| October 2003
Diary | Directory
EDITORIAL COMMENT ~
Steve Jones
Do you ever ask yourself why you do it or why you're involved? I do from time to time. And all it takes to remind me is a short
visit to any accessible stretch where it's been restored or it needs restoring and I know the answer instantly. Sometimes however,
other people ask me why I'm involved and you know, it's not an easy question to answer without taking up at least half an hour of
their time.
Not Quite a Sinecure for the Monday Group! ~ Brian Crossley.
August 2003 may well be remembered as the time when contract grass cutting was the softest job in England. But, when other
people imagine that you're wheeling out the sunbeds, a whole host of extra jobs seem to appear!
At the Loxwood crossing we've had a big tidy up on the Devils Hole side and reinstalled a couple of posts to stop cars parking on the
lawn. Our biggest task has been levelling the grassy area at Tickners Heath involving the manhandling of some 40 barrow loads of soil
from the yard. We've reseeded in the belief that the rain must surely come soon - lets hope we're right
Our October meetings will be on Mondays 13 and Friday 31; the day of the EGM. If you're interested in what we get up to, please
give me a call.
`Skip Dumper' Causes Serious Accident ~ Graham Baird..
The camp took place from the 2nd to the 9th of August and the weather was very warm throughout! Various tasks were
undertaken between Southlands and Drungewick Lock from a schedule prepared in conjunction with Peter Wilding and Eric Walker.
The works included making up towpath levels in hardcore at Devils Hole Lock, raising the towpath bank level south of Brewhurst
Bridge where over-spilling had occurred, various tasks at Baldwins Knob and Drungewick Locks, and several areas of exploratory
digging. Stuart O'Hara was camp leader, and many other regular attendees formed the majority of the team; which numbered up to
25 persons.
During a recent Newbury Working Party Group (NWPG) camp in Sidney Wood, there was a serious accident involving one of the
campers and a vehicle that he was driving. This vehicle is known as a `skip dumper'. Narrow `skip dumpers' are unstable on
ground which is not relatively level. All working party members should be aware of, or be informed of, the instability of
`skip dumpers'. WACT working party members will not be asked to drive one but may possibly find themselves working where
one is being used. Happily the camper is on the mend and should make a full recovery. NWPG have take action to ensure that this
type of accident doesn't happen again and have made recommendations regarding the construction of `skip dumpers'.
End of an Era for Mid Week Working Party ~ Jim Phillips..
After nearly 11 years of being the leader of the Mid-Week Working Party and something like 200 days of MWWP meetings, Colin
Gibbs is retiring from the post. He has covered thousands of miles driving to and from Cheam, liased with landowners, rung around
for volunteers, organised the work, collected and returned the tools and often been the last on site to make sure the bonfires were not
spreading. Colin will be very hard to replace but the Trust needs the MWWP and needs a new leader or leaders. Peter Jackman
(01483 772132) is `covering' for the northern (Surrey) section for the time being. If you could take over as leader for the southern
section (in West Sussex) please ring Jim Phillips (01483 421242). It would be a great shame if the MWWP folded for lack of leaders.
Wednesday 1 October will be Colin Gibbs' last day as leader: please come, if only for a short time at the 1300 lunch-break, as a mark
of our appreciation for all he has done. Run Common, as before, for a final tidy-up and bonfires (if there has been appreciable rain).
Park in the lay-by or on the Common itself just off the drive towards Mrs Hornetts' house. We will be working south of the road.
Looking at Locks ~ Eric Walker..
Taking a look at what's been happening south to north; at Drungewick Lock work on the bulge has started. The evidence is that the
top sill failed in use, similar to the problem at Devils Hole lock, however in this case it was the wall that failed not the sluice
passageway. Also at Drungewick Lock the back-pumps have been installed and their control gear thanks to Colin Durbridge. There
remain the installation of a second pipe and the waterfall. A waterfall is also required for the river extraction pump. The fine weather
helped considerably in the installation of the new back-pump at Baldwins Knob Lock. The work at Devils Hole Lock has continued
with the digging out of a back pump chamber behind the training wall. Well done Mike Biles, Eddie Fairman and John Westhorp for a
facility that is really looking forward to the opening of the canal up to Southlands. Bill Redpath led the group fitting netting on the west
side of the A281 at Fastbridge. The angling group had complained about the loss of fish stock so this was by way of seeing if we could
help.
Finally on a personal note, the design for B2133 crossing by the Onslow Arms is progressing and an overview should be possible at
the EGM at the end of October. The bridge form has been designed, and a review undertaken with the designer and the WSCC
officers. Next will be the lock design. It has a large number of criteria to meet, as did the bridge. But where each bridge is different
because of the highway constraints, I hope we will be able to use the lock design for the twenty that have yet to be built.
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 email ericwalker@onetel.net.uk TSG
Teetering on the 'Edge ~ Keith Nichols..
This seasons, 03/04, hedge-laying is approaching at a gallop. It is hoped to lay the hedge from the field gate south east of Barnsill Bridge to the
Drungewick Hill Farm Winding Hole/Slipway. This will be done in two stages. Firstly from the Spill Weir to Drungewick - about
250m; as this section appears to have the most gaps and therefore needs more replanting as soon as possible. Secondly from the field
gate to the Spill Weir - about 200m.
My knees, the weather and leaves dropping permitting, we expect to start coppicing mid to late October. There is also the clearance of unwanted
material (bramble) and fence removal from the hedge; which can start at the same time if the cattle are out of the field.
I intend to work most afternoons in the week and some weekends. Can you help or do you know of anyone that would be interested in helping?
Contact me, Keith Nichols on 01403 753882.
Working Party Diary for October and early November..
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.
TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS and SATURDAYS at Lordings. Site details from Winston Harwood.
EVERY THURSDAY and SUNDAY at Devils Hole. Meet 0930 at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood. Lots of jobs
Site details from Eric Walker.
WED OCT 1 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at Run Common. Park on Mrs Hornets land just off the road, for work at
East Whipley Farm or Rushett Farm. Please check the notice at the canal crossing. Maximum use of brush cutters. Contact Colin
Gibbs for more details.
SAT OCT 11/SUN OCT 12 - DIG DEEP with NWPG. WACT members are welcome on any day. Phone
WACT office for site and more details.
MON OCT 13 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
MON OCT 13 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at The Three Compasses for work on the bank between the pub and
Fastbridge so as to meet the terms of our lease with the Dunsfold Angling Group. Some working from a boat/pontoon for those with
nautical experience.
WED OCT 22 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at The Three Compasses for follow-up work on the stretch between
Fastbridge and Mill Farm
FRI OCT 31 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
FRI OCT 31 - WACT EGM. 1930hrs, North Hall, Loxwood.
Working Party Directory ~
Brian Crossley (Monday Working Party) 01737 843192
Steve Jones (W P News Editor) 01444 811747
e-mail:
steve@stumblemead.fsnet.co.uk
Colin Gibbs (Mid-week Working Party) 0208 2417736
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 email:ericwalker@onetel.net.uk
|
