The Wey & Arun Canal Trust's 34th annual sponsored walk ('The Poddle') started from Godalming, Surrey this year (on 11th June). 172 walkers took part in brilliant sunshine. The Trust's Treasurer, Jim Phillips, said: 'It looks as if the Poddle has raised at least £10,000. This is an excellent result and the Trust will spend the money on gates for the new lock that Trust volunteers have constructed at Loxwood. We are grateful to walkers and supporters for an important contribution to the Trust's most ambitious restoration project ever. When we have restored the road crossing in Loxwood, we will be one big step closer to rebuilding London's Lost Route to the Sea. Thousands of visitors every year already enjoy the fully restored section of canal at Loxwood; when we have crossed the road we will have removed the greatest obstacle to extending this section to the Surrey border and beyond.'

Geoff Perks, route designer for the Poddle, described the terrain as 'undulating' but some walkers thought it seemed like 'all hills' in the hot June sun. The walk started and finished at Godalming (Cartwright Consulting Ltd and Landlords, Matune BV of Mill Pool House, Godalming, kindly loaned their facilities and most importantly a large car park), with a lunch-stop at Hascombe Village Hall. There were refreshment points every 2-3 miles of the 14 mile circuit. Marshals helped to see walkers across the roads and to answer questions from passers-by. One visitor to Godalming wanted to see the llamas. The marshal was puzzled for a moment, then pointed him towards the Lammas Lands (for non-locals, this is the name of the low-lying fields along the banks of the River Wey).

By good design, much of the route used shaded paths, much appreciated by walkers in the midday heat. The hilly route had been well marked and there were marshals at tricky points. Highlights along the way were the attractive Wintershall Estate, famous for religious plays, and the tiny isolated village of Thorncombe Street, where Trust members Vanessa and Richard Smith, in traditional boater's costume, welcomed walkers with a spread of home baked cakes.

Wey & Arun Canal Trust Chairman, Peter Foulger, commented 'Events like the Poddle don't just happen. They are the result of dedicated effort by a large group of volunteers - planning the route, finding sponsors and acting as marshals. Joanne Holcombe, the Poddle Organiser, deserves huge congratulations for putting the whole event together. She must have been greatly relieved when the traditional Last Man arrived at the finishing post and reported that there were no casualties.'