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East Vale
It would probably surprise
many locals to find out just how much is being achieved in the Wantage area and
how much of the canal has been cleared with some parts even returned to water.
The East Vale team works at
a number of sites in its patch which runs for several miles from Railway
near Grove to Uffington Arch Bridge on the Bualking Road; approximately 8 miles.
Since merging with the Abingdon Branch we also have sites at
Steventon and Drayton Locks.
There will be some
alterations to the original levels and some repositioning of locks to enable to
pass the urbanised areas around Wantage. The restored canal will follow
the original line with a small diversion in the area of Mably Way. The
branch into Wantage is now almost totally built over and the old wharf is
now subject to new development plans. It would still be, with imaginative
planning, possible to bring the canal, with all the benefits that entails, back
into the town, but this is not , at present, part of the plan. The original
junction with the Thames was just below St. Helens wharf in Abingdon. This
is no longer a feasible option and a new junction has been identified downstream
opposite the entrance to Culham Lock cut.
Although restoring the
canal is a serious business a lot of fun is had by branch members both at work
sites and social meetings.
If you live in or around the
area and would like to help why not contact us? You don't need any special
skills. Indeed you'll probably be surprised at what you can learn to do!!
Whatever you fancy doing from "grovelling" in the mud to helping with
branch administration you will be welcome. Or if you just want to come
along to meetings to show your support you will be welcome as well.
Some members even travel from far afield; one worker regularly does 100 mile
round trip for the work parties!!
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