Richard Tregoning writes…
Over 60 people assembled on Zoom on an early November Saturday afternoon for the long awaited event that WExp volunteers, Janet Harris and I had been planning with the help of founders and other early members of ReachoutPlus (the organisation whose demise in 2014 triggered the formation of the all-volunteer Waterways Experiences charity)..
The hour or so of reminiscences including fascinating accounts from Revs Mike Shaw & Charles Herbert, Mike Watkin, Charles Cocksedge, David Bruce and John Sell. A letter was read out from the Bishop of St. Albans, the founder of it all. Reverend Mike Shaw greeted many old friends who had worked tirelessly to make the venture successful and WExp Chair Paul Bennett brought a strong message of hope and determination that we would as soon as possible be back. He said our mission is certain and needed.
Lord Lieutenant Robert Voss praised us for our work and announced that he would like to bring about a royal visit to Nash Mills, hopefully to be able to celebrate the launch of Waterways Experiences’ fourth boat!
David Bruce paid tribute to all the Reachout founders and leaders for inspiring and mentoring him and his wife in the mid 1980s as they went about deploying the proceeds of their successful Firkin brewery and pubs to set up their own charitable boat trust on the Kennet & Avon Canal. And he most generously promised that when Boris eventually allows us all to celebrate en masse, he would provide the beer, lager and fizz!
If you missed this or would like to listen again, we’ve saved this sound recording of the afternoon’s nostalgia.
Read messages sent to Janet from absent friends.
For a copy of the celebratory brochure, contact Janet.harris, The net proceeds will be donated to WExp. (We have been promised some reference copies for the boat base when we reopen.) Here are a couple omore taster pictures kindly supplied by its author, Charles Cocksedge.
