Dear <<First Name>>
After the hectic end to last year, this New Year update begins to pick up the threads again.
It is also an experiment to see whether you like the format. A regular mailing to the committee was something Mick Green and I discussed last year but didn't get off the ground.
The contents below are a random selection of items principally to test whether I have set up the mailing list correctly so I'd be very grateful if you would confirm receipt.
More solid news will follow!
Insurance
We have renewed our insurance, which includes public liability insurance, through the Inland Waterways Association at the same level as last year’s premium, £168.
Maclaines Warehouse
Forward Space, the office development company given a lease and planning permission to develop Units 3 and 4 of Maclaines Warehouses, have announced that their project will launch in a year’s time. Their website at
www.forwardspace.co.uk features a countdown clock for registering interest in what they call 'The Boat Shed', Haven Road, Exeter. At the time of writing today, 3 January, there were 51 weeks, 05 days, 14 hours and 56 seconds to go!
Plastic waste
Plastic litter in our canals and rivers is part of a huge global problem but the good news is that little things we can do from day to day will make a world of difference, the Canal and River Trust has reminded us. The Trust is encouraging everyone who visits a canal or river to pick up just one piece of plastic each time. If this happens waterways and towpaths would be clear within a year, it says.
Even though our litter pick after Christmas could not take place because of covid we can still help to make the canal a place everyone can enjoy in the coming months — but remember to use anti-bac and wash your hands!
A379 canal bridges
The next meeting of the Peninsula Transport Board will be on 4 March 2021 and hopefully there will be news then of Department of Transport funding for the major road scheme that includes replacing and raising the height of the A379 bridges over the canal. We will do some digging and prodding before then.
I hope you think this format is going to be useful.
Look after yourselves
With all best wishes
John
John Monks
Chair
Friends of Exeter Ship Canal
jbmonks@btinternet.com
01392 493559
