Swindon Reports
| Dragonfly Branch Report Summer 2006 (No 101) |
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Summer's here already and where do I start. So much has happened since the last edition I can hardly keep up with it myself. Without a doubt this has been one of our best years so far in our history but it has not been without its setbacks. March and we have a wonderful day down at the Somerset Waterways taking two mini buses full of enthusiasts all of whom thought it was great success. Ceri draws up a new leaflet for our trip boat and Oliver supplies a new safety manual. We also agree to hold the A.G.M. in Swindon in October and set the wheels in motion for that event. Also in April we had a number of catastrophes. Firstly the bund under Beavens bridge at Westleaze was breached by someone and we lost a great deal of water. Next we discover a large leak down in the fishing area and contacted the Council with a view to fixing it as quickly as possible. Then the water board had a massive leak under Skew bridge which filled the canal again. This rose the water level to unprecedented height's and the strain on the canal was so great that the bank was breeched down at Kingshill. Along with the council workers who were brilliant that day we were able to seal this breach before we lost the whole canal. Before we could fix the second leak we had to involve the Wild Life people because of the Voles we have in that area. Still April and yet more setbacks, Our boat Pioneer needed some repairs before we could put her back on the water. We spent two days cutting her about before we made the decision that she had gone past her sell by date and had to send her to the big boat yard in the sky. We looked at four boats in quick succession but could find nothing to fit the bill until Melksham Branch offered us Pioneer Two. That to me is one of the great strengths of the Canal Trust, The way that branches help each other out in times of need. We have it, You what it, Come and get it, Thanks to all at Foxhangers. Still the catastrophes hit us, We call in the Environment Agency about the weed in the canal only to be told it is the dreaded Canadian Pond Weed (Elodea Canadensis) which after more research I discover was first reported in the canal on November 23rd 1874, Plus if that was not bad enough we also have the non-native Water Fern (Azolla Fillicoides) which if left to its own devices will be thick enough to walk on by the end of the summer. Can it get worse, Yes it can, and it does. We discover that we have Mink down at Westleaze. Those wonderful animal liberation people that set them free from the farms should come down and see what those Mink are doing to our Native species, They have no natural predators and will wipe out anything that gets in their way. At last we start to see the trees instead of the woods. The Wild Life people give us the go ahead to fix the leak and the Council offer to pay for the machinery if we supply the labour, Also we set up our Mink trap with the help of the Water Vole Recovery Officer, Thanks Beth. Oliver collects the new boat from Foxhangers and Ken gives our volunteers a course on boating skills on board his boat at Lechlade. Finally whilst we start to organise our own A.G.M in June we are told that the Southern Development Company are re-launching themselves as Wichelstowe and we are invited to participate in their forum. This is what we in Swindon call the Front Garden Project. It is at this point that my long suffering wife suggests that I take my bed down to the canal. Only she was a little more succinct about how she said it. This meeting was going well until I suggested that the contractors should put the canal under the motorway at the same time as they do the road. Lead balloons come to mind. The outcome of this issue is that they have arranged to meet the Canal Trust to discuss why this is not possible. Fiscal polices and financial constraints come to mind. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE WEB PAGE FOR AN UPDATE ON THIS. Roy Cartwright
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