K&A Canal Navigation warning: Newbury

From Wednesday 20 October 2010 - Tuesday 30 November 2010

Scaffolding has been erected on the offside of the canal between Newbury Town bridge and Newbury Lock (85) for repair work on a canalside building.

Boats should proceed with care past the scaffolding and be aware of possible restricted headroom if the river level rises after heavy rainfall.

Body pulled from the River Avon in Bath

Police divers pulled a man's body from the River Avon in Bath near to Locksbrook Sluicegates at Twerton yesterday morning (Tuesday 19 October). 

Police are not treating the death as suspicious and the man has not yet been formerly identified. 

Church Lock, Great Bedwyn
Picture by Bob Naylor

K&A Canal stoppage 
Church Lock (64) Great Bedwyn
Today: Wednesday 20 October 2010  9am - 1pm 
Church Lock Great Bedwyn (64) will be closed for emergency repairs to the anchor plate


Enquiries: 01380 722859

Bruce Trust Administrator retires after 21 years 

The Bruce Trust, based on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Great Bedwyn, that provides boating holidays for elderly people and people with disabilities and their carers has just completed its 21st season and Danese Rudd who has been the Trust Administrator since it began has decided that it is time to retire from the role.

Bruce Trust founder, David Bruce, with Danese Rudd, left who has retired as Administrator after 21 years and 

his daughter, Rebecca who has taken over her job.

David Bruce said, "Danese has put her heart and soul into her work and she has achieved so much over the years. We are very pleased that she will continue with her voluntary work with the Trust."

Danese’s role evolved naturally as the Trust grew and her responsibilities have been many and varied: fundraising, design and building of new boats, marketing, bookings and administration, recruitment, organising a rota for voluntary helpers, weekend training courses, dealing with call-outs and winter maintenance are just a few tasks that the job entailed.

The Trust started with one boat, The Rebecca, in 1988, and the fleet has been increased to four boats through the sheer hard work and determination of Danese and the Trustees.  

And now ready to face the challenge of filling Danese’s boots is her replacement, Rebecca Bruce, who was only 4 years old when the Trust was created and after whom the first boat was named. 

Since leaving University Rebecca has worked in the charity sector and she pitched in as a volunteer this season — getting to know things from the bottom up.

Rebecca said, "I am really looking forward to continuing the efficient running of the fleet and we are also looking to expand the Trust. At the moment we are researching the feasibility of building log cabins and campervans, so that even more people with disabilities can enjoy holidays with The Bruce Trust in the future." 

The History of The Bruce Trust

The Bruce Trust was formed in 1988 by Louise and David Bruce after they sold their chain of Firkin Pubs in London. 

They were keen to plough some of the proceeds into a project that would benefit the community and they had become intrigued by the possibility of offering self-catering holidays to disabled, disadvantaged or elderly people cruising on the Kennet & Avon Canal. 

After much research they initially put their own money into the project — and over the years they have received many generous donations to the Trust enabling the fleet to be increased to four specially-designed, purpose-built, wide-beam canal boats.

The Bruce Trust specially adapted wheelchair-friendly wide-beam trip boat 'Diana' passes Pewsey Wharf: Picture by Bob Naylor

The extra width of the boats gives plenty of space for wheelchair users to manoeuvre and the boats have special built-in facilities, including hydraulic lifts, wide-access boarding ramps, low-level bunks, heating and specially fitted showers and toilets. 

Rebecca, Hannah and Diana have been designed so that wheelchair users can steer the boat using the tiller and both Hannah and Rachel have been fitted with a remote steering device that enables people with less upper body mobility to steer from their wheelchair using a joystick.

The Bruce Trust has enabled more that 11,000 disabled, disadvantaged or elderly people together with their carers, friends or family to enjoy participative canal-cruising holidays on the boats - as one family explained, “With increasing age and disability my father Harry’s days of enjoying canal holidays seemed to be over. But last week, there he was rising up on the lift to take the tiller once again and having a wonderful holiday with four generations of his family”. 

The holiday makers are helped on their way by the dedication of over 70 voluntary helpers who make sure that the Trust can operate in the best and most economical fashion. 

Some volunteers also crew day trips — this year more that 500 people from day centres or residential homes for the elderly were able to enjoy a day of peaceful cruising on the canal.  

Contact Details

Email: rebecca.bruce@brucetrust.org.uk

Web:  www.brucetrust.org.uk

Address: PO Box 21, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 9YY

Telephone: 01264 356451

Safety fears close bridge over River Avon in Bath

Victoria bridge over the River Avon in Bath was re-opened last week after a safety scare had closed it since August, but it has been closed again this week. The bridge is an important link between the two parts of Victoria Road for cyclists and pedestrians and users fear a lengthy closure.

Victoria Bridge over the River Avon in Bath: Picture by Bob Naylor

Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) will not say what the problem is, but a spokesman did say, "We must make a decision which balances public safety with the wish for pedestrians and cyclists to move freely around the city.

     "Following an interim assessment report from our structural engineers, the council decided to re-open the bridge at a reduced width.

     "Further structural investigations have now taken place and in response to new information we have decided that the bridge should be closed to all users in the interests of public safety. He concluded,  "We await a final report from our structural engineers and we can then consider the most effective long-term solution."

An artists impression of Victoria Bridge as part of the proposed
Bath Western River Development

The bridge forms part of the plans for the controversial Bath Western River development between Victoria Bridge and Windsor Bridge to provide 2,200 homes.

Victoria Bridge, designed by Bath engineer James Dredge, was completed in 1836. This bridge, along with the many other bridges all over the world that he designed is a radical alternative to the established suspension bridge design.
     Another example of one of his bridges can be seen spanning the Kennet & Avon Canal at Wilcot — linking parts of the Stowell Park Estate near Pewsey.

To find out more about James Dredge and his bridges go to: 
Derrick Hunt's-James Dredge website 

Morris Roff 

OBITUARY 

Morris Roff, one of the enthusiasts who made the re-opening of the Kennet & Avon Canal possible, died suddenly at his home in Pewsey on 19 September 2010 at the age of 79.

His funeral took place at St John the Baptist Church in Pewsey on 1 October 2010 and he was buried at Christ Church, East Kennet.

Morris was born at Poulton Farm Cottages in Marlborough and he went to the local St Peter’s School. Morris was profoundly deaf from birth and so his education was continued at the Royal Deaf School in Topsham near Exeter.

     He was apprenticed as a cabinet maker and although he did not make his living with those skills, instead working for Pelham Puppets and Marlborough Borough Council, he did put them to good use — and one of his many projects was to completely restore a wooden cruiser in the garden of his home in Marlborough.

Morris with his sons, Aubrey, left and James beside the cabin cruiser he refurbished in the garden of his home in Marlborough

Morris was one of the early members of Pewsey Wharf Boat Club who battled through the shallow waters  and the duck-weed on the Long Pound between Wootton Rivers and Devizes and showed that navigation was possible.

Morris and his late wife, Jackie, who died in 1999, became the unpaid wardens of Pewsey Wharf in 1979 and they lived in the cottage on the wharf with their two sons, James and Aubrey until 1998. 

Morris Roff beside the wharf at Pewsey

Morris always kept his love of the canal and right up until his death he would regularly be seen on Pewsey Wharf where, despite his hearing and speech problems, he would chat to his many friends about the history of the canal and Wilton Windmill where his grandparents had been the last millers when it was working commercially.

Morris loved the canal and he was an enthusiastic volunteer for the K&A Canal Trust crewing on the K&A Canal Trust trip boat Charlotte Dundas — and later as a skipper on the tiny trip-boat Dragonfly when it was relocated to Pewsey from Bath.

Morris is survived by his two sons, James, 44 and Aubrey 42 and five grandchildren.

Salisbury IWA Group

Tom Rolt Centenary talk

Tom Rolt's book, Green & Silver, which chronicles his boating exploits in the south of Ireland shortly after WW2, will be the subject of a talk by Gillian and Peter Bolt at the Salisbury IWA meeting at the Green Dragon at Alderbury on Thursday.

Thursday 21st October 

The Green Dragon, 

Alderbury (SP5 3AR)  at 7.30pm.

ALL WELCOME

Family Fun on Newbury Wharf  

Pictures by Ruth Walker

This year's Sunday Funday organised by Newbury Library celebrated the 10th anniversary of their move to the Wharf.

There were fun activities on two floors of the library for all ages and outside on stage on the library forecourt were lively performances from rock groups, The Jammin' Dodgers and Into The Chaos. Jammin' Dodgers front man, Sam Butler, said, "The Audience was great - we didn't expect such an energetic crowd - it was really cool." and Darrell Watson of Into Chaos rated the crowd, "Really awsome."

Trinity School gave a spirited performance with their Glee Club show and The Willows Primary School performance of Big, Big Combine Harvester was a hit with the crowd and Bangers and Mash Theatre Company thrilled everyone with their performances of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Inside the library as well as outside there were a host of activities — including flower arranging, skateboarding, circus skills, cake decorating, film making, language lessons and much, much more — there was something for everyone.

Most local charities, youth groups, clubs and societies  were represented along with the Police, Fire and Ambulance services.

It is the seventh time the library has held the event as part of the national Family Learning Festival and 2,500 people went into the library — with hundreds more just taking part in the outdoor activities. 

The day was summed up by Rob Sweetman who said, "My boys are aged three and four and they enjoyed the skateboarding, the diggers and the circus skills — but most of all, they were completely entranced by the Jack and the Beanstalk performance. For a whole hour they were completely engaged with the show. It was a brilliant day out for the family."

Ruth Walker, the Libraries' Promotions Co-ordinator said, "This was a fantastic community event and we are particularly grateful to all the local organisations and performing groups that generously shared their skills and talents free of charge with our many visitors. 

     "We were really pleased to be able to offer the groups an opportunity to showcase their talents — so that all could see the thriving creative and learning community we have in West Berkshire — and also, of course, to see what great things we have to offer in our libraries."

Government plans could compromise safety says BW staff Union


British Waterways staff fear that reliance on volunteers for vital maintenance work could compromise the safety of canal users and they are seeking assurances  that enough employed skilled staff will be retained to prevent potential devastation. 

"We have real fears that the vital maintenance work that is needed on the waterways network will be forced to rely on the efforts of volunteers to fill gaps left by qualified engineers, if enough funding is not found", said Julia Long, the Unite National Officer for docks and waterways. 
     
She continued, "Caring for our 250-year old working heritage that spans canals, reservoirs, aqueducts, bridges and locks, requires intensive management and significant funding, yet year after year central government has only provided enough money to fund 90 per cent of the urgent work.

      
"It is simply not appropriate to hand over essential infrastructure maintenance to volunteers —  BW maintain the 2,200 mile canal network in the UK and the recent announcement by government is very disturbing as it increases the level of flood risk to the homes, offices and buildings along the banks of the canal network.

      
"Unite is calling for the government to give guarantees that there will not be a wholesale cull of the workforce — and that enough employed skilled staff will be retained to prevent the potential devastation which would be caused if just one of the banks gave way."

     
Julia went on to explain that the water network provides a system that gives £65 million worth of drainage from fields as well as leisure and environmentally-friendly freight transport and she she concluded, "Half the population lives within five miles of a canal or river and 13 million people use them every year as part of their everyday life - as a short-cut to work, walking the dog — or simply taking time-out and watching the boats."

Fact file: 

BW employ 1,800 staff who maintain 1,654 locks, 54 tunnels, 3,115 bridges, 
417 aqueducts and 91 reservoirs.

New Swindon canal taking shape
The Wilts & Berks Canal in Swindon, that is now navigable from Kings Hill to the new Swindon expansion area of Whichelstowe, will soon link up with a brand new stretch of canal, with a new lock, that will increase the length of this canal section that is in water to more than 4km.


Speaking at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust AGM at East Challow yesterday Wiltshire Council Canals Officer, Ken Oliver, gave a report on work progress so far and of work on the new stretch of canal that will run alongside the M4 motorway towards the former Wilts & Berks Canal water supply reservoir at Coate Water on the eastern side of the town.

Wiltshire Council Canals Officer, Ken Oliver talks about the new canal work in Swindon.  Picture by Bob Naylor

Ken said, "The capping stones on the new stretch of canal are in place now and it is being puddled at the moment — I am told that it will be filled with water in the next few weeks.

     "By the end of this year it will be landscaped and with the houses alongside it will look quite magnificent."
     He continued, "With the lock gates installed this will be the first operational lock of the restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal."
  

Links to other W&B Canal Trust stories on this site:

Wilts& Berks Canal Trust AGM

Wilts & Berks Canal Volunteer awards

Swindon celebrates the 200th anniversary of its canal at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Festival 

Canal Trust floats its boat for Swindon Canal Fest

Royal start to Wilts & Berks link to the K&A Canal

Duchess of Cornwall to mark the start of Melksham Link and the 200th Anniversary of the Wilts & Berks Canal

Link: Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Website

Canal Trust Volunteer of the Year

Volunteer of the year,  Di Smurfwaite: Picture by Bob Naylor

Di Smurthwaite whose hedge laying, dry-stone walling and many other skills are legendry is the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Volunteer of the Year.

She received the Tony Davy Award, for the member making the greatest voluntary effort in the year, from the Trust President, David Fletcher, at the Trust AGM in East Challow yesterday.


The award is presented in memory of Tony Davy who was W&B Chairman from 1996 until his untimely death in 2004

Pick of the Branches

Trust Chairman, John Laverick highlighted the importance of recruitment in his speech at yesterday's AGM  and he called on each Trust member to recruit one new member. This year the award for the 'Pick of the Branches' went to the Melksham, Calne and Chippenham Branch who were the most succesful recruiters last year.

Melksham, Calne amd Chippenham Branch members with the 'Pick' for best recruiting branch. Picture by Bob Naylor 

Links to other W&B Canal Trust stories on this site:

Wilts& Berks Canal Trust AGM

Swindon celebrates the 200th anniversary of its canal at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Festival 

Canal Trust floats its boat for Swindon Canal Fest

Royal start to Wilts & Berks link to the K&A Canal

Duchess of Cornwall to mark the start of Melksham Link and the 200th Anniversary of the Wilts & Berks Canal

Link: Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Website

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust AGM
East Challow village hall near Wantage was packed yesterday when more than 100 members of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust met for their AGM.
Before lunch and the formal business of the AGM members visited local projects in progress on a 'hop on - hop off' mini-bus service with members of the local East Vale branch on hand to guide and explain the work. In the hall there were exhibitions of projects that other branches are involved with. 

Trust members visited local W&B Canal projects: Pictures by Bob Naylor

In his report to the Trust, Chairman John Laverick looked back over the year ending 31st March 2010 and highlighted significant events:

• The opening of Double Bridge at Pewsham by the Trust patron, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.
   
• The newly formed Wiltshire Council unitary authority taking on the hosting role of the Wilts & Berks Canal Partnership.
   
• The decision by the newly reorganised Partnership to push ahead with the 'Melksham Link' project with the aim of getting a canal, footpath and cycleway from the link with the K&A Canal at Semington into the centre of Melksham by 2014 — to mark the 100th anniversary of the Act of Abandonment of the Wilts & Berks Canal.

John Laverick
Picture by Bob Naylor

John Laverick also spoke of better links with the new local authority saying, "Wiltshire Council has appointed its first Canal Officer, Ken Oliver — and the arrangement is working very well.
     "Before his appointment it was very difficult to get a meeting with officers at WCC - but now Ken just walks down the corridor and knocks on the doors of his colleagues —and he is very persistent."

Questions from members at the meeting prompted discussions on subjects including:

• The need for maintenance crews to attend to areas already restored to keep them in good order. 
• Should subscription be raised or not? And the balance between membership retention and income generation. 
• Should the focus be primarily on finishing off and joining sections together or starting new projects?

East Challow Village Hall, packed for the W&B Canal TRust AGM on Saturday 17 October 2010: Picture by Bob Naylor

Links to other W&B Canal Trust stories on this site:

Swindon celebrates the 200th anniversary of its canal at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Festival 

Canal Trust floats its boat for Swindon Canal Fest

Royal start to Wilts & Berks link to the K&A Canal

Duchess of Cornwall to mark the start of Melksham Link and the 200th Anniversary of the Wilts & Berks Canal

Link: Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Website

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust AGM
Tomorrow (Sat)
The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust AGM is tomorrow, Saturday 16 October 2010 at East Challow Village Hall.

There is a full programme for the day:

• 10:00 Arrivals and refreshments. Media displays will be presented during the morning
• 10:30 Minibus to view the Restoration in Progress at Challow and elsewhere.
• 12:30 Lunch.
• 14.00 AGM commences at East Challow Village Hall, followed by an open forum.
• 16:00 Close.

The Village Hall is in Main Street, East Challow, Wantage Oxon OX12 9ST. There is free car parking at the village hall.

The Trust says everyone is welcome to come and hear about the exciting developments in the restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal.

Links to other W&B Canal Trust stories on this site:

Swindon celebrates the 200th anniversary of its canal at the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Festival 

Canal Trust floats its boat for Swindon Canal Fest

Royal start to Wilts & Berks link to the K&A Canal

Duchess of Cornwall to mark the start of Melksham Link and the 200th Anniversary of the Wilts & Berks Canal

Link: Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Website

Update:
Seend Flight on the K&A Canal re-opened
The problem that closed the Seend Flight earlier today has now been resolved and the flight is now open again. At the moment there are no stoppages on the Kennet & Avon Canal.

K&A Canal indefinite stoppage

Seend Flight Lock 19: Picture by Bob Naylor

The K&A Canal is closed from Seend Bottom Lock (17) to Seend Top Lock (21) from today, Friday 15 October 2010 until further notice for repair work to the Seend Pumping Main. Locks must remain closed to prevent pounds from draining.

Further news should be available on Monday 18th October

Bells toll for Severn Disaster victims

The 50th Anniversary of the Severn and Wye Railway Bridge disaster that cost the lives of five seamen in October 1960 will be commemorated this weekend with bells ringing out from churches along the River Severn.

The tankers, Arkendale and Wastedale still in the River Severn near Purton 50 years after the tragedy: Picture by Bob Naylor

Ian Unsworth of Dursley has arranged for nearby church bells to ring out in memory of the five seamen who lost their lives when two fuel barges hit the bridge on the 25th October 1960 and exploded in flames.

Ian said, "Groups from the Wotton-under-Edge, Forest of Dean and Stroud Branches of the Gloucester and Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers will attempt a full peal at Wotton-under-Edge on Saturday 16th October followed by quarter peals at Berkeley, Stone, Slimbridge, Awre and Lydney."

Janet Presley, Vice Chairman of the Friends of Purton, herself a keen bell ringer, said,  "This is a fitting tribute and when people hear the bells being rung on the 16th and 17th October I hope they will spare a thought for all the people whose lives have been taken while navigating the River Severn over the years and for their families and descendants."

See previous story at: Severn Railway Bridge disaster victims remembered

Links: Friends of Purton

The Gloucester & Bristol Diocesan Association of Church Bell Ringers