West
Vale Branch |
This month I can report on two aspects of restoration in our area. The GOOD and the BAD!
Firstly let me cover the good side. We have continued to make steady progress at Steppingstone Lane Bridge, excavating more of the collapsed structure. The pipe is now visible for much of its length and we hope to have it removed soon. The towpath under the bridge is now clear and the edge of the bridge invert can be followed. Hopefully the end of the year will see the pipe gone and the excavation complete, sooner if more volunteers join us.
Now for the BAD! We have suffered vandalism at Steppingstone Lane Bridge and the Canalside Park. At the bridge site fences have been pulled down and thrown into the canal, and attempts have been made at forcing entry into our containers plus other minor site damage. (Please note that we do not keep anything of any value in these containers!) Although the damage has been repaired, it took valuable restoration time and we fear that this site is now on the “Vandal Map”!
At the park, children have pulled out wood from our storage area to make “jumps” and obstacles for bike-riding. This has caused some permanent damage to various shrubs and small trees as well as making the park dangerous to other users. We have collected up most of our wood and returned it to the store but have had to leave some planks etc. in the pond and canal for another day. Also, many stones from the “French drain” alongside the main path have been thrown around the park! This now makes it very dangerous to cut the grass as the stones not only damage the cutters but can be thrown many metres with disastrous effect on anything that is hit. Grass cutting cannot take place again until all the stones have been picked up! Could I ask that if anyone sees this sort of vandalism happening that they either challenge the “little darlings” or contact a member of the Branch as soon as possible. I wonder if parents are aware of where their children are riding their bikes or spending their time!
On a lighter note, there is to be a presentation on Thursday 7th November at Shrivenham Bowls Club starting at 8pm. The subject of the presentation, consisting of slides and talk, will be the “Wilts & Berks Canal Restoration in West Vale – Progress and the Future!” Everyone is welcome to attend and hopefully will gain an insight in what we are up to!
For more information or to volunteer assistance please come along to one of our meetings held in the Shrivenham Bowls Club, Martens Road, on the second Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m. You will be made very welcome. For those with a computer and Internet access please visit our Branch Web Site at www.westvalecanal.fsnet.co.uk.
Orph Mable - Branch Project Co-ordinator
You are visitor