DragonflyWilts & Berks Canal Trust Winter 2018 The Trust’s new Chair Welcome from the editorial team... Interview with Brian Stovold We’ve had great feedback after the last edition, making it into the Dragonfly and even becoming I wasn’t really expecting to be writing the Chairman’s in this edition about our success here. I cannot express thank you to all who got in contact. Almost without the cover image. And lots more as well. bit for this Dragonfly. I was quite happily meandering how grateful the Trustees are to all those who have exception you liked the A4 format, layout and We welcome feedback so please get in touch with along as Vice Chair when Rod Bluh announced at the got the PA to the stage where Michelle and Brendan design so we are continuing with the “new look the Editorial Team at [email protected] AGM that he would be stepping down at some time in Watkins, as new landlords, can take over and open it Dragonfly”. Please remember that how we can communicate the near future, for personal reasons. as a working pub again. I am looking forward to the In this edition we introduce the Trust’s new interim with you is determined by your opt in choices. At the Board of Trustee’s meeting in November, Rod celebrations on 1st December. I expect some of the Chair, Brian Stovold, who has taken on the role for Patricia Clements and the Dragonfly team did indeed step down and the Board asked me to fill photos will be in this Dragonfly! six months while the Trustees recruit a Chair with the role. Dragonfly has articles about other work going on in the relevant external experience. Bat image: Winner of the 2018 British Wildlife This I have agreed to do, but the eager eyed amongst Trust, and I would like to thank all our volunteers and ‘A picture speaks a thousand words” so the saying Photography Awards overall winner “Contrails at Dawn” you will note that I am referring to myself as interim staff, whether they work behind desks or are volunteers goes, we have an article this time about how you by Paul Colley of Daubenton’s Bats at Coate Water chairman. in working parties, who contribute so much to the Trust. can improve your chances of your photographs Country Park, Wiltshire The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the We need more of everyone: finding more project overall strategy and providing oversight of our great managers leads to more projects, needing more organisation: the Board relies on the Executive led by funding which leads to more activity. On the ground Jonathan Till, its CEO, to deliver the strategy we set and and in the centre. thus the eventual restoration of the canal. Thirty odd (very odd) years ago I walked in the back As a Board we are seeking to increase our numbers and room of the Volunteer Inn outside Grove and met a broaden the Board’s experience, at the same time as great group of people with a passion to restore the retaining the canal restoration expertise. Different skill Wilts & Berks. All I wanted was to go out on a Saturday sets are therefore needed and with this in mind, the afternoon and enjoy myself working on the canal. I Board will be seeking to find a replacement Chair for didn’t expect to be in this position and I am honoured the longer term who fits a range of criteria. to have been asked to act as interim Chair. Last weekend I was out taking a group of people on my 2 Welcome from the editorial team 10 The Peterborough Arms Project and the In the meantime, I hope I can keep this ship (or should I usual circular walk along the canal between Wantage Dauntsey Lock Canal and Community say narrow boat) sailing on in the right direction. 3 Interview with Brian Stovold, the Trust’s and Stockham. As we threaded our way through the My first task is to thank Rod Bluh for all he has done Centre: continuing success for the Trust new housing estates, I became starkly aware of the new chair as Chair over the last three years in leading the Trust challenges that face us, but also of the benefits of the 4 Water-based activities: fun on the water 14 Taking photographs for the Trust through what has been a very challenging period. I restoration of the canal and the process of restoration. am very pleased that Rod has agreed to continue for 5 AGM Report and Volunteer hours awards 16 Projects Round up the moment as a Trustee as I wouldn’t wish to lose his The world of restoration has changed and we can’t do 6 Fundraising in the Trust 17 Essential work to support our volunteers expertise, particularly with local authorities. things the same way we did 30 years ago, but we adapt and we survive. My passion for this canal remains, as I 18 News from around the Trust One of our challenges (and only one) has been to get 7 Local history: Beavan’s Bridge am sure it does with you. My best wishes for Christmas the Peterborough Arms up and running. You will read 8 Of Mice and Snails 20 Gallery and the New Year. 9 Springing into life on the canal: wildlife watch Welcome to a new Vice President Her Honour Judge Zoe Smith has agreed to become a Vice President of the Trust and we were pleased to Wilts & Berks welcome her to our AGM in October. #forallofus Canal Trust Zoe has been spending time familiarising herself with many parts of the Wilts & Berks canal and was able to join us at the Peterborough Arms celebrations where she met many of our supporters. Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre, Dauntsey Lock, The views and opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily Health and Safety Officer Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 4HD represent those of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. The Editorial team The Trustees take our duty of care to all our members extremely seriously and we want to give opportunities Tel: 0845 625 1977 Email: [email protected] reserves the right to edit or omit any material received. For other contact details please go to our website: for those who volunteer for the Trust to do so in a safe and comfortable environment. An essential part of this Editorial Team: Patricia Clements work is carried out by the Trust’s Health & Safety Officer. www.wbct.org.uk Designer: Heather Ponting-Bather, In Touch Design & Print, Please follow us on facebook and twitter: Purton, Wiltshire. E: [email protected] After many years, and with increasing demands on his time from his day job, Derek Flexer has stood down from facebook.com/wiltsberkscanal twitter.com/wbctcanal Printer: Hulbert & Woodall Print, Templars Way Industrial this role. The Trust is looking for a replacement. ©2018 Wilts & Berks Canal Trust. All rights reserved. The Wilts & Estate, Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire. If you have experience and interest in the work of keeping volunteers safe and in helping to provide safe Berks Canal Trust is a charity registered with the Charity Commission E: [email protected] systems of work, contributing to the continuing development of our procedures, and have the time to devote no. 299595 and a company limited by guarantee registered in England & Wales no. 2267719. to this essential role, please get in touch with Jonathan Till: [email protected] 2 3 The Trust’s new Chair Welcome from the editorial team... Interview with Brian Stovold We’ve had great feedback after the last edition, making it into the Dragonfly and even becoming I wasn’t really expecting to be writing the Chairman’s in this edition about our success here. I cannot express thank you to all who got in contact. Almost without the cover image. And lots more as well. bit for this Dragonfly. I was quite happily meandering how grateful the Trustees are to all those who have exception you liked the A4 format, layout and We welcome feedback so please get in touch with along as Vice Chair when Rod Bluh announced at the got the PA to the stage where Michelle and Brendan design so we are continuing with the “new look the Editorial Team at [email protected] AGM that he would be stepping down at some time in Watkins, as new landlords, can take over and open it Dragonfly”. Please remember that how we can communicate the near future, for personal reasons. as a working pub again. I am looking forward to the In this edition we introduce the Trust’s new interim with you is determined by your opt in choices. At the Board of Trustee’s meeting in November, Rod celebrations on 1st December. I expect some of the Chair, Brian Stovold, who has taken on the role for Patricia Clements and the Dragonfly team did indeed step down and the Board asked me to fill photos will be in this Dragonfly! six months while the Trustees recruit a Chair with the role. Dragonfly has articles about other work going on in the relevant external experience. Bat image: Winner of the 2018 British Wildlife This I have agreed to do, but the eager eyed amongst Trust, and I would like to thank all our volunteers and ‘A picture speaks a thousand words” so the saying Photography Awards overall winner “Contrails at Dawn” you will note that I am referring to myself as interim staff, whether they work behind desks or are volunteers goes, we have an article this time about how you by Paul Colley of Daubenton’s Bats at Coate Water chairman.