West
Vale Branch |
Although we have had a lovely warm dry summer, other Trust activities have meant that we have not made as much advance at Steppingstone Lane Bridge as we would have liked. However, behind the scenes, our Trust engineer David Van Der Cruyssen has produced the first cut engineering drawings which have been submitted to the Bridge Department at Oxford County Council for their comment which at the time of writing this in early September, we eagerly await.
We expect to have support from the Waterway Recovery Group in October to help us with further clearing of the area and setting up the towpath in the correct position between Steppingstone Lane Bridge and Station Road Bridge. This will be their first visit since we built the slipway in the Canalside Park some years ago.
A major area of worry for our Branch has been the lack of progress on the leases needed at Tuckmill Brook and either side of Steppingstone Lane Bridge. Although the Landowners themselves are very positive and have given confirmation that they are in favour of these leases, their Land Agents work at a very slow rate and gaining any movement from them is nigh on impossible.
The Branch were involved in supporting the Trust at the Waterways Festival at Beale Park, Pangborne this summer, with Orph Mable giving two 40 minute presentations over the festival weekend to over a hundred interested listeners. This presentation is now held on CD and is available for re-use if needed.
Looking forward to the shortening days reminds me that it will soon be time for the annual Skittles Tournament. This is the time when Westvale Branch demonstrates its prowess at bowling and George Eycott does not! The trophy has been in the firm grasp of Westvale for the past three years so maybe it is time for a change. Time will tell.
To keep abreast of the progress at Steppingstone Lane Bridge and other aspects of our branch activities please visit our web-site at www.westvalecanal.fsnet.co.uk . If anyone feels like helping out in any area whether it be digging or writing, please contact the Branch Chairman or Work Party Organiser or attend our monthly meetings at Shrivenham Bowls Club.
Orph Mable - Branch Project Co-ordinator
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