WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

We have been working on the retoration of the Wilts & Berks canal around Foxham and Lyneham for the last twenty years using volunteers. However the more we restore the more difficult it gets to maintain the sections restored.

This had reached the point when we spent a lot of time keeping the towpaths and hedges tidy which could have been spent doing restoration works. It was therfore decided that doing this work mechanically would save a lot of time, and a decision was made to purchase a tractor with hedgetrimmer and mower to carry out this work.

We of course had then to raise the money and were fortunate to be given a grant by Awards for All and IWA to cover the cost of purchase.

A group of dedicated canal enthusiasts from the Waterways Recovery Group, have spent the last week restoring the Seven Locks section of the Wilts and Berks Canal at Dauntsey. Twenty five volunteers worked over the weekend, with twenty staying on for the whole week. The group included 8 young people whose efforts on the project are counting towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Work party leader, Rachael Banyard said, "It's been a great week with a team of all ages and with a wide range of experience. The weather was kind and we only lost 2 hours to heavy rain. Everyone has worked hard, we're pleased with what we've achieved and some people have picked up new skills."

Work on the Seven Locks section was started 9 years ago and a lot has been achieved already. Some volunteers are skilled in operating excavators and driving dumper trucks so this means that serious engineering work is done to very professional standards, and experienced volunteers often pass on their skills to new comers who are interested.