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Used stamps help the Waterways

WRG folklore has it that in the distant past we bought a Smalley excavator with Green Shield stamps (remember them?) Over the years the number of things which could be exchanged for goods or money has drastically reduced – no more cigarette coupons or Tiger Tokens – but there is still value in used postage stamps.

We collect stamps of all types, from the which are no longer wanted, and sell them in ‘wholesale’ quantities to stamp dealers. The dealers sell them by the kilo to collectors, who sort through to find the particular stamps they are looking for. The money we receive supused inkjet & toner cartridges, mobile phones and aluminium cans and foil for sale.

The stamps and other goods go to restoration projects who can turn them into money, depending on who has an outlet at the time. Recent recipients have been the Montgomery, Wilts & Berks and Buckingham restorations as well as our own WRG BITM.

Please cut the stamps from your Christmas cards and other post and send them to WRG Stamp Bank, 33 Hambleton Grove, Emerson Valley, Milton Keynes MK4 2JS. If you’re visiting the Buckingham restoration next year, assuming we are again able to have digs, please bring along your donation for me to collect. In the famous words used before, all donations gratefully received, however large! all; with hopes for resumed restoration activities in 2021. Steve Morley Restoration Webinars The annual waterway restoraby the Canal & River Trust and WRG’s parent body the Inland Waterways Association, was (like many such things) switched to an online event this year - and instead of the

breakout sessions taking place on the day, they were run as a series of online webinars organised at weekly intervals through the

normal ones on everyday post to collections ports canal restoration. Likewise we collect

autumn. They are all available as videos to view via the IWA website waterways.org.uk, and cover these topics:

Writing a funding application led by Liz Shaw, a member of the Heritage Fund regional engagement team . Biodiversity Net Gains covering the principles, a mitigation hierarchy, and construction based case studies. . Restoration to operation: key considerations when your restoration is progressing well and you’re thinking of connecting it up to the national waterway network. . Creating connections engaging

young people can be a challenge but doing it well can make a real impact for your project . Engaging your local council: Campaigning and building relationships with your local MP and authorities . Dealing with utilities: Ascertaining the location of utilities on your project

Season’s greetings to Limited single cask WRG Whisky coming soon...

In 2010 whilst visiting Bruichladdich Distillery on the Scottish island of Islay, a WRG volunteer struck upon an idea and bought WRG a cask of whisky. Their main aim and inspiration (in true WRG style) was to cause one big headache (for many different reasons) 10 years later for WRG’s 50th anniversary. So here we are 10 years on, lots of locks and bridges have been restored, beer has been drunk and we are now onto

dealing with the headache and that’s

tion conference, held jointly through service searches and CAT scans before the whisky even arrives! The whisky is about to be bottled and pre-sales will be opening in January… there are only going to be 240 bottles so once they are gone they are gone. It’s also going to be a fantastic chance to raise funds for WRG. If you’d like to registered to receive notification of presales please email jenny.morris@waterways.org.uk