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ENews 37 |
| Issue Date: Apr 18 2007 |
Hello, and a warm welcome to ENews 37.
I have a packed programme for you today!
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A REMINDER
Please note a change of date for the next Western Branch meeting as the first Monday in May is a Bank Holiday. It will now take place on MONDAY 14TH at the usual venue, Fromebridge Mill Whitminster.
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CANAMBLE PRACTICE ONE
The first of the popular summer series of Sunday afternoon historical walks along the Stroudwater Canal led by Joan Tucker takes place on Sunday 22nd April from Framilode to Saul Junction.
Joan is the author of "The Stroudwater Navigation" and will be assisted on some of the walks by friends and British Waterways staff who will talk about the canal and the restoration. It will start at 2pm and last for 2 hours or so. Sorry no children under 12 and dogs on leads please. The cost is £5 with profits going towards the restoration.
Please book either by e-mail: joan@tucker-stroud.co.uk or phone 01453 762815.
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OR CANAMBLE PRACTICE TWO
Just like the buses, there are none for ages then two come along at once. Local marine Historian Paul Barnett has one of his guided tours through the remains of the Purton Hulks arranged for the same day, 22nd April. Meet 1400 hours at Purton Lower Bridge and watch out for the BW Pay & Display machine that may be operative in the area you choose to park.
The tour lasts for approximately 2 hours and Paul seeks donations to the CCT. If you cannot make the walk he is scheduled to give a talk at the Three Horseshoes, Frampton Green, at 7.30pm on 24th April.
For further details or a schedule of all proposed dates then please contact Paul, email barnadillo@aol.com or phone 07833 143231.
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OR CANAMBLE PRACTICE THREE
More of a limbering up opportunity, this one. On Saturday 28th April there's some tidying up that needs doing at Frome Gardens, Ebley, as was mooted in ENews 36.
BW's Richard Harrison is your contact for further details, 01452 318501 or Richard.Harrison@britishwaterways.co.uk
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THE REAL CANAMBLE
Our sponsored walk is taking place on Sunday 29th April and the route incorporates the whole of Phase 1A of the Restoration. It begins in Stroud and heads towards Brimscombe Port, returning to near the start point via lanes high on the hillside. Once back in Stroud walkers can either return to the start point or continue along the old railway line and paths across the fields to Stonehouse. Join the towpath at the Ocean for the return leg to Stroud.
The idea is to raise loads of money to help with our financial commitment to the restoration. Other canal societies have held annual sponsored walks raising pots of cash for many years and as we are the largest and most dynamic of all the societies we should be looking to get in on the act.
We are hoping that this walk will be the first of many to provide walkers with the opportunity to see the restoration work at first hand. As the years go by the route will change to reflect further restoration work until it will be possible to Canamble all the way from Framilode to Lechlade, and take a relaxing trip on m.v. Inglesham when we get there of course.
It is not too late to take part, visit http://www.cotswoldcanals.com and follow the Canamble 2007 link to download the Registration & Sponsor forms.
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RAMBLING, ROADSHOW STYLE
The Roadshow Entourage is off to Crick for the late May Bank Holiday, and rest assured Mike Slade would love to hear from you with your offer to help.
Have a look at the Roster he's drawn up on the Connect website http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk (whilst you are in there please update your own records if you have not already done so) and if you are available in the afternoon of the 25th May to help set up, 26th during the morning or late afternoon on the 28th to help take down again then Mike would really like to know mrmike.slade@googlemail.com or
01179 693270 evenings, mobile 07805 110080
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SPECIFICALLY FOR NON RAMBLING WORKERS
Now I said it was the last one last time, but as numbers were a little less than expected there's another Work Party after all at St Mary's Lock near Chalford on Sunday 29th April. This really could be your last chance to contribute to the wonderful achievements of Alan's team in this area as he anticipates moving further along the canal shortly.
Turn up on the day with your steel toe capped boots or contact Alan at 01453 794462 or Alan.GR.Jones@delphi.com for further information
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GOING UNDERCOVER
The British Waterways Regeneration Team is offering the CCT the opportunity to undertake some surveys on their behalf. This task would usually go to Halcrow who would charge in the region of £1500, so there's a good cost saving potential here.
The idea is to look at the various pipes that are under the length of canal covered by Phase 1a of the restoration (that's between the Ocean at Stonehouse and Brimscombe Port) by early May if possible.
Personally I think this is far too ambitious a timescale but you never know.
Potential problem areas need to be identified, for example a water mains diversion may have to be contemplated. This could result in a long lead time to get any such problems shifted so the sooner a start is made the better. (I know what some of you will be thinking at this point, however I could not possibly comment.) A detailed specification of the work required has been drawn up and BW will provide all the necessary kit to undertake this, even a suitable camera.
This seems an ideal project for those of you with a declared interest in the "Weekday Maintenance at Eastington" option on Connect to consider, but I have a feeling this will be a case of the more the merrier. Further details from Richard Harrison again, 01452 318501 or Richard.Harrison@britishwaterways.co.uk
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ROMAN 4 CLEARANCE AT BRIMSCOMBE
What's he on about now? I can almost hear you ask.
Richard Harrison is also on the lookout for someone to help him clear ivy (get it?) and some other vegetation that has built up around the port walls at Brimscombe. This preparatory work is necessary as masonry training projects run in conjunction with Woodchester Mansion are planned for July.
Details of volunteering opportunities will be advised nearer the time.
Richard is looking for someone to help him on a weekday, his contact details appear above. So, as the late lamented Mr. Humphries used to say "Are you free?"
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FLASH BANG WALLOP WHAT A PICTURE
There is the germ of an idea floating around that someone amongst the readership could be interested in becoming the Partnership's official photographer to take a full set of Restoration Phase 1A "Before & After" pictures. The cynics amongst you may feel that there is all the time in the world for the "Before" ones, yet again I couldn't possibly comment.
I'll let you have more information when it becomes available, meanwhile if you feel you could be interested please let me know.
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FESTIVAL FROLICS
Saul Festival may still seem a long way away but believe it or not there are only 72 days to go until frivolities commence. The volunteer Support Staff Manager
Colin Magrath has plenty of opportunities for a whole range of roles and he too would love to hear from you. You can contact him via the Festival website at http://www.junctionevents.org.uk/support_staff.htm or 07749 051831
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