Meeting Notes August 2014

Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership – Notes as published in Grass, September 2014 Over the summer, the Partnership has continued its programme of heritage walks, aimed at different interest groups, eg grandparents and grandchildren, with varying degrees of interest shown. We are looking forward to the wildlife safari on 28 August, working with volunteers from the Towcester branch of the Wildlife Trust, to whom we are most grateful for their support.

In the autumn, we plan to extend these heritage walks to interest groups like Brownies, Cubs, WI, history groups etc, so if your club is planning its autumn programme and you think you might be interested, contact me, Helen Westlake on 01908 542414 or email helen.westlake@talk21.com .

With regard to the proposed interpretation panels and signs, we now have all the panel designs and quotations to hand and hope to submit a planning application soon. We hope to be able to use local craftspeople in this project.

The Transport Trust’s Red Wheel award presentation recognising Blisworth Tunnel as the longest navigable canal tunnel in England is planned for 22 August. This is after the deadline for this issue of GRASS but we are looking forward to greeting the Lord Lieutenant of Northamptonshire and guests from both the Transport Trust and the Canal & River Trust to a short unveiling ceremony and refreshments. NB Sculptor will be in attendance and the management and crew of NB Charlie have very kindly offered a trip through the tunnel for guests.

The Partnership’s working party of volunteers met in August and spent much time and energy in sweeping and weeding the area around the dry lock and then going on to cut hedges and brambles back from the Woodland Walk and other parts of the towpath. We are very grateful to all who came along. We hope that several members will take up first aid training shortly, which will enable us to widen the scope of tasks carried out.

The next working party will be on Wednesday 10 September starting at 9.30 am and volunteers old and new will be most welcome. If you would like more information, please contact David Blagrove on 01604 862174 or just turn up at the Museum.

The Partnership is also assisting the Museum in the matter of purchasing replacement picnic benches for the green beside the canal. The present tables have received continuous use this summer and have reached the end of their useful life. It is hoped new ones will soon be in place.

The Partnership was also pleased to hear that the Canal & River Trust have allocated funds to repair the towpath near the Woodland Walk, where tree roots have raised the surface. Details are awaited with interest. The Partnership is encouraging the Trust in its ongoing work to publish and uphold a Code of Practice for cyclists as it is aware of various conflicts between cyclists and pedestrians that often occur on the towpath.

Helen Westlake, Chair, Stoke Bruerne Canal Partnership