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ENews 2008-27 |
| Issue Date: Oct 21 2008 |
21st October 2008
06:15
Good morning and welcome to ENews 2008-27.
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
We are sorry to learn of the passing away of local waterways stalwart David Cottrell.
A supporter of a tremendous variety of waterways related activities for most of his life, David was a Life Member of the Cotswold Canals Trust. His commitment and enthusiasm will be missed by all those who knew him.
A Memorial Service will be held at Tewkesbury Abbey on Tuesday 4th November at 14:30.
oOo
MAL CONTENT......
Charters of Saul's trip boat 'Perseverance' have gone really well this year and despite the vagaries of the weather.
Charter Manager Mal Brown reports that he has organised 25 so far - 20% of which have been for the recently introduced lunchtime option that seems to be proving very popular. These couldn't take place without the dedication of the crew, some of whom have been called upon at very short notice.
If you get wind of any Perseverance charter opportunities, also known as Martini Windmills - any time, any place, anywhere, we never close*
- please feel free to contact Mal by email m.c.b@talktalk.net or phone 07960 821642. He will happily conduct all negotiations.
(*except, that is, during the Santa Cruise weekends in December)
...... AND JOHN'S JOLLY TOO
John Wallace, Mal's opposite number at Lechlade in charge of Inglesham, has a similar story to tell.
As well as charters celebrating birthday & family events they had a few other interesting ones - including one for BW of all people, the Alvis Owners Club and a multi-trip charter for schoolchildren who were studying the river.
Again these trips could not take place without the dedication & commitment of the regular crew.
Well done to everybody involved at "both ends" - fingers crossed for somewhat more clement weather in 2009!
oOo
END OF AN ERA
As you may have already heard, there will be no Saul Canal Festival and Folk on the Water Weekend in 2009.
The 2007 "washout" cost the Trust a significant sum, and this year's poor weather on Sunday reduced the surplus considerably.
Directors of the Cotswold Canals Trust have reluctantly acknowledged that the ever-increasing expenditure on the infrastructure and services needed to stage the event no longer enable the Festival's fund-raising aims to be met.
Heartfelt thanks are due to the many individuals and organisations that have enabled us to stage the event over the years, including the Support Staff volunteers, traders, sponsors, service providers and entertainers. Thanks are also due to the loyal following of boaters, campers, day visitors and folk music fans from far and near.
Such loyalty and support over the last 8 years has meant that Saul Canal Festival & Folk on the Water Weekend has raised an impressive total of £136,573 for the restoration of the Cotswold Waterways.
oOo
TAKING THE BYSS KIT
Billy Robinson, the Manager of Big Yellow Self Storage, Eastern Avenue, Gloucester has been really helpful over a storage conundrum that the Trust found itself facing recently. He bent over backwards to accommodate our needs as a registered charity for which we are extremely grateful.
If you want affordable short term storage to house almost anything (with some obvious exceptions of course) then why not contact Billy to discuss your requirements? His telephone number is 01452 411576, email gloucester@bigyellow.co.uk
oOo
HAY - WHAT'S COOKING
An unashamed plug for the new Stables Cafe that has recently opened at Saul, about 100 yards from the Heritage Centre.
The owners Mitch & Carla are keen to foster a relationship with the Trust. For those of you who may not be aware, Mitch is the son of our old friend Jack Workman the now retired bridgekeeper at Junction Bridge. The Stables really is a lovely spot for volunteers and friends to meet up over a cuppa and a snack or light meal.
In the months to come there is the possibility of using their upstairs section as a venue for small meetings, presentations etc but this will be subject to the necessary consents being obtained from the Local Authority.
oOo
SANTA TRIPS (BUT DOESN'T FALL)
Queen of the Elves this year is Anna Watts and she tells me:
"Father Christmas looks forward to meeting all good boys and girls, big or small, on his boat Perseverance at Saul Junction. He will dispense good cheer to all of you starting on Sunday 7th December and continuing on 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December.
On the trip each good child will receive a gift from Father Christmas and the more senior passengers will have a mince pie and a hot toddy at the Heritage Centre. All of this for the great price of £4 per passenger, young or old!"
Sounds good to me. If you would like further details then Anna can be contacted on a.f.watts@btinternet.com or 07976 617983.
oOo
ARE YOU INTER SHOPPING ON THE NET?
If so, two possible ways to raise funds for the Trust have been brought to my attention recently.
Firstly it looks as if many of the purchases that you make online could be raising funds for the restoration at the same time - have a look at http://charities.everyclick.com .
The Trust is already registered on the site by the looks of it
(http://charities.everyclick.com/info.xq?id=561817&name=THE-COTSWOLD-CANALS-TRUST)
It looks a relatively simple process to register your details and there's a list of participating retailers at http://everyclick.shop.com/sa-i0-d0-a_z_index.shtml
Similarly if you are a regular eBay seller then you can also raise funds by donating a percentage of the sale proceeds; further details at http://pages.ebay.co.uk/ebayforcharity/charities.html
I would very much appreciate a volunteer coming forward who would be prepared to research the two options, explain what's involved (from both the Trust's and a user's perspective) and report back accordingly. If that's you please let me know at postmaster@cctmembers-newsletter.co.uk
oOo
PAUSE TALK
We're still waiting for news from Stroud District Council about the meeting that will provide the decision on Phase 1A of the rest oration.
There has obviously been a delay for some reason but all attempts to find out what's going on have failed so far; if you live in the SDC area then maybe your local Councillor can enlighten you/me/the rest of us!
Meanwhile we continue to do our bit ...... as you'll see from the schedule of Work Parties outlined below. Why not come along and join in the fun?
oOo
FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS
For further information about items marked* and for contact details please go to the Connect Message Boards on the Activities page at http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk/activities_market.php
MONDAYS & WEDNESDAYS
Weekly maintenance activity at Western Depot, Eastington, from 09:00*
25th/26th OCTOBER
Pirates Weekend Gloucester Docks*
2nd NOVEMBER
(1): Work Party Tunnel area *
(2): Work Party Wallbridge, Stroud*
3rd NOVEMBER
Western Branch monthly meeting, Fromebridge Mill Whitminster 7:30pm.
Off the A38 roundabout near M5 junction 13. Everybody welcome
8th NOVEMBER
Roadshow at Stroud Farmers' Market* - please contact Roadshow Manager Mike Slade ASAP on 0117 9693270 if you can help on this one
11th NOVEMBER
Work Action Group meeting, Heritage Centre Saul, 19:30 start
16th NOVEMBER
Work Party Tunnel area *
19th NOVEMBER
Eastern Branch monthly meeting at the Trout Inn, Lechlade 7.30pm.
On the north bank of the Thames by the A417 bridge. Everybody welcome
23rd NOVEMBER
Work Party Wallbridge, Stroud*
29th NOVEMBER
Lechlade Christmas Lights switch-on*
30th NOVEMBER
Work Party Tunnel area *
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
