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ENews 2008-32 |
| Issue Date: Dec 24 2008 |
December 24, 2008
13:00
Merry Christmas!
Welcome to ENews 2008-32. Coming up:
Hopes and aspirations, same as last year,
S-DC decision, gives us good cheer,
A bar with no drink, that's made of steel,
Brimscombe Port Walls, a chance for a meal.
There're thanks to the elves, in a note from the Queen,
The Christmas Draw's raised, much more than a bean.
oOo
MY 2009 WISH LIST IS...
...For the release of a timetable of work scheduled for Phase 1A;
...For plenty of opportunities to get CCT Volunteers involved in Phase 1A;
...For plenty of Volunteers continuing to volunteer with their numbers swelled by new recruits;
...For someone somewhere to find a funding source for Phase 1B (that's from the Ocean to Saul).
These are frighteningly similar to those expressed in the last 2 Christmas/New Year issues; the difference this time is that they WILL come true during 2009!
oOo
ONE FOR THE HARDENED DRINKER?
A Cirencester based CCT member has generously donated a steel bar.
It's 1" thick and 13 feet long.
Has anybody out there got the wherewithal to transport this in one piece from Cirencester to the Western depot at Eastington? If so Richard Attwood would dearly like to hear from you - richard@raash31.co.uk or 01453 792021.
It could be cut in half ...... but we would like to keep it whole if at all possible.
oOo
FINISHING THE PORT
Over the past year the Cotswold Canals Partnership has been beavering away restoring Brimscombe Port Walls, and at the same time designing and installing the interpretation that tells the history of the port and its walls. Kim Chester from the Waterways Trust advises that the project is now complete or nearing completion.
You may remember some frenetic ENews activity about a year ago and around the time of an ITV telephone vote to win £80,000 from the Big Lottery People's Millions fund. Thanks to the hundreds of you enthused by the articles the project easily won the best runners' up award by a clear margin.
There will be an official opening on Thursday 22nd January, primarily for those actually involved in the restoration work. To provide the organisers with some indication of the catering requirements please advise kim.chester@thewaterwaystrust.co.uk if you intend to go along by, say, 10th January at the latest.
More information will be forwarded to those attending in due course.
oOo
SANTA'S SOJURN SUCCESS
Anna, Queen of the Elves reports:
"This season's Santa Cruises went really well and even the weather remained dry. I found the experience of Queen Elf quite demanding but so very rewarding.
We raised over £2,000 for the restoration during our 5 days of operation and this magnificent sum is down to all the help received from the volunteers.
A special word of thanks to Jill Field for her unstinting help, especially with organisational matters. Thanks are also due to Dennis Clarke, from Elves (Nautical) division, who was responsible for keeping Santa's Grotto safely afloat and crewed. Poor old Santa needed a hot water bottle at one stage...
Thanks also to the Elves (Heritage Centre) division for maintaining a steady supply of hot mince pies, tea, coffee and spiced cordial. The pie ordering was spot on as they lasted until well into the final day.
My role as Queen has now expired, meaning we shall need a new Queen (or Queens or Kings) for 2009. If you could be interested please let me know!
Thanks again to everybody for their help, and all the best for the New Year"
oOo
DRAW CONCLUSIONS
If you'd like to see if your name appears on the list of Grand Christmas Draw winners please visit www.cotswoldcanals.com/xmas_draw_2008.htm
Mine doesn't...............
oOo
COMING UP...
For further information about items marked* and for contact details please go to the Message Boards on the Connect Activities page at http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk
26th DECEMBER
Heritage Centre at Saul Junction open as usual
1st JANUARY 2009
Heritage Centre at Saul Junction open as usual
4th JANUARY
*Work Party Tunnel area (Coates Portal)
5th JANUARY
*(1) Weekly activities at Western Depot recommence after Christmas break
(2) Western Branch meeting at Fromebridge Mill, Whitminster. 7:30pm start, all are welcome
11th JANUARY
*Work Party at Bowbridge, Stroud (Work Parties Saul-Daneway Message Board)
13th JANUARY
Work Action Group meeting, Heritage Centre Saul. 7:30pm start
17th JANUARY
*Eastern Branch New Year Dinner at the Trout Inn, Lechlade
18th JANUARY
*Work Party Tunnel area (Coates Portal)
25th JANUARY
*Work Party at Bowbridge, Stroud (Work Parties Saul-Daneway Message Board)
1st FEBRUARY
*Work Party Tunnel area (Coates Portal)
oOo
The primary objective of ENews is to keep members, volunteers and subscribers up to date with what's happening within the Cotswold Canals Trust as a whole.
Very many thanks to all of you who have taken the time & trouble to let me have feedback on the stories that have appeared during 2008. It is much appreciated - and long may it continue!
Don't forget the ENews website that now boasts a full Archive of every Newsletter issued, coupled with a search facility! Wow!
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 with the Stroudwater, the Thames & Severn or the CCT - however tenuous.
Happy New Year!
David Pagett
Editor, ENews
The Cotswold Canals Trust - Registered Charity No: 269721
44 Black Jack Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2AA
Company Registered in England No: 1207787
Registered office: Island House, Moor Road, Chesham, HP5 1NZ
