CCCC - Cardmeet 2000

Cardmeet 2000
- the annual meeting of the -
Canal Card Collectors Circle

	As I drove up the western side of the River Severn valley, following a map that showed every bit of the landscape, my first vision of Westbury-on Severn was the church tower that rose above the landscape with the charm of a wizard's cap. The beauty of the tower is in it's history, which was learned later, but I knew it was going to be a friendly place - a place to feel at home.
Westbury cottage, more of a tradition than an address, is located in the midst of a village with a history laced with pride and accomplishment. Avril Lansdell was the first member of the Canal Card Collectors Circle to greet me, almost immediately after I drove into her gateyard. I was soon introduced to several other members of the Circle and within minutes I had ten new friends - the wonderful kind of friends, the ones you fell like you have known all your life. And, I shan't forgot to mention my newest furry friend - Pansy, the cat.
After a cup of tea, my next adventure was to find my accommodations. Follow the country road right after the Water Gardens, I was told. Go slowly, and remember, "... farm tractors have the right-of-way." (Luckily I didn't meet any tractors during my first venture down this road, but when I did, I was surprised to see just how much of this little road they use.)
Crowley Elm Farm, is a beautiful farm that welcomes tried travelers with a beautiful country garden and spacious accommodations. The only things I heard, during my first night at Crowley Elm Farm were the cows and the wind. What a wonderful night's rest, and then already, it was Saturday morning.
	National Waterways Museum at Gloucester Historic Docks seemed to me to be the perfect place for a meeting of people dedicated to collecting images of the canals this museum was entrusted to preserve. We all wish we had more time for places like these, but a quick walk-through was enough to assure my speedy return to Gloucester. Located in Llanthony Warehouse, there are three floors of displays that help us learn the two hundred year history of the canals that lace the British countryside. Museum curator, Tony Condor, a member of the CCCC, deserves high praise for his work on-site.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Circle was held in one of the museum classrooms. As the meeting started exactly on time, Chairman, Ken Parris, bid us all welcome and Secretary/Treasurer, David Clough, announced the status of the subscriptions and accounts. It is interesting to observe that on both sides of the Atlantic, subscriptions (we call subscriptions - dues) need to be increased, there is a constant need for writers of newsletter articles and new officers are always in short supply. At this AGM, David, retired after twenty years of service to CCCC, and we all thank you David. Our newest officer is Ian Wilson. Thank you, Ian, for stepping up to become the new Secretary/Treasurer.
	Saturday afternoon was a wonderfully bright day and there was a light breeze - a perfect day for a canal boat trip. We joined the last cruise of the day aboard the "Queen Boadicea II" - an old and worthy vessel which once sailed the Channel to Dunkirk. Our trip took us past the Llanthony Lift Bridge, the lumber mills, the site of the old match factory, the Hempstead Bridge, the salt warehouses, all the way to the Quarter-Mile turn before we returned to Gloucester Docks to learn about the beautifully restored buildings.

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