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ENews 2008-26 |
| Issue Date: Sep 25 2008 |
25th September 2008 10:00
Good morning and welcome to ENews 2008-26.
The objective of ENews is to advise, inform and update. And maybe even to
amuse now and then.
Any and all feedback is more than welcome.
oOo
TOOLING UP
The Trust is always on the lookout for a variety of tools and equipment - which it avoids acquiring through normal channels where it possibly can!
The feeling is that you may have just what's needed lurking in the back garden, in the garage or in the shed.
The shopping list currently comprises
(1) Mattocks
(2) Petrol brushcutters (not lightweight strimmers) with a 32cc engine or larger
(3) Petrol hedge cutters
(4) Builders wheel barrows with pneumatic tyres
(5) Steel bar, angle, RSJ girders of all shapes and sizes
(6) Scaffold towers
(7) 4 wheel builders trailers, 2.5 tonne capacity
(8) Ratchet operated loppers
(9) Standoffs for ladders
(10)Electric hand tools
(11) Diaphragm and/or sludge pumps & hoses 2/3/4 inch dia.
If you can help source some of these then please ring either Dudley Greenslade(01453 825515) or Roger Wells (01453 544490) or email info@cotswoldcanals.com so delivery/collection can be arranged.
oOo
HERAS TODAY, GONE TOMORROW
At last!
British Waterways has finally removed the Heras fencing from around Blunder & Newtown Locks at Eastington.
Maybe they've received the invoice from the Fence Hire company......
oOo
THE LECHLADE OSCARS
At the really well attended AGM last Saturday, IWA's Vaughan Welch was there to present the IWA Restoration Awards for 2008.
The richly deserving recipients were Bruce Hall, Ken Burgin and Neville Nelder "for services rendered to the restoration movement."
It's good to see recognition for those without whose efforts over the years the Trust would not be where it is today.
Hearty congratulations all round.
oOo
ELF SERVICE RESTRUCTURE
The Santa Cruises Season at Saul is only 11 weeks away would you believe.....
Trip Boat Supremo Dennis Clarke has kindly agreed to organise the boat crew roster again, however the Senior Elf and the SAGA* team of Julia & Sue are standing down after several years' service.
Santa feels that this provides the ideal opportunity for a complete overhaul andreview of his annual operation at Saul.
If you would like to be involved in the initial organisation of the renewed and refreshed cruises please let me know as soon as you can - postmaster@cctmembers-newsletter.co.uk
(*Santa's Assistants Gift Acquisition team)
oOo
STILL WAITING......
......for news of the date of Stroud District Council's meeting to formally decide on the future of Phase 1A of the restoration.
Shouldn't be long now, sometime in October I reckon......you will be amongst the first to know.
oOo
WALK RIGHT BACK
That well known tramper Richard Attwood has arranged guided and sponsored walks on behalf of the Trust for as long as he cares to remember. However the demands on his volunteering availability continue to grow, especially with the imminence of Phase 1A of the restoration finally getting under way.
What we need is a fresh pair (or pairs) of boots to lead and organise these in future - could you be interested? If so Richard will be only too pleased to elaborate on what's involved. Please email him at richard@raash31.co.uk
oOo
RESTING CARPET SWEEPERS
(Or Sits Vac to you and me)
1. Visiting Groups Coordinator, as described in ENews 2008-24; contact me if you would like to be refreshed on the detail!
2. One or two volunteers with an interest in wildlife/conservation to be suitably trained to assess sites for protected species such as badgers, bats, water voles, great crested newts etc. Required during the preparation phase prior to commencement of the restoration
3. A scaffolding erector/inspector who could also issue the appropriate certification either on a voluntary basis (or at a significant discount!)
4. Walks Coordinator - see article above
5. Trip Boat Leader for Saul, from Easter 2009 - see article below.
Please let me know if either you would like some more information on any of the above roles or if any/all of them appeal - postmaster@cct.members-newsletter.co.uk
oOo
SAILING INTO THE SUNSET
After many successful years, Dennis Clarke has decided it is time for him to stand down as the Saul Junction Trip Boat Team Leader for personal reasons.
He will be in charge of the Santa Cruises crewing arrangements again this year, so what we are looking for is someone to take over ready for the start of the 2009 cruising season at Easter.
Could that someone be you? If so, or if you would like a clearer picture of just what's involved, Dennis would be delighted to hear from you & would be happy to discuss the role in greater detail. You can contact Dennis by email at ddclarke@btinternet.com
oOo
BOARD BORED ROTTEN
The bugs have got to the CCT Notice Board at Halfpenny Bridge Lechlade (on the upstream side) as it is somewhat rotten to say the least. This was realised when the time came to update the information on display.
We're on the lookout for a decent piece of treated timber or marine ply to the order of 25" x 21" x 0.75". Or, if you prefer, 63cm x 53cm x 2cm.
Ish.
If you have a suitable piece of wood languishing somewhere that you knewwould come in useful one day and that needs a good home, please contact Mike Cawsey, 01367 252401 or email snowymikes@talktalk.net
oOo
PROPHECY COMES TRUE
Two issues ago it was suggested that you "Keep 'em peeled for news of work parties starting up again, hopefully in September/October, along the Phase 1A stretch."
Have a look at the What's On Guide below and you'll see the first of these is scheduled for Sunday 12th October, full details on the Connect 'Work Parties Saul to Daneway' Message Board.
If you would rather lend a hand closer to the Tunnel House Inn hostelry then there's another party on the same day - full details on the 'Work Parties in Tunnel Area' Message Board.
(To access the Message Boards please go to http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk and log in - or complete the really simple registration process if you are not already registered - and follow the Activities link in the Menu on the left.)
oOo
THE CCT WHAT'S ON GUIDE
For further information about items marked* and for contact details please go to http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk and the Message Boards on the Activities page
MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
Weekly maintenance activity at Western Depot, Eastington, from 09:00*
THURSDAY EVENINGS
Work Parties in the Latton/Cerney Wick area*
EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY until end September
(1) Trip boat Inglesham operating at Lechlade, River Thames*
(2) Trip boat Perseverance operating at Saul Junction, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal*
27TH SEPTEMBER
Cirencester Farmers Market*. Plent of space left on the Roster!
27TH/28TH SEPTEMBER
(1) Antiques & Collectibles Fair, Gloucester Docks*
(2) London WRG at Eisey Lock*. CCT Volunteers welcome, please email Activity Leader Jon Pontefract to let him know if you intend to go along, jonponte@tesco.net
5th OCTOBER
Banbury Canal Day*, 10:00 - 16:00. Plenty of space left on the Roster!
6TH OCTOBER
Western Branch monthly meeting, Fromebridge Mill Whitminster 7:30pm.
Off the A38 roundabout near M5 junction 13. Everybody welcome
11TH OCTOBER
Stroud Farmers' Market*
12TH OCTOBER
(1) Work Party Wallbridge area, Stroud*
(2) Work Party Tunnel area eastern end*
15TH OCTOBER
Eastern Branch monthly meeting at the Trout Inn, Lechlade.
On the north bank of the Thames by the A417 bridge. 7:30pm start, everybody welcome
oOo
If you have any newsworthy items you would like to be considered for inclusion please let me know at postmaster@cctmembers-newsletter.co.uk
but please remember - there should always be a connection, however tenuous, with the Stroudwater, the Thames & Severn or the CCT!
Bye for now.
David Pagett
Postmaster
