Bringing the old Wey & Arun Canal in Surrey and Sussex back to life as a 'green corridor' is a long and expensive business for the Wey & Arun Canal Trust, the voluntary charitable organisation behind the project.

Walk organiser Jo Holcombe says that "The object of the walk, apart from raising funds for the canal's ongoing restoration, is to provide an opportunity for walkers to visit different sections of the canal each year and to explore the surrounding countryside. Having moved steadily southwards in recent years, the 38^th Poddle returns to the northern end of the canal country." Walkers are free to make their own pace, starting from Bramley at any time between 9.00 and 10.30 am. Plenty of parking will be available. Allowing about 30 minutes for lunch it seems likely that most entrants will complete the course in something between 5 and 6½ hours. Arrangements can be made for any walker who drops out after the 6¼ mile first leg to be transported back to the start. The walk is open to anybody raising a minimum of £15 sponsorship; the route will be well marked, with lunch, refreshments and a detailed guide provided. For further details, and to obtain a Sponsor Form, please telephone the Wey & Arun Canal Trust on 01403 752403, email to office@weyandarun.co.uk or write to Wey & Arun Canal Trust, The Granary, Flitchfold Farm, Loxwood, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 0RH.

Notes for Editors

Information is available from Bill Thomson, bill_thomson@weyandarun.co.uk, 01403 210347

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 five 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 50-seater electrically-powered Wiggonholt.