Swindon Branch Shop Opens December 2007
The Swindon Branch opened their information point in Regent Street during the last week of December. Swindon Borough Council have assisted with a six month lease for the premises at 1 Regent Street (just off Regent Circus).
Swindon Concert Band 2006 - Christchurch Swindon
Over 200 people enjoyed a great musical evening at Christchurch in Swindon on Saturday 21st October 2006.
Swindon Concert Band played a wide range of music covering a number of styles. So many people wanted to attend (as can be seen from the picture on the left) that traffic came to a halt at the top of Victoria Road.
Needless to say a great evening was had by all those attending with many complements made by those attending on the evening. Swindon Branch would like to thank Swindon Concert Band for their support on and before the day. (Swindon Concert Band gave their time free to support the aims of the Trust).
The evening also heard Mary Radcliffe read her poem in celebration of Brunel's 200th anniversary.
Watch out for the next publication of Dragonfly (103 due in January 2007) for a full report on the evening.
All photographs on this page are provided thanks to the Trust photographer, Gary Mason.
IWA Narrowboat Jubilee visits Swindon 4th July 2006
A narrowboat was seen in Canal Walk for the first time in nearly a century as part of the IWA jubilee celebrations.
On her way between festivals, the narrowboat Jubilee called in to assist the Trust show what could be in the town centre if the canal route was restored.
Find out more about the day and the challenges of navigating a narrowboat through Swindon town centre by clicking here.
Council leader gives support to canals return
SWINDON will return to being a canal town under a plan being pursued by council leader Roderick Bluh.
Coun Bluh wants the council to investigate the feasibility of restoring the canal that used to pass through the centre of the town.
In a plan to be debated next month, Coun Bluh will be calling on the council to "commit the council to investigate the feasibility, both practically and financially, of the restoration of a canal through central Swindon, which we believe would be a major boost to town centre regeneration".
The canal plan, which would link the existing canalways, is one of the ideas contained in the "Transforming Swindon" document that Coun Bluh (Cons, Dorcan) says adds more detail to the council's 50 Promises manifesto.
The council is also to investigate holding a regular festival and sports competition to follow the success of the Corporate Games and put up electronic noticeboards and banners through the town to broadcast upcoming cultural events.
The council also wants to put up posters throughout the town to communicate its doings.
Important council meetings would be broadcast over the internet, while the council leader would join an internet chatroom twice a month to discuss council issues.
Coun Bluh said the council would launch a "comprehensive, unified" recycling and waste strategy to take the borough above national targets, as well as adopting the findings of a renewable energy taskforce expected to report by March next year.
Coun Bluh said the council was working urgently to get design codes to give the town more control over what is built in the borough.
"We are determined to push the boundaries for Swindon to ensure that we do once again become a destination of choice not just for business but also as a place to live and play," Coun Bluh said.
"We believe that the proposals contained in this document combined with the update on our 50 Promises demonstrate our commitment to the transformation of our borough to ensure Swindon becomes one of the best places to live, work and play.
"This is an extremely exciting and challenging time for Swindon.
"For the first time in many years, wherever you look within our borough you will see major change and improvements taking place. This is a great opportunity for Swindon which we intend to seize for the benefit of all our residents."
(Reprinted with permission of the Evening Advertiser)
Swindon Charity Ball Saturday 13th May 2006
The Wilts and Berks Trust (Swindon Branch) were one of the charities to benefit from the charity ball held at the Marriot Hotel, Swindon.
Nationwide Building Society, Marriot Hotels, the Rotary Club and the Evening Advertiser sponsored the event which raised over £43,000 on the night alone!
The Trust look set to receive a £5,000 donation from the event to be spent on improving and opening up the canal at Kingshill. This is intended to make the canal more visible and accessible for those who may not know it exists tucked away at the bottom of Kingshill.
The photograph shows members of the Trust during the event. A great night was had by all and the funds on the night brought the total raised by the ball over 18 years to an impressive £500,000
Canal Floods at Westleaze 8th May 2006
A sudden and massive influx of water at Westleaze saw the canal overflow last week.
A disused pipe which had been "capped" some time ago was reopened by the pressure of water. Thanks to Swindon Borough Council and the branch members the crisis is over - and with water levels back up the canal is back to its old levels. (Click on image for full article)
Plans to tackle leaks at Westleaze 8th May 2006
Three of the Trust Directors met with the Chair of the Swindon Branch to assess the largest of the leaks at Westleaze. This is situated between Beavens bridge and the M4 and is possibly due to tree roots penetrating the clay lining of the canal wall. A plan of action was agreed and will be discussed with Swindon Borough Council who have already agreed to tackle the issue with the Trust.
At present, we are waiting to approve the plans from a wildlife and environment stance before making repairs over a weekend.