WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

Cover Image;  A striking scene on the restored section below Pewsham Locks Photo by John Millican

Editorial Chris Coyle last edition as Editor

Vice Chairman's report A Volunteer has stepped forward to become our Chairman. General Sir John Wilsey GCB,CBE. He has to be formally appointed by the Council of Management.

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver  Melksham Link  and Pewsham Lock News

A Christmas Carol Derek Flexer brings us a seasonal tale

Boat report The success of NB Dragonfly is down to the hard work and dedication of the team.

Fundraising for the Wilts & Berks Kath Hatton on Dauntsey Lock Centre, slipway at Melksham, 200 club & Pewsham Lock

Messing About on the River Paul Lenaerts Melksham River Festival

Plant Training Weekend 28th 29th September 2013 Rachael Banyard reports

Where are the ducks of yesteryear ? Margaret Lord unearths a strange piece of history

Wilts & Berks Canal - Poser Page Carsten Drew has suggested that we have a 'Poser Page' - a question of canal interest posed by a reader; any answers it may generate could be published in later edition

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

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Cover Image; One of the many children who enjoyed a canal-themed day at Chippenham Museum

Editorial Chris  Coyle writes

Vice Chairman's report  Chris Coyle announces News Blog on the web. Also asks for Peterborough Arms Loans. Early news of Swindon route,Waterway in Melksham, Studley Grange, Harness enthusiasm of members.

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver  Partnership meeting, Melksham Link, Templars Firs, Studley Grange and visit of Canal & River Trust's Chief Executive Richard Parry.

Michael Lee - 40 years of Voluntary Canal Engineering. Mike Lee standing down to live In Sultanate of Orman

Fun with Canal Crafts at the Museum by Val Melville Canal based half-term activities.

Winterization of nb Dragonfly Report on Santa Trips, rest period before Easter trips and night out for the team

Fundraising   Grant £7900 from Heritage Lottery for Sharing Hertitage Project. All projects need fundinfg

Snippets from the past  A collection of stories courtesy of the Evening Advertiser in mSwindon. Taken from the Wilts Berks and Gloster Chronicle April 8^th 1872

Wildlife Notes :Should we feed the birds ? Yes and No Kathleen Wyatt of the Wildlife Trust

News from the Canal shop Roy Cartwright writes

Wilts & Berks Canal - Poser Page Replies to last Dragonfly (131) question

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

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Cover Image;  New skipper Sally Parkin brings ng Dragonfly through Beavan's Bridge 

Editorial New editors John Millican and Margaret Lord

Vice Chairman's report Chris Coyle There is lot going on including agreement in principle to buy Peterborough Arms .

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver   Ken at the Buckingham Palace garden party

Boat Report  nb Dragonfly representing the Trust at the opening of the new Waitrose Store, she made an impressive sight flying the 2 feather WBCT banners as she drifted back and forth in front of the store. Await construction of a landing stage

Industrial Archaeology and Archive Group. Brian Stovoid would like to start a group of people with this special interest

Fundraising for the Wilts & Berks Unsuccessful bid to for part-time fundraiser 

Notice of Annual General Meeting 18^th October at Grove 

Alastair K Macdonald - an Obitary from Eddie Thomas

Situation Vacant - Trust looking for new Chairman

Party of International Guests enjoy cruise on nb Dragonfly. 10 Estonian Textile Artist on an exchange visit

Riverside Boards Show - Proposed Route of New Canal by Justin Guy. Promoting Melksham Link

Programme for Melksham River Festival

Wildlife in the Wilts & Berks Canal Corridor - Summer by the canal at Royal Wootton Bassett by Judy Gosnell

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

Southern Canals Association, Chris Coyle on the Spring Meeting

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

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Cover Image;  A busy River Avon during melksham River Festival-- Picture Jenny Stratton 

Editorial More maps, request for articles in future editions

Vice Chairman's report Chris Coyle "We own a pub !" Melksham River Festival and Middle Wichel .

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver Local Plans for Vale of White Horse 

Moving Dragonfly to Melksham Rivber Fesitval - Cheryll Yeowell

News from the Canal Shop - Roy Cartwright Real Life Magazine article from 1982 Black Venice

Fundraising for the Wilts & Berks Melksham River Festival & Peterborough Arms 

Melksham River Festival by Val Melville Congratulations to everyone involved

The Wilts & Berks Canal; The coming of the Industrial Revolution  Roy Cartwright Snippets from the Past

nb Dragonfly team say farewell to Mike Lang who are moving to Devon 

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

Canal People by Margaret Lord

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

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Cover Image;  The People's Millions Cheque presentation. Photograph Steve Wells

Editorial Voting for People's Millions. Letters for maps. Plea for information 

Vice Chairman's report  Kath on maps, membership, boards,  audio messages, Melksham Link, Dauntsey, Seven Locks,Wootton Bassett & Wichelstowe Landing Stage

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver  Vale of the White Horse, Towpath Challenger & Melksham Link Work on Master Plan

Annual General Meeting 2014 Report 

Fundraising  Open Day at Peterborough Arms in November was very successful 

An invitation from MCC Branch. Charity Auction, Quiz Night, Race Night & Sponsored Walk

Joseph Hewer: Swindon's Last Canal Carrier By Jan Flanagan. Born in 1857,a  third generation boatman with grandparents from Castle Eaton & Lechlade

Canal Rings Past, Present and Future - by John Henn Looking forward to Wilts & Berks, North Wilts, Thames & Severn Canal & River Thames Ring

A Tale of Two Swans Cheryll Yeowell Mr Swindon returns after a time at the Swan Sanctuary Shepperton

Dragonfly Ladies Robert Yeowell  Qualified lady skippers

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

Master-Planning A Future for the Trust by Margaret Lord

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

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Cover Image;  Top Lock at Pewsham as it hasn't been seen for many years 

Editorial Plan to transfer water via the canal network

Minutes of the 26^th Annual General Meeting held at Grove on 18^th October 2014

Vice Chairman's report Kath is kept busy ! .

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver  Studley Grange, Melksham & Swindon next expansion 

Urgent Funding Appeal for the Studley Grange Project and for Co-Ordinator for the Wildlife Trail Project

The Natural Grid A present-day adaptation of historic scheme by Margaret Lord.

Book Review by Robert Yeowell "Rescued from Obscurity" by Richard Skeet - Hereford and Gloucester Canal

Fundraising for the Wilts & Berks We need to raise £600,000 for Studley Grange 

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

Melksham Food & River Festival News of a new event for 2015

You're never far from the canal by John Hayes "So it was in the early twenties of the last century I saw and glided on my first canal"

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Cover Image;  Dunnington Aqueduct referred to in Wootton Bassett Branch report on page 23. A view not often witnessed as we have to get special permission to work on what is still privately owned land. 

Editorial Welcome to Roderick Bluh and  good variety of articles

Chairman's Report Roderick Bluh The enormous amount of work going on. .

AGM 2015 Clarification to Memorandum and Articles Chris Coyle

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver  A few unexpected delays put the start of the Studley Grange project back by about 4 weeks

Fundraising for the Wilts & Berks Many appeals for money for restoration of the canal  

Cotswold Outdoors 15% discount for members plus early booking for Santa

Notice of Annual General Meeting Royal Wootton Bassett Saturday 17^th October

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers

Comfrey; A Ubiquitous Canal Plant by Judie Gosnall  Save Our Hedgehogs by Margaret Lord

Canal Campaigner Praises "Fantastic" Volunteers Report and Pictures on Derek Flexer

Boat Report Goods for Sale

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported including Friendly Abingdon A walk along the historic canal route.

Melksham - Waitrose Shoppers offer Green Token of Support  to MCC.  Update on planning permission, Food & River Fesitval and Waitrose sponsor

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

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Cover Image;  Our Patron with some of our front line forces after the official opening of the landing stage at Waitrose in Swindon. Small report page 4 & 5 Photo courtesy of Chloe Leadbetter 

Editorial  Exciting times appear

Chairman's Announcement Three months on and a learning curve.   Jonathan Till appointed as Interim Chief Executive 

A new landing Stage at Middle Wichel Chris Coyle The event was a great success in every way; it showcased the work that the Trust did in designing and helping with its construction; it demonstrated the skill and organisation of the boat team.

Fundraising for the Wilts & Berks Studley Grange 

Studley Grange project Update

Annual General Meeting 17 October 2015

Boat Report Advert for Santa Trips

220 year old Culvert Rebuilt Val melville.

Canal Partnership Ken Oliver  Video on the web site of Studley Grange

Canal Boat Launch On the Wilts & Berks Sheila Wade

MCC Auction: Steam Experience John Laverick

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

To the Editor Letters from  & replies to Readers 

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