Recent flooding of the area caused a considerable set-back as the channel needed to be drained yet again, but the task is slowed down considerably due to a lack of qualified digger-drivers. An experienced volunteer offers his help at weekends, but on weekdays, Trust Engineer for the project, Roger Brown, drives the digger. However, Roger is also needed to oversee the project and has to keep stopping his work on the digger to advise on different aspects of the work to be done.
So, the River Stour Trust is issuing an urgent plea for help. Can any local company lend the services of a qualified digger driver on any weekday between now and early October. Or could five local companies each offer a driver on one day each week? Trust Press Officer, Lesley Ford-Platt, said, “The team of volunteers at Stratford have achieved so much, but are really battling against the odds at present. We desperately need extra help from any local companies who are able to assist.”
A one-and-a-half ton mini-digger (supplied by Whitnell Plant Hire) has been hired by the Trust and is kept on site in readiness to progress the work: but without additional drivers the project looks likely to fall seriously behind its planned time-scale.
Additional help from volunteers to fill and install the gabions and with other tasks is also needed and the Trust would welcome any able-bodied people who can give even a few hours of their time to help move the work forward.
Donations are coming in slowly and more funding would also be welcome. All donations will be acknowledged and should be sent to the Development Officer (Stratford Lock), River Stour Trust, The Granary, Quay Lane, Sudbury, CO10 2AN (cheques payable to “River Stour Trust”).
Phase three of the project – to restore this historic structure (unusable since the 1950s) and install new lock gates – will cost £100,000. The River Stour Trust hopes to complete this final phase during 2008 - its 40th anniversary year. Stratford Lock will be the fourth restored, working lock on the River Stour Navigation and a further step towards the Trust’s aim to achieve full through navigation on the Stour.
Would-be volunteers and visitors are welcome to call at the RST site hut at the back of Essex and Suffolk Water’s pumping station at Stratford St Mary, to see the work done so far and find out how they might help.
More information on materials needed and dates and times of working parties may be obtained from Roger Brown (Project Engineer) on 01206 272072 or John Morris (Project Co-ordinator) on 01473 822612 or email Stratford St Mary Working Party Information