IWA Waterways Festival Photos

Photos from Pete Dunn

Board members sought for pilot Kennet & Avon Canal Waterway Partnership Board

The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust and British Waterways are asking local people and organisations to nominate interested individuals to become volunteer board members on a new local Waterway Partnership Board that will help govern the 87-mile canal that runs from Reading to Bath.

The establishment of a Waterway Partnership Board is a pilot scheme created to inform British Waterways proposals to become a civil society organisation, a ‘national trust for the waterways’.

British Waterways recognise that current governance arrangements need to be reviewed ahead of a move to the third sector to allow for greater participation by local people..

Working with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust the pilot Waterway Partnership Board seeks to demonstrate how working in a local partnership can help manage and maintain the canal corridor effectively which is enjoyed by the many groups, communities and businesses that neighbour and utilise the waterway.

David Rees, Chairman, The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust said:

“This is a real opportunity for interested members of society along the length of the canal to participate in the shaping of the waterway, which celebrates its 200^th anniversary this year, and to move it forward as a continuing vibrant linear country park.”

The Kennet & Avon Canal was chosen as the pilot location, as it has a strong established Trust, which, over the last 50 years has been largely responsible for the restoration of the canal, and now stands as a testament of continuing community interest having over 3,800 members.

BW and the K&A Canal Trust (KACT) worked together previously to develop a partnership that secured the £25m Heritage Lottery Grant in 1997 to complete the full restoration of the waterway.

The new board will focus on the promotion and maintenance of a sustainable future for the Kennet & Avon Canal. The Board will influence the formulation of the Waterway Plan which will cover Operations, Development and Fundraising, and will oversee the delivery of that plan.

British Waterways’ Chief Executive, Robin Evans said:

“We hope that a wide variety of interested parties, reflecting the diversity of groups that use the canal, will come forward to be part of the Local Waterway Partnership Board.

“Over 13 million people visit the waterways each year, and there are over 34,000 boats licensed to use the waterways we manage. The Kennet & Avon Canal is a popular and much-loved waterway with an active and established Trust. We hope that this pilot will demonstrate that giving local communities a role in the management their waterway together with a real sense of ownership will create improved and sustainable waterways for the future. .”

The membership of the Board, which will number up to 12, will reflect the full range of interest in the waterway. BW and the KACT are seeking expressions of interest from individuals with commitment and relevant experience, including people from the public and private sectors, local communities, interest groups and individuals who may have technical knowledge, such as engineers, ecologists and environmentalists. People with skills in community engagement, fundraising and marketing and communications may also like to apply, along with keen boaters, anglers, cyclists and walkers. David Rees, current Chairman of the KACT, has been invited to chair the pilot Waterways Partnership Board.

The WPB will initially meet this September and will run as a pilot for up to 18 months, meeting every 6 to 8 weeks at locations along the Kennet and Avon canal, to be decided. The Board members will be volunteers, although out of pocket expenses will be met.

Written expressions of interest should be sent to administrator@katrust.org.uk by Friday 27^th August 2010.

Burbage Crane Project Update

Burbage Crane Project
putting the cranes jib into position over the weekend and celebrating topping out the crane, Saturday was very wet but the team performed a tricky task with their usual enthusiasm.
photos by Pete Dunn.

Lock Sharing Plan to save water

Report from waterway watch - click here

Hungerford Rose Back In Action

The Hungerford Rose is now up and running and has begun public trips from 15th August as per schedule.

Rose of Hungerford Update 13th August

Please note there will be no public trips this weekend (Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th August) due to a mechanical fault.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Rose of Hungerford - Update

We regret there will be no public trips on this Wednesday (11th August) due to a mechanical problem as previously posted.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

IMPORTANT NOTICE- The Rose of Hungerford

No trips Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th August 2010
(Rose of Hungerford)

We regret that there will be no public trips this weekend for the Rose of Hungerford Trip Boat, due to a mechanical problem. We are hoping to be back in action middle of next week.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Congratulations to Bradford-on-Avon Cafe

the cafe gardens came first in the Bradford in bloom competition- best enhancement of public space by a business - well done to the gardeners!

David Inight

pics by Edward Ody

Barbara McLellan Photo Update

A couple of pictures of Skipper John Maciver passing on his knowledge to prospective skipper, Nick Court:A recent wedding breakfast on the Barbara McLellan:


David Inight

Newbury Waterways Festival Video

Click here to watch

Claverton Pumping Station Heritage Open Day

This year for the first time the Claverton Pumping Station will be taking part in English Heritage Open Days:

Friday 10^th Sept @ 13.00

Meet at the Dundas Aqueduct (Brassknocker Basin) car park; be taken by boat or on foot along the canal to Claverton. See the machinery in operation and enjoy the beautiful scenery from our lawns.

Please park at Dundas visitors centre, guides will lead you along the canal and talk about the history of the canal and point out things of interest. Wheelchair access is possible to the lawns and lower portions of the station machinery toilet access is available at the visitors centre at Dundas. Please call ahead if you have mobility problems.

As numbers at the pumping station are limited it is important that you email us, marketing@claverton.org, and tell us how many people will be in your party..

Please see the Claverton web site www.claverton.org for more details and latest information

Big boost for canal clean-up in Wiltshire

Click here