‘British Waterways today (10.2.11) have confirmed that work is almost complete on the upper valve.  They will drain water off to fit sandbags around the lower valve in order to help/stop the valve clogging up with silt.  They were going to scrap the bronze upper valve that was removed but I asked them to concrete it in near the car park area as a monument – it was made over 200 years ago and has served us well.  They have agreed to do this.  They are also going to re surface the car park area.  All work should be complete at the end of next week – and then we can pray for rain!!!’