Big projects can be completed

MY CAGE was recently rattled by more than one contributor to narrowboatworld indicating that they thought the Bedford-Milton Keynes Link to be a foolish idea with little chance of success, writes Orph Mable.

The main reasons being put forward in the correspondence seemed to centre mainly on long time-scales before seeing actual progress, and shortage of funding for such schemes in the present financial climate.

Downright determination

Having more than a passing acquaintance with the trials and tribulations of various canal trust charities and their work in restoring canals, I thought I would try and show how focus, ingenuity and downright determination of a small core of like-minded individuals can produce successes that, admittedly over lengthy periods, will get results that can lead to achieving apparently ‘impossible' targets.

We are constantly being reminded that the heady days of huge Lottery grants are over and that money is just not around due to 'The Recession'. Whilst agreeing with these sentiments on one level, I have watched with awe as the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (WBCT) raised £40,000 in a very short time this year to purchase a parcel of land containing Locks 2, 3 and 4 which suddenly became available. This money came from members and supporters with IWA granting 10% of the land purchase cost. Not only did the WBCT raise the land purchase cost but the generosity was so overwhelming, it covered all the legal fees too.

Wey & Arun

Raising large sums of money to further the aims of a particular canal trust can be seen elsewhere recently when the Wey & Arun Canal Trust (WACT) Gennets Bridge Lock Appeal passed the £100,000 mark. This appeal was only launched at the start of 2013. The money has come from many sources including all the profits from this years ‘Poddle' (an annual sponsored walk along the Wey South Route).

Raising money for restoration or creating new links between various waterways is one aspect that all the various canal trusts put a lot of time and effort into. The trust members leading these money raising efforts come from all walks of life and are not usually professional fund raisers but ordinary folk, with drive and a sense of purpose. Over the years they have learned where and how to apply for grants, volunteer support, tax refunds and matched funding offers. All the canal trusts have websites that show in detail their current challenges and offer the opportunity to support them.

Plan in place

A typical challenge is that faced by Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (WABCT) in its proposal to link the Kennet & Avon Canal with the Avon at Melkesham (and the Wilts & Berks Canal). After several years of behind the scenes discussions, planning, revising and negotiating with many ‘stakeholders', a plan is now in place and the various ‘studies' required for the Planning Application are now being put in place. WABCT is now in the process of raising £65,000 for an Environmental and Ecological Study. All costly and time consuming, but will, I have no doubt, be achieved.

It is not just new projects and schemes that require funding but all these canal trusts have the ever-present problem of maintaining restored sections, structures and facilities once they are successfully completed. Whilst membership income and volunteer support is the mainstay of this, each canal trust will turn to other methods to generate income, publicise their efforts and bring in new and regular revenue. Many innovative methods are discovered and utilised.

Avoid heavy boat licence costs

Often a trust will try and operate a volunteer-led trip boat operation. This can be a very good source of regular income especially if the waterway is outside either CaRT or EA control and heavy boating licence costs. To be successful, this sort of operation requires the obvious ‘interesting' waterway and available trained volunteers, but also shore based parking and facilities. A waterside pub where the landlord welcomes and supports the trust is ideal.

This can be demonstrated by looking at the WACT who operate their trip boats from adjacent to the Loxwood Arms. This location has become the pivotal point at which to base its Canal Centre, and from which much of their successful restoration has radiated. Other canal trusts, having seen this and other similar operations, have taken on board the philosophy and adopted a similar strategy.

Fixed base

WBCT currently operate their trip boat on various sections of the restored canal but need a more suitable and fixed base that can become a cost effective and regular revenue generating operation. When the Peterborough Arms, lock-side at Dauntsey, was recently closed prior to being converted to a private residence, WBCT stepped in and applied for it to be listed as ‘An Asset of Community Value' which the local council accepted.

The trust is now canvassing for support to purchase the Peterborough Arms at an asking price of £325,000, wishing to both continue to operate the premises as a pub but also incorporate a Canal Centre. The picture by the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust shows what it could look like in the not too distant future.

One step further

The Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust (H&GCT) have gone one step further this year, with the purchase of the only canalside pub on the restored canal in Gloucestershire. The Travellers Rest pub and restaurant at Newent was acquired by the H&GCT in September. It will be used to promote the canal whilst generating useful revenue for the trust. Picture by SidneyPhillips.co.uk.

It can be seen then that whilst it is no longer possible to get headline grabbing amounts of cash to restore whole canals in one go, the many canal trusts are able to get funding by various and innovative means. Canal projects are notoriously slow in being completed but the successful efforts of the trusts ensure that they do keep moving towards that end goal with continuous and sustainable progress.

All the trusts mentioned in this article have been helpful in providing the detail, and I encourage all that are interested to follow progress on their websites. It is surprising to see the diverse aspects of canal restoration that each trust encompasses. Not one of these canal trusts believe ‘it can't be done'. Some things are just more difficult and take longer!