First sod cut
IT WAS Buckingham Canal Society Patrons, The Rt Hon John Bercow and Lord Boswell of Aynho, recently joined Society members and other local community leaders at the event to cut the first restoration sod at the next stage of restoration.
This was at Bourton Meadow, on the outskirts of Buckingham, with the event marking the start of the re-watering of the Buckingham Canal, which has not held water in Buckingham for over 100 years. The picture shows the Buckingham Arm off the Grand Union Canal at Cosgrove.
Grants
This was the result of a grant award of nearly £70,000 from WREN which was backed by over £7,000 of seed funding from an Aylesbury Vale Community Chest grant.
Both of these grants follow substantial support from residents in and around Buckingham. The canal society and its members believe the canal restoration can bring multiple benefits to the towns and villages along the canal corridor. None of this would have been possible without the hard work and dedication of many Buckingham Canal Society volunteers as well as the support of members and partners.
Hard work
Whilst digging the first sod John Bercow explained:
"In the time I have been involved with the canal society it has gone from aspirational plans for restoration to this very tangible project. A lot of hard work and time has been invested by many of the society's supporters, members and committee.
"My long term involvement with the society has always been looking forwards to this first true step of practical restoration of the canal. It is wonderful to see plans coming to fruition."
The project
The project site is at Bourton Meadow, Buckingham and consists of a section of canal just over 380 yards long. Preparation works include removal of some existing vegetation and enhancing a natural river ford to enable ready access to the site with machinery.
The canal will then be lined with a special material called Bentoline SS100 clay liner before it can be filled with water. Finally, part of the Ouse Valley Way that was the original towpath will be resurfaced as well as nearby hedges being replanted and enhanced.
Ongoing support
The society is indebted to the landowners Nick Hawes and his family for their ongoing support of the project which was initially supported by his father who wished to have the canal restored.
The project at Bourton Meadow is one of four restoration project sites currently being run by Buckingham Canal Society. For more information on the society and its restoration work please see the Society's newly launched website at: