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Dates for your Diary
	Date	Place	Contact
Next Scheduled East Vale Work Party	Saturday 13th February	Childrey New Road	bob.airey@tiscali.co.uk
The Monday Maintenance Mob	22nd February	Elm Farm	Doug Small 01 628 544666 dg.small@ukonline.co.uk
Next scheduled Latton Work Party	Saturday 20th February	Latton Basin	Doug Small 01 628 544666 dg.small@ukonline.co.uk
Next Branch Meeting	Wednesday 3rd March	British Legion, East Hanney. 8 o'clock Everyone welcome.	Brian 01 235 763 072 brian.stovold@wbct.org.uk
Abingdon Air & Country Show	2nd May	Abingdon Airfield	Mike Matthews wenmik@btinternet.com
Reading Water Fest	19th June Date to be confirmed	Reading	Brian 01 235 763 072 brian.stovold@wbct.org.uk
Newbury Water Festival	25th July	Victoria Park, Newbury	John Minns johnminns@tiscali.co.uk
White Horse Show	29th to 30th August	Uffington	Mike Matthews wenmik@btinternet.com
IWA National Waterways Festival	28th to 30th August	Beale Park, near Reading	Doug Small 01 628 544666 dg.small@ukonline.co.uk

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.