MILTON KEYNES BRANCH

EVENTS AND SOCIALS

In Milton Keynes we hold monthly social meetings on the 4th Monday of each month between September and April. We have a new venue for 2007/8 at Milton Keynes Village Pavilion Community Sports Hall, Worrelle Avenue, Milton Keynes Village, MK. They usually include a guest speaker talking on subjects of interest. Directions and a map are included in Towpath Telegraph (page 6 in the current issue) 

Meetings are listed as starting at 7.45 though they seldom get under way before 8.00. There is a licensed bar at the club, and though there is no charge for admission you are welcome to take part in the raffle, which is the main funding for the meeting and provides for the speaker's expenses when needed.

The current schedule of meetings is :-

2007

Monday 24 September

The Royal Gunpowder Mills

Waltham Abbey, River Lea

Speaker: Richard Thomas 

Monday 22 October

The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canals

Speaker: Ray Haydon - Treasurer, M&B Canals Trust

Monday 26 November

Building Wooden Boats

Speaker: Jeremy Bates, Master Craftsman, Bates Boatyard

Monday 10 December

Branch Christmas Social

Pre-booked event - contact Rodney Evans on 01908 376 449

2007

Monday 28 January  

History of the Wyvern Shipping Company

Speaker: James Griffin - Managing Director, Wyvern Shipping

Monday 25 February

AGM

Followed by:

Wendover Arm Restoration Update

witt Roger Leishman - Restoration Director, WAT

Monday 26  March

Hayes Boatbuilders of Stony Stratford

Speaker: Neil Loudon - MK Heritage Association

Monday 28 April

The Yavari Project

Restoration on Lake Titicaca

Speaker: Meriel Larken, Project Director

For further details contact:

Rodney Evans, Social Secretary

01908 376 449

Rodwen@scythia.fsnet.co.uk

BRANCH EVENTS

There are three main outside events which take place in the branch throughout the  year. In Spring and Autumn we hold a canal clean-up weekend, supported by British Waterways and sponsored by Wyvern Shipping. The normal route is from Fenny Stratford to Old Wolverton, but in March 2008 we went in the other direction, through 3 Locks and Leighton Buzzard to Grove Lock . The amount of rubbish we collect each time is quite amazing, and everyone is welcome whether on a boat or on foot. We try and arrange a starting point close to a pub, and an overnight stop close to a pub

The Autumn 2008 Clean-Up will take place in late October.  Details will be posted as soon as they become available.

For a picture gallery of the Spring 2008 Clean-up click here

The third event is our lock ransom weekend at the three locks at Soulbury.  The idea is that we work all passing boats though the locks, and they are expected to make a donation. Note that there is a pub close at hand! 

Dates for 2008 to be advised

On the Saturday night we hold the annual branch barbecue, not too far from a pub. This weekend is our main fund raising event of the year, and we find most boats are quite willing in their generosity.

Although the sun always seems to be shining on us, we can't guarantee the weather but we can guarantee you will enjoy the taking part, even if you give the pubs a miss.

OTHER LOCAL EVENTS

Yet to be announced