Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Wendy Andrews.

Thank you to all the group leaders for contributions to this month's edition. Once again Keith took me literally and delivered his on a set of postcards. His suggestion for next year is more of a challenge - watch this space. I'd like to add my thanks to Colin for all his work on the admin side and his support to me with attendee lists.

Meanwhile, Very Best Wishes to You All for a Merry Christmas and a Well Deserved Break!

Administration ~ (Colin Gibbs)

May I take this opportunity to thank, publicly, the Group Leaders, who, over the past year, and indeed, past years, have conscientiously recorded the hours worked by working party volunteers. A special thank you to the leaders and secretaries of our visiting groups, who somehow find time to record the campers hours - the two Grahams (Hotham and Hawkes), Eddie, Bill, Stuart, Nigel and George (WACT camps)and Sally( Nott). Thanks to the other secretaries who sent in returns in past years. It was Graham Hawks who asked 'do we include the hours of administration required to set up camps?' He had spent over 20 hours arranging site visits by NWPG. We have also included the work undertaken by the most important people attending camps - the Cooks. Leading on from this, my thoughts go to the numerous working party related hours undertaken by Trust officials - Chairman Peter, Turlough, David J., Andy Bowerman and Graham B. Advanced notice - attendances for the 4th Quarter should be returned by 15th January 2007. Something for you to work on!

WTS Group (formerly TSG Group) ~ Eric Walker

At Loxwood lock the 'topping-out' ceremony was carried out on 22nd November as the last coping on Horse Bridge was put in place. Naturally, there are a number of items to be done in the lock all to some extent being held due to excess water and the need to prepare the bridleway to Brewhurst lock for the Santa Cruises. At the lock, once the electricity is connected (now scheduled for 6th December) the water level in the lock can be controlled (famous last words) by pumping it out to the river. During the visit by Callis Mill to Brewhurst lock they also placed the top sill mitre to enable the top sill itself to be put in place. The wood for the stop planks is due any day so they can be fitted.

Burras is pressing on with the work behind the Onslow Arms putting on the pile-capping beam but has had some equipment failures. The retaining wall along the towpath has then to be finished and anticipates finishing before Christmas. Once that is complete, the towpath has to be reinstated and then the bund at Brewhurst can be removed.

On other fronts the sewer diversion was accepted by Southern Water Services on 30th Nov just as the mains water diversion for the bridge was being completed. By early December the footpath reinstatement on the B2133 was in hand with the prospect of removal of the traffic light by the 6th Dec looking achievable.

Winston Harwood's Group ~ Lawrie Wraight

Throughout this month all members have been helping with the rebuilding of Brewhurst Lock. The favourable weather allowed us to meet the targets set for the casting of the steps and coping stones. Surprisingly, it took quite a long time to put the shuttering in place, as the panels needed to be rigid, secure and accurate. Seven days after each section was completed by us, it was very rewarding to see the transformation, which had taken place, during our absence. We also assisted with the installation of the safety rails and ladders. The wet weather eventually arrived and has slightly delayed the fitting of the mooring bollards.

Keith Nichols' Group ~ Keith Nichols

Continuing with the Brewhurst trees and hedge, a total of 10 days were spent between November 2nd and 15th on hedge preparation pre-laying. This involved removal of copious amounts of bramble, cutting back Dog Rose, removal of overhanging branches and thinning out each tree to make the actual laying easier. Laying started on Tuesday 21st and has included pollarding 2 large prunus for standards. 7 days have been spent on laying to date, so by today, Thursday 30th, 30m of hedge has been layed and about 20m bound., This first section has had quite large trees in it i.e. 20 - 25' tall and 6'+ thick which has made it heavy and hard going.

Dave Kersley very kindly took out 6 big overhangs for us today which kept the bonfire raging. This will enable the layed hedge to get more light and rain and so produce better regrowth.

Still at least it's been dry (somewhere) - only on the beer front though. All the passers-by, bar one, have been interested and appreciative of the work (good PR).

Many thanks to Peter Jackman and his merry crew for all their hard work on steep, slippery slopes in slightly moist conditions coppicing for the stakes and binders that we need. We hope that Peter's operation goes well and that he is soon up singing and dancing (and coppicing)

For future dates, see the diary below.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all or Bah! Humbug!

Mid Week Working Party ~ (Peter Jackman)

An update on the nomads of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust:
With the Hedging Gang clamouring for hazel stakes and binders we have been coppicing at Devils Hole. With the landowner's agreement we aim to 'farm'this complete area (the old oxbow below the lock) but section by section so mature tress excepting, we are clearing right back to the footpath. Our latest proposed visit was aborted at the very last minutes because what with muck away lorries and lots of contractors vehicles we would have filled the car park with the 16 additional vehicles that turned up. However, another of our campsites (remember we are travellers) is Dunsfold, the offside behind the Compasses pub, so we spent a really good day (the sun came out remember) with a first class turnout of 19 guys and dolls, burning previously cut branches/trimmings and coppicing an area we had overlooked in previous visits.

December will see the MWWP at Haybarn (hedge planting) on the 6th and back to Dunsfold on the 13th where with landowner permission the team will be working on both sides of the canal from Farnhurst Bridge to the A281 at Fastbridge.

Tony Lewis will assume the (exalted) position of team leader while I sit at home eating grapes and being cosseted (dreaming again) after a hip replacement. I will be in touch by phone but not allowed to drive for at least 6 weeks

I wish you all the best for Christmas and a sincere thank you, all, for your efforts and support.

Maintenance Manager ~ (David Jessop)

Leaks, trees, weeds and reeds seem to be the most pressing of the maintenance tasks at present. There are up to ten known leaks of water from the canal, some of which will require work during next year. None of them are as simple to cure as plugging with a finger, but may need the attentions of a contractor with special equipment which means spending money. Water is one of our biggest assets and, during the summer, gains importance in the 'balance sheet' which is why it's essential we make efforts to keep it in the bed of the canal. I have no doubt you will hear more about this subject.

Before the end of March, we plan to cut back overhanging trees and remove weeds and reeds along the Loxwood/Drungewick section, to provide a clear navigation for the trip boats. This job should also help reduce the amount of FFO (floating foreign objects) in the canal causing skippers to practise their manoeuvring skills.

The imminent completion of the Loxwood new lock and Brewhurst Lock will present extra areas to maintain, right in the public eye. It will be essential to keep it looking good when the work on the B2133 tunnel is in progress because even more members of the public will visit to see what is happening.

My thanks to all those who have helped with maintenance and 'special' tasks recently. I am really heartened by the response of volunteers keen to help get the canal back to working order.

Finally, Happy Christmas and a good New Year to you all.

Loxwood Link Maintenance Unit ~ (Peter Wilding)

No update from Peter this month. However, 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 the boat. New members are always welcome.

Monday Working Party ~ (John Empringham)

We made our first 'keeping up appearances' visit to the stretch of canal behind Utworth Manor. This was the length on the summit pound cleared by MWWP last winter. The brush and brambles had grown back to several feet high in places and we managed to clear about half the length. We are very grateful for the help and local knowledge provided by Ian of MWWP. On Monday 4th December we will be out for a few hours clearance work prior to the Christmas lunch and hope to finish this section. More visits to 'keep up appearances' at other restored sites are planned including Sidney Wood.

Visiting Groups ~ (Graham Baird)

November has been a busy month at Brewhurst Lock and as a result a great deal has been achieved. The last two Dig Deep weekend camps took place, with NWPG tacking on an extra day to their weekend and LWRG casting the last of the coping sections. In between, a three man team from Callis Mill in Yorkshire spent four days on site fixing the original gates back at the top of the lock and installing the ground paddles. They worked very hard and brought with them some impressive large scale woodworking tools including a chain morticer which I had not previously seen in action. Additional help from David Junkison's team on Thursdays has also helped to maintain progress

As a result of all these inputs, at the end of November we were ready for the excavation of the short length of canal at present forming a bund used as access to the offside of the lock. However, due to the possibility of flooding to the works at the Onslow Arms end, we were asked to delay this operation, so although the lock is operational in time for the Santa cruises it is not connected to the Onslow pound!

We have not yet finished work as several tasks are outstanding, such as painting, fencing, landscaping, topsoiling and seeding to name a few, but visitors can now see Brewhurst Lock in its reincarnated form. We look forward to the day when boats are once again passing through the structure.

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. December 8th plus odd afternoons, January: Wed3rd, Sun 7th, Thurs 11th, Sun 21st, Mon 29th February: Sun 4th, Tues 6th, Sun 11th, Wed 14th

Keith Nichols Group
Check with Keith for last minute changes to dates and for venue Weekends December 2/3 and 9/10 Hedge planting at Lee Farm Contact David Jessop

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