Chairman’s Letter

Dear Members,

I hope you’ve been able to get out and enjoy our canal over the summer, on a boat trip, on the tow path or as one of our fantastic volunteers

I’d like to highlight the follow individuals who have joined either Trust Council or the Enterprise Board this year:-

Darren Bone – Chair of the Enterprise Board

Paul Hanson – Director of Boat Operations and Enterprise Director

Alison Cannon – Trustee and Designated Safeguard Lead

Paul Kettel – Chair of the Newbury Branch and Enterprise Director

Bryan Baker – Chair of the Bradford on Avon Branch and Enterprise Director

Susan Hill – joining as Trustee and taking over from Chris Bolt as Trust Treasurer and Enterprise Finance Director.

Also a huge thank you to those who have decided to step back from their previous responsibilities :-

David Fearns - Trustee

Tim Pyatt – Trustee and Enterprise Director

Zaira Puddephatt – Trustee – especially for getting the new website developed and for editing the Butty Chris Churchouse Chair of the Enterprise Board

Julian Foley – Director of Boat Operations, Enterprise Director and Chair of Newbury Branch.

Carolyn Calder - Enterprise Director and Chair of the Devizes Branch

Finally David Copley who stood down at the AGM in May, David can’t remember how many years he’s been a Trustee and the Charity Commission website also has no information, which tells you something. David recently turned 80

I need to highlight the outstanding performance of our excellent Central Office Team of Nellie Pitts, Helen Flavin and Chan Morgan who managed by Darren achieved two major milestones:-

Designing, populating, managing, training staff and commissioning an entirely new booking system from scratch in only six weeks. This has proven to be hugely beneficial to customers in terms of ease of booking and the absolute resolution of known defects, while facilitating proper auditable accounting

Completing the design and population of the new website project, which had been in a state of stasis since at least February 2023 This website is now online, fully fit for purpose. It allows the Trust Council to meet its legal obligations and indeed publicise its activities in terms of its charitable objects Without the Enterprise team of three ladies, this would never have happened

Nellie joined us earlier this year as maternity cover for Phoebe, Phoebe’s baby Albie made an early appearance in April

From a personal point I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the season on the Bruce Boats, in particular my week skippering for my Rotary Club, Swindon Phoenix.

I’ve included a few photos of the week

Regards

Chris

PS Thanks to Jen Smith-Furmage for volunteering to help produce the Butty