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No 99OCTOBER 1981
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 2,3
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Inside front cover --
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COMMENT PROTECTING - THE CANAL
In the last issue of the Newsletter David Millett reported on the threatened development of land adjoining the canal at Crookham Village, and between Frimley Green and Mytchett.
Elsewhere in this issue we are delighted to report that a planning application to build houses on the 57-acre site of Frimley Lodge Farm has been turned down. What is more, the site has been acquired by Surrey Heath Council for use as an open space recreational area, with the Basingstoke Canal in mind.
In a report on the future of the site, following a public enquiry earlier this year, it was stated that Mr. Michael Heseltine, Secretary of State for the Environment, "agrees with the inspector that the need for (housing) sites is not such as to outweigh the objections to the proposed development on the grounds of the contribution that the sites make as a green wedge and in relation to the setting of the Basingstoke Canal".
While we welcome the Secretary of State's recognition of the need to protect the canal's environment at Frimley Lodge Farm, he appears to contradict himself as regards the Crookham Village development.
At Whitehall the two situations are, no doubt, seen as different cases, but to the Society the principle is exactly the same.
The canal has been described as a 'green lung' passing as it does through an intensely and increasingly developed area. As such it brings relief to the trend towards a continuous suburban sprawl. But it is a very narrow stretch of land and water and its value as an environmental asset can so easily be lost by riparian developments.
Restoration of the canal for recreational use is also diminished and largely negated if housing and other developments are allowed to encroach onto the banks. Who wants to walk or boat along a canal surrounded by houses and back gardens?
The Society set out to save the Basingstoke Canal from dereliction. This we look like achieving. Now, perhaps more than ever before, we must ensure that what we have 'saved' is protected.
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PHOTOGRAPHS
Front Cover
(1) Narrow boat 'Athai' owned by our members Dick and Alison Snell at
the entrance to the Basingstoke Canal.
(2) Anna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Stan Knight of Crookham Village, after her marriage to John Brown about to board the
'John Pinkerton'.
(3) the 'John Pinkerton' set out for the wedding
reception.
Inside Page
(1) A Society tug lashed to the 'John Pinkerton' passing under the new Odiham by-pass bridge.
(3-6) Scenes on the canal at Colt Hill, Odiham on a sunny Sunday afternoon in late August.
(Photos: Dieter Jebens and Clive Durley)
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WORKING PARTIES Peter Cooper
The most encouraging recent development has been the establishment of the Society's regular lock restoration working party, formerly at Deepcut, at the St. Johns Flight near Woking. Support has been good and early progress is most satisfactory, and the locally-based party at Lock 11, St. Johns, are similarly making good progress.
Elsewhere the picture is rather mixed. The Hampshire dredging operation has been hampered this summer by the need to replace the cracked kingpost on the dredger, and the railway group at the Ash Embankment are now clearly approaching the end of their epic task there. The volunteer lock gate working party is now well established and making good progress.
At Cowshot Bridge the basic arch of the new bridge has now been built, and the wooden centering has been removed. At Lock 14 at Brockwood both chamber walls are now complete, and demolition work continues at Lock 13.
A full list of the volunteer working parties operating is given below. It is usually a good idea to contact your working party leader a few days before attending in case of any last-minute changes of plan.
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Every Weekend Locks 10 and 9 (St. Johns)
This party is now well established, and has benefited considerably from the experience gained by working at Deepcut. At St. Johns it has been possible to provide equipment and supplies ready, available and on site in a way that was rarely possible at Deepcut. All these facilities are also available to the Lock 11 party (see below) so the benefit is even greater. The County Council have completed dredging the channel along this length, so making access easier and allowing work to start in the lock chambers.
At Lock 10 the bypass channel is well advanced and so too are the upper wing walls. The off-side chamber wall, the first to be tackled, will be only partially rebuilt, and the necessary demolition is well under way. The very rotten lower wing walls have been demolished, and some demolition of the top cill has been done.
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An access way for dumpers, down the towpath to Lock 9, has been created, and some initial items have been delivered there. It is hoped to start work there shortly, probably beginning with the bypass channel.
These weekly parties are being well attended, and in many cases many hands are making light work. But even more hands would allow even better progress. These parties give you the opportunity to take part in one of the biggest volunteer canal restoration exercises in the country, and you can still be in it almost from the start.
The full listof working parties at these locks is given below. For further details you should contact MIKE FELLOWS the overall co-ordinator of this work, on Wokingham 787428, or one of the working party leaders.
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First weekend of the month - 3/4 Oct, 310ct/1Nov, 5/6 Dec, TONY GOULD on 01-941-3014.
Second weekend of the month - 10/11 Oct, 7/8 Nov, 12/13 Dec, PETER OATES (Southampton Canal Society) on Southampton 463188.
Second and fourth Sundays of the month - 11 Oct, 25 Oct, 8 Nov, 22 Nov, 13 Dec, ALAN GRIMSTER on Brookwood 6127.
Third weekend of the month - 17/18 Oct, 14/15 Nov, 19/20 Dec, JULES WOOD on Farnborough 515737.
Fourth weekend of the month - 2^/25 Oct, 21/22 Nov, PETER JONES on Aldershot 313076.
Fifth Weekend of the month - 28/29 Nov, MIKE FELLOWS on Wokingham 787428.
Every weekend Dredging in Hampshire
Some dredging has been done with the Backacter, while the steam dredger has been stopped, awaiting a new kingpost. It is expected that the new kingpost will soon be available, and then dredging will restart. For further details on this work contact BRIAN BANE on Hook 3627 or ANDY STUMPF on Watford 37278.
Every weekend Railway Group at the Ash Embankment
This job is now moving into its final stages, and the rail track has now been lifted back to the Surrey border. There is still a need for volunteers to help dismantle the railway yard, and to carry out mechanical repairs and painting of rolling stock. For further details you should contact STAN and ANDREW MELLER on Camberley 32096 or JOHN PEART on Farnborough 46554.
Every other weekend Lock 11 (St. Johns)
3/4 Oct, 17/18 Oct, 31/1Nov, 14/15 Nov, 28/29 Nov, 12/13 Dec.
The rebuilding of the nearside chamber wall is now about half complete. Work has now started on the upper wing walls, and more work on the bywash ie imminent. Some demolition is in progress on the top culverts and lower recess walls. For further details contact KEN HALLS on Woking 23981 or PTEP REDWAY on Woking 21710.
First weekend of the month Lock gate assembly
3/4 Oct. 7/8 Nov, 5/6 Dec.
All the six pairs of upper gates bought as sets of parts by the Society have now been assembled, and the last two pairs of upper gates for the Deepcut Flight are now being worked on. It is then planned to work on lower gates. If you want help in this work you should contact FRANK JONES on Deepcut 5711 (canal workshop or Camberley 28367 (home)
Second weekend of the month Lock 5 (Woodham)
10/11 Oct, 7/8 Nov, 12/13 Dec.
The second (off-side) chamber wall is now complete, and the big job now will b top c ill. For further details contact PABLO HAWORTH on Byfleet 42081.
Third weekend of the month Lock 1 (Woodham)
17/18 Oct, 14/15 Nov, 19/20 Dec.
This working party continues to attract good turnouts. They are continuing demolition of a chamber wall, but are still troubled by water inflows in the bottom of the lock. More piling has been sunk in the bottom cill, and it is hoped to pour concrete there. For further details, contact DICK HARPER-WHITE on Weybridge 42074 or ROY DAVENPORT 01-979-7075.
Last Sunday in the month Bankside work in Hampshire
25 Oct, 29 Nov.
This party will continue, during the winter months, to tackle bankside jobs as arise, mostly in the Fleet-Odiham area. The work requires no special skills e suitable for young people and family parties. For details of work locations you should contact DAVID MILLETT on Fleet 7364.
Various weekends Lower Wilderness Weir
It is hoped that further progress can be made this winter on Lower Wilderness Weir, where the work involves precise bricklaying on a small scale. Further details PETER MAYNE on Camberley 24701.
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MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Ted. Williams
OVER the past fEw years the number of members of the Society has slightly declined and this is a trend I think we ought now to reverse. I realise that at the A.G.M. I created some consternation by quoting a Membership of only 1396 but this was the total number of subscriptions whereas the Society convention is to count family subscriptions as 2 members - thus a figure of 1800 would be more realistic. Each year approximately 150 people join and about the same number move away, resign or, sadly pass away so our total numbers make no headway.
We have been hampered in our efforts of late by not having an up-to-date application application form but I am pleased to say that a new form has now been produced and, indeed you should find a copy enclosed with this Newsletter.
So, my request, indeed, my challenge to you all is this - for every member in the near future to recruit one other. I am convinced we have all got relatives, friends or
colleagues at work who are equally as interested as ourselves in getting the canal re-opened and yet they have never got round to joining, often simply because they have never been asked, or a membership application form was not readily ailable.
Well, this should no longer be the case and I hope you can all make good use of the enclosed form. Should you require additional copies please give me a ring on Basingstoke 61579 or drop me a line. In subsequent editions of the Newsletter I tend to keep you informed of the success of this drive.
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HELP PROTECT THE CANAL - Part 2 David Millett
Since the last issue of the Newsletter went to press, Environment Secretary, Mr. Michael Heseltine's department has gone on record as saying that recreational facilities must keep pace with residential development.
The department has confirmed the compulsory purchase order of Surrey Heath District Council to acquire the 57 acres at Frimley Lodge Farm, between Frimley Green and Mytchett, on the west side of the canal, and firmly ruled out the various applications
by the owners of the land to develop the land for housing. It means that Surrey Heath District Council can go ahead with its plans to purchase the land at open space prices - about £1500 - £2000 an acre - and create a canalside recreation area for formal and informal sports. The decision comes after a 3 day public inquiry last February to hear the appeals of the owners of the land. Mr. Heseltine has agreed with the recommendations of the inspector, Mr. Philip Tyler who said in his report, 'the need for (housing) sites is not such as to outweigh the objections to e proposed development on the grounds of the contribution that the sites make as green wedge and in relation to the setting of the Basingstoke Canal'.
Thus the decision is a victory for the Basingstoke Canal, the Society and for Councillor Ray Warden, formerly chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Committee and now chairman of the Planning Committee of Surrey Heath. It agrees with our strongly held platform that the canal must be given every consideration in the development of this area otherwise the restoration will be meaningless in the long term.
The application to develop the east side of the canal in this area has been turned down, and the applicant, Charles Church Developments, has appealed and a Public Inquiry will be held in due course.
Further east on the canal, between St. Johns, Woking and Brookwood, proposals to create an industrial development at Brookwood Lye will need to be fought, and in the longer term the potential development of the old Brookwood Hospital site on the north side of the canal will cause a major problem. Both these sites are in the 'green wedge' between Woking and Brookwood and the decision at Frimley Lodge Farm must help to create a precedent in future decisions to be made by the Woking Planning
Committee.
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You, as an individual member, can help by writing to the Director of Planning of your District Council if and when the plans are advertised and by lobbying your local councillor, especially if he/she is on the Planning Committee.
TEN YEARS AGO (from Newsletter No. 40 Sept/Oct 1971)
* In reply to a question on the progress of purchase negotiations, put to a meeting of Surrey County Council on July 27th, it was stated that the position would be reported before the end of the year.....
* John Peart of Farnborough was appointed to the new post of the Society's Rambles Organiser.
* The Society held working parties to clear a strip of the canal towpath, being of a public footpath at Greywell, and also at Cowshott Stream.
*The Committee noted that the proposed line of the M25 Motorway may cross the Wey Navigation on Stilts close to the junction of the Basingstoke Canal.....
* A tortoise was found meandering along the canal towpath. Joke by member: 'He wasn't in any danger. He'd probably have got to Basingstoke before restoration started (restoration started in November 1973 - Ed).
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BRIDGING THE GAP
It is no longer appropriate to entitle the latest list of contributors to the Cowshot Manor Bridge Appeal, 'Support for the Arch' as the arch is now in position with its supporting shuttering removed.
The bridge, across the tail of Lock 17 on the Deepcut Flight, is now well on schedule for completion by the end of the year.
The main task now is to raise the remaining £3250 required to pay for the materials used in the bridge's construction.
Recent donations have been received from the following members:
T.J. Allwood, Lady Reynolds, R. Howell, G.H. Briggs, K. Barratt, T. Hirst, P. Bond, Richard Alnutt, P.D. Wall and Mrs. S. Trott.
plus a generous donation of £250 from the Robert Kiln Charitable Trust.
To put this task into personal terms, ever if we ignore the larger donations we are hoping for from other charitable bodies, if every single member were to contribute £1.50 (tho cost of 10 bricks) the problem would be solved.
Donations (not bricks) should be sent to the Honorary Treasurer, Bryan Jones as as possible.
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BOAT CREWS TAKE A BOW!
Although the number of charter bookings for the 'John Pinkerton' trip boat are slightly down on last year, we hope to make about the same profit. This is no mean achievement when reports from other such ventures indicate bookings and receipts are much lower this year. At least one reson is the rise in the cost of hiring
coaches.
What is especially pleasing is that the trip boat has proved to be as popular as ever. Clive Duriey, Booking's Manager, recently sent us the following letters of appreciation pointing out that those who help operate the 'John Pinkerton' are not only raising a great deal of money, they are also doing a magnificent public relations job, both for the canal and the Society, by their friendly and informative approach to 'our customers'.
"As you know, the Crondale Red Cross Day Centre hired the John Pinkerton yesterday morning and a very successful outing it was. Credit for this was in part due to the weather but in much greater part it was the result of the very friendly, sympathetic and helpful attitude of your crew.
Everyone had a very happy time and I would be grateful if you would express to your crew members the deep gratitude of all of us members and helpers alike". (British Red Cross Society - Hampshire County Branch).
"On behalf of the Centre Youth Group, I have been asked to convey our most sincere thanks to the people concerned, for making our trip on 'John Pinkerton' so enjoyable.
"We all appreciate the extreme difficulties you experienced on Saturday, and yet everyone was so helpful and cheerful and patient with our noisy youth club.
"Speaking for myself, I can't wait to return and enjoy the peace and beauty of the canal, without the 'howling mob'. I admired so much the brickwork of the bridges and the beautifully made gates we passed.
"Once again our most grateful thanks to everyone.
"With best wishes for the future of Surrey and Hampshire Canal Gruises". (Wecock Village Centre)
"Just to let you know how much our members enjoyed their visit to the Basingstoke Canal yesterday. We appreciated the kind services of Mr. and Mrs. Millett on the barge, and would like to thank all the members on duty.
"We shall recommend to other Societies to follow our itinerary, with a visit to 'The Vyne' - National Trust - beforehand. We reached Ealing by 9.15pm. which is really as late as we can be". (Ealing Museum, Art and History Society).
When the 'John Pinkerton' broke down in August, the Boat Company was in danger of cancelling bookings until a new clutch plate could be fitted. Fortunately the dredger team came to the rescue by providing one of the Society's tugs to keep the trip boat operating.
We are particularly grateful to Bryan Jones, the Society's Treasurer and a tugman, for giving up the best part of two days to maintain our scheduled trips.
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ODIHAM CASTLE - A Monument to King John Peter Fethney Society Archivist
I have read with great interest, and not a little scepticism, the recently published newspaper reports on the archaeological dig carried out at Odiham Castle by the Hampshire County Museum Service, and I look forward with anticipation to the publication of the Director's authoritative report. At this stage, however, I feel it a little presumptuous on the part of the Museum Service to have published an opinion somewhat contrary to the views of a number of experts in military architecture and in conflict with the extant documentary evidence. This too, on the basis of a
relatively inextensive excavation which, I understand, revealed part of a substructure to the present keep.
Odiham was a royal manor in 1086 and there is evidence of a royal residence there during the reign of Henry I (1100 - 35), and probably through to the time of John himself (1199 - 1216). This, of course, includes the reign of Henry II (1154 - 1189) the notorious dismantler of private fortresses, who felt that castle ownership should remain the prerogative of the crown, and it is not inconceivable that an earlier structure existed before the advent of King John.
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However, there is absolutely no doubt that John built his 'new' castle on the present site. The Chart Rolls refer to the purchase of 20 acres of land and certain property from Robert the Parker, his tenant, while a thirteenth-century chronicler describes the structure, soon after it was built, as -
"A castle..., set in fair meadows and close to the woods which the King had caused to
be built for his sport (pour lui deporter)". Roger of Wendover also tells us with
enthusiasm how it was beseiged by the Dauphin of France in July 1216 and held for the
King by a small garrison.
The castle was, in fact, a residence, conveniently sited between Winchester and Windsor, which a pleasure-loving monarch cculd visit in transit, and John may well have been influenced as much by the good hunting in Odiham as by military necessity. Levelling and ditching of the site, together with the erection of buildings was hand in 1207 under the direction of John Fitz Hugh, though whether the keep had been completed at thet time cannot be determined with certainty. The architectural historian, John Hawey, estimates that this type of structure would have taken 4 years to build and it was certainly undergoing repairs in 1213-14.
It was not unknown for such a building to have had more than one false start, especially on marshy ground, and the recently discovered sump and underlying structure may, in fact, have served to stabilise the foundation.
I note the newspaper comment that 'the present building is not Norman' and 'the keep is of the wrong architecture', statements which, 1 believe, should be seriously challenged.
During the reign of the Angevin kings, the rectangular keep, with its blind and vulnerable corners, was giving way to the polygonal type whose inspiration came from abroad. Orford (1166 - 72), Chilham (1173 - 77),(and an octagon like Odiham), Conisbrough (c. 1190, a hexagon) are typical of the traditional keep which, as early as 1200, was already in process of being supplanted by the perfected circular structure. Conisbrough, which I know well, reveals, with its corner buttresses, a glimpse what Odiham must have been like in its heyday. Had the Odiham keep been rebuilt later in the 13th century, or even as suggested, in the 14th century, there is no doubt that it would have been made either cylindrical or entirely different.
All our documentary evidence (the Pipe Rolls and other sources), refers to modification, maintenance and embellishment of King John's Castle, never to the re-building of the original structure. Its hall and chapel are gone; its kitchen, situated over the moat, long vanished; a vestige alone remains of its hooded fireplace; but I submit that, in all its dereliction, what remains is what King John spent his £1000 upon.
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SOCIAL JOTTINGS Surrey - Michael Grist - Woking 71581. Hampshire - David Millett - Fleet 7364.
By the time you read this Newsletter the social season will be in full swing, and the early season meetings will have been held. PLEASE SUPPORT THESE EVENINGS and bring along your friends whether they are members or not. These evenings also enable you to meet your Committee members, some of whom will always be in attendance.
FLEET SOCIAL EVENINGS 4th Wednesday of the month (except December).
All at the 'Prince of Wales', Baronial Room, Reading Road South, Fleet. Bar, coffee and biscuits and Sales Stand.
Wednesday 28th October, 7.45pm.
Following two consecutive holidays in the USA, Aubrey Slaughter will show slides entitled, 'Highlights of the USA' featuring the Grand Canyon, San Francisco, New York, Washington, Niagra Falls etc. Aubrey's slides are often different, familiar views from unusual angles.
Wednesday 25th November, 7.45pm.
Brian Cawkwell, of the Ffestiniog Railway Society, will give an illustrated talk (with slides) entitled 'Ffestiniog Railway Progress'. The Ffestiniog Narrow gauge railway is arguably the most famous of the 'Great Little Trains of Wales', and the aim is to re-open the whole line by Spring 1982.
Wednesday 16th December, 7.45pm. (Note: 3rd Wednesday this month only)
A Christmas Social Evening will be held with songs by a Folk Group, competitions, including 'Guess the location on the Basingstoke Canal' using current and historical photographs, etc. Light refreshments available including mince pies. Come and bring your friends and enjoy yourself just prior to Christmas.
WOKING SOCIAL EVENINGS 2nd Monday in the month. All at Woking Centre Halls, bar, coffee, biscuits, Sales Stand.
Monday 9th November.
'Woking and the Canal - A trip down Memory Lane from 1900'. An illustrated talk by Arthur Martin, a local historian.
Monday 14th -December, 7-45pm.
Jack Chinn of the British Aerospace Photographic Club will show slides entitled,
'The River Wey Navigation from Godalming to Weybridge - A Journey in Colour'.
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SPRING 1982 WEEKEND HOLIDAY
will be to Derbyshire with horse drawn boat trips on the Cromford Canal, and the Caldon Canal. Also included will be visits to the famous Crich Tramway Museum and to Shardlow for a tour of the Canal Museum and a boat trip on the Trent and Mersey Canal. Possibly also a visit to the peak District Mining Museum. Accommodation will be at Bakewell or Matlock Bath.
Make a note of the dates: Saturday 1st May, Sunday 2nd May, Monday 3rd May (Bank Holiday) and telephone immediately to make your reservation. Rosemary Millett on Fleet 7364. SEE SEPARATE SHEET FOP FULL DETAILS.
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AUTUMN FAYRE, FLEET CIVIC HALL. Sat. 31st October
HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP! HEIP!
Turn out your drawers. We need:- Handicrafts, Indoor Plants, (in pots please), Bric-a-brac, Jewellery, Toys, Books,, Home made cakes and preserves. Good clothing.
We are trying to make this a bumper sale so come and support us and have a cup of coffee.
To: JANET HEDGER, FLEET 7465 or ROSEMARY MILLETT, FLEET 7364
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THE WESTERN END
A plea for the extreme western end of the Basingstoke Canal to be left free of boats as a nature reserve has been the subject of some publicity in the Basingstoke Gazette.
This is not the first time such a suggestion has been made. While the Society cares as much as any more directly involved organisation in protecting the canal's natural history, we do not believe the wildlife is seriously affected by restoration or use of the canal.
In fact, all the evidence points to the contrary. What was once, in many places, no more than an overgrown, de-watered bog, with brambles and vegetation making the path impassable, has been cleared to give fish, plants, birds, insects and creatures like the water vole a much better chance of survival. Nature can be as destructive to itself as man.
Given that we take active steps to conserve the flora and fauna, the Society's raison d'etre is restoration of the canal as far as it is practicable.
At present the navigation has been dredged to the extent of the winding hole immediately west of the Whitewater aqueduct. The 400 yards up to the eastern portal of Greywell tunnel has not yet been cleared.
Firstly, this section needs dredging because the accumulated silt has already spread into the winding hole as witnessed by the increasing difficulty in turning the 'John Pinkerton'.
More importantly, this section must be dredged to clear the spring heads in the bed so that they throw their maximum volume of water. This is the canal's main of water.
The Society also wants to see the 1,200 yard Greywell tunnel restored. It is not only of considerable historic interest but is also one of the major engineering features on the canal. - What is more, there are a number of culverts inside the tunnel leading to more water supply springs.
Like any structure of its kind, the tunnel requires maintenance. Although generally sound, most members will know that it has been impassable since the early 1930's when a section of the roof fell in at its western end. Clay and earth are gradually extruding along the length of tho tunnel. Left alone, the structure must inevitably become a potential liability.
As it stands, the tunnel could be restored by either repairing the roof and reconstructing the western portal, or by making the collapsed section into a cutting. If re-opened, a further length of the canal could be restored, perhaps as far ae Little Tunnel Bridge, at Up Nately, which is now a listed historic structure. The basin could be excavated to provide an attractive terminus for boat moorings and turning point, much in the same way the canal originally terminated at Basingstoke at what is now the site of a bus depot.
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The idea of extending restoration of the canal is not a new one: it was referred to in The Case for Restoration, published by the Society in 1967. While we do not underestimate the possible cost and problems, the project is perfectly feasible and worth serious consideration.
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WHY YOU WERE WAITING
If this were a commercial publication the delay in the appearance of the last two Newsletters would be put down to 'reasons beyond our control'. However, as the Newsletter is produced totally within the Society we cannot and would not use that excuse. So whilst offering our sincere apologies for keeping you waiting, perhaps a little explanation would not go amiss.
The long chain involved in the production of the Newsletter is comprised entirely of volunteers who inevitably have both business and personal committments like anybody else. Your editors meet soon after copy date and once their work is completed their efforts then have to be typed onto stencils, duplicated, collated, folded for insertion in the envelopes that have been prepared and only then can it be distributed to the main postmen who in turn pass it on to the area postmen.
As different people are involved in every single one of these stages, delays inevitably occur, particularly during holiday time.
You can rest assured that we are making every effort to iron out these difficulties and to bring production back onto schedule but in the meantime your forebearance would be appreciated.
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SITUATION VACANT
Post: Honorary Secretary to the Society.
Qualifications: Some typing and the ability to deal with correspondence and
administrative work.
Duties: Attending one General Committee and one Admin. Committee meeting per month.
Some knowledge of the history of the Society's restoration campaign would be useful. Salary: not a bean! Postition available: March 1982.
Details from Mrs. Lise Hamilton who, having held the post for the pest 7 years, is having to retire at the next AGM dur to personal committments.
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WHAT THE DICKENS CAN WE DO?
Income &1.00 Expenditure £0.95 - Result, Success.
Income £1.00 Expenditure &1.05 - Result, Delay in Restoration.
So that the present rate of restoration can be maintained, the Society is drawing on the surplus accumulated over the past 2 years. To avoid financial problems and
to maintain our continuing committment we have to raise quite substantial funds, and quickly.
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It is not widely known that we already have a fund raising group but as it only consists of two people the capacity for now ideas is somewhat limited. There is, therefore, an urgent need for either more help and/or ideas and anybody who feels they can help in any way at all should contact either Derek Truman (Fleet 3435) or Philip Riley (Normandy 2776).
Remember - no extra money - no full restoration in 1985.
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FLOWER POWER Ken Halls
One of the most regular anxieties I have heard, whilst working on the canal, is
that the mechanical dredging carried out by the County Councils towards the
restoration will destroy all the wild flowers. I was very pleased to see that
the dredgings which have been placed by Lock 11 to increase the level area by the
lock last October has provided us with a great variety of plants this summer.
Early in August, armed with 'Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe' by Fitter and Blamey, I listed the plants I could identify and thought Society Members would be interested.
The list is as follows:-
Pineapple Mayweed, Tufted vetch, Greater plantain, Ribwort plantain, Rod shank,
Knot grass, Fat hen, Gipsy wort, Marsh willow herb, Marsh wound wort, Prickly
sow thistle, Red clover, White clover, Yarrow, Nettle, Hedge mustard, Hop trefoil,
Spear leafed orache, Agrimony, Field bind weed, Creeping thistle, Great willow herb,
Smooth hawksbeard, Bittersweet, Shepherds purse, Bur marigold.
Letter to the Editor
Dear Mr. Jebens,
I was unaware that canal restoration was an exclusively male reserve until reading Janet Brazier's, 'Bird's Eye View of Lock 19' in your last issue. Is the digging, shovelling and bricklaying that has been done by several wives, girlfriends and ever unattached ladies to be totally unacknowledged?
The prime objective of canal restoration is, after all, to restore canals. I personally prefer to spend my leisure hours in the open air playing my part towards this end than sitting at home surrounded by Christmas present catalogues, which appears to be the current role assigned by Mrs. Brazier to the female canal enthusiasts.
Working Party leaders are constantly calling for support and all but the heaviest tasks can be accomplished with equal skill by women. You don't have to abandon the gardening and decorating at home either.
Indeed, if every member of the Canal Society were to spend just one day a year helping in a working party alongside spouse/boyfriend/girlfriend, we would double or strength for each working party.
But why let the men have all the fun? Come along and find out for youself how
interesting and satisfying this work can be.
Jane Chisholm, 30/8/81
51 Budges Road, Wokingham.
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CANAL DEPOT ANSAFONE
Hampshire County Council has installed a telephone answering service at their canal depot and office at Ash Lock (tel: Aldershot 313810).
Canal manager, David Gerry, has requested anyone wishing to contact him or the canal rangers on Business matters to use the depot number. If there is no reply, use the
Ansafone service to leave your name and telephone number and they will return your call.
The staff has found it a little trying answering queries about boat licences on Christmas Day or about fishing permits at 11.30 at night. Private numbers should only be used in cases of great urgency.
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GONGOOZLERS GOSSIP
APOLOGIES to anyone attempting to contact me re Wharf Mystery. I couldn't even get my own phone number right. It should be Aldershot 25460.
DREDGER crew find fame at last! September issue of Hampshire Magazine carries an article on them by canal author Harry Hanson.
DIRECTORSHIP is not enough - Roger Cansdale, with a certain amount of help from his wife, Maggie, has now added fatherhood - a son, James, born on 24th August, 1981. Congratulations both.
ADVANCE note for your diary - Barn Dance to be held in St. Johns Memorial Hall, Woking on 27th February 1982, Details in next Newsletter.
CONGRATULATIONS to Tony and Mary Harmsworth on the birth of a daughter, Nancy Laura, on 9th July 1981.
GRATEFUL thanks to Major and Mrs. Stone of Broad Oak for their gift of a fruit bowl.
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DIARY
OCTOBER 16th Quiz - SHCS v Solent & Arun IWA, Porchester 8.00pm.
26th 'Trad Boats on the Thames' Farnham Maltings, 7.30pm.*
28th 'Highlights of the U.S.A.' Prince-of Wales, Fleet, 7.45pm.
31st Autumn Fayre, Fleet Civic Hall, 10.30am.
NOVEMBER 9th 'Woking and the Canal c.1900' Woking Centre Halls, 7.45pm.
23rd 'Around Shropshire' G.P.O. Social Club,Guildford, 7.30pm.*
25th 'Ffestiniog Railway Progress', Prince of Wales, Fleet, 7.45pm.
DECEMBER 11th Xmas Gathering - venue to be announced*
14th River Wey from the Air. Woking Centre Halls, 7.45pm.
16th Xmas Social Evening, Prince of Wales, Fleet 7-45pm. 25th Xmas Day.
Entries marked * are meetings of the Guildford and Reading Branch of the I.W.A. to which members of SHCS are cordially invited. Further details can be obtained from Jim Forrest on Reading 481969.
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COPY DATE FOR DECEMBER NEWSLETTER: 1ST NOVEMBER 1981
Published by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society Limited, a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee, registered as a charity.
Editors: Dieter Jebens, Janet & Chris Brazier. Production Diana Snow & David Wimpenny.
Collation & distribution: Janet & George Hedger, Clive Durley and
helpers.
Editorial Office: 75 Middle Bourne Lane, Farnham, Surrey GW10 3NJ. Tel:Farnham 715230.
Chairman: Robin Higgs, 18 Barnsford Crescent, West End, Woking (Chobham 7314).
Vice-Chairman: David Mill&tt, 14 Dinorben Closd,Fleet (Fleet 7364).
Hon. Treasurer: Bryan Jones, 16 Bliss Close, Basirigstoke (61053).
Hon. Secretary: Mrs. Lise Hamilton, 2 Frome Close, Farnborough (49651).
Membership Sec: Ted Williams, 36 Kestrel Road, Basingstoke (61579).
Working Party Information: Peter Jones, Aldershot 313076 and
Peter Cooper 01-993-1105.
Trip Boat: Clive Durley, 15 Kenilworth Road, Fleet (5694).
Sales Manager: Aubrey Slaughter, 36 Fir Tree Way, Fleet GU13 9NE (23102).
Talks Organiser: Miss Pauline Hadlow, Beaulah, Parkstone Drive, Camberley (28367).
Exhibitions Manager: Phil Pratt, 26 Fleetwood Court, Madeira Rd., West Byfleet (40281).
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