Diary | Directory

Planning Permission will Convert to Project Progress ~ Eric Walker.

Block making is well in hand at the Tickners Heath depot. Also going well are the preparation jobs for the B2133 Crossing project. Clearance behind Brewhurst lock could let us see it, as we never have before. However the next job will be digging a trench across the Onslow Arms lawn and installing the duct for the BT Cables to the Southern Water Pumping station. Presently the BT cable goes along the towpath from the road, just where the work of lowering the pound and towpath will be done. Over the Christmas period the bicycle racks in the car park will be removed to make room for the paper skip! The planning application for the work went into Chichester District Council on the 6th Dec. With that in place, we then turned to the permission from WSCC to move the clay from lowering the canal to Devils Hole field. This "permission" turned out to be another planning application with five drawings, three reports and three forms all to be supplied as six copies. Naturally a covering letter and a whopping fee were required. In the week before Christmas, the application for a drop kerb where the bridleway comes out behind the Onslow Arms went in to WSCC, for installation in Feb or March. This drop kerb is for the lorries taking away the clay dug out to lower the pound. For the sewer diversion another pack of information will be posted early in the New Year to Southern Water Services - that needs 12 copies of a coloured drawing and because of the legal implications that will have to be dealt with between the solicitors. At the same time another application will have to go to WSCC to open up the road and yes 12 copies of a different drawing are required and of course the solicitors will be involved. It wasn't like this twenty years ago! So when is it all going to happen? Well planning consent is the next milestone and to reach that we will have another site meeting with the Planning Officer and a Tree Protection officer early January. There has to be a meeting with the local bat group. WSCC say about the decision "the earliest meeting is probably in the first week in March". So the serious on the ground stuff could start at the beginning of March. But purchasing and contracts have to start well ahead of that.

It could all be dismal stuff, but a start we will be made and fund-raising will determine just how much we can do in 2005.

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

An expanded version of the above report appeared in January's web version.

Painting the roof of the lean-to at the Onslow Arms necessitated members of the Monday Group overcoming the hazards of climbing out of the window above. When helping with the Santa Cruises we had expected to receive hearty congratulations. We were greeted with "its fine, but why didn't you paint the walls". But nobody had asked us. With the benefit of hindsight it seems a very reasonable question. Rest assured that the walls, will be painted to match the roof in time for the Easter Bunny Cruises.

Solutions to the teasers in the January W.P.News are.

1. The bear was white (the bivouac was at the north pole).
2. The bivouacs were one mile apart on the latitude that is one mile north of the line of latitude in the southern hemisphere that is exactly one mile in circumference. (The bivouacs were just over a mile from the south pole. The men circumnavigated the globe along a line of latitude just under one sixth of a mile from the South Pole).

Only 2 members of the Trust submitted the 2 correct solutions - congratulations to Phil Broadley and Richard Watson. But can they, or anyone solve the second problem if it is stipulated that the 2 bivouacs are NOT situated on the same line of latitude?

Until the mowing season starts , we shall be doing jobs requiring the skills of a small specialist team, such as spring cleaning the store shed at Drungewick Lane Farm, falling back on joining the Mid Week working Party when the weather is unsuitable. Meetings in February will be on Wednesday 9 & 23. Just give me a ring for more details.

The lack of floods and frost has allowed us to continue with the aqueduct brickwork at Lordings. We have two of the five bays finished and bay three rising quickly. We are on site Tuesdays and Thursdays although we are now walking down to the site from the main road.

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.

WEDNESDAYS Loxwood Link maintenance. Site details from Peter Wilding.

WEDNESDAYS Mid Week Working Party. Site details from new leader (to be appointed).

EVERY THURSDAY and SUNDAY Meet 0930 at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood. Lots of jobs mainly construction. Site details from Eric Walker.

WED FEB 9 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

SAT FEB 12/SUN 13 - DIG DEEP with NWPG. WACT members are welcome on any day. Phone the WACT office for site and more details.

WED FEB 23 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

THUR FEB 24 - MIDWEEK WALK. The Wey & Arun Canal. Limeburners Inn - Loves Bridge section.4mls. 2.5-3hrs. Meet at the Limeburners. Depart 1000hrs. Lunch back at the Limeburners.Contact Don Gibson for more details.

Brian Crossley (Monday Working Party) 01737 843192
Steve Jones (W P News Editor) 01444 811747 e-mail: steve@stumblemead.fsnet.co.uk
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