Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

The hidden history of Chippenham’s former canal will be revealed during the Branch Chair's guided walk on Saturday October 6th. The walk starts from the Buttercross at 10am. Canal sites included in the walk: the site of the former wharf in the town centre and the newly-restored stretch at Pewsham Locks. Visitors will discover the history of the waterway and where some of the remains can still be seen today. A pop-up café will be available at Pewsham Locks where visitors will enjoy refreshments and even a boat-ride, depending on the water levels within the canal. www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

Yay! The water level at the Rushey Platt spillway is now 'only' 18cm below the overflow level - at last, we can be fully confident that Dragonfly can run our public trips this weekend - NOT, please note, from Waitrose. AMENDMENT - WE ARE NOT ABLE TO RUN THIS SUNDAY - unfortunately we're not able to find a skipper. For all the details you need, go to https://www.wbct.org.uk/experience/take-a -boat-trip Please do not try to book on this page - use the link! www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

Good news today. We have received funding for the Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre from Crapper & Sons through Entrust funding. This funding, added to generous donations from supporters, means that we are able to order the second building. Delivery is beginning of October and construction starts then. Many thanks to all our funders. www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

As our long, dry, hot (remember that?) summer draws to a close (but we haven't finished our trips ust yet), the Dragonfly Boat Team's thoughts are turning to colder climes - a little hint is given here.... www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

RUNNING TODAY (SAT) AND TOMORROW! Trips run hourly from 10am - 5pm each day. To book, e-mail steve.bacon@wbct.org.uk www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

Dragonfly is running her weekend trips as usual this weekend. For all you need to know, go to https://www.wbct.org.uk/experience/take-a -boat-trip , or e-mail boat.bookings@wbct.org.uk, or telephone 07401220076. Bookings close around 7-8pm this evening, but you can still turn up at the times advertised in the above link & be reasonably sure of taking a trip. www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

Great efforts by the Trust at the Melksham Food & River Festival www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

A reminder for this weekend...

Volunteer, Skipper & Master Carpenter Norman Whitworth installing new seating on Dragonfly yesterday at the slipway near Waitrose. Water levels seem just about OK, so watch this space! www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

The Peterborough Arms…. very soon to be a pub with beer.
Another long-awaited success for the Trust… negotiations have been completed with the new landlords of the Peterborough Arms and a lease has been signed: the Trust welcomes Brendan and Michelle Watkins, who have moved into the Peterborough Arms to prepare for opening in October.
We are looking forward to working with them and wish them every success.
... At the same time, with completion of the legal agreement for the change of access to Peterborough Farm, we are finally able to start the DLCC (Dauntsey Lock Canal Centre) development and the lock side garden landscaping.
www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus
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Months ago, someone messaged us, saying they had a picture that used to hang in the Peterborough Arms and would we be interested? I've tried to find the message but haven't been successful - if you read this, can you respond, either on here or by e-mailing me on chris.barry@wbct.org.uk? Also, Dragonfly will NOT be running this weekend - a perfect storm of low water, minor repairs needed, and the Swindon Half Marathon! www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

I apologise (sort of) for putting up so many pictures from the Waitrose section, but development proceeds apace, and people seem interested! Here's how it all looks today www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

Dragonfly trips are running TODAY (Sunday) at the normal times - see https://www.wbct.org.uk/experience/take-a -boat-trip for all you need to know. There are plenty of vacancies, so feel free to just turn up. However, the 2.45pm trip will not run if nobody is at the Kingshill landing stage at that time. www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

Tom Seaward from the Swindon Advertiser was with us on the Dragonfly today... first trips today from Kingshill after the long period of dry weather and low water...hurray! www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

Friday reminder - Dragonfly IS running trips this weekend, from the Kingshill landing stage, NOT Waitrose. But remember, bookings close this evening - so if you want to be sure of a place, book now! It's still fine to turn up at the advertised times (see https://www.wbct.org.uk/experience/take-a -boat-trip for all the details you need), but if no-one has booked, the boat may not be there! PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO BOOK VIA THIS PAGE www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

At last, we have enough water in the canal to resume Dragonfly trips next weekend! Even after the recent rain, the level is still 15cm below the maximum - but that's better than the 30cm it was at its worst, and 23cm just over a week ago. So - full steam ahead! For details of times & place, see our website https://www.wbct.org.uk/experience/take-a -boat-trip PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO BOOK VIA THIS PAGE www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus

After Wednesday night's rain, I (Chris) measured the water level again - and it was actually 1cm lower than a week before. Therefore evaporation & the inevitable small amount of leakage had exceeded the inflow - so regretfully Dragonfly trips REMAIN SUSPENDED for this weekend. www.wbct.org.uk #forallofus