WBCT Swindon Branch

11/10/2026

This coming Thursday, we also have a presentation at Wroughton.
Booking required.

09/10/2026

MONDAY!!

Discover Swindon’s Canal – Open Evening!

Ever wondered about the story of Swindon’s canal, what’s happening with its restoration, and what a canal could bring to the town and surrounding communities?

Join us for a special Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Open Evening and discover the canal’s past, present and exciting future.

📅 Monday 12 October 2026
⏰ 6–8pm
📍 New College Swindon – North Star Campus
🎟️ FREE to attend – everyone welcome!

Whether you’re completely new to the canal or already passionate about its restoration, this is a great opportunity to:

🌿 Discover the history of the canal and its future plans
🏗️ Find out about today’s restoration and new-build projects
🌍 Learn about the environmental, community and economic benefits
🤝 Meet the volunteers behind the Trust
💬 Explore displays and ask your questions

No prior knowledge needed – just come along and discover what’s happening!

Please share this post and help us spread the word. We’d love to see you there!

Find out more at wbct.org.uk

08/10/2026

Towpath Closure Notice: Swindon

A major investment is taking shape on the canal between Kingshill and Westleaze.
Phase 2 of the bank repair/refurbishment is about to start.
The bank has eroded away over the last 25 years and has encroached towards the path, making the route feel very narrow and also causes leaks in the canal bank.
Phase 1 from Skew Bridge was successful in dealing with many leaks and improving the width of the tow path area and improvements for Flora and habitat for water voles.
Phase 2 will be much the same, but is twice the length of improvement at 260 metres.

The tow path will be closed during the day from 8.30am to 3.30pm approximately for 6 weeks from Friday 9th October to Friday 13th November. This excludes weekends, of which it will be open.
During this time the path will be narrow in places until the works are finished.

To support the work we do, please pledge your support and become a member:
Regular updates, monthly E newsletter, quarterly magazine and pride in supporting this beautiful growing assett.

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

14/09/2026

Corporate work parties in Swindon!
Swindon Branch are extremely grateful for two companies that have reached out and volunteered their time to help on 2 full days this month!
On the 2nd of September UK Shared Business Services (UKSBS) came along and assisted at Westleaze/Rushey Platt.
Also on the 9th September Nationwide UK workers from all over the country attended to assist at Mouldon Hill.
A great time was had by all the volunteers and a great deal of work was achieved!
This collaboration of volunteer corporate time helps achieve our targets and helps the community benefit from a well tended and much loved linear blue/green corridor for all to enjoy.
Our sincere thanks to both groups.

If you would like your company to assist with the Trust, either in volunteer days or offering services, email: [email protected]

11/09/2026

Boat trips are back and the sun is shining! ☀️
BOOK ONLINE FOR THIS WEEKEND
https://wbct.org.uk/boat-trips/

In Wichelstowe we have Dragonfly running from the Southby landing stage today and tomorrow.

If you would like to join our merry band of volunteers so that we can run more trips, please email [email protected] - or just pop down to our jetty by Waitrose in Wichelstowe while we're running and come along to see what's entailed. Be part of a friendly team!

03/09/2026

Last week the Trust met two wonderful groups. The Bassett Buttercups WI received a presentation during their meeting and there was lots of lovely cake 🎂
Also the Wichel Herons WI came and visited our boat Dragonfly and our crew gave a talk and answered questions.

A great time was had by all 🙏♥️✅👍

If you are a group or organisation and would like to get involved
Email us at : [email protected]

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

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.

WE Require a fully navigable canal to be incorporated into the reservoir scheme, extending from the Great Western Railway through to the River Thames, with the canal infrastructure constructed concurrently with the reservoir as an integral part of the development.

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.