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THE WEY & ARUN CANAL'London's Lost Route to the Sea' |
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Working Party News
for WACT volunteers | | (sponsored by Mid Week Walks) |
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| June 2003
Diary | Directory
EDITORIAL COMMENT ~
Steve Jones The Inland Waterways Association ?Head of Navigation Campaign
Cruise? from Pulborough to Pallingham on Saturday May 3 attracted
about 10 small boats including a home made ?dragon boat?,
and a further half dozen canoes including your editors.
It was a most enjoyable afternoon, the good weather making
the scenery above Stopham even more attractive than usual.
However, the channel seems to be getting more overgrown each
year and the flotilla had to cut it?s way through trees and
branches in three places before we managed to reach the head
of navigation at Pallingham Quay.
I have in the past complained to the Environment Agency about
these obstructions but little if any action ever seems to
be taken to keep the channel clear. The event is important
to the Trust as it continues to maintain the right of navigation
up to and beyond the southern entrance to the canal. Perhaps
it is time the Trust took a more prominent role in the ?Campaign
Cruise? event and made an official request for the channel
to be cleared before hand, then maybe, just maybe the EA would
take some action such as providing staff and a work-boat to
assist our passage on the day. This would certainly give heart
to those who continue to support this event.
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We?re Strimming in the Rain for the Aqueduct
Opening ~ Brian Crossley
Back in March, when Drungewick Aqueduct was still surrounded
by the wastelands of the building site, the group met our
Chairman, Peter Foulger, to discuss which areas should be
developed as a lawn, which should be roughly tamed as short
grass and which should be left to enjoy growing wild.
Planning is all very well, but by mid April, after weeks
with virtually no rain, we were very worried that there might
be no greenery at all in time for the official opening. Luckily
the weather broke and the group was able to give a first
gentle trim on May 12. Perhaps we had been praying a bit too
hard because, as we mowed, the heavens opened and we were
all nearly drenched to the skin!
By the time you read this, we should have been able to do
another trim and then a final tidy-up on the day before the
big event. After so much effort by so many members, let?s
hope that the weather will be such that the ?Opening? will
be remembered as one of the most successful and enjoyable
days in the history of the canal.
Our meetings in June will be on Mondays: 2nd, 16th & 30th. If you
think you might be able to spare one or two days a month,
please give me a call.
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Splosh Splosh Splosh?.
~ Winston Harwood
No, not the sound of wellies in the canal bed after the dry
spring, but a new sound to be heard in Sussex. Permission
has been granted for the installation of the Water Wheel at
Lordings so orders have been placed for the fabrication I
propose commencing work on the brick chamber in June.
At present we are building a small bridge over the cut out
to join two sections of the towpath and a bridge over the
causeway, to give access for most of the year. These projects
are mostly digging and nailing with a bit of concrete mixing,
so no great skills needed.
However, once the Water Wheel is delivered to site (July)
I will be looking for a team to install it. We are working
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays so if anybody can spare
some time I would be extremely grateful of some help.
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I Scratched My Nose
~ Colin Gibbs
The Mid Week Working Party (MWWP) began their fencing season
with Drungewick closed championship on May 15. The first round
took place on the towpath side of the aqueduct. Two short
sections of post and rail fence were erected.
Checks were made at the start, to see how many horses had
not made it across the aqueduct. (Horse riders have complained
that their horses will not cross the aqueduct without fencing
on both sides of the bridleway - Ed).
Whilst this was taking place, the second round began around
the southern end of the new winding hole. About 25 posts were
installed here, linking up with the old fences. Four strands
of barbed wire were attached to keep cattle out of the canal.
The fencing final was held near the slipway. Posts wrapped
in barbed wire were erected around an electricity pole to
keep cattle away. Word quickly went round the herd that some
good sport was to be had up near the pole. Within minutes
the herd had formed a queue to test out the scratching qualities
of the barbed wire, for chins and noses.
Our job was either a great success or an even greater failure.
When we left word had not yet reached the horses!
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Floodgate Bridge Unveiling
~ Winston Harwood
All members are welcome to visit the site on Sunday June
22 when we will be opening the bridge. You can drive all the
way to the site, but if you find a gate closed please leave
it closed.
This is an opportunity to get familiar with the area and
see the sites of the Water Wheel, Aqueduct and Lordings Lock
before they are restored. See you at noon on the 22nd.
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Weir on Our Way in Sidney Wood
~ Bill Nicholson
Work started on the construction of the Sidney Wood spill
weir, this year?s Dig Deep project, at the beginning of May.
With the site compound and access road set up by LWRG in March,
the main task was to excavate the very deep holes in the canal
bank for the weir base and the outfall pipe.
The weir is located about 100 metres north of Lock 16 close
to the first sharp left hand bend. By mid Sunday the 5-ton
digger had completed the holes and the base for the weir structure
was cast complete with reinforcing bars with which to tie
in the block walls. The outfall trench was shored under Graham
Baird?s direction. All the shoring has to be in place until
work has been completed so has to be very substantial.
On Monday the 600mm plastic outfall pipe was concreted into
position, the weir box shored and the base for the run-off
from the pipe concreted in. A temporary footbridge was built
and placed across the outfall trench. As usual, delivery of
essential materials formed a vital part of the weekend?s work.
15 volunteers worked on each of the three days in excellent
weather and all the tasks were completed. Thanks to all.
KESCRG will hopefully start on the block and bricklaying
in early July to be followed by the NWPG summer camp in the
middle of the month. Further details from Bill Nicholson (01844
343369 or billnicholson@lineone.net)
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A Special Report by Eric Walker
27 May 2003:
At Devil's Hole Lock the work has been at a halt for some
time. As the official opening of the aqueduct came closer,
installation of the extraction pump at the river Arun and
the Drungewick lock back pump became imperative.
The cable, all 3 tonnes of it, to deliver electricity to
Drungewick Lock was pulled into the trench by 19 magnificent
volunteers who then back filled the trench. Thanks to Bill
Redpath and Gordon Limbrick for digging the trench earlier.
Colin Durbridge installed the electrical control gear for
the pumps originally constructed by Ted Williams three years
ago. The second-hand pumps we had been given, turned out to
be unusable, so new ones were bought from Pump Engineering
at Littlehampton.
By this time the reeds were growing faster than the water
was rising. Gordon then made a reed cutter and by using a
tractor loaned by Howard Pullen (or Gordon?s car) he made
fantastic progress so that our boat JS (John Smallpeice) could
make its way into the pound by the 28 May. Clearance of the
reeds was done by John Mead and later by Colin Gibbs and his
group. A tremendous effort thanks to all involved.
Following the formal opening of the aqueduct and lock, repairs
are to be done at the lock to cure a bulge in the wall at
one corner. Further work is also required to upgrade the lock
back pump chamber to accommodate the larger sized pump, now
to be used.
And Devil's Hole Lock - completing of the work there is now
urgent with a new target to complete the backfill after the
harvest and before the next ploughing of the field. The replacement
of the pump at Baldwins Knob lock is done in the same time
frame. There are two other similar jobs awaiting landowner
consent and of course the swing bridge to be painted. Busy
times ahead!
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
Post Script 3 June:
Fantastic weather meant that the opening of the
aqueduct and the unveiling of the plaque at Drungewick Lock
were a great success. Highlights for me were the presence
of Lynn Henke, Ernie Pull getting a ride back from Drungewick
Lock in John Smallpeice, and a donor who gave £90,000 towards
the LLEP pleading for us to make more applications. There
were two other potential donors there, willing to be wooed
for similar sums. It was exciting and a success not least
because of the efforts of the volunteers on the day. Thank
you all.
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| Working Party Diary for June and early July.
Press date for articles for inclusion is the 20th of the
month by letter or e-mail. If you do not attend regularly,
please contact the site manager before joining a work party.
MOST TUESDAYS. Maintenance sessions at Tickners Heath.
Check with Colin Gibbs first. Next on Jun 17.
TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS and SATURDAYS at Lordings. Site
details from Winston Harwood.
EVERY THURSDAY and SUNDAY at Devil's Hole. Meet 0930
at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood. Lots of jobs Site details from
Eric Walker.
MON JUN 2 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details
of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
SUN JUN 8 - WACT PODDLE. (sponsored walk). Consult
last ?Wey-South? or contact Jo Beagles on 01483 418195 or
John Ward or the WACT office if you can help or just want
more details.
MON JUN 16 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details
of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
SAT JUN 22 - ORFOLD FLOODGATE BRIDGE UNVEILING. 1200
hrs. Details from Winston Harwood.
THUR JUN 24 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at Lee Farm for fencing
work at Harsfold Bridge. Walk down the lane. Contact Colin
Gibbs for more details.
WED JUN 25 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at Lee Farm for fencing
work at Harsfold Bridge. Walk down the lane. Contact Colin
Gibbs for more details.
THUR JUN 26 - MID WEEK WALK. ?Howzat! For a walk??
6.5mls, 3.25hrs. Depart 0945hrs sharp from Durbans Rd lay-by
off B2133. Turn off by crossing lights at Wisborough Green.
Many buses pass here. Map ref 049261. Pathfinder 1267, Landranger
197. Open countryside and some canal. Return for lunch at
The Cricketers at about 1330hrs. Contact Don Gibson for more
details.
MON JUN 30 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details
of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
SAT 5/SUN 6 JUL - Dig Deep with KESCRG. WACT members
are welcome on any day. Phone John Ward for site and more
details.
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Working Party Directory ~
Brian Crossley (Monday Working Party) 01737 843192
Steve Jones (W P News Editor) 01444 811747
Colin Gibbs (Mid-week Working Party) 0208 2417736 e-mail
steve@stumblemead.fsnet.co.uk
or Mobile 07870 371019
John Ward (General Enquiries) 01483 527124
Winston Harwood 01293 424672
Don Gibson (Mid week walks) 01903 201375
Peter Wilding (Loxwood Maintenance) 01483 422519
Eric Walker (Loxwood Area) 02392 463025
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Last updated June 2003 |