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 No. 166 Summer 1994
page 2
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By the time this appears in print the reorganisation of the Basingstoke Canal Authority staff described on page 18 of our last issue will have been implemented. In terms of personalities the major changes are that the posts formerly held by David Gerry and Tony Harmsworth have been combined into one, that David has now left the BCA and that Tony Harmsworth has become the Waterway Manager directly responsible to the Canal Director, Paddy Field. Whilst carefully avoiding any question of personalities, the Society has protested in the strongest possible terms that the organisational change represents a loss of engineering expertise that the BCA can ill afford. David has contributed a tremendous amount to the community, both in being the first chairman of the Society in its campaign nearly 30 years ago to restore the canal and latterly as the first BCA manager responsible for the maintenance of the reopened canal. This Society, as well as society in general, owes him a great debt of gratitude for all the work he has done in these capacities.
We wish Tony well in his new job. He will need a lot of support in carrying out the tremendous challenges which face him. Dredging is becoming an urgent need now: in many places the water is just too shallow. The single silt site at Broad Oak, too far towards the western extreme to be of much use for dredging most of the 32 miles, is licensed for use only on weekdays, which effectively inhibits the help of the Society's volunteers. Lock gates and paddles are in need of repair or replacement: it is not uncommon to find a pound dry because of faulty gear, neglectful use or vandalism. Traversing the locks is not the enjoyable activity it is on most canals: it takes more time and effort than it should, and this alone puts off some potential visitors. The use of the canal is restricted in hot weather because of water losses - as these words are being written there is news that no new licences will be issued for visitors because of the recent dry spell. Encroachment of trees overhanging the canal from the non-towpath side is a problem needing urgent action in several places. Towpath maintenance is a continuous ongoing task, not helped by having been ripped up and inadequately replaced when fibre optic cable ducts were laid recently. Weeds and reeds need cutting and controlling: growth in some places seems to have been phenomenally excessive this year. English Nature's decision to notify virtually the whole of the canal as an SSSI in the autumn can only make the management of these problems more difficult. On top of all these 'normal' canal maintenance tasks there will be major disruption from Sep-
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tember, when the canal will be closed at Ash for about nine months for the construction of the Blackwater Valley aqueduct. That closure will also provide an opportunity to do many of the pressing lock maintenance tasks, but to take full advantage of the closure these will need careful planning and management, as well as resources of materials and manpower.
Paddy Field and Tony Harmsworth will need all the support and encouragement they can get to meet all these challenges. The Society stands ready to help in any way it can, and we have a considerable body of volunteers ready to give their time and energy to assist in the maintenance of the canal that they have so lovingly and painstakingly restored. We have shown already in the restoration of the canal that cooperation and planning can achieve remarkable results. Goodwill and determination are needed now and could work wonders in getting the necessary work done.
Bookings Manager Required
The trip boat company require a Bookings Manager to
manage the bookings of the John Pinkerton. This
position is currently very ably filled by Ann Bird who
has decided that it is time to hand this important job on
to someone else within the Society.
The boat company will provide a telephone and full
training will be available. The job is ideal for anyone
who is well organised.
Ann would be happy to discuss, with anyone who is
interested, what is involved in this important job for the
Society and the boat company.
Anyone interested should contact Ann on (0252) 811707 or Dieter Jebens on (0252) 715230.
Contents
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Civic Trust Scheme | 3 |
| A Tale of Three Bridges | 4 |
| Future Meetings | 5 |
| Book Review (London's Lost Route) | 6 |
| Recent Festivities | 9 |
| Working Party Update | 11 |
| Pinkerton's Progress | 12 |
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COVER PICTURE
Woking canal Fun day at Bridge Barn - Dieter Jebens
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page 3
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What's this then? Up to eighteen people devoting two days every week to canal maintenance - for £10 a week ? A tree surgeon ringing round local firms and persuading them to donate money materials and furniture ? A programme of work that includes renovating the John Pinkerton. repainting tugs, improving towpaths, repainting lock gear, working on weirs, piling for Woking wharf ?
Long Term
The answer is the Community Action Scheme, a government-backed enterprise aimed at helping the long-term unemployed back to work by offering them part-time work which benefits the community and helps them find employment. The Civic Trust is the managing agent for the scheme, and last December the Canal Society made an application to run a local project. It got off the ground in February this year, Ken Halls - a Society member - being appointed to manage the project. He is employed by the Civic Trust for this purpose, but half his salary is paid by the Society, which also contributes transport and some other support costs. Materials are provided by the Canal Authority for work which is proper to their budget.
Teams
To qualify, the workers - all volunteers - must have been out of work for at least twelve months. They work in two teams - one for Monday /Tuesday, the other for Wednesday / Thursday - and Friday is job search day when they are provided with help in applying for jobs -
advice, typing facilities, postage etc.
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What do they get out of it, apart from £10 per week they earn in addition to their unemployment pay ? Well, self-respect for a start. Being unemployed is a demoralising business, and the ensuing loss of self-confidence makes it even more difficult to be successful in applying for jobs. Using their skills again to do useful work helps restore some of that confidence. Then there is more to show on their CV: they can demonstrate that
they have shown initiative in working on the scheme and in using their skills. Finally, the Friday job club gives them help in looking for and applying for jobs. That this approach works is demonstrated by the fact that some half-dozen of the volunteers have found jobs in the six months that the scheme has been running.
New Skills
New skills can be learnt also. Richard Matthews trained as a tree surgeon, but has been out of work for eighteen months. He is now the fund raiser and materials organiser for the canal project, and he has approached local firms for assistance. In consequence, Johnson Wax has contributed welding and money for paintbrushes, Preston Paints has donated paint, Saracen Furniture and Crown Life contributed furniture. He still needs materials: wheelbarrows, sand, ballast, hammers, nails - virtually anything of this nature can be turned to good use. Anyone wishing to help sponsor the project should contact him at Ash Lock, on (0252) 318448. Help us to help them to help us ...................
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The CMC Trust volunteers working on the Society's tugs at Ash Lock • (Brian Fox)
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New Members
We welcome the following new members:
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Mrs D Hobbs | Gosport |
| Mrs JM Rowley | Fleet |
| Mr PC Webb | Farnborough |
| Miss M Mann | |
| Mr RP Strut | Woking |
| Mr TCG West | Basingstoke |
| Miss JAL Nunn | Camberley |
| Mrs J Stevens | Bradford |
| Mr & Mrs Hartwell | Farnborough |
| Mr D Maynad | Gosforth |
| Mrs C Ashford | Fleet |
| Mr D Cameron | Basingstoke |
| Mr GO Bowyer | Fleet |
| Mrs C Masters | Pyrford |
| Ms HJ Mills | Farnham |
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page 4
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THE TALE OF THREE BRIDGES
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The recently competed Mytchett Place Road Bridge • (David Millett) |
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The formal opening of the Mytchett Place Road Bridge by the Chairman of Surrey County Council (Mrs Cecilia Gerrard DL) took place on 3rd June. Thus marking another success for the Society in co-operafion with Surrey County Council. This followed our success in securing change of plan for the crossing of the canal by the Blackwater Valley Relief Road, The original plan envisaged the construction of six locks, but the Society published a paper setting out an alternative, reinforced by realistic costings, that proved an aqueduct would be cheaper. This was accepted and the contact has now been let for the construction of the road with an aqueduct crossing.
100' Line
When the first plans were made for the rebuilding of Mytchett Place Road Bridge we were informed of the proposal by receipt of a set of drawings. Both the Society and the BCA raised objections to major items of the proposal and several revisions were made. Ultimately agreement was reached all round and the contract was let. We had already had discussions with the county engineers to ensure the new bridge would be built with ellipsoidal sides using the 100 foot line technique. Shortly after the contract was let the contractor (Mowlem) contacted us for more information about the use of the 100 foot line. The original sarsen stone, an unusually hard sandstone, was used in the construction, an additional supply having been donated by the Ministry of Defence after recovery from the Princess Royal Barracks, Blackdown. Chichester Cathedral stonemasons were subcontracted to do the stonework. The result of all this was the construction of a bridge that is a thing of architectural beauty well in the spirit of the original structures on
the canal as bequeathed 200 years ago by William Jessop and John Pinkerton.
Guildford Road
The third bridge in this saga is the Guildford Road Bridge. A proposal to
rebuild this bridge has been the subject of much discussion for several years. The first proposal was to
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trees and would have resulted in a dramatic change in the appearance of the crossing. The Society again published a paper setting out objections and proposing an alternative. Our objection was supported by many local residents and Surrey Heath Borough Council. Kevin McCullen, who co-ordinated local objections, was able to send the council 3,500 letters of objection ! Last year compulsory purchase orders were filed by Surrey County Council to give them the powers to acquire the land needed to accommodate the new bridge. The Society immediately petitioned the Department of Transport for the holding of a public enquiry. This was agreed and we started to build our evidence for presentation at the enquiry. However all that is now
unnecessary since the County Council has withdrawn the proposal. It seems that we are now promised a bridge that will be similar to the structure at Mytchett Place Road Bridge and all that it implies. With the close proximity of the well-used Frimley Lodge Park, this would be most appropriate, and we wait for the detailed proposal with hope that it will be fully acceptable to members; and can become a further addition to our list of successes.
It is rewarding to have proof that in some areas democracy does work and the Society can still make major contributions to the future of the canal. Watch this space !
Stan Meller
Cover Competition
To help celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the canal we are launching a competition for the best photograph of the 200th Anniversary celebrations. The successful photograph should preferably be a 'portrait' (i.e. upright) format photograph.
The prize ? We would like to use the best picture for the cover of the next Basingstoke Canal News. Entries to the editors please.
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page 5
Seven Evenings at St John's
By all accounts the 1993/4 winter season of social evenings was much enjoyed - from highly topical subjects such as the Blackwater Valley Aqueduct, to the restoration of the Wellington bomber at Brooklands, plus a talk on our western end progress and Chris Davies presentation on 'WRG' (otherwise known as the Waterway Recovery Group). Not forgetting John Humphries' long awaited latest film (it almost was forgotten, but Hugh McNight valiantly saved the day for us !)
For next season the 'goodies' will include a 'Narrowboat Summer' when David Parkin will the tell story of his cruising along the waterways; later on David Green is going to trace the history o( our inland waterways in 'Revolution with Water'. But it's not all on canals - for those who like railways (don't we all ?) we'll have an update on the current extension being built to the Bluebell Line and, to end the season, Amanda Huntley will be showing us some archive film from the collection of her father, John Huntley.
But the season starts on 11th October when William Rowley will tell us all about the famous Anderton lift.
If you haven't come along before then come and spend seven evenings at St John's - the hall is warm, everyone is friendly (it's hard to get meetings started with everyone wanting to chat so much) - oh, and the refreshments are free, too.
Second Tuesday in the month - see you there ?
Arthur Dungate
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| October | Tuesday 11th | The Anderton Lift - William Rowley |
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| November | Tuesday 8th | Narrowboat Summer - David Parkin |
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| December | Tuesday 13th | Bluebell Railway - Gerry Bixley |
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| January | Tuesday 10th | The secret life of Arthur Dungate |
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| February | Tuesday 14th | Revolution with Water; Maiden Voyage. (Two audio visuals, one tracing the history of Inland Waterways, the other a journey along Midlands canals) - David Green |
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| March | Tuesday 14th | John Humphries & Hugh McNight's latest film |
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| April | Tuesday 11th |
Amanda Huntley will present archive film from her fathers collection
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page 6
'London's Lost Route to Basingstoke', the story of the Basingstoke Canal, by PAL Vine, published by Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd, at £14.99. To early members of the Canal Society, it may seem incredible that a quarter of a century has passed since Paul Vine's book was first published in 1968, two years after the Society was formed. Having been out of print for a number of years, its reappearance is not only welcome but also appropriate on the completion of another chapter in the history of the canal, and quite the best way to mark this year's 200th anniversary.
The fact that this is a
second edition, and not merely a reprint, indicates the book contains a good deal of new material. Indeed, those who campaigned for restoration, became voluntary navvies or simply supported the project may be excused for turning straight to the chapter headed 'The Spirit of Revival 1966-91'. Those involved during the period will congratulate the author for not only recording the salient milestones but also for capturing the prevailing atmosphere during the campaigning years, peppered with troughs of despair and rarer peaks of elation. Judging by Paul Vine's meticulous research and attention to detail, the bulk of the book, covering the canal's history beyond living memory, will be every bit as accurate, excepting the odd typographical error such as stating the canal was opened to Pyrford {meaning Pirbright), by 1792.
Those who heard the author introduce the book at the Society's recent AGM will also be impressed
by his obvious delight at unearthing new information: such as the fact that contractor John Pinkerton subcontracted work to, among others, the American born Benjamin Latrobe who built the first White House in Washington. And that the canal's hard pressed surveyor and engineer William Jessop called in the young and up and coming engineer John Rennie to review
Pinkerton's initial work on the canal and that of the resident engineer William Wright. Another contractor, not previously recorded in the book, is Charles Jones who persuaded Jessop to give him the contract to build Greywell Tunnel after a distinctly chequered period working on Sapperton Tunnel on the Thames and Severn Canal.
The author recounts the story of the Basingstoke Canal in a very readable and engaging manner. This is not a dry record of a commercial enterprise but a lively account of how the canal came to be, the people involved and the developments that affected the waterway right up to date.
The first concept for a canal to the transport the produce of a thriving agricultural industry around Basingstoke to London markets, was a cut to the Thames at Monkey Island near Maidenhead in 1771. That failed to materialise but in 1776 a route via the Wey Navigation was proposed and authorised by Act of Parliament in 1778. Even before the canal opened, plans
were being made to extend it to south coast ports and to Bristol via the Kennel Navigation. It was these and subsequent schemes that kept a commercial interest in the canal alive since actual traffic did
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not pay anticipated dividends.
Survival was also due to local developments. There was the London and Southampton Railway started in 1834, followed by the building of Aldershot Camp in 1854 and the development of the brickworks at Up Nately in the 1890s, all calling for bulk transport. The waterway also had its unique episodes such as the involvement of Horatio Bottomley MP who made it the subject of a fraudulent share issue. And the High Court case in 1911 in which Woking UDC unsuccessfully attempted to recoup the cost of bridge repairs from the owner at the time. The judges upheld the owners contention that responsibility for repairs lay with the original statutory company which, although no longer in existence, could only be wound up by a further Act of Parliament. One of the judges also expressed his informal opinion that the same applied to the public right of navigation which, the Society firmly believes, remains to this day.
The Harmsworth connection is also a unique piece of the canal's
history spanning at least four or more generalions, among which ownership by A J Harmsworth from 1923-47 is the subject of a fascinating chapter which could make a book in itself.
Paul Vine has been criticised, if not publicly, for giving more credit to the Society's efforts than to those of the county councils. In the context of the chapter about the period 1966-91, which majors on the campaign for public ownership, it is only right that the efforts of the voluntary movement, as the catalyst, should be highlighted. The county councils' part is precisely credited in the words: "...tribute must also be paid to the understanding approach of both Hampshire and Surrey County Council authorities which initially had to be convinced...". Thanks to councillors such as the late David Pumfrett, Chairman of Hampshire's Countryside Committee at the time, who openly acknowledged that it was the Society who
motivated the local authorities to take the action they did. The practical part played by the local authorities in the actual work is outside the remit of the book and has already been recorded in the book published by the Society in 1985, Basingstoke Canal Restoration'.
The book is so up-to-date that it even has a short, final chapter entitled 'Future Outlook'. In it the author records highlights of events since the reopening in 1991 (including the creation of the Canal Centre at Mytchett), but more particularly moves to restore Greywell Tunnel and the last five miles to Basingstoke. Appropriately the chapter ends with news that Basingstoke and Deane BC is seriously investigating the possibility of restoring the canal to the town centre. A good ending to the second edition and an excellent reason for a third edition. But let's hope the intervening period will be considerably shorter than between
editions one and two. With an attractive dust jacket from a painting of Basingstoke Wharf, commissioned from local painter and canal enthusiast Terry Harrison, the book contains nearly 94 photographs, maps and illustrations, plus a good number of appendices providing lots more facts and figures.
There is no doubt that the second edition will do as much to promote awareness of the Basingstoke Canal among users of the canal today as the first edition did to focus attention on the need to save the navigation.
With many additional items such as how authors C.S. Forester and Cyril Connelly came to write about the canal, the book will appeal to those who read the first edition as much as it will to newcomers to this attractive navigation.
Dieter Jebens
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Cream Teas
Imagine sitting in a woodland glade with the sound of water running slowly, a warm sunny afternoon, peace and quiet - the values of yesterday (?) - none of this market price and user pays nonsense. No cars to be heard (just that sound of running water) and quiet conversation. If this is what you crave after BCA ranger
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Peter Munt and partner Maureen Langley, who live in the cottage at lock 28, may have the answer for you with their cream tea business on Sunday afternoons.
A Lockside Tea (consisting of 2 homemade scones with jam and cream and a pot of tea) is available for £2:50; a Bargees Tea (consisting of a Lockside Tea plus a piece of homemade cake) is available for £3:25 and a Ducklings Tea (3 homemade buscuits and a small
can of drink) is available for £0:85p. Individual pots of tea and coffee, coke and lemonade together with slices of cake are also available.
Why not visit Peter and Maureen at lock 28 on a summer Sunday afternoon between 2:00pm and 6:00pm ?
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page 8
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Woking, Fleet and Odiham all had their canal festivities in this bicentenary year. A selection of the hundreds of photographs appears on this page. None of the these photographs shows what was perhaps the most spectacular aspect of these celebrations: the illuminated boat processions, when great ingenuity was shown to produce splendid arrays of lighting effects. Alas photographs, particularly in black and white, can never do justice to the participants, and we have to omit them on these grounds.
There were many visitors to the canal on these days, both on foot and on
water. One of the most notable of these visiting boats was the working narrowboat Renfrew, built in
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1936 at a cost of £900. She worked for most of her life carrying coal from Coventry to London and a variety of cargoes back to the Midlands until she was laid up in 1965. Even then she was brought back into service in 1968 carry coal from Warwickshire to the Kearley
and Tonge jam factory in Southall, Middlesex. The round trip of 250 miles and 186 locks was done in a week. Her last run was in September 1970.
Another notable but older and more unusual visitor as the Dutch barge Nemesis, built as a sailing vessel in 1887 and subsequently converted to diesel.
Joan Kilby, who participated in the Odiham Canal Festival, sent us a report which appears opposite.
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Many anniversaries were celebrated in Odiham during the weekend of 24th-26th July - Robert May's School 300 years), Odiham and Greywell Cricket Club (220 years). North Warnborough Football Club (100 years), RAF Odiham (70 years) and the Battle of Odiham (350 years). The Basingstoke Canal Boating Club (BCBC) had been invited to stage events on the Saturday evening to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the opening of the Basingstoke Canal in 1794.
Steam boat Odiamayde was ready to take part, but where were the crew ? Roy Mullender had other commitments, my son Trevor had been engaged as engineer on a Greek flotilla cruise and son Anthony is one of a crew taking part in yacht races in regattas in the Solent throughout the summer.
Another difficulty was that the old London taxi we use for towing and launching Odiamayde needed an MOT and there was no time to arrange this.
Careful planning with my neighbour, Michael Drayton, who was involved in several other events in Odiham over the weekend, and my eldest son Anthony resolved both problems. Michael would tow and launch Odiamayde with his car and help from two friends, and Anthony would come home after Saturday morning and early afternoon races, return that night to race again on Sunday before taking Odiamayde back from Odiham to Winchfield late Sunday afternoon.
Odiham wharf was a hive of activity. Bunting, banners and lights were being erected; the Canal Society souvenir and gift stall was being set up; cakes and pies were appearing in abundance on the cake stall.
Anthony arrived at Winchfield at 5 o'clock - so far so good. Getting
steam up takes about an hour but on such a lovely afternoon this was a real pleasure, sitting and talking to friends and passers by. With four adults and three children aboard we set off for Odiham about 6:30pm. Lots of water in the canal and a beautiful rural scenery - a perfect trip on such an evening. On nearing Odiham we announced our arrival with several blasts on the whistle
before gliding into our space.
Narrowboats, cruisers and others such as
Silver Ripple (motorised canoe), illuminated and moored bow to the tow
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path created a busy and colourful atmosphere.
A miniature fairground organ was playing cheerfully appropriate music. A barbeque was doing good business with hot dogs, burgers and drinks.
A short trip for some local children just before dark rounded off the evening but there were still plenty of people to talk to while we waited for the boiler to cool down - until around 11:45pm.
Sunday - usually a mid-morning 'start the boiler and gentle cruise home'. Not so today ! Four boats (Parfect Lady, Tresspassers W, Wyke and Lemorna) were planning a trip to King John's Castle for a picnic lunch and I was easily persuaded to have Odiamayde
towed there (there being no one to 'control the steam or tweak the valves'). Chas volunteered to tow me there with his wooden boat Lemoma and Paul with Parfect Lady did the return trip, with Hazel sitting in Odiamayde steering, making fending off the bridges much easier for me.
Some energetic ones walked to the Anchor in North Warnborough. Fortunately Chas was on hand to rescue a dog who had jumped into the canal and was too distressed and terrified to get out.
After a picnic on Parfect Lady we heard Moon-Raker II arriving, complete with Jim and Arleen, nephews, nieces and children, who joined us for the return trip to Odiham wharf arriving back around 4 o'clock, where there was no sign of Anthony. His delay on the motorway meant we missed our slot for being taken out of the water at Winchfield. The wait extended whilst Michael attended the Old Time Palace of Varieties at Mayhill School and organised the fireworks display; with the result that it was 11:00pm before we were finally on the trailer, being towed out of the slipway with the aid of torches and headlights.
Joan Kilby
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page 10
Hire Boats on the Canal
Dave Dare and Jill Scratchard, who already operate Hotel boats Rose and Castle and the restaurant boat Lady of Camelot on the Basingstoke Canal, have added a 12 seat trip boat to their fleet. It will be available for self drive hire at £50 a day or £30 per evening: a 30% reduction is offered to Society members.
Fibre Optic Cabling
A contract has been let to enable Fibreway to install fibre optic cables along about two thirds of the length of the towpath of the Basingstoke Canal. Plastic ducting is being laid about two feet below the surface of thetowpath, and telecommunications cable will be laid within this duct. This follows similar work being carried out on many of the British Waterways canal towpaths, since canals link many of Britain's major town and cities and therefore provide a convenient way to lay such cables without much disruption. The cabling will stretch throughout most of the Surrey length, and from the Surrey border to Chequers wharf at Crookham Village. The Basingstoke Canal Authority will derive a much-needed addition of £41,000 per annum to its income for the maintenance of the canal from this agreement. The contract provides for the towpath to be restored to at least the standard existing before the work commenced and for the larger tree roots to be protected as far as possible
By-Laws
We thought we were nearly there. Alas there was a last minute technical hitch with the wording, which delayed the final approval. But the by-laws should soon become law. They will regulate such diverse matters as the use of vehicles, lighting of fires, animals, protection of wildlife, possession of missiles etc., removal of plants and soil, bathing, pollution, obstruction of watercourses, camping, noise, model aircraft and boats, trading, climbing, removal of structures, metal detectors, conduct, movable bridges, use of towpath, vessels, licenses, navigation, speed, mooring, drunkenness, obstruction and penalties. A separate set of by-laws will relate to the control of dogs and the removal of their faeces.
Can you help find the missing facts ?
In his preface to the fist edition of London's Lost Route to
Basingstoke, Paul Vine appealed to anyone who knew the whereabouts of missing ledgers, minute books and printed company reports relating to companies who once owned the canal. It is amazing what lies in people's attics or gets thrown out that it is of interest to someone else.
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Although a good deal of missing information has since come to light, in the preface to the second edition of his book, Paul Vine has appealed specifically for company documents relating to the period 1831-64 when the canal was owned by the original Basingstoke Canal Navigation Company, under the chairmanship of Sir Richard Birnie until 1832 and John Sloper until 1840. For the next four years the name of the chairman is unknown and then Peter Davey took over until 1866.
If you can help, please contact Paul Vine direct or through the Society.
Mid Week Working Parties
Requests have been received to organise mid-week working parties to help on the canal. These will be
mainly unskilled tasks (as distinct from Peter Redway's existing weekend working parties) and could take place anywhere on the canal depending on requirements.
This type of working party proved very successful on the Wey and Arun Canal restoration as retired members find it good exercise as well as an opportunity to meet other members so it is a social occasion as well.
Stout boots and gloves are advisable. Tools provided.
Aubrey Slaughter, 37 Fir Tree Way, Fleet, GU13 9NB (0252) 623102 will be the leader and those intending to turn out should contact him before each working party for details of location etc. He looks forward to hearing from you.
Dates:
1st and 3rd Wednesdays in each month:
October 19th
November 2nd, 16th, 30th
December 7th
Grand Draw 1994
This year's Grand Draw is proving to be as popular as previous ones and I am sure the attractive prizes have made it easy to sell tickets. I found it so at the Bridge Barn event in May.
This is just a reminder to those members who have not yet returned their counterfoils (and money) that the closing date is 8th October.
I am looking forward to reporting in the next Newsletter the prizewinners and just how much money has been raised for the Society's funds towards enhancement of water supplies to the canal
Yvonne Chappell
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page 11
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Mid summer and we are in a heatwave; once again water levels are dropping and the rumblings of a canal closure are becoming more insistent.
I, for one, could live with water shortages and closures if new water supplies were more tangible than hopes and wishlists. Some 18 months ago our volunteer and visiting working parties from KESCRG and the Newbury working party removed the fencing alongside the Deepcut locks (25 - 27).
The removal and reconstruction of the fence was, we understood, a negotiating trade-off for obtaining leases for a water supply route across private land.
The Society pledged support with labour and finance, work being programmed for the spring and summer; alas no easement; we are now told that an Abstraction Licence will be required - no new water supply for the canal in the near future.
Every cloud has a silver lining, they say, and we have been fortunate in being awarded grants for two projects by the Civic Trust and by Woking Borough Council. The Civic Trust grant is for work on the Western End towpath and the provision of an all weather surface. Before surfacing work can be carried out we have to stabilise the horse path embankment and culvert the water run-off from the top of Greywell Hill. This work needs the dry conditions we are enjoying at the moment so I suppose I should not carp about canal closures !
The Community Action Team, supervised by Ken Halls, have been active on a number of projects: painting our two tugs under the sponsorship of Johnsons Wax and Preston Paints. Some welding work will be required on the rudders and skegs.
Work on the much needed facility at Woking is now in progress; this is for the provision of a short duration mooring downstream from Victoria Bridge. The construction is for piling with a wood rubbing strip and brick capping.
The piling work is restricted to weekday working due to the noise factor, a condition we have met before at St John's. SHCS volunteers, Community Action and BCA teams will be involved in the project which is jointly funded. Woking Borough Council have authorised a grant of 50% of the cost of materials with the BCA meeting the balance and also the cost of equipment
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being used. SHCS volunteers and Community Action provide the labour.
This project may pave the way for future work when an
agreed need is identified. The shared involvement of riparian District Councils, the BCA and the Society facilitates planning, finance and execution of projects using skills and resources in a cost effective way.
The programme of volunteer work will possibly be modified in the coming months; changed priorities can be expected once the new BCA management team 'settle in'. We anticipate having to establish new contacts and procedures / priorities which could modify the following work party programme.
Leaders
David Junkison DJ
Dave Lunn DL
Peter Redway PL
Peter Jackman PJ
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August 1994 |
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| 13th/14th | DJ/DL | Western End |
| 20th/21st | PR | Western End |
| 27th/28th | DJ/PR | Western End |
| September | 3rd/4thPR | Woking moorings |
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| 10th/11th | DJ/DL | Western End |
| 17th/18th | PR | Western End |
| 13th/14th | DJ/PR | Woking or Western |
| October 1994 |
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| 1st | | Overflow weir lock15 |
| 2nd | | Bankside clearance |
| 8th/9th | DJ/DL | Western End |
| 16th | | Bankside clearance |
| 22nd/23rd | PR | Western End |
| November 1994 |
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| 5th | PR | Overflow weir lock 15 |
| 6th | | Bankside clearance |
| 12th/13th | DJ/DL | Western End |
| 19th | PR/DJ | Overflow weir lock 15 |
| 20th | | Bankside clearance |
| 26th/27th | PR | Western End |
Please call Peter Redway on (0483) 721710 for details.
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page 12
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Chairmen all - Peter Fethney, Roger Cansdale and Dieter Jebens
- (Clive Durley) |
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Judging by this year's bookings and well filled public trips, the John Pinkerton is heading for another good year.
Reading Road Wharf has again proved a popular base for bank holiday public trips and the extra weekday public trips during the school holiday period are well booked.
In June the boat company organised a special trip for Roger Cansdale who relinquished the post of chairman earlier this year to devote more time to his family. But he remains a boat captain and readily took on bookings while Anne Bird was on holiday.
Roger's party trip became something of a reunion as guests included the Society's past chairman Robin Higgs with his wife Heather, a former director
and the Society's photographer Clive Durley and Barbara now living in Fordingbridge, David Robinson who' helped commission the boat, accompanied by his wife Sandy,
and London solicitor Richard Allnutt who is a nominal shareholder.
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The company
was also pleased to welcome Sara Garwood whose company provides charter parties with a first class catering service - and this trip was no exception - and the landscape painter Terry Harrison. A print of his 200th anniversary painting was presented to Roger by the company's first chairman, who lead the boat's commissioning committee, Peter Fethney and his wife Raymonde who came down from their Yorkshire home for the party.
During the season director Kathryn Dodington added crew booking to her existing responsibility for crew training, giving Bill Homewood more time to keep an eye on boat maintenance with Mike Munro and Martin Bowers who deals with winter refits and now looks after electrical needs. Robert Knight volunteered to act as Tuesday night servicing manager.
While treasurer is not being drawn on this year's likely profit, sources close to the till say we can expect something in the region of £15,000.
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Copy date for Next BC News: 15th October 1994
Editorial Team:
Kathryn Dodington Sequoia, Sheets Heath Lane, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0EH (0483) 473630
Brian Fox 60 Dinorben Avenue, Fleet, Hants, GU13 9SH (0252) 613147
Chairman: David Millett 14 Dinorben Close, Fleet, Hampshire, GU13 9SW (0252) 617364
Vice-Chairman: Peter Redway 1 Redway Cottages, St John's Lye, Woking, Surrey, GU21 1SL (0483) 721710
Hon. Secretary: Philip Riley Wincombe Cottage, Broad Oak, Odiham, Hampshire, RG25 1AH (0256) 702109
Hon. Treasurer: Jonathan Wade 30 Hanover Gardens, Cove, Famborough, Hampshire, GU14 9DT (0252) 524690
Membership Secretary: Edwin Chappell The Spinney, Meadow Road, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 1QR (0372) 272631
Dredger Manager: Mike Munro 46 Malthouse Close, Church Crookham, Hampshire, GU13 0TB (0252) 624643
Special Projects Manager: Stan Meller 101 Branksome Hill Road, College Town, Camberley, Surrey, GU14 4QG (0276) 32096
Working Party Information: Peter Redway 1 Redway Cottages, St John's Lye, Woking, Surrey, GU21 1SL (0483) 721710
Trip Boat Manager: Dieter Jebens 60 Middle Bourne Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU10 3NJ (0252) 715230
Trip Boat Bookings: Ann Bird: 25 Farnham Road, Fleet, Hampshire, GU13 9HZ (0252) 811707
Sales Manager: Gill Freeman 35 Holland Gardens, Fleet, Hampshire, GU13 9NE (0252) 624612
Mail Order Sales: John Greenfield 9 Mistletoe Road, Yatetey, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 7DT (0252) 873167
Exhibitions Manager: David Junkison 4 Thames Meadow, West Molesley, Surrey, KT14 6BE (081) 941 0685
Audio Visual Producer: Arthur Dungate 187 Ellerdine Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 2PU No Telephone
Talks Organiser: Janet Greenfield 9 Mistletoe Road. Yatetey, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 7DT (0252) 873167
Press Officer: Dieter Jebens 60 Middle Bourne Lane, Famham, Surrey, GU10 3NJ (0252) 715230
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