U3A Meeting 19th June 2008
“The Bude Canal Regeneration Project”
Speaker - Andrea Vaillancourt-Alder
Sylvia Henry, the Chair opened the meeting with various announcements concerning U3A. It was brought to members' attention that anyone wishing to order the 2009 U3A diary were required to order one now. Peggy Tims is having an Open Garden day in aid of Shelter Boxes on Saturday July 5th. Celia Sousek, who had recently been co-opted onto the committee, had regretfully had to resign due to other commitments.
The new Canasta Group have now sufficient members, although not yet up and running, they intend commencing in the Autumn. Mary Dobson announced the next theatre tripon 12th July would be to see an Alan Ayckbourne play “Relatively Speaking”at the Theature Royal, at a cost of £25. Anyone intending to go needed to pay as soon as possible.
Sylvia proceeded to introduce this month's speaker, Andrea Villancourt-Alder, who is part of the team involved in the Bude Canal Regeneration Project. Her previous experiences include working on the waterways in and around London, although she conceded there is a vast difference between urban and rural waterways.
There are 7 on the team, not including the contractors. The project spans the first two miles only (the canal covers a distance of 35 miles overall) and covers lock gate restoration allowing navigation of the canal. The towpath is to be widened and improved, (no more pot holes), an underpass beneath the A39, has been constructed, but awaiting approval from Environmental Agency and dredging of the canal itself..
The workshops on the wharf have a waiting list largely from the craft sector, and it is anticipated these will be let from August onwards. The car parking will be controlled, with passes issued to residents and restricted loading and unloading use. Emergency vehicles will have to have access and it was pointed out by the members that problems may well arise unless physical barriers are in place to prevent unauthorised parking. It was suggested remote controlled bollards, similar to those used in Truro.
Play areas are planned with facilities for boats and fishing, along with cycle racks. Environmental issues include safeguarding flora and fauna, such as the wild orchids and building halts for the otters. Flags have been designed and manufactured, using the latest digital imaging technology. Intellectual access is planned with a variety of information.
The project overall costs amount to £5m. and the initial idea dates back to 2005-06. From that time until now has seen the implementation and between now and next year will be the handing over, with a celebration planned for Spring 2009. It is planned to market Bude nationally, emphasising the canal facilities and putting Bude on the map.
Various queries were raised, one of which, where do we go from here and is there sufficient funding to ensure the authorities maintain all the facilities. Andrea confirmed a fund will be set up to ensure maintenance and various schemes are being designed to ensure an income. Andrea noted all queries raised and promised the team would discuss and reply to all.
The meeting was concluded with Iwan Davies thanking Andrea for her most instructive speech and next month's speaker is indeed Iwan himself, telling us about “Drama and How it all Began”.
Linda Bunker.
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