| March 2004
Diary | Directory
EDITORIAL COMMENT ~
Steve Jones
Many thanks to 'Mrs Bucket' aka Brian Crossley and his 'taking care of appearances' team for
again sponsoring W.P.News and also to Bill Nicholson of the Dig Deep consortium for his additional
donation towards our costs.
This months 'comment' is a joint plea from Colin Gibbs, and myself to all our site leaders and those who attend or
intend to attend working parties. Many of the Trust's grant applications are conditional on matching funding and our
easiest way of achieving that is by calculating the value of volunteer input. To do this we rely on the attendance
records that site leaders have been requested to complete. Yes we know that most of you return these and we do
appreciate that its more unwanted paperwork, but they are extremely important to the Trust. So for the benefit
of all who attend, this is what should be happening. It is the responsibility of the site leader to record your
attendance for our records and more importantly for insurance purposes, and in your interest to ensure that he
has done so. Full names should be recorded, not just initials and returns should be made each month to me not
Colin, whether the sheet is full or not. This will ensure that those who have attended receive a copy of
W.P.News. W.P.News exists to keep all those who attend working parties informed of what's happening when
and where along the canal. You only need attend one work party every six months to be entitled to receive a copy.
Our many 'armchair supporters', who are all most welcome, can and do receive a copy in various ways, for a small
sum to cover costs. Finally, to all site leaders, W.P.News is your shop window; again it's more paperwork but
potential volunteers may be encouraged to attend when they read about the enjoyable days you have.
Mrs Bucket Prepares for the New Season ~ Brian Crossley.
It looks like being a bad season for molehills - or maybe a good season from the moles' perspective. Without
wishing to make mountains out of a minor predicament, we are suffering from the work of a compulsive tunneller
or tunnellers down at Lordings. Any moles happening to read this note are politely requested to consider an
alternative habitat. It is understood that a very attractive site can be found towards the end of Rosemary Lane!
We shall squeeze 3 meetings into March - Monday 1 (to support the hedge-laying group), Wednesday 17 (to support
the MWWP) and Monday 29 (our first day of the year for keeping-up-appearances at the road crossings) Just ring
me during the week before for details of the meeting place and jobs to be tackled.
It's a Picnic at Lordings ~ Winston Harwood.
With snow flurries, bitter winds and ice on the canal, it seems a strange time of the year to be thinking of
picnics. Digging out tree roots and carting clay is hard work but the progress we are making makes it rewarding.
We are levelling the area adjacent to Lordings Lock to create a picnic area which; will be available for the open
day in May and the 'Poddle' in June. I am also putting finishing touches to the water wheel. The floodgates are
operational and it was fantastic to see the recent floodwater being held back at last, minimising erosion of the
towpath downstream.
Dates for your diary are the 'Open Day' on Sunday May 23rd when you will be able to see the water wheel operational
and the progress being made on rebuilding the aqueduct and lock (bring refreshments and a boat if possible) - and on
June 13th our annual sponsored walk 'The Poddle' comes through. If you would like to help at this 'Site of Special
Conservation Interest' see the Working Party Diary and Directory for more details.
Drungewick Lock Repairs put on a Spurt ~ Eric Walker.
Drungewick Lock continues to return to full operation now that we have finished rebuilding the lock wall,
fitting the lock ladder and pointing the lock wall (see www.weyandarun.co.uk/whatsnew). Phil Broadley and his
trusty helpers have also completed one of the two waterfalls. The principle construction jobs are to commission
the second back pump and put in the quadrant footholds under the gate beams. Site clearance will be the next
major job, possibly using water transport. Pictures
Saturday 27th March and Sunday 28th March are the Inland Waterways Clean-up days. The 'Wey & Arun Canal' being a
rural canal does not suffer the problems that many canals do. However we have the invasive Himalayan Balsam and
Giant Hogweed, which need to be controlled. They smother the native plants and do not support any other part of
our ecosystem. The balsam is best removed by pulling the plant up. The hogweed, which in the summer grows up to
15 foot high, is quite another matter. Our approach will be to cut the hogweed taproots as the plant emerges in
the spring. You, your family and friends are invited to come for this activity starting at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood
(OS grid ref TQ 041312) at 9:30 on both days. Please bring spades, gardening gloves and boots or wellies. Clothing
that will protect you against thorny undergrowth is desirable. Bring a packed lunch and drinks for the day, as you
may require. Waterproofs or suntan lotion may be a good idea to, depending on the weather forecast.
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
Waterway Standards ~ Andrew Belton.
In order to provide an effective indicator of the progress of canal restoration and maintenance, we must
measure and compare the "state" of the canal from one year to the next. For this we need a set of criteria
against which these measurements are made. The Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA) has
published a set of Common Waterway Standards, originally developed by British Waterways. The category
defined as Navigation Standards includes all levels of waterway use from "commercial canal or river" to
"dry bed of a former canal". Other standards are categorised as Channel, Environs and Towpath Standards.
Following a feasibility study carried out in 2002-03, WACT is adopting these standards, in common with other
navigation authorities. A project is underway to develop the procedures and tools to measure the standards.
For the purpose of assessing the state of the waterway, the canal will be divided into 1km "chains". Each chain
is then assessed according to the AINA criteria and awarded a level for each category. The table below shows the
results of the feasibility study, which covered the Loxwood Link. A full description of the standard levels will
be published in 'Wey South', with the results of this year's assessments, later in the year. They are also published
in the British Waterways publication, "Our Plan for the Future 2003-2007" and on their web site at
http://www.british-waterways.org/site/WaterwayStandards_2240.asp.
Volunteers are needed to assess each chain. The task involves travelling the length of the chain where possible
(with the landowners consent where necessary) and answering a questionnaire. Whether you would like to do as many
kilometres as necessary, or only one, you will be very welcome on the team. If you would like to take part, please
send your contact details to me by email at Andrew.Belton@btopenworld.com or by post c/o the WACT office. The
assessments are likely to commence in April.
Working Party Diary for March and early April.
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. Site details from Winston Harwood.
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS and THURSDAYS afternoons. Hedge laying with Keith Nicholls.
EVERY THURSDAY and SUNDAY Meet 0930 at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood. Lots of jobs mainly
construction. Site details from Eric Walker.
MON MAR 1 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
WED MAR 3 - MWWP. Meet 0930 in the WACT car park at the Onslow Arms for work at Devils Hole and
Southlands. Contact Peter Jackman for more details.
WED MAR 17- MWWP. Meet 0930 in the WACT car park at the Onslow Arms for work at Devils Hole and
Southlands. Contact Peter Jackman for more details.
WED MAR 17- MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
SAT 27/SUN 28 - Loxwood Link invasive plant removal weekend. Contact Eric Walker for more details.
MON MAR 29- MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
WED MAR 31 - MWWP. Meet 0930 in the WACT car park at the Onslow Arms for work at Devils Hole and
Southlands. Contact Peter Jackman for more details.
SAT 3/SUN 4 APR - Dig Deep with KESCRG. WACT members are welcome on any day. Phone the office
for site and more details.
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
Peter Jackman (Mid-week Working Party) 01483 772132
WACT office (General Enquiries) 01403 752403
Winston Harwood 01293 424672
Peter Wilding (Loxwood Maintenance) 01483 422519
Eric Walker (Loxwood Area) 02392 463025 email:ericwalker@onetel.net.uk
Colin Gibbs (Tickners Maintenance) 020 8241 7736
Keith Nicholls (Hedge laying)
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