A charter boat trip that had been booked for 13 months took place at Beavans Bridge on the W&B Canal on Friday 17th. The evening weather was kind and the Engineers enjoyed a Trip on nb Dragonfly, a walk to Wichelstowe Canal and a BBQ provided by Vowley Farms - The Farmhouse Kitchen. Our guests were told about the work of the Trust and the Engineering tasks that are planned for section of the canal between Kingshill and Wichelstowe.

We are grateful to Den and Janice Feltham, passing-by photographers, who brought us print-outs of photos they had just taken, and these are shown.

Grateful thanks to the Engineers, their visitors, Vowley Farm Caterers and all the volunteers who made it such a lovely time in the evening sunshine.

For more information about Dragonfly  or if you would like to book a trip on, either our regular Sunday trips at 10.30, 12.00. 1.30, and 3.00 or book a charter with or without a BBQ please contact us here 

To book a BBQ with Vowley Farms see www.vowleyfarm.co.uk

 The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has raised at least £640 with its tenth annual sponsored walk celebrating the ongoing canal restoration between Chippenham and Lacock.

About 120 people enjoyed a stroll in the hot sunshine on Bank Holiday Monday (May 6^th) on a widened towpath alongside the recently-restored wharf where narrowboats once waited to enter the flight of locks.

Walkers included pupils from St Paul's and Redlands primary schools, Hardenhuish School, Chippenham Sea Cadets and the Scouts. They were waved off from The Buttercross in Chippenham Market Place by mayor Andy Phillips.

The four-mile walk showcased the achievements of volunteers, who dredged several hundred metres of canal and refilled it with water.

Valerie Laverick, walking with husband John, who has just retired as chairman of the trust, said: “It’s nice to see more and more improvements each time we come.”

Read Gazette & Herald report 12 May 2013

Read Swindon Advertizer report 11 May 2013 

He said: "A stretch of the original towpath was used for the new cycle route to Lacock and it was the first time in a century that people could easily follow this part of the canal. But it was quite an isolated spot so I wanted to encourage more people to discover this wonderful asset. Just a few dozen supporters took part in the first event in 2004 but the numbers have steadily grown - sometimes, depending on the weather, we've had almost 200 coming along. People don't have to be sponsored, they can simply just pay the entry fee and enjoy the walk, but we also invite local youth groups to 'walk a boat and back' where they work as a team to carry canoes, dinghies and other craft. It all adds to the sense of fun."

 

Peter added: "People can see the progress being made from one year to the next, and they're amazed by the changes. In the beginning we walked alongside an empty canalbed but the charity has restored hundreds of metres of waterway and turned it into a haven for all sorts of wildlife, including swans and kingfishers. We've raised £8,500 since we started but I'd really like us to go beyond £10,000 in our tenth year. All of the money supports our volunteers who are working hard to breathe new life into this important piece of local history."

 

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust trip boat Dragonfly has been fitted with a lift enabling wheelchair access, thanks to the support of funders and the skills of the apprentices at MINI Plant Swindon. 

See Swindon Advertiser 17 April 2013

See full article in Link Magazine 14 April 2013  

Mike Lang, who coordinated the project on behalf of the Trust, said: "It was wonderful to work with the apprentices and to have all the facilities and equipment on hand to enable the installation – a task which was accomplished whilst at the same time as continuing with their training.

"We were pleased that at the same time MINI Plant Swindon allowed us to work on the boat whilst it was out of the water. We arranged for the propeller, propeller shaft and stern gland to be replaced whilst volunteers from the boat team and the Swindon work party cleaned and reblacked the hull."

Dragonfly is back in the water at KIngshill, and wheelchair users can now enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the canal

See full details about our boats and the Kingshill trip schedule

 Click here to see the photos

A message from Tim Pyatt Towpath Project Manager

(taken off Facebook)

Well the walk is over for this year and already thinking about possibly organising one for next year? (if Lynne doesn't kill me!!)

I'd just like to say how appreciative we all were of your support. with transporting the weary walkers back to the start, the back up and the photography.
To the fantastic efforts by the work parties in clearing over 4km of new towpath for this years walk and the special permissions for another 10km+. Absolutely brilliant.

Hopefully we've raised about £3,000. and it would definitely not have been possible without your support and hard work.

Many, many thanks Tim

Dragonfly back from MINI Plant Swindon 22 March 2013

		Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way with the project to make Dragonfly wheelchair accessible. A special Thank You to the Apprentices and their managers at MINI Plant Swindon.
The event marking the installation of the wheelchair lift took place  on Friday April 12th on the canal at Kingshill.
		Dragonfly Trips begin  Sunday 31st March, then every Sunday 10.30,12.00, 13.30 & 15.00

Dragonfly taken to MINI Plant Swindon 8^th January 2013

Early January 2013. Dragonfly was lifted out of the canal and taken to  BMW Plant Swindon

Easter Wilts & Berks Canal Walk

Download a sponsorship form .       

Contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

An overview map of the walk,(Click image- left - to view pdf) with the start & end points from each day. Tim will be sending out details of the stops during the day nearer the time, and will provide each walker with a detailed, annotated map of the walk which will have points of interest as well as locations & pictures of some of the historic locks & bridges.

 

 

The  start will be at  9:30 on each day. Friday, Sunday & Monday are 28-30km (17.5 miles) Saturday is 18km (11.2 miles) The day will generally split into 3 (two stops for refreshments) There will one or more back-up vehicles to pick up anyone who wants a rest or has a problem.

 

We plan to take all the drivers (& all walkers if space) back to the start of each day. Tim will be guiding the walk and will also be issuing an annotated map with points of interest, to all walkers. There is accommodation along the route. Please contact Tim if you would like a list.

 

There will be commemorative mugs for sale (free if £25/day is raised in sponsorship) Download a Sponship form

 

If you have any family & friends you could help, we are looking for back- up vehicles, return to start transport and Marshals for a few busy road crossings. 

Objectives:
·  Raise awareness of the Trust’s objectives of restoring the whole canal
·  Raise awareness of the Trust’s plans to restore the towpath by 2017
·  Encourage people to get fit
·  Encourage people to walk beautiful sections of the canal
·  Raise important funds for the Towpath Project
·  Provide the project team with an annual target to achieve goals
·  Celebrate the achievements of the Towpath Project
·  Foster & encourage a culture of Trust wide, cross-branch team working

The aim is for each walker to raise £25/day (or more) for the Towpath Project / Trust. If we do, then transport,  back-up costs and commemorative mug will provided by the Towpath Project. If not then I will have to ask individuals to help with the cost of transport etc (approx £5 - £10 tba)

 

An online giving site is available

 

Download a sponsorship form .

 

New ways to donate  to the Trust and the Towpath Challenge Online

mydonate.bt.com/charities/wiltsberkscanaltrust

By text ( for the Towpath Challenge):

If you want to give £10  Text the message  Path13 £10  to 70070

You can give any amount in whole pounds.

 

Contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

nb Dragonfly returns to Kingshill after being fitted with a wheelchair lift

Dragonfly is available each Sunday at the following  times

10.30, 12.00, 13.30 & 15.00 each day

Adults £5 and  Children Free

Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dragonfly can only take 12 passengers so booking is recommended  for large parties

Dragonfly departs from Kingshill Swindon

Charters available

If you would like to take a longer  trip on the canal, we can help.

Donate Online

mydonate.bt.com/charities/wiltsberkscanaltrust

Southern Canal Association

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust was pleased  to host Sunday’s meeting of the Southern Canals Association . Many canal restoration groups were represented to hear the latest news about the Wilts & Berks  and to discuss matters of common interest.  Presentations were made  to the meeting  by IWA National Chairman Les Etheridge  and Canal & River Trust  Trustee John Dodwell .