WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

Work continues well on Steppingstone Bridge. A workparty, either with Trust volunteers alone or ably assisted by WRGies (Waterways Recovery Group) (WRG) volunteers from all over the country happens almost every weekend. In fact help arrives from the most unexpected places. In my last report I mentioned that we were to have donated to us many tonnes of PFA (Pulverised Fly Ash) from RWE Npower at Didcot to build up the slopes over the bridge - well, it has turned up as expected and has been laid with very unexpected great help from RWE Npower employees. They worked their socks off wheel barrowing, spreading and tamping two huge tipper lorry loads of ash against the arch of the bridge (see article & photos on our website)- click here  A great help indeed, - and the barrows and shovels were kindly donated by B&Q in Swindon - our thanks go to all involved. Much appreciated support indeed!

Yet more good news - we have been offered enough secondhand coping stones to complete our bridge. A railway bridge, near Didcot, is being demolished and we have the chance of them free, all we have to do is get them from site to here in the few days between Christmas and the New Year! - more good news lots of WRGies (transport as well) are coming on a week long Christmas camp to do just that for us - and depending on the weather either lay some of the copings or make a start on ditching and clearance work on our newly acquired leased section.

More good news, yet to be confirmed, is we have been offered a quantity of tarmac road planings, again we have to shift it, but it will make an excellent final surfacing over the bridge. So things go well- but there is always some bad news to report - the taggers have been busy and graffiti has appeared at the bridge - it can and will be removed but it does take volunteers away from doing what they come from all over the country to do. Sad, but it will not deter us!

Local members have been busy too - one job has been to remove and straighten the height barrier at the canalside park entrance - yes someone managed to drive into it and bend it! Someone also managed to wreck the small gate by the car park- a new stronger one is now in place. Another group of revelers staved of the cold of an English summer nights frolicking in the park by having a nice blaze of our stored fencing and a picnic table, as I said earlier it will not deter us!

Our annual Quiz night was a great success - our thanks to all who attended - and a goodly sum was added, temporarily, to our coffers, it will be spent on transport for the stones and tarmac. A separate report is elseware in the Mag.

Our WRG volunteers are accommodated in Watchfield and South Marston Village halls, another example of the local support we receive for which we are very grateful and our thanks go to them. Many more weekend work parties are booked so progress will continue BUT we could still do with more local volunteers. Support, that's what it's all about and this is where you come in - despite recruiting several new active branch members we definitely need more local support - the paperwork, logistics and fundraising just for the bridge has pushed the few local branch volunteers right to their limits. We still need help on all fronts, not just humping materials and grass cutting but with the paperwork, liaison with local authorities and landowners. Someone just to distribute leaflets, do lectures and talks, a wiz-kid on the computer to produce the artwork for publicity, displays and maps, there are urgent jobs for everyone. Please, just volunteer, it's a very worthwhile LOCAL cause linked to a great National Project, great camaraderie and good fun. Help can be done at home, no need to get muddy or to attend meetings, although to some of us that's part of the fun!

Like to help but can't spare the time, then just become a member: It costs from as little as £5, and helps us no end. It will also keep you right up to date on progress with your free members' quarterly magazine ‘The Dragonfly'. Give us a call and we'll pop some details through your door. Or stop for a chat when you spot one of our volunteers along the canal. Alternatively just turn up at our monthly meetings - 2nd Wednesday of each month, 8.00 pm at the Bowls Club, you'll be made most welcome. I'm sure you will find it interesting and the bar will be open!

Much more detail always appears on the Trusts web site www.wbct.org.uk and our Branch web site www.westvalecanal.org.uk Also try www.wrg.org.uk
It's not all digging in the mud, you know! BUT it is all done by volunteers, with a great deal of most welcome support! Thanks everyone.
Come on! Let's get OUR bridge finished and officially opened.

More details call 01793 783024.
Alan Norris - Branch Chairman.