No 120 Dragonfly Spring 2011

Cover Image; Cleared canal at Butterfly World, between Swindon and Wootton Bassett

Reports from the Editor, Chairman & Partnership Officer.

Whichaway to the Thames 20?? by Geoff Austin. 2nd of a 2 part article describing the long history of the East End.

Dragging the Cut in the 1970's by Michael Walden All or nothing - A Proposal to WIN back Wiltshires Waterway

The WIN 'Navvy' Trophy - Does anyone know where the trophy is now ?

Boats will be back on the Wilts & Berks at Pewsham. Report and picture by Justin Guy

Cycling the Canal. Past, Present and Future by Graham Hughes

Hardware and Software helps enjoyment of Canals by Brian Roberts - IWA represenative

Abingdon Reservoir on hold - by Brian Roberts

Reports from the Branches

Situations Vacant, Maintenance Co-Ordinator, Finds Officer and Volunteer Co-Ordinator

No 121 Dragonfly Summer 2011

Cover Image; Pewsham reopening celebrated in fine style by MP Duncan Hames, Mark Packard (Chippenham Arear Board), Rebecca Lamont Jiggens (Community First) and John Laverick (Photo Stephen Lewsi)

VIP Visitors celebrate return of Wiltshire's Lost Waterway Crowds of well wishers gather at the start of the sponsored walk from Chippenham to Lacock

Wichelstowe Wins Prizes in nationwide competition Waterways Renaissance Award organised by the Waterways Trust

New Exhibition at Chippenham Museum

AGM Formal notice of Annual General meeting

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

No 122 Dragonfly Autumn 2011

Cover Image Uffington Wharf - A recently found picture of Uffington Wharf in the 1890's

Willow Reborn An account of the recent refurbishment of one of our trip boats by Douglas Harris

Cotswold Canals Trust Jubilee Cruise. Chris Coyle and Martin Buckland report on a historic event involving our neighbours to the north as they undertake an epic commemorative cruise.

Former Canal-side Pub is presented with original lock-gate recovered during restoration

Canal Trust invites walkers to retrace route of Melksham Waterway

Bricks - a personal view by Ken Whapples (or everything you wanted to know about bricks, but were afraid to ask)

And then there was one Doug Small reveals a fascinating new find

Around the Branches; Activities in all areas are reported.

No 123 Dragonfly Winter 2011

Cover Image; Our trip boat had some very special charters over pre Christmas weekends

Sponsored Walk gives boost to Canal campaign. Walk from Chippenham to Lacock raises £1300

Trust Finances Treasurer Peter Kinsman answers questions raised at the AGM

Santa slows down and breaks the ice. Report on the very successfull Santa trips at Kingshill Swindon

The WBCT Towpath Project Tim pyatt reports on an exciting and daunting challenge

AGM Draft minutes and Notes of the "Open Forum"

Weed Clearance at Royal Wootton Bassett

Wilts & Berks canal Trust say every tree matters in the Tree Council's National Tree Week

Around the Branches; Activites in all areas are reported.

No 124 Dragonfly Spring 2012

Cover Image: Top Lock at Pewsham - Plans for restoration are well in hand

Vice Chairman's Report. In the absence of John Laverick, Kath Hatton reports that HRH Duchess of Cornwall has agreed to continue to be our patron

Partnership Canal Officer's Report The Partnership will operate under the title of The Wiltshire, Swindon and Oxfordshire Canal Partnership

New Signs Retrace Route of Melksham Canal Walkers will find it easier to retrace the route of Melsham's former waterway, thanks to generous grants which provided new signs.

Book Review The Canal Pioneers - Brindley's School of Engineers. Reviewed by Chris Coyle. Copies of this book are available at the Trust Shop in Swindon.

The W&B Canal Towpath Project Tim Pyatt gives an update.

Dragonfly Successful year in Swindon Taking 700 paying passengers

Membership, 200 Club & Fund Raising News plus Letters to the Editor

Around the Branches; Activities in all areas are reported.

No 125 Dragonfly Summer 2012

Cover Image: - We are proud to display the logo of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service

Chairman's Report. The Queen's Award for Voluntary service was created in 2002. It is now regarded as the highest award given to voluntary groups

Partnership Canal Officer's Report We have had to suspend work on the project to restore the canal at Butterfly World in Royal Wootton Bassett. Planning application for the Melksham Link.

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust honoured by invations to Buckingham Palace Garden Parties. Roy and Barbara Murrell. Also a party to recognise the Queen's award.

Stround on Water IWA National Trailboat Festival Report and pictures.

Success of Dauntsey Lock Open Day Waterway enthusiasts enjoyed a flood of interest when they opened up a previously hidden stretch of canal.

Notice of AGM The Bourton Club, Church St, Bourton, Swindon SN6 8HZ Saturday 20th October at 2.00pm

Around the Branches; Activities in all areas are reported.

Letters to the Editor Towpath walkers v cyclist

No 126 Dragonfly Autumn 2012

Cover Image - Lord Lieutenant Mrs Sarah Troughton presents the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service to Kath Hatton

Chairman's Report - John Laverick having a heart operation and intends to stand down as Chairman of the Trust at the next AGM in October

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - Swindon's masterplan ignores the opportunity to restore the canal through the town centre

Dragonfly - Fun for Children from Near and Far

Artist - George W. Puckey, 1888-1963

The WBCT Towpath Project - Tim pyatt gives an update

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - Towpath walkers v cyclist, Congratulations on the Queens Award

No 127 Dragonfly Winter 2012

Cover Image - Dredging and footpath creation below Chaddington Lock, Royal Wootton Bassett

Vice-Chairman's Report - John Laverick accepts the position of Vice-President

Partnership Canal Officer's Report -Melksham link planning application has been submitted

Dragonfly - Trust member 002 Richard Porter takes the helm

Book review - The Wilts & berks Canal Through Time by Doug Small

The WBCT Towpath Project - Map

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - Towpath walkers v cyclist

No 128 Dragonfly Spring 2013

Cover Image - Tim Pyatt and Lynne at the start of the very successful Sponsored Walk from Semington to Abingdon

Vice-Chairman's Report - Swindon hosts the "Southern Canals Association" meeting, including IWA & CRT

Partnership Canal Officer's Report -Job title change, Partnership role stays the same

Dragonfly - MINI plant Swindon apprentices install wheelchair lift

Canal History - "Did the boatman get his new horse?" by Doug Small

The WBCT Towpath Project - Tim Pyatt reports on a very successful event

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - Towpath project walkers thank you

No 129 Dragonfly Summer 2013

Cover Image - Piling of the bank at Kingshill, Swindon, to prevent further damage and deterioration

Vice-Chairman's Report - Appeal to buy land at Seven Locks

Partnership Canal Officer's Report -Melksham Link slow progress

Recollections of Jack Dalby

Dragonfly - Hopeful that water leak repaired and eventual linking of Kingshill to Wichestowe

Fundraising - Four bid awards totalling £1,985

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

No 130 Dragonfly Autumn 2013

Cover Image - Beavers enjoying a day out on Nb Dragonfly

Vice-Chairman's Report - Successful appeal to buy land at Seven Locks. Peterborough Arms declared an asset of Community Value

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - Melksham Link promotional video

Dragonfly - Search for Santa Trips

Fundraising - Donations of more than £40,000 to the Seven Locks Appeal secures the purchase of Locks 2, 3, 4 and 5

Historic Bridge - Saved for re-use crossing the W&B canal near the River Ray Aqueduct at Mouldon Hill

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

No 131 Dragonfly Winter 2013

Cover Image - A striking scene on the restored section below Pewsham Locks

Vice-Chairman's Report - Discussions with Wadworth about buying the Peterborough Arms

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - Assemblying a Melksham Link work programme of studies required for the Environment Statement. Disappointing news at Grove, local authority unable to secure canal restoration funding from the de-velopers of the 2,500 homes

Dragonfly - Reached £3,000 in takings

Fundraising - Pledges of loans for the possible purchase of the Peterborough Arms and £30,000 feasibility grant

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - Risky to purchase the Peterborough Arms. Grooves scribed into the edges of Bridges

No 132 Dragonfly Spring 2014

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

Vice-Chairman's Report - Started a weekly blog posted on the Trust website

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - Work on the Melksham Link Economic Benefits Study is nearly completed. Studley Grange Wootton Bassett planning application is under consideration

Dragonfly - Quiet period

Fundraising - Received £7,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the sharing heritage programme

Snippets from the Past - Taken from a 1872 newspaper

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - The Future to open navigation. Wear on stonework at bridges

No 133 Dragonfly Summer 2014

Cover Image - Nb Dragonfly at rebuilt Beavan’s Bridge

Vice-Chairman's Report - Trust has reached agreement in principle to buy the Peterborough Arms from Wadworth. Board of Biffa Waste Management has agreed in principle to grant the Trust a lease on the canal that forms part of the Studley Grange landfill site.

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - The partnership is keen to get a new project manager in place for the Towpath Challenge. The Melksham Link study published by consultants Amec, shows cumulative benefits for the town of potentially up to £55m

Dragonfly - Waiting the construction of a Landing Stage at the Waitrose site

Industrial Archaeology and Archive Group - Brian Stovold starts a group

Fundraising - Submitted a bid to Awards for ll for just under £10K to run the Melksham River Festival

Melksham River Festival - 6 & 7 September 2014

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - Dauntsey towpath access, west side no access, east side will granted when levelled. Support to increase annual subscription. Register of Projects

No 134 Dragonfly Autumn 2014

Cover Image - A busy River Avon during Melksham River Festival

Vice-Chairman's Report - Purchase of the Peterborough Arms has been completed. Melksham River Festival event marks the hundredth anniversary of the formal abandonment of the canal by Act of Parliament in 1914

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - In the last partnership meeting Local Plans for Vale of White Horse DC and Swindon BC were discussed

Dragonfly - Dragonfly was moved to the River Avon for the Melksham River Festival

Fundraising - The 2014 Grand Draw has so far raised £3,500

Melksham River Festival - Amazing weekend, many boats and volunteers dressed in costumes

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - It was a superb and sunny day at the water Festival at Melksham. We need a map. Message from Santa

No 135 Dragonfly Winter 2014

Cover Image - The People’s Millions Cheque presentation

Vice-Chairman's Report - Working on a walking guide and progress report on work along the canal. Embarking on a Melksham Link archaelogy study for planning consent

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - In the last partnership meeting Local Plans for Vale of White Horse DC was discussed

Fundraising - £20 million needs to be raised for the Melsham Link work and for a more comprehensive development plan to include canal focused and related educational, cultural and leisure offers

History - Joseph Hewer was Swindon’s last Canal Carrier

Dragonfly - More qualified Skippers

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

Letters to the Editor - Can we have a map like the Costwold Canal Trust. AGM disappointing. I have a boat and I am able to access the canal from  my back garden. Message from Santa

No 136 Dragonfly Spring 2015

Cover Image - Top Lock at Pewsham as it hasn’t been seen for many years

Vice-Chairman's Report - Two projects that we hope to see good progress on this year are Studley Grange and the Melksham Link.

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - Canal Partnership reviewed recent work on the Melksham Link Masterplan, the Towpath Challenge, Swindon Eastern Villages and other strategic issues

Fundraising - Urgent Funding Appeal For The Studley Grange Project, £600,000 needed

Letters to the Editor - More detail on locations. Videos I took during 1989 and 1990 showing Calne, Foxham and Seven Locks. A mobile canal centre

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

No 137 Dragonfly Summer 2015

Cover Image - Dunnington Aqueduct in Royal Wootton Basset

Chairman's Report - New Chairman Roderick Bluh, former Leader of the Council in Swindon

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - Unexpected delays put the start of the Studley Grange project back by about four weeks

Fundraising - Studley Grange funding has raised over £576,000 from various organisations: Viridor Credits, the Underwood Trust, People’s Millions, Inland Waterways Association, Royal Wootton Bassett Area Board and our appeal to members

Letters to the Editor - Should the canal be re-branded Wilts & Oxon Canal? I have created an interactive google map. Let us all know roughly what is going on at each site

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

No 138 Dragonfly Autumn 2015

Cover Image - Our Patron with some of our front line forces after the official opening of the landing stage at Waitrose in Swindon

Chairman's Report - Rod Bluh announces the appointment of Jonathan Till as interim Chief Executive

Patron HRH the Duchess of Cornwall - Comes to Wichelstowe in Swindon to inaugurate the new landing stage

Fundraising - Studley Grange project is under way, appeal for additional £25,000 now reached £13,430

Update on the Peterborough Arms - 1 year on, a small steering group has been developing strategy and detailed plans for the pub

New Chairman - Dave Maloney elected new MCC Branch Chairman

Letters to the Editor - How encouraging are the pictures of ongoing work at Studley Grange? Hugely welcome, remember that all this 'spadework' has for many years been preceded by much 'paperwork'

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

No 139 Dragonfly Winter 2015

Cover Image - Cover Image - Richard Hawkins of Royal Wootton Basset Branch with his digger taking out the top of the bund at Bincknoll Lane to get the water flowing again from the newly restored section at Studley Grange

Stop Press - New Year’s Honours List congratulations to John Laverick MBE. Vice-president, Wilts and Berks Canal Trust. For voluntary service to Waterways Management and Restoration

Chairman's Report - Thank you for the amazing work in 2015, lets make 2016 better than ever

Report from the CEO - Invitation to Members to apply to join the new Executive Committee, or to join the support teams and support staff

Fundraising - Studley Grange appeal stands at £16,600 and is still open to reach £25,000

Letters to the Editor - The map in Dragonfly is pretty useless. Photographs that show what is happening and with good detailed information at last! BUT, not in ‘Dragonfly’

Partnership Canal Officer's Report - Partnership members are considering the latest revision to the Restoration Strategy Document recently approved by the Wilts & Berks Board of Trustees

Around the Branches - Activities in all areas are reported

<< >>