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 No. 150 MARCH 1990
page 2
NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS
IF THE LAST issue made depressing reading, we are glad to report news of a distinctly more encouraging kind.
In mid-January, we heard that Surrey CC had decided to proceed with the work of dredging the canalside lake at Sheerwater. Being the key to refilling the 1-1/2 mile length of canal from Monument Bridge, Woking down to Sheerwater Bridge, the decision was welcomed.
As a consequence a target-date of 1st September has been set for completion of all essential works, so that the canal can be re-opened informally this year.
Already plans are being made to work the John Pinkerton down the entire 32 mile length of the canal, from Greywell to Byfleet, nonstop, to celebrate the end of 16 years hard work.
But there is still a good deal of work to be done, much of it involving volunteers. So if you haven't yet joined a voluntary working party, it's not too late to start. Ring one of the organisers listed in our 'Countdown to Completion' column and find out how you can help achieve the target.
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CONGRATULATIONS
ALTHOUGH it as never been acknowledged,
there has always been something of a contest between the Society and the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust over which waterway would be first to re-open.
With the announcement in January that the Queen will formally re-open the Kennet and Avon Canal on 8th August this year, we congratulate the Trust on its achievement, both in their drive to open the beautiful K&A and in being honoured by Her Majesty to perform the waterway ceremony of the century.
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A CAMPAIGN WIN
THE PRESSURE of public opinion has, we are
delighted to report, saved the last swing bridge
over the canal at Zephon Common, Crookham
Village.
Despite signals from Hampshire CC that a conventional up-and-over bridge would put an end to vandalism and reduce maintenance costs, many people are reported to have spoken up for replacing the swing bridge.
The support will encourage all those people who joined the Society because they sought to save a unique part of our local heritage for its historic importance, as much as wishing to see the canal restored for recreation.
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ROAD PREVIEW
MEMBERS may wonder why plans for the Blackwater Valley relief road were not featured, apart from two letters, in the January issue.
In fact we were told that the public consultation would not be staged until March. Its sudden appearance at the beginning of February came with just two weeks warning and we only had time to enclose a short notice with the last issue.
It seems odd that after spending a good many thousands of pounds hiring a helicopter and film unit to make a video, preparing maps, pictures and text for display and printing colour brochures and questionnaires, the presentation was on display for only a few days.
Our reaction to the fanciful scheme of constructing locks on Ash Embankment was similar to that of the IWA's local branch comment which described it as being 'so impractical as to be laughable'.
But the scheme, however bizarre, has been put up as a cost saving proposal to the practical alternative, which is supported by the Society, of building an aqueduct and running the new road underneath.
Left to local debate and decision the apparently more costly aqueduct solution would almost certainly be accepted. But since the Government now appears to be funding the road building scheme, a saving of an estimated £4.4m in locking the canal under the road is likely to be very tempting seen from a distant office in Whitehall.
Although the closing date for answers to an official questionnaire was 9th March the Committee urges all members to write, regardless, and express their view. The address is "The Transport Planning Unit, Surrey County Council, Room 408, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 2YY".
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FRONT COVER
(top) Ready signposted, the entrance to the canal, off the River Wey Navigation, at New Haw.
(bottom) Cast iron mile plate, found in Odiham Woods, now in the Society's archives. (Photo: David Robinson. Other pictures: Dieter Jebens. Processing and printing: Alison Snell, Clive Durley, Freelance Photo Services, Famborough).
ADVERTISE IN THE NEWS
BY advertising in BC News you will reach more than 2,000 members of the Society and other readers at the following rates:
Whole page - £50.00; half page - £30.00; quarter page - £18.00; eighth page - £10.00. Insert leaflets are also accepted subject to agreement with the editor. |
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[The AGM and Chairman's Report were inserted as loose-leaf pages] --
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOTICE is hereby given that the THIRTEENTH Annual General Meeting of Surrey And Hampshire Canal Society Limited will be held on Sunday 29th April 1990 at the Mytchett Community Centre, Mytchett, Surrey at 6.00pm.
AGENDA
| 1. | To hear apologies for absence. |
| 2. | To confirm the minutes of the Twelfth Annual General Meeting held on 6th May 1989. |
| 3. | To receive, and if thought fit, approve the Accounts for the year ending 31st December 1989, together with the reports of the Directors and Honorary Auditor. |
| 4. | To appoint the Honorary Auditor. |
| 5. | To confirm the appointment of twelve members of the Board of Directors. |
| 6. | To transact any other business relative to the Annual General Meeting. |
12th February, 1990.By order of the Board of Directors
Philip Riley, Honorary Secretary.
Notes:
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[a] | This Notice is issued from the Honorary Secretary's address at Meadow Vale, Guildford Road, Normandy, Surrey, GU3 2AS. |
| [b] | Every member of the Society who is entitled to vote at a General Meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy, who must not be a member, to attend and vote in his/her stead (Articles of Association 27-33). Forms of proxy and/or copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association are available from the Honorary Secretary. |
| [c] | Only paid-up members are eligible to attend and vote at the meeting. |
| [d] | Copies of the Accounts can be obtained from the Honorary Secretary prior to the A.G.M. upon receipt of a SAE. In accordance with normal practice, the Accounts, when approved, will be published in the Basingstoke Canal News. |
Following the Annual General Meeting, the programme for the remainder of the evening will be as follows:
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1. | Surrey Volunteer Report |
| 2. | Hampshire Volunteer Report |
| 3. | Full Time Team Report |
| 4. | Interval and Refreshments |
| 5. | Address by Canal Director, Paddy Field |
| 6. | Audio Visual Presentation |
| 7. | Open Forum for Questions |
| 8. | Chairman's Report and Closing Remarks |
Coffee and Biscuits will be available for everyone. In addition, an optional two-course buffet supper with coffee will be available at a cost of £2.80, per person, to be ordered in advance. A bar will be open for the purchase of alcoholic and soft drinks. If you would like tickets for the buffet supper, please complete the slip on the attached sheet.
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CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
In last year's report, I spoke of nearing completion of the restoration phase on the canal and of our concerns that the N.C.C.'s proposals, if implemented, would have on frustrating it's broadly based recreational value.
Well, not too much would appear to have changed, although I believe that on the restoration side at least, things are now drawing to a conclusion.
Less happily, the threat to a reasonable level of use by motorised craft is greater than ever, with talk of boating on the Hampshire section being very restricted. Whether our reasonable and moderate proposals to restore the tunnel and western end will get a fair hearing by the nature conservation movement, I rather doubt.
The Canal Society, in working to restore and conserve our heritage, is well aware of and deeply concerned to see that balances should be struck, which take into account all interests.
It is very evident from the way the Montgomery Canal is being tackled, that this can be done when constructive thinking is brought to bear by all parties. Flashes can be extended and carefully managed. New lengths of canal and off line sites can be dug.
The canal flora and water chemistry are changing substantially, even in advance of boat usage, and the majority of changes that we saw last year had more to do with a shortage of water than anything else. So we shall continue to work for appropriate levels of usage, coupled with research in to ways of augmenting water supplies, which at times may be inadequate.
On the restoration side, an early autumn target has been set for completion of all the work necessary to open the canal. This is a target we really must reach if any credibility is to be retained. There is then time for a running in period, thought to be necessary, before a grand opening early next summer. This, the canal and all who contributed to it, richly deserve.
With emphasis duing the year gradually changing over towards maintenance, the aim of a joint management structure and a unified workforce is now coming to fruition. After a false start, when the first appointee declined to take up the post, we have since September had a Canal Director to lead and co-ordinate what is to be called the Basingstoke Canal Authority. Paddy Field, we welcome you and we are happy to work with you and your team to fulfil this imaginative dream of a reborn canal.
Most of the restoration work is now centred on the Woking to Byfleet section, where Frank Jones and his full time team, ably supported by volunteers - yes, there still is work for volunteers - have been carrying out an extensive programme of works.
The towpath through Woking has been raised and thousands of tons of clay brought in to re-line a half mile section of canal through Sheerwater, which has been troublesome for many years, low lying offside banks have been sheet piled and built up to protect the gardens from flooding. Lock 3 and its upper wing walls have been finished, bank clearance through Woking has been undertaken, much of it by the Kent & East Sussex Canal Restoration Group and the Waterway Recovery group to whom we give our own thanks and lock gates have been built and handrails put on bridges.
Yet there is still much to do; gate building and fitting to be finished; clay puddling to be done, even possibly some on the Woodham flight; a culvert to be replaced; work to raise the bank levels around a lake in Sheerwater, which would otherwise flood when the canal is filled; houseboats to move; the centre of Woking to dredge; pressure grouting on the Deepcut flight and the balance beams to replace.
So it is all hands to the pump if we are to achieve that grand opening!
One frustrating problem area has been our dredging programme which, for many reasons, has made much less progress than we had hoped. The main reason for this was that, with the low water levels, we had to stop dredging in mid-summer. Then, in November, as we were ready to get under way again, we were held up by silt dumping problems. Thus, despite the purchase of a new tug in February, we are only now at Reading Road Wharf, having started from the Fox & Hounds at the beginning of the year. We are too, a bit short on crews, particularly tug and dragline drivers. So get in touch with Roger Flitter if you are interested.
Our trip boat, the John Pinkerton, has on the other hand, had an absolutely record breaking year, making a marvelous profit of nearly £18,500. She is truly the queen of boats and I do not know what we would do without her. Wherever she goes on the canal, she reminds people of how gracious large canal boats can be. Thank you to all of you who have contributed to the success.
A very enjoyable boat rally was held in Woking in June, organised in conjunction with the newly formed Basingstoke Canal Boat Club. This formation is a welcome move, not only to speak for the boaters on the canal, but because under Frank Jones direction, they are to undertake maintenance work through the "Adopt-a-Lock" scheme.
What is now becoming more critical if navigation is to be properly managed, is that at least one site for a boat mooring basin be identified and that the long overdue bye laws for the canal be completed.
The Joint Management Committee in November, slightly increased the number of annual licences, but set a limit of only 200 short term visitor licences, a quite inadequate number, particularly as the majority of licences are for small powered dinghy type of boats, 2/3rds of those already licenced on the canal being under 14 feet long.
Towards the end of the year, we have been faced with the potentially disastrous Blackwater Valley road scheme, with the absurdity of locking up and down a flight of 3 locks, with all the attendant pumping and maintenance costs and interruption to the canal's water carrying ability. The scheme, incidentally, would sever the canal for 2 years, an amazing prospect so soon after opening.
What we are proposing is an aqueduct, which we are sure is quite possible, particularly as they are already taking the road under the adjacent railway.
So there it is. A year of contrasts, frustations and changes of fortune, much of it as yet unresolved.
Yet the Canal Society is still here, stronger, buoyant and as active as ever. We have had a good year financially, making a reasonable profit on our operations, we have maintained the full time team and our membership is as high as it has been.
We have the proposals for the western end now completed and soon ready for promotion, and recently a Society, the Basingstoke Heritage Society, has been formed, who share many similar aims to ours for the canal again, one day, to be linked to the town centre.
So we now look forward to the canal's completion later this year and a grand opening next summer. We pledge that, even after that, the Canal Society will still be here.
There will be things to do and we shall be part of them.
Robin Higgs
Chairman 1 March 1990
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BREWERY ROAD CAR PARK
A proposed Hotel Ibis and other developments comprising a bistro, trip boat station with a workshop and exhibition space, interpretation centre, a museum and toilets, has been submitted to Woking planners. The scheme includes a town quay, a reasonably generous canal basin and a layby for mooring. Underground car parking is planned with some surface parking for hotel visitors.
While the Society's ideal would be for the whole site to be devoted to water orientated leisure use, it is clear that we shall have to accept part commercial development: our aim is to get the best compromise and the present proposal is better than any other we've seen to date.
But acceptance may well be influenced by the yet unknown development close by on the Victoria Hospital site for which Hilton Hotels have made a bid.
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BRITANNIA WHARF, WOKING
No mention has yet been made of a large, new office building, pictured under construction at the end of last year, on Britannia Wharf. Offering 28,870 sq ft of office space, the Society did not object to the plan because it was felt that the building represented an improvement on the old factory on the site, and will turn out to be the type of good development that enhances the canal, writes Peter Coxhead.
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HOUSES AT WINCHFIELD
Following refusal to grant planning permission for four houses to be built on derelict land which was once Barley Mow Farm, Hart DC has now granted permission for two houses.
In spite of its strict control on building on the south side of the canal at Winchfield, which is strongly supported by the Society, the Council has relented as a form of 'planning gain' to get rid of the old buildings once part of a piggery. An existing barn is to be restored and the development must not impinge on the existing canal conservation area, the Council has stipulated.
Damage caused by the storms in February at nearby Dogmersfield.
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SALES STAND VENUES 1990
THE Society's new sales stand will be on display at the following venues in 1990. We have a selection of books and leaflets on the Basingstoke Canal, waterways souvenirs, useful and otherwise and, thanks to a gallant band of ladies, a wide variety of traditionally painted canal ware at silly prices. If you hear of any other local or waterways events which you think we should attend please let us know. Any offers of help to man the stand, so we can sneak away for a quick pie and a pint, will always be appreciated, but we promise not to enlist the reluctant, so please try to visit the stand at some of these venues, where we look forward to meeting you.
Bernie Timms and Sue Palmer. Tel: 0252 26758
31st March Dredger 'Open Day', Read-Ing Road Wharf, Fleet.
5th, 6th & 7th May Canalway Cavalcade, Little Venice.
25th May Odiham Festival.
28th May Frimley Lodge Park.
16th & 17th June Lightwater Fair.
23rd & 24th June BCBC 'Boats Afloat' Rally and Festival, Frimley Lodge Park.
23rd June Fleet Carnival Club Call.
21st July Newbury Boat Rally (to celebrate re-opening of K&A).
22nd July Aldershot Military Museum Open Day.
25th, 26th & 27th August National Boat Rally, Gloucester.
27th August Mytchett Community Centre, Fun Day.
2nd September Boats for the Disabled Fair, Brewery Road, Woking.
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PRINT DESIGN AND PRODUCTION
Whatever you need to have printed, don't leave it to the printer 'to sort out'. Modern
design, well laid typesetting and attractive magazines and all kinds of sales literature.
For personal service, phone Chris de Wet, Distinguished Data, 0252 850311. |
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Edwin Chappell
IT IS time to renew your membership of the Society. I would like to thank all those members who have added donations to their renewals during the past year. It is very much appreciated by the committee and has helped to ensure that membership rates stay the same for another year.
Many members have taken out a Deed of Covenant and this will bring in extra income for several years. In recent years, this job has fallen behind. Brian Chappell is currently sorting out the situation and he will be contacting members shortly, where necessary, to complete the records.
Some members have upgraded their membership from a single person to include the whole family — for just one pound extra. If you would like to have all the family belong to the Society, please indicate this on your renewal and include the extra money. This can be done at any time of the year.
LEARN TO CREW THE TRIP BOAT
MEMBERS interested in crewing the John Pinkerton are invited to join one of two training sessions being held at Colt Hill, Odiham, on Sunday 29th April at 10.30am and 2.00pm.
A trip boat crew comprises four people — a captain, mate and two in the galley serving drinks, washing up and selling souvenirs.
Boat handling experience is an advantage but not essential. Individuals or groups are welcome — a ready made crew, such as a family of four, or a group of friends, saves us making up crews later. And if you don't want to captain but simply want to crew as deck-hand or serve in the galley, you are equally welcome.
The point of having formal training sessions — even if you are an experienced boater — is to ensure that crews are totally familiar with the layout of the boat, operational procedures and administrative details.
If you would like to join one of the two training sessions, call training officer, Gill Heather on 0252 624612
SPONSORED WALK 1990
HELP make this year's sponsored walk, planned for Sunday 7th October, the big fund raising event of the year.
Offers needed now for route marshalls, either part day or whole day, along a circular route in the Aldershot area of the canal.
In addition to marshall volunteers, organiser Bill Homewood is appealing for volunteers to contact prospective groups of walkers from local schools, youth and social groups, firms, pubs and clubs. Even if you don't intend to walk you can help with the all important job of publicising the event and encouraging entrants. Offers of assistance to: Bill Homewood 0276 61343.
PARTY FUND RAISERS
ONCE a month a bridge drive is held in Ashtead. The profits go to different charities. After a request from Yvonne Chappell, the profits from the January meeting have been given to the Society. However, as part of the deal, Yvonne had to arrange the catering and a raffle. This meant preparing 132 coffees and cakes and 528 sandwiches! A team of helpers, who served the refreshments on the night ensured a successful evening and many thanks are due to Marjorie Curtis, Brenda Simpson, Ginny Millard, Margaret Marsh, Brian Chappell and Edwin Chappell. The Society especially thanks Mary Whipp, who organises the bridge parties. The sum raised during the evening amounted to £204.44.
'200 CLUB' WINNERS
THE '200' Club now has 125 members who generate a very useful level of income for the Society and have a good chance to win a worthwhile cash prize in the regular draws. Here are the latest winners: October 1989 - Mrs. D.C. Milsum £59; the late Mr. I.V. Scott £29; Mr. M.S. Fry £15; and Mr. & Mrs. Nye £15. December 1989 - Mr. Cottrell £59; F.A. Holley £29; Miss I. Fowler £15; and Mrs. M.N. Knowles £15.
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page 5
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COUNTDOWN TO COMPLETION - by Peter Cooper
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THE GO-AHEAD to dredge Woodham Pond and the aim to complete restoration in Surrey by 1st September this year, has opened the way to completing other works and refilling the Sheerwater length of the canal. Work on the lake should be well under way if not completed by now. Not that other work has been held up. The Society's full time team has been installing bottom gates at Lock 3 while Surrey CC has dredged from the lock westward to 1/4 mile above Sheerwater Bridge. Six more lock gates remain to be built and fitted (two pairs at Lock 4 and uppers at Lock 3).
Meanwhile volunteers have been clearing the bankside through Woking and a contractor has been Hymac dredging from Arthur's Bridge down to the town centre.
Although strictly classed as maintenance work, volunteers are engaged on replacing balance beams along the Deepcut flight.
Other works to be done include the repair of a culvert at Sheerwater and raising the towpath level from Sheerwater Bridge down to Lock 3.
Weekend Volunteers
Working parties continue on a regular basis, but you should contact your working party leader a few days before attending, to check there is a working party, and to find out where it is to be. New volunteers are also welcome. Working party leaders are:
First weekend of the month —
PETER JONES on Aldershot 313076.
Second weekend of the month —
DAVID JUNKISON on 01 941 0685, or DAVE LUNN.
Third weekend of the month —
PETER REDWAY on Woking 721710.
Overall co-ordination of the work is in the hands of FRANK JONES on Deepcut 835711 (workshop) or Camberley 28367 (home).
Weekday volunteering
If you can come along and work on the canal during the week, even if only for a few days, then you should contact FRANK JONES (numbers above) and he will be very happy to sort you out a job to do.
Dredging in Hampshire (every weekend)
Dredging has now recommenced on a regular basis, following the lay-off. The dredger crew expect to be at Reading Road Wharf by early March. Both cranes have just passed their annual inspections. For further details contact ROGER FLITTER on Fleet 622956.
Hampshire Bankside Work
1st and 3rd Sundays - 4 Mar, 18 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr.
This party continues to do offside clearance in the area between Chequers Bridge and Double Bridge; the working location is now so remote that workers are usually taken there by boat. The work is unskilled and suitable for family groups. This party will go into summer recess at the end of April, if not before, so in April you will need to check that they're still working. For this, and other details, contact PETER JACKMAN on Woking 772132.
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NEW BEAMS FOR DEEPCUT LOCKS
BALANCE beams fitted to the restored but little used Deepcut flight of 14 locks are being replaced. All but a few of the 56 beams have rotted because the timber, mainly Scots pine, was not treated to preserve the timber.
Apart from weakening the beam, which serves to balance the gate for ease of movement, some also support jack heads which were becoming unsafe.
New beams have been fitted to Lock 28 and the rest will be replaced, hopefully by the summer.
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LAKE DREDGING PROCEEDS
FEARS that protracted negotiations to clear a former canalside lake, bordering Woodham Hall Estate, would hold up re-opening the canal this year have been lifted.
A move to clear and dredge a major part of the lake area which covers more than half an acre, known as Woodham Pond, was agreed on 23rd January.
In hard winters, when it froze, the lake was once a favourite spot for local skaters. But the development of riparian properties has cut off public access.
A sufficient area will be recovered to serve as a land drainage water reservoir. Local householders with an interest in boating will also benefit by having the opportunity of a mooring at the bottom of their gardens with access onto the canal.
Part of the eastern end of the lake, which includes a spring water supply, has been formed into a Japanese water garden, complete with weeping willows, oriental ducks and carp.
The eastern extremity has been filled in and may not be restored.
Moves to dredge the lake were delayed because the agents acting for the executors of the late Mr. S.E. Cooke, Managing Director of the New Basingstoke Canal Co. Ltd. owners of the lake, wished to obtain the agreement of ten riparian landowners before proceeding.
A Japanese water garden made in Woodham Pond, complete with Koi carp and Mandarin ducks.
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page 6
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BLACKWATER ROAD: OVER OR UNDER
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CONSTRUCTION of the £40 million centre length of the Blackwater Valley relief road, which will cross the middle of Ash Embankment, is scheduled to start in the autumn of 1993. Its completion towards the end of 1995 will open the entire new dual carriageway link between the A30 and M3 and the A31 at Farnham.
How the road will cross Ash Embankment has been the subject of several possible options. Originally it was planned to pass over the canal on a 36-ft high flyover but the scheme was quickly ruled out because of its adverse impact on the environment. An alternative scheme to take the road under the canal (for which an aqueduct would be built), was said to be considerably more costly. The reason given was that, because the road would have to run below the level of surrounding lakes, expensive earthworks and concrete retaining walls would be needed to guard against possible flooding.
In the circumstances Surrey CC asked a firm of civil engineers to come up with some alternative ideas, one of which has now been put up for consideration alongside the aqueduct scheme.
Claimed to save £4.4 million on the aqueduct option, the new alternative proposal involves cutting out a 625-yard section of the canal embankment, and lowering the navigation channel by 23-ft to the level of the
River Blackwater. The road would then be built on a modest 14-ft embankment with the canal and towpath enclosed in a tunnel extending the width of the dual carriageway.
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In presenting the proposals, the local authorities admit the plan to lower the canal and build the road over it, as opposed to the road under the canal, has a number of drawbacks:
• it would be more obtrusive visually
• it would impinge on the local canal conservation corridor and on its ecology
• noise from road traffic would be marginally greater
• the introduction of locks would 'be less convenient for the user of this leisure facility.
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1700 TRIPPING MILES
THE Society is fortunate to have a group of members, organised by Mike Hammersley of Aldershot, who are willing to crew the John Pinkerton during weekdays. While most volunteers can offer to crew the trip boat only at weekends and evenings, many of our fund raising trips are weekday daytime trips.
One daytime crew member, John Anstey, who joined up in 1978 when the trip boat was launched, reckons he has covered 1,700 miles on 379 cruises to date:
"Having retired, and with a lifelong interest in boating and waterways, crewing was an ideal opportunity to get on the water and do an enjoyable job", John writes, "in spite of falling in twice".
Among the more memorable trips, which have included a wide variety of visitors from schools to a party of
publicans who stopped off at the Chequers pub at Crookham, and a squad of army officers who brought a curry lunch, John recalls some moments of worry.
"I was in the galley when some children came up and exclaimed, "The 'Rooder man' has fallen in!" They had to repeat this several times before I looked out of the hatch to find John Pinkerton happily sailing down a straight length of canal with no one at the tiller! Nor was there any sign of the 'rudder man'. My immediate fear was that he might have gone under the boat into the propeller. It was a great relief when I saw him finally hurrying along the towpath to catch us up!"
"With the next boating season only a few weeks away I can recommend crewing the John Pinkerton as a great occupation for any retired person who has a love of boating, the canal and people", says John.
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page 7
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SOCIETY SEEKS ROAD UNDER CANAL
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Ash Embankment: Blackwater Valley road crossing point.
THE SOCIETY is pressing for the Blackwater Valley Relief Road to go under the canal. In addition to having less of an impact on the surrounding environment and causing minimal disturbance to the canal, the Society is concerned about engineering aspects of the alternative scheme involving building new locks, back-pumping and maintenance costs.
The Society is seeking details of both schemes to support the claim lhat a road underpass would cost £4.4 million more to build. Special projects manager for the Society, Stan Meller commented, "Our professional civil engineers find it hard to justify the extra cost for the work that has to be done".
Surrey County Council engineers say that the additional cost is taken up in constructing a massive reinforced underpass which must be heavy enough to avoid the possibility of it 'floating' on the relatively high
water table in the area, and to guard against flooding.
But Society experts believe that the road has been planned to go deeper than would be necessary because too great depth has been allowed for the proposed canal aqueduct.
The Society also believes that the consultant engineers may have underestimated the cost of the alternative scheme to lower the canal and build new locks. Council engineers have already conceded that the provision of staircase locks close to the entry of the River Blackwater would present what has been described by the Society as 'horrendous problems'. Concern has also been expressed over the concept of constructing locks on an embankment which burst in the floods of 1968. Society engineers say that deep piling would be necessary to support the weight of the locks.
It has been pointed out that the introduction of six locks on the embankment would inconvenience boat movements by adding 1-1/2 hours to the existing time taken to cross the 1,000 yard long embankment.
There are also maintenance costs to take into account, not only in servicing the pumping mechanism to be installed and the new locks, but also the need for two supervisory lock keepers and their adjacent accommodation for which the consultants made no provision in their report to SCC.
The Society is anxious to see the engineering proposals in detail so that its own engineering consultants may comment more fully, says Stan Meller who added, "The reaction of most of our professional experts so far has been that the aqueduct option should prove to be cheaper to build and would not, of course, present the potential problems associated with the option calling for new locks".
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MEMBERS URGED TO SUPPORT 'UNDER' OPTION
VISITORS to the local exhibitions of the road scheme were invited to complete a questionnaire stating their preference for the road to pass under or over the canal.
Although the completed forms had to be sent to SCC by 9th March, anyone who missed the exhibition but would like to express a view should write to the following address by 23rd March: Surrey County Council, Transportation Planning Unit, County Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT12DN.
The Society's committee urges all members to support the scheme for a road under the canal: the public's views will count, so please make the effort.
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Colt Hill, Odiham
0256 703691
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INVITE YOU TO ENJOY YOUR BEAUTIFUL CANAL
Long weekend or midweek breaks available throughout the
season. 10% discount 10 all established members on off-peak
cruises.
COMING SOON! 4 - 6 berth narrowboats to add to our fleet of
2 - 6 berth cruisers.
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page 8
Sunday 25th March
7 mile walk, organised by Bill Homewood, around Rotherwick. Meet at Shoulder of Mutton (GR 86 743 589) Hazeley at 10.15am for 10.30am start. Lunchtime pub stop.
Monday 26th March
IWA Guildford and Reading Branch AGM and Waterways film show. Venue: Wey Cruising Club, Wharf Road, Guildford. 7.30pm for 8.00pm.
Tuesday 27th March
Winter season of informal meetings at the Barley Mow, Winchfield, extended by popular demand. Why? Come along and find out.
Friday 30th March
Basingstoke Canal Boating Club AGM, St. Barbara's Church Hall, Deepcut Bridge Road, Deepcut. 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Illustrated talk by Nick Wright of the K&A Canal Trust, and canal director Paddy Field will answer your questions. Potential members welcome!
Saturday 31st March
Perseverance Open Day at Reading Road Wharf, Fleet. Inspection by Hart District Council Chairman Cllr. David Carrow at 2.30pm.
Monday 9th April
'Power for Free?' A history of wind and water power in Surrey and Hampshire by Mr. J. Stilman of Hampshire Mills Restoration Group. Methodist Church Hall, Brewery Road, Woking 7.30pm for 7.45pm.
Monday 23rd April
'Black Country Museum' talk by a member of the museum's staff. Wey Cruising Club, Wharf Road, Guildford 7.30pm for 8.00pm.
Tuesday 24th April
Last in the current series of evenings at the Barley Mow, Winchfield. New members especially welcome. Ask for Jan Mann or Sue Palmer.
Sunday 29th April
John Pinkerton Crew training day at Colt Hill, Odiham. 10.30am and 2.00pm.
Contact Gill Heather for details. Tel: 0252 624612.
Sunday 29th April
7 mile walk with Bill Homewood. Circular route round Chobham. Meet in village car park (by The Cannon) GR 975618. Pub lunch meet 10.15am for 10.30am.
Sunday 29th April
Society's AGM at Mytchett Community Centre. Mytchett, 6.00pm.
Weekend 5th-7th May
Basingstoke Canal Boating Club's 'Moving Rally* — from Winchfield to Deepcut and return. Full details from Chris de Wet on 0252 850311.
Sunday 13th May
Society coach trip to Portsmouth Canal, harbour and fortifications, lead by Bill Homewood.
Sunday 13th May
IWA (Guildford and Reading Branch) coach trip to Black Country Museum.
Sunday 10th June
Small Boat Cruise, St. Patrick's Stream, River Thames, Shiplake, organised by IWA local branch.
Weekend 23rd/24th June
'Boats Afloat' at Frimley Lodge Park, organised by the Basingstoke Canal Boating Club. Lots of boats, trips on John Pinkerton, 'water-related' trade show, children's entertainments, and refreshments.
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CAMPAIGN CRUISE
SMALL boat cruise (dinghies and canoes ideal), on St. Patrick's Stream and Hennerton Backwater off the Thames near Shiplake, is being organised by the local branch of the IWA on Sunday 10th June to exercise the public right of navigation. A slipway for trailed craft will be notified and moorings are being arranged for participants coming by water, with a crews' barbecue on Saturday 9th June. For full details and entry (no fee) send a SAE to: Tony Davis, 4 Mount Pleasant, Weybridge, Surrey.
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EXPLORING PORTSMOUTH
THERE are still a few places left if you want to join the coach trip to Portsmouth on Sunday 13th May. Visit includes tracing the remains of the Portsmouth Canal, Tudor fortifications, and a boat trip either to Spit Sands Fort or round the Harbour. Ring Bill Homewood on 0276 61343 to book.
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BOATS AFLOAT!
This year's major boating event on the canal returns to Frimley Lodge Park on the weekend 23rd and 24th June.
The organisers, the Basingstoke Canal Boating Club, hope the event will attract upwards of 50 boats, including steam powered craft. Various waterborne activities are being organised, and on land there is to be a limited trade show.
Refreshments will be on sale; there will be entertainment for children; and the John Pinkerton will be providing public trips.
Boaters will be well catered for; food and drink will be available on both Friday and Satruday evenings. Saturday's barbecue will, hopefully, be accompanied by a folk group.
Boat entries, offers of help, and full details of the event, are available from Dick Elder, 27 Foxhurst Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants. (Tel: 0252 25268). (SAE appreciated).
A commemorative plaque and temporary licence for the weekend is to be included in the boat entry fee. |
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TRIP TO BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM
MEMBERS and friends welcome on a coach trip to the Black Country Museum organised by the local branch of the IWA. Lots to see including working boat dock, steam powered narrowboat President, electric tramway, colliery, ironworks and Victorian village of buildings rescued from all over the Black Country. A guided tour of the museum and a boat trip into the famous Dudley tunnel and singing cavern are included in the price.
Adult £11.90, OAP £11.00, child £10.75. Coach from Woking 7.50am; Guildford 8.05am; Fleet 8.30am. Journey time from Fleet about 3 hours which gives us about 5 hours at the Museum, return arrival Fleet approx 8.15pm.
Bookings with payment and your requested pick-up, to Andy Simmonds, 35 Broadacres, Guildford GU3 3BS. Cheques payable to IWA Guildford and Reading Branch — enclose SAE for confirmation. Enquiries to Andy on (0483) 57676.
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page 9
HOUSEBOATS have been part of the Basiagstoke Canal scene for the past 30 years.
The largest community of more than forty converted narrow boats was first established at Woodham in 1959. A smaller number of floating homes were moored above Arthur's Bridge, Woking and two houseboats have been moored above Hermitage Bridge since the early 1960's.
The idea of buying up disused commercial boats and converting them into homes was the brainchild of an enterprising barber from Balham, Mr. Philip Dresman, who teamed up with a businessman, Mr. John Frawlaw, to start Floating Homes Ltd. on the Basingstoke Canal.
The Company bought a number of 80-year old narrow boats for £5 each lying on the Coventry Canal. Some of the 70-ft long craft had broken
backs: these were cut in half and fitted with false transoms to make two homes. The Company had the option to buy as many as 200 boats but finally converted and fitted out 42 homes.
No. 90 seen in Lock One
Some of the former working boats used were the fine-lined traditional butties from the fleet of the Samuel Barlow Coal Co. Ltd. of Birmingham, still decorated in their traditional painted livery. Others were the less shapely Joey boats, without living accommodation, used as day boats throughout the Birmingham canal system for carrying coal.
With housing in short supply following the second world war, there was a good demand for the £2,000 houseboats, especially since they were close to Woking and West Byfleet commuting stations for London.
One of the first to move in was Mr. Oliver Hibburd, an airline steward,
who saw an advertisement for the houseboats in Dalton's Weekly. The idea appealed to him so much that he persuaded the Company to sell their 'showboat', named Joan Marshall after the general manager of the New Basingstoke Canal Company, owners of the waterway. Originally moored at Woodham — first at Scotland Bridge and then at Lock 3 — Mr. Hibburd decided to follow a neighbouring boat Pandora up to Hermitage Bridge. While Pandora was towed up by Mrs. Marshall's cart horse Captain, Mr. Hibburd bow hauled his 70-ft long home, with the help of Les Foster, now one of Surrey's canal rangers, the six miles westward.
By the early 1960's plans to moor houseboats at ten sites up the canal to Hermitage Bridge, ran into trouble. In December 1963 the Minister of Housing and Local Government ruled that planning permission was needed: permanent mooring constituted 'a material change in the use of the land' the Minister decreed.
Moorings established at the three sites in use today were upheld, but the restriction put an end to Mr. Dresman's wild but fascinating schemes which included a floating shop to cater for the houseboat owners.
The departure of Floating Homes Ltd. left the houseboat owners without water and electricity supplies which the company had provided. So, in 1964, residents set up their own service company, Canal Mooring Services Ltd. in which each boat owner at Arthurs Bridge and Woodham had a share. But it was very much a case of self help, as a new arrival at the time, Tim Dodwell, recalls: "One of the first jobs on moving into our new home, on returning from our honeymoon, was to dig a trench for a new water-pipe!"
The houseboats were the last craft to use the locks before the decaying gates finally become inoperative in the mid 1960's. The last movements were occasional houseboat trips to use the makeshift dry docking facility located above Lock 5. Boats were manoeuvred over a platform made of baulks; the short pound was then drained to expose the hull for inspection.
With the imminent re-opening of the canal to navigation, all the houseboats have had to pass canalworthincss inspections which have reduced the Woodham community to 22 boats. New canalside services have been provided, and while dredging and piling have dramatically altered this end of the canal from a sleepy backwater to working waterway status, renovation is better than gradual decay. Within the next twelve months the remaining boats at Arthurs Bridge are expected to consolidate the Woodham community while the Joan Marshall and Pandora will remain at Hermitage.
Among the recent casualties was Adelina, made famous in waterways circles by David Horsfell who wrote a book about life aboard with his family in the early 1960's.
While navigators tend to regard the static existence of houseboaters with some reserve, there will always be a bond between those who enjoy life afloat, if only briefly, and those who chose to make it a way of life.
Editors note: Thanks to Les Foster, Tim Dodwell and Oliver Hibburd for information which helped to compile this brief history of the houseboat community. If any reader has further facts or photographs we'd welcome a call or a note of your reminiscences.
| Exhibit in Waterways Museum, Stoke Bruerne,...No. 90 seen in Lock One
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page 10
SWING BRIDGE BUILDER
Dear Sir,
RE-READING the November issue of BC News, I felt that I should comment briefly on Zephon Common swing bridge (not political comment).
I built the existing bridge, in the early 1950's I believe, a few days before Christmas. All the ironwork was very cold to handle, and handle it I did, with no mechanical equipment or power tools of any kind. All bolt holes were bored with a hand ratchet post drill. The balance weights (dozens of them, it seemed) were all carried in a wheelbarrow over the few hundred yards to the canalside which the lorry was unable to reach since each one weighed about 2 cwt (100kg). It was a very exhausting operation.
As soon as the bridge was operative, the vandals threw the weights and ball bearings into the canal. Recovering them was not terribly enjoyable. Eventually I removed all the bearings and left the bridge fixed in situ. When the bridge was required to be opened, I went there and re-installed a few bearings sufficient to swing it. I did this on the occasion of the passage of the funeral barge carrying the coffin of old Mark Hicks, the local canal bailiff. He died at the age of 95 and was reputed to be the oldest working man in the. Country.
Not content with removing the ball bearings and weights, vandals managed tp throw the whole bridge into the canal on many occasions.
Of course, before I installed the new Zephon bridge, I used to maintain the old full width wooden swing-bridge: there was a similar one at North Warnborough.
I've been retired a year or two though I still work for HCC as a technician at Hampshire Technology Centre in Romsey Road, Winchester (well worth a visit they tell me). Rather different work to repairing canal bridges.
Incidentally, I should not think the swing bridge is worth restoring as it was never successful. A higher fixed footbridge would be a great improvement.
Yours faithfully,
R. STARNES
30 Bar End Road, Winchester, Hants
SO239NT.
ADVANCE WARNING PLEASE
Dear Sir,
AS YOU may know, we are the owners of the narrow boat Muddy Waters based on the Basingstoke Canal. We were looking forward to attending the 1989 Boxing Day cruise organised by the Basingstoke Canal Boating Club, and local canoe club, at Crookham Wharf. We collected our boat from its mooring at Odiham early in order to meet up at the wharf with family and friends coming by road.
Unfortunately, we got no further than Sandy Hill Bridge which had been completely blocked by scaffolding erected by the County for repairs. There was no warning given of this stoppage whatsoever. If you have had any cruising experience you will appreciate that a 40ft boat cannot be turned around in a 38ft channel, and as a narrow boat has no reverse steering we were faced with a very arduous 2 hour journey backwards to the nearest winding hole.
We do realise of course that repairs and maintenance are essential, and that sometimes this means that sections of the canal will be closed, but surely some warning of these planned closures could be given to those who will actually be affected by them. The Basingstoke Canal
News reaches most boaters, as does the Boating Club newsletter, national magazines publish lists of scheduled stoppages on other waterways, and there are notice boards along the canal which are surely ideal for this information.
We use our boat regularly, summer and winter, and have thoroughly enjoyed cruising this peaceful waterway, but if others are to be encouraged to do the same in future, communications must be improved, and advance notification of closures published to prevent further inconvenience and disappointment.
Yours faithfully,
BERNIE TIMMS AND SUE PALMER
20 Chart House Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5LS
Editors Note: The canal manager has commented that, until the canal is officially re-opened, boaters must expect stoppages without notice. To assist canal users, the canal director has agreed to publicise prearranged stoppages for maintenance work, and special events which might cause temporary inconvenience or restrict access to parts of the canal.
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FIXED BRIDGE BENEFITS
Dear Sir,
WITH reference to the replacement bridge at Zephon Common, Crookham Village, I am strongly in favour of a fixed brick bridge. Any swing bridge on that secluded site would be a continual source of trouble and maintenance expense. Besides being a target for vandals, as in the past, it would be an unnecessary obstruction for boats, especially having in mind the hire cruisers.
I used to enjoy the walk through the woods and across the bridge and look forward to doing this again before long. With memories of the continual difficulties with the swing bridge at Newbury I would go for a fixed bridge at any time. It is by far the best answer.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN ANSTEY
Kennet, Gables Road, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hants GU13 OQY.
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BATS MOVE INTO CAVE
TWO long eared bats are reported to have taken up residence in a purpose-built cave at Monkton near Ramsgate (see BC NEWS 132).
The 45 ft long cave made of concrete pipes, was built by British Trust for Conservation volunters, during National Bat Year in 1986, for bats to hibernate in.
Like Greywell Tunnel, the entrance to the Monkton cave is protected by a metal grille. By coincidence it is buried in a dusused chalk quarry similar to the site at Greywell which has been suggested as a site for a bat tunnel.
The Monkton cave was built with the help of British Gas who provided a Hymac excavator, the Concrette Pipe Association and Southern Water who loaned the Trust a moblie crane to lay the pipes. Other companies supplied building materials, and the South Eastern Electricity Board and Pfizer Ltd. helped fund the project. |
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page 11
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DIARY OF A RED NOSED RUNNER
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SOME unusual activities were undertaken in the name of Comic Relief on the 10th March last year. None more so than Adrian Clement's plan to run the 37 mile route of the Basingstoke Canal. This is his account of the amazing feat:
8.20am Looked up at the signpost at the Wey junction, reading 'GREYWELL 31 MILES' as I went across the footbridge and set off up the muddy towpath. My shoes were wrapped in cling film to protect my feet from an anticipated mud bath. Stopped at Lock 2, Woodham for a bottle of coffee.
8.56am Stopped for a drink of water at Woking — five miles out. Weather misty, damp but mild, with a slight headwind. Conditions underfoot generally muddy but with a few dry sections past 'Toys R Us' in the town centre heading towards Brookwood.
9.25am Stopped for a ham sandwich and other drink of water alongside the houseboat Joan Marshall below Hermitage Bridge. The wind had dropped slightly and conditions underfoot were quite good — near perfect weather for long distance running. Next stop Connaught Garage. Bought two cans of Coca Cola and stowed them in my 3 kilo back pack. The towpath here had been cut up badly by the tracks of a 'Gamble' digger. Wind was getting stronger again. On went my rain top up the Deepcut locks system. Had a drink of Coca Cola. Headed through Deepcut cutting, past Wharfenden Lake, Potters Pool and Mytchett Lake. Under Ash Vale railway bridge just as a train was passing overhead. The bridge is very low and you can see the underneath of the train through the girders — an odd experience. Ran on, through Ash to Ash Embankment. Had a pit stop and a drink of water. Ran on towards Aldershot Camp. Two soldiers thought the red nose looked rather amusing.
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11.20am Stopped alongside golf course, west of Wharf Bridge, for another Coca Cola and a Marathon bar. Conditions underfoot from Deepcut had been good and weather cleared to make running rather pleasant. Three hours down and feeling good. Off again past Rushmoor, Claycart and Eelmoor flashes towards Fleet. Nearly knocked over by an over friendly Old English Sheepdog. Under the very low Reading Road Bridge (not quite as low as Wharf Bridge, Farnborough where you literally have to put hands on knees or with a back pack, hands on ankles to get under). On to Crookham Village and Dogmersfield where conditions underfoot had changed to a sea of thick mud.
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It was not so much a matter of running now but simply negotiating the towpath without losing a shoe, falling over or slipping into the canal. The weather had taken a turn for the worse, with the rain descending hi a steady torrent and a fresh wind blowing. At the Barley Mow, Winchfield, I stopped for another break for a drink of water. There followed what was two of the hardest miles of the entire run. The protection on my shoes had shredded away many miles back at Deepcut, so they were being well christened.
1.40pm Reached Greywell, drenched through. Stopped at the Fox and Hounds to refill my water bottles. Headed towards Greywell Hill, with 31 miles covered and six to go. I was now falling behind schedule, having planned to reach Basingstoke no later than 3.00 pm. In practice the final 6 miles took 1-1/2 hours in good conditions and with fresh legs. Now my time would be anyone's guess, especially as the way ahead was a mixture of orienteering, cross country and assault course, with some road running thrown in.
More slippery mud along the footpath up Greywell Hill. Even my 'go faster, grip better' Reeboks were on the slide. I ate another Marathon bar and drank a 1/2 litre of water. The hill field at the top of the footpath was sodden, up to the calves in wet grass and each stop sank into the boggy ground. The path at the top of the hill was ankle deep in mud. But I was still in good spirits and feeling strong. Into Dark Wood and off the track to rejoin the canal at the western end of the tunnel. Eastrop
Bridge, then Slades Bridge and Brickworks Arms.
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Two beams, half submerged, are all that remains of a former footbridge across the arm. With the aid of a nylon rope secured on the opposite bank, a month previously, I hauled myself across. What was left of the towpath was littered with fallen trees and resembled jungle conditions. Past Brick Kiln Bridge, Up Nately, to Penny Bridge (which is no more). Across Greywell Road, the canal bed has been filled in completely.
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Little Tunnel Bridge, near Mapledurwell, was filled with bales of hay virtually to the soffit. Climbed over the bales, with just enough room to crawl through a gap in the soggy hay and slide out. Made my way to the watercress beds near Swing Bridge at Mapledurwell, scaring two deer quietly grazing. Up Tunworth Road to join Greywell Road. Phoned home at Mapledurwell to say all was well and then crossed the M3 motorway. Sharp left to The Hatch by Martins Garage, over the fields to pick up the canal again through the Old Basing stretch. Past Old Basing Junior School and the Scout Hut, left into Milkinpen Lane, right into Church Lane, along the path by the graveyard, right into Crown Lane, left again into the Street and along Red Bridge Lane. After crossing Red Bridge, joined the footpath to Black Dam walkbridge over the paddock to Eastrop Way. 3.12pm Finished at the Bus Station, site of the former wharf — just 12 minutes late!
As far as possible I had followed the line of the canal opened 195 years ago. I felt good all the way as I didn't push myself. And I was extremely pleased to achieve my aim which also raised £200 for Comic Relief.
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page 12
CANAL Camp holidays for less than £30.00 per week including food and accommodation. 19 camps throughout UK. Make new friends and enjoy a productive break. Brochure from: John Clock (Waterway Recovery Group) 47 Melfort Drive, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 7XN.
MYSTERY of 2ft wide x 3ft deep trench, dug on Dogmersfield embankment just before Christmas, draining water from canal causing bank erosion. Fortunately a potential disaster was averted. If you saw work in progress please phone Dave Gerry, canal manager, 0252 313810.
PLANS for a royal official opening of the canal at the end of May or early June 1991 are being discussed.
Based on Frimley Lodge Park, with a cruise across the county boundary, the site is ideal for a helicopter arrival ....
WHILE Surrey Canal rangers have worked for months, on and off, trimming back towpath hedging along towpath overlooking Great Bottom Flash, members have pointed out that the towpath outside Ash Vale boathouse, nearby, is constantly under water and in need of more urgent attention.
HART DC is threatening to withhold its £33,000 contribution to canal maintenance if its representation on the Joint Management Committee is not increased from one to two members.
SUPPORT for restoration of the canal westwards, and creation of a continuous footpath to the former terminus, has been received from the Basingstoke Heritage Society.
WATER Company responsible for Greywell pumping station has denied rumoured plan to increase local water extraction. Additional piping needed, apparently, to boost supplies to mains.
DONATION of £10 received, with thanks, from Kent and East Sussex Canal Restoration Group.
FREE John Pinkerton charter trip donated to KESCRG as prize on their first fund raising draw.
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STEAM DREDGER'S 'OPEN DAY'
TO MARK the completion of 15 years dredging the major part of the 9 miles of the canal between the Whitewater winding hole at North Warnborough and Reading Road Wharf, Fleet, Perseverance will be open to inspection on Saturday 31st March from 10.30am onwards.
The dredger's crew will be on hand to explain the workings
of our 56 year old veteran which is believed to be one of only two surviving steam dredgers in working order anywhere in the Country.
There's still another mile of dredging down to Pondtail Bridge to complete so this is also a good opportunity for prospective crew members to find out what is involved to become a voluntary tug skipper, dragline operator, boilerman, winchman or general duty member of the crew.
Past and present crew members will be especially welcomed and the chairman of Hart DC, Cllr. David Carrow, will be visiting at 2.00pm.
The Society's new sales stand, organised by Sue Palmer and Bernie Timms, will be set up on the recently renovated wharf, displaying an attractive range of traditional painted ware together with books, maps and other items for sale. A workboat will be providing short trips and the John Pinkerton may emerge from her winter refit. In addition, it is hoped that a number of other craft on the canal will attend to add colour to the scene — all are welcome.
All this and refreshments too. Make it a date.
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COUNCIL BUYS WESTERN END
HAMPSHIRE County Council has bought the 3/4-mile western end of the canal from the New Basingstoke Canal Co. Ltd. The sale of the canal, extending west of Greywell Tunnel to just beyond the site of Penney Bridge at Up Nately, includes the 100pyard long Brickworks Arm. The council took possession on 1st March, exactly 41 years after the Aldershot auction at which the Harmsworth family sold the canal.
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Volunteer wanted
... to increase the advertisement content of BC News, which would help to offset the cost of production. If you would like to assist, ring Dieter Jebens, Editor, on 0252 715230.
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COPY DATE FOR MAY 1990 BC NEWS: 31st MARCH 1990
Published by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society Ltd., a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee, registered as a Charity. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Society.
Editor Dieter Jebens. Production: Jo Evans & Chris de Wet.
Collation & Distribution: Janet and George Hedger, Edwin Chappell and Helpers.
Editorial Office: 60 Middlebourne Lane, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 3NJ (0252 715230)
Chairman: Robin Higgs, 18 Barnsford Crescent, West End, Woking, Surrey, GU24 9HX. (09905 7314)
Vice-Chairman: David Millett, 14 Dinorben Close, Fleet, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU13 9SW. (0252 617364)
Hon. Treasurer: Nigel Parsons, 14 The Piccards, Chestnut Avenue, Guildford, Surrey GU2 5DW. (0483 571709)
Hon. Secretary: Philip Riley, Meadow Vale, Guildford Road, Normandy, Surrey, GU3 2AS. (0483 234776)
Membership Secretary: Edwin Chappell, The Spinney, Meadow Road, Ashtead, Surrey, KT211QR. (0372 272631)
Working Party Organiser: Frank Jones, Beulah, Parkstone Drive, Camberley, Surrey, GU12 2PA. (0276 28367)
Dredger Manager: Roger Flitter, 10 George Road, Fleet, Hampshire, GU13 9PS. (0252 622956)
Working Party Information: Peter Jones, 54 Wharf Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 5AY. (0252 313076) Peter Redway, 1 Redway Cottages, St. John's Lye, Woking, Surrey, GU211SL. 0482 721710)
Trip Boat: Tony Karavis, 12 Loddon Road, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 9NT. (0252 549037)
Sales Managers: Sue Palmer & Bernie Timms, 20 Charthouse Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 5LS. (0252 26758)
Mail Order Sales: John Greenfield, 9 Mistletoe Road, Yateley, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 7DT. (0252 873167)
Talks Organiser: Mrs Janet Greenfield, 9 Mistletoe Road, Yateley, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 7DT. (0252 873167)
Exhibitions Manager: Phil Pratt, Flat 5, Fleetwood Court, Madeira Road, West Byfleet, Surrey, KT14 6BE. (09323 40281)
Typesetting by Distinguished Data - Telephone: Aldershot (0252) 850311
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