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PART 2
Alan Dyer/Arthur Dungate -
Alan Dyer
Already a member of IWA, Alan joined WACT on 1st September 1978. He was a Founder Member of the IWA Solent &
Arun Branch in 1978 and served as Hon. Secretary and later Sales Officer of that Branch.
Alan took over as WACT Covenants Secretary from David Ball in August 1981 and placed these records on computer
files for the first time. In June 1988 he took over as WACT Membership Secretary from Joy Wood, and likewise
these records were placed on computer files for the first time. The days of 'pencil & paper' records were over!
We will continue to use his "Access" database.
In June 1994 he took a break from membership duties, resuming the role in November 1996. Alan's close
attention to detail has always meant that our membership records are correct and up to date.
However, with the WACT membership steadily increasing, Alan was finding very little leisure time to pursue
his other interests, and together with family commitments, has decided the time has come to hand over the reins
to a new incumbent. Having completed a total of 21 years as WACT Membership & Covenants Secretary you can say he
is a Wey & Arun Canal Trust stalwart!
I am pleased to say that David King has kindly taken over both duties, and that Alan will continue as a
valued member of the Boat Group, crewing and producing the crew duty rosters etc.
Arthur Dungate
Arthur has been active in canal restoration for many years, and his first love has been the Basingtoke Canal.
However, he has been doing work for the Wey & Arun for a long time as well. He was Secretary of the Southern
Canals Association for some years.
He joined WACT in September 1983. His particular expertise has been in Audio-Visual slide presentations and
regularly produced them for our Annual General Meetings and other public "Canal Evenings". Arthur is well known
in the canal restoration movement for these shows, not just for us. His background working for the BBC must have
helped him.
Arthur sound-recorded John Wood's slide show for posterity, which became part of the Educational Pack on a
CD-Rom 'Canal Discovery' (still available for £5 inc. p&p from John Wood). However, computer-literate members
will have encountered his work when looking at the Trust's Website. Arthur designed this and a lot of work it
was too. Thanks to him we are in the modern age!
SPONSORSHIP/FUNDRAISING
Does any member or friend know of a business fairly local to the line of the canal, that might be approached
with a view to sponsoring something, ranging from the printing of Draw Tickets, leaflets etc. to contributing
to a major project along the canal? Any thoughts would be welcomed and John Wood would be very pleased to hear
from you. His address/telephone is in the WACT Directory or Email johnr.wood@lineone.net.
Bramley Exhibition -
Trust the Navy to know how things should be done. The question was raised: "But how are we formally to open
the Exhibition? Do we ask Peter Foulger to cut a ribbon?" The Navy's response was: "Simple. If you want it
opened at 2pm, just ring 4 Bells". So that was that. Decision made. And that is what happened. And that explains
why Peter is photographed with a bell on the Trust's web-site.
But not everything went as smoothly as that. Bearing in mind that the Exhibition had been in the planning
stage for nearly a year prior to the event, the intricacies and potential pit-falls were legion. The objective
was simple enough. We were to introduce the activities of the Trust to the local residents of Bramley and nearby
villages. In addition, we were also to explain ideas for taking the Wey & Arun Canal through Bramley, and obtain
feedback from those attending the Exhibition so as to assist the Trust in progressing its future plans.
This was never going to be easy. The past history of protest by Bramley residents about the Trust's objectives
was well known. Also, we knew that previously there had been well organised resistance. So would we have similar
problems this time? And, if so, how were we to gauge the true opinion of the majority of local residents?
Late in 2003, a close look was taken at the previous work that had been performed on ideas for a new route
through Bramley. A new route is required because, unlike most of the canal, the old route in Bramley had been
built over. Hence the fear by many Bramley residents that we would compulsorily purchase their properties. To
allay their concerns was one important message of many which we had to get across.
It was clear that much excellent work on finding a new route had already been done by the Trust. Taking
advantage of this, the Council of Management decided that a professional view was needed to bring things
up to date on key items such as environmental issues. This would be required before discussing possible
options with Local Authorities, in order to obtain their opinion and hopefully also their support. So
Halcrow were commissioned to prepare an Option Appraisal Report on behalf of the Trust.
This report, which was completed in June 2004, was to form the basis for key discussions with the planning
authorities, and also the basis of the presentational material at the Exhibition in October.
But just pictures of basic engineering options were hardly likely to grip the imagination of a sceptical
audience. - especially over the 2-day period planned for the Exhibition. How to solve the public relations
issue? Step forward Sally Schupke.
I'm not sure when Sally first became aware of plans for a Bramley Exhibition. But I do remember her first
comments: "We've got to get the atmosphere right: what we need is a boat, some bullrushes and a swan". I knew
then that we were in good shape.
Sally and her local friends rapidly got moving and by expending an enormous amount of time and energy, ensured
the eventual success of the Exhibition.
It would be impossible to mention and to thank all those who were involved in the preparations, or even all
those who spent hours during the actual exhibition itself, manning stands, welcoming visitors, explaining points
and answering questions.
We had more than 700 visitors over the two days. Many well-known figures were present, including Mr P.A.L.Vine,
the author of "London's Lost Route to the Sea". The Mayor of Waverley, Councillor Victor Duckett, attended on
both days [complete with chain of office] to emphasise, as he put it, that: "Both Waverley Borough Council and
myself are fully in support of the Trust's objectives".
Over 270 questionnaires were completed, which are now being evaluated. Initial results show that 66% of those
attending the Exhibition are in favour of the canal, and of those in favour, the majority prefer the 'river
route' option to the 'old railway' option. This gives us a helpful steer for the future.
The questionnaire draw prize, a Jeroboam of champagne, was won by a recently-moved-in-resident of Wonersh,
who had discovered only the previous week that he could one day be fortunate enough to have a canal at the
bottom of his garden.
My grateful thanks go to all who were in any way involved.
But please remember one of our key messages : "This is just the start of the consultation and planning
process".
You have been warned.
Chris Harrison.
Boat Painting Group -
Those of you who attended the EGM on 29th October will have heard that Dusty Miller has decided to set up a
Boat Painting Group. In a weak moment a few days before this meeting, I had agreed to get involved and this
has resulted in the announcement that I am to 'mastermind' the work. It is true that I did spend a day with a
paint roller on the end of a long pole and a bucket of black paint helping Mike Anderson give ZK a quick touch
up before the slipway opening, but that is about the limit of my expertise.
As usual, in order to do the work volunteers are required. The work will inevitably be carried out during the
winter season, whilst the boats are not required for public trips and charters. Anyone who can spare the odd
day, or several days, who would be willing to help, should contact me so that I can organise and co-ordinate
(I think this is what is meant by masterminding) the task. No special skills are required other than to be able
to hold a paint brush or roller.
Now that we can get the boats out of the water so easily at the slipway, arranging to do a session of painting
should become that much more straightforward. Ideally, I would like to build up a register of willing helpers
so that the ZK and JS can be regularly worked on each season without it falling on the same few shoulders each
time, as it has up until now.
Anyone interested should contact me on telephone:01483 274833 or email: derek.heath@dial.pipex.com
Derek Heath
SWINGBRIDGE MOVES TO HAYBARN -
Way back in November 2001 the Council of Management resolved to acquire a steel-framed swingbridge from the
Leeds and Liverpool Canal and to transport it down South where it was anticipated a new home could be found,
possibly at Hope Farm. It seemed a good idea at the time, but a site did not materialise and so the bridge was
off-loaded into a field at Wharf Farm near Newbridge.
Two years later, the Trust was looking for a suitable project for the Dig Deep visiting teams to get their
teeth into, and it was suggested that Haybarn, north of Lee Farm Lock, would be an appropriate site for a
swingbridge. So this task was allocated for 2004.
The project involved replacing an existing concrete farm access bridge with inadequate headroom for navigation,
which also carried a public footpath, and so a succession of formal approvals was required. The landowner's
consent, detailed planning permission and finally a temporary footpath diversion order were required.
It was planned to progress work on two fronts to enable the swingbridge to be installed at Haybarn. The
restoration of the structure would be carried out at Wharf Farm and the foundations for the bridge prepared
at Haybarn as a parallel operation
The first onsite activities at Haybarn took place in April when the fencing for the footpath diversion was
erected and a temporary footbridge placed across the canal. Bunds were then formed across the canal so that
the worksite could be pumped dry whenever required. The demolition of the existing bridge proved much harder
than anticipated, and despite the application of a 5 tonne excavator with pecker attachment and two
compressor-driven breakers it took three weekends to complete the task. The original bridge was allegedly
built by German prisoners of war and they were probably instructed to make it bomb proof!
The first onsite activities at Haybarn took place in April when the fencing for the footpath diversion was
erected and a temporary footbridge placed across the canal. Bunds were then formed across the canal so that
the worksite could be pumped dry whenever required. The demolition of the existing bridge proved much harder
than anticipated, and despite the application of a 5 tonne excavator with pecker attachment and two
compressor-driven breakers it took three weekends to complete the task. The original bridge was allegedly
built by German prisoners of war and they were probably instructed to make it bomb proof!
Fortunately, the week long NWPG camp in July achieved a great deal, and apart from completing the demolition,
they excavated for and concreted the new base slabs, built reinforced block walls and commenced the
foundation to the swingbridge 'pintle'. Two further Dig Deep weekends enabled the original 1819 pintle,
complete with new ball bearings, to be grouted into position.
Meanwhile, at Wharf Farm the bridge was jacked up on to 1m high stollidges to enable the underside to be
accessed, and the timber deck (which proved to be rotten) was removed so that the steelwork could be inspected.
The news was not good! Some of the lighter sections had rusted through and the entire structure was badly
corroded. It was therefore necessary to carry out extensive needle gunning and three separate Dig Deep
teams spent very dirty and tiring weekends carrying this out, also using hand held hammers to chip away at
the more difficult areas. In addition an independent structural appraisal of the bridge steelwork was
undertaken to ensure that it could withstand the new loadings. As a result various stiffening and strengthening
works were carried out. Then, after the second session of grit blasting by specialists, the steel was primed
and coated with three layers of paint.
The two parts of the project could now come together. On a blustery 20th of October, punctuated with heavy
showers, the swingbridge was lifted from the far side of the hedge at Wharf Farm on to a 16m low loader with
the aid of a 50 tonne hydraulic jib crane. The moving operation had been entrusted to J Thomas of Small Dole,
who also had to load and transport the counterweight kentledge, various loose steel members, and a considerable
number of sleepers to stabilise the crane outriggers at Haybarn. The most difficult part of the journey was
travelling down the narrow and winding Blackgate Lane, which in parts had ditches both sides!
On arrival at Haybarn, the benefits of early construction of a temporary road to the site were appreciated
and the careful lifting of the bridge and placing on the foundations went without a hitch. The project is far
from complete, however, as much work remains to be done constructing the brickwork and stepped slabs, and
completing the bridge restoration. We also need to remodel the approach ramps and adjacent towpath, so the
visiting Dig Deep teams will still have plenty to amuse themselves with through the winter months.
Photo - Graham Baird
Footnote:
Dig Deep is an umbrella organisation for the various visiting volunteer waterway restoration groups which help
us with specific projects on the Wey & Arun Canal.
Members comprise:
NWPG - Newbury Working Party Group
KESCRG - Kent & East Sussex Canal Restoration Group
LWRG - London Waterway Restoration Group
BITM - The Bit In The Middle (Canal Restoration Group)
Graham Baird
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 9.30 Loxwood
Cooks Bridge Spillway is on the mend, with lessons being learnt! Of course it had to be knocked down so we
could build it up. Each Sunday ballast and cement is taken from our Tickner's Heath depot and by the end of
Thursday they are ready for more. One interesting feature noted whilst on this site was a crack in the towpath,
something over an inch wide. One August some years ago we lowered two ten inch diameter pipes so that they
would be under the canal rather than across it at water level. The crack was on the towpath surface where
the backfill was supposed to meet with the existing towpath. The lesson to be learnt is the necessary follow
up works to ensure the clay interface is sound, perhaps a year after installation. Another aspect of cutting
through the towpath, as part of rebuilding the sluice, was to see a thin layer of chalk three inches below the
surface, almost certainly put there when the canal was in use.
THE MID-WEEK WORKING PARTY (M.W.W.P.)
ACTING LEADER: Peter Jackman: - 01483 772132 MEETS usually twice a month
Firstly, a warm welcome to the new MWWP members and the return of some we have not seen for a while!
Good to have you back.
The coppicing in Sidney Wood saw an excellent turnout of 13 members, and under the eagle eyes of Roger
and Ray (the hedge laying experts) we soon had piles of stakes and binders cut and bundled, enough for at
least 100yds of hedge laying. A return visit to Sidney Wood is planned that will see us do the annual brush
cutting and tidy up.
During September and November weekly visits took place to the long section at Lee Farm to give a grand
autumnal trim and tidy, culminating in some enormous bonfires. Commencing in December, the MWWP will probably
meet every other week, with work at the ox-bow below Devil's Hole Lock. There are two trees to cut and clear
near Three Compasses, and the store at Drungewick Hill Farm needs to be tidied and cleared of rubbish. No
doubt many other tasks will be tackled as required at different sites, some of which are dependent on flood
free ground conditions prevailing.
THE MONDAY WORKING PARTY GROUP ("Keeping Up Appearances")
LEADER: Brian Crossley - 01737 843192 MEETS: Usually twice a month
We are slowly (remarkably slowly) approaching the closed season for grass cutting. Our winter programme of
worthwhile tasks appropriate for the group, so far include: - installing more bench seats along the 'Loxwood
Link', painting the roof of the lean-to store behind the Onslow Arms, installing new gatepost(s) at Tickner's
Heath depot, smoothing and adding topsoil to the 'lawn' by the Onslow landing stage, repositioning some of the
signs appealing for more maintenance volunteers and supporting the Mid-Week Work Party (MWWP).
THE LOXWOOD LINK MAINTENANCE UNIT
LEADER: Peter Wilding - 01483 422519 MEETS: Wednesdays
Continuing from the last 'Round Up', August was not arid but the frequent rain did not get the River Lox
flowing until we had one inch in one day on the 19th. This enabled us to pump again on the 20th, but only
for eleven days, there was no rain at all in the first two weeks of September. Five and a half inches of
rain in October, including over one inch on 14th have now ended our water level worries. I was pleased to be
able to take 'ZK' down to Drungewick Lock again on Saturday 3oth October in pleasant sunshine as a finale to
our summer season.
The rain in August made a lot more branches hang low along the canal requiring more trimming than normal.
The leaning tree across the canal below Brewhurst became lower with the weight of wet ivy, so thanks to Dave
Kersley with his chain saw, that threat to navigation is no more.
Thanks also to Jonathan Robertson who has spent many hours strimming the towpath from Drungewick Lane to
Drungewick Lock. Also, Geoff Alce for his work with the tractor and flail. This path is now looking very
good with the water back to level and hopefully remaining so after the repair by Peter Foulger and Richard
Julian of the leak on the offside bank over the drain which runs under the canal. Walkers here can now rest
their weary legs with the installation by Brian Crossley's 'Monday group' of two new seats; one about 100yds
down from Brewhurst Lane Bridge and the other at Brewhurst lock. The seats are made of substantial pieces of
oak supplied by Peter Foulger who has also replaced his 'special' seat at Baldwin's Knob Lock. That one is
very superior complete with a backrest.
Following on from the foam injection, the lock chamber walls at Baldwin's Knob Lock have been re-pointed to
seal the water spouts, with the assistance of three escapees from Eric Walker's 'Tuesday and Sunday Group'
(TSG). However this job seems to be never ending, like painting the Forth Railway Bridge. New spouts
appear soon after, water is very persistent in finding leak paths.
THE WINSTON HARWOOD GROUP
CONTACT: Winston on 01293 424672 Meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
The WACT Summer Work Camp that ran from Saturday 31st July to Saturday 8th August was so productive that it
gave us the opportunity to make tremendous progress on the Lording's Lock chamber rebuild which, except for
the copings, will be finished by the time you read this article. We have salvaged some really lovely coping
stones from the lock that have been preserved in the mud and we look forward to placing these back into their
rightful position during the winter months. The brickwork on Lording's Aqueduct will also progress this
winter depending of course on floods and frost, not forgetting the enthusiasm required of the volunteers
who will have probably to walk to the site during the winter months.
We are now thinking ahead to 2005, when we will be rebuilding Rose Arch Bridge and a slipway, after
waterproofing the bed of the canal over the Aqueduct together with lining the winding hole with puddled clay.
The thing is, where do we go after our work at the Lordings site is complete?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my loyal and extremely enthusiastic hard working team for
achieving so much, and to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year
THE KEITH NICHOLS GROUP
CONTACT: Keith on 01403 753882 for dates and times.
The Group re-covened on the 19th October when they commenced hedge trimming. Over a 3-day period during
November, hedge laying was completed at the Drungewick Gauging Station meadow and Brewhurst River Field.
Work has started on the preparation of the 100m left to lay at Drungewick, so that the fence can come down
ready for hedge laying.
At the time of writing (6th November) we are waiting to move some 440 stakes and binders from Sidney Wood to
Drungewick. Many thanks to members of MWWP who have been assisting our group.
MAINTENANCE SESSIONS AT TICKNERS HEATH DEPOT
CONTACT: Colin Gibbs on 020 8241 7736. Meets most Tuesdays
We are still hoping for Trust volunteers who could help with the Land Rover driving a few times per month -
mainly delivering or collecting gear to and from worksites. Because of the very limited skills of the
Tickner's Group - David, Michael, Peter and Phil excepted of course - we require the services of a carpenter
or someone who is into wood, for about 5 or 6 half days during the winter, nothing very taxing.
We are often ask generous members to give us various items of equipment, BUT, this time we can actually do
something in return, for a small fee perhaps. Prior to the use of chainsaws, volunteers had to use two-handled
crosscut saws if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. We have three of these saws (lengths 7', 5'
and 4' with 19 Labbat's 47 written on one - an early toolmaker perhaps?).
Do you know of a pub that's desperate to display one of these? We are also very happy to give away 50 old
tyres!!! Do you know of anyone who is into shredding tyres? There was a person doing this a couple of
years ago, but I think he went out of business. Then of course there are 3 engines (2 of which are suitable
for narrowboats) but at a much larger price. Please give me a call if you can help with any of the above.
VISITING GROUPS
Bill Nicholson ('Dig Deep' co-ordinator) reports
'Dig Deep' visits to the Haybarn Swing Bridge site have been running monthly since August and will continue
so until March 2005. Access to this site and work on it should be possible in all but the worst flood
conditions, unlike Lordings! The last two weekends with the Kent & East Sussex Canal Restoration Group
(KESCRG) and the Newbury Working Party Group (NWPG) have been split between Newbridge and Haybarn. At
Newbridge, following completion of the bridge strengthening works by a contractor, we have been dodging
the showers to put on 4 (out of 5) coats of protective paint. Preparing and painting the steel work has
not been a popular task and my thanks go to those individuals from London Waterway Recovery Group (LWRG),
KESCRG and NWPG who nobly stuck with the task. The bridge is now ready for its final journey south (see the
report from Graham Baird on pages 15 -16).
The work at Haybarn has focused on getting the structure ready to receive the bridge before the ground
conditions become too wet. The concrete box to support the pintle was raised to its final height in
September and the pintle has since been installed and grouted up. More blocks have been laid to support
the upper concrete deck over which the bridge rails will run. The towpath side retaining wall has been
backfilled with concrete. All the walls have been scaffolded ready for bricklaying - the bricks having
been brought down from the Lording's site where they have been declared surplus. The next tasks are to
start the brickwork, remove a section from each dam to allow floodwater through and to re-instate, albeit
temporarily, the public footpath over the swing bridge to avoid a further exorbitant diversion fee! The
material excavated is being used to build up a 4 metre wide towpath. Together with the autumn
clearance/maintenance being carried out by the Mid-Week Working Party (MWWP), hedging and fencing, the
aim is to establish a showpiece length of restored canal.
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?
Working parties are held nearly every day, except Friday and Saturday.
DON'T FORGET!
Some of the sites mentioned in the above reports take place on private land and may only be visited in
conjunction with an official WACT Working Party. However, for just £3.00 inc. postage, you can obtain
the 10 maps in A4 size showing all the sites and restoration projects that have been accomplished over
the last 33 years, which also indicate where a public right of way exists, usually by using the Wey-South
Path. This booklet also clearly shows the name and location of these sites. Send your cheque, payable to
W & A Enterprises Ltd, to 24 Griffiths Avenue, LANCING, BN15 0HW
John Wood
Memories of Loxwood -
My family have had associations with Loxwood since 1940, when my aunt Enid was evacuated from London to the
Hilltop Stores at the beginning of the war. My grandparents moved to Chalk Road, Loxwood in 1953, and their
son Cyril married Enid in 1958. My Uncle and Aunt took over the running the Hilltop Stores in 1966 from my
aunt's mother when she grew too old. The Hilltop Stores is now the white building with the black door right
on the pavement at the top of the hill.
.
My first sighting of the canal was when we walked from Chalk Road to the village Post Office via the fields
full of cows, in 1953 when I was 5. The path crossed the river Lox and across more fields, then up an
embankment to a dry water course. When I asked my father what it was he said it was a canal that had been
abandoned for about 100 years.
The next part of the walk passed the wide section before Devil Hollow lock, which had a tree growing in the
middle of it. I have always assumed that this wide section was intended to provide a point where boats
could pass or queue up prior to entering Devils Hollow Lock.
Sufficient parts of this lock remained to enable a good description of its workings to be given by my father.
Below the lock the canal had stagnant water in it, but it came to an abrupt halt at the B2133 crossing where
this road had been built over without sufficient headroom. There were no significant signs of the canal the
other side of the road, by the Onslow Arms.
The path to the village crossed a bridge over the canal, no steps in those days, and passed a small copse,
always referred to as the Bluebell Wood, and then across more fields of cows to the Post Office.
I often fished the river Lox in the section from the footbridge to the gate on the towpath prior to the main
road. In springtime large Golden Carp could be seen cruising around, these are supposed to have come from
the stew ponds of a sacked monastery that was close to the footbridge over the river Lox.
Above Devils Hollow Lock the canal towpath became very overgrown and continued to another broken down lock,
Southlands Lock. The canal itself was still identifiable but the towpath became very overgrown, impeding
normal walking, so this was the extent of our walks.
I did not visit Loxwood's towpath from the mid-60's to 1977 and it was unchanged, but when I visited in
August 2004 the field was overgrown obscuring the view of the river from the towpath. A close relative of
the Crawford family tells me that cows have not frequented these fields for a long time, which might account
for the overgrown fields.
I wait for the day a canal boat passes through Devils Hollow Lock. The first lock I ever saw, and it has
always fascinated me.
Paul Jordan
Mr Jordan submitted this article via Eric Walker and it has been printed virtually as it was received.
It's interesting that what he calls Devils Hollow Lock we call Devils Hole. Also I think we'd say that
Chalk Road is in Ifold. It would also be very interesting to publish any photos that Mr Jordan might have. Ed
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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