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"When will it be working again?" We seriously hope to have the Wilts & Berks navigable again by 2015. Of course, the more funding we get, and the more members and volunteers we get, the greater the chance that we will be able to beat that target. |
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"Why do you have to make all this mess, you're ruining it for the wildlife." On the contrary, studies have repeatedly proven that no-one likes a derelict canal, not even the wildlife! Derelict canals are stagnant, they often smell, they are usually thoroughly polluted with dumped shopping trolleys, tyres, oil, and all sorts of unpleasantness. A restored canal becomes a linear wildlife park, it allows wildlife to move in safety from one area to another, and gives us - walkers, cyclists, fishermen, as well as boaters - a wonderful chance to observe them from the safe distance of the towpath bank. |
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"Why do canals always have that horrible brown murky water in them?" That's actually the sign of a healthy canal! If the water were clear, it would quickly be filled with algae and pondweeds; the silt that is stirred up by the action of the boats makes the water opaque, restricts weed growth, and prevents the locks and weirs clogging up. |
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"Why is the canal the Wilts and Berks when Wantage is in Oxfordshire?" Long story made short: the county boundaries keep changing. Back in the 1790s, Wantage was in Berkshire and Swindon was in Wiltshire, so that's why they called it the W&B. We do occasionally think about changing the name, but there isn't any real point, and there is always the chance that the boundaries may one day change again. |
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"Exactly who is allowed to use the towpath?" Originally, towing horses, people, cyclists, fishermen - in roughly that order. These days, most towpaths have to restrict use by horses as they "cut up" the surface too badly, and in most cases the towpaths are much narrower now than they were. Certainly in the Wantage area, it's "no" to horses, but "yes" to people and cyclists. Cyclist should note that they are expected to ring their bell to warn walkers of their approach, and to observe some level of common courtesy as they pass, by cycling on the grass instead of forcing walkers off of the path. Fishing is only allowed by permission of the landowner, but as we don't have much of the Wilts and Berks "in water" yet, it's not much of an issue at present. |
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"Why are you heartless people cutting down all these lovely trees?" Yes, they are lovely, but they are mostly willow, which is quick to grow, and equally quick to die: they shed large branches in windy weather, and have a nasty habit of falling over altogether. It is much safer to remove trees on the towpath side. We have, over the last few years, planted hundreds of broadleaved trees along the canal, and by 2015 they should be providing shade and safe nesting all the way along the canal. |
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"What can I do to help?" Come and join us! We need members to join the work parties and get their hands dirty: we need members to undertake admin tasks: we need fundraisers - oh, we always need fundraisers! - and publicity people: and we always need "armchair members" who support us just by joining, and contributing their membership money. |
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"I work for a local company and we've been moved by your frequent pleas for help - what can we do?" We always need money, so donations are always welcome: cheques payable to "Wilts and Berks Canal Trust" please, can be sent direct to our treasurer - I'll be adding the name and address to this page soon, in case you wish to send donations direct: in the meantime, please E-mail me if you're interested in donating. If your company makes/sells/throws away Useful Things such as nails, staples, timber, wire, barbed wire, in fact anything that you've seen us using or struggling without, then we'd love to have anything you can spare, as every penny we don't have to spend on hardware can be spent on the (very expensive) surveys and reports that we keep having to provide in order to get funding, and to protect the line of the canal. And if your firm want something different for a team-building day, well, you're most welcome to send a group along to a workparty! E-mail me to discuss possibilities. |
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"It seems to be mostly blokes....." Not at all! We often have the girlies from St Mary's school coming to help us, and of course I'm a girlie myself. As long as you have wellies, and don't mind getting dirty, there is plenty to do. We provide a hard hat, and the loan of gloves until you have your own, and we have all the other equipment - bowsaws, slashers, loppers, etc. You do only what you can: there are always light duties as well as heavy duties, and every little bit of help is appreciated. So come along! |
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"How do I join then?" Easy - just hop along to the official Wilts and Berks Canal website, page down, and click on "Membership of Trust" for information on membership. There are several branches in this area: ours, East Vale, covers Wantage, Grove, Challow and Childrey, but you are at liberty to join any of the branches, if you'd prefer not to appear on my website!! |