Progress to date

A. Researched the Buckingham Canal and sharing what we know:

The Society has:

1. gathered information and archive materials about the canal when it was operating, and as it is today;
   
   
2. produced a detailed survey of the remains of the canal;
   
   
3. made oral history recordings of people who can remember the canal when it was in use (in collaboration with the Living Archive);
   
   
4. to request a guest speaker and slide show at your event please contact Steve Morley;
   
   
5. taken possession of a collection of Thomas Millner's business correspondence over a period of some 30 years. Millner, based at Braunston, was in charge of the stretch of the Grand Junction Canal that included the Stony Stratford and Buckingham Arms. The collection is now being fully catalogued;
   
   
6. prepared maps and other display materials;
   
   
7. run a stall at many national and local canal events;
   
   
8. produced regular newsletters for members;
   
   
9. liaised with schools along the route of the canal about local history projects;
   
   
10. organised an annual boat rally and waterside event at Cosgrove.
    
    
11. publicised its activities in the national waterways press and in local newspapers in the Milton Keynes and Buckingham areas.
    
    

B. Preserving the remains and protecting the line of the canal:

The Society has:

1. responded to many requests for planning permission affecting the line of the canal;
   
   
2. made representations at public enquiries about development plans affecting the line of the canal;
   
   
3. initiated action to way-mark and consolidate footpaths that use the line of the old towpath;
   
   
4. ensured that the preservation of the canal is recognised as a desirable planning objective by local authorities;
   
   
5. raised awareness of the potential value of the canal line as a recreational assett.
   
   

C. Restoring navigation from Cosgrove to Buckingham:

The Society has:

1. examined and evaluated obstacles along the line of the canal and is researching ways of removing them or finding new routes around them.
   
   

2. started clearing the dry stretch of the canal between Cosgrove Lock and the A5 trunk road and is actively trying to raise funds to re-water this part of the canal as a demonstrable length.
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3. with the landowners permission and co-operation have cleared a stretch of the canal bed at Bourton Meadow on the Buckingham end of the canal and rebuilt the spill weir on this section. The land owner is now now sourcing puddle clay ready to water test late in 2006

4. again with the landowners permission we have cleared the section at little Hill Farm and the objective for 2006 is to repair the stone bridge

5. We have also been requested to help at the BBOWT resevoir and site of Hyde Lane lock to clear the footpath and area around the lock and swing bridge.