On 20th September 2005, well-known actor and canal enthusiast, Timothy West, presented The Wey & Arun Canal Trust's 2000th member with a special certificate and prize.

Timothy is starring at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, in "National Hero" and it was fitting that he should congratulate Patricia Loveland on being the Wey & Arun's 2000th member just behind the theatre itself during a break before the next performance. Patricia and her husband, Tony, live near to the restored section of the canal in Alfold, near Cranleigh, and were delighted to receive the two performance tickets kindly donated by the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. "I couldn't believe it", said Tony when telephoned with the news "when the office phoned to say that we were to meet Timothy West, I was astonished".

Timothy West, Patricia & Tony Loveland

Earlier that day, Patricia & Tony had been guests on Euan & Joanne Houstoun's narrowboat, the "Trincomalee II", which is moored at Farncombe Boathouse. A party of guests including Jim Phillips, Vice-chairman of the Trust, left the boathouse at midday and travelled down to Guildford on the River Wey for the presentation. Lunch was provided on board as the "Trincomalee II" is also used to provide luxury trips of up to four days trips from Farncombe Boathouse.

Peter Foulger, Chairman of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, commented "Our rapidly growing membership shows that we are making real progress towards restoring London's Lost Route to the Sea. We have started on the ambitious project of crossing the main road in Loxwood, an important step towards linking the restored waterway in Sussex with Surrey, the River Wey and the River Thames. We believe that the Trust is now the 3rd largest canal society in the country. This means that we have ever more powerful support for our aim of restoring the historic waterway corridor throughout its length."

It's only about three years since the Trust celebrated its 1500th member on the occasion of the opening of Drungewick aqueduct in Sussex. Former Honorary Secretary Geoff Perks calculates that "at this rate, the Trust is gaining a new member every 2½ days".

Editor's note: The narrowboat "Trincomalee II" has been named after the oldest British Warship still afloat.

Further information and photographs in the form of JPEG files can be obtained from the Wey and Arun Trust's Public Relations Officer: Sally Schupke (01483 560543): e-mail: press@wact.org.uk