The Wey & Arun Canal Trust announces that on 14 May 2009, Peter Foulger retired as Chairman of the Trust after 12 outstandingly successful years. Peter's successor is Sally Schupke, formerly the Trust's Public Relations Officer.

During Peter Foulger's chairmanship, the Wey & Arun Canal Trust has made giant steps towards its aim of restoring the complete canal route between the River Wey near Guildford, Surrey, and the River Arun near Pulborough, West Sussex. The canal forms the central link in the only inland waterway link between London and the south coast.

To pick out just some of the Trust's achievements during Peter Foulger's term of office, the Trust's membership has more than doubled (it is now over 2,600), public boat trips operate on the Loxwood section, the rebuilt Drungewick aqueduct opened in 2003, a swingbridge is in place at Haybarn and Drungewick slipways allow trailable boats to visit the canal, as well as providing for larger boats to be taken out of the water for maintenance. As a fitting culmination to Peter's reign, the Loxwood Canal Crossing, opened on May 9th 2009, removes a critical blockage to the restoration of the canal towards the Surrey border and the brand-new electric boat "Wiggonholt" has become the flagship of the Trust's fleet.

Sally is a trade mark attorney and lives in Shalford, at the northern end of the canal route. Speaking after her appointment, Sally said "I am honoured to take on the leadership of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust at this exciting time. It is daunting to follow in the footsteps of Peter Foulger. Peter's greatest achievement has been to demonstrate that full restoration of the canal is not just a wild dream, but an achievable objective. With the support of my management colleagues and the Trust's growing band of enthusiastic volunteers, I will work hard to promote even faster progress towards our final aim."

Peter Foulger will continue to serve as a Director of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust.

Further information 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.