What a fun evening we had at the Lechlade Marina for the FLBC Summer Social – though I should start as the evening started with the Treasure Trail. We collected a clipboard with our trail sheet and clues, setting off as instructed, past the Riverside, the tollhouse, the campsite, the sign welcoming you to Swindon and thence to Buscot Wick. You had to be fairly observant, and Shirley (Cotswold Boat Hire) had done an excellent job putting together the trail. From Buscot Wick we returned to Lechlade, having to keep a close eye out for the various clues.
The winners of the highly contested Treasure Trail were Barbara and Ben of McGills.
Every question was answered by someone and there were only a couple of anomalies in the clues – 3 stars not starts for the Riverside, and Swindon is twinned with Nicaragua NOT Lechlade 🤦🏽♀️.
There were only 10 points between first and last place but everyone got different questions right. Treasure included 6.35 kilograms of something – a stone! – it is also £14. We had stones and money handed in! Whilst there are 3 feathers on a 2p piece – everyone managed to find 3 actual feathers!!!!!
The favourite matchbox surprise was a Percy Pig!
Having returned to the marina we got on with socialising. One of the things I think we have all missed during the last 18 months is socialising in person – I’m sorry, but a virtual drink and chat is never the same as in person. Ian Lindsay welcomed us all to the Marina and here we explain a little about the work he and his wife Jules have done since they acquired the Marina three years ago when it was a tumbledown wreck of a place. Now it is very different. The overhanging trees have been tamed and a new bridge welcomes you into the Marina, and there is a new floating pontoon close to a very substantial slipway. There is a new office and shower block and ample parking if you want to leave your car and trailer while boating. A new electrical system and Elsan point have also been installed. Wildlife is returning including kingfishers and voles.
The marina could still do with dredging in places, and this is on the “list of things still to do”. They have about 100 berths and a long waiting list!
A bit of background to the new owners – Ian attended Royal Agricultural College and started his working life managing estates for other people including the National Trust and Althorp Estate; Jules had a career in office management and bookkeeping – all skills required for the successful management of a marina. Ian can remember boating holidays with his family as a child and how much he enjoyed them. As well as being Chairman of IWA Oxfordshire Branch, Ian is also a Town Councillor, on the steering group of the FLB and Secretary of the River Users Group (RUG) for the Upper Thames. He prefers to use local businesses for work he can’t do himself.
The evening ended with a delicious barbecue provided by Monique’s, with salads and a delectable chocolate torte to finish.
A raffle was held, with prizes kindly donated by several members of the Business Club, raising £100 for the Club – which is run by volunteers. Among the prizes was a golf ticket, a boating voucher, chocolates and alcohol.
I end this round-up of our third in person get-together of 2021 with reminding you all that the next get-together will be in September at Cotswold Woollen Weavers in Filkins. There will be more upcoming events advertised in the August newsletter but in the meantime can I encourage you to join the Business Club. We are a friendly group of local small business owners. You may attend up to two meetings on a “suck it and see basis” before paying the very reasonable £45.00 annual membership fee.
Miriam Weisinger
T A Reed (Wiltshire) Ltd
Steering Group Member
