Morrison's the contractors have moved onto the Oil Mills site at Ebley to make a start on the required preparatory work to enable Phase 1A of the restoration to get under way.
It is expected that actual digging out will commence within 2 weeks, so after all the frustrations of one delay after another the earth may finally start moving for us any time at all.
for pictures of all the work that's been undertaken at Eisey Lock & Ruck's Bridge.
R U 3 ON THE 15TH?
Because we shall be running one of our successful stalls at Stroud Farmers' Market againfrom 9ish until 3ish.
If you can spare some time please visit the Volunteers website at http://www.cct.teamconnect.org.uk and record your availability – or contact Mike Slade mrmike.slade@googlemail.com telephone 01179 693270 after 6.00p.m.
……there are only 87 days to go before the 2007 Santa Cruises season starts!
The Senior Assistants Gift Acquisition team – SAGA – will be swinging into action any time at all, scouring the land to replenish their renowned range of wonderful kiddies' presents. Operation dates have yet to be discussed and confirmed but cruises are likely to start on Sunday December 2nd and run each weekend until the 23rd, a total of 7 days.
As usual we shall need plenty of Elf Aid over the period and Chief Elf (Water) Dennis Clarke will be approaching all Trip Boat volunteers in due course.
After all the disappointment surrounding the cancellation of this year's Festival let's aim for a really successful Santa Season this year; do any of you have a possible contact for a freebie tree by any chance?
The September issue of 'The Trow' needs to be prepared for its postal journey, so come on down to the Heritage Centre, Saul, on the 11th September from 7.00pm ish and get enveloped in envelopes!
The next Work Action Group Meeting will be at the Heritage Centre, Saul, on Tuesday 18th, 7.30p.m. start time as usual.
The next scheduled meeting of Eastern Branch is on Wednesday 19th at the Trout Inn, Lechlade commencing 7.30p.m.
All members & volunteers will be made more than welcome.
GET PLASTERED AND CERTIFIED…ALL AT THE SAME TIME!
A second masonry course is planned down at Brimscombe Port and spread over 2 days as before, namely 20th & 27th September – both Thursdays.
– a certificate for you to keep!
Despite several bookings from Trust members last time this course was held, only 1 person from CCT attended. This was particularly disappointing as the course had been instigated at our request.
Whilst there is no charge to volunteers there are costs involved that are borne by the Partnership. It follows that if anybody puts their name down & then fails to turn up they are responsible for wasting money that has been set aside from the restoration budget specifically for training purposes.
Regrettably these courses are well nigh impossible to arrange over a weekend. However attendance will give volunteers valuable skills that can be used in future masonry works at the Port Walls as well as along other stretches of Phases 1a, 1b and beyond.
There are 4 or 5 places available, Richard Harrison at BW is your booking point by email to Richard.Harrison@britishwaterways.co.uk or 01452 318501 if you prefer.
ENews 47 made mention of Richard Attwood's forthcoming series of guided circular walks based on his best-selling books "Around the Cotswold Canals" Volumes I & II. The first of these, from Volume 1, is on the 30th September and is based on and around the Eastington Flight – meet at Pike Lock car park.
The walk is about 5 miles and will start at 11:00. As autumn is nearly upon us the route may be wet and muddy and the weather could be sunny or cloudy or bright or foggy or raining or freezing or windy or snowing – delete as appropriate -so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear!
There is a £5 fee for each walker over the age of 16 to fund further restoration of the Cotswold Canals. The walk is not suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs or very young children as there may be stiles and hills along the route. Dogs and their owners are welcome but they must be kept on a lead at all times .
More details can be found on http://www.cotswoldcanals.com or you can phone Richard on 01453 792021.
Bye for now – remember to keep me posted!