The Claverton groups integration with the new Canal and Rivers Trust (C&RT) has moved a step further with the new charity taking on the insurances that we need. Our takings will now be paid directly to C&RT while Kennet and Avon Canal Enterprises will continue to run the shop.

The huge refurbishment of the water wheel continues but has been considerably slowed by the awful summer weather keeping the river too high to make much progress during June and July, August is not shaping up much better but maybe an Indian summer awaits us all. We now have the first timber parts for the water wheel, three hundred Iroko starts which have been pre-machined ready for final hand fitting. Once the tooling is sorted things will get very busy in September and on into the winter. We have had a couple of new volunteers to help with this work but as many hands make light work there is always room for more.

I am pleased to announce that Claverton has been granted the prestigious Red Wheel Award by the Transport Trust http://www.transporttrust.com/ Their bright red plaque will be unveiled on September 12th by Bryan Chalker ex Mayor and engineering heritage champion for Bath.