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Dates for your Diary
	Date	Place	Contact
Next Scheduled East Vale Work Party	Saturday 11th July	TBA	bob.airey@tiscali.co.uk
The Monday Maintenance Mob	Monday 6th July	ELM Farm	Doug Small 01 628 544666 dg.small@ukonline.co.uk
Next scheduled Latton Work Party	TBA	Latton Basin	Doug Small 01 628 544666 dg.small@ukonline.co.uk
Next Branch Meeting	Wednesday 5th August	British Legion, East Hanney. 8 o'clock Everyone welcome.	Brian 01 235 763 072 brian.stovold@wbct.org.uk
Newbury Waterways Festival	Sunday 26th July	Newbury	Brian 01 235 763 072 brian.stovold@wbct.org.uk
Uffington White Horse Show (There is a Pony Gymkhana to which we can have free entry on Saturday.)	Sunday & Monday 30th & 31st Aug 2009	Uffington	Brian 01 235 763 072 brian.stovold@wbct.org.uk
Inland Waterways Association National Festival & Boat Show Come and visit or help.	Saturday, Sunday & Monday 29th & 31st Aug 2009	Red Hill, near Ratcliffe on Soar.	Doug Small 01 628 544666 dg.small@ukonline.co.uk

Wantage Summer Festival Canal Walks
Sunday 14th June 10.30 hours	A three mile circular walk taking in East Challow, West Challow and Childrey, starting from the Vale and Downland Museum in Wantage. Duration approx 2½ hours.	Full details available from Brian 01 235 763 072 0794 652 4928 brian.stovold@wbct.org.uk
Thursday 18th June 19.30 hours.	A gentle 3½ mile stroll to the east of Grove along the Grove flight of six locks to Pinmarsh Bridge on the Grove Park Road, starting at Grove airfield lay-by. Duration approx 2 hours.
Thursday 2nd July 19.30 hours.	A three mile circular walk around Childrey and West Challow, starting at West Challow Village Hall, Orchard Gardens. Duration approx 1½ hours.
Saturday 4th July 10.30 hours	An extended six mile circular walk taking in East Challow, Childrey and West Challow, starting at the Vale and Downland Museum in Wantage Duration approx 3 hours..

For over twenty years the stalwarts of the East Vale Branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust have been restoring and protecting the canal from Childrey New Road to Abingdon. Several miles of the towpath (much now designated footpaths) have been renovated providing pleasant walks. Alongside the path some of the canal has been dredged and now holds water. The improved environment quickly encourages a return of wildlife to what had been previously impenetrable barren areas covered with brambles and stinging nettles. A number of structures have either been renovated or rebuilt. Childrey Wharf has been restored and in 2006 the New Junction with the River Thames at Abingdon was opened. Although over the years volunteers have come and gone a solid core has remained firm. As with all organisations of this type there are never enough workers; so new "blood" is always welcome.
As well as the physical work on the canal the Branch also enjoys various social events throughout the year. Short Mat Bowling and Aunt Sally are the current favourites. Conducted walks are also undertaken to introduce visitors to the canal route, and presentations are made to any group or organisation that shows interest. To keep everybody informed the Branch meets once a month for a semi-formal meeting at which various reports are given. A small committee takes the day-to-day decisions and guides the volunteers.