Continuing progress in restoring the Wey & Arun Canal has not only attracted record numbers of visitors this Summer but has also prompted an increase in membership for the Wey & Arun Canal Trust. John Lonergan from Storrington became the Trust's 2500^th member this month. John first became aware of the canal through his interest in walking. He has subsequently walked parts of the canal with the help of the Trust's publication "The Wey-South Path Guide" which gives details of walks along the canal's length.

To celebrate this latest milestone, the Trust's publicity group organised a special boat trip on 4th September. John and members of the Trust enjoyed an evening outing to Baldwin's Knob Lock. This was the first time John had visited the canal at Loxwood, West Sussex, and his first experience of one of the Trust's trip boats. John commented on the Trust's current project of building a tunnel under the B2133 road at Loxwood, "I'm very impressed at all the work done".

Peter Foulger, Chairman of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, commented "Success breeds success and we are delighted that our membership continues to grow at an impressive rate. To achieve our aim of restoring the link between the Thames and the sea, we have to demonstrate that the idea has wide public support. The size of our membership and the scale of the projects we are now undertaking show that we are serious about completing the restoration."

The Trust celebrated its 2000^th member In September 2005.

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: pr@weyandarun.co.uk.

For general information on the work of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust, please telephone the Trust office on 01403 752403.