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Thames & Medway Canal Association River Medway River Stour Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Future Events Page
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walking and cycling route from Templars Firs in Royal Wootton Bassett through to Hay Lane by the Garden Centre; this being a stone’s throw from where the road underbridge currently under construction will continue the route into Wichelstowe and Swindon itself. Thanks to the engagement of Marsha Miles Consultancy the Trust has just received a number of grants including one for £25,000 from the Underwood Trust towards wildflower planting and a Bee Route along the canal’s line. On the canal itself, detailed plans for a bridge over the canal at Chaddington (Binknoll) Lane have been submitted to Wiltshire Council. Once approved, fundraising can begin, increasing the navigable length at Studley Grange.
December saw the resumption of our ever-popular Santa trips. Despite the continuing blockade of the canal by a landowner at Westleaze, our shorter “Dragonfly experience” trips proved well suited to young families. We ran up to six trips a day over some 11 days, giving great pleasure to over 500 adults and children and raising some £2,800 for the Trust. Many other changes occurred towards the end of 2021; several Branches acquired new Chairs – much to the relief of the retiring ones, in case you were wondering! Our Back to Business (B2B) group produced a comprehensive and detailed strategy document covering all our 70 miles and our Signage group is in the process of replacing most of our existing information boards, bringing them up to date. One of our Trustees, John Henn, is putting together a series of podcasts –keep an eye on our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/wiltsberkscanal - to see what they are and when you can see them. Our social media presence continues to grow. We have resumed activity on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, and our Facebook page has increased its followers to almost 6,000. Our work parties constantly engage with passers-by and we have created a business card to hand to those interested. Onwards & upwards!
