WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

February 7 1919

The Canal and Coate Reservoir Committee reported that a Sub-Committee had considered as to the duties of Mr.S.J. Lawrence in connection with the feeders to and from Coate Reservoir, the protection and regulation of the various hatches, and the impounding and conservation of the water, and subsequently interviewed Mr. Lawrence and discussed matters with him, particularly as to his remuneration for these duties, and recommended that he be paid the sum of £100 per annum, such payment to date from the 31st March 1918, and that the arrangement be made determinable by three months notice on either side.

Tress at Coate Reservoir March 14 1919

Included in the minutes of the Canal and Coate Reservoir Committee was a recommendation that a number of elm trees at Coate Reservoir should be felled.

Councillor Lee inquired the reason for this, and the Chairman (Councillor Hill) explained that the trees had reached maturity, and there was a good market for timber at the present time. The Council decided a year or more ago that some of the trees should be marked for felling and these were a few of them. Councillor Hill assured the Council that the cutting down of the trees would not interfere at all with the natural beauty of the locality.

Swindon Evening Advertiser 1919