Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Wendy Andrews.

It's nearly 6 months since the last WPN was published so there are lots of exciting developments to report, not least of which is progress at the B2133 crossing. See below for updates from the relevant group leaders for more details.

In the meantime working party volunteers have come and gone and the WPN distribution list may well be out of date - if you come across a newcomer who hasn't received this edition please let me know and I will add him/her to my list for future editions. You can leave a message for me any time at the WACT office (01403 752 403) or e-mail me at wendy_andrews@weyandarun.co.uk

Direction from the Publicity Sub-Committee is that WPN should go out monthly regardless of quantity of content so I will do my best to publish an edition in the first week of each month. I rely on group leaders to send me copy by the last day of the previous month, either by phone, snail mail or e-mail, even if there's nothing to report. Despite gentle nagging I've heard nothing from the Monday Group this time around, otherwise thank you to all contributors for their input.

This is my first stab at publishing a Working Party News so please forgive me for any errors and omissions.

Christmas Lunch ~ (Colin Gibbs)

This year's Christmas Lunch is planned for Monday 4th December at the Three Compasses from 12.00 for 13.00. There is no menu available as yet but we hope to have it by the time this newsletter reaches you. Please contact Colin Gibbs if you would like to see it; the price will be about the same as last year, £21, which includes a gratuity. The booking process has had to change since numbers have grown so much - like from 12 to 36 just in the last year - so please reserve with Colin direct rather than through your group leader. To make it fair to all, bookings will be taken on a 'first come first served' basis by telephone to Colin; messages can be left on his answerphone - 020 8241 7736.

WTS Group (formerly TSG Group) ~ Eric Walker

Recently the group has concentrated on the construction of Loxwood lock and there are still a number of jobs to do there. Some of them are urgent such as concreting in the bollards to avoid them being stolen. October should see Callis Mill on site to put the mitre boards in place ready for the gates, which will be fitted after the road bridge is built, cash flow and all that.

Once Verralls had finished lowering the Onslow pound, the replacement of the Wendy house and fencing around the private garden were an urgent security requirement for the pub. Next were the replacement of the fence and grass on the public garden overlooking the canal.

The next major task on site will be arrival of Burras to connect the sewer diversion they put in place last year. This now being worked in with the diversion of the other utilities preparatory to the building of the bridge next year! Although there will be traffic lights during this work, it will be single line working so volunteer control will not be appropriate. Whilst they are on site they will be putting in the bank retaining wall behind the Onslow and pile caps on the other side of the canal.

Meanwhile the volunteers are to reinstate the track to the west of the B2133 and the bridleway from Brewhurst lock to the B2133. Also there is to be a hedge planted along the new fence on the Onslow pound and the topsoil, which forms a seed bank, to be put on the new off side bank. There are three other major jobs once Burras has finished the retaining wall, but more of that next time. All of this is to be done before Christmas this year, a very tall order.

Finally a big thank you to all those from the Trust who operated the B2133 Crossing traffic lights in August and September, they saved the Trust several thousand pounds and kept the work impact on the traffic and Loxwood village to a minimum.

Winston Harwood's Group ~ Lawrie Wraight

By the time this report is published the pit adjacent to the waterwheel will have been transformed from a weed-covered mess into a pleasant brick paved area, hiding the underpinning of an unsupported wall. Now that the scaffolding has been removed from the aqueduct, newly carved steps allow us access to the culverts. The viewing platform area has had ivy removed from the trees and the overhanging willow tree is being cut back to the bankside.

Building debris is recycled or burnt and the small trailer was removed to Tickner's. The dry weather has allowed all the mowing and strimming to take place and the notice board near Winston's bridge has been replaced.

The group will be deployed to other sites, temporarily, to help with urgent work, most specifically ensuring we will be ready for the Santa Cruises this Christmas.

Keith Nichols' Group ~ Keith Nichols

After the summer 'lay off' hedge trimming started again at the end of September and we hope to have finished the mile of layed hedge by Tuesday 3rd October.

We will be working with Peter Jackman and his team coppicing in Sidney Wood on Wednesday 11th, otherwise the plan is to start hedge laying between Brewhurst Lock and Brewhurst Bridge on Sunday 22nd and Friday 27th.

If time permits we will be working at Lordings later on in the season. Working party dates for November look like being 5th, 6th, 14th and 22nd - please check before turning up.

Mid Week Working Party ~ (Peter Jackman)

Firstly, a very warm welcome to Gerry Vine who has recently joined the group.

Having spent most of the summer months fencing at Lee Farm our attention now turns to clearing the offside bank between Fastbridge and the Dunsfold Caravan Site. We will meet on Wednesdays at Fastbridge, please check before turning up as plans could change at short notice.

However, on Wednesday 11th October we will be working with Keith Nichols and his team, coppicing in Sidney Wood.

We've been approached by The Body Shop where a number of employees are interested in getting involved with coppicing, brush cutting or jungle bashing so be prepared to welcome them to the team at any time.

Loxwood Link Maintenance Unit ~ (Peter Wilding)

New members are always welcome. The group meets every Wednesday with the objective of keeping the navigable section of the canal operational for public trips, charters and special events. The work is very varied, usually on land, but can involve working from our work boat, the May Upton.

Monday Working Party ~ (John Empringham)

Nothing from John this month. Usually meets twice a month, mostly 'gardening' and tidying. Please contact John for site details.

Maintenance at Tickner's Heath Depot ~ (Colin Gibbs)

Our neighbour, Steve has erected a fence inside the area we use at the entrance to the depot. However we can still have access as normal.

We hope to be joined by Stuart Savage in October. Stuart is a new member who has very kindly offered his services on the technical side of work at the Depot. Andrew and I will welcome him with open arms - we are both excellent fetchers and carriers but that's about as far as our skills go!!!

New members are always welcome, we meet on Tuesday mornings, basically keeping WACT's plant and equipment in good working order.

Visiting Groups ~ (Graham Baird)

The transformation of Brewhurst Lock is proceeding well, and following the three weeks of canal camps in July we have had two weekend visiting groups (London WRG and BITM) plus midweek support from David Junkison's team.

The top end of the lock has been completely rebuilt and lengthened to meet current standards and concrete backfill placed to form the gravity retaining walls. The critical operation now is to complete the insitu concrete copings so that the top gates can be installed together with the ground paddles (only twelve separate concrete pours to go!)

At the other end of the lock the difficult job of forming the sloping beams has been exercising the teams, and this operation will be followed by casting of the steps. Work has also progressed on the cutting out of the recess in the existing lock wall to accommodate an additional lock ladder.

We reckon that we have cast the last precast facing block having achieved a turnround rate of one set per working day since the beginning of the summer camps. Those moulds have certainly earned their keep!

The next two weekend camps are on 7/8 October and 21/22 October and we would welcome any members who wish to give us a hand.

There will be an update from Bill Nicholson next month.

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

Most Mondays
Mrs Bucket' - Keeping Up Appearances Details from John Empringham

Most Tuesday mornings
Maintenance sessions at Tickner's Heath Depot Check with Colin Gibbs

Every Wednesday
Mid-Week Working Party Ring Peter Jackman for site details

Every Wednesday
Loxwood Link maintenance Contact Peter Wilding

Every Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday
Mainly construction work. Meet at the Onslow Arms, 09.30. Contact Eric Walker for details

Every Thursday
Winston Harwood Group, usually Lordings but elsewhere this quarter Contact Lawrie Wraight for details

Variable
Keith Nichols Group Contact Keith for dates and sites

Saturday 28th October
Wey and Arun Exhibition (11.00 - 13.30) and Autumn Meeting (14.00) at Pulborough Village Hall, Lower Street, Pulborough
Contact WACT office for more information

Monday 4th December
Working Party Christmas Lunch, Compasses Inn, 12.00 for 13.00 Contact Colin Gibbs to book

WACT Office, General enquiries, 01403 752 403 email: office@weyandarun.co.uk
Wendy Andrews, W P News Editor, 01403 752 170 email: wendy_andrews@weyandarun.co.uk
Turlough Bamber, Restoration Manager, 01483 421 305 email: restoration@weyandarun.co.uk
David Jessop, Maintenance Manager, 01403 269 384 email: david_jessop@weyandarun.co.uk
Eric Walker (Loxwood Area) 02392 463025 email: ericwalker@onetel.com
Peter Jackman (Mid-week Working Party) 01483 772132
John Empringham, Keeping Up Appearances, 01483 562657, email: john@empringham.com
Dave Junkison (Lordings Lock & Aqueduct) 020 8941 0685
Peter Wilding (Loxwood Maintenance) 01483 422519, email: peter_wilding@weyandarun.co.uk
Colin Gibbs (Tickners Maintenance) 020 8241 7736 email: colin-gibbs@blueyonder.co.uk
Don Gibson (Midweek Walks) 01903 201375
Lawrie Wraight (The Winston Harwood Working Group) 01903 721404
Bill Nicholson, Visiting Groups, 01844 343 369, email: bandsnicholson@tiscali.co.uk
Graham Baird, Brewhurst Lock Reconfiguration, 01403 262 515, email: graham@gbaird.plus.com