WBCT’s achievements in the 2021/22 financial year

I’m standing down as full time CEO today and will be handing over to my successor over the next three months. I’m very gratified by the many worthy projects we have underway and by the feeling that we are all pulling together as we get back to business. I would like to highlight the following work amongst the great efforts made by WBCT’s members in 2021/22

• The completion of Phase 1 of our M4 Crossing project and the imminent submission of our bid for Phase 2, where detailed design studies will be set in train. Our engineers and planners have done an outstanding job in the first phase, we’re now gearing up to tackle the next stage in overcoming the single biggest hurdle to the restoration of the Wilts & Berks canal.
• The raising of over £110,000 from the many generous donors who converted their Peterborough Arms loans into donations for projects in each of our five branches.
• The dogged persistence of our Melksham Link team, which is inching its inexorable way towards Planning Consent for this flagship project.
• The successful efforts being made in the Vale of White Horse to engage fully with local and county council stakeholders to advance our efforts there.
• The acquisition of a lease from Wiltshire Council for eight acres of land south of Double Bridge, with 525 metres of canal waiting to be restored.
• The start of work on our Bee Route at Royal Wootton Bassett, a big boost to the biodiversity there.
  
  

In July I will be starting work in our MCC branch to help with any clean shoes task they want me to do.

Thank you all for your hard work whilst I was your CEO.

Gordon Olson

CEO, WBCT