The Wey & Arun Canal Trust now has nearly 2,000 members supporting the restoration of London's Lost Route to the Sea. Since 1974, the Trust has held its meetings in the North Hall at Loxwood, close to the showpiece Loxwood Link section of restored canal. Thanks to a dramatic membership increase in 2004, the North Hall is simply too small, so a break with tradition has been necessary.
 

This year's Spring meeting will be held at Pulborough Social Centre, a large modern meeting room complex, offering plenty of free parking and a panoramic view over the Arun Valley. (Location Map) The date is Friday, 29^th April. The Wey & Arun Canal Trust hold two meetings each year, a formal business one followed by a talk in April, and a mid-year one in October which is to update members on developments and restoration progress. The new venue will enable this year's AGM to be held in the large Arun Room (seating 180) and the Rother Room will be used for a variety of displays on our working groups, together with an invitation to this year's sponsored walk (the "Poddle 2005") and our photographic competition.
 

After the business meeting there will be a break for refreshments followed by presentations from key project managers about the latest exciting activities. These include the plan to extend the Loxwood Link across the main road in the village and the installation of a rescued swing-bridge from the North of England at Haybarn, near Billingshurst.
 

You are welcome to join us. The meeting starts at 7.30pm. Come and see what the Canal Trust is all about and be prepared to be surprised at their restoration achievements over the last 12 months. Further information available from press@wact.org.uk.
 

Historical note by John Wood:
The Wey & Arun Canal Society was born on 20^th August 1970.  It had no constitution or rules, however by 17^th November 1970 it had formed a Management Committee.  During 1971 it was agreed that it was desirable to try to become a Charitable Trust and Company Limited By Guarantee.  The first and only AGM of the Society took place 27 November 1971 at Loxwood North Hall, by which time there were 190 members. It is stated that 'over 100 members attended'. Roger Horne, the then Hon. Solicitor (also a WACS member) was successful in his endeavours for the Society to become a Trust, which came into being on 5 February 1973 when the Society ceased to exist, but handed over everything to the Trust.  The first AGM of the Trust took place on 11 October 1973 at Cranleigh Village Hall and was attended by 113 voting members out of now 835, when 11 persons (out of a possible 15) who were also the previous members of the WACS Management Committee were formally elected to be Directors/Trustees.  The following year 1974, it was decided that future AGMs be held at North Hall, Loxwood, being 'on the canal' and more central for the membership. The North Hall continued to be the venue for AGMs until 2004. 

Further information can be obtained from the Wey & Arun Trust's Public Relations Officer: Sally Schupke (01483 560543): email: press@wact.org.uk. If you would like to receive future press releases by email or fax, please let Sally know.