| June 2005
Diary | Directory
Editorial Comment ~ Tim Jolly.
As this is my 1st WPN, apologies if anything has gone wrong! Steve had a comprehensive
system and he passed on 214 stamped envelopes for 31 people, some provided by the recipients and some
made out by Steve, financed by subscription. On top of this there are 21 delivered by Email and 27 who
get WPN by post who are recent Working Party attendees. Brand new members who've expressed an interest
in Working Parties also get a copy but they'll only continue to get a copy if they actually turn out.
The returns of attendees are being changed slightly as Colin Gibbs will get them sent to him directly and
I'll only see them every 3 months.
Leaks Like a Sieve ~ Winston Harwood.
The brick bed of the Aqueduct, having been subjected to downward forces from the canal water and upward
forces from floods, has had all the original pointing washed out and consequently leaks like a sieve. We are in the
laborious process of cleaning out all the joints and repointing. It's a race against time as we need to finish
pointing the bed before scaffolding out the Aqueduct on Thursday the 2nd of June in readiness for the Camp which
I am hoping will come on the 4th and 5th to concrete the Aqueduct wall. Pointing the tunnels can be carried out
later ...... a cool job for the height of summer. In and out of the water at the slipway.
Mixing Work and Pleasure ~ Brian Crossley.
Before the AGM Mrs bucket held one of her 'candlelight suppers' at the White Hart, Stopham Bridge.
This was an appropriate venue because boats from London will be once again be passing under the Bridge
in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future. Bad luck that no meals are served on Weekdays before 7pm.
Fortunately we were able to persuade the Management of the importance of not having hungry and disgruntled
members at an AGM, and a special hot meal was speedily produced.
Never missing a work opportunity, one of the group had been delegated to clear the brambles and clean the
ancient Wey & Arun Canal noticeboard besides the bridge. As of old, prospective members are still being
urged to telephone 01903 753099, where fortunately our esteemed longest-serving Secretary still resides
and where they will still receive a very warm welcome.
One of the attractions of being a member of our group is that on each meeting we visit at least eight key
locations. So, besides doing well-worthwhile work, we do keep up-to-date with how most of the restoration
work is progressing. If you'd like to see how we operate, just give me a ring and come along. Our next
meetings will be on Mondays June 6th & 20th and July 4th & 18th.
'Loxwood Lock' ~ Eric Walker.
It turned out that when we got the planning application from Chichester District Council the recommendations
from WSCC in December had not been implemented and we had to get a bridleway diversion to enable us to lower
the canal behind the Onslow. CDC then told us that the diversion order would not be available until November
2005, if there were no objections. So, a switch in the schedule was implemented to bring forward the building
of the new lock on the other side (west) of the B2133 road.
In May, finding the boundaries for the new Loxwood lock site and other general activities occupied us
for a time, whilst the arrangements had to be made for closing the bridleway, getting landowner permissions
and of course, answering the fifteen conditions CDC had placed against the planning permit. By mid-May we
were still waiting for answers on all of these.
The first activity, hopefully in mid-June, will be the contractor removing the soil in the canal bed
where the lock is to be built. They will then dig out the clay to the final depth supporting the banks
with hired-in trench sheeting. Again hopefully, that work will dovetail in to the start of the volunteer
work camps organised by Graham Baird. They will put in the reinforced concrete base and start building
the brick walls. Between the brick walls and the trench sheeting, ready-mix concrete will be poured to
create the lock wall. Once the camps are over it will mainly be up to the WACT volunteers to do the brick
laying. With the trench sheeting costing over £2000 a week in hire charges, if the level of support is
low it may be necessary to contract this work outside.
June 16 will be the next reed-cutting day starting at the Drungewick slipway. Help will be required with
clearing the reeds.
Working Party Diary for June and early July.
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.
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.
.
MON JUL 4- MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from Brian Crossley.
FRI JUL 15 'MIKRON THEATRE' Fishers Farm Park 7.30 pm
SAT JUL 16 'HAYBARN BRIDGE' re-opening - see Wey-South 131 or this website.
Working Party Directory.
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
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