Restoring the Stroudwater Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal
Stroud District Council votes to take on project management of Phase 1a
This week's momentous and bold decision by Stroud's district councillors to take on project management of Phase 1a of the Cotswold Canals regeneration is a tremendous fillip not only for the Stroud area but also to the tireless work of all our Trust volunteers over 35 years.
Elizabeth Payne, Trust Chairman, said: “It's a wonderful seasonal present, bringing a ray of light into a gloomy financial climate, and a tremendous boost to our voluntary work which, of course, can now start in earnest.”
The ENews editor, David Pagett, has been bombarded with complimentary messages from all over the country, such as: “What a great Christmas present. Fantastic news.” and “What a fine moment in history.”
Ken Burgin, the Trust's Chief Executive, is already earmarking several projects for 2009 to present to Stroud District Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund which is providing £11.9million for the overall project that covers canal restoration from Saul to Brimscombe Port. Ken expects to release details of these shortly.
Meanwhile, the District Council is appointing a professional project manager to raise a team to oversee the project with our other partners, one of whom is The Waterways Trust. Roger Hanbury, its Chief Executive, said: “We will look back on this decision as a landmark, a key step in realising the potential of this waterway as a corridor for social, economic and environmental regeneration.”
The major investment will bring many new jobs and new business to the area and leave a lasting legacy for the people of Stroud, added Mrs Payne, as well as acting as a catalyst for the link to the main waterways system and eventually complete restoration through to the Thames at Lechlade.
As things get under way, there will be opportunities for many more volunteers and for funding of individual projects.
To find out more about volunteering opportunities please visit the volunteers' website in the first instance to register your interests. You should find the site self explanatory and easy to navigate, but if you have any queries or questions then email the Site Webmaster for further information.
If you would like to receive regular updates covering all aspects of Trust activities then why not subscribe to our electronic newsletter? The ENews website contains a full Archive of previous editions and includes a search facility; to receive future editions just follow the Subscribe link.
Every weekend and Bank Holiday provides an opportunity to talk to Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers about the restoration at the Trust's Heritage Centre, Saul, on the Gloucester - Sharpness Canal ……whilst enjoying a cup of tea or coffee with our compliments!
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