On behalf of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who supported us at the recent official opening of the restored Double Bridge near Lacock.

We were delighted to welcome our Patron Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall. It was particularly pleasing to see the number of local families joining us.

Enthusiastic members of Wiltshire Youth Canoe Club were the first people to navigate under the bridge in almost a century, paddling several hundred metres along a restored and rewatered stretch.

This remarkable achievement is evidence of the growing success of the trust and its partners.

Our volunteers have been making steady progress, aiming to increase employment and tourism while creating a new wildlife corridor, cycleway and footpath.

The trust has already restored bridges, locks, culverts and towpaths at many locations and we are continually extending those sections which have already been refilled with water.

None of this would be possible without the commitment and dedication of our many volunteers, who proved what can be achieved through working in partnership towards a shared vision.

Colin Fletcher, Projects director, Robert Jones, Branch chairman.