"Latton Basin Heritage Site"
August 5th 2006
 
In order to raise awareness of the importance of the Basin an event was held to launch the proposed "Latton Basin Heritage Site". 
 
    The day started grey and a little bit wet, not the hot summer weather we had been promised.  This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as when the light rain stopped the temperature was just perfect.  Over the previous two weeks the number of visitors we were hoping for varied from "expecting 30 or so" to "Jan, there's eight more coming, cut more sandwiches".  On the day we had about ninety people.  Members of Alfred Howse's family, Wilts & Berks Canal Trust (WBCT), Cotswold Canal Trust (CCT), Latton Parish Council, Cricklade Town Council, and many others interested in the project arrived.  After a short series of welcoming and introductory speeches visitors were able to inspect the site, view a collection of old Basin photographs and visit the WBCT display tent.
 
    There was then a break for refreshments  Suitably refreshed many people went on a guided tour of the junction conducted by Keith Harding  (CCT).
 
   The day was also a historic renewal of an old Howse custom.  For many years it was the practice for Alfred's children to return to the Basin with their own families for holidays.  On this day we had about twenty five of them assembled.  A truly memorable day; I'm sure Alfred would be impressed.
 
    Everyone seemed to enjoy the day.  We received unanimous support for our project: the Visitor Book contains about 60 names.
 
    Once again our thanks go to Jan and Bob Mitchell, the owners of the Basin Cottage, for their support and hospitality.  Without their enthusiasm the project would be almost impossible.  Thanks, also, to local farmer Bruce Willis who very kindly provided a field for us to use as a car park.
 
The day was an unqualified success.
 
Next step.....................................(watch this web site)
 
    With so many people on site I have not been too sure of putting names to faces.  Barbara took most of the photographs and I took most of the "names and addresses".  So apologies if your name doesn't appear (or if I get them wrong, please let me know).
 
Finally a BIG, BIG thank you to EVERYONE  for their support.    See you again next year???
 
 
Basin event 001
Basin event 001
Car parking thanks to farmer Bruce Willis.


Basin event 002
Welcome to the Basin


Basin event 002
Basin event 003
Basin event 003
Basin event 004
John Laverick, Chairman WBCT


Basin event 004
Basin event 005
Basin event 005
 


Basin event 006
Bob Mitchell. owner of Basin Cottage


Basin event 006
Basin event 007
Basin event 007
Graham Perry  (WBCT)
Basin event 008
 


Basin event 008
Basin event 009
Basin event 009
 


Basin event 010
Tony Rose (Alfred's grandson) meets David Howse
(Alfred's great, great grandson)


Basin event 010
Basin event 011
Basin event 011
Sally Rose and David Howse


Basin event 012

Ann, daughter of Gloria, Alan Wheeler, husband of Gail,
Gail and of course Gloria


Basin event 012
Basin event 013
Basin event 013

Gail Wheeler and Gloria


Basin event 014
William Frank Prescott,  Derrick Prescott and John Prescott


Basin event 014
Basin event 015
Basin event 015
Tony Rose and Family


Basin event 016
Sally Rose
 


Basin event 016
Basin event 017
Basin event 017
Iris Williamson with a family photo album


Basin event 018
Dennis Rines with Anne Sawyer
and Betty Bradley


Basin event 018
Basin event 019
Basin event 019
"It didn't look like this when we knew it!"


Basin event 020
 


Basin event 020
Basin event 021
Basin event 021
Ted Howse, grandson of Alfred, son of Joseph.


Basin event 022
 


Basin event 022
Basin event 023
Basin event 023
Brian and David Howse

Brian is compiling a family tree.
Please contact him with any information.

brian_howse@hotmail.co.uk

 


Basin event 024
Gloria "Bubbles" Loakes, with her granddaughter.


Basin event 024
Basin event 025
Basin event 025
 


Basin event 026
Betty Bradley, granddaughter of Alfred


Basin event 026
Basin event 027
Basin event 027
Break for refreshments.

Thanks to Jan, Sue and Clive


Basin event 028
Joan and Phil Logue (WBCT)
 


Basin event 028
Basin event 029
Basin event 029
 


Basin event 030
 


Basin event 030
Basin event 031
Basin event 031

Nady and Malcolm (WBCT)


Basin event 032
Clive Camburn with Maureen and Keith Walker
 


Basin event 032
Basin event 033
Basin event 033
A collection of old photos and maps was on display.


Basin event 034
Geof Austin and Vic Stroud (WBCT)
 


Basin event 034
Basin event 035
Basin event 035
George Smith, CCT work party leader


Basin event 036
Bruce Hall, Chairman CCT with George


Basin event 036
Basin event 037
Basin event 037
Off on the guided walk.


Basin event 038
Off on the guided walk.


Basin event 038
Basin event 039
Basin event 039
Off on the guided walk.


Basin event 040
Listening intently to Keith.


Basin event 040
Basin event 041
Basin event 041
Listening intently to Keith.
 


Basin event 042
Keith Harding (CCT) explaining the layout of the Junction.


Basin event 042
Basin event 043
Basin event 043
Keith Harding (CCT) explaining the layout of the Junction.
 


Basin event 044
Gloria, Jan Flan and Jan Mitchell


Basin event 044
Basin event 045
Basin event 045
Anne Sawyer


Basin event 046
A special thank you to Bob's mother, Win, who made some rather wonderful cakes.


Basin event 046
Basin event 047
Basin event 047
Peace returns to the basin.


Basin event 048
Peace returns to the basin.


Basin event 048

Home Page