West
Vale Branch |
We are "off and running" into this New Year of 2003 with the restoration work at Steppingstone Lane Bridge taking centre stage in our efforts. We have already had our first work party this year where we (after breaking the 2 inch thick ice) installed a fixed pipe to enable pumping to be more efficient and setting up less time consuming. Additionally we have now removed all the Ash stumps from the work area and have continued digging out the "invert". We hope to make further progress over the next months. The bridlepath diversion is holding up well since we extended it at the end of last year and apart from minor hole filling we do not expect to have too much bother with it. It is worth noting that we have taken the opportunity to put additional drainage pipes under the actual line of the original bridleway to aid in reducing flooding at low spots near the start of the diversion. This will benefit users now and more so after the path is restored to its true line across the bridge.
We have also been very busy erecting signs at various points around the area, with our two latest ones at Station Road Bridge. These signs are designed to be clear but unobtrusive. Indicating where the Canal is to those who keep saying "what canal?" We hope to erect more in the future as funds permit.
There are plans being formulated to give a talk on our Branch and the restoration activities in our area at both Bourton and Watchfield in the spring. These should be informative and interesting. We have had similar ones in Shrivenham which have been well received. Watch this space for more detail nearer the time.
We hope to be carrying out some "Tender Loving Care" on the towpaths, Cemetery Path, and the Canalside Park in February, This will mean a bit of hedge-cutting, fence mending and grass cutting. We also intend moving the green cabin from its current position in the Canalside Park, to a less obtrusive position against the hedge line behind the steel container. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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
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