The Wey & Arun Canal Trust's restoration scheme will take another significant step forward when Devil's Hole Lock is reopened in April. Restoration of the lock began in 1996, but the project gained real importance with the reinstatement of the canal crossing under Loxwood High Street in 2009.

Saturday April 17, 2010 is the date for the opening ceremony of the restored lock, north of Loxwood, on the Sussex/Surrey border. A particular highlight of the event will be a visit by a delegation from the Canadian High Commission, and a contingent from the Canadian Veterans Association. The Canada connection dates back to the Dieppe raid during World War II; the Canadian Army Engineers, who were stationed nearby, used the old lock for demolition practice prior to the raid.

Another major celebration on the same day will be the naming of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust's newest trip boat, the 12-seater Josias Jessop, which has been newly refurbished for small parties. Josias Jessop was the engineer responsible for the original canal design in the early 19th century.

The boat will be named at Loxwood Lock, following which the VIP party will make their way onboard the Trust's original trip boat, Zachariah Keppel, along the latest stretch of canal to be completed, as far as the rebuilt Devil's Hole Lock. A VIP will cut a ribbon to 'open' the lock again - 68 years after it was blown up in 1942 and some 129 years after the canal was 'abandoned' in 1871.

The VIP party and the general public will later be entertained by the Guildford Friary Brass Band and the Broadwood Morris Dancers.

A flotilla of small boats will be in evidence on the canal, and local residents and other interested parties are invited to join in the spectacle.

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

Notes for Editors

The Wey & Arun Canal Trust

The Wey & Arun Canal, "London's lost route to the sea" was originally opened in 1816 between the River Wey at Shalford, near Guildford, and Pallingham, near Pulborough, the head of navigation of the River Arun. It closed in 1871, due to railway competition. Since the 1970s the 23-mile waterway has been the subject of a campaign by volunteers led by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust to restore the route to navigation. Work has been undertaken in a number of locations, most notably the stretch near the Sussex/Surrey border at Loxwood. Over two miles in length, this includes four working locks, two public road crossings, an aqueduct, two farm bridges, and numerous minor works, all built or rebuilt through voluntary effort. Boat trips are available on this stretch, onboard several craft, including the new 50-seater electrically-powered Wiggonholt. See www.weyandarun.co.uk