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Preparatory Work Starts on Drungewick to
Newbridge ~ Eric Walker
At Devil's Hole Lock the work at the top sill is continuing,
as it will for some time, subject to the other important jobs
getting ready for the boating season and the commissioning
of Drungewick lock. Time has been spent pumping down Brewhurst
Lock to enable Peter Wilding to inspect the bottom of the
gates and reinstall the paddle gear. Naturally a lot of time
was spent preparing the pumps and Colin Gibbs has reorganised
the depot at Tickners Heath so that in future such work can
take place under cover. On the day we pumped the lock out
we had one swimmer, should I say more!
With the work by Richard Julian at the aqueduct finished,
and the railings fitted, there only remains the fitting of
the rubbing boards. Volunteers will do these. In the middle
of March the cable to take electricity from the slipway to
Drungewick Lock arrived. Weighing three tons it posed a small
logistics problem, which at the time of writing is yet to
be solved along with several other interesting problems.
Colin Durbridge has volunteered to help with the installation
of the control gear for the pumps at Drungewick. Again there
are a number of similar jobs later in the year at Baldwin's,
Malham and Rowner, not to mention the reconnection of the
pump across the B2133 at the Onslow.
Block making has commenced at Tickners Heath in preparation
for the swing bridge at Hope Farm. We will probably need about
200 blocks. So at 10 a time that's quite a lot of work. The
survey went quite successfully and the plans been produced
for Alan Johnson to prepare the planning application for Horsham
District Council.
Subsequent to a survey at Drungewick Lock the outline for
the winding hole was produced and John Verral gave us a very
competitive bid to make the winding hole, so work will begin
there before the end of March. Included in the contract was
an element to help put the gates in place when they arrive
on the 1st or 2nd of April. Again, at the time of writing
preparation of the lock has yet to be completed.
The Thursday & Sunday Groups (TSG) meet at 09:30 at the
Onslow Arms, Loxwood. Lots of jobs, mostly construction related.
For more details contact Eric Walker Tel/Fax 023 9246 3025
or yet another email address: ericwalker@onetel.net.uk
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