Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Steve Jones.

It was sad to learn of the death of Ernie Pull. I was personally involved with one of Ernie's last projects for the Trust; which was the repair of culverts 1 & 2 in Sidney Wood. Ernie was in charge of the reconstruction gang and we worked closely to comply with the conditions that English Nature and Forest Enterprise imposed upon the job. The skill of his team and the quality of their workmanship contributed greatly to the professional attitude of our volunteers that helped convince EN and FE to allow us to restore the canal and eventually gain a lease.

Ready for Easter ~ Brian Crossley.

The Monday Group finished the non-grass-cutting season by helping to refit Zachariah Keppel (the WACT trip boat) in time for the 'Easter Bunny Cruises' which; by the time you read this, will hopefully have been their usual great success.

By the last week in March we will be returning to our prime mission of tending all the major road crossings. At Loxwood we will be looking after the grass around the winding hole and beside the Onslow Arms until the bulldozers sweep us away. We will then have to confine our efforts on the south side of the B2133 to the area around the landing stage at Brewhurst Lock.

Meetings in April will be on Mondays 4 & 18 and Friday 29 (day of the AGM). Just give me a ring for more details.

News From the Depot ~ Colin Gibbs

No report from the Tickners Heath depot this month, just another request for help in keeping our pumps, mixers and generators running. If you have the skills, and a couple of spare days every now and again, please give me a ring.

Dave Revives Digger ~ Eric Walker

The status of the B2133 Crossing planning application was still unknown on the 18th March. On three occasions prior to that in January, February and March, the indications of a decision were "Next week". Optimistically it looks as if it will have taken not eight but sixteen weeks to get the consent. So in March, Plan A-1, as it was tagged previously, was implemented - to pollard those trees that the birds may want to nest in. April will see the jobs anticipating the contractors starting in May, subject to contracts being let. (Granted as of March 22, 2005, subject to conditions being met. - Webmaster)

March also saw the digger spring back to life at Tickners Heath depot. Congratulations to Dave Kersley overcoming so many problems to achieve this feat. It is a long time since we were given the fire damaged 4.5 tonne 360-degree digger. Each time Dave revealed another layer of the inner workings there were fire-damaged items that needed to be replaced. Getting the cableform, which took a year to come from Japan, was the worst of the delays.

Phil Broadley got the reed cutting boat down to Drungewick slipway and with Richards Emsley at the controls, zoomed up to Baldwins Knob lock and down to Drungewick. Then back to Tickners with time to spare, ah, another job well done.

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.com

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 APR 4 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

WED APR 18 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

THUR APR 28 - MIDWEEK WALK. The Wey & Arun Canal. Onslow Arms to - Drungewick Lock section. 4.5mls. Depart 1000hrs from the Onslow. Lunch back at the pub.Contact Don Gibson for more details.

FRI APR 29 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

FRI APR 29 - WACT AGM. 1930hrs, Social Centre, Pulborough.

SUN MAY 8 - IWA Solent & Arun Branch, Head of Navigation Gerry & Ivy Skinner Memorial Campaign Cruise. Littlehampton slipway to Pulborough for larger boats and Pulborough to Pallingham for smaller boats. Depart A29 Pulborough bridge/slipway. More details from Pete Boyce on 02392 269642. See also IWA

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