WBCT Chippenham, Calne & Melksham

10/10/2026

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust – Pewsham Locks Open Day - Saturday 10th October

The Melksham, Calne and Chippenham (MCC) Branch will be holding their last Open Day of the year at Pewsham Locks this Saturday. Unfortunately, due to continuing low water levels, we will be unable to run boat trips however our volunteers will still be giving guided tours of our works compound where they will show you our current work, including the Carpenters Workshop, Dry Dock, Accommodation Bridge and the lock we are rebuilding, and explain our vision and plans for the future. You can also see and hear about our environmental work on Meadow creation / habitat management and of course our pop-up cafe will be open serving teas, coffees and home-made cakes.
Note there is no parking on site. See attached photo re local parking. We do have a limited amount of disabled parking on site. Please contact Dave Maloney ([email protected]) for details.
More details of our work can be found at https://www.wbct.org.uk/our-enthusiasts/mcc-fl You can support the Trust and drop a donation at https://www.wbct.org.uk/get-involved/donate

01/09/2026

Superb NEWS For our Fighting Fund!
The Trust recently launched an urgent fundraiser to help us get an extremely important decision made within government planning to secure the future of the Wilts & Berks Canal.
For the benefit of local communities, wildlife and leisure.
Bringing huge environmental & economic benefits for many future generations!! Be part of this TODAY!

We now have a trust supporter that will match fund any contributions made to the fighting fund for the next 7 dayS.
Your donations will be match funded!!!! Up to our target of £100k
Absolutely AMAZING PEOPLE have so far got us up to £11,611 as of 1st September and this has been match funded!!

This is how important it is and showcases the support for reaching the right decision at DCO.

To support and read the information in more detail:
https://wbct.org.uk/protect-the-canal/

#𝗡𝗼𝘄𝗢𝗿𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿

15/08/2026

WE NEED YOU TO ACT NOW!

Watch this video and then click the link to support us please 🙏

https://youtu.be/UOrd94FsWRk?si=vSkBN6tEp0D4fboA

https://wbct.org.uk/protect-the-canal/

#𝗡𝗼𝘄𝗢𝗿𝗡𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿

The Future of the Wilts & Berks Canal is at RiskProtect the Canal...

14/08/2026

NOW OR NEVER FOR OUR CANAL: OUR URGENT FIGHTING FUND IS LIVE

We have launched a public campaign and Fighting Fund to protect the future of the Wilts & Berks Canal where its historic route would be affected by Thames Water’s proposed White Horse Reservoir.

We are not opposing the reservoir. Our position is clear: if it goes ahead, a fully functioning replacement canal—including the necessary locks and associated structures—must be designed, funded and constructed as an integral part of the reservoir project.

We cannot allow the restoration of our historic canal to be prevented or essential infrastructure to be postponed until some uncertain date after the reservoir has been completed.

This is a once-in-a-generation infrastructure project. With proper planning, the reservoir and a restored canal can coexist, delivering lasting benefits for local communities, wildlife, recreation, tourism and the wider economy.

Restoring the canal between the Great Western Railway and the River Thames would create an important community asset, providing new opportunities for walking, cycling, boating, wildlife conservation, heritage, tourism and recreation. Previous assessments have identified potential economic, health and wellbeing benefits worth approximately £27.5 million every year.

Existing planning policies are intended to safeguard the canal and prevent development from prejudicing its restoration. We are calling on Thames Water and the relevant authorities to honour those protections by incorporating the replacement canal into the reservoir’s design and construction programme from the outset.

Our Fighting Fund will help us obtain professional and technical advice, campaign effectively and represent the canal’s interests throughout the reservoir planning and development process.

Now is the time to stand together and ensure that our canal is rebuilt for the future—not lost beneath the reservoir.

Learn more about what is at stake:
https://wbct.org.uk/protect-the-canal/

Take action and support our Fighting Fund:
https://wbct.org.uk/white-horse-action/

Every donation, large or small, will help us make the strongest possible case for the future of the Wilts & Berks Canal.

Please donate if you can—and help us spread the word by sharing this post.

12/08/2026

Our tow paths will have an eeerie feeling this evening 😉
If you do not fancy being on top of a hill, take a walk along our tow path.
We have several beautiful walks, with a guaranteed rare light show this evening!

While there, or beforehand do something that brings light into our world and join as a member! Support the project from a magical towpath under an eclipse 😎

No need to volunteer (unless you wish to),
But we need your support!
Membership in greater numbers, supports fundraising and grant funding.
But more importantly keeps you fully up to date and what's happening and where!
There is so much going on 😜
So don't get eclipsed to the action! Sign up today 😃

https://wbct.org.uk/membership/

14/07/2026

09/07/2026

04/07/2026

Congratulations to everyone involved in the recent construction of a new bridge across Pewsham Locks 👏
The impressive work was carried out by volunteers from the charity’s Melksham, Chippenham & Calne branch. It will provide vehicular access to the dry dock which has already been rebuilt on the eastern side of the canal, as well as the carpenter’s workshop which is due be finished later this year.
The original bridge, used by farmers, collapsed many years ago and was replaced by a temporary wooden footbridge for walkers.
However, before work could start on the new crossing, the entrance walls had to be rebuilt on either side of the derelict lock. The lock chamber itself also required attention. Loose bricks had to be carefully removed, cleaned and reseated.
Project lead Roger Noyce said: “Even with the help of modern powered tools, it was a very complex piece of work.
“A survey revealed the lock chamber had narrowed due to slight movement of the walls over the centuries, making it too tight for boats to pass through, so the team had to remove entire rows of bricks and cut them in half before putting them back.
“But now it’s finished, it looks even better than we ever imagined and I’d like to thank everyone who played their part.
“We have a visually striking new bridge to catch people’s attention as they begin their walk along the restored stretch of canal towards Lacock.
“It’s a clear demonstration of the charity’s continuing progress in bringing the waterway back to life.”
It was great to see our latest achievement featured on the front page of the Wiltshire Gazette & Herald and in the Wiltshire Times and Swindon Advertiser.
People can take a closer look at the Pewsham Locks restoration when the charity hosts its monthly open days until October, with guided tours, boatrides and a pop-up cafe.
Visit www.wbct.org.uk/mcc-events for further details, including a map and directions.

09/06/2026

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust – Pewsham Locks Open Day - Saturday 13th June

The Melksham, Calne and Chippenham (MCC) Branch will be holding their monthly Open Day at Pewsham Locks, Chippenham, this Saturday. Take a boat trip along the canal and also a guided tour of our works compound where our experienced volunteers will show you our current work, including the Carpenters Workshop we are building, and explain our vision and plans for the future. You can also see and hear about our work on Meadow creation / habitat management and of course our pop-up cafe will be open serving teas, coffees and home-made cakes. Note there is no parking on site. See attached photo re local parking. We do have a limited amount of disabled parking on site. Please contact Dave Maloney ([email protected]) for details.
More details of our work can be found at https://www.wbct.org.uk/our-enthusiasts/mcc-fl You can support the Trust and drop a donation at https://www.wbct.org.uk/get-involved/donate