WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

Well that's Summer over with and I am not going to dwell on the weather to much.Instead lets be upbeat and positive about the last three months.

Swindon is still in the middle of its greatest change in the last 50 years and we must be part of it. The Halcrow Report on the Central Route is now in the hands of the Town Council as I write this.

We have done everything we can towards the Lottery Bid and will know a lot more by the time you read this.
The Motorway Tunnel talks go on with the Developers, And at the Front Garden the canal has been cut in half so that a new bridge can to built, then the canal will be rebuilt to a much higher standard.

We have attended a number of events this summer, The Old Town Festival for just one day, Second day cancelled.

The Fairford Air Show thanks to Paul, Who did all the arranging for us, and for once this summer we had good weather and we made the best of it..
The Wanborough Show for the first time, Ironically the rain actually made sure our tent was full at all times and we had a good day, Thanks folks we will be back.
Ceri made the outfits for our human fruit machine but we were not able to run it on this occasion because of the rain but there will always be a next time.

And on September the 1st we took our display to the Lawn for the Forest Festival event which was really well attended and we had a lot of interest in us mainly because of the impending central route possibilities.

Our first two Mini Bus tours went well, Thanks for driving Ray. The first was to the South West and we were met by Colin Fletcher for a walk and talk on the Pewsham Locks Area, The second was North East and here we were met by Martin Buckland for a guided walk along to the new Abingdon Junction, Thanks Guy's if you ever wish to come to our neck of the woods I would be glad to reciprocate and show you the canal in the Swindon Area.

Which nicely brings me to our D.V.D A Journey Through Time in Swindon, What a success story this has been with almost 200 copies now distributed.
A big thank you to all the Dragonfly Members who phoned me and ordered a copy. I have received some wonderful letters, emails, and phone calls from members praising our efforts and I have to say thank you to Gary, Keith, Jan, and Richard who made it possible.

Because of the importance of the canal in Swindon at this time we do get a lot of media coverage in the press, Most very favourable, Some not so. After one of the not so, My old mate Henry Smith (ex Chairman of the Swindon Branch) came charging into the affray with a great piece of writing which took up almost half a page in the local paper.He not only replied in detail to the points raised but also managed to get the history of the canal in as well, No mean feat in our local paper which usually cuts letters to a bare minimum ( nice one Henry ).

Jan and her trusty stalwarts, 8 of them took the canal display to St Ives for the Waterways Festival in late August and Colin has produced a new walking leaflet for Swindon. taking in Old Town and its railway track. Oliver and Toni really struggled with our boat trip agenda and all the good work put in by them came to little or nothing, Thanks to all those who gave us their names and I am sorry we could not use you all this summer.

Rachael is set to bring her band of workers, As many as 150 to Swindon in November for a bonfire bash on 3rd and 4th so we will be looking for help from our branch members with that one.

Michael is sorting out next years music night at Christ Church and that leaves me with nothing to do as usual. ( just a joke folks, My own match funding hours so far this year are 319 hours as my sweetness and light reminds me each time I tell her I am to busy to take her into town.)

Sorry if I have missed anyone out but it really has been a busy Summer despite to rain.

One last thing, Keith, Doug, and myself went to visit Mr Eric Tull He wrote a definitive history of the Canal in Swindon, Which is now out of print. Not only did he give Doug permission to reprint the book he is also allowing us to update it and he has given the rights to the book to the Trust. I am sure Doug will make you very proud of the new edition Eric and thank you on behalf of the Trust.

Roy Cartwright
Chairman Swindon Branch.