Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Tim Jolly.

I've been asked to publish the following Avian Flu guidelines, 1st issued to Boat Crews by Dusty Miller but just as applicable to working parties. Workers should also be aware of Leptospirosis (or Weil's Diesease) - most often caught from water containing non-domesticated rat's urine. Take extra care if your skin is cut or abraded.

It would seem that the present scare over Avian Flu is receding, but after some discussion with Peter Foulger, I think it still appropriate to give some guidance in the event of a problem visiting us at the Wey & Arun.

Basically the birds at risk are water fowl, so if you come across a dead or dying swan or duck then please let Peter Foulger know via your leader. Appropriate action will then be taken. The risk to other birds is very low, although a group of dead birds would be a cause for concern and should be reported.

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TOUCH THE BIRD

This is for your sake and also so that the authorities can view the circumstances. We're optimistic that we won't have a problem but it's better to have a plan in place.

Consulting with my colleagues on the Publicity Sub-Committee we've agreed that WPN should go out monthly regardless of quantity of content - although I'm not very good at getting it out on time!

We have a Maintenance Manager! He is David Jessop - who some of you will know. Some words from him will appear in the next Wey-South.

Nothing from the Monday Group or MWWP this time, I hear that Peter Jackman has unwell due to a bad hip, incurred whilst on a working party I believe! Thanks to Eric, Lawrie and Keith though.

Could Group Leaders please send me copy on a monthly basis - or give me a ring even if there's nothing to report. I know John Wood reminds you for your quarterly Wey-South copy, but inevitably that tends to be about what's happened some time ago - rather than more recent stuff and importantly, plans for the future.

WTS Group (formerly TSG Group) ~ Eric Walker

(06/03/06)
By mid February the brickwork for the Loxwood lock walls was complete and all the backfill concrete in place. The next job is complete the headwalls and the top sill. As part of this the slab above the ground paddles is in place on both sides of the lock. It is this slab that determines the normal water level in the pound above the lock. The next tricky item will be the slab supporting the back pump.

With completion of the walls including the headwalls the drain behind the walls can be put in. It is expected that there will be mechanical aids not used before by the TSG Group.

Progress is being made with the design of the bridge for the lock, which will be similar to Brewhurst Lane Bridge, but narrower. Again construction of this bridge will be another first for the TSG Group

(28/03/06)
March was a very busy month with a lot of the copings being cast. The other major item was the delivery by Dave Kersley of the Hanix digger that he has been bringing back to life over the past three years. This 4.5 tonnes digger was an insurance write off after a fire burnt the electronics, electrical cables and much of the hydraulic pipe work. The same day saw the Trust's 5 tonne dumper and tracked dumper delivered to site. Some said now that the work is over we get the equipment, but the reality is that the work goes up another gear.

The immediate work for the kit was the 'fin drain' behind the lock walls. This drain is to take away the water coming off the field. It comprises of a perforated pipe in shingle along and behind most of the wall, with a gentle fall coming out below the lock. Above the pipe is some special geotextile to drain all the water from behind the wall up to near the surface into the shingle and pipe. For this work the digger and tracked dumper were essential, to have done it by hand would have been impossible.

The design of the humpy back bridge for the lock has been completed and the planning application made to Chichester District Council for the change from the design submitted. The changes to the lock wall have started, the steelwork is on order, and the centering is about to be designed.

The change in name of the group reflects that for some time we have been working on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Last month the group was 23 strong, but I hasten to add that usually there are only 7 or 8 attending each session, so people are coming when they can. The effect is a dramatic increase in the work achieved and much admiration from the many visitors, both members and non-members.

Winston Harwood's Group ~ Lawrie Wraight

(04/03/06)
The access to the Lordings site being difficult and the hours of daylight being too few, our group has been temporarily deployed to Bramley, clearing one possible new route for the canal, thereby allowing a proper survey to be done in the near future. The work involved cutting down shrubs and some large branches and trunks, cutting them up into logs and moving them up to the top of the hill, in order to prevent floodwater taking them into the river. Now that this job has finished, Lordings now has priority, and, for the moment, Thursday is the regular working day. Block paving continues to be laid and concrete footings have been put in the area chosen to display a plaque (in memory of Winston Harwood). Early in February, the reedcutter was brought down to the new slipway and launched. The group is now clearing the canal, to make it available for the May Boat Rally. Despite the area being covered in an enormous amount of floodwater, groups persevered with clearing, but, although sensible precautions were taken, the reedcutter sank overnight in the canal. On its discovery, we removed the first floodgate timber, to lower the water level. When a salvage team arrived, they further lowered the water level and bailed out the boat, refloated it, removed it from the canal and delivered it to Tickner's, where the engine was started first time. Most recently, more reed has been cleared, in spite of the ice and work is now taking place to thoroughly seal the replaced timbers of the floodgate.

(31/03/06)
The canal overflow is difficult to seal, mainly because work must take place below water level. Sawdust is the latest ingredient, but must be correctly used to fill the gaps. A great deal of work has been carried out on the towpath side of the canal bank, to remove all unnecessary shrubs, weed and bramble. Bonfires ensured the prompt disposal of the cuttings and branches. There is now a minimal overhang and the view from the towpath is stunning. The block paved area on the lockside is nearing completion. The flooding which was increasing during our visit, enabled us to identify numerous small leaks, some in the brick floor of the aqueduct and some in the lock. As the water was rising rapidly an attempt was made to repuddle the clay.

ITS A FAIR COP(PICE) ~ Keith Nichols

Having missed the last Working Party News, I've a little to pass on to you all.

We have spent, from the end of November to the end of January, in the Old Barnshill Coppice between the river and the canal, (yes, it floods!), cutting 350 stakes and 350 binders from very old stools.

On 24th January we started work on 'tarting up' the Baldwins Knob Lock to Barnshill section of hedge. This section hasn't fared very well since the initial laying. This is because it was originally flattened by the Great Flood, then hacked to death by the great hackers and has since suffered from lack of light, water and nutrients due to the great, overhanging Oaks and Ashes on this section.

The last 20 metres has been layed, to the field gate' with parts planted up with 40 odd, new saplings. An intermediate section of about 20 metres has been restaked and bound. This now leaves about 70 metres to be restaked and bound and a couple of bonfires to be lit (its bound to rain then). On Thursday 23rd we lit a bonfire - it didn't rain - it snowed! We staked and bound about 20 metres leaving 50 metres to do.

When we have finished the above, I am unsure as to what we will do next as I am awaiting the OK from the C of M. Possibilities are: Drungewick Lock side or some of the Brewhurst section. You will be told?

(19/03/06)
HEDGELAYING NEWS

This year we have spent 13 days coppicing and re-staking and binding the hedge between Baldwins Knob Lock and Barnshill Bridge. In the coppice we have cut about 500 stakes and 500 binders. We have used about half of those in the hedge and planted 60 saplings. On Wednesday 15th March we finished that section of hedge and had one last bonfire there (and some 'well done' baked potatoes).

We are now waiting to transfer material to Drungewick Lock and Brewhurst, as with the cold spell at this time, I expect to be able to continue laying until the end of April. This would give us another 6 weeks working time.
Thanks to all who have attended.

Situations Vacant ~ (John Wood 17/10/05)

Vacancies occur from time to time to fill important roles. Can you help fill them?

CONSERVATION OFFICER
We urgently require someone with up-to-date experience of conservation, particularly in a river or canal environment.

If you do not attend regularly, please contact the site manager before joining a work party.

MONDAY W P. (Mrs Bucket Group). Details of site from John Empringham.

MOST TUESDAYS maintenance sessions at Tickners Heath. Check with Colin Gibbs first.

WEDNESDAYS Loxwood Link maintenance. Site details from Peter Wilding.

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

WEDNESDAYS Mid-Week Working Party Details from Peter Jackman

THURSDAYS Winston Harwood Group Normally at Lordings - Details from Lawrie Wraight

Saturday 22nd April - AGM at Billingshurst Village Hall - 2 p.m.

Sunday 14th May - Winston Harwood Memorial Small Boat Rally at Lordings - 10.00 a.m.

Sunday 21st May - Annual Small Boat Rally at Loxwood - 9.00 a.m.

John Empringham (Monday Working Party) 01483 562657
Tim Jolly (W P News Editor) 01403 267408 e-mail: tim.jolly@tesco.net
Peter Jackman (Mid-week Working Party) 01483 772132
WACT office (General Enquiries) 01403 752403
Dave Junkison (Lordings Lock & Aqueduct) 020 8941 0685
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
Lawrie Wraight (The Winston Harwood Working Group) 01903 721404