Wiltshire canal trust names new chairman

4:28pm Monday 15th October 2012 in News By Lewis Cowen

New chairman Rob Dean New chairman Rob Dean

The Devizes-based Kennet and Avon Canal Trust, which is responsible for much of the waterway’s 87 miles of historic buildings and artefacts, has appointed a new chairman to take over at the end of the year.

Rob Dean, who is an existing trustee, has been chosen by the council to take over from Dr Mike Rodd from January 1.

Mr Dean has been actively involved with the KACT for more than five years, first as treasurer then chairman of the Newbury branch of the KACT, and he has successfully directed the annual Newbury Waterways Festival.

With 35 years’ experience in the diplomatic service, Mr Dean, who was created a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2012 New Year’s honours list, was chosen to succeed Dr Rodd due to his wide-ranging skills, drive and capacity to lead the organisation into the future.

He said: “I am extremely honoured to be asked to chair the KACT trustee council and I am looking forward to building on the excellent work of Dr Rodd to ensure that the trust continues to protect, enhance and promote the Kennet and Avon during these difficult economic times.”

Dr Rodd re-organised much of the KACT’s infrastructure to enable it to be run more efficiently after his appointment as general manager in 2009. That goal was reached in 2011, when the organisation came under the management of a full-time administrator in conjunction with trustees, rather than a salaried executive.

Dr Rodd subsequently become chairman of the trust council, and guided the organisation’s engagement with Defra over the latter’s intention to move British Waterways into the charitable sector by creating the Canal and River Trust.

Dr Rodd said: “I feel this is an appropriate point at which to hand over the leadership of the KACT. I know that Rob, with his passion for, and commitment to, the Kennet and Avon will do an excellent job, and will bring a number of exciting ideas to the organisation.”

Dr Rodd is to concentrate on leading innovative fundraising activities and public awareness initiatives for the KACT in conjunction with the organisation’s president, David Bruce.

He will also continue his long-standing commitment as boatmaster, running frequent trips for the KACT.

Comments (6)

8:19pm Mon 15 Oct 12

shed says...

Do you think he'll ever do anything about the state of the towpath along the long pound?

Or will he just scrounge money for water Voles?
Do you think he'll ever do anything about the state of the towpath along the long pound? Or will he just scrounge money for water Voles? shed

5:49am Tue 16 Oct 12

Snapsh0t says...

Unfortunately, he can't do anything about the towpath as it's not KACT's responsibility. The canal itself is 'run' by the Canal & River Trust which took over the responsibilities of the old British Waterways. The CRT seems to spend much of its budget on executive salaries and expects the work to be done by volunteers it doesn't have.....
Unfortunately, he can't do anything about the towpath as it's not KACT's responsibility. The canal itself is 'run' by the Canal & River Trust which took over the responsibilities of the old British Waterways. The CRT seems to spend much of its budget on executive salaries and expects the work to be done by volunteers it doesn't have..... Snapsh0t

10:28pm Tue 16 Oct 12

shed says...

Responsibility for tow-path maintenance seems to be shunted back and forth with either one of these bodies referring you back to the other.
Seems nothing has changed much since the changes.
The tow-path is, in places, a county disgrace, barely a couple feet wide in places with huge lumps slithering off daily, overgrown hedges slapping your face with thorns, slimy mud on steep cambers.... and all you get is notices asking for money for voles.

If only we had a decent local newspaper to take up the cause; no chance of that.

Mind you, the sunken wreck near Pewsey wharf should be a good tourist attraction soon.
Might even be a vole sanctuary.
Responsibility for tow-path maintenance seems to be shunted back and forth with either one of these bodies referring you back to the other. Seems nothing has changed much since the changes. The tow-path is, in places, a county disgrace, barely a couple feet wide in places with huge lumps slithering off daily, overgrown hedges slapping your face with thorns, slimy mud on steep cambers.... and all you get is notices asking for money for voles. If only we had a decent local newspaper to take up the cause; no chance of that. Mind you, the sunken wreck near Pewsey wharf should be a good tourist attraction soon. Might even be a vole sanctuary. shed

10:39pm Sun 21 Oct 12

Stake out says...

I walked from Wootton rivers to Pewsey today, and contrary to the previous post, it appear that the CRT are doing work on improving the towpath.
About 300 or 400m metres of towpath on this section, has or is in the process of being re-instated. The workboat was there. (obviously not working - it was Sunday evening) Looks like they are doing a good job to me.
As for a sunken wreck near Pewsey - I didn't see one, unless its to the west of Pewsey, or sunk very deep ?
I walked from Wootton rivers to Pewsey today, and contrary to the previous post, it appear that the CRT are doing work on improving the towpath. About 300 or 400m metres of towpath on this section, has or is in the process of being re-instated. The workboat was there. (obviously not working - it was Sunday evening) Looks like they are doing a good job to me. As for a sunken wreck near Pewsey - I didn't see one, unless its to the west of Pewsey, or sunk very deep ? Stake out

8:03am Mon 22 Oct 12

Laptop_Larry says...

Stake out wrote:
I walked from Wootton rivers to Pewsey today, and contrary to the previous post, it appear that the CRT are doing work on improving the towpath.
About 300 or 400m metres of towpath on this section, has or is in the process of being re-instated. The workboat was there. (obviously not working - it was Sunday evening) Looks like they are doing a good job to me.
As for a sunken wreck near Pewsey - I didn't see one, unless its to the west of Pewsey, or sunk very deep ?
The sunken boat was due to be removed over the weekend 20/21 October - so it seems that it has been.
[quote][p][bold]Stake out[/bold] wrote: I walked from Wootton rivers to Pewsey today, and contrary to the previous post, it appear that the CRT are doing work on improving the towpath. About 300 or 400m metres of towpath on this section, has or is in the process of being re-instated. The workboat was there. (obviously not working - it was Sunday evening) Looks like they are doing a good job to me. As for a sunken wreck near Pewsey - I didn't see one, unless its to the west of Pewsey, or sunk very deep ?[/p][/quote]The sunken boat was due to be removed over the weekend 20/21 October - so it seems that it has been. Laptop_Larry

9:08am Mon 22 Oct 12

shed says...

I live next to the canal and walk it daily.


Did you then walk the bit Westwards from New Mill to the Wharf? did you not notice its barely a couple feet wide in some places places, slithery mud , brambles at face height, large chunks of bank earth sliding into the canal?

For some bizarre reason the work you describe has been done near to Pains Bridge rather than in the places where it would seem to be most needed?

Also while the bank has had reinforcements its hardly a reinstatement of the actual towpath as the bank has not been built up again.


The presence of the work boat does not indicate any work being done , merely where they park it up.
I have seen it moored almost next to a landslip at New Mill which is ignored.
apparently.

I shall nip out to see if the wreck has indeed been moved.
I live next to the canal and walk it daily. Did you then walk the bit Westwards from New Mill to the Wharf? did you not notice its barely a couple feet wide in some places places, slithery mud , brambles at face height, large chunks of bank earth sliding into the canal? For some bizarre reason the work you describe has been done near to Pains Bridge rather than in the places where it would seem to be most needed? Also while the bank has had reinforcements its hardly a reinstatement of the actual towpath as the bank has not been built up again. The presence of the work boat does not indicate any work being done , merely where they park it up. I have seen it moored almost next to a landslip at New Mill which is ignored. apparently. I shall nip out to see if the wreck has indeed been moved. shed

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