Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Wendy Andrews.

We continue to make progress towards commencement of the tunnel at the B2133 crossing; there's still some red tape to cut through, otherwise we're ready to go. Exciting Times!

Meanwhile there are two interesting diary dates for September. One is the annual Heritage Weekend, September 8/9th when Peter Foulger opens Brewhurst Mill to the visiting public. This year, just on Saturday 8th, there will be a horse drawn cargo boat working the Onslow section from 11.00. On both days the Mill will be open from 14.00 to 16.00 for teas, an art exhibition and a WACT sales stall.

The following Saturday, 15th September, sees a Steam Rally at the Onslow Arms. This is NOT a WACT event. However some of the proceeds are being very generously donated to the Trust by the organizer, Kate Russell, who is one of a group of steam enthusiasts. In addition to a collection of engines on display in the pub car park we also expect to see a steam driven boat cruising from the Drungewick slipway to the Onslow Arms and back during the course of the day.

Recycling ~ John Wood

We now have a second Aylesford Newsprint skip installed in our car park at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood. This should overcome the problem of a skip being 'ram jam' full before it can be emptied. Since Southern Water have started extending their pump house near the entrance to our car park we have had to move the skips further back - don't despair, they're still there! We have been collecting old newspapers and magazines continuously since 1974 and now receive ?67 a tonne for them, including Recycling Credits from the relevant local authorities. Magazines can include really heavy ones like the Argos catalogue, Freemans Mail Order and the like. However Yellow Pages must not be put in the skips (the yellow dye cannot be completely removed in the process of making new newsprint), nor plastic bags, string, cardboard, food packaging or junk mail.

We raised ?3,800 last year and hope to do even better in 2007. In addition Aylesford Newsprint make a donation to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital for every tonne WACT can collect so all in all recycling your old newspapers and magazines is a very easy and worthwhile fundraising exercise.

Educational Project Infoposts? ~ Don Gibson

My Bank Holiday Monday activities were to go to Tickners Heath to pick up an Infopost?, some leaflets, topped off with a pneumatic tyred wheelbarrow for the following day's antics. These were to park the cars at Paplands Farm and take the long trek to Loves Bridge, negotiating Rowner Lock, the super-grid power pylon and one stile, a distance of over a mile. We had the assistance of Ron, from Crawley, prompting Brian to speculate that we were the youngest working party at a combined age of 235 years! The pneumatic tyre did its job and eased the task of getting the materials to site and the installation of the Infopost? was completed in good time - proving the power of Jaffa cakes. This takes the count of Infoposts? to fifteen, leaving just one to complete the tranche. This is Southland Lock, being put on hold until Mike Biles gives us the go-ahead.

We thank Mr Chris Wates for giving us permission to install Infoposts? at both Rowner Lock and Loves Bridge and extend our condolences for the recent loss of his mother, Mrs David Wates.

My next walk will be on Thursday 27th September. We will assemble at the milestone at the back of the Onslow Arms at 09.45 to depart at 10.00 for Long Meadow and return. The walk will be about five miles and take approximately three hours. Lunch can be taken at the Onslow. The tunneling under B2133 should be well under way. (Fingers crossed says Ed!)

Conservation Officer ~ Michael Joseph

The problem with grass is that it is poor for biodiversity, high in maintenance and, unless the clippings are picked up, it adds to nutrient levels which in turn is poor for wildflowers and encourages duckweed in the water. Unfortunately you cannot just sow wildflower seed into grass because they simply cannot compete. The answer is to bare about 50% soil and sow a mixture of appropriately sized species including yellow rattle. Now yellow rattle is an annual and a hemiparasite on grasses, taking minerals from their roots, restricting their growth and allowing other flowers to grow. Grass at the lock sides is appropriate but we aim to treat the grass banks at the Onslow pound, the towpath verge south of Drungewick Bridge and some areas down at Lordings.

. . . . . . . . . . 'so c'mon everybody, . . . . let's shake, rattle and roll!'

WTS (formerly TSG) Group ~ Eric Walker

The stack of coping stones for the wall behind the Onslow is growing rapidly so sometime in September a further batch will be put in place.

The Sunday group has been doing some maintenance jobs around the Loxwood area since the Foot and Mouth risks were too high for them to venture to Drungewick. However the scare over F and M has gone and the leakage through the bank is now so great that an early return to Drungewick with a large digger for repair work has become urgent.

The stone recovered from the final dismantling of the original Drungewick aqueduct is now stacked in Roger Dimmock Lane awaiting someone interested in stone working to erect it on the new aqueduct. Any takers?

Ray Collins has made and fitted ground paddle locking kits to Baldwins Knob, Brewhurst and Loxwood locks. Well done to Ray and thanks.

For the future - they all seem heavy jobs like dressing stone both at Drungewick for the aqueduct and at Devils Hole for use at the lock but there are also a number of lighter jobs like painting waiting to be done before the weather breaks.

Mid Week Working Party ~ Peter Jackman

Calling all bonfire enthusiasts!

We have made great progress at Elmbridge: after removing the old bridge/causeway, with the kind permission of Elmbridge Village management, we have opened up a significant stretch of canal bed which, after a few more weeks' effort, will take us almost to Elmbridge Road. Due to adverse wind direction at this site we have accumulated a mass of cut material which will have to be burnt as soon as the wind is favourable. We need to ensure that Elmbridge residents are not disturbed by the smoke and that our fires can be safely contained.

We are one of the best working parties, a great bunch of people - why not come and join us? As always, call me or e-mail Alison rather than just turning up. Please do NOT attempt to gain access via Elmbridge Village, we'll give you clear directions to the site.

Winston Harwood's Group ~ Lawrie Wraight

At Lordings mowing and strimming had to keep up with the extra growth of grass and weeds, as a result of the high rainfall. The duckweed which covered the water surface of the lock and aqueduct was so thick that a device was made to remove the green rubbish quickly and a barley straw bale was put in to help keep the water clear. This was deemed a priority as the waterwheel is working so efficiently that the water level has risen to fill the lock so we needed to preserve such a wonderful sight. Woodwork in this area has been refurbished and improvements are still being made on the seals of the spillways. Unfortunately the waterwheel has suffered some damage as a result of metal fatigue but repairs are taking place and it is still working round the clock. The group had to avoid Lordings during the Foot and Mouth problem so we deployed firstly to Dunsfold to erect a notice board, then to Tickners to do weed clearance. Loxwood was also visited where we helped prepare the site of a canoe launch area before we moved on to Devil's Hole Lock. Here the sides of the canal had to be cleared of weeds and bramble so that the site could be explored in order to find an old culvert, which is causing the canal to leak.

Loxwood Link ~ Peter Wilding

During the month we've put in a low canoe landing in the bank above Brewhurst Lock to complement the steps for small boats and canoes being built by Eric's team at the Onslow. We've also been involved in preparations for Heritage Weekend when May Upton will be drawn by a horse along the Onslow section. Otherwise we continue to mow around the locks and keep the tow paths tidy.

Tickners Heath Depot ~ Colin Gibbs

Just two small bits from Tickners this month:-.

Firstly, is anyone 'taking care' of a box of Brushcutter accessories and forgotten they're doing so? If so, apart from Phil, Ted and Ian, please own up. The Brushcutters themselves are safe!

Secondly, the saga of the engines is over. Dave Kersley has made an arrangement with a guy for engines in return for work on some of the other old equipment in the Depot

Monday Working Party ~ John Empringham

As well as visiting our regular sites we spent a day in August clearing the Three Compasses section in order to get ready for the Small Boat Rally in October. The path is now accessible through to Farnhurst Bridge and beyond with a good section of clear bank for launching canoes etc. We will return there again on September 17th to complete the work. Manoeuvring the strange boat there to cut brambles from the right height is an interesting exercise, happy to share experiences with any others that have tried it!

We meet next on September 2nd and 17th at least.

Hedge Laying Group ~ Keith Nichols

Just a reminder that short term plans starting late September are for trimming the layed hedges between Brewhurst Lock and Brewhurst Bridge, from Baldwins Knob Lock east to the field gate and also at Harsfold. Then in October we recommence hedge laying at Harsfold.

Provisional dates are September 20th, 23rd and 28th, October 8th, 24th, 28th, November 1st. Please get in touch before turning up.

Administration ~ Wendy Andrews.

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.

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

September 15th Steam Rally at the Onslow Arms Contact Kate Russell kate.russell@themarketingworx.co.uk

October 7 Small Boat Rally at Dunsfold Contact WACT office

October 27th Autumn Meeting, Billingshurst Village Hall 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 a.m.saville@btinternet.com
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