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PART 2
LORDING'S OPEN DAY
If I was asked " what was the most outstanding feature of the day " I would say that it was the sight
of the day cruiser NELLY moored in the Turf Lock. Up to this point in time the Bridge, Flood Gates,
Overflow, Wing Walls, Top Cill, Gordon's Gate, Harsfold Dam, dredging, Rose Arch Bridge and Cut Out
Bridge were all individual items that had their own problems and decisions and when each was completed
we moved on to the next, really with little thought of what the overall picture would be.
To see NELLY moored there on a navigable section of canal brought the whole of the twelve years toil
to one immensely satisfying sense of achievement. This sounds like patting myself on the back but
really I am thanking the team that have been with me over the years through the mud and dust, the
bitter cold and the exhausting heat, the agony and the pleasure, that have created this amazing feat.
On top of the actual work involved in creating the structures comes an ever increasing burden of
maintenance and for this I also thank the team and especially the grass cutters who keep the sites
looking cared for. There was also a fantastic last minute effort put into attempting to clear the
weed from the canal which involved the team spending all day in waders encroaching on the home of
the swans and the ducks.
It's impossible to know where to start with "thank yous" for making the event such a wonderful day.
I can't mention individual names for fear of leaving some out as there are so many, but my heartfelt
warm thanks go to those who jumped in at the last minute to help with the setting up, the teas,
the hot dogs, launchings and retrievals and of course to all the participants with boats and the
visitors.
I have had so many comments about how enjoyable the day was but we must remember that it was only
possible due to the permission and effort of our landowner, Henry, who kindly relocated two herds
of cows so we didn't have to open and close the gates, mowed the towpath, and allowed us to use
the fields adjacent to the canal. This was on the day but we must also thank him for allowing
access over the last twelve years that we have been working on the restoration and for allowing
us access to such a lovely spot.
The Water Wheel created so much interest as did the lock and aqueduct area. These two projects
will keep us busy for the next couple of years so perhaps we can do it all again then. I think
I can arrange the weather but getting rid of the reeds and weeds in the water will be more difficult.
.
Winston Harwood. 24/05/04
(Despite the date thereon this article arrived just after the last edition's deadline, itself a
movable feast sometimes! I felt it had to appear in print as it gives Winston a chance to publicly
give his thanks to everyone concerned. It came on what is allegedly Winston's one and only
floppy disk, an interesting transparent green one. If anyone wants some floppies I've got 100's! - Ed )
B2133 Project Manager -
Awaiting Chichester DC planning consent for the B2133 Crossing scheme allows time for reflection and
revisiting detailed considerations.  A large number of WACT members have been supportive in their
comments. One life member suggested I had not given the membership enough detail, another reflected
he was unhappy with the proposals but could not resign. To summarise, the project will lower
Brewhurst lock so that it has a rise of two feet. The waterway at the back of the Onslow Arms will
also be lowered to enable the canal to go under the road without it being lifted, but sufficient to
enable WACT to meet the minimum dimensions recommended by the Association of Inland Waterways
Navigation Authorities (AINA) in their national strategy for broad canals from Kendal to Littlehampton.
 Then to get to the next lock, Devil's Hole lock, there will be a new lock whose rise will be about
what was lost at Brewhurst.
Another member sent me details of a drop lock being suggested on the new Bedford to Milton Keynes
canal as an answer to one their problems. I was fortunate to have a visit to Loxwood from a director
and his team from Mandall Engineering Ltd. They had been involved in the drop lock in Scotland. They
offered to build one in Loxwood for a million pounds. John Wood was able to get me a lot of information
about the drop lock in Dalmuir. Two major concerns were raised one was the large amount of water that
would have to be moved to use the lock, in rough terms four times what we use in a Wey & Arun lock.
In Dalmuir they can back pump or drop it into a local stream or combination of both. Even with two
methods available for changing the water level, the transit time is forty minutes. The other major
concern was the safety considerations that necessitated a team of men (six I am told in Dalmuir) to
operate the controls for the boaters. This constitutes a large, ongoing expenditure, which had to be
taken into account when costing the project. Finally, the IWA recommend that a drop lock should only
be used if there is no alternative.
So what of lifting the road? Whatever we do, we will only have the one opportunity so we have to get
it right. The decision was made to minimise undefined risks and hence the costs. It was therefore a
difficult decision for the Trustees to make, but for it they got unsolicited congratulations from
the consultants, Tony Gee & Partners. Later, in response to a request for a letter of support in
respect of a fund-raising application by Anthony Woolhouse, WSCC asked if the road is to be raised.
When assured that is not, the reply was "Well, WSCC can't object to that" and the letter arrived in
record time. I have no doubt that it will help the Chichester District planners in making a decision
enabling us to proceed.
We have a schedule that enables the prioritising of tasks and ticking them off as they are
completed. Naturally there are low cost jobs that can be done before planning consent is obtained.
Once consent is received then the step-by-step approach will be made so as not to commit more
funds than are available. Both the boat group and the Brewery have asked for work not to cover
the Easter period. So at this stage, subject to funds of course, work could start after Easter 2005.
Hugh Childers has been a great help in reducing costs, by making recommendations on the profile
of the banks and giving them a softer aspect from the Onslow Arms to Brewhurst lock. I'm also
grateful to John Lower of the Chesterfield Canal Society for his advice about the Loxwood New
Lock and the sewer diversion, but more of that next time.
One of the tasks recently has been to size the back pumps. One of the potential suppliers is
in Italy. Is there an Italian speaking Wey-South reader who would like to help with the liaison
with the man from Formigara, Cramona? In a similar vein there are a number of painting jobs to
be done before the winter sets in. I must say that this isn't the Sistine Chapel but our equipment.
Any takers?
Eric Walker
RESTORATION ROUND-UP -
A look at what's been happening over the last few months. Compiled by John Wood.
THE TSG (formerly the Eric Walker Group)
Contact Eric on 023 9246 3025 MEETS: Every Thursday and Sunday at least!
We returned to Devil's Hole Lock in mid July, to tackle several jobs not completed last year. August
will be a quiet month for the TSG with the first two weeks as a holiday. Once we return we have a
large batch of concrete blocks to be made at Tickner's Heath Depot. There are a number (8) of training
walls to be built and of course, the preparations for the new lock at Loxwood. With some jobs still
outstanding at Drungewick Lock, the possibility of work on the summit pound and, as mentioned previously,
the work at Toat, will volunteers please check the notice at the Onslow Arms giving the work site
location(s) for the day. It all sounds like a busy six months, but there are many other jobs, mainly
construction related, waiting to be done, many in anticipation of a busy boating season next year.
We meet at 09.30 at the Onslow Arms, Loxwood
THE MID-WEEK WORKING PARTY (M.W.W.P.)
ACTING LEADER: Peter Jackman: - 01483 772132 MEETS: usually twice a month
A variety of tasks have been undertaken in recent months. They included setting up the PA system
for the Drungewick Slipways opening, and clearing up and burning a considerable quantity of reeds,
following the cutting of them between Drungewick Lane and Drungewick Lock. At the dam below Devil's
Hole Lock a similar exercise, burning debris previously cleared from the canal, also a large pile of
branches etc. left from previous working parties. A final clearance and burn up of tree stumps below
Southland Lock. The towpath was strimmed between Harsfold and Haybarn Bridges in preparation for the
Poddle walkers. A start has been made on removing fallen trees on this section that will be on going
in future months. Finally, preparing the site at Newbridge Wharf for contractors to sand blast the
ex Leeds & Liverpool Swing Bridge
THE MONDAY WORKING PARTY GROUP ("Keeping Up Appearances")
LEADER: Brian Crossley - 01737 843192 MEETS: Usually twice a
month
While the team have been beavering away keeping all our road crossings spruce and tidy, the grass
slope up from the car park behind the Onslow Arms to the trip boat landing stage has been neglected.
The grass was not quite as high as an elephant's eye, but getting that way. Certainly not giving a
good impression to anyone new to the Trust's activities. No matter that the pub's contractor
always used to cut that patch, we can only benefit with it tidied up immediately and regularly.
So we've added that area to our 'round' and hope that potential sponsors will be suitably impressed.
THE LOXWOOD LINK MAINTENANCE UNIT
LEADER: Peter Wilding - 01483 422519 MEETS: Wednesdays
The abundant rainfall in April (twice last year's) enabled us to maintain high water levels
into June. It also maintained high levels of grass requiring frequent mowing. The waterside
trees have also grown rapidly this year, particularly the willows, needing cutting back. The
gale and rain on 7th July brought down a lot of tree branches and our visiting climbing tree
surgeons from Cumbria have removed the most dangerous dead branches over the canal around Barnsill.
Thank you Graham and your team.
Now at the end of July the rains have gone and both river abstraction pumps have had to be turned
off because of the low flow rates on the Rivers Lox and Arun. The weather is hot and the grass
growth is slowing down. But are we having a repeat of last year's arid August and September?
This is when the job of water control becomes difficult; or eventually impossible!
For some time we have been concerned about the water leaking behind the lock chamber walls at
Baldwin's Knob and possibly creating voids which could result in subsidence or even collapse.
A specialist contractor has been employed to inject a liquid, but hard-setting, expanding foam
filling into bore holes to seal any voids. This seems to have been successful on the towpath
side but not on the offside; so more work to do there.
Future work includes making good and replacing the seat at Baldwin's Knob Lock; finishing
touches to Drungewick overflow weir and at Birch Copse abstraction pump; low banks to make
up and the ongoing job of sealing areas of known leaks.
Sadly, Mrs Swan was found dead in the canal on 14th July, cause of death unknown. She had been
on the canal with her partner since 1994 and raised cygnets every year. The two newcomers who
appeared last year may now be unopposed permanent residents. They are rearing eight thriving
cygnets, from an original nine, which we think may include four from our old Mrs Swan.
THE WINSTON HARWOOD GROUP
CONTACT: Winston on 01293 424672 MEETS: every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
The 'Open Day' on the 23rd May was most fortunate to have a canal full of water and a lovely
sunny day. This low-key event to invite members to see what we've been up to over the last 12
years went far beyond expectations, being so well attended with so many craft. We made a film
of the action that I hope will be shown at the October EGM. There will be a copy in the office
for anybody that wants to borrow it.
The Poddle walkers came through and were amazed to see the water wheel in operation, also the
construction and restoration that has taken place.
The rebuilding of Lording's Lock and Aqueduct are progressing at phenomenal speed and the 9,000
bricks recently delivered are waiting to be laid. These will be sufficient to finish the project.
I left installing the huge polystyrene arch former until after the Poddle, hoping that the danger
of flooding would be over. But oh no, shortly after it was installed in the River Arun, down came
the rain and up came the river. Fortunately we were 'on site' and were able to place a quarter
tonne of bricks onto the polystyrene, which resisted the uplift and saved the day. The 3ft by 6ft
diameter arches on the aqueduct are now complete and in-filling is in progress, so building the
actual aqueduct walls can commence.
The WACT Summer Work Camp is visiting in the first week in August and will be preparing the east
wall of Lording's Lock in readiness for brickwork as well as doing some maintenance on the water wheel.
THE KEITH NICHOLS GROUP
CONTACT: Keith on 01403 753882 for dates and times.
Come October, all being well, Keith will be preparing for the 2004/5 winter season of hedge
laying. So if you would like to learn and help with this traditional countryside activity,
Keith would be pleased to hear from you.
MAINTENANCE SESSIONS AT TICKNER'S HEATH DEPOT
CONTACT: Colin Gibbs on 020 8241 7736 for more information
As usual, these continue most on Tuesdays, with an interesting variety of tasks needing to be
dealt with. Volunteers with mechanical and woodworking skills are particularly welcome, but
there are plenty of absorbing tasks for those without. We are still looking for a volunteer
Land Rover driver to assist Dave Kersley. If you have such experience and are able to offer some
relief driving, please let Colin know.
Very many thanks to Mrs Samways and another living near Balcombe, who have donated between them
three cement mixers.
We still need more crowbars and a modern digger. Again, please contact Colin if you can help.
VISITING GROUPS
Bill Nicholson ('Dig Deep' co-ordinator) reports
Work at Haybarn Bridge to replace the fixed low level concrete deck is now well underway. Since
my last report we have had three weekend visits, plus the week-long Newbury Working Party Group
(NWPG) Summer Camp. In early May the public footpath was diverted onto a route to the south of the
existing bridge. The temporary steel footbridge from Ticker's Heath depot was used to cross the in
water section of canal. Post and rail fencing was erected to mark the route for walkers. At
Newbridge Wharf work started on the onerous job of de-rusting the swing bridge itself, a task
which has been universally unpopular with the volunteers.
In mid May and early July, London Waterway Recovery Group (LWRG) set about the demolition of the
concrete bridge. Built by German POWs it not surprisingly put up a strong resistance before
eventually capitulating to the hydraulic pecker. Not until the beginning of the Summer Camp
however, when the canal was cleared of debris and silt, could the form of the original arched
bridge be clearly seen. Only briefly though, as two days later this was all but removed to make
way for the concrete box which is to support the swing bridge pintle. Maybe there are similar
remains at Harsfold awaiting the Winston treatment!
The NWPG Summer Camp completely transformed the site. Some 18 volunteers attended with the
usual important mix of ageing experience and youthful strength. Vast quantities (about 80 tonnes)
of concrete were mixed by hand and transported into the bridge hole for the new base slab and
pintle support. Many concrete blocks were laid which form the below water line walls of the
whole structure ready for the brickwork above. Earth was moved from the site to the towpath to
provide necessary holes into which the concrete was placed. As an added bonus a team of three,
using a digger and dumpers, completed the work from last year in Sidney Wood, in-filling the last
gap in the towpath and completing the towpath surfacing.
Looking ahead, we have 4 more weekends booked before Christmas. The first two will concentrate
on completing the works necessary for the installation of the bridge in early October. In the
meantime contractors are working on strengthening the swing bridge, grit blasting and priming
the steels ready for painting.
WACT SUMMER WORK CAMP
12 campers, led once again by Stuart O'Hara worked at Lording's Lock and Aqueduct under the
direction of Winston Harwood, from Saturday 31st July to Saturday 7th August. Despite
temperatures reaching 92 degrees in the lock chamber, much work was accomplished, including
taking down all the loose brickwork of the east side of the lock chamber and transporting
some 50yds by barrow all the new bricks from the site compound to alongside the lock. Copious
amounts of concrete were laid above the repaired brick arches on the west side of the aqueduct,
whilst the waterwheel received some maintenance and a protective coating of bitumastic paint.
DO REMEMBER
That all the above Working Party Leaders warmly welcome 'newcomers' to their working parties.
No experience is necessary. You work at your own speed and for as long as you wish. You will
enjoy the company and being 'away from it all' in the fresh air and glorious countryside. Why
not give it a try? ~
DON'T FORGET!
For just £3.00 inc. postage, you can obtain the updated Restoration Guide (10 maps in A4 size)
showing all the sites and restoration projects that have been accomplished over the last 33 years.
This booklet also clearly shows the name and location of all these sites. Send your cheque,
payable to W & A Enterprises Ltd, to 24 Griffiths Avenue, LANCING, BN15 0HW
John Wood
John Wood/Iris Piggot
RECYCLING
Firstly, my apologies to members and friends who in the latter part of July found our Loxwood paper
skip ram-jam full. Whilst unloading my car boot full of old newspapers and magazines late on
Wednesday 21st July, I could see that the skip was nearly full, so first thing on Thursday morning
phoned our friendly collection driver, who said that he had been on holiday the previous week. To
make matters worse his lorry had broken down on Wednesday the 21st. When he came to empty it on
Thursday 29th the skip was too heavy to lift into his Front End Loading lorry! This meant a special
collection the following day by a conventional skip lorry that brought in an empty skip for us the
next day, and not long after this our original skip with WACT posters was returned to Loxwood. Having
spoken to Messrs Aylesford about these problems, they will from now on arrange for the Loxwood skip to
be emptied every 10 days rather than 14. Just hope that we have not lost too many collectors. Please
remember that catalogues like Argos, Freemans and holiday brochures etc. with many pages are also very
acceptable, being quite heavy!
YOUR LAST CHANCE!
There are just four VHS copies left of the compilation of three old colour 8mm cine films made in the
late 70's/early 80's of our early working parties etc., excerpts from which were shown at the AGM back
in April. These films were transferred to VHS and titled 'Three Links with the Past' very successfully
by Rod Willerton of Haywards Heath, with a running time of 1hr 10mins. The original sound track of
two of the films has also been reproduced. John Wood has donated the cost of copying for WACT
archival purposes, plus a further ten copies for general sale. There are only four left, so if you
would like one, the cost is £14.00 inc. postage, and John will then donate £3 to the Trust. Cheques
payable to John Wood at 24 Griffiths Avenue, LANCING, BN15 0HW.
John Wood
(A plea from Iris for more recognition for the people who man the Sales Stand and our Boats, edited
somewhat. Maybe a bit controversial and very difficult to do - and not everyone will agree
I'm sure- Ed).
Working Party News (WPN)
According to the dictionary, Work is "effort directed to an end" and Party is "a small body of
persons associated together in any occupation". Those of us who subscribe to the Working Party
News, which has been going since December 1992, know how nice it is to be really up to date with
what is going on as far as restoration is concerned.
However, it has occurred to me that there are others who are working, sometimes for long hours,
who don't get a mention. As the beginning of February Fanny Lines had a list of ten venues where
a Sales Stall would be welcomed. Probably more would be added during the year. These venues mean
people have just as long a day as those involved in maintenance/restoration. Then there are the boat
crews who also work long hours on all the weekend and charter cruises.
So I am taking the liberty to suggest that the above be included in future WPN's, so that in future
we know each month just how many stalls raised money and, what is even more important, chatted-up
and enlightened members of the public about our existence - plus the charter trips having the same
effect on yet another section of the public.
In case some members do not know, all they have to do is to provide Steve Jones with a set of
S.A.E.s to be kept up to date.
Iris Piggott
Letters to the Editor -
Dear Editor,
I am rather ashamed to admit that I have just joined WACT although I have walked my dogs along the
Drungewick/Onslow stretch for many years. As the work progresses it seems more and more to me that
this is not just the restoration of a canal but is just as much about showing what beauty nature can
create given a sympathetic helping hand. I am proud to be associated (at long last!) with such a project.
Yours sincerely, Brian Duck
Dear Tim,
Re Loxwood Crossing - I have read WS127 and am writing to support Peter Wilding and his letter
"Cross about the Crossing". We don't want to spoil the Loxwood pound in our endeavours to get
under the road. Surely West Sussex highway authorities must take into account the local attraction
of the canal and bend their rules a little for what could become a local beauty spot.
Yours sincerely, Dan Beckwith (a ZK skipper)
(Peter & Dan's letters are surprisingly the only ones I've received about this. The Chairman has
had some in support of the scheme I know. Perhaps this issue's photos will stir people into action!)
Dear Sir.
With reference to your Wey-South issue 127 and the plan to cross the B2133, I believe the answer
which will not only be the cheapest but could be the answer to all, is shown in the September issue
of the Canal Boat and Inland Waterways, in an article under letters by Alan Cook. A Floating Dock
is a brilliant concept.
Having studied the Restoration Guide, and noting that severe water shortage was always a problem
when the Wey & Arun canal was in use, and having been on the Oxford Canal during a hot summer when
we were reduced to sliding on wet mud, surely it is important to reduce the amount of water used in
locks etc. If that is the case, one answer could be to lower the canal at the summit and do away
with locks 16 and 17 so instead of a 5 mile summit we would have a 7.5 mile one.
Whenever I have been to the summit it has always had water. This can only mean that it has its
own supply.
I remain yours faithfully, Bent James
Wey-South Editor: Tim Jolly
All communication and copy either by post to:
2 Southdown Close
Roffey
Horsham RH12 4LD
Or email to: tim.jolly@tesco.net
Material published in this bulletin represents the views of the contributors and should not, unless specifically indicated, be assumed to be the policy of the Trust.
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Next Issue will be published in December. Copy MUST reach the editor by end October please.
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If at all possible please email copy by attachment in Microsoft Word format.
However, typed / WP copy can be scanned and ASCII data on floppy disc is acceptable. Photos particularly welcome.
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