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ENews 2008-8 |
| Issue Date: Mar 18 2008 |
Hello, welcome to ENews 2008-8.
The objective of ENews is to advise, inform and update. And maybe even to amuse from time to time.
I have not got a currant in every bun, so please feel free to email postmaster@cct.members-newsletter.co.uk with any newsworthy items you would like to be considered for inclusion.
All and any feedback is more than welcome.
I still have no news on the "Restoration post BW" situation yet but do know that there's a heck of a lot of silt stirring going on. Rest assured that as soon as the waters clear then you will be amongst the first to know.
oOo
FANCY A DIRTY WEEKEND?
There are a series of 'Dig Deep' working weekends coming up at Eisey during April, on the weekends of the 5th / 6th, 12th / 13th and 26th / 27th. They are scheduled to start at around 9:30am each morning.
Dig Deep is a consortium of canal restoration groups of which some of which are WRG ones and details can be found at http://www.dig-deep.org.uk/.
CCT volunteers are more than welcome to dive in so to speak and help; parking for Rucks Bridge is at Alex Farm on the Kempsford to Cricklade road - please drive slowly through the farm! For a map & directions go to http://www.pikelock.co.uk/canal/eisey/location.html .
If you can make it by 9:30 on the 12th April please could you let Ken Burgin know as soon as possible? It will be the Kent & East Sussex Canal Restoration Group's first visit to the site & he is not available on that particular day.
The Eisey Lock & Ruck's Bridge project has been Ken's baby for some little time now. By the same token but wearing his Chief Executive's hat he is concentrating on doing his utmost to save Phase 1A of the restoration and its £30m of funding, following the breach caused by BW's withdrawal. This, coupled with living at the opposite end of the canal to Eisey, makes running the Eisey site very difficult at the moment. What he needs, therefore, is someone to come forward who can either take on the CCT side of project managing Eisey or be willing to act as his deputy.
If that person is you.......please email ken.burgin@pikelock.com or 01453 827414 to discuss further.
oOo
ALARMING NEWS......FOR WHOM IT WILL CONCERN
The good news or bad news, depending upon your point of view, is that the security system is fully operational again at the Trust's Western Depot, Eastington.
As you were, therefore, for access purposes!
oOo
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Very late in the day comes news that there is a masonry training session for Wednesday and Thursday - that's tomorrow & the day after, the 19th & 20th, ideally for those of you who have not so far been involved.
Once again it will take place at the Brimscombe Port Walls, 9am to 4.30pm. All tools will be provided, you will just need some lunch and, if you have them, some steel toe capped footwear and a hard hat.
Richard.Harrison@britishwaterways.co.uk is your contact or mobile 07920 790694 as he's flying around somewhat at the moment.
oOo
DIARY DATES
Further information about most of these items appears on the Activities page of the 'Connect' Volunteers website at http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk
18th/20th March inc: Boat handling training days at Lechlade in preparation for the summer season with 'Inglesham'. It should be possible to arrange alternative dates if those proposed are inconvenient; email Wendy Beamont, wildcat@rya-online.net or phone 01235 764172 to discuss
19th March: 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
21st March: Summer trip boat season starts on the Thames at Lechlade
22nd March: Summer trip boat season starts on the Gloucester - Sharpness Canal at Saul
(Details of both operations - crew needs, charter opportunities etc - can be found on the 'Connect' website)
23rd March: Work Party at Coates Portal end of tunnel, email mark.welton@virgin.net for more information
6th April: Boat Jumble at Gloucester Docks, appropriate items sought.
These can be dropped off at the Western Depot, Eastington on Monday & Wednesday mornings - email Roger Wells, ForWells@jodarolo.freeserve.co.uk or phone 01453 544490 for more information
7th April: Western Branch monthly meeting at Fromebridge Mill, on A38 roundabout west of M5 junction 13. 7:30pm start, everybody welcome
12th April: Roadshow at Stroud Farmers Market. The Roster is up & waiting to be populated at http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk - go to Activities page and 'Stroud Farmers Market 2' roster
12th April: Roadshow at Cirencester Farmers Market for the first time ever. Again there's a Roster waiting to be populated; if you are one of the 4/500 or so members living in the Cirencester area then why not lend a hand? Email Mike Slade, mrmike.slade@googlemail.com who will be delighted to hear from you if you can, or call him on 01179 693270 after 6pm
21st April: Lechlade History Society meeting 19:15 for 19:30 at the Lechlade Memorial Hall. Speaker Theo Stening has chosen a title of "The Re-Birth of the Cotswold Canals". All welcome although there is a nominal entry charge of œ3 to non members of the LHS. Further information from Mike Cawsey, mike@lechlade-on-thames.com or 01367 252401
oOo
For updates on restoration progress at Oil Mills - with pictures - have a look at http://community.stroud.gov.uk/general.asp?pid=2&pgid=1071, the rest of the website is well worth a visit too.
oOo
Bye for now - please keep me posted!
David Pagett
Postmaster
