of fantastic support from the Area Board members. Thank you so much!
  • Grant awarded by Malmesbury Area Board of £990 towards refurbishment of Community Space at the Peterborough Arms. Thank you once again for your very welcome support.
  • Donations of £270 received for Studley Grange last week: many thanks to all concerned.
  • 90 members attend EGM to hear about new structure for WBCT and an update on restoration and projects.
“A very positive atmosphere in the room and loads of enthusiasm”
           “I wish we could bottle this and let it out exactly when and where we need it”
  • New Executive Directors announced at EGM: see web site for more info.www.wbct.org.uk
  • The 200 Club has become the 300 Club: first draw for 2016 takes place at EGM: fantastic support for such a worthwhile funding effort. Branches to benefit from more grant aid available.
  • Volunteers from Swindon shop have busy time on the merchandise stall at EGM: £200 sales. Well done team!
  • Dragonfly Boat crew announce that they have a newly qualified skipper. Boat trips start again on Easter Saturday
  • New Land Fund Appeal announced by Kath Hatton at EGM, for the purchase of land between Melksham and Lacock: see Dragonfly and web site soon for more details.

Quote of the week: “Figures are fun, fun, fun” …. as new Executive Directors are asked to think about their presentations to EGM, and use these as an opportunity to enthuse members and seek volunteers for the next layer down.
Find out all about the WCT by:
  • Following us on Twitter
  • Read On the Button, our monthly email newsletter, available here
  • Look at our web site www.wbct.org.uk
  • And read about us in Dragonfly, our quarterly journal