Diary | Directory

Editorial Comment ~ Wendy Andrews.

Well, work really did start on the tunnelling phase at the B2133 crossing on January 7th. There are some superb pictures on the Trust website (http://www.weyandarun.co.uk/loxwoodbridge.php) or, better still, come and have a look. The five days' road closure brought some chaos to Loxwood. The diversion signage was not especially clear, and needless to say, some motorists assumed the signs didn't apply to them! Now we're enjoying the reduction in numbers of HGVs thundering through the village, especially those that usually pass my bedroom window in the early hours of the morning.

Easter is early this year so the WAEL team is already busy planning for the Easter Cruises. Over and above the usual entertainment there will be progress on the tunnel to see, not to mention a refitted Zachariah Keppel. Make a note in your diary to come and join in the fun, better still get in touch with Robert Hutty if you are prepared to offer some help. Contact Robert at roberthutty@sunbung.fsnet.co.uk or phone 01959 562 205

Another date for your diary is the Trust's Annual General Meeting on April 19th at Cranleigh Village Hall. There will be more details in the next edition of Wey South.

Welcome to Ron Chamberlain as a new contributor to WPN, taking over from Lawrie Wraight. Thank you to Lawrie for his regular reports for at least as long as I have been editor.

Easter Cruises ~ Robert Hutty

Yes ….. it’s EASTER!!!! …. Bunnies, Hot Cross Buns, Eggs and all that sort of thing. This year the event falls on the 21st to the 24th March with both boats running trips hourly from 11.00 to 16.00 each day. Apart from the usual team of BUNNY, crew, lock keepers, catering, sales stall, car park attendants and meeter and greeter it has become traditional for as many additional folks as possible to come along dressed as fairy tale / cartoon characters to generally create a scene of wonderment and make believe for nearly 1000 paying guests. Anything goes so dust off the old amateur dramatic cossy, or the school disco fancy dress glad rags and come along and join in the fun. Now, being of a shy, retiring nature myself, I know how easy it is to ‘let someone else do it because I would be too embarrassed’. I feel like this every time I pull on those silly hats, but once you’re there in your finery you become the magical face of the Wey & Arun Canal Trust and the adrenaline takes over. Honest!

Loxwood Link Maintenance Unit ~ Peter Wilding

After four years maintaining the canal at Loxwood Charles Walker, having passed his four score years, has decided to take early retirement. Thank you to Charles for all your help. A replacement volunteer with spare time on a Wednesday would be very welcome.

The Birch Copse Mystery. In December three quite large trees were blown down together into the river at the Birch Copse pump forming a tangled mass of branches which had collected a large amount of debris, including a car wheel. The thin branches were cleared from the top of the bank but the trunks in the river would need a chainsaw and Peter Foulger’s Teleporter to lift them out. On my next visit after the ‘tsunami’ flood of January 15th the trees had gone but there were no wheel tracks and Peter Foulger hadn’t removed them, so who had? We can only assume that the flood water had swept them all away leaving the banks so clear; but is there now a problem further downstream? The flood water ran over the towpath into the canal below Brewhurst Lock and out of the canal at Long Meadow, Drungewick, but fortunately no serious damage was caused.

Thanks are due to Winston Harwood’s group for repairing the fence at Baldwin’s Knob Lock and for providing a good supply of logs for the Lock Keepers’ fire during the Santa trips.

WTS (was TSG) Group ~ Eric Walker

The making of concrete copings and blocks for use at Devils Hole lock has started at the Tickners Heath depot and will continue on Thursdays over the next little while.

The Sunday team will be doing work either in support of the B2133 Crossing or somewhere on the canal towards Drungewick lock. As usual we will meet at the Onslow car park at 09:30 and then go to the relevant work site. If you arrive late then look for the notice saying where we are.

The Surveying team, after a brief sortie, is awaiting further instructions. The updated OS maps have been received. They show the aqueduct, road bridge, slipway etc at Drungewick, but frankly, the quality of the detail is awful and will need lots of corrections for our needs.

On the first working day in the New Year a pedestrian walkway adjacent to the Loxwood canal bridge was erected by contractors to a scheme produced by Mike Biles. Mike has been unwell recently so we wish him a speedy recovery. The Sunday group then put in the decking and approach. This bridge forms a good viewing platform of the works.

As expected, the piling started on January 8th. The days were short and for the first two weeks the rain was long. However the Loxwood canal bridge piling should be complete by the end of January and then Burras will be off the site. So, what can you see of what has been done? Well, very little, it’s all underground. February should see the excavation on the east side of the road making progress.

Winston Harwood's Group ~ Ron Chamberlain for David Junkison

We are very sorry to be losing Lawrie from our team. He has been a regular and staunch member for some time now and we wish him good luck and good health for the future. As I have taken on this job at rather short notice you may have to endure some Senior Moments!

The group have been involved in various activities in the past month continuing with repairs and maintenance on the Water Wheel at Lordings and doing some fencing repairs at Baldwins Lock and we think that we will need another session there.

We have had a couple of weeks at Tickners Heath engaged in some log cutting and splitting and some general tidying up. Another task we have been investigating is the cleaning out of the gutters on one of the buildings. We hope to do this with a pressure washer and to get it done very soon We had another morning at Tickners this week clearing some rather invasive brambles and then went to Loxwood to do some ditch clearing.

So whether it’s up on the roof or down in the ditch we do our bit!

Mid Week Working Party ~ Peter Jackman

It took 9 days for the January Working Party News to reach me via snail mail, and today (22nd January), only 9 days later, I am requested to write up my contribution to the February edition.

Last week on 16th January twenty-four volunteers turned out at Devils Hole, another two regulars (not knowing the public footpath from Loxwood Post Office to the site and the bridleway from the Onslow being closed) didn’t find their way and yet another regular was on holiday - a potential turnout of 27!!

Regarding the anticipated work sites for late January and February, (Fastbridge towards Mill Farm and the off side of the canal at Dunsfold Park), we haven’t been given land owner permission so, to put it bluntly, I am well and truly fed up.

As a result and following numerous lengthy phone calls with Colin Gibbs (former MWWP leader), I have three or possibly four alternative potential work sites to confirm dates and parking for.

STOP PRESS: We think we will be coppicing at Beevers Farm, Bramley, for the next three weeks, from 30th January. Please phone me on 01483 772132 or e-mail a.m.saville@btinternet.com to confirm.

Hedge Laying Group ~ Keith Nichols

We are now down to 21m of Blackthorn left to do at Harsfold, last month’s 38m was actually 48m, so in four visits we completed 27m. Two visits were cancelled due to inclement weather but I did get down there on one of these days i.e. Wednesday 16th. I didn’t take any tools with me as water was flowing out of the canal in two places at the Harsfold end and in two places at the Flood Lock end. This water was about 6 inches deep across the towpath and was only 1-2 inches from flowing across in the rest of its length i.e. the hedge was under water (I’m waiting for new Trust equipment of snorkel and flippers). However, when I reached the Flood Lock and looked north towards Newbridge, the canal merged with the river and the fields, with only the very top of the picnic bench and leaflet holder showing above the water i.e. 3 foot + deep. Not a good day for attempting to get the Landrover down to the site with its load of stakes and binders. Apart from one bundle of stakes, this was all delivered to us on Sunday 20th. That one bundle had arrived on the 16th; it had taken nearly a year to float down to us from Loxwood, so river traffic isn’t all it’s cracked up to be but it was gratefully received.

On Wednesday 19th bird spotting became RAF spotting as we were visited by a very, very low C130 Hercules and 2 Chinooks. Do I put them down as visitors (low flying enough to be walkers)? Bird life down here has been very quiet this month apart from low flying geese, oh, and the RAF. At least the RAF doesn’t ‘drop its load’ on you, unless you’re living in a war zone!

Revised Dates: February: Fri 1st, Sun 3rd, Mon 11th, Tues 19th, 25th -29th some of (+ a foreign visit!!) March: Sun 2nd ?, Thurs 6th, Fri 14th, Sun 23rd?, Mon 24th? (Easter)

Monday Working Party ~ Nick Wood for John Empringham

Sometimes planning works! As we predicted last month, our first outing in the New Year saw us helping Keith Nichols and his team between Harsfold and Lordings clearing a thick stretch of brambles to enable hedge laying to continue. We also burnt all the bramble lying on the canal bank from their previous outings. What a hospitable group they are – buttered roast potatoes provided too!

Apart from repairing the towpath supports and some more attention to one of the culverts for which we shall need to return, we completed towpath bank clearance in Sidney Wood up to lock 16. Incidentally, can someone tell us if the short section above lock 16 can be cleared of trees etc as we seem to remember that it was left pending the satisfactory replanting of some special mosses. That was ages ago, so can the canal be cleared now?

We meet again on 4th and 18th February. We have our annual visit to Malham lock to fit in and we may be assisting refitting ZK in due course ready for the Easter cruises. So please contact John Empringham if you would like to come along and join our versatile group.

Educational Project Infoposts? ~ Don Gibson

My last report mentioned installing an Infopost at Southland Bridge. We have landowner permission to place the post but no permission for access so we will have to wait and see.

I was tasked with making up an index of the milestones and the Infoposts, so I have combined the two to make up a photo index, which I will complete when the weather improves and I can take the last of the 'photo's.

The Trust has been approached by a Travel company to supply a Walk Guide to enable them to make up a Specialty Tour sometime next year and this has fallen upon my shoulders. I have been in touch with them, but have yet to receive a reply. This tour could become a feature in their programme. More in my next report -- I hope!

Conservation Manager ~ Michael Joseph

A reminder to all that before carrying out work in a SSSI permission needs to be granted by Natural England, the Environment Agency and the planning department of the Local Authority. Not only does unauthorised work leave the landowner open to prosecution but the resultant negative publicity would be very harmful to the Trust. Designated areas are protected by law to safeguard the environment. I ask all working party leaders to follow the Trust’s Conservation Policy. If in doubt, please ask.

Educational Project Infoposts® ~ Don Gibson

No action to report since last month because we have still been unable to get permission for access to Southland Lock to place the Infopost®. This may be to our benefit, as, by the time we get the permission, the weather may have improved! I would like to improve the anti-vandal properties of the acrylic leaflet dispensers and I have been in touch with the manufacturers. As they have nothing to offer, it may take some time to find suitable materials but research will continue.

Administration ~ Colin Gibbs

Thank you to Group Leaders for returning their attendance records. I have compiled the summary of volunteer hours worked in 2007 which will be published in the next edition of Wey South.

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 TBA for details.

Some Saturdays - Conservation and Maintenance - Get in touch with David Jessop or Michael Joseph

Hedge Laying - Check with Keith Nichols before turning up

March 21st to 24th - Easter Cruises - or Contact WACT office

April 19th Annual General Meeting - Cranleigh Village Hall

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