Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Steve Jones.

As this will be the last issue of W.P.News that I edit, hopefully it will not contain any typing errors as you may well have noticed with many previous issues (including last months - you may have wondered what an editorial commet was). Thank you to those who have offered encouragement in the past and all who have recently expressed some very kind comments. In the absence of any definite offer to take over from me, the editor of 'Wey South' Tim Jolly has kindly offered to take on the job. All correspondence regarding W.P.News by post or e-mail should now be sent to him. Tim's address is 2 Southdown Close, Roffey, West Sussex, RH12 4LD and can always be found on page 3 of 'Wey South'. Tim's e-mail address is - see below.

Coping With the Copings ~ Winston Harwood.

All brickwork at Lordings is finished! We are continuing with the copings and earthworks and looking forward to spending a day or two at Haybarn finishing the odd jobs. Shortly 20 tons of ballast will arrive and concreting to the copings will start in earnest. Should we build an otter holt? Any comments/advice on the pros & cons would be greatly appreciated before we commit ourselves.

Grant for Coppicing in Sidney Wood ~ Jim Phillips.

The many WACT volunteers who helped coppice the hazel in Sidney Wood may be glad to know that DEFRA paid up their £3770 for the work. So many people from MWWP and elsewhere were involved that it didn't seem worth splitting the money. However, sending this e-mail for WPN from the beach in Bermuda reminds how even that sort of sum doesn't go far here: you'd be amazed at the cost of holidaymaking on this island. Oh well, a few more days here and then return to UK for the AGM on 29 April and answer any awkward questions there may be about perks for directors.

News From the Depot ~ Colin Gibbs

We're still looking for someone to keep our engines running. Fortunately Dave Kersley and Peter Burningham have taken care of some emergencies recently. On April 19 Peter Jackman and some of the MWWP gave us a hand around the yard, whilst Tony Clark got stuck into repairing a mud pump and a small winch which; could be suitable for getting medium sized boats in and out of the water at the slipway.

Hard Hats and Yellow Jackets ~ Brian Crossley.

Highly critical of the 'nanny state' as I am, it will come as a surprise to many who know me well that I am now the proud possessor of a white hard hat and a bright new yellow over-jacket. The entire Monday Group are now fully kitted-out to satisfy the most officious Health and Safety Inspector. And our uniform makes all the team look very smart, judging by the admiring glances of the female passers-by! In addition we must surely be just that little bit safer when we're mowing or strimming the grass - particularly at Run Common and Fastbridge where there's no pavement to shield us from the enormous trucks screaming past at 60 or 70 mph (and sometimes more).

While we're always anxious to get on with the job, we are ever heedful of our environmental responsibilities. Keith Nicholls asked us not to cut the grass between Drungewick Lane and the Aqueduct until the cowslips had grown up and flowered - what a magnificent display they turned out to be! And it's widely believed to be instant dismissal for anyone in the group who, even accidentally, beheads a daffodil until 6 weeks have elapsed since flowering.

If you think you might enjoy working within these rigid confines, do give me a ring and come along to see how we operate. Our next meetings will be on Mondays May 16 and June 16 & 20.

'Dig Deep' - Almost Done at Haybarn! ~ Bill Nicholson.

A visit by KESCRG (Kent and East Sussex Canal Restoration Group) in March, the continued assistance of Winston's team and a three-day Easter camp, has brought the project almost to its completion. KESCRG worked hard to complete the towpath side retaining wall by backfilling it with concrete as well as completing the brickwork around the bridge on the farm side ready for concreting the upper slab over which the bridge wheels run. The fact that the bridge was fabricated at an angle (because of the sloping site on the Leeds & Liverpool) has lead to considerably more bricklaying than would have been the case on a level site thus delaying our progress.

Winston Harwood and his team helped to bring the project 'catch up' by carrying out the difficult task of laying the upper slab to the correct level in time for the NWPG (Newbury Working Party Group) visit at Easter. Graham Baird has as usual been in charge of ensuring the project has run to plan and without whose help, it wouldn't have! During three days of fine weather the final coat of paint was applied to the bridge and the curved brickwork for the approach ramp on the farm side was laid - in one day! The approach was concreted and the new bridge deck planks drilled and fitted. Away from the bridge the towpath banks were re-profiled and the path and the river approach raised with clay. Two loads of materials and equipment were taken back to the Tickners Heath depot. On Easter Monday a small team returned to carry on earth moving in the areas which were too close to the workforce on the previous days. Altogether it has been a very successful month's work. Graham Baird is arranging for the deck to be sprayed with tar and chippings and has a list of tasks to complete the project. Essex WRG have booked a visit in June and will mop up the outstanding tasks including removing the top earth dam and taking down the temporary footbridge and fencing. The 'Dig Deep' teams will be helping with the B2133 crossing project once the Haybarn Swing Bridge is finished.

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.

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

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

MON MAY 16 - MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

SUN MAY 22 - WACT SMALL BOAT RALLY. Details of how to enter can be obtained from the WACT office on 01403 752403.

MON JUN 6- MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

SUN JUN 12 - WACT PODDLE. (sponsored walk). Consult last 'Wey- South' or contact Jo Beagles on 01483 418195 or the WACT office if you can help or just want more details.

MON JUN 20- MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.

Brian Crossley (Monday Working Party) 01737 843192
Tim Jolly (W P News Editor) 01403 267408 e-mail: tim.jolly@tesco.net
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