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No. 81SEPTEMBER 1978
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COMMENT
In our report of the John Pinkerton's inaugural cruise in the last newsletter, we omitted to mention the excellent lunch prepared by Raye Fethney, Janet Googe and Janet Hedger. Catering for a party of 56 paople, especially on a boat, takes a great deal of time, planning and preparation. The celebration meal was thoroughly enjoyed by all the passengers and helped to make the historic day a memorable event.
It is perhaps not realised that the Society relies on a large number of
volunteers, many of whom are not known to the general membership and
rarely acknowledged.
Executive Committee members and Directors apart - all of whom perform jobs in addition to their formal administrative work - and all those who organise and turn out for working parties, there are a great many of people working in a wide variety of supporting roles.
For instance, we heard recently of a life member, Alan Flight, a chief engineer for Cunard Line, who spent seven of his last eight weeks' leave renovating and rebuilding 16 items of mechanical equipment - including dumper trucks, a van, concrete mixer, pumps and a trailer - which are invaluable to working party volunteers. Ron Jesse, Roger Caesley and Roy Fowles have also been responsible for keeping plant and equipment in working order.
On the administration side, Alan Babister, Membership Secretary and Derek Herd are kept busy with enquiries, renewals, maintaining membership records and recruitment drives.
The newsletter relies on a small army of volunteers from the editorial team and correspondents like Peter Cooper to the typists, Gloria Jarrett and Diana Snow, David Wimpenny who does the duplicating, Janet and George Hedger and their party of collators, Clive Durley who addresses the envelopes and the 50 voluntary postmen who distribute over 1,000 newsletters each issue, saving the Society up to £100 in postage.
Then there's our Talks Organiser, Raye Fethney, who recently handed over to Pauline Hadlow and the pnnel of speakers who turn out on winter nights, often travelling considerable distances, to give talks and slide shows on behalf of the Society.
We are also fortunate in having the professional services of members like Richard Allnutt, who acts as the Society's legal adviser, which he combines with fund raising among charitable trusts. And David Robinson and Clive Durley, commercial photographers, whose pictures have been widely published in books, articles and news items to promote the Society.
Fund raising keeps a lot of people busy from our Sales manager, David Gay, to all those who help organise jumble sales, bring-and-buy sales and
fayres, Malcolm Irwin and his team havo been investigating ways of
raising money from commercial companies and Ted Williams instigated and
organised tho Society's first Grand Draw. The celebrated trip boat,
'John Pinkcrton' launched primarily to raise funds, has involved dozens of people in first building her and now running her under the management of Peter Fethney.
Sponsored walks, organised by Audrey and Stuart Browning, Joan Green and Vic Trott, have also involved a great many people and raised substantial funds.
Turning to publicity, Philip Pratt has spent countless hours arranging displays at shows, libraries and organising venues and manning the Portakabin exhibition along with other volunteers. And countless Press articles have originated from Press Officer, Dieter Jebens.
Organising a variety of social events keeps Rosemary and David Millett busy at the Fleet end and Michael Grist in Woking, quite apart from the annual May Ball organised by Stan Googe.
Natalie Jones has the arduous task of Committee Minutes Secretary, Bob Humberstone keeps the Society's volunteer register..... and so the
list goes on.
Without doubt there are as many people we've omitted, certainly the names of people who have served the Society in the past.
All of them - in the past - and present have helped make the Society one of the biggest and most successful of its kind in the country.
Not to mention all the members, whether actively or just as supporters, without whom the Basingstoke Canal would not be in the course of being restored today.
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FISHING THE CANAL
Anyone who has walked along or boated on a navigable waterway will not heed to be told that fishing is one of the most popular of pastimes. As more of the Hampshire section of the canal is dredged, increasing numbers of anglers can be seen along the banks, so we asked Hampshire Basingstoke Canal Anglers Association to tell us something about plans for fishing on the Basingstoke.
In 1974 Douglas Richardson was invited to inaugurate HBCAA and he is now its President. The Association brings together 24 local angling clubs and is responsible for the operation and control of the growing fishing on the canal.
In 1976, the existing stock of tench and carp was augmented by many thousands of carp, roach, rudd, perch, tench and bream which had been rescued by the Thames Water Authority from waters put at risk by the exceptional drought. Further consignments were deposited in 1977 - up to 250,000 fish.
Hampshire County Council have indicated that they are prepared to grant a long lease over fishing rights to HBCAA who will manage the fishing as a public amenity.
There is currently some 6-1/2 miles of canal in Hampshire which is fishable
and the HBCAA looks forward with enthusiasm to the day when the whole Hampshire
length is restored. Further details of fishing on the canal can be obtained
from the Association's Fisheries Officer, Michael Purchase, 10 Dover Close,
Basingstoke.
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MODEL RAILWAYS & CANAL
Over the weekend of 28/29 October, the Society Portakabin Exhibition will be on display at Richard Aldworth School, Western Way, Basingstoke. This is in connection with the Basingstoke & North Hants MRS Model Railway Exhibition.
Some 20 layouts and displays will be on show, along with trade stands and a film show. Open Saturday 10am. - 7pm. Sunday 10.30am. - 5pm. Admission is 25p adult, 10p child/OAPs Refreshments and a large free car park will be available.
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RESTORATION ROUND-UP
in Hampshire
The Society's steam powered dredger Perseverance is now 150 yards east of Sprats Hatch Bridge in one of the most attractive and remote rural stretches of the whole canal.
Dredging operations are expected to speed up with the opening of a new silt dumping site at Lousy Moor, west of Sandy Hill Bridge.
Moving the dragline used for emptying the mud barges from the Broad Oak dump site proved a difficult operation as the only way of retreat was acros the silt - which proved to be less firm than it looked!
With the commissioning of our second tug, 'Pledge' joining 'Sparkle', bought with a £1,000 donation from Johnson Wax at Frimley, dredging progress will be accelerated - thanks to the many hours' work put in by Brian Bane and Nigel Durley.
Elsewhere on the Hampshire section of the canal, Hampshire County Council
has also been dredging. A Hymac has cleared some 800 yards between Barley
Mow Bridge along Alec Chorlton's land to Thatch Cottage. And the Hampshire
wardens have greatly improved pedestrian access along the section by
levelling and consolidating the towpath.
The section east of Fleet, between Pondtail and Farnborough Road bridges has been drained and a pair of Hymac excavators - yes, two - have taken up residence. The Hymacs started at the Farnborough Road end and have already passed Claycart Bridge.
The section is noted for some interesting species of aquatic plants which have been moved by members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Naturalists Trust.
David Gerry, Hampshire's canals manager, expects dredging to reach Eelmoor Bridge by September and, provided good weather and finances hold out, it is hoped to reach Pondtail Bridge by the end of November.
And in Surrey........
With the shift in Government policy to provide more training for unemployed young;people, the Society has successfully applied for a £30,000 grant under the new Project Based Work Experience Scheme. Ten 16-24 year olds will start training work on the Deepcut Flight of locks, alongside JCP workers, with a further ten joining in October. The scheme runs for an initial 17 weeks until the end of the year, when the Society's £130,000 Job Creation Programme officially ends.
It is hoped the Society will get a further Work Experience grant next year for a maximum of 50 unemployed young people.
Meanwhile the JCP team continue making good progress with lock 24 completed and the chambers of locks 21-23 nearing completion.
The ground paddle culverts have been restored on locks 26-28 which now only need gates. The first set are being constructed in a specially erected workshop adjacent to lock 28.
JCP workers have also been restoring the derelict dry dock above lock 28 which will eventually be used for maintenance work on trip boats, including the John Pinkerton.
While Surrey County Council continues to supply building materials for the restoration of the Deepcut locks, the Council is also maintaining its dredging programme. The section between Brookwood and Pirbright bridges has been completed and the Hymac is moving back to Mytchett Lake to continue dredging westwards to Ash Wharf.
Next year Hampshire and Surrey County Councils are expected to start restoring the breach in the Ash embankment, which will enable the 6-mile pound between Ash lock and lock 28 to be re-opened.
Voluntary working parties have also been pressing on. A party under Peter Mayne has rebuilt Wilderness Weir at lock 28 and Society members are working on lock l6. The Kent and East Sussex branch of the IWA, alternating with the Southampton Canal Society, have adopted Lock 19 and the London Branch of WRG is installed at lock 17 above Cowshott Bridge.
At the eastern end Pablo Haworth and his gang continue making progress on Shearwater lock 6 and the Guildford IWA branch members are working on lock 1.
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WORKING PARTIES
While the trip boat operates at one end of the canal, we must not suppose that the job of restoring the canal is almost finished. About 5 miles out of 15 in Hampshire, and about 6 miles out of 16 in Surrey, have been dredged. 5 locks are complete and 11 are being worked on, which leaves 13, most of which are untouched by the hand of restoring navvy. So there's still a lot to do, though volunteers won't be expected to do it all.
The Society's working parties, with dates, are given below. The details may change at the last moment, so it's usually best to check with the working party leader before attending, or alternatively, use the Ansaphone on Farnborough 45032.
Every weekend Deepcut Flight
With the Job Creation Project Team advancing fairly rapidly down the Flight, the Society's working parties continue to be mainly concentrated on locks nos. 19 (jointly with Southampton Canal Society and other visiting groups) and 16. The Society hopes to be able to complete these two locks with little or no assistance from the Job Creation Project, but whether this happens depends very much on high turn outs of Society volunteers. Come along and help make these locks our locks. The co-ordinator for volunteer work on the flight is MIKE FELLOWS on Wokingham 787428, and he or one of the working party leaders can give you further details. The access point for work is at Cowshott Bridge (by lock 17), and the full list of working parties, with dates, locations and leaders, is as follows:-
First weekend of the month
4/5 Nov. 2/3 Dec. 6/7 Jan - Lock 16 - PETER JONES, Aldershot 313076
Second weekend of the month
7/8 Oct. 11/12 Nov. 9/10 Dec - Lock 19 - PETER OATES (Southampton Canal
Society), Botley 3844.
Second and Fourth Sundays of the month
8 Oct. 20ct. 12 Nov. 26 Nov. 10 Dec. - Lock 21 - ALAN GRIMSTER on Farnborough 45032
Third weekend, of the month
14/15 Oct. 18/19 Nov. 16/17 Dec. - Lock 16 - JULES WOOD on
Farnborough 515737.
Fourth weekend of the month
21/22 Oct. 25/26 Nov. - Lock 19 - JIM CHISHOLM on Wokingham 785146
Every weekend there is work to be done on the Deepcut Narrow-guage Railway including assembly and laying of track, maintenance of rolling-stock, loco and track, and actually running the trains that deliver the restoration materials along the flight. Further details from JOHN PEART on Farnborough 46554 or STAN MELLER on Camberley 32096.
Every weekend Dredging in Hampshire
The dredger continues its scenic course through remote parts of Hampshire,
in the area of Sprats Hatch Bridge. More helpers are needed, as it is now
planned to use two tugs and run a much more intense operation. The
recommended access point is from the road past Swan's Farm. More details
from BRIAN BANE, Odiham 2361.
Second weekend of the month Lock 6 (Sheerwater)
14/15 Oct. 11/12 Nov. 9/10 Dec.
The Bywash here is now considered virtually complete, and work is now
concentrated on the bottom cill and the adjoining bridge-hole. Further
details from PABLO HAWORTH on Byfleet 42081.
Third' Sunday of the month Lock 1 (Woodham)
22 Oct. 19 Nov. 17 Dec.
The bywash here is now virtually complete except for some work at the bottom
end, and work is now starting on the top cill. It is distressing to report
that vandalism has negated some of the recent efforts of this party. In
some cases new brickwork has been wantonly destroyed, and a number of
concrete bywash pipes were quite cheerfully broken by the local rabble.
Another sad incident occurred when a diversion channel at the top end of
the lock was tampered with, causing flooding of the lock chamber which
special efforts were being made to clear. Several prospective pieces of
work by this party are currently inhibited by difficulties in pumping the
chamber dry.
Nevertheless, progress is reasonable but the party would welcome extra helpers. For further details contact DICK HARPER-WHITE on Weybridge 42074 or PETER JACKMAN on Woking 72132.
Last Sunday of the month Various jobs in Hampshire
29 Oct. 26 Nov.
For the time being this party will continue to meet to perform small jobs
as they arise, with the usual accent on work that requires few skills and
which all the family can join in. But there is now a strong prospect of
a new major job of work to be starting shortly which will call for a
large number of helpers. Contact DAVID MILLETT on Fleet 7364 for further
details, and watch this space.
Fifth weekend of the month - 28/29 Oct - Lock 16 or 19 - MIKE FELLOWS on
Wokingham 787428.
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AMBITION REALISED Martin Bowers
It said in the company magazine "Have you an ambition, tell us about it and the reason and we will try to arrange it for you". So I thought, why not: I wrote and they arranged it for me and that was how I found myself behind the controls of one of British Steel's giant draglines at Corby. As I drove up to it I though, 'What have I left myself in for?'.
There it was, all 285 feet long jib, 23 cubic yard bucket and weighing in at 1,800 tons. It did seem quite different from the WRG Smalley, JCB or even our draglines. Still, in for a penny etc.
The machine is a Rushton Walking, yes Walking Dragline and used for stripping the overburden above the iron ore in the quarries. She walks on two huge feet propelled by two eccentric cams which drag the main body over the ground in ten feet steps every minute. A few years ago she walked 13 miles cross country to a new quarry and taking almost 3 months for the trip. The main electric feed cable to power the machine at one time stretched 7 miles to the company sub stations.
The motor room was big enough to hold 4 normal semi-detached houses. Still it had to be big to hold all the electric motors and winches.
The walking feet were powered by two 500hp motors, slewing another 500hp, buffing the jib was another 750hp motor, the drag bucket was winched on by 1000hp operated winch and finally the bucket could be lifted by another 1000hp motor, total hp used, 4,250.
The machine is designed to work to a depth of over 50 feet and her huge bucket can move alaost her own weight in an hour at 41 tons a scoop.
Meyrick Jones, head of mineral operations at Corby, took me on board and introduced me to Bill Johnson, the driver.
Bill operated the brute with ease, or so it seemed to me. Two levers, one to drag in the bucket, one to hoist. Right foot pedal to slew right, off right foot, left foot on left pedal to brake. Release bucket drag lever. Out went the bucket and out and out it went. Would it never tip? There it went at last, then everything in reverse to drop the bucket in the next position. Yes, it did seem easy.
Now it was my turn! With trepidation I sat in the chair and took hold of the controls as Bill watched every move like a hawk. After a few scoops I was getting the hang of it, twelve scoops and 480tons later it was time for Bill to take over again. It may have seemed easy but it certainly wasn't. The sheer size of the machine made everything seem out of proportion to anything I have ever used before.
Then we went on to see the rest of the quarrying operations. I tried to get British Steel to lend us the machine. Yes, they, said, but we would have to arrange our own transportation. Still, if we can attain our own aims to re-open the canal and the Greywell tunnel, then the transportation is only a minor problem.
So, if you are driving through Corby and see a giant dragline with SHCS and WRG insignias on its windows, you will know it's the one that we nearly had.
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BASINGSTOKE CANAL
THE PROPRIETORS of the Navigation residing in or near London are requested
to meet Mr. Stubbs on Thursday next, the 7th instant, at One o'clock
precisely, at the Crown and Anchor Tavern in the Strand, on particular
business.
- classified advertisement on the front page of The Times. Monday
April 4th, 1796.
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SOCIAL JOTTINGS Acting Social Secretary, David Millett. Fleet 7364
Although, regretfully, so far no-one has come forward to fill the vacant position of Social Secretary, Michael Grist has kindly offered his services in connection with the organisation of meetings in Woking, In the meantime I am still carrying on with arrangements for meetings at Farnborough, albeit on a limited and temporary basis. Offers to the Hon. Secretary, Mrs. Lise Hamilton (Farnborough 49651).
Wednesday, 11 October, at 7.45pm. Teachers Centre, St. Albans Hall, Lynchford Eoad, Farnborough (opposite Lloyds Bank). LICENSED BAR MEMBERS FILM AND SLIDE EVENING. Please bring along your own slides and films on any waterways theme including holidays connected with waterways in this country and abroad. (Our own restoration elides welcome, of course).
Friday, 27 October at 7.45pm. Teachers Centre, St. Albans Hall. Licensed Bar. ILLUSTRATED TALK by Tony Cundick of the Crofton Society branch of the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust entitled 'Water Pumping Engines'. His talk will include slides on the Crofton Pumping Station of the Kennet and Avon Canal featuring the two early 19th century steam beam engines which are open to the public on certain weekends every season, together with other pumping engines including the Claverton Pumps near Bath, recently restored and reopened.
Wednesday 8 November at 7-45 pm. Teacher Centre, St. Albans Hall. Licensed Bar. ILLUSTRATED TALK by Roger Caseley entitled 'Across the Southern Indian Ocean'. Roger, who is a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, was a member of the crew of the Royal Navy entry in the last Whitbread Round the World Race and his slides feature the Cape Tovm to Auckland leg, where icebergs were encountered on the edge of the Antarctic Circle. Roger is an active member of the Society who has helped with machinery rebuilding and maintenance in Hampshire over the last few years.
Wednesday 13 December at 8.00pm. Teachers Centre, St. Albans Hall. CHRISTMAS SOCIAL EVENING - Full details next newsletter.
SOCIETY CLUB NIGHTS continue at the Railway Enthusiasts Club situated immediately on the south side of the M3 motorway bridge on the A323 Farnborough/Reading road. LICENSED BAR. Real ALE. An informal evening and a good place to meet your fellow active members of the Society. We should, like to see more members there this winter as numbers have dwindled during the summer.
PUB EVENINGS
1st Monday monthly at the Fox & Hounds, Crookham Road, Fleet (Canal Lounge).
3rd Wednesday monthly at the Bounty, Bounty Road. Basingstoke.
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WOKING SOCIALS
Once again the Woking Centre Halls have been booked for the popular Illustrated Talks at 8pm. on the second Monday of each month commencing on 9 October, Raymond Stedman, Countryside Officer of S.C.C. showing slides and speaking about Surrey countryside and how the canal fits in.
These have proved very interesting in the past and they give members of the Society the opportunity of meeting one another socially. We look forward to seeing you. Please note the dates in your diary NOW. These are 9 October 13 November, 11 December, 8 January, 12 February, 12 March, 9 April and 14 May.
CHRISTMAS FAYRE AND COFFEE MORNING
Saturday 25 November - 10.30am. The Civic Hall, Fleet.
We shall have the usual stalls, eg cakes and produce, bric-a-brac, betterwear, toys, books, handicrafts, gifts, competitions and refreshments. Offers of help, good jumble, white elephants, books, toys etc, to - Janet Googe, 'Henbury' Gables Road, Church Crookham, Hants, Tel: Fleet 5402 Janet Hedger, 7 Gorseway, Fleet, Hants. Tel: Fleet 7465.
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GRAND RESULT OF GRAND DRAW
Hearty thanks to all those members who bought and sold tickets for the Grand Draw organised by Ted Williams. The draw took place at the Teachers Centre on 13th September and made a profit of £1,500. Full list of winners in the next newsletter.
EDITORIAL VACANCIES
The Newsletter needs three new members for the editorial team. Photographer/
picture editor able to print and paste-up photos ready for platemaking, and
printing front cover. Writer for news items. Managing editor (would suit
husband/wife team) to get it all together. For work involved, ring
Dieter Jebens on Farnham 5230.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS
About 35 members did not receive their membership cards with their last
Newsletter. If you were one of them, please contact the Membership Secretary.
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ASH WHARF BASIN
Thanks to Alan Lucas and John Ratford for organising and presenting an exhibition of Guildford Borough Council's proposed plans for restoring Ash Wharf Basin.
Alan reports that over 400 people visited the exhibition on 22 April which created a lot of interest, and offers to help with the restoration work. Of the two schemes drafted by the Borough'n Planning Department, 95% of the visitors favoured Scheme A for retention of the maximum amount of water space.
LICENCE TO BOAT
On 1 September, Hampshire County Council started issuing licences to boat
owners wishing to use the upper length of the Basingstoke Canal.
Licences are limited to 150 unpowered boats and 50 powered craft up to 6hp and not exceeding 14ft. in length. Motorised inflatables are not permitted. The annual cost is £1 per boat - short term licences are not available.
Applications are being handled by Mary Harmsworth (Farnborough 513385) or by post to HCC Canal Office, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot, Hampshire.
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SURREY'S BLUEPRINT FOR CANAL'S FUTURE
In June, Surrey County Council published its proposed plan for the future use of the 1.6-mile eastern end of the Basingstoke Canal, The attractively presented 67-page consultation report, including maps, diagrams and illustrations, covers recreation, landscaping, conservation and management proposals.
The report has been prepared to facilitate contributions from all sections of the community to the discussions on the future use of the canal. To this end, the Council organised public meetings at Ash Vale in July, Mytchett and Woking at which the County Valuer and Estates Surveyor, Mr. Bill Britton stressed the value of voluntary labour and the input of the Job Creation Scheme. Mr. Britton told the Ash Vale meeting that it was largely thanks to the Society's lobby that Surrey and Hampshire County Councils embarked upon the joint restoration scheme.
The background to the Report reveals that Surrey paid £40,000 for its section of the canal and that the current estimate for restoration is £281,000 - a small price to pay for a unique 16-mile recreational amenity covering a wide range of popular activities.
The restored canal will double the amount of navigable waterway in Surrey and serve almost 2 million people living within 12 miles and 5-1/2 million within 20 miles.
But apart from catering for the needs of boating interests, anglers,
towpath walkers and natural history conservation, the County is anxious
to retain the ecological and archaeological fabric of the canal by designating Conservation Areas to cover the canal and part of its
surroundings, including Heathvale Bridge, Ash Vale Boatyard, Frimley
Lodge, Brookwood, Goldsworth, Woodend and Scotland Bridges and Woodham
Lock area.
The Report comes with a handy fold-out map giving sites for proposed moorings, car parks, boatyards, canoe centres, picnic and camping sites plus a host of supporting facilities, and a summary of the proposals. Available (price £1.00) from: The County Valuer and Estates Surveyor. Surrey House, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey.
SGM Vote
At the Special General Meeting held at St. Paul's Church Hall, Camberley on Saturday 10th June, the motion was passed confirming the election of the Executive Committee as announced by the Returning Officer at the Annual General Meeting held in January as follows:
Lise Hamilton, (Secretary), Robin Higgs (Chairman), David Millett (Vice-Chairman), Peter Fethney (Treasurer), Brian Bane, Stan Googe, Peter Mayne, Roger Thomas and Peter Youngs.
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FUND RAISING FLAG SHIP
It was appropriate - although a sheer coincidence - that the 1000th passenger aboard the John Pinkerton was one-year old Matthew Harmsworth with his parents Mary and Tony Harmsworth, great-grandson of Alec Harmsworth who owned the Basingstoke Canal from 1923 to 1947 and navigated the last narrowboat past Odiham 65 years ago.
To mark the occasion, trip boat manager Peter Fethney presented baby Matthew with a children's book about narrowboats.
At the end of the August Bank Holiday, the John Pinkerton had carried 6,612 passengers and completed 145 trips - just twelve weeks after the inaugural cruise.
Such is the success of the trip boat service that enquiries for bookings and arranging crews has almost become a full-time job for Barbara and Clive Durley.
Among the many charter trips, the boat has been hired for a ruby wedding celebration, a christening party and the wedding reception of our member Ted Williams and his bride, formerly Maureen McVeigh, who were married at St. Mary's Church, Eastrop on 19th August.
And the boat is not only being used for pleasure trips. On 1st September it was chartered by Higgs and Hill, the civil engineering company, for a business meeting of local site managers. On the same day the Society entertained members of Hampshire County Council's Recreation Committee including the Chairman, Mr. Maurice Jones, County Recreation Officer, Mr. Colin Bonsy, his assistant David Dixon and canal manager David Gerry, aboard the John Pinkerton.
The boat will operate until the end of October, and ten bookings have already been made for 1979.
The interest in the John Pinkerton is not only gratifying and generating valuable publicity, but is proving an unqualified financial success. Profits to date have already paid off the Society's £2,000 loan for the steel to build the boat plus the cost of fitting out materials, leaving an immediate surplus of £500.
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SPONSORED WALK
The Society's fifth Canal Walk took place on Sunday 11th June between Brookwood and Chequers Bridge.
We were extremely fortunate with the weather and over 180 walkers took part in the event and a large number of them were canal enthusiasts from outside our Society. So far as we know, the operation ran smoothly, especially the bussing arrangements and everyone concerned with the organisation deserves a "Well Done".
Over £2,000 has been raised by the participants.
As members are aware, this was part of a national effort: for the Guildford branch of the IWA, with five Walks, the money promised is £7,460 and the total national amount promised is £31,269.
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KING JOHN'S or ODIHAM CASTLE David Gerry
The 'John Pinkerton' has now carried several thousand visitors to the castle, many of whom had no idea that it was there, and still more have probably little idea of its history. In fact its past is clouded in the mists of time and we have only a sketchy outline of what it was like and what happened there.
It seems that the castle was genuine Norman, and while no details of its building have been found, it was probably constructed in the twelfth century of fairly typical Norman layout, with a stout keep on a slight mound surrounded by two moats forming an inner and outer bailey. The keep is octagonal, which is unusual, if not unique. Today there is no sign, of any outer walls, though probably stout timber pallisades stood on both the edge of the inner bailey and between the two moats.
The walls we see today are the rubble core of the original walls which had a skin of dressed stone and flints; just a little of the original facing remain inside close to ground level to show what the surfaces were like when built. Sockets can be seen in the wall where joists once supported the floors and a chimney can be seen in the wall where a fireplace had been in the first floor. The iron bars by the chimney are modern. The windows are large and some have still a plaster skin hanging under the arch. I wonder if they were ever painted? In the walls there is a trace of what might have been a stairway, but perhaps it was only a latrine chute.
The large windows suggest to me that the building was not intended to be heavily fortified, but rather that it was perhaps a country house. Some children have recently asked me 'What was the roof like?' My guess is that it was thatched, probably with reeds from the marshes around. I doubt if there were battlements on the wall, nor that there was a walkway around the top. The dips in the ground in the centre of the keep is the site of some schoolboy excavations in the 1950's - according to Stan Knight; and he thinks that the boys uncovered the base of a central pillar that probably supported the floor above. The castle isn't very large - I wonder, did it have a chapel or crude glass at the windows? Where was the cooking done? Where was the door? Where was the bridge across the moat? Why was it built just there, well away from Odiham? (to be continued in next Newsletter).
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SUCCESSFUL SUMMER WORK CAMP
Under the leadership of Mike Woodhead, Waterway Recovery Group organised a
successful four-week work camp during July.
Up to twelve volunteers a week worked on lock 17 above Cowshott Bridge and successfully excavated and built a by-pass weir. The Army kindly provided free and first-class accommodation at Mons Barracks, Aldershot, which was greatly appreciated by the volunteers.
Frank Jones, JCP Co-ordinator, gave the oamp workers a parting gift of one lock-pound of water to christen their by-pass weir. For the record, it took two hours to flow down from lock 24.
Mike Fellows, Deepcut Flight Working Party Organiser, reports they did an excellent job and hopes WRG members may return next year.
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MEMBERS' LETTERS
24 Wentworth Hill, Wembley Park, Middx.
My friends and I have been cruising on the canals for some years now and should like to donate a cheque for £20 which we hope will help in a small way towards the eventual re-opening of the Basingstoke Canal and its
maintenance.
D. Atlass
Editors' Note: Many thanks indeed, Mr. Atlass.
THANKS to the pupils of Ash Vale First School who raised £150 from a sponsored walk and gave half the proceeds to the Society for restoration funds. A cheque for £75 was presented to our Chairman by the Chairman of the School's Managers, Coun. Mrs. Mollie Court at the Ash Vale public meeting. THANKS also to HDR Associates Ltd, of Henley-on-Thames for typing services, to Richard Allnutt for fund raising work.
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FRONT COVER
(top) The Society's dredger 'Perseverance' approaching Sandy Hill Bridge,
Winchfield.
(bottom left) Dredger manager, Brian Bane with senior canal warden, Tony
Harmsworth and crew members.
(bottom right) 'Perseverance' with attendant mud barge and tug 'Sparkle'
seen from Sandy Hill Bridge (Pictures Dieter Jebens).
INSIDE FRONT COVER
(top left - Martin Bower about to take control of British Steel's huge
dragline crane - see article. (Picture Alan Howard).
(top right) Canoe Tourist Trial participants at the Reading Road Bridge
start during the successful event held in May (Picture Clive Durley).
(centre left) 'John Pinkerton' wedding reception for Ted Williams and his
bride: Maureen (centre) with traditionally dressed crew Peter and Raye
Fethney (left) and Janet and George Hedger (right) (Picture Clive Durley).
(centre right) One year old Matthew Harmsworth, the 1000th passenger
aboard the 'John Pinkerton' with his parents Mary and Tony Harmsworth
and trip boat manager Peter Fethney (centre) (Picture Sue Maloney)
Published by Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society Limited, a non profit distributing company limited by guarantee.
Editorial Office: 45 Durnsford Avenue, Fleet. Tel: Fleet 5308
Chairman: Robin Higgs, 18 Barnsford Crescent, West End, Woking.
Tel: Chobham 7314.
Treasurer: Peter Fethney, 5 Longdown, Courtmoor, Fleet.
Tel: Fleet 5524.
Secretary: Mrs. Lise Hamilton, 2 Frome Close, Cove, Farnborougho
Tel: Farnborough 49651.
Membership Secretary: Alan Babister, 31 Elmsleigh Road, Cove, Farnborough.
Tel: Farnborough 46147.
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SURREY AND HAMPSHIRE CANAL SOCIETY LTD.
PRICE LIST - AUTUMN 1978
Available from: David Gay, Englebank, 1, Alder Close, Egham, Surrey. TW20 0LU.
Tel: Egham(078-43) 3108 Please make cheques payable to Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society Ltd.
GOODS AVAILABLE BY POST
SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS Price each Incl. Postage
Walks by the Basingstoke Canal 27p.
Waterside Inns of the Basingstoke Canal 32p.
Boats from the Basingstoke Past 32p.
History of the Basingstoke Canal 32p.
Natural History of the Basingstoke Canal. 48p.
Putting the Basingstoke Canal Back on the Map 12p.
All six titles above £l.80p.
OTHER GOODS
Tea Towels: Narrow Boats - Blue or Yellow £1.07p.
Roses & Castles - Orange or Green £1.07p.
Barge Horse 'Arthur' - Yellow or Green £1.07p.
Seven Wonders - Yellow, Orange or Brown £l.07p.
Canal Builders £1.07p.
Canals & Rivers £l.07p.
A Canal Lock £1.07p.
'T' Shirts with Basingstoke Canal Motif, Yellow or Blue (small sizes also in white)
Childrens' sizes 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 £l.67p.
Adult sizes S, M, L. £1.97p.
Pottery pendants with leather thong - Blue, Green or Brown 52p.
Cut-out model of a Narrow Boat 00 Scale 59p.
Pack of eight notelets 40p.
1979 Diaries - Red, Blue or Black Covers 37p.
GOOD'S NOT AVAILABLE BY POST
Price each
Copy of a Basingstoke Canal poster of 1858 20p.
Ceramic Dishes (Ash Trays) - Dark Blue, Light Blue, Bronze,
Green, Grey, Mottled Stone 60p.
Mugs with Blue or Brown Canal Token £1.05p.
Ceramic Coasters for drinks, Corlf Backed. Canal Motif 25p. 6 for £1.35p.
Place Mats. Various Designs 75p.
Members' Enamelled Badges 40p.
Yellow and Black Badges 8p.
Note Pads: Red, Blue or Black cover l6p.
Ball Point Pens - round, Various Colours**, 12p.
Ball Point Pens - triangular, Red, Blue, Black, Green & Orange l8p
Pencils 6p.
Key Fobs. Various Colours 12p.
Car Stickers l8p.
Cut-out Model of a Water Can 15p.
Cut-out Modelof a Hand Bowl 10p.
Mounted Canal Photographs. Various subjects £1.25p.
Tin Tray - 7-1/2" - Roses Design 55p.
Hang-it Hangers 20" for Fosters and Tea Towels (except Canal Lock) 30p.
Boat Race Game 89p.
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