Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Wendy Andrews.

It is without question, to my mind anyway, that recent priority should have been given to the completion of the B2133 crossing. Not withstanding WACT's objectives, the residents of Loxwood deserve a reinstated pretty village. Despite shortage of funds, our working parties have continued to make a difference for which we should all be thankful. Please keep volunteering - 'every little helps' as they say?..

Administration ~ Wendy Andrews

Thank you to the group leaders, on behalf of Colin Gibbs, for submitting their attendance sheets. Recorded attendance is not only used for matched funding, it is also my means of picking up names of new recruits who should be added to the list of WPN recipients. Please remember to let me know if you no longer wish to receive WPN or, better still, if you are able to receive it by e-mail. Copies are sent free of charge to any one who has worked with a working party or expressed an interest in doing so. However contributions towards the cost of envelopes and postage are always gratefully received by way of sae's, stamps or cheques.

Tickners Heath Depot ~ Colin Gibbs

When you talk of disposing of anything - old worn out equipment, engines and the like, it's amazing how many people come out of the woodwork. I've had no less than five enquiries about the four engines which were being lined up to join Mr. Muddle's metal mountain in the sky at Adversane. Fingers crossed!! Incidentally, if you have not heard Muddle's large grab lorry rumbling through the local villages recently, it's because someone broke into their yard and stole it. Talking of stealing - some mornings at Tickners we find various items of equipment missing. Has it been stolen or just not signed out?? As most of the gear is old it's not worth nicking anyway so we assume it's just not been signed out. May I thank all those who religiously sign things out and back in and may I ask the one or two who don't to do so in the future. Please note - I've had to go back to my 'clockwork' mobile phone and its original number: 07870 371 019

Educational Project Infoposts? ~ Don Gibson

Of the five Infoposts? mentioned in last months issue four have been installed, viz: #12 Rowner Lock; #17 Drungewick Lock; #21 Baldwin's Knob Lock and Barnsill Bridge; #22 Brewhurst Lock (re-installation). At time of writing #12 needs its leaflets, which will be installed to-morrow. Yesterday's attempts to do so were thwarted by rainstorms and high winds and the rest were done in somewhat soggy conditions, such is to-days weather.

WALK 3 was completed in fair weather and proved to be very interesting. At the back of Streel Farm we were met with a blizzard of butterflies, mainly Meadow Browns, with a few other species, riding the wind too fast to be safely identified. Further down, by the lake, was a profusion of wild flowers, with one or two damsels and dragons. We met some very good friends at the Flood Gates and Lordings Lock and got back to a very good lunch at the Limeburners before the rains came.

My next walk will be on Thursday 23rd August; 5 miles (approx); MEET: 09.45 to depart 10.00 at Limeburners Inn Lordings Road B2133 near junction with Newbridge Road A272. ROUTE: Guildenhurst Bridge site to Loves Bridge. Map ref: TQ 072 254. TIME: approx 3 hours. Lunch at Limeburners.

Maintenance Manager ~ David Jessop

Himalayan Balsam was on the hit-list when girls from St Catherine's School, Bramley arrived in Loxwood early in July. Their mission was to seek and destroy (by uprooting) as many HB plants as they could find.

After the mission briefing, which included 'How to recognise your enemy' and 'Stay away from the waters' edge', six girls started work in the car park. Luckily, the enemy kept their heads up, which helped us easily spot them. After moving to the river bank, some respectable piles of 'corpses' had amassed and by lunch time it was time to beat retreat. On the second day of our little war, twelve girls arrived, and the augmented force crossed the canal at Brewhurst lock to continue the attack in the nearby field. We chose to advance on a broad front and the 'troops' showed no mercy for the enemy who usually surrendered without too much of a struggle. When the battle was at its height, two girls beat their way round the flank and in a surprise attack, assaulted the last ditch stand from the rear. Victorious, the girls sang happily as they packed up and waited for the coach to take them back to school and home.

We are grateful to the girls for their valuable work, the teachers who accompanied them on both days and the school for allowing it to happen. The girls worked with enthusiasm and lots of laughter and it was a pleasure to work and talk with them. Even the young lady who collected a boot full of river water came back the next day and although they were tired, they were looking forward to visiting London to see a show on the second evening.

Chris Dawes and Val Westall helped to set standards and keep order on both days. My thanks to both of them.

In contrast, dealing with the Giant Hogweed is probably only for those so inclined. Geoff Alce and Tony Clear introduced me to this type of masochism for which, (would you believe it?), you have to pass an exam!

We dress up (!) in white coveralls, wearing rubber boots with long gloves and usually choose a hot day in order to really appreciate the effect of the garments and the weight of up to 10 kg in the spray tank on our back.

Then, so attired, we walk a long way (150 metres is a long way, for me) and start to spray the offending plants with poison. When the tank is empty (oh, joy) we walk back, refill it and continue with more of the same! After a few of these trips, I have to stagger home for a lie down. The others seem to carry on all day.

I am grateful to Geoff and Tony for their time, wit, wisdom, enthusiasm and patience. Between us we have sprayed considerable areas near the canal where the weed is growing -- and some areas, twice.

Rain has disrupted plans to continue spraying and some plants are still alive and seeding. We can't get at all of them but any we kill now are so many less for next year. Yes, there is next year to think about and lessons learned now will be applied then.

Conservation Officer ~ Michael Joseph

During July a small team have been harvesting wildflower seed from my meadow at Adversane. These are to be used to improve existing habitats and for use on future projects on the canal. Harvesting has to be done on dry days, which has been difficult with all the wet weather. The window for collection is quite narrow because the seed has to be ripe but wait too long and it is lost. To stop it going mouldy the seed then spends a few days drying out in the kitchen above the Aga along my socks and other unmentionables.

If ever you need proof that plant diversity brings insects then come and harvest some seed. It is another world with thousands of hopping, jumping, biting, flying, buggy thingies all loaded with jaws, claws and poison.

WTS (formerly TSG) Group ~ Eric Walker

In our Loxwood car park the Thursday Group has started making the coping stones, four at a time, for the wall behind the Onslow. This task will go on for some time there being over a hundred to make. The Sunday group is helping with the canal maintenance at Drungewick. Initially ZK will be used to move the mat formed by the weed, but maybe the reed cutting boat, Caprice, will be used in future.

Finally at Drungewick the stone recovered from the final dismantling of the original aqueduct has been put in Roger Dimmock Lane to be prepared and erected on the new aqueduct.

For the future - they all seem heavy jobs, like dressing stone both at Drungewick for the aqueduct and at DHL for use at the lock, but there are a number of lighter jobs like painting and erecting the shelving in the new cabin.

Mid Week Working Party ~ Peter Jackman

Now that we have finished demolishing Utworth Bridge/Causeway we are in a position to start clearance work in the Elmbridge section. As I write (July 27th), it could be a bit sticky underfoot so wellies are a must. Volunteer numbers are always variable but I think we could be there for 3 or 4 weeks, maybe more. Parking is at the rear of the greenhouses at Cranleigh Nurseries. Please leave room for the artics to turn around; WACT direction signs will be there to guide you. Please do NOT attempt to gain access via Elmbridge Village. As always, call me or e-mail Alison if you have any queries.

Winston Harwood's Group ~ Lawrie Wraight

This month saw conspicuous success with the fence replacement and the refurbishing of the waterwheel. The water level in the lock has reached its maximum, in spite of the leaks, creating a need for a depth indicator, which is now in place. An attempt to remove the duckweed has been made by placing a bale of barley straw in the water. The farm gate installation is finished. The wet weather did not prevent the regular mowing and strimming from taking place.

Monday Working Party ~ John Empringham

The wettest July on record has ensured that we were not short of work. Despite holidays etc we have been out to our regular sites at least twice during the month. We didn't need to water the newly turfed areas at New Lock and Onslow Arms as the rain has bedded these in well. We meet next on August 6th and 20th.

Hedge Laying Group ~ Keith Nichols

Greetings All!

It doesn't seem that long ago when it was cold and wet. Ah! yesterday then or the day before or?.. OK, summer was spring and spring was winter so October will be back to spring unless it's still wet when it'll be summer. Seen on Friday 27th July, in the day, a cowslip in full flower (spring?) and in the evening mayflies on the wing (May?) so spring then.

This is all playing havoc with my plans for autumn 2007 whenever that may be!

Forthcoming will be layed hedge trimming from mid/end September at:
1.Brewhurst Lock to Brewhurst Bridge
2.Baldwins Knob Lock east to field gate
3.Harsfold
and in October recommencement of hedge laying at Harsfold.

New equipment may be required under the latest Health & Safety initiative - flippers, snorkels and factor 60 sun block.

Provisional dates are September 20th, 23rd and 28th, October 8th, 24th, 28th, November 1st

Health and Safety ~ Turlough Bamber

Greetings to you all

For quite some time four of us have been working on documents to cover the legal requirements for Health & Safety in the field. Soon every working party member will be given a copy of a pamphlet, illustrated with light-hearted cartoons, on the requirements of volunteers when working on WACT projects. Team leaders will be given a similar pamphlet which outlines their responsibilities for Health and Safety.

We have tried to put the serious legal matters over in such a way that we all know what is expected of each other. Many of us have grown up in a somewhat different Health & Safety environment. Now things have changed. If there is an accident and we can demonstrate that we have legal requirements in place we will be in a good position to defend ourselves. We need each others' co-operation to avoid the risk of serious accidents similar to those that have happened on other canal and volunteer restoration projects.

I can assure everyone, as WACT's Safety Officer, I am pragmatic in decisions concerning Health & Safety and I am not dictatorial. I hope we can make Health & Safety work without losing working party volunteers. We go out for an enjoyable day's work, slogging away, sometimes in the wet and sometimes in hot sun!! Just a fun day out!

Each person's contribution is greatly valued. I trust we can keep it that way.

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

Usually first & third Mondays of the month
'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, Check with Peter Jackman or Alison Saville for confirmation

Every Wednesday
Loxwood Link maintenance, Contact Peter Wilding

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

Every Thursday
Winston Harwood Group. Contact Lawrie Wraight for details.

Some Saturdays Conservation and Maintenance
Get in touch with David Jessop or Michael Joseph
Starts again in September
Provisional dates: September 20th, 23rd and 28th, October 8th, 24th, 28th, November 1st

Hedge Laying Check with Keith Nichols before turning up August 23rd

Guided walk Contact Don Gibson September 8th/9th

September 8th/9th Heritage Open Days at Brewhurst Mill Contact WACT office

October 7 Small Boat Rally at Dunsfold Contact WACT office

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: eric_walker@weyandarun.co.uk
Peter Jackman (Mid-week Working Party) 01483 772132
John Empringham, (Mrs Bucket) 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 email: doncanalgibson@hotmail.com
Lawrie Wraight (The Winston Harwood Working Group) 01903 721404 email:Lawrence17@tiscali.co.uk
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
Conservation Manager 01403 783 485 email: michael_joseph@weyandarun.co.uk
Don Gibson Educational Projects 01903 201375 email: doncanalgibson@hotmail.com