Bill is no stranger to the Wey & Arun Canal; he first joined the Canal Trust in the 1970s. He took part in working parties along the canal, was editor of WACT's bulletin 'Wey-South' for several years and served on the Council of Management throughout the 1980s. He rejoined WACT earlier this year, and takes over this part of the wider public relations role from former PR Officer Sally Schupke, who is now WACT Chairman.

"Sally has set a high standard that will be hard to follow, but I am highly encouraged by the strong public support that the canal project enjoys. When I was first involved, the Wey & Arun Canal was regarded as a long shot that stood little chance of success. However, in recent years it has moved up the league table to become one of the country's foremost canal restoration schemes. This is thanks in the main to the success of establishing a navigable section at Loxwood, including ambitious and expensive engineering works such as the tunnel under the B2133 road and the rebuilt Drungewick aqueduct.

"It is incredible that this has been achieved entirely through voluntary effort. I would like to pay tribute to the present and recent volunteer teams behind the project, and am proud to join them once again. This working canal with public boat trips gives living proof that the obstacles can be overcome on the rest of the waterway. Although it remains a long term project, to which it is impossible to give a completion date, I am confident that boats will again be able to travel between Sussex and the rest of the waterways system."

Further information about the Wey & Arun Canal Trust and the boat cruises is available from the Trust's office, on 01403 752403.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors

A photograph to accompany this press release is available from WACT Press Officer Bill Thomson, bill_thomson@weyandarun.co.uk, 01403 210347

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust