Our friends at the Latton Basin restoration project have just issued their April newsletter, The Latton Bugle, ahead of their monthly meeting.
The group is dedicated to restoring a small piece of canal history and providing a community asset. The Latton Basin area at the junction of the North Wilts and Thames & Severn canals includes a towpath, canal bed, basin, lock and stone four-arch flood relief aqueduct. The towpath forms part of a circular route and at one end, North Meadow contains the largest collection of wild fritillaries in the country.
Current Work
Despite North Meadow being closed for a month recently, the team has continued to beaver away. They took delivery of a tracked barrow and built two bridges over the aqueduct to allow materials to be moved around the site.
Hedgerow Project
Repairs to the aqueduct are the group’s priority, but the hedgerows on either side of the canal also need attention. They are looking for people to remove and replace dead shrubs while pruning and laying existing plants. It’s an ideal project for those living locally - fresh air, exercise, working when convenient and being part of a team are the rewards on offer. It’s a worthwhile project to become involved with or even take charge of. Please contact doug.small@lattonbasin.info
Lease Fund Appeal
Negotiations with the landowners involve substantial legal fees. If anyone would like to contribute to the Lease Fund Appeal, donations would be welcome to Latton Basin Restoration, 03856745, 30-95-36.
Visiting Latton Basin
Leave the A419 at Cricklade junction and head for the town centre. Turn right along the High Street and just before it re-joins the A419, take the small road to the left. This turning leads to the basin (see map). Postcode is SN6 6DN.
Funding
The restoration project has benefited enormously over the years from the financial backing of Crapper & Sons Landfill Ltd. The Royal Wootton Bassett company has supported the group for nearly 20 years, enabling far more to be achieved than originally anticipated.
Get in Touch
The Latton Basin restoration project welcomes all to join. There are no membership fees.
01628 544666
