Swindon Reports
| Dragonfly Branch Report Spring 2006 (No.100) |
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The 100th edition of Dragonfly, What an occasion to introduce myself as Swindon's new Branch Chairman. And to be following in the footsteps of people like Henry Smith, and Ken Oliver, I feel I will have a lot to prove if I am to match the work rate of those two giants in the Canal Trust. So much is happening right now in Swindon that I could easily fill half this Magazine with just our branch information, But as space will be at a premium in this edition I will restrict myself to just three items. Our January Branch meeting is always turned into something special and this year was no exception. It usually attracts 70-80 branch members each year, So this time we were going for the same sort of figures. In order to make it as interesting as possible each year we try and do something different so we had the following items on the agenda. Five different speakers each on a chosen subject, A sketch based on Political Correctness gone mad, A talk on traditional Canal Food followed by eating some of this delicious Home cooked feast, A film show of Canal Life in the 50s, A Raffle based on Canal History, A couple of games of Irish Bingo, Plus the usual question and answers discussion with the members about the Canal in general. What we did not expect was the huge surge of interest in the canal in Swindon so instead of the 80 or so we were expecting 124 members and friends turned up and we had to do some quick seating adjustments plus changes in the way we served the food in the hall. I took the greatest delight in apologising to everyone about the changes because we were the victims of our own success, How many organisations could turn out 124 people on a cold winters night I asked.The success of the meeting was I believe down to the fact that 15 different members helped set the meeting up and run it, Jan of course was the driving force and lead the way, But you all did your part and I would like to thank each one of you for your participation. The next morning saw 12 of us out on the canal learning to hedge lay. This was organised between the Branch and the Wiltshire Wild Life Trust who supplied the instructor, the tools, and most importantly the coffee.Not even the heavy rain on the first day could dampen our spirits and when at the end of the two day course we each received our certificates it was like getting a medal. Finally we are hoping to put a lot more information about Swindon Branch on the Trust Web Site so visit it and add it to your favourites, Then click on regularly and keep up to date with what's happening in Swindon.Swindon Branch A.G.M. will be on June 6th So come along and have your say.Swindon will also be hosting the Trusts A.G.M. in October this year, So a busy time ahead. We meet at the Kings in Wood Street Old Town at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of each month and would love to see you there. Roy Cartwright
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