1st August 2013
We are sorry to report that Dr. Geraint Coles is resigning as Development Manager of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership to take up a university lectureship. His last day at work will be August 23rd.
After nine years work on the Chesterfield, Geraint’s future in the role was in doubt following last year’s cuts in local government funding. This was temporarily resolved by a donation from the Inland Waterways Association of up to £30,000 from the Keith Ayling legacy. However, the proposals for the HS2 rail scheme crossing the yet to be restored section of the Chesterfield Canal has frozen grants from many possible funders. It may take up to 18 months to resolve the route issues, during which time the Partnership will continue to accrue costs. Geraint felt that it would be most effective, and would save the Partnership and IWA some money, by resigning now.
Geraint’s new role at the University of Suffolk, focuses on industrial, maritime and transport heritage and will curtail neither his interests in waterway restoration nor his contacts with the Chesterfield Canal Trust. The future of the Development Manager post will be discussed at the next meeting of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership Executive Steering Group.
Robin Stonebridge, Chair of the Chesterfield Canal Trust said,
“Geraint has been a real powerhouse for promoting the restoration of this canal. His energy, enthusiasm, vast knowledge and sheer dogged hard work have meant that there is a clear strategy and plan for the remaining 8 miles of restoration on the Chesterfield. The Partnership has been through some tough times in the last two or three years – much of it caused by factors well outside of its own control. As the only member of staff for the Partnership, Geraint has been on the sharp end. It is a testament to his dedication that he has been able to stick with it for so long.
“Partners will now have to consider how the Partnership moves forward – we are within a whisker of full restoration, just 8 miles to go. The Trust and partners are convinced of the economic and social benefits that full restoration will bring and we are not going away until the job is done.”