Canal campaigner thanks ‘fantastic’ volunteers for their support from the role and described leading the local restoration of a former waterway as ‘one of the most satisfying and enjoyable times of his life.’
Dave Maloney has held the role for the last nine years, working with fellow volunteers to create one of the charity’s most active groups.
Achievements by the team during his chairmanship included new acquisitions of land, improvements to the popular stretch which has already been restored near Lacock, and even the award-winning refurbishment of a canalside pub.
The branch now has around 800 members, representing around a third of the total membership of the Trust.
Dave said, “I have done a lot of things, but being chair of the local branch has been one of the most satisfying and enjoyable times of my life.
“I have always been grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a committed team of fantastic volunteers, who have achieved so much by working together towards a common goal – the full restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal from Melksham to Chippenham and beyond.”
During his time as chairman, the branch raised more than £123,000 and won multiple awards for the number of hours volunteered each year.
The charity also purchased the former line through Queenfield Farm on the edge of Melksham as part of its longer-term vision to connect with the restored stretch north of Lacock, and signed a lease for Naish Hill where teams are creating a new woodland and wildflower meadow.
Dave supported the rebuilding of the dry dock and carpenter’s workshop at Pewsham Locks and helped to obtain a new lease on the canal line north of the A4 which will eventually connect to the Chippenham-Calne cycleway.
He also helped to lead the team which refurbished the charity’s own pub, The Peterborough Arms at Dauntsey Lock, a project which received a national CAMRA Pub Design Award in conjunction with Historic England and encouraged the involvement of corporate work parties from local businesses.
Dave said one of his personal highlights was representing the charity at a Buckingham Palace garden party where he and his wife June were presented to Trust Patron the former Duchess of Cornwall, now the Queen.
Dave, aged 71, said, “I will continue to volunteer on a regular basis, including as a project lead at Pewsham Locks and giving talks to local groups, but it’s time to offer the chairman’s role to someone new.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their support. It’s always been appreciated.”
Howard Wilson is the interim chairman until the next branch annual general meeting.
The aim of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is to restore the waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Royal Wootton Bassett and Swindon.
New members are always welcome. Visit www.wbct.org.uk
Pictured: Dave Maloney alongside the restored Wilts & Berks Canal near Lacock
