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What do we do ?

We work towards the restoration for navigation of the Wilts & Berks Canal which was closed for through traffic at the outbreak of the First World War. The Canal ran from the Kennet and Avon Canal near Semington in Wiltshire to the River Thames at Abingdon via Melksham and Swindon. Branches were constructed to serve Chippenham and Calne. In addition the North Wilts Canal ran from Swindon to connect the Canal with the Thames and Severn Canal at Lechlade.

On the closure of the Canal the ownership of the land was lost and our work now is dependent on the kind permission of the current landowners.

Our Branch covers that part of the Canal from Semington Junction to Pewsham including the Branches to Calne and Chippenham..

We have Branch Meetings once a month and Work parties restoring the Canal on local sites at least twice a month. We also organize fund raising social events including an annual Quiz Evening in February and a Sponsored Walk in April.

Of great importance recently has been the foundation work to set out a line for a new route for the Canal. The Trust has funded a number of feasibility studies and a final route using the River Avon is now in place. This will bring the Canal back to The Bell at Lacock which will once again be a canal-side pub.

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