14th June, 2013

Hello and welcome to ENews 2013-05.

Firstly – if any reader diarised the date of the South Cerney Steam Extravaganza based on the ENews 'What's On Diary' as published in 2013-04, please cross it out as I got the date wrong.
The last ENews showed it as being held on the 24th August, whereas it is in fact being held over the weekend of the 2nd – 4th August.
Apologies all round.

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The headlines for this issue:

Water from Severn to Lechlade
Using the Cotswold Canals
Update on the restoration
Thanks due to Dave's Guys and Gals.

East End events at the Trout Inn
During both June and July
Log orders ready for autumn
The website's the place to go buy.

Now read on for the stories behind the headlines………..

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SEVERN TO THAMES VIA THAMES AND SEVERN

Over the past few years there has been much talk and speculation about the possibility of Thames Water moving H2O from the River Severn to the River Thames, via our Cotswold Canals.

Well, this has taken a further step forward now that the company has opened its draft 2014 Water Resource Management Plan for public consultation. The plan itself is a very complex document that can be found at www.thameswater.co.uk/haveyoursay/16875.htm for anybody interested in ploughing through it!

www.cotswoldcanals.com/pages/posts/water-transfer—west-to-east-545.php provides an excellent summary of what's required at this stage of proceedings. It will soon become clear that once again we are looking for your help and support, please. The more people who submit comments supporting the canal then the greater the likelihood of the scheme being taken forward. Additionally it is worth bearing in mind that water transfer using our canals offers what could be the quickest route to full restoration.

The consultation process is open until Tuesday 23rd July. The easiest way to submit comments is by email to both water.resources@defra.gsi.gov.uk  and consultations@thameswater.co.uk

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1A IS A1

Here is the latest update on progress as supplied by Dave Marshall, Stroud District Council’s Canal Partnership Manager. The numbers in brackets refer to Ordnance Survey grid references to help identify the locations.

~Ebley (SO829046): The new swing bridge outside Ebley Mill has now been installed by the developer. It has been swung successfully, but is now awaiting completion of the brickwork and access path, especially on the Mill side. A civic opening is being planned for late July. The new Cotswold Canals Trust trip boat Endeavour is now operational. Fundraising to pay for Endeavour is underway and has been helped by a substantial grant from Stroud District Council.
~Dudbridge (SO835048): Construction of the flood wall at Avocet Park is now complete and the towpath reopened as promised on 24th May. Discussions with the lowest bidder have resulted in the price for refurbishing the two Dudbridge Locks being reduced to an acceptable figure. It is hoped that the contract will be placed imminently, with a start on site this month.
~Capels Mill (SO852047): The main contractors have now left the site. The last major jobs involved filling the new canal channel with 5 million litres of water – equivalent to 2 Olympic swimming pools – and reprofiling the site. The new path over the site has been laid, though not topped, and it is planned to seed the site with a grass and wildflower mix in the very near future. Filling the channel has caused the water level at Wallbridge (SO848050) to drop dramatically. The problem is that the canal is now at proper design depth, which is not allowing water to trickle through this silted up length. Plans are in hand to dig a small channel to allow a through flow.
~Towpath: The Tuesday and Thursday volunteer groups are operating from the compound at Ham Mill Lock (SO859032) and have completed the base for the upgraded towpath as far west as Jubilee Bridge (SO858034). They have now switched to rebuilding the towpath south towards Bagpath Bridge (SO860029) and are making good progress with edge boarding and the aggregate base layer. Community Payback workers with REACH are now based at Hope Mill (SO863026) and are busy rebuilding the towpath north towards Bagpath Bridge. This includes a challenging section past the mobile homes owing to high water level and a low-lying path.

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EASTENDERS

The Eastern Branch monthly meeting on the 19th June at the Trout Inn, Lechlade, will include a talk on the Wilts and Berks Canal by John Farrow. Start time is 19:30, all are welcome.

Then in July, the meeting scheduled for the 17th has been rearranged as there's a visit from the Mikron Theatre Company – the company that travels the country by canal boat -on the 24th, at the Trout Inn.

Finally on July 26th there will be a BBQ, again at the Trout, held as a joint venture with the Bristol Austin 7 Club. Please order tickets (GBP15) by 19th July at the latest from Wendy Read, 01367 252352 or email weread@btinternet.com

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LUMBERING ON…

Whilst log deliveries are scheduled to recommence in earnest at the beginning of October, the Logman tells me he is accepting orders now so he can start thinking about delivery dates.

Any reader interested in either a 36 cu ft or 80 cu ft load of logs – approx 1.02cu m or 2.27cu m if you prefer the metric option – is firstly urged to please visit the CCT website at www.cotswoldcanals.com and follow the "Log Delivery Service" tab in the menu. Orders can be placed directly from these pages.

By following this route most potential queries or concerns can be answered and customers will know exactly what to expect. The matters covered include the nature of the wood, on what days deliveries are effected, the price of the loads, the stacking service available for an additional discretionary donation and several other items.

Because all deliveries are pre booked logs are unavailable for collection on demand. This is because the Eh? Team, as the delivery lads n lasses are known in view of their respective ages, is highly likely to be out on the road…….delivering!

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THE WHAT'S ON DIARY

For further information and contact details about items marked* please go to www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk and the Message Boards on the Activities and Rosters page. To become a registered volunteer please follow the Register Me Now link.

Mondays & Wednesdays from 09:00: Maintenance activity at Western Depot*
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 09:00: Maintenance activity at Eastern Depot*
Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10:00-15:30: Volunteer sessions aimed at people new to volunteering; meet Bell House Wallbridge. CCT members also welcome.
Wednesdays & Sundays from 09:00: Work parties at Griffins Mill Lock*
Thursdays from 17:00: Work parties at Eisey*

JUNE
19th – Eastern Branch meeting, Trout Inn Lechlade 19:30. Talk by John Farrow on the Wilts and Berks Canal (*Trip Boat Lechlade)
23rd – Roadshow at Newbury Water Festival
25th – Construction Action Group meeting Down Ampney Village Hall 19:30
29th – Roadshow at Historic Boat Show, Braunston

JULY
7th – Work Party Oil Mills Bridge (*Work Parties Stonehouse-Daneway)
9th – Western Branch meeting Fromebridge Mill Whitminster 19:30
13th-14th – London WRG at Ham Mill Lock. CCT Volunteers welcome*
17th – Eastern Branch meeting – DATE CHANGE to 24th
19th-21st – Roadshow at IWA National, Cassiobury Park Watford
20th – Roadshow at Stroud Country Show
23rd – Construction Action Group meeting Bell House Wallbridge 19:30
24th – Mikron Theatre Company at Trout Inn Lechlade (*Trip Boat Lechlade)
26th – 'East End BBQ' at Trout Inn Lechlade (*Trip Boat Lechlade)
28th – Roadshow at Gateway Centre Cirencester

AUGUST
2nd-4th – Roadshow at Steam Extravaganza South Cerney (NOTE CORRECT DATES!)
13th – Western Branch meeting Fromebridge Mill Whitminster 19:30
21st – Eastern Branch meeting, Trout Inn Lechlade 19:30
27th – Construction Action Group meeting Down Ampney Village Hall 19:30

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Newsworthy items for consideration should be sent to listmaster@cctmembers-newsletter.co.uk but please remember I am always looking for a connection with the Stroudwater, the Thames & Severn or the CCT.

Any and all feedback is more than welcome.

David Pagett
Editor, ENews

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