| October 2004
Diary | Directory
EDITORIAL COMMENT ~ Steve Jones
Have you had chance to read the latest copy of 'Wey-South'? I thought it was a good read. Particularly upbeat
and well presented. However, what caught my attention most of all was the photo of the road bridge over the
Chesterfield Canal which; one could easily imagine as the B2133 crossing at Loxwood, It's always difficult to
visualise something like that so well done Eric Walker for providing it. Unfortunately, and this is just a
personal opinion, we are told in the editorial that it will not have a towpath; walkers, cyclists and horse
riders will have to cross what is an increasingly busy road. I know there are very valid reasons why we
cannot provide a towpath but I wonder if the County Council are aware of the huge increase in use that
this bridleway will get and would they not then consider providing the finance to make it possible for a
continuing towpath on safety grounds? Even if it meant that horse riders had to dismount because of height
restrictions. However, I understand there will be a 'shelf' which is likely to be wide enough for walkers to
use but will not be allowed to become a permissive right of way.
Weed Cutting Boat Receives Historic Name ~ Eric Walker
Phil Broadley has masterminded another waterfall this time at Devils Hole lock. At the Tickners Heath depot,
we've been helping Colin Gibbs tidy up the new space we have been allocated by Dunsfold Park Ltd.
Some of the new
space has been occupied by Caprice, the weed cutting boat.  Caprice was the name of Dashwood's boat and for new
members the book of his exploits has been reprinted and available from John Wood. Time has been spent checking
out and greasing all the points. This was followed by the in-water test from Drungewick slipway, which was very
successful, with the only snags being of a minor nature. Next the trailer is getting repainted and new tyres fitted.
The next major item at Tickners is the sale of some engines all proceeds towards the B2133 Crossing project.
Peter Savage has donated two, a single-cylinder engine and a three-cylinder engine. Peter Burmingham has
donated a two-cylinder engine. Details are available from Mike Whyte-Venables mwven@aol.com or Eric Walker.
A visit to the Cooks Bridge spillway early in September to deliver the first lot of materials was upsetting.
With the further drying out of the clay, there was considerable movement of the structure and really the need
is for a complete re-build. The failure seems to be the same as experienced at the Gennets Wood spillway not
too long ago. The frustration is that the canal at Toat is subject to considerable flooding but WACT Trustees
must look very hard before allocating funds for doing this type of repair.
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 07717 855340 or email
Jungle Busted at Lee Farm ~ Peter Jackman.
The MWWP are now in forward drive and are cutting and clearing with a vengeance, what is known in canal parlance as real jungle busting. The work area for the last 5/6 weeks and for another 4/5 sessions (it always depends on how many people turn out) is between Lee Farm Lock and Harsfold Bridge. Well worth a visit if only to see the progress on the new Haybarn Bridge construction.
We do however have a commitment on the 6th of October to do some coppicing in Sidney Wood, This again could turn out to be more than one day's work. The dates are in the W.P.Diary and I'm looking forward to seeing you all.
Hedgetation -To Lay or Not To Lay (Bill Shakespeare) ~ Keith Nichols.
Doesn't the time just fly by. It's October which; means the Hedge Laying season is with us once again for '04/'05.
If I haven't contacted you yet, then I hope to, as the 1st job this season is hedge trimming (if I haven't
started already!) With just over 1000 metres/yards to be trimmed from the Heavy Plant crossing at Drungwick
Gauging Station Meadow to the Birch Copse Pump in Brewhurst River Field, above Baldwins Knob Lock.
This will probably take about 8 to 10 man-days with 2 hedge trimmers running. Then there is coppicing which;
will probably take place at Devils Hole (400 metres west of the Onslow Arms). At the moment the only Hedge
Laying itself will be finishing off the 100 metres in Drungwick Gauging Station Meadow to the Spill Weir which;
requires about 220 stakes and binders with associated clearance and fence removal. There is a possibility of
another 200+ metres of laying, but no decision has been made at the time of writing (15 Sept '04). My times are a
little more limited this season due to pressure of work. Weekdays for me will probably be only on my 'rolling day
off' which is Friday 1st October then Saturday 9th, Monday 11th, Tuesday 19th, and Wednesday 27th plus most Sundays.
New Occupational Hazard for the Monday Group ~ Brian Crossley.
One of the downsides of a towpath strimmers life is, just occasionally, to be splattered by some unsavoury substance. Recently, near Drungewick aqueduct, we have encountered a gooey black material, new to us. "No Johnny dear, it's not liquorice, leave it alone". Its amazing how much of it two adult swans and eight adolescent cygnets can produce. But the family is a magnificent sight and we forgive them wholeheartedly. Congratulations to the two adults for successfully rearing so many youngsters, particularly as half the brood comprises cygnets whose mother and/or father had died and they had remarkably taken on the fostering.
In October, we'll be meeting on Mondays 11 and Friday 29, the day of the EGM. In the winter months we'll be taking on small projects and supporting the other working parties. Anyone interested please come along - just ring me during the previous week for more details.
(Notional) Pay Rise for WACT Volunteers ~ Colin Gibbs.
It looks as though the IWA are to look into standardising the value of volunteer labour, so that when canal
organisations apply for matched funding, we are all singing from the same hymn sheet. I'm planning to use a
system operated by English Nature for the current year. I hope I've not left it too late! I believe IWA will
have a similar scheme. Basically, there will be 3 categories of work, 1.General Unskilled Labour, 2.Semi
Skilled Labour and 3.Labour for which training and certification is required. What it does mean is the hourly
rates increase with the amount of skill required. Group Leaders/Managers will be receiving more detailed
information shortly. Suffice to say, the majority of us (unskilled guys) will be pleased to hear we will
be worth £7.00 per hour, rather than the current rate of £5.75. Of course, we can only operate this, or
any other scheme, if all volunteer work and attendance is recorded. We need to keep up to date records
not only for the reasons I have just outlined, but also importantly for insurance purposes. In this respect,
may I thank all the Leaders who have sent in their records regularly, this year, especially the Camp Leaders,
and at the same time, may I respectfully ask those who have not sent their returns, to do so ASAP to Steve Jones -
some of their team members have had to contact our Editor in order to receive the newsletters. Anyone not attending
a working party at least once in the previous 6 months will not be sent one unless they subscribe in one of the 3 ways.
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 at Lordings. Site details from Winston Harwood.
EVERY THURSDAY and SUNDAY Meet 0930 at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood. Lots of jobs mainly
construction. Site details from Eric Walker.
WED OCT 6 - MWWP. Meet 0930 in Sidney Wood. Contact Peter Jackman for more details.
SAT OCT 9/SUN 10 - DIG DEEP with NWPG. WACT members are welcome on any day. Phone the WACT
office for site and more details.
MON OCT 11 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
WED OCT 13 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at Haybarn. Contact Peter Jackman for more details.
WED OCT 20 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at Haybarn. Contact Peter Jackman for more details.
WED OCT 27 - MWWP. Meet 0930 at Haybarn. Contact Peter Jackman for more details.
THUR OCT 28 - MIDWEEK WALK. The Wey & Arun Canal. Onslow Arms to - Surrey/Sussex border
section.4.5mls. 2.5-3hrs. Contact Don Gibson for more details.
FRI OCT 29 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site and meeting time from Brian Crossley.
FRI OCT 29 - 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
Peter Jackman (Mid-week Working Party) 01483 772132
WACT office (General Enquiries) 01403 752403
Winston Harwood (Lordings Lock & Aqueduct) 01293 424672
Peter Wilding (Loxwood Maintenance) 01483 422519
Eric Walker (Loxwood Area) 02392 463025 email:ericwalker@onetel.com
Colin Gibbs (Tickners Maintenance) 020 8241 7736
Don Gibson (Midweek Walks) 01903 201375
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