| May 2004
Diary | Directory
EDITORIAL COMMENT ~
Steve Jones
Three members of the Council of Management, Geoff Perks, Bill Redpath and John Ward will have retired from that august body by the time you read this newsletter. All are relevant to this publication, particularly John Ward who was Restoration Manager for most of the considerable time he has served on the C of M and worked with me to re-launch this publication in 1992. Whilst Geoff who has been the Trusts Hon Sec for several years, helped me out in the early 90's with the production. Bill is currently the secretary of the Restoration Group. And so all have been and are involved in some way with working parties. I just hope we are able to fill the vacancies with equally dedicated people.
The WACT Trustees have decided on the way ahead at the B2133 Crossing by the Onslow Arms in Loxwood. And W.P.News understands that a combination of a new lock north of the road and lowering of the Brewhurst pound is the preferred option. The next steps are the planning consent and the fund-raising of the projected cost of £1.2 million. After that there are construction tasks as far as the imagination will stretch, part time, full time, what ever the funding will allow. You will be able to say that you read it first in W.P.News.
Locks Ready for Final Touches ~ Brian Crossley.
By the time you read this, the group should have installed a bench seat at Devils Hole and prepared both sides of the lock for grass seeding.
Down at Lordings, Winston Hardwoods team, (in between restoring an aqueduct, rebuilding a waterwheel etc, etc,) are preparing the far side of the lock as a picnic area. The Monday Group will be involved in the final jobs of raking and seeding and then, as at Devils Hole, undertake the ongoing task of keeping up appearances.
Our last meeting in April will be Friday 30th, so that members coming a long distance can attend the AGM in one journey. During May we are back to our usual Mondays - 10th and 24th. Just ring me during the week before for details.
It's a Picnic Site but its all Graft at Lordings ~ Winston Harwood.
The water wheel; which is generating great interest, is left running now at 4 rpm and is raising huge amounts of water along with a few unlucky fish. There will be a sign at Newbridge shortly, so remember us beavering away down there when you pass it. Work continues rebuilding the west wall of the lock and clearing the water wheel site. We will shortly be erecting a handrail to the wheel and then the scaffold can be removed from the river. The track has dried out so we are able to drive to the site. Brick laying and concreting are the main tasks, so come and join us on Tuesday and Thursday, or come down to the open day on Sunday May 23rd.
Visitors Descend on Drungewick Lock ~ Eric Walker.
At Drungewick Lock, Phil Broadley has now got both waterfalls finished, including 'Viagra' falls. Both of the lock back pumps are fully working, though a number of improvements to the installation and the control system are in hand. I find it interesting that the canal is full to within an inch of the top and wonder if it is being sustained by rain running off from the field that forms one bank. We have put in new pipes for the back pumps and that much improves the flow. There remains a whole host of jobs including the final lock side bollard, footholds under the lock beams, steps from the training wall, landing stage for the crew and of course general tidying up, all before the small boat rally in May. The number of visitors, who come to Drungewick Lock now that the permissive right of way is open, even in the most inclement weather, has surprised us. And of course it is nice to see old friends like Tracy who worked on the lock in 1990.
Thanks to those who turned out on the Inland Waterways Clean-up days at the end of March, useful work was done towards Southlands Lock and near Brewhurst Lane. As a result we have started preparations for spraying, and for that, congratulations to Geoffrey Alce who got his National Proficiency Tests Council PA6 certificate which requires a two-day theory and practical course at Brinsbury College, followed a fortnight later by a three-hour examination. The certificate will take a further 25 days.
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 mobile 077 1785 5340 or email ericwalker@onetel.net.uk
Dig Deep Teams Return for Another Season ~ Bill Nicholson.
Since the last WPN there have been two Dig Deep weekends, one with KESCRG and the other WRG BITM. It has been very much a case of trying to complete one project (Sidney Wood) whilst at the same time getting going on another (Haybarn Bridge).
In Sidney Wood the task has been to complete the 350 metres of towpath surfacing down to Lock 16, past the new run-off weir built last year. By the end of the two weekends this had just about been completed. Wet weather on the last Sunday, means that one more visit will be required to top dress the path with planings at the same time as we infill the last gap in the towpath bank with imported clay.
Our new project for 2004 is to refurbish and install a swing bridge at Haybarn crossing on the Arun Canal. The bridge was donated by BW and originates from the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and is currently stored at Wharf Farm, Newbridge. This requires split site working between those doing up the bridge at Wharf Farm and those preparing the structural work to hold the bridge at Haybarn. At Newbridge, both KESCRG and BITM have been working on stripping down the bridge ready for cleaning off the steels and the structural inspection. The deck timbers have been removed, retaining bolts cut off and the whole bridge jacked up onto timbers ready for needle gunning and grit blasting. The bridge will then be assessed by Roy Sutton (IWA Hon Engineer and KESCRG member) to confirm that it is capable of taking the required loadings. Only when this has been satisfied will we start demolition of the existing concrete deck at Haybarn.
At Haybarn it is necessary to divert the public footpath; which crosses the canal there. BITM have started to erect the necessary fencing for this and NWPG will complete the diversion during their weekend in May. Horsham DC has granted planning permission and LWRG should be in a position to start demolition in the middle of the month if all is well with the swing bridge. My thanks to both BITM and KESCRG for getting the project well underway in very mixed weather conditions.
Hedge Layers Almost Reach Baldwins Knob ~ Keith Nichols.
A missive from St Richard's Hospital, Chichester - it's not compulsory to have replacement knees when you are a hedge layer but in my case it helps. Can you get new billhooks on the NHS?
We completed the 240m Drungewick end of the Gauging Station Meadow hedge, a month later than I had expected, in early March. After a brief discussion it was decided that we would start the second section even though we probably would not be able to finish it this season. The main reason to start being that the towpath at the Barnsill end of the hedge was very mucky, therefore, by hedge laying it would open that end up allowing a greater airflow to assist in drying it out.
On Tuesday 16 March, Tony had completed 95m of clearance and we layed the first metre. By Monday 12 April, the team had layed 61m with all the associated work in the coppice. This was my last day before going into hospital so I used my new acquisition, a 1983 long wheel based Landrover, to move 100 stakes and binders to the site which should keep the team going for a few days. The end of the season approaches rapidly so how far will the team get - you will be told.
I had an interesting trip to start on the trimming of Brewhurst River Meadow Hedge that was laid last season. Myself, and a wheelbarrow full of equipment, merrily sped our way to the work site courtesy of a ZK crew training session on Sunday 21 March. Thanks chaps/chapesses. I unloaded at Baldwins Knob Lock and proceeded to trim and tuck from Birch Copse pump back towards the lock. The weather was rather variable and with the usual Sunday walkers PR, I did not get as much done as I thought I would (it is voluntary). I was collected from Baldwins by ZK at about 15.00hrs having completed almost 200m of 700m. I was glad to be on board when we reached Brewhurst Lock, as we were hit by a ferocious hail and rainstorm. I almost felt sorry for the ZK crew but that soon passed. On the Monday Bob, Jeremy and I completed the remaining 500m in good weather, although lunch was taken sheltering from a sudden shower in the lee of Baldwins Stop Plank Shelter. Does anyone like brambles? If yes, contact me.
As a postscript to hedge laying, Tony and others planted up the saplings that had been heeled in at the Drungewick end of the Gauging Station Meadow. This was done on the 7th and 9th of April totalling some 500 trees, extending the layed hedge to the field gate on the towpath side, also running from the slipways to the heavy plant crossing on the non towpath side. That's a load off my mind. In five years time we'll lay that if there are any of us left!
Working Party Diary for May and early June.
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.
FRI APR 30 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
FRI APR 30 - WACT AGM. 1930hrs, North Hall, Loxwood.
SAT 1 MAY SUN2/MON 3 - DIG DEEP with NWPG. WACT members are welcome on any day. Phone
WACT office for site and more details.
MON MAY 10 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
SAT MAY 15/SUN 16- DIG DEEP with London WRG. WACT members are welcome on any day. Phone
the WACT office for site and more details.
SUN MAY 16 - WACT SMALL BOAT RALLY. Details of how to enter can be obtained from the WACT
office on 01403 752403.
SUN MAY 23 - LORDINGS OPEN DAY and small boat rally. From 1030hrs. Contact Winston Harwood or
the WACT office for more details.
MON MAY 24- MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
THUR MAY 27 - MIDWEEK WALK. The Wey & Arun Canal Pallingham to Toat section. 5mls. 2.5-3hrs.
Contact Don Gibson for more details.
SUN JUN 13 - 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.
SUN JUN 13 - IWA Solent & Arun Branch Head of Navigation Campaign Cruise. Pulborough to
Pallingham. Depart A29 Pulborough bridge/slipway at 1500hrs. More details from Pete Boyce on 02392 269642.
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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