THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR MEMBERS & FRIENDS WORKING TO RESTORE THE COTSWOLD CANALS

:ram the Chairman 1

Action 2002! With the Christmas post c a m this press release:

We welcome Andrew to the Cotswolds and feel sure that he will have p l a y of job satidEcti0~ Chris Leggett who is premtly working for British Waterways on the Kennet & Avon Canal will join the team full t h e in April, as Project Manager. For the past few months he has been working one &y per week with the Cotswold Canals.

'h? management structure is now up and runnuq and the key appomtments are in pace. We look forward ta work on the ground whicb will see major progress in the caning montbg

THE RESTORATION APPEAL I have been thrilled at the response to the Cotswold Canals Trust Restoration Ap eal by you, OUI members. Thank you. Jack 'fkllii, CCT Treasurer gives all the detad in his article.

TRUST DINNER This year is the Cotswold Canals Trust's 30th Amversary. We shall mark this occasion on 17th May 2002 by a P i e r at StMehonse Court Hotel. The principal Guest Speaker will be Dr David Fletcher. Chief Executive of British Waterways. Do bwk early as places are limited. To secure yonr place, complete and return the slip enclosed wiih thir. magazw.

THE CASE. ??OR COLOUR "A good picture is worth a thousand words", the saying goes. We have often been dlsappomted when our colour photographs fail m reproduce enough detail in black and white so here is our first Trow featuring full colour photographs! No, this is not an extravagnnce. People have higher

expectations t h e days and modern technology makes colour a more practical and affordable option. The ecowmies of scale also come into play with a rapldly increasing mabwshipand consequent print run.

A better quality magazine will also attract more advertising revenue thereby making the Trow self fundmg. We are most grateful to tbe support of those busin- who advertise in the magazine and I hope that readers will use your savkx& Readers, please tell the advertisers where you heard of them.

ABOUTPEOPLE We are delighted to welcome Chrk Coburn as a new Vice-President. Cbris is the owner of Lee Sanitation but perhaps better known for his overseas (litexally) campaigning adventurar in the narrow boat Progress. On a more cmvenuonal journey Last year he took a boat load of cobbles fram the Saul 2001 event to his home on the Thames. The journey had to made by m n g the Midlands canals thereby highlighting the need for a more &rect Cotswold Canals route.

Robin Hadliday, a long-serving Director of the CCT, has reluctantly bad to step down due to

other commitmeots Thanks Robin for your work over the years I know that you will be still much in evidence in the Turmel am..

We welcome Elizabeth Paync as a w-opted manber. She and husband Peter have moved to Lechlade Erom Nortbamptonsbire. id is me of two Vice Chslrmen of the IWA and will bring an added dimensi~n to the Board of Directors.

KEEPING UP TO DATE The pace of restoration will increase and, whilst the Ttow is informative and entertaining, it may not be the ideal way to keep right up to date. If you have internet accesn, try www.cotswold~.rom. Fed free to contact the office or one of those with a Listed d for ~nformalion I should be Gy fo hear from you by telephone or to make a presentation to a gmup.

EXCITING TIMGS Our membership continues to grow. 1 look forward eagerly to wdwming out 3,000th member but also look back with gxatitude to those who helped the Trust reach L000 and then 2,000. Indeed. my oft-repeated phrase - "We live in exciting rimesl"

Ruskin Mill Centre for Art, Craji and Cultrrral Development

Coffee Shop Open Tues-Sat Jlm - 4pm. Sun & B Hols 3pm - 6pm Serving orgnnie lunches, teas m d coffee

Organic Vegeabk Shop Open Tues - Fri 1Om - 5pm

Gallery Regular exhibittons of arts and crafts in the environment. Twes -Sun. l O m - 5pm

Evenrs Regular evening evenls and wekend workshops

Craft Activities Monday to Friday currently include:

leaherworker, jeweller, pmter , potter, vwlm &, furniture maker. green W O O ~ W O T ~ ~ ~ , sculprors, ragrug maker. flow forms, stained glass artist (Prror Appornrments Required)

Nature Walks, Woodlands, Trout Lake, Mill Pond, Wmking Water Wheel Farm & Garden.

R u s h Mill is rnsnued hr the work of RudolJ Steiner. Wilkam Morris and John Rusktn Ruskin Mill, Old Bristol Road, Nailsworth, Clox, CL6 OLA

Tel 01453 832571 F a 01453 837512 Take the Horsley Road our of Narlsworth qff the A46

Kcstorar ron lnne..al l lnrl'ato

trusts and a public appeaL Funds will be ra~sed over the ten-year period of the restorauon and individual funding bids will be W to specific components of the restoration The first phase will hopefully start within the next two years and the funds

by Trmmr Jack BIIing raised so far, and in the future, by the Cotswold Canals Trust will be vml for

The Appeal was launched in early November providing match funding. and within four weeks 75,000 bad been recezved in cash donations or pledges backed It is our policy that for every El we contribute by Standlng Order. This has slnce rlsen to we wlll seek to ensure that it is matched at 97,000 plus the value of Wit Aid least five Limes by our Partners. I am ~ & n s wh~chamouut to E25.000. convinced that a siznificant fmmci.4

The Appeal to date has thus raised over E120,OMI which is an excellent start towards our target of at least half a r n b pounds over the next five years. One questlon I am asked h whether the Cotswold Canal Trust's contribution is sigmficant bearing in mind an estimated total restoration cost of 80 million The answer is most definitely Yes!

ThP buk of the 80 million will be raised hy Britlsh Waterways and The Waterways Trust from public, private and voluntary sector sources. These will include the Reg~onal Development Agency, lottery funds, corporate SOMISOIS~~D, voiuntarv bodies. chantable

contribution from the C6tswold Canals Trust will not only enwurage others to make similar Mmrnitments but will also speed the pace of restoratiou.

The SUCCESS, so far, of our Membership Appeal, added to other funds we have accumulated, encourages me to believe that we can raise our sights even further and aim for a three quarter million contribution.

If you have not already done so please seriously consider converting from Ordiua~y to Life Membership. Details are enclosed with this edition of Trow. Your commitment to the Restoration will he meatlv auurecialed.

WE NEED YOUR HELP 1 CBIIRE

Satarday 16th March from 1V30 till Noon at Saul Heritage Centre We need help with Site Services, Trade Show, Pubkdty, Bar Sales, Ice-Goan Sales.

VisiUng Boats & Coravons, Entertainments, Trip Booting, Ccu Parking. Th& y e a we pbn ta hove 0 Personnel Centre where all helpers can meet and be docded to various duties. We will endeavour to allocate the duties requested.

DO PLEASE COME ALONG (even if you helped k t yea). We will uploin h o t is involved in setting up, running the went m d breaking dawn dterwords.

We will wekome any offers in oreo for ring puiod of time.

When the history of the restoration of the Stroudwater and Thames & Severn canals comes to be written, the year 2002 will surely be seen as the major turning point of the regeneratron process.

During thm year, major projects will be planned and set in motion, funds will be msed, the pubhc will suddenly become aware of a new amenity running through theu Local town, and the profile of the Cotswold Canals Trust and their partners will be raised from Saul k Lechlade. That, at the very Least, is what we should be aiming for

Raising funds and recruiting members have obviously been a major part of the Trust activities durhg its 30 years of existence. We have been enormously successful in these areas. we have gained 1000 members m the last 2 years, and che Income Generatton Group has had an extremely busy two years raising funds. Boat trips, public talks, sales pitches, boat shows. Sad Junction shows, recruitment stands and other events have been manned by a stead stream of dedicated volunteers, who have dcolltributed to thesuccess.

But now the pace is accelerating. The ease with which tbe restoration proceeds depends totally on two factors: membership and money. We are m a position now to capitalise on our success so far, and use OUI members to raise the income still further.

With 3 0 0 0 m b e r s on our books, it should be possible for as many of you as possible to recruit one new memher, fmm family or workplace or neighbourhood - and thereby raise our numbers to 4000 by the end of 2002. We k m from our experience, that, when persuaded, more people are interested in the canal than me might think1 Many people have their own boats, or theu own favourite walks, or even their own memories of the working days of the canal system. We recently recruited 87 new members in the centre of Strwd over two Saturday mornings. Surely thereis more pubJic interest still to be tapped!

An increased membership will give the Trusl that much more polling power when it comes to fund-raising, especially when dealing with bodies such aa the Heritage Lottery and European fm- In additioa, the more interest is shown in the canal by the local population, the more these b o b will be persuaded m support us. Now that we have formed this partnership which mdudes British Waterways and The Waterways Trust, it is up to us to give our partners as much support as possible.

Canal restoration, nationally, is progressing at an accelerating and exciting pace. We are sure that many people locally can be persuaded to become a parr of this piece of restoratton history. Our membership is highly valuable to us, and we rue aiming now to in- that membership.

W~th such a busy schedule as that prormsed For 2002, we obviously need volunteers to help run the sales stands and display stands. Elsewhere in this issue of the Tmw, you WIU find a list of events at which the Trust has a stand, and where we need volunteers. Not much exoerience is necessarv - we reallv want ~. ~~~-~ anybody willing to spend aEoupic of hiurn or more at a sales or display stand, talking tu members of the public and helping to sell the wares. If you feel you can spare us some time, pleare get in touch with Dudley Greenslade (01453 825.515) or Bill Evill(01453 766631) or Mark Welton (01453 872405).

Meanwhile, the Trust is running l 0 4 events on a wntinuons bask h a t trips, open days etc. We almost always have either our ICE- cream van or cat- trailer (or both) in attendanoe, and volunteers from the locality are always needed to assist. Please get in touch with any of the above people if you can help us here.

Good Luck m the CotsWo[d Canak

- I Television Video satemite Audia 1 1 Sales Service ReMa[ S 01453 822137

PI ,,." c,., U. Valley ~ o c k l

A recent work party at Vulky Lock on U-l3 January with Kent & East S u m C a d ~ t 0 1 1 ~ t i o a ateup ws ~uppesed to p-SS the brickwork on the off+& gmund paddle hole, lsoard the top lift of ssaffolding and remm the fitst coping stows on the && chmber wall end exavate md in8pect the top end of the bywash culwt.

As thins paanes out, work went almcmt to pIun once we got on site Before that however, there was a huge flurry of actinty.

Se$ley &ut HQ was net available to us, 80 t b waa much wnfusion d by bw?king Sapperton Yilage Hall just 48 bwus Morehand. This has no car park so arrangemeats were made with the publieaa of The Bell at Sapperten to use his car park. That was 09.

Brian Br &%men Amos arcked at about 730pm t o w the k a l l ~ o p e q a n d t h e heatin~switchedonforus. The*hadhwl left in an envetope andan ~~ to "leave u n h the birt* when WE left. "That will be the bin 1 fell over out ou the pavemen@' SSidBrlas. Ralph was 8Wt to t u n up. Feeling particularly thirsty hr, a d j o W M the bar for a solo DCSS~II A mafiafype sugpted thar he sit at a tabk. =No thanka mate, I'm fine u ttsc bar.!' replied U p h . A few hilrd stare but no further hothex. The mt of t k team eventually Kgthrpled

Later, as the pab was ~0s ' Bidta found himself 601dingmadoor~3BTo*peran- then a whole le of people, one of wh6m lwksd really famiIiat, but he wasn't just sure. ffis suspiciws were soon confumed however. A n d n o w w e ~ t toknowif heisenritluito a Royal Warrant - by appointmeat to W fineass Rwak Doorkeeper. And that little +wde will e q k the Mafia-type getting edgy about Rnlph staoding at the bkr.

On slte, it was swn decided that coping stone removal was a non-starter until the whole off- side embankment had bean trial bored and fully s t g b W However, Rob Brotherstem and his friend from Exeta 01 stuck lnto the brick laymg for the &-site ground paddle hole. By the @ad of the weekend, there were only abwt 20 more bricks tolay. Such are the intricacma of thls structure that it weuld not have been possible to complete the work, even if daylight had hadwedextra time.

A small team gathered kcbs and grappling hooks and made an excellent start on clearine a floal relief channel through the tee; dinvn8tream of the lock. Water levels are still low, but we have to be ready for the worst B r m Amos brought the brick levels up on the by-wanh receiving bay and the blue bull nose bricks have all been set out ready for bedding in mortar in February. But the most amazing work was seenover the by-wash culvert Here a 20' long tr& has been dug 5' deep and the top of the damaged section of br~ck culvert is MW exposed Just a single ring of bricks, which snrpnsed us all. Several bricks had dropped out of the "keystone" position, leading to the top of the aroh flattening out and the &user of an eventual total failure.

Open daily from loam. ,Mid-way bctwccn O x l o r d & Chcllcnhz

We plan to replace this failed section with T 1, diameter concrete pip= The s k physical effort of hand digging this size of t m h is difficult to describe. Pay a visa as soon as possible to gauge for yoursaivcs.

W f e l t thanks to the archaeological diggers. Further visit& work parties are planned as I - follows:

2 - 3 February - London WRG 9 - l0 Mruary - NWPG U - L4 Aoril- KESCRG

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by their Chairman, Mevifie NeIder

1 was prompted by the article in the winter TROW about the. Stroudwater hostelries to write a little about the owners of this canal Its very tltle suggests something rather unusual! I know that there must be many new members of the Trust who may not know anythmg specifically about the Stroudwater C a d and the Company that owns it. As Chairman. 1 thought I could try to enlighten you.

In the modern computer and management jargon, FAQ's on the subject may well be;- * What n the Stroudwater Navigation? f Who waslis the Company of Proprietors? *How doer it operate7 *What does it do7 'What is its role m the restoration process?

The Stroudwater Navigation was the formal body created by an Act of Parliament to create and permit nav~gation along a canal, to be known as the Stroudwater Canal. The Canal was cut between the River Severn and Stroud (Lower Wallbridge) a distance of about 8 miles (U km.). The first plans intended to canalise the River Frome (then the Stroudwater River) on its lower reaches, and thn seem to have been achieved up to Stonehouse. The final route, completed in 1779, avoided use of the river, although surplus water from the canal was discarded into it at various points via spill-weirs. The Company Headquarters were at Wallhridge, and indeed the buildine is there to this dav. used bv two independeG businesses. The wharfage basin in front of it has loog been filled m The Thames &Severn Canal was joined up to the Stroudwater at Wallhridge in 1789

The Company of Proprietors was establ~shed as a &rect result of the 1730 Act of Parliament which provided for the construction and use of the canal, but with some restnctions. Following three aborhve attempts to build the canal, shares finally came onto the market in 1774 to initiate a fourth attempt. Following legal disputes, work was a g m termmated and it was not until a final Act of Parliament received Royal Assent early in 1776 that the

successful construction attempt was actually capable of being delivered. The precise date on which the Company -as wc know it - came into being is not clearly recorded.

The Company has been in continuous existence ever since that time. Iu 1774, 200 shares were issued, each one being purchased for E1W - a lot of money in those days Even today the same 200 s h a m are in circulation at the 6ame nominal value. The copper plate cast to produce the original share certificates is still in the possession of the Company. One of those shares is held corpmtely by the Cotswold Canals Trust.

Following the downturn of canal fortunes, the last recorded commercial use of the canal was in 194L Finally, after much opposition, an Act was passed in l954 to abandon the right for boats to navigate along the canal, so relieving the Company of its obligation to provide sufficient water, and the requirement to have operational locks for boats to use. But the Act did not alter other rigbts or obligations. except that the burden or maintaining bridges with public rights of passage passed to the a propriate Authority - mostly the County dbuncilas Highway Authority. Other bridges, ~ v i n g private access, are still maintamed by the Company.

Both to minimise its obligations and to raise income, the Company sold significant assets during the 1950% '60s and '70s. so that the current landholding is noticeably less than was the case in the early 1900's. In particular, all canal land between the River Severn and the OloucesterlSharpness Canal was sold But in the late 70% some years after the establishment of the Canal Trust, that policy of diiposals was reversed, as the Board of the Company began to appreciate that restoraim of navigation was a real possibihty for the future

The Company of Proprietors now operates through a Board of ten (unpaid) Directors. each of whom has an assigned excculivc role. The Board has an equal oumber of retired and "working" Dircclors, their backgrounds ranging-over the professions of vduation; high-tech business; engmneering and planning, lecturing (in transport and environmental subiectsl bankine. education and (local) hisioriai. The tlua-fd meets monthly and an honorarium to two persons; - a secretary to administer the work of the Board, and a field worker.

The Company has a small, but regular, income from a variety d wayleaves, leases and Iicenq which enables it to meet the costs of minor repairs, legal cests, etc.

Over balf of the shares in the Company are held in man, by Deed, to be deployed 'for the gwd of the people of Stroud and its sumwading area" (approximating to the currenf District area of Stmud). The Deed was d l i s h e d , after the passing d the 1954 Act of Abandonment, by some influential kolders d shares. The nine Trustees live in tlle arss, and arc mtrusted to awre that their vote slld influence is used far the above purpwe. These s h cannot be sold or tr- but furthtr shares may be added to the holding, as a gift (but not, it seems, by purchase). There is liaison between the Board sad the Bustees; the Deed does not permit common mmbmship of the two bodii by any pcrsoa It is worth noting however, that no dividend has been paid sinoe D21!

ACCESSORIES LTD 18 H ~ g h Stree t , Stonehouse, Glo

Telephone: 01453 822881 V l s ~ t our W e b s ~ t e

maincenancc (mosltly carried out by the Cotswold Canals Trust. acting 8s their agent) - discussions with the Statutory hthorities abwt l& aad levels of existing or proposed pipes in or across Cmpaay land - negotiations on planning and development of adjoining land whue there may be betfermeat far the Canal - rights of way matters, includine the issue d cvdine on the towoath - wor&qwith ~r i t isb ~ a t e r k y s on stakanis for restoration - and, of course, preparing for change in the longer term.

The Company's role in the restorat~onproceas has been resolved by the Board ta be that specifically of landowner and, of course, the Baard must hear in mied its duty to t%e sbdu~lde~~ . Mthwgh very supportive of the restoration process, the pmmotioa of restorstion of the Canal has, by byagreement, bean led by the Cots& Canals Trust. In the future the drive to deliver restmation works passas to the Project Board of the new Restoration Partnership, with whom the Company Board must &cuss and agree works to be carried w t on its land, as well as negotiating the longer-term future for land and canal manugement.

The Company's activity is f ocus4 on issues v r inc idy concerned with its land ownmhio Hnd s&ochted duty of care; - encruachmnis by neighbouring laodownenltenanu -

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The canal above Ryeford Double Lock has been waterless for many years. The length of the sect1011 is about 250 -tree and leads on to the well known "Ebley infill". As part of the restorationof the Stroudwakx Canal the infill will be removed in the not too dtstant future.

Volunteers are keen to do their "btt" tow& the restoratxon so work parties, organised by Richard Attwood, have been working since the start of the year to c h the huge bramble bushes, scrub and small trees which have tnfested the canal above Ryeford Double Lock

Startine on the Sundav after Christmas. tiurteei volunteers began the work witd slashers bow saws and a brush cuttine -..- - ----- swimmer. The days work helped by two kg banfires made a large impression on the view of the canal as one walks up past the double lock and looks towards Stroud. However, the days work also revealed the vast amount of work still to be done, especially on the off- side.

A work party tn mid-January also attracted thirteen vdunteers with several short time visits T b time three chain saw8 and their operators were on site to make "Light" work of some of the small trees. This also created a good supply af firewood for volunteers and local residents.

Work continues on the second Sunday of the month until the spring. 1 look forward to seeing you all there1

Volunteers have sporadically worked on the towpath s d e of the canal over the years so brambles and scrub were not too bad. The off- Dealing with a dead tree above Ryetoord side was an entirely different matter with DouHe Lock. m e undergowth has enormous bramble bushes and trees cloaked in cleared to prepare for re-wa-& ho@uUy ~ v y as thick as a mans foream ln the nor too diszmt future.

I ne Kesu rrecrion nf " A n ~ ~ i l : > "

Repart by Tony JOB For some time, the former steel trip boat Aqrula lay derelict at Eastington. Her sister, after a long permd of disuse at Wildmoorway, was recently cut up for scrap and iI v)as suggested that we disposed of Aquila also. However, since a work boat was required for bank scrub and tree clearance, it was suggested that Aquila could be refurbished for the purpose.

The survey was not encouraging. The whole of the bottom plating and the lower six in- of the sides were badly corroded. To do a thorough job would entail slicing seven inches off the bottom so that a new bottom plate could he welded on to sound side and end plate. This was a job somewhat beyond our facilities at the Eastington compound.

We were most fortunate to be offered the use of the plant and facilities of a steel fabrication

works over the Christmas shutdown and the required plate and angle at cost. As it happens, 1 have two engineer sons and a welder sot-in-law which solved the problem of getting volrmteerC1) labour at Christmas.

The sum of our efforts is that the Trust now has a substantial 14ft X 7fl work boat, good for many years work, at the fraction of the wst of a newly built vessel.

Thanks to: Steve Court for organising the fib bed trailer; Ken Bailey for providing his land rover for towage, Martin H*, Operations Manager at CCTMH Ltd for allowing the use of his works and trusting us wdh a lot of valuable equipment; Ian Jones. Sales & Project Manager at CCTMH Ltd for persuading h ~ s boss to let us use his works kit; Stoart Rhodes for doing a superb welding job; Christopher lones for cutting, grinding and far better welding than 1 ever could. And to my Wife, Daughter and Daughters-in-Law for their sorely-tried tolerance!

In conclusion, if any member could donate a long shaft or an outboard motor of about 8 or 10 horsepower, we would be very pleased to hear from you on 01453 762915 !

Beat Wishes to the Cotswold Conals Trust fmm

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Volunteers are needed to:- Tow thesales trailer or the big trailcr. Erect andlor lake down the sales marquee,

On Saturday 23d March the Western Branch n organtslng a Cotswold Canals Open Day at the Saul Junctlon Hentage Centre.

From 1O.W to L&OO the centre will bc open fur m e e s (and non-members) to view the displays of pictures and maps and talk to other members about restoration progress

Refreshments will be avrulable and members and their children will be able to enjoy a free boat trip to Walk Brtdge and return. There will also be an opportunity to buy something fmm the Sales marquee.

Restoration of the Cotswold Canals will need a large input from volunteer labour in a whole range of activiIies. At the Open Day members will be able to talk to other volunteers about ways in which they might help.

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Help with sales. Steer the Trip Boat, Man the lock side, I Crew the boat. Sell Ice cream, Sell Food, Make cakes ctc for refreshments. Join work parties - scrub clearance, Join work parties - brrck laying. Organise volunteers, Wnte press releases. Be Santal Help to pack the Trow, Maintain Plant, Weld Take photographs, Cut grass, Adopt a Length or Lock, Raise funds A fund rasing ideas person. Help with prnmotlos Wall the towpath and talk to people. Ulstribute leaflets and rmstcrs, Be a leaflet manager, Promote the cause in the east. Man the Saul2002 car park etc ....... ... ............ If you can not get to the Open Day but would like to help then phone Richard Attwoad on 01453 792021 or emad raash3l@ntlworld.com.

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Planning for 2002's Saul Junction Boat Gathermg is well m hand Event Chairman is Chris Leggett, who brings a wealth of management and admin sk~lls with him. His day job is Engineer responsible for the restoration works on the Kennet & Avon Canal, shortly to be moving to do a similar job ou the Cotswold Canals fram April this year. Chris emphasises that his CbmrmanS role is purely voluntary, and has no direct connection with British Waterways. Pubhcity a being overseen by 10 Betteridge (BW Leisure & Tourism) and Jane Allen (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust). Their Strategic Marketing Plan is a wonder to behold, and they are delegating the tasks out so skillfully that we are hardly aware of any extra workload at all.

Site Services remains with Dudley Greenslade. but thrs year he gets the added brmus of a Waterway Recovery Group camp, dedicated enttrelv to settmn uo. runncne and

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tramport tasks. We hope to see WRG numbe~s s w d over the weekend itself - if only to come and enjoy the atmosphere

Keith Harris has bwked a g o d range of music for our entertainment - i n c l h g the services of top line folk-rock band Meet an the Ledge again. The budget has expanded in that Keith has secured sponsorship and grants from various sources

Trade Show, Personnel. Finance and Moorings management is well in hand. We now mad YOUR help by cammining yourself at the Helper's Meeting on 16th March. Even half a day during the course of the event would be a great contribution.

We have two aims in mind: first to m e our membership numbers to new heights and second to raise a respectable sum of money rn speed restoration - possibly the removal of the navigation obstruction at Walk Bridge.

1 look forward to seeing you all rnalre this the higgest and hest event yet!

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15 Market Place. Tetbury. Glos., GL8 8DD

01666 503099 HOURS OF OPENING MON-FRI 9 to 430

Merrywalks, Stroud, Glos., GL5 4EP , .

SATURDAY 10 to 12 s8t&g$fz,&;a

Report by Pete & Sh5rley Easto Weren't we lucky with the weather1 Cold it nught have been hut with the exception of the first Sarurday morning when we had heavy rain, the decision to run both days of each pre- Christmas weekend in December was fully

g tified Winter sunshine and dry conditions ought a great response from the public. Many who had cruised with Santa last year returned along with others who had travelled with us in the summer.

Teamwork was the essence of our ultimate success with people coming at the b-ng and end of the day to help set up, clear away and generally assist those who had contracted hypothermia during the day to get off home while there was some daylight left.

A slight hiccup was eliminated by the use of mobile phones on the second Sunday when an unexpected rush led to a danger of presents

Eastington will seem a little quieter now the figure of a gent with a white beard and red mat wandering the pavement and ringing a bell has gone for another year, as has the accompaniment of hooting cars and lorries and waving passengers. To all those who appeared in this year's Santa cruises thank you very much and Happy New Year. Just sir by your telephones - it will soon be summa! To the motorists who hooted and the children who waved did you spor Santa MBE7

Facts & Figures: Total takings 1,257. The highest was 217 on that 2nd Sunday, closely followed bv 4th Sundav 7.16. Lowest take was 64 on th; 1st dav & oneratious. We soent ~ ~ - . -- -~ -~~ , -~ - r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - ~ ~r - f333.09 on presents, wrapping paper, brards, Christmas sacks and dewralions. 300 presenls were wrapped!Y Final profit f923.9L

Well Done and Thanks to all who helped.

All aboard the Santa Special at Blundex Lock

\,UIIUI.>IUb

Minat urcs

fwauh@ul address than that of the present free site. If you haven't got accMs to a PC, but would like to know what's going on at &aLsideMioiarures, please write or give me a call and l will put you on the mailing list.

The final miniature in the current Thames & Severn TlreRmdHwsZ Cerneg Wiok was relensed in November. Unlike previous issues, each model of Cerney Wick is given a sequential cast numher, which 8ppears on the underside of the base. I hope that this detajl will add a little interest to the collectable aspect in the future! Many thanks to those who have bought Ccrney and for the favourable comments on the quality.

Although no new releases of T & S subjects are planned (Lngleaham Round House wilI be remodelled at a smaller scale at some time in the future), please let me know if you have a particular subject you would like to see. That includes the Srroudwater Navigation. All suggestions wiU of course be acknowledged.

Tbe finishing touches are currently being made to a new web-site that will retain its link with the 'Rust's site but will be piven a more

I Stancombe Stone I * Statues *Birdbaths * Planters * Tables *Benches * Aniinals

Seconds A varlable

piza@ 01285 821839

Pax 01.285 821841 WdYlla F31m, The Camp. Slrwrd. Glas

BISl -Y RIRDLIP

-0 Wayside Fa- Fostonz Ash Inn

Finally, I would like to thank all members of the n u s t who have supported my business since CanaLride b4Yniatum was set up nearly four years ago and David Jowett for publishing my regular bulletin in The Trow. Keep in touchl Tek 01793 848958 E-mail: j ~ I e y @ e m a r L c o m website www.csrn4mg.com

D. E SPENCER & Water Supplies

Irrigation Systems Land Drainage

Nupend, Stonehaus, Glos., GLN) 3SS

01453 822764 Y The purpose-buii steel narmw boats ere fully equipped tor up to m parsons with

cooker, coolbox, mockery, &y 8 glasses A Rush t&L HBC waW and c a h heater am fitled Buoyancy ads and waterpmofs am pmvlded if you do not wlsh to prepare your m 100d mere are 68-1 prba near

me 0-1 that provkie lunchtane meals

TO book our day boat call 01453 882048 or 07831 W O

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The January draw was made at a Wentern Branch meeting on 7th January - with 108 subscribers at the time of the Draw, winners were as follows:

First 108 Dr J L Horner Second E54 M r K D Llopd Third E 21 Mr A E Jones To subscribe, please complete the form below. Photocopies are acceptable if you prefn not to spoil your magazine. Alternatively, please contact Des Pinnock to have a copy d e d to you.

CUB WYOlBEUSlllP APPOCATKlN FORM To. TheMmbershQSBaelary,DesPinnock

7MwawClooe Wnrchdawn,Uaucestw G~32hE

Signed Date ...

Name

Address ...

-... -- - ............ -- - -. ..........-....... I ackrhbtyaert K ~eq.'reo, @a ti3 ao~endoreS AE SUBSCRlPllON EIS p a (one ~n'emeachof loudraws)

Sales Manager BiU Evil

l

i

December takings of E925 exceeded all my expectations. We achieved %his figure by setting up our stall in the town centres of Smoud, Fairford, Cirencester and Stonehouse. The Her~tage Centre and Trip Boat (including the very successful Santa Cruises) have also proved gwd places to sell our goods.

Na.elsubcrpfim.. ..... al %each) lendoseaohequelorf-.-- OR1 havemrnpletedthe (pm to Cotswold CanalsTfust] Bank#$ Order below B A N ~ ' S 0 R D W To: Name & Addms of Your Bank

The Open Mornings at The Bcll HoIel in Wallbridge, Stroud were most useful but for the time being we will concentrate on the more lucrarive town centre visits. My thanks to Luciano and Sarah at The BeU for their continued support.

I should also like to thank T Butt & Son uf - ~-~~ -~ Wallbridge for their help and practical support. I should not forget to do the same by thanking CMfonJ Chairs for their help over the years

"GARDENING L z z l 1 by Albert Guest is BACK I (after 40 years) I I "A little @em of a h o o t One of the most excitiie I

and prGiral books he read on organic gruwink Brilliant and years ahead of its lime..

l/las~d Wilkin, the Good Gardeners Assorial~on, 1999

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Peter Perry. 137 Notley Road " .........

Braintree, Essex, CM7 H F

....-......-I......-........-..-. 4ICNo - ... Price g5.00 incl p&p. ToBankPleasequate thisrelwenceonpalmenb: Cheque. P.O. or cash t o Peter Perry L

Please pay Barc.a)s Bank SouUlgate SaeeL Gaucester im accwnt COTSWOLD CANALSTRUST SMCode20-3383 Acuwnltiu 10843628

h w u n o f E on25U1Ma2WZandffl~sameday

'I'hb oouk pror~des a Lque and moo,ariw slant to kitchen gardening'.

(Richdrd Mda~y, Mdrshdlis .Feed$ 19991

'Organic gardeners and health food enthusiasts we~yearvniillurlhernoke would have worsh~pped hi tooay'.

An Appeal by Hugh Caoway-Jones Obituary by fibin Ha(lday

He10 to Saread the Word! More volunteers are r ~ - - r ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ - ~ ~~- ~ - ~~ - -ded 10 help staff the Saul Heritage Centre at weeken& during the summer to increase public awareness of the Cotswolds Canals and the current status of restoration progress.

The aim is to have two volunteers at the centre every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from Easler to Scptembor. We shall be offering free tea or coffee and hoping to sell Trust merchandise and to recruit new members. No special knowledge is required as the Centre will have informative displays and volunteers will be given additional briefing notes.

Chris Kite, the Landlord of the TunndHouse loo at Coates since 1982, died suddenly on December 20th after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Chris was a most popular landlord, with friends from all walks of life, and in recent years had done much to increase the popularity of the Ilrmel House. He was a good friend to the Cotswold Canals Trust, and all those who helped with the running of the trips into Sappertan Tunnel owe hima debt of gratitude for his help and guidance. He liked to be informed about the boat trip, tbe other act~vities of the Trust. and the uromess that

If you l&e tatking with people and can spare the Canal Trust was -kmg, auk tie.ere is no one afternoon a month, please phone Tony doubt that he wlllhe greatly missed. Wakefield on 01453 549421 or call in at the Centre one weekeud afternoon So far, this season has been a qulet one fox the

T-el boat trips due to the low winter water leveh. No doubt, before too long, the weather wfl return to its more normal pattern and

The alpha smdio Is a busy, yet competitive allow the boat trips to resume into the tunnel,

design stud10 currently in the throws of but we will fimd the li~nnel House h n a sadder place for a while. expansion. We have considerable exprtise in the production of : We wlll, however, retam a host of happy

memories of a most remarkable man We wish Brochures ' News Letters his partner, Mrs Norma Judd and all the staff,

our best wishes for the future of the l b d Magazines Sales Litera House Loo and extend our sympathy to them

at this tune. Advertising Exhibitions

Corporate Identity ,

Web Pages . Illustration A interested in any

of our services, or would llke to see our ' v port Folio please contact

CAR PIIRK

U r 453 759662 FU:Ol'153763913

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6

tr""' "" - Boat Hire

Pmprefor of GIevum Boaf Hire Since our launch (no pun intended) in 1996, Glevum Boat Hire has run first one, and then two purpose-built steel narrow boats for day hire on the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal. Starting from Llanthony Quay at Gloucester, the boats afford the opportunity to explore the whole length of the G&S in one day.

We will soon offer for hlre a 416 berth narrow boat for three or four night minl-breaks enabling a more leuurely appreciation of our waterway from the Cathedral City to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge, and the whole panorama of the Severn Vale. This will be of particular interest to the CCT members who hve too far to vlsit the area for just a day.

The popularity of boat hire is self evident by the number of our customers who return txme ~ ~p ~~~ and rime again. Fume more than unce in the season. When WC first started the business, WC

little realised the additional benefits that boating wuld bring, and the lasting effect on people's lives and attitudes We have had customers who, having lived their whole lives in the county (70 years), "did not know the canal was there"; a f d y whose daughter had a personality problem who experienced "the best day of her life"; a business man who regards a regular day on the cut as the perfect release valve for stress. We see the happy times of birthdays and anniversaries and the revival of memorles of youth for chose who previously worked on the waterways. We have witnessed the matrons, reluctant on departure, who proclaun "let's do rt again" on return. and of course those h e r s who can't wait to own their own craft, having sampled the freedom of boating.

So, we have seen first-hand the effect a simple boat trip can have. As members of the Cotswold Canals Trust, your efforts will nor only restore a length of waterway, but could be opening up a new perspective on some people's Lives in the future.

So, if you feel disposed to take advantage of our Members' Discount Offer, Be Warned! - You could be bitten by the hug and have your life changed forever.

L U L I ) W < J I U L U t I U 1 3

Parliarncnt Dchate strwd.'s M, David Drew recently

moved an Adjwnment Debate in the House of Commons

We are pleased to repduce the whde tramcr~pt he=

N being afw Sew u'cloct, the mo&a fbr the Ad@rnmurt &e Ilousclapnd.

Mr. Deputy Speaker: I will call the bn Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) in a moment after thase who are not staying for the debxte have left quiddy and quiet&.

1 Nov '2001 :Column 1106

Cotswold Canals MO& m& and Quc6tim pmposed, That this House do now adjourn-(DaoN~rri8.j

Mr. David Drew (Stroud): I am pleased to move t b Adjaurnment debate and I Lnaw that others wish to say something about this important canal network, so I shall be precise. This is an imoortant issue and 1

I am, as almys, grateful to several pen ie who helpcd me to prepne information, p l i c u $ y those io B r i i h Waterways chief executive David Fktcher and reanal f l i e r s Chris Mitchell and John h s t u : I am pleased to have met Fager Hanbury, chief executive of the Waterways Trust, several times r w t l y . He is a good choice U, ensure that we get the new organisation up and running so that it is as effective as pi%.

Last but aot least, I pay tribute to those members of the Cotswold Canals Trust who haw, over m y decades and thmugh their voluntary and earnest cffom, kept alive the dnam of nopening the wider 4 network and the Strwdwatet canal in pPrtiEolar. I must refer to Bruce Hrll Nerille Nelder and Ken Burgin. Many more p p l e are worthy of a mention, but we are shon of time.

Tbe debate is opportune, because it comes on the back of two important documen!~. The first, which a entitled Taterarays for Tomorrow", was released by the Govemmt a couple of years ago. It is a stimulating read For a l o g time, people thwght that c a d s came on the back of every other form of transport and were of the pasL However, the document proves that canal8 m make a difference to W overall iniegrated transport programme and, more particularly, that they have a vital role in temismr~creation and ecmomic regermation. Lshall say more about that h.

It is imuortant to w t it on record that immediate& declare a non-pecu&ary interest as a pmfegpionaiism ianeasedas our effort to open up the vice-president of the Cotswold Caullls 'Rut, like the canal network gathered pace. I have paid t r ik te to hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brom~. oeook. so I must do likewise to ornnisatiom BritLnh Alt6oogh we dnw no benefit fiom it, other than of h ~ a t & a y s has e x e r c d increadig hiinfluence and it helpful kind, it is important to put that onthe record. tank the network under its wing It and the I wrsh to speak almost exclusively about my pml of Wamwqs Trust are cmmi~ted to the attuopt to the Cotswold cdnal system - Stroudwater - which goes reopen thenuwork. fiom the Gloucester-Sharpness canal to Stroud and slightly beyond Obviously, if and when we see the I must also refer to the recently released report on wmpletion of this network it will link the S e w n to the feasibility of restoring the Cotswold canals, the Thames, which 3 an important statemnt in terms produced by British Waterways and commissiomed by of our ability to see how waterways can be opened up the WatmysTrurn and which shows t h n reopeniag PW@~~Y. rather than being a Ion$-held aim. is an eminently

ddiverable concept over timc The &ter might Mr. Jaws Gray (North Wiltshire): I thank the like to say how we can get f u n d i i and help. hon. Gentleman for giving way There is not time to make a speech and I shall not delay the House. Does I want to go over the key issues, of which t h e ate he w e e that an important part of the network is the several, and we cannot but surt with techn~cal Wilts and lierks canal which will joinfhe two cauais matters There is an understandiig that the czaal is together to creale a genuine network around the area1 historically important, as it dates back to the end of

the 18th century, and we know that there were Mr. Drew: I am more than happy to agree, became techmcal problem because of water transference and we are here in lhe Inre spirit of co-operation to bemuse physionl obstaFLes had to be overcome, noi e m r e that we get the whole canal opened up, lust the Sapperton tunotl, which r a i n s in place although 1 shall highlight particular problems that and which will no doubt still cause difficultiss when make that more difficult we gel lbe d opul.

19

In tb m t i m e , we must discuss the prpctical problems in my neck of the woods. Unfortunately, thc oanal syltcm gms under the MS and the A3R It also merges with the River Fmmc None of those problems are insuperable, but in their own rigb! they art a

l hendacbe and we need to fecognise that that is why the EE2 rmlllon wst suggested by the sport commisswned by the Waterways Trust is a fair estimate. I would argwe that the goal is achievable We will create a win-Win situation in terms of reonenine the canal and the tourism and recreat~rm b d t s G wme on the back of that We will alao pet the benefit of economic regeneration.

I Then are other issues Of course, funding is important in its own right. I would lke to think that the Minister can give us a steer and tell us how we l can raise the money. It will not come from a single sectar. A genuine relationship between the public and

the private sector is needed, combined with the voluntary endeavours of t h e who have done so much to keep the spirit of the a n a l alive.

I wwld hghlight the role that must be played by the south-west regional development agency, which ip cartaidy in favour of reopening. Agauk we musl wnsidcr carefully how it can raise money Obviously, we would be grateful for any help from central Gswnment. We will alao be looling for lotreay funding. We understand tbat the Government canm influence that, but I wilnt to ensure that themattef b put on the tableduring thls debpte.

P h i n g and land ownership issues are involved and 1 will not pretend that the reopening of the canal has miversal acclaim S o m individuals are disturked by the thought that U wlll reope-l and the other hon. Members present know them well. I understand the problem and t h t is why, in principle, I am conwdfaung on the western pu t of the c a d , where then am not the same land ownership issus We annot avoid those issues, however, whlch must be $6, and we must do so through dialoge. People must h1 that they are being taken into the l o q of discussion and we must ensure that they are listened UI.

There am also planning issues I will not wax lyrical on those a I have received w w u s rejechns in wdtten answers to parliamentary questions. I have rased the issue of Ebb], wharf in my constituencg, whiEh is being funded on the back of a private development. 1 aee that the Minister is laughing. He knows thu 1 am slightly at winnce with the way in which that matter has been handled

If we do not get a proper balance between pubhe, prlvate and voluntary sec~or funding, the danger is that the canal trust musl conslder potentldy

wdlicting developmen!. That is what peeple in the area 1 mentioned feel, w k h is a shame. Soxw of the gdod will that has been built up over gcmatiotlJ could evaporate if people see that the wnll rstor6tion is being funded through unnecessary md undesirable development. 1 wlll pass on quickly from that issue, but we must be aware of it.

On the western ade, thankfully, land ownership E concentrated largely in the hands of the Cmnpany of Proprietors. 1 must mention the late Fred Rowbotham, who was the chairman of the company for y w s and wanted to aec the rcopen~ug of the EnnaL Furtkr east, many individual owners are involved. whch will make reopening more difficult.

Wahr management is an imporUlPt issue and we underestimate it at our con. One can raise reverme through the movement of water and.lf wecan reopen the canal, we can move water. The Gloucester- Shatpness canal provider waler for the Bristol water service, so the canal could raise revenue as it wmld allow access to dru!.kmg water. I t could also act as a means of flood relief. Given the Minister's part~culular responslbiluy, he rmght wish to allude to that 1 touched on the rationale for reopenin& this clnrl network. it could be used for hsure-inspiretl activities and there may be a freight use, which 1 wwld not want to underestimate. Waste movement has also been mentioned

Regeneration is another key argument and ic is one of the factars that unites everyone. It is the fpCtor that has driven me to pursue the matter as it is key inmy constituency. Reopenmg the nand could regemBtC the areas alongside U. It is not the key reason, perhaps, why Stroud will regenerate as a town, but if the prdect m be engineered it can only help that regemration. I want it to h a p p sooner rather t h later and many of my final condusim will be baml on the time scale involved. Fund raising canseemlike an e d u activity unlers we can pul a d W e time scale on i t More and more pmple aye becoming aware of that and thinking had how todo it.

I am oleased that the kevnote aonroach is one of partn&ship. The ~onservsiive ~ e k b e r s hcrc tontgh~ who I am plcased to sec, reprcseot areas that arc part of the partnership. The canal syslcm passcs thrw&h countless local authorities as well as the other organisations to which 1 have referred Many iadividuals also want to play a part.

Realistically, the only way in which we will rwpen this c a d system is by phasing the funding and en~ineering. It would help if we could get &e $ o p t team up and running as soon as possible. and &re is the will to do that. This is about maintaining momentum, bulldeg partnersh~ps and making sure

andv trndulsken hv Glloueeslershiie wuntv couasil !het thawrrent style of leadership continues.

In condus~on. I have some questions fm my hon Fncnd Tome, the most important single orgsnisrtion is the mth-west regional development agency. How can we engage with the agency to ensure that it can her in r w u m s and work with t k Waterways Trust1 How can we resolve some of the Land ownership questions1 They are tricky and we will have to face up to them sooner rather thanher.

On a more general note, how can British Waienvays harm money? I have saen some mateial in f o n d Omrrnment pblications and elsewhere. 1 asked a queaila, for wiitten answer about what degree of f r e e ! British W m y s , as a public corponfion, has outsi& Treasury &. It would be fair to oonsidfx Ihal opportnnily.

Therc arc thc issues about navigability and whether Brilish Watcmys s u h m e s some of the activities currcnUy undertaken by the Environment Agency md o k o rgan i sah . I should be ateful for anythiqg that my hon ~ r i e a d has to say a E ut that How can we keep expectations ro lhg along in mm8 of delivenbilityl F i y , restoring the canals and regenerating the landalongside them is a genuine way for rural regeneration to Link into trampon and the use of brown land The sooner that we can deliver that, the better.

Yr. Gmffrcy Clifton-Brown (Cotswold): 1 am grateful to the hon Member for SLrnud (Mr. Drew), who procured the debate, for allowing me to pankipate. I had not been aware that it was to take place until I saw it on the Order Paper, but I am now delighted to be able to pvtici ate I declare an interen as a vice-president of t ie &rswold Canals Trust, m common with the hoa Member for Stroud I am m y p h e d 10 be asS0cMted with that orgaiusatim We are talking about restoring the canal link that linked the Sercrn to the Thames. A Bi was put through Parliament as long ago as 1783 to &W consm&n to begin to take $arc. In 1787, a 3.817 yd tuanel was built To w m c t such a long hmnel- probatdy the longest that bad ever been built in the world at that time-was no mean engineering feat. It remains the third longest canal tunnel in the United Kingdom today.

The hoa Gentleman told us that the link from the Th- to the Severn is in two parts-the Stroudwater canal, which leads up to the tunnel wiih the Thames and Scvcrn canal on the other side. The hon. Oentleman's parl of the d, the Stroudwater d, U a much sinaller pmject to complete. Tbe feasibdity

, ---- m1996 estimated { h u t Gf the r&toration d d cmt about f10 million Apvt from the road W - t h e MS and the A38 aze significant problems that need to be overcome-tbe hon. Gentleman's part of the c d is largely in thenme ownership

The pan that B covered by my constituonoy reprments a much bigger engineering project. I have already mentioned that the tunnel is collapsing in places. The substrata of the canal ham b m a problem ercr smec the 1780s when the canal was opened Co~iwold limestone is pomus and needs to be lined with clay. Then are also altitude problem psi at the other side of the tunnel at the Daneway, which is 350 f t above sea level To dve you an idea, Mr. Deputy Speaker, of the c~pinwidp feat that was achieved, to get the water up to that level, there were 28 lock, and to gel u dawn again there were another Is. It was a majm engineering feat to build the canal in the first place, and it wnuid be a major engineering feat to restme it to its formcr glory now. Havmg said that, if the Government wem to give sufficient lead- this is why it is important that the hoa Member for Stroud has s e c 4 this debate tonight-the huge amount of voluntary work thet has alrEady taken p b in my sectionof the canal could be completed I went one Sunday afterncon m see 100 volunteers working on the lock gate by the western spine road That is an examule of the enormous amouul of v d o & r y work &l is bkg done for a projeet that many penple would like to soe completed

I am sure that thc -er will not be ablc to ~ i v e precise pointers abaut whcrc the funding might c m from, but if he were to ~ v e a steer that the restoration was something that the Government would like to see happen, the huge number of volunteers and local peoplc inroved m the project would be able to combiw their energies to ensure that fhe p r o j ~ t was aompleled. Ilook forward m hearing what the MinisIet has to say. I thank all these people whom the hon Member for Stroud has thaaled, rspecially the Cotswold Canals Trust md its chaumas Bruce IIall. 1 also thank the local authorities, which are extcemdy supportive of the two projecis. Some landowners in my wnsutuancy have reservations about the restoration By and large, the pwple who use canals are peacc loving, quiet and well behaved. The canals give a great deal of opportunity for other lcisure pursuits such as fislung Som 7 million people walk by the canals each year. This is a highly commendable project. It n very mvironmentnlly friendly. It would bring great benefits to the whole of GLouw~sIure, especially to lourism in this depr& lime after the foot and mouth oulbreaL. It would be a gwd fillip to the Cotswolds if theMinister said something positiwthis evenmg.

The Parliamentary Under-Surretary of State for 81-1, Fond and Rural Affairs (Mr. Elliot MorLeg): I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew) for lus knowladgeable speed and I congratulate him on obtamii t h s debate. As I said to him before the debate, as part of my preparations for it 1 have been reading exteus~vely about the canal system, which 1 found absolutely f a w t i n g . 1 can well understand hoe Members on bath sides of the House having such an interest m iS it has enormous poiential and its history is l o c s r e a WaIemy restorallon has been under way sinw the 1950s, and more than 400 miles of derelict waterways have ben restored

A5 my hoa Fried the Member for Suoud rl@%iy said, that restoration has brought wuh 11 the benefits of reviialising rundown areas, g e n m h g new jobs and development and increasing opportunities ior leisun, recreation and twrism I want to make it clear tha~ the Government strongly support watemay restoration b e a u s n acts as a catalvst for social ~~.~ ~ -. ~~ , ~ . ~ ~~~ economic and cnvironmcntal regeneration. There are currently more than 100 active restorallon projects each of which will make its own contribution

W r a t i o n of the Cotswold canals is one of the eou&y+s leading restoralion projects. It is an a m b i f i projcct, as my hon Friend paid. Indeed, aa the bn. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) righrly slated, it offers the opportunity to re-cstabbh the linL between the T h e 8 and the Severn, which would make it of nationalimportaoce M the waterwy @em.

W. L3aM Caneron (Witncy): Will the Minister take it from me $hat there will be considerable suppm in my west Oxfordsh~~e c d t l r e n c y for the ntspenhg of the Cotswold canals? The upper Tbames fiows tlirough my ooustitueuey f r m Lechlade In rme m m towards Oxfor6 in the other, and there IS great potential to open up that waterway Our ~anals are i great leisure benefit to people, as my hon. Friend the Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) said. In his remarks, will the Minister pay some attention ta the call, which has greill merit. to u m f e r leisure and tourism responsib~lity for our rlvers from the Eovirment Agency to British Waterways? The latter is well @ced to take a coordinated approach to l e ~ w e and tour= takiig in both canals and our rivess

Mr. Moricg: The bon. Gentleman makes an important &I, dbich was alsa made by my hon. Friend the M& for Stroud, in relation to the current r e v ~ w of the Envuonmem Agency-the quinquennill f inanca management and poky rev~ew. It oowm

certain wataways where the Environmant Agency currently holds the navigauoa rights and is ~ n s i d e ~ g whether they should be t m d a r e d to British Waterways Thal decision has nor yet k e n made, and U resUi with my right hoe Fnmd the Secretary of State for Envwnment. Food and Rural Affairs. 1 can assure the House thu she will tlke nollce of the remarks that have been made and will give careful thnught to the issues Whatever the outcome, in developing the benefits of rivers and canals there are ellprmous merits ro a doser partnership ktween Brdlgh Waterways aad the E n v l r a m t Agency.

1 m aware that regeneration rvlll brnqg about restoration and wdl add impetus to the restoration schemes m the area, including the Wilts and Berks canal, w h h would reconaen the Thames wnh the Kennel and Avon canal via Swindon. The reslored canals offer i possible route for water transfer from the Sevcrn to the upper Thames, where h e are significant water supply problems. The cmnmenirl possihilUies of water tran$fer could help to fund restoration-a point made by my hoe Friend.

My hon. Friend asked me to give some po~~lters regaxdii the finance that would be needed m fund that major restoration praJecr Obviowky, there will be considerable discussion, but the regional development agency is a key player. The agwy has joined a partnership ta examine the fensibility of restorlug the canals, and is considering rai$iig funds for a feasibility and environmental impaet study. It Expects there to be other mntributws. but the matter u under considerat~on

There is also the heritage fund, for whwh landfill Credits could be used. Thereisa great deal of mineral extraction in the area and there is real potential for landfill credit f u n d i i for the restoration. There could be partnership approaches involving the local authority, voluntary bodies and other organisations. British Waterways is ready m give technical advice and support. 11 has raised considerable sums, through water networkiag and by using canalsfor wch t h i s as cabling. Considexable revenue h raised from that, so it, too, offers possible funding. My hoa Friend referred to the potentral of plannig gmn as a means of fundig some of the resroration. A reage of opportunities can be examined, and the benefits are great. The British Waterways study nckoned that about L8 milhon new vis~tors cwld be attracted to the wea and that they would bring wuh them spending power of about 84 mill~on, l re at log about SO0 new permanent jobs and more than 1.400 temporary eonstructlon jobs. That mUld BS a significant boost for the economy of the &I@, as the hoa Member for Cotswold pointed out.

waterways is the peace &d quiet. The restoration would not be a theat to landowners. as the hon. Gentle& suggerts; many benefits muid be brought to the area.

My hon. Friend the Member for Stroud asked me some questions about land ownershtp. Clearly, the best way forward is negotiation. We could take powers in relstion to the construction of canals and railways. but in a restoratiou project of tb kind it is better to proceed by negotiaton. 1 am sure that that can be Pchieved.

My bon. R~end asked about the borrowlug powers of Brtlsb Waterways it ha the pswer to enter into public-private partnerships, and it has done so successfully. It &o has the power to borrow accor&tg to Trwury rules, but it does not have the power to borrow on the open market at present

I shall conclude by glvlng han. Members the assurance that they seek. Although the Government do not undsrestimate the magnitude of the task, which may cost more than E80 milhon, I want to make it clear that we support the principle of such restorations.

E

O u r Donors We should like to thank the following w b have made donations to the Trust during the last quarter:

Walter Guinness Charitable Trust Woltmann Fund Renishaw plc Woodmffe Foundation Stroud District Council Doris Field Charitable Trust Idlewild Trust Anonymous Trust- Restoration A p p m N. Smith CharitableSeUlement Wyevale Garden Centres Macfadane Walker Trust Steel Charrtable Trust Bonds Mill Estate Ltd. D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Laings Charitable Trust Rowlands Trust Patricia & Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust Cuthbert Horn Charitable Trust Astor Foundation

Mr. Drew: It would be re& of me not to invite my Coward Endowment bon Friend arrd Lord Whitty to visit that wonderful BmeeFairbaim Foundation canal With that in mind, will my ban. Friend perhaps Higgs Charitable Trust hdp the various ~nrtles bv u~datiue h~mself and Lord E.S.G. Robinson Charitable Trust ~ h i t t y on what ihey wish to do7 - MI. Motley: I assure my hon. Friend that I should be only too pleased to update my noble Friend Lord Wh~tty. who has responsibility for inland waierways in DEFRA, but I also assure h m that 1 found the

T. Butt & Son Ltd scheme so interesting that, if I can take the opportuaity to vistt his constituency, I shall be only

' z iwfbana! too debated to do so. [Hon. Memben: "And ours."] g . m& And those of other hou. Members-I seem to be awash withinvitations at the moment

In conclusion. 1 wish to say on behalf of the Govcrument that we wish the restoration partnership every success. Although there will be many negotiations-we have to recogntse that it is a long- term project-if we can pky a constructive and posiilve role, we shall be only too pleased to do so

Question put midagreed ro.

Adjourned accordingly at nineteen minutes to Eight o'clock

Middle Wharf smud, &S

GL5 3JB

- ."".,.-M.

MEMBER E.uDIMedt872

TEL: 01453 762194 FAX 01453 753757

7

Membership Ncws

Membership Secretary Des Pinnwk

Membership now totals 2927 - a rise of 9t slnce the previous &lion of the TROW. As always, a warm welcome is extended to all the new members b t e d below and especially to those 19 who were given Glft Membership by hirnds and relatives.

Our Membership is now m sight of the 3000 &stone and we feel sure it WIU soon be reached onm our recruiting team is hack on the road after our short Winter break. As

usual we plan to attend al l the major Waterway events during 2002 - Crick, Huddersfield, Saul2002. NIA Birmingbsm as well as many events l o d to oor area. We will always welcome more help on w r Sales and Display stab.

The number of members signing Gift Aid Deciaramns has now reached 766 - a gwd Increase hut still well short of our potential - t f you can sign one, do plcase use the form in the prevlous issue of TROW - don't wary if you cannot remember if you have already signed, our records can always delete duplicates Also, if you have an old Deed of Covenant, it will be advantageous to change to Glft Aid - the latter covers any amount given to the Trust not just the fixed annual amwnt stated on a D of C

David Johnaon & Alison Liiesey. Eccles, Manchester M. J.A. Walker, Redland. Bristol Mr P.A. Brc-. Quow End, worcu t s r DC Andrew Baker. South Cerncy. Cirencesnr. GLos Mr H.R. Archer, Tufflcy. Gloucester MrD.G. Joncs, Maidwell. Narthaolptonshire Mr 1.K Dab, Waliiogford, Oxon Mr K.W. Olivcr, Swindon, Wi le Mr DS. Psoneil. Prmpron Cotlcnil. Bristd Mr & MTS M. JWPS, Thornbmy. Bristol Mr P. Deightan. Bmhall, Chdrenham Glos Mr DS. Parker, Pill. Bristol Mr K. Richards, Ftampton Cottsmll. S w t h Glos Mr& Mrs8.A. Hoarc, Stavenon, Chdtenbsm, Glos Mr N.E.I. McNelU. Waddington. L.nrr Mr J. Haselwood, Rodborough Common. Stroud. Glas Mr 1. Kemp, Bziloscombe, Stroud. Glos Mrs V.& Kimber. Esstcombc Stroud. Glw M. l Edwads. dhalford, Stromd. GI& MsG. Htv- Hawke-sbury Uptan. Badminton, S. Glos Mr C Weaterman. Rodborough, Stmud. Glm N~gol E a p & Carol Pawrs. Chalford, Straud, Glos Mr & MrsI. Hlsled. Eblav. Stroud G l a MrsB.D. Rodway. Stroud; Gtw Dr 1 Williamson. Stroud. Glos Sue Day & Gary ~horogdod. Stmud. Gios Mr K. Turlcy. Br~mwambe, Strovd Giap Mr & Mrr P.L. Salt Uo Hathcrlev. Chrltcnharn Gior Clare & Mtka King. ~ icoud , Glo; Mr C N. Luker. Cashes Gr-. Stroud Glos Mr R. hmble i , Nallsworth. Strwd. Mos MW EA. Webbsr. Stroud. Glw Mr N FaP. Stroud. Glos Mr E P Hunt. Randwxck, Stmud. Glos Mr L D. Hwk, Collaray. NSW 2097 Mr B Pmtcr, L~ttlcworlh. Glca Mr L.P. Banatsad, Chalford Hdl, Slraud, Glos &K.L. J a m Randwtck, S t m u d Olos M t s J.S. Bares, Chcltcnham. 010s Dr R0 Bishop, Brimpefteld. Gloucester Mr D. Stanifonb, Govilos Ahrgavenny Mr P.N. Ollcy, Cashes Green. Strmd. Gloa Mr & Mrs M A p p e h a W Naihworth. Strwd, Glos Mra C Pouller, Bradfard-an-Avon. Wilts Mr & Mrs M Graombrtdg+ Clrenuester. Glos Mr & Mrs D. Freeman, Nc.mastls. NSW 2290

Mr & Mm I J. Pcrrymm,Madbarough, Wilts Mrs P A Galliver, Evercrsech, Somerset Mr M.D. h i c k , Brimscomb6 Strwd, Glos Mr AD. Panting. Cirm-tu. Gloa Mr P. Brown, UptooanScvcrn. Woroesler Mr & Mrs A.W Rodgus,South Csrney. Cirsncesler Mary A Km& Tewkeabury, Glos Mr RJ. V&. HarmsiELs, GLovscsfu Mr P A Helmyard. Qucdgcky, Gloucestu Mr J C, Baker. Burford. Oxon Mr J . Rogcrs. Whtteshill. Stroud. Glos MT & Mrr LA Kin& Kmgs Stanle Stonchmse. Glos MS S. Lewis. Dudbridge, StroUd. d;bs Mr C.R.J. S u m a n , Wlurmmsttr, Olouoestcr Dr & M n D. Sawrvsll. Stroud. Mos Miss S A. h x t y . Stroud.GI~ Mr J.M Weaver, KingSwurt. Stroud. G108 Mr S. Leek. Circncunr, Glos A S. Cooper, stroud. Glos Mr I. Feeney, Circnccater, Glos Mrs G. Barker, Cirmsester. Glos Mr J.W.Stcvms, Poxcote, Chdtcnham Glos Mr R S. S m t h Prance Lynch, Stroud. Gios Mr C.R Phelps. Stroud. Glos Ms H. Bridges. Ctrmcestcr. Glas Mrs Y.A Young, Whummstcr. Gloucester Mr & Mm R Easthope, C m . Durstey. G106 Mr A. Boswcli, K n m Valley, Scvenoslrs, Kent Mr D. Perry. South Wallmgton, Surrey Mr W. Broskbmk. Eastmgton, Stonehouse, Glaa Mr & Mrs I. Sutton, Gxlmsby, Nanh h r t L i n u Mr G. Tasker. Slonchovse, Glca Mr K.A. Holmea. Stroud. Glos Mr N.W. Willims. Stonchousc, G h Mr D J Hogg.Chnlford Stroud, Glos M i s D.L. Ricket@. Eastinglon. Stanchouse. Glo. Toni Brodie & Siam Ouni Stonehouse, Glos Mr R G Hanbury. Highnam. Gloucester Mr & M ~ s D.J. R o b i o n , Marlaw. Bucks Mr A Roberts, Pmrfard, Glos Mr A.Shaw, Glosrop. Derbyshlrs Mr & Mrs N. Grnffiths. Stmv-on-the-Wald. Glw MS A C CoUtns. Rodboroogh Common. Stroud Glos Mr D 1. Tsrratt, Stmud. 010s Mr A P Herbart, Emersons Green, Brut01 MC C.N. Rolph, Hanwell. Northants

Iiary Dates & Contacts'

1 PRONT COVER PBOTO: An&w Stunpc nceatly appointed as Regeaentim Programme Mmger by

1 &.?M WiZemap - n page 2. Whoto by kind perminaim of Western Daily

l I Sun 3 Mu Summil Work Party A 1 Mon 4 Mar W-n Branch Meeting D Sat l6 Mar San1 2002 Prospective Helper's Meeting - see p. 4 & 13 Sat 16 Mlr Sales & Promotions outaide Sub Room& Strwd (S)

PLwLa M h lba 9.t 23 Mar Cotswold Gulls Opm Day at Sad I m t i o n - see p.12 (S Mon 25 Mar CCCTnding Meeting A it it neeeasuy Son 31 Mar Sainrbury's Event at Dadbridge, Strwd (S) to chaoge the m m

of a meting Mon I Apr Blonder Lock Fon Day nl short notice. SM 7 Apr Glouccater b a t Jumble a t lhe Waterways Muse~un (S) suo 7 ~ p r summit work party A Please call one of the COOtWt 0&18 Man 8 Apr Western Branch Meeting D before making a WIE 13114 Apr KBSCRG Visiting Work M y Y Valley Ut long jolxrney Sal 20 Apr Sales & Pmmotiona in Ciencester Market Square (S) to attend one of Mon 2 A ~ I CCT Tnding Meeting A

Mon 6 May Cotawold Water Park Show (S) Sun S May Suounil Work Party A A CCT TRADING Mon 14 M y Western Branch Meeting D IS THE NEW NAME 1 Fri l7 May Thirtieth Anniversary Dinner - see page 2 & Inaert

INCOME Mon 20 M q CCT Tradii Meeting A GENBRATION -- -- .. - -P - -- Sat 1 JM Bob The Bnilder Event at Gloa Waterways Mnseom (S) WlE 1/3 Jon Crick Boat Show (S) Sun 2 Jun Summit Work Party A

WIB lWl9 May Proeester Fete at Home Farm Trust, nelr Stonehow (S)

D WORK PARTIES You we most weloome

Mm 10 Jun Western Branch Meeting D WIE L5116 Jon BITM V i i t i q Wart Party a t Valley Lock D to join Work Puties

Mon 24 Jun CCT Trading Meeting A at valley Lock (or elsewhere) San 30 JM Watcmaya Museum Event, Glouuater (S) P l e a ~ phone Neil WIE 617 1111 SAUL 2002 Ritchii for details WIE 19121 Jlll h h d Waterways Exhibition NIA Birmingham (S) W/E 23126 Ang National Waterwaya Festival - Hnddersfield (S)

(S) CCT Sales & Displays at ~IIIS event - conlact Bii Evill01453 766631 email billevdl&upanet.com A Cantact Mark Wellon for more details 01453 822405 em& weexwlBukonline.co.uk B Contact Neil Ritchie for more delaih 01452 854057 (Mob 0831 267702) email: aeils~gns&lalcorn

Contpct Dennis Clarke for more detinls 01452 741302 emsil: Denbrenclarb.Gloset~~oaet Meeting (73Opm ~tut) V e ~ e

The &U Inn Wealem Bunch D ~nmpton.on.~evem l CCr Trading A Call 01453 872405

The lop Pnmpm-onSevcm

W$ y n rhnld attend

TO get the l8e11 news, p a s on your v~ews and have a chat

To get mwlvcd 10 Mer, Fund Ra i s i i Even6 m

0, ~ a i w dates to help plan how lo bwt use all our n l p boars

THE TRIP BOAT STEERING COMMITTEE welcomes memhs to its meetings Plersc can Denus Clarke for more details and for the dale of the mxt meeting (01452 74IM2)

BETA MARINE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ l y t h ~ ~ ~ e n g i n e w f w ~ ~