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 No. 167 Winter 1994/5
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The Basingstoke Canal has generated interest, activity and controversy, from its inception 200 years ago and latterly from its restoration over the last 28 years since the Society was formed. But in the last few months, so many issues have come to a head that activities must have reached some sort of a peak. We have seen the 200-year celebrations, culminating in the actual 200th anniversary on 4th September and they provided a very fitting tribute to the work done by the Society and the Canal Authority, as well as being fun for a large number of other members of the public.
We have also seen the presentation of the report by Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on the feasibility of restoring the canal back into the centre of Basingstoke. They have concluded that it is quite feasible to do so, and have proposed a number of optional routes. The cost is substantial, but their terms of reference precluded them from assuming that the Greywell tunnel could be restored. Their costs also assumed that all work would be done by contractors rather than volunteers. The use of the tunnel and the help of volunteers would reduce the cost very considerably. Basingstoke and Deane look set to seize this opportunity to bring the benefits to the town centre and make a start soon on at least one section of the last five miles.
Other developments have not been so welcome. The canal will be closed at the Ash embankment for nine months for the building of the aqueduct over the Blackwater Valley Relief Road. But the Canal Authority is taking the opportunity to do as much work as possible on the repair of lock gates and other essential maintenance work whilst the canal is closed.
The Greywell tunnel was the subject of a day-long symposium arranged by Hampshire County Council at Basingstoke on 9th November to consider its future. English Nature produced Dr Bob Stebbings, an international expert on bats, to present an eloquent plea to leave the tunnel as it is to let the bats hibernate in peace. The Society's case was presented perhaps less professionally, but it contained far more convincing evidence that alternative measures could protect the bats, such as the use of partitions in winter, the use of electric boats through the tunnel to prevent pollution, and the building of a special bat cave to provide ideal conditions for the bats. The Society is a conservationist body; we do not wish to see the bats harmed any more than the naturalists do, but we also want to preserve our industrial heritage. The walls of the Greywell tunnel
ring with the labour of those who built it 200 years ago and those who have legged boats through it in the intervening years. We cannot just let it decay. Hampshire County Council are to
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consider this in the New Year; let us hope that they make no decision which would preclude the eventual restoration of the tunnel.
English Nature have notified the whole of the Canal (except for a stretch through Woking) as an SSSI. The Society has consistently argued against such a declaration, and will be protesting in the most vigorous terms that the proposals are unwanted, unfair, impractical and probably illegal. The canal is a navigation, first and foremost. The wildlife has flourished as a result of the restoration. The management plan would unreasonably restrict the use of the canal for many of those who now enjoy it and wish to see it maintained for leisure use as well as for the wildlife. To now impose restrictions would be a slap in the eye for the volunteers who worked so hard to restore it, and without whom the wildlife that English Nature and ourselves are keen to preserve would not have returned and flourished.
Volunteers are the key to all this activity. Volunteers are working hard, restoring the towpath as a footpath at the Western end. They have recently installed moorings at Woking. They could reduce immensely the cost of restoring the canal into Basingstoke. Yet there have been rumours that they are not wanted. How these rumours have originated is a mystery, but they are untrue. Both Paddy Field, the Canal Director, and Tony Harmsworth, the Waterway Manager, have recently and publicly stated that the canal could not be maintained without them. The maintenance of the canal is a collaborative effort between the rangers, the volunteers, the Community Action Scheme and the Hampshire Training team. The volunteers could do more: help build lock gates, for example, and extend the midweek working parties clearing the offside bank which needs urgent work in many places. But let no one say or feel that they are not needed or wanted. It is they who have created a thing of beauty out of an eyesore, a place of leisure and pleasure out of an irritating area of dereliction. The local populace owes them encouragement and gratitude.
Contents
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SSSI | 3 |
| The Last Five Miles | 4 |
| The Angling Angle | 5 |
| Paddy Field - Canal Director | 6 |
| Licence Fees and Letters | 8 |
| Some Young Visitors | 9 |
| Two Rather Special Boats | 10 |
| The Work Programme | 11 |
| 200 Years | 12 |
| The AGM | 13 |
| The 200 Club - and Thanks | 14 |
| Towpath Topics | 15 |
| Gongoozlers Gossip | 16 |
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FRONT COVER PICTURE
A view of the works being undertaken for the aqueduct at Ash Embankment
Photo - Dieter Jebens
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Canal Site of Special Scientific Interest
On 30th September 1994, English Nature notified the whole of the Basingstoke Canal (from the Greywell Tunnel to Scotland Bridge) except for a short stretch through Woking {between Hermitage Bridge and Monument Bridge) as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
The implications of this designation are far reaching: it means restrictions on the number of boat movements, on how dredging is carried out and on many other aspects of canal management. These restrictions are embodied in a management plan, drawn up over the last three years.
The Society has participated in the drawing up of the management plan and has succeeded in obtaining a number of improvements from the original proposals. But we have never made a secret of our opposition to the imposition of the SSSl. Of course we want to preserve the wildlife which has flourished as a consequence of our restoration of the canal, and the record of care with which we and the BCA have looked after the natural aspects of the area since restoration are adequate testament to our concern for the wildlife. But the waterway is primarily a means of navigation, and to have almost 90% of a canal designated as an SSSl and subject to such restrictions is unprecedented. We doubt whether this is an appropriate use of the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
There is a period of four months (until January 1995) during which objections on scientific grounds or representations on other grounds may be raised. Then the English Nature Council will have to decide what to do about these objections and could give final confirmation to the designation by 30 June 1995. The Society will be making strong representations to the principle of such a comprehensive designation, and no doubt this will be echoed by other canal interests throughout the country who will see this as an undesirable precedent.
If you wish to object to the designation of the SSSl please write to your local MP without delay. Any comments must be submitted to English Nature by 30th January 1995.
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The Reverend John Evans, Vicar of Christ Church, Crookham, is a canal buff who gets away on a narrowboat whenever his pastoral duties permit, and he had promised to take the Bishop of Guildford, Michael Adie {pictured right with Pam Wait and Jan Smith aboard Victoria M) across his diocese by water after the Basingstoke Canal had been restored. With the Bishop's retirement imminent, the fulfilment of this promise was becoming urgent, and so John Evans approached a member of the Society for help.
Help was readily forthcoming in the shape of Pam Wait and Jan Smith and their self-built, beautifully appointed boat Victoria M. A two-day trip was planned, from Crookham Wharf through to Woking on 19th and 20th August. Unfortunately the second day had
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to be cancelled at the last moment, because of lack of water through the Deepcut flight. He was greeted at Mytchett by the Canal Director, Paddy Field, who showed him round the exhibition.
The Bishop pronounced himself impressed by what had been done to restore the canal, and thoroughly enjoyed his day. We wish him well in his retirement.
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The engineering study commissioned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on the feasibility of restoring the Basingstoke Canal right back into Basingstoke has been completed by the consulting engineers, Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick, and was presented to the Leisure and Recreation Committee of the Council on 10th November 1994.
It concluded that it was feasible to restore the last five miles from Greywell into Basingstoke. Because of development in some parts, it would not be possible to follow the exact route for the whole distance, but nevertheless the report identified no less than nine possible options, most with a variety of sub-options, giving a large number of possible routes. From this the engineers made a shortlist of four practicable routes, which they designated as follows:
1a. From Odiham Castle through a new tunnel north of the existing Greywell Tunnel, along a new route south of the M3, then crossing the motorway in a culvert to join the original canal around Old Basing and Basing House to the Town Centre. This is closest to the original route, but would cause disturbance to properties in Old Basing and would cost £27m.
1b. Like 1a, but up and over Greywell Hill, with lock flights at each end and a short ([270 yard]) tunnel in the centre. Cost £22m.
3a. As 1a as far as the M3, but then continuing south as far as Dickens Lane and crossing the M3 in an aqueduct. Then it continues through Crabtree Plantation, under the A30 in a culvert, across Basingstoke Common (with locks down-hill) and joining the original route at Red Bridge. This would cause less disturbance to properties, but would cost £28m.
3b. This uses the up and over route
as in 1b, but then crosses the M3 in an aqueduct as in 3a. Cost £22m.
The report estimates the annual operating cost as being £100,000 per annum, but the benefits brought into the area by potential users at some £1m per annum. Water supplies could be adequate: there are several resources which could be tapped, but these would be subject to discussions with the National Rivers Authority. The preferred water source would be a Lower Greens and aquifer, but lock back-pumping would be necessary.
The report recommends that a first stage be started from New Market Square in Basingstoke to Basing House Bridge, a section common to all routes, at a cost of £4.8m and an annual operating cost of £30,000. It could be ready in time for the millennium celebrations.
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The consulting engineers were precluded in their terms from considering the use of the Greywell Tunnel itself, presumably on the grounds that this would disturb the bats which hibernate there in winter. However, the restoration of the tunnel would cut about £9m off the cost of regaining the last five miles, as well as being far more satisfactory from a heritage point of view. The Society has put forward proposals for an alternative bat tunnel. If a bat tunnel can be provided at Ash (at a cost of £50,000) because of disturbance caused there through the building of the Blackwater Valley Relief Road, why not build a bat tunnel at Greywell and allow the canal to pass through the existing tunnel?
The other obvious way of reducing the cost of the Basingstoke proposals is to use volunteer labour for all of the restoration except those parts (like crossing the M3 and A30) which would clearly call for a specialised contractor.
The Leisure and Recreation Committee under its Chairman, Councillor Keith Chapman, has unanimously given the report its approval and is recommending to the Council that further steps be taken to implement the first stage. The proposition is that restoration should start in Basingstoke town centre and proceed eastwards across Eastrop Park to Basing House. Some concerns have been expressed by residents of Greywell, Up Nately and others who may be affected by the route in later stages, and these will need to be taken into account at the appropriate time: but experience on the other 32 miles of the canal which have already been restored shows that the environment can only be enhanced by restoration. Basingstoke and Oeane, and in particular Keith Chapman, who as mayor instigated this move only 18 months ago in his speech at the decommissioning of the Perseverance steam dredger, are to be congratulated on their foresight and initiative in getting this far so quickly.
Water - Ash Embankment
Ash Embankment was closed to navigation on 30th September and the water level from the west (Hampshire) side of the 'cut' to Ash Lock is now restored. Water will be allowed to flow from Hampshire to Surrey, via pumps, under BCA control, as necessary to control water levels in Surrey.
The BCA do not want water passing down the Deepcut flight all the time as they will be replacing paddle frames etc. over the closure period.
It is proposed that navigation will be possible to Frimley until March 1995 when work on Lock 7 is scheduled to begin, Guildford Road Bridge works permitting. Ring (01252) 370073 for information.
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The BC News has previously reported that the Canal Authority was hoping to introduce Grass Carp into the canal in Woking to try to reduce the growth duckweed. Mechanical removal is expensive and not very effective.
At the AGM of the Basingstoke Canal Angling Association (which your Chairman recently attended as a guest) it was reported that the Angling Association had ordered £8500 worth of grass carp for introduction into the pound between the bottom of the Goldsworth (St.Johns) flight of locks and Lock 6, the top lock at Woodham (Sheerwater).
Approval has been given by the
National Rivers Authority and
English Naure;
the only other approval awaited is
from the Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries who have to issue a
licence.
Firstly, 1,000 6"-8" grass carp will be introduced into the canal in April 1995 followed by a further 1,500 10" long grass carp in May. It is expected to take two years before any real effect is seen, as the grass carp have to grow as they feed on the duckweed. In due course, if the experiment is successful, the grass carp will be removed by the Angling Association and sold on to recover their costs.
Pike could be a problem as they will eat the small grass carp. To mitigate this problem, the Angling Association hope to cull the pike to keep them down to reasonable numbers.
Duckweed causes problems to boaters (especially those with water cooled inboard engines and thosee with outboards); it is an eyesore as it collects rubbish, it detracts from the appearance of the canal through Woking and it can be dangerous to children and dogs
who can mistake it for firm ground.
The Angling Association want the duckweed cleared so that proper stocking with fish can take place; at present the duckweed precludes good angling in the Woking pound.
.... and some further points of interest from the AGM of the Angling Association:
A new small colour booklet with all the angling information on the canal has been produced and is available at the Canal Centre and day ticket outlets. Price 25p.
The Association, in agreement with BCA, are installing 1,000 angling pegs along the canal of which 350 have so far been placed in position. We have asked that the ban on fishing in winding holes and between the By-Pass Bridge and Colt Hill Bridge at Odiham should be strictly enforced because of the problems
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that it causes to boaters. The problem here is usually caused by casual anglers (with or without day-tickets) rather than the match anglers.
During 1993/1994 the Association introduced £9,300 worth of fish in the Hampshire pound alone.
Anglers are finding increasing difficulty in fishing the Hampshire pound west of the Barley Mow Bridge due to increasing silt. Hence boater, naturalists and now anglers all require this section to be re-dredged as soon as possible.
Litter problems are still rife and the fishing bailiffs are being asked to redouble their efforts to get both casual and match anglers to remove all their rubbish and discarded tackle.
Concern was also expressed about
the increasing numbers of mountain bikes on the towpath, especially of the competitive kind. In consequence, the Canal Director has decided to change the present notices on the towpath gates to not only ban motor cyclists, but to request cyclists and mountain bikers to give way to walkers and pedestrians on the towpath.
A minority of anglers occasionally resort to unpleasant behaviour (swearing or worse) to other towpath users and canoeists. If a member of a club affiliated to the Angling Association is reported for such behaviour he will be expelled and banned from angling on the Basingstoke Canal.
MID WEEK WORKING PARTY
Mid week Working parties started on 19th October under the leadership of Aubrey Slaughter (Tel: 01252 623102} and will continue in 1995 as follows:
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the
month:
January 4th and 18th
February 1st and 15th.
March 1 st, 15th and 29th
April 5th and 19th.
Please contact Aubrey for the venue and meeting place the day before.
The first task was to start to clear the off-side bank opposite the Aldershot Road weir in Fleet to open out the overgrown inlet which adjoins the Heatherside Infants School playground. The Headmistress, Mrs Sue Findlay had asked us to help with a Nature Reserve for the children so that they could see the canal and boats and also be able to plant waterside flowers. Hart Venture Unit scouts will be digging the silt from the inlet so that swans, ducks and other wildfowl can be seen and fed by the schoolchildren. In 1995 canal-related school projects will be undertaken by various classes. The Society is only too pleased to help like this.
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PADDY FIELD - CANAL DIRECTOR
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From behind his desk Paddy Field can see everyone who comes in or goes out of the Canal Centre. He likes to keep his finger on the pulse of everything that is happening along the length of the canal; during the course of a two hour interview with him only once did he have to call in Tony Harmsworth, the waterway manager, for the answer to a detailed question.
Paddy Field
Paddy has been the Director of the Basingstoke Canal for five years. Before his appointment in September 1989 he had a varied career as an RAF officer, but he has lived close to the Basingstoke Canal for much of his life; his parents lived in West Byfleet, and he had a house in Woking from 1959 until 1971 when he moved to Fleet, so he has seen the canal go through all its stages and has a high regard for those members of the Canal Society who achieved such worthwhile benefits for the whole locality and its environment through their efforts in the restoration. He lived next door to the Kilbys, and saw their steamboat Odiamayde being built in their garage from its inception. It was thanks to Peter Kilby - now sadly deceased - that he learned about the advertisement for the post of Canal Director.
The Basingstoke Canal Authority was formed in April 1990 - six months after his appointment. Initially he had no office, and worked from the front room of his own house. The premises at Ash Lock were never intended as a long-term location, and he is happy to have at last a permanent office alongside the Canal. Paddy displays a hurt surprise at any criticism of the Canal Centre. It was, he explains, funded entirely out of money which was provided by Surrey County Council additional to his budget for maintaining the canal; local firms have sponsored projects for the centre; it brings in a steady but growing revenue; and
most importantly, it brings in hundreds more visitors and people seeking information as compared with Ash Lock. The scale of the 200-year celebrations would not have been possible without the Centre, and these alone brought a profit of £3,000 which goes to help run the canal.
A Balancing Act
The primary function of the BCA, Paddy explained, is "to develop the
canal as a recreational and leisure amenity, with due regard to the natural history interest", and the secondary term of reference is "to maintain the canal throughout its length". The job is much more political than Paddy had expected, a balancing act involving boaters, natural history groups, anglers, towpath users, canoeists, six district councils, two county councils and so on. Tactfully choosing his words, Paddy pointed out that "the casual user doesn't always appreciate both sides of the problem" - and hence criticism of the BCA was often ill-informed. He had said at the Reopening in 1991 that there would be a 5-year period in which the BCA would have to overcome the problems of running a fully operative waterway following the restoration, and we are only three years into that period at present.
The principal problem was still water supply. Two schemes had been implemented: the Rive Ditch supply, which had kept the Woking Pound fully navigable throughout the hot summer; and the Frimley Green scheme which likewise had kept the Mytchett Pound navigable. He acknowledged that in hot summers the supplies of water from these sources tended to diminish just when we needed them most, but was in no doubt that 7-1/2 miles of waterway had been kept navigable as a direct result of these pumping schemes. It was disappointing that the water supply had not been sufficient to keep the Deepcut locks operative, and the BCA was investigating ways to reduce the severe water losses through the flight. But undoubtedly there needs to be a new source of water. The National Rivers Authority guard abstraction of water very jealously, and the main hope lies in the Army's Bourley Hill reservoir. The BCA has commissioned Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick to draw up a properly costed scheme and it will then be necessary for the BCA to consider the costs and negotiate with the Ministry of Defence over the acquisition of water from this source.
Inherited Problems
Paddy contradicted very strongly criticisms which had been levelled at the BCA to the effect that it was not discharging its duty to maintain the canal. Normal maintenance had been done, but there were two inherited problems which could not be classed as normal maintenance. One was the replacement of lock gates at Deepcut: every one of 56 lock gates had to be replaced because they are unsafe for unrestricted operation. They had been patched up in the first year of the BCA as a stop-gap. 6 gates had been replaced last year, and 12 are being replaced this year. The entire maintenance effort this winter is being applied to lock gates to take
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advantage of the aqueduct-building programme. An extra ranger - a carpenter - has been taken on to enhance the existing ranger capacity: rangers can construct lock gates at 20% of the cost of putting the work to contract. The other inherited problem is that of dredging the five miles between the Barley Mow and Greywell. The restoration dredging deliberately did not extend to the margins of the canal, because it was believed then that the plant life would best be protected by not disturbing it. These banks have now slumped to the bottom of the canal, and it is now accepted that the only real solution is to 'clean' dredge. So in effect the BCA has to redredge 5 miles of canal - much more than should normally have to be done in maintenance dredging. Moreover he didn't have a dredging budget, and he now needs planning permission to deposit silt. The BCA identified no less than 36 sites, which were put to the planners: not a single one was approved. Nevertheless they went ahead with seeking planning permission for the Broad Oak site, had a two year battle to get it - and when it was given there were 38 restrictions placed on it which inhibit the hours, use of machinery etc and put up the cost of implementation by £25,000. New waste disposal regulations have come in, though the BCA are applying for exemption with the aid of the Agriculture Development Advisory Service, on the grounds that the silt can actually improve the agricultural land on which it may be deposited - and this will help, but unfortunately not in the Woking area. If no disposal site could be found in that area, Paddy thought that the silt from normal dredging might have to be taken away in lorries - at enormous expense. Meanwhile the only bright hope on the dredging front is that the BCA plans to cutter suction dredge - that is, suck the silt out through pipes directly on to the silt site, instead of
scooping it out with a dredger - to fill the Broad Oak site. This not only permits more silt to be deposited, it also allows the canal to be kept open whilst dredging is in progress.
Money
On the question of finance, Paddy
was slightly more optimistic. On taking up office, his budget was some £300,000, of which the BCA contribution from licenses etc was £11,000. This enabled him to spend per mile only 40% of what British Waterways spend on BW canals. This year his budget is £450,000, of which revenue from licenses etc amounts to nearer £100,000. The spend is still only 60% of the BW level, but at least it is moving in the right direction. The £40,000 per year expected from the Fibreway installation has not yet come on stream and will improve matters further, though the budget will be still far short of what will be needed to bring the canal to a fully reliable operational state.
Volunteers
I asked what his views were on the use of the Society's volunteers, He was unstinting in his praise for what the volunteers had done, and considered them to be vital to the future maintenance of the canal. They, together with the Civic Trust Scheme workers, were doing important work on the bypass weirs, the Woking moorings, the western end. Offside bank clearance was another task where volunteers could help to keep the canal clear. He thought the Society could do more in the way of fund raising: the general public would respond to a charity, but not to a local authority. But volunteers like to do physical work: couldn't they help make lock gates, or even install a back-pumping scheme at the Woodham locks? There was some hesitation here: Paddy was worried about responsibility if something went wrong. Perhaps under supervision......
Relations with the Society were being restored after the recent row over the BCA restructuring. Paddy greatly regretted the dissension, but was in no doubt that it was necessary to reduce the ratio of management staff to rangers, and was convinced that the new structure was an improvement. It was emphatically not a question of personalities.
Future Developments
Asked about future development, Paddy acknowledged the need for more moorings: he hoped to establish a mooring basin alongside the Canal Centre. He would support an extension into Basingstoke provided that he could be satisfied that this would improve - or at least not worsen - the water supply problem. He did not think the SSSI would significantly add to the management problems, though he would not be drawn on what specific action he would propose if the number of boat movements greatly exceeded the numbers in the management plan. The Joint Management Committee he thought needed greater powers to implement its decisions; often the constituent authorities could not deliver in money terms what they had agreed in principle in the JMC. He was disappointed that the aqueduct was going to close the canal at Ash for as long as nine months, and would be watching progress like a hawk to ensure that it was open again on time.
The topic of communication is one which had been raised with him before, and he bridled a little when I suggested there was more that the BCA could do to help itself. "My door is always open" he maintained. Nevertheless he is considering issuing a quarterly newsletter, to let people know what is happening and to help prevent or correct rumours about what the BCA is or is not doing.
Brian Fox
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LICENCE FEES - AND LETTERS
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Boat Licence Fees
Licence fees for operating boats on the Basingstoke Canal are set to increase substantially next year. For boats moored on the canal the annual fee will be some 25% higher than the present level, but there will be a 20% discount to allow for the fact that the canal is closed for the building of the aqueduct at Ash, so the full effect will not be felt until the year after. However, fees to visitors for 15-day or 72-hour licences are planned to rise by around 50%; for example, from £41 to £60 for a 15-day licence for a boat over 40ft long.
A visiting narrowboat from north of the Thames will thus have to pay the BW fee for the general canal system, the Thames transit fee, the Wey navigation fee and then the Basingstoke Canal fee. Most potential visitors are likely to be put off by the prospect of paying four substantial fees. Given that we want to attract rather than deter visitors, that we are putting in moorings at Woking, and that we have a canal visitor centre at Mytchett, there is a case for reducing rather than increasing fees to visitors. The BCA should think again about visitor fees; a bold move like abolishing them altogether would save the administrative cost of collecting them as well as attracting more visitors to the benefit of the local economy.
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Dear David
A few lines to express my appreciation to your Society for all your assistance and participation in helping to make the recent "200th Birthday" weekend celebrations so successful and enjoyable. Of particular value to the various events was making the John Pinkerton available for our trip.
I know that everyone, particularly our French friends, found the whole weekend very pleasurable, and I also believe it gave the programme extra interest in having them with us.
Again my thanks to everyone in your Society who contributed to the success of the "200th".
With kind regards.
Yours sincerely
ALAN RICE
County Councillor
Basingstoke Canal Joint Management Committee
Dear Sir,
One of my greatest pleasures when I visit my daughter and her family in Fleet is to enjoy the wonderful interests of the Basingstoke Canal, cycling along the towpath, taking in the beautiful scenery and watching the abundant wildlife.
The canal is an asset to this part of the country and I marvel at the dedication and effort made by volunteers to restore the canal back to its full glory and navigation. I am a member of the "Hereford and Gloucester Canal Trust" restoration group and take heart from the achievements made by volunteers in your area over the past years.
Although canal restoration is a daunting task it is so worthwhile for present and future generations to enjoy and cherish. It would be such a crime to ever see the Basingstoke Canal slip back into dilapidation.
Yours faithfully
David M. Young
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New Members
Welcome to the following new members:
| Mrs BA Collins | Camberley | Mr & Mrs AGA Standeven | Camberley |
| Mr AM Carroll | Lightwater | Mr NA Johns | Alton |
| Mr NJ Marsh | N. Warnborough | Mr DJ Willis | Basingstoke |
| Mr & Mrs WS Gregory | Camberley | Mrs EA Pearce | Church Crookham |
| Mr A Peters | Hythe, Southampton | Mr M Colwill | Ash Vale |
| Mr GD O'Nions | Farnborough | Mr FEJ Walter | London |
| Mr R Heron | Aldershot | Mr G Bourgoing | Basingstoke |
| Mrs PJ Hill | Fleet | Mr DM Young | Malvern |
| Mr TM Rogers | Aldershot | | |
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On Friday 25th June we had a school outing.
We arrived at school at 09:00, had a drink and biscuits, took off our track suits and went to the toilet.
At 09:30 the coach arrived. We got into our groups, collected our bags and got on the coach.
We arrived at Odiham at 10:00. We got off the coach and walked to the toilets.
Next we walked to the canal, said 'good morning' to the four crew members and got on to the John Pinkerton boat. The crew invited our coach driver to come as well. The canal we were having our trip on was the Basingstoke Canal.
JP crew and young passengers
We put our bags under our chairs and some of us did some drawing. After a little while we turned our chairs round so we could kneel up to see out of the windows. We saw ducks, fish, swans and cygnets, dragonflies, coots, moorhens, water skaters, lily pads and flowers, water reeds and rushes. We saw fields alongside the canal and in the fields were cows, bulls and horses.
One of the crew members came up to the older children and spent quite a while answering their questions.
We went through a tunnel and one crew member had to push on the tunnel walls with a pole to help the boat through. Later we came to a very low bridge, The
bridge had to be raised before the boats could go under, and then lowered again once we were through.
We saw two boats that were house boats. The people on the boats called across to tell us about them. The first boat had four bunks and two hammocks, a fridge, a sink, a
bath, a toilet, a dining room and a kitchen. The second boat slept ten people but there were only six people on board, two of them were children and there was also a dog.
We passed two artists on the canal bank drawing and painting. When we got to the part of the canal where the boat could go no further, the boat had to be turned round by going backwards and forwards several times whilst turning slowly. When the boat had turned round,
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we saw a cob with its wings arched chasing off some ducks to protect the cygnets.
While all this had been happening we had been eating our lunch. At 11:30 the boat was moored up to the canal bank so the we could get off and walk round the ruins of King John's castle. We found two big stones there. We had our photograph taken inside the ruins. We each found a little stone to take home.
We were only allowed 10 minutes at the ruins then we had to get back on the boat. As we were travelling back to Odiham we took it in turns to go shopping.
At 13:00 we arrived back at Odiham and when we were all off the boat one of the crew took our photograph, then we had our photograph taken with the crew.
It was now time to go back on the coach to school. The canal had
been lovely and cool. The coach was hot and we were tired. We got back to school at 13:50 in time for 'home time'.
We all had a very good day.
This is an account from just one of the many happy groups of visitors to the canal who enjoyed the pleasure of travelling on the John Pinkerton. The operation had had a busy season and is set to provide a surplus of £17,000. Unfortunately around £3,500 of the hard earned money, which should
now go to supporting the future well being of the navigation, must be spent on obtaining boatmasters licences for which the Department of Transport charges over £100 for the test, plus medicals for which the local GPs can charge up to £50. While one greedy doctor did so, others made modest charges and at least one in Fleet waived his fee because he admires what the Society and its volunteers have achieved by restoring the canal and said it was his opportunity to make his contribution. Thank you Dr DR Aubrey of Burnside Surgery Fleet - your support is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to the first 10 captains who have passed their test. More will have been examined by the time you read this edition and we hope to have the rest tested before the next year before the new season starts.
Meanwhile efforts are being made to have the DoT charge reduced for registered charities operating canal trip boats. The safety of passengers is, of course, important and it is no bad thing to test the compentence of captains. But for the Government to make handsome profits from the process is nothing short of scandalous.
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An unusual craft at this year's National Water Festival, organised by the Inland Waterways Association on the Lee Navigation at Waltham Abbey, was the sailing barge 'Lady of the Lee'. Unusual that is seen among several hundred narrowboats and cruisers, but entirely at home on the Lee. For she was built tocarry munitions from the gun powder works at Waltham Abbey, and was the last vessel of its kind to be constructed in 1931 at Rotherhithe by Hyman and Oliver specifically for the propose.
Today she is owned by Brian Pain of Rochester Tutors and is skippered by 7 year old Don Grover who worked on the Basingstoke Canal for the duration of the Second World War.
Don Grover
Born and brought in Aldershot, the canal attracted him from an early age. When he left school he worked briefly in Gillingham, Kent, but whenever he came home he was drawn to the barge yard at Ash Vale where, as a schoolboy, he saw the last of the Harmsworth barges being built. It was on one of these visits that Alec Harmsworth offered the 16 year old a job just before Britain declared war in 1939. Don recalls doing every conceivable job connected with operating and maintaining a canal and running a fleet of barges: including hedging and ditching, tree felling,
lockkeeping and generally making
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himself useful around the yard."The old man was a bloody good bloke to work for", Don recalls.
The lighteridge business was then managed by one of Alec Harmsworth's sons, Alexander known as Young Alec. It was under him that Don graduated to taking barges to the London Docks for
timber which was delivered to Spanton's
yard at Woking. he particularly remembers cargoes of Parana pine,
comprising 48ft long planks, 4ft wide and an inch thick, destined for the Vickers factory at Weybridge to be cut into stringers for the construction of Mosquito fighter bombers. He also handled the last few barge loads of wire in 1939, offloaded at Monument
Bridge, Woking, to be made into nails at the Guest Keen & Nettlefold works. In addition they carried grain up the Wey Navigation for William Stevens to mills at Coxes and Stoke mills, and coal to the vulcanised fibre factory at Shalford.
The journey to London took two days. Horses towed the barges from Woking down to Weybridge. There a tug from Clements and Knowling of Brentford took over and they proceeded down to Kingston upon Thames to moor overnight. In the 1920s Harmsworth used his own tugs: 'Primrose' built at Ash Vale and 'Shamrock1 an ex Royal Navy tug. The next day they joined the tideway at Teddington Lock and were towed down to the Surrey Docks. Don would stay on board the barge if it had a cabin, or go home by train on a workman's pass for 2s 3d return fare. Bombing raids on London docks made the trips potentially hazardous, especially if the crew stayed aboard overnight.
As a precaution they would moor on the Thames to avoid becoming a prime target in the docks.
By the end of war Don had seen enough of the 36 mile run to London and left the Basingstoke Canal to take up commercial carrying on Thames sailing barges which nearly 50 years on remain part of his way of life.
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Boats for the Handicapped
The draw in aid of the new holiday boat for the handicapped took place at the final 200th Anniversary event - the boat rally at the Fox and Hounds held on 17th and 18th September. The winner of the chair so beautifully carved by David Gerry came from Bournemouth; the stool was won by our own Roger Cansdale and the spoon by Brian Gandy of the Canoe Club and raised £1,563 for the new boat.
The holiday boat has been ordered and is now under construction at Welton Hythe (near Daventry) by Mike Gration of Greentour Ltd. He was formerly a craftsman with Hancock and Lane who built the John Pinkerton. It will be a 6/7 berth boat, rather resembling the Pinkerton in appearance, having lifts and hoists for wheelchairs, wide doorways, sensitive fingertip controls and many other features to enabled it to be operated by even severely handicapped people and their carers. It will, hopefully, be delivered to the Basingstoke Canal early in the New Year for final fundraising and fitting out.
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The shell of the new 'Boats for the Handicapped' Narrowboat |
page 11
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A varied programme of work for volunteers has been agreed with Tony Harmsworth, the new waterway manager, continuing the work on the Western End, Woking moorings. Lock 11 weir, bankside clearance, bank protection and towpaths.
At the Western End, the drainage works have been completed to divert surface water from above Greywell tunnel into the canal. The gabion wall is some 50% complete at the time of writing.
Piling for the moorings in Woking was completed by the Community Action team under Ken Halls. They laid concrete slabs on top of the piling, with Society volunteers following up with the capping bricks. Temporary bollards have been installed, pending the delivery of the final ones. This was a combined effort by the Community Action team, the Canal Authority and Society volunteers. The mooring is a long overdue facility for Woking, and the final result is a credit to all concerned and an example of what can be achieved when we all work together. Visit Woking and see the transformation for yourself.
If you are interested in joining a work party on the Wilts and Berks Canal on 18th/19th February, please let Peter Redway know; his address is on the back page.
SHCS WORK PARTY PROGRAMME
Leaders:
DJ Dave Junkison 0181 941 0685
DL Dave Lunn 01483 771 294
PJ Peter Jackman 01483 772 132
PR Peter Redway 01483 721 710
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January 1995 |
| 8th | PJ | Bankside clearance, Deepcut |
| 14/15th | DJ/DL | Western End |
| 22nd | PJ | Bankside clearance, Deepcut |
| 28/29th | PR | Westen End or Lock 11 weir |
| February 1995 |
| 5th | PJ | Bankside clearance, Deepcut |
| 11/12th | DJ/DL | Lock 11 weir |
| 18th | DJ/PR | Wilts & Berks visit |
| 19th | PJ | |
| 25/26th | PR | Lock 11 weir |
Note 1:Lock gate replanking will be carried out in conjunction with BCA progress on the Deepcut Locks.
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March 1995 |
| 5th | PJ | Bankside clearance, Deepcut |
| 11/12th | DJ/DL | Lock11 weir |
| 19th | PJ | Bankside clearance, Deepcut |
| 25/26th | PR | Lock 11 weir or Western End |
Note 2: Baseley's Bridge bank protection work and towpath scheduled for March/April
BCA FORWARD MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME, WINTER 1994/5
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1 | The Deepcut Flight
Build and install lower lock gates at Locks 24, 26
and 27
Build and install upper lock gates at Locks 19, 22
and 27
Install paddle frames and paddle boards at Locks
15, 17, 18, 19, 26 and 27
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| 2 | Hampshire
Rangers working with Hampshire Training team:-
Trim offside bank Odiham to Barley Mow
Restore surface at Colt Hill car park access road
Repair fences and trim hedges Odiham to Barley Mow
Rangers working with SHCS volunteers:-
Pile bridge approaches at Baseley's and Stacey's bridges to prepare towpath for refurbishment
Contractors:-
Dredge from Odiham Bypass Bridge to Wilk's
Water |
| 3 | Surrey
Trim bank from Vale Farm flats to Arthur's
Bridge
Phase 1 of offside tree programme below Lock 1
Rangers with Civic Trust Team:-
Install access manholes to upper sluices at
Locks 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19
Refit paddle posts at Locks 12, 13 and 14
Trim towpath from Lock 28 to Railway aqueduct |
| 4 | Woking Town Centre
Dredge area of new town centre moorings (April)
Spot dredging at Lock 6 (pump exit) and from
Chobham Road Bridge to Arthur's Bridge
(The above being dependent on suitable bankside sites being found for silt deposition) |
| 5 | River Wey Junction
Contractors:-
Grit blast and repaint Wey junction footbridge
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page 12
200th Anniversary Celebrations
Odiham, Fleet, and Woking all had their own events, and great fun was had by all. But the main event of the year took place on the 3rd and 4th September at the Canal Centre, Mytchett, coinciding with the date of the original formal opening of the canal on 4th September 1794, We do not have any record of what celebrations there were 200 years ago, but this 2-day event would almost certainly have upstaged them.
It was unfortunate that the Saturday turned out to be wet, in contrast to most of the summer, and hence attendance was limited on that day - which rather dampened the performance of the Hannington's Silver Band and the Yately Morris Men.
But there were plenty of people about on the Sunday, trying canoes, dragonboat racing (was this a first for a canal?), having boat trips, watching the Berkshire Youth Orchestra, the puppet the Victorian Military Display or the Daystar Theatre, having faces painted, and touring the craft stands. The Society had no less than four stands there, the historical display by Jill Howarth attracting particular interest. The Society also ran the barbecue in the evening, always a popular feature, The BCA deserves considerable credit for organising such a fitting celebration, and in particular Annette Weiss on whose shoulders much of the organisation fell. It was enjoyed by all, and in particular by the visitors from France, representing the Canal d'Orleans with whom our canal is 'twinned'.
But particular mention should be made of the Rosebank High School from Wigan. Fifty schoolchildren, ages ranging from about nine to fourteen, and five teachers travelled down by coach at their own expense to put on their musical 'The Bargees', written by one of the teachers. It was a splendid performance, unfortunately not well attended because of the rain. Afterwards, the children bedded down in the canal centre, while the teachers joined Society members aboard the John Pinkerton for some refreshment. It wasn't long before the teachers were giving an impromptu reprise of some of the songs. The children were not to be outdone when they overheard this and they soon abandoned their sleeping bags to come and join in. What infectious enthusiasm they showed: for some it was the first time they had been to the south of England.
Unfortunately they couldn't be persuaded to give a repeat performance on the Sunday, for they would have been too late home - but they did have time for a fun trip on John Pinkerton before they left. Thank you, Rosebridge High School.
NAVIGATIONAL INFORMATION UNTIL 30TH JUNE 1995
Ash Lock is closed for building of Blackwater Valley Aqueduct.
Large boats - Boats resident on the Hampshire pound may use the canal from Ash Lock to North Warnborough as usual.
Trailed boats - Boats may be launched at A325 Farnborough Road slipway or Barley Mow as usual.
Large boats - may use the Mytchett pound from Lock 28 to Ash Wharf Bridge.
Trailed boats may be launched at Potters slipway.
Surrey County Council may start work on Guildford Road Bridge, Frimley in January or February 1995 (date not yet known). This will reduce the navigable depth of this pound from Frimley to Wharf Bridge.
The Deepcut Flight is closed until June 30th 1995 for normal navigation.
Normal navigation will continue (water permitting) from the River Wey to Brookwood (below Lock 15), except for a stoppage at Lock 12 in November for a new sewer and at Lock 7 in April for new gate installation.
page 13
1995 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOTICE is hereby given that the EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING of the SURREY AND
HAMPSHIRE CANAL SOCIETY will be held at the Mytchett Community Centre, Mytchett Road, Mytchett,
Surrey on Saturday 22nd April 1995 commencing at 6.30pm.
All the Society's Directors (known as the Executive Committee) retire automatically each year at the AGM
and are eligible for re-nominalion if they wish to stand. However, the Society Executive Committee needs new blood with new ideas, especially to help with the administrative side of the Society's activities.
With around 2000-plus members, there must be some with time to help run the Society. Even if you do not wish to serve on the main committee, there are many posts that need filling: i.e.
Social Seretary, Exhibitions Organiser, Talks Organiser (for other groups/clubs) and Rambles/Walks
Organiser.
We have had to curtail some activities, especially on the Social side due to lack of organisers, so please
offer your help.
The Society's role of watchdog, guardian and supporter of the canal can only be tackled effectively if members come forward to help. There will always be problems to solve and campaigns to be fought, with
all the changes going on both nationally and locally.
If you would like more information about serving on the Executive Committee (or to volunteer for any of
the other posts) please write to me or call me on (01256) 702109. I will then supply you with a nomination
form which must be returned to me by Friday 9th February 1995.
Hon. Secretary, Philip Riley, Wincombe Cottage, Broad Oak, Odiham, Hampshire RG25 1AH
Grand Draw
This year's Grand Draw has been very successful, raising £1,700 for the Society's work and I wish to thank all those members who helped me by buying and selling draw tickets. The draw took place during the social evening in Woking on 11th October and the results were:
| 1st Prize | Holiday on Galleon Marine boat | Mr & Mrs Steel. ticket no 37715 |
| 2nd Prize | Sunday lunch for two on Lady of Camelot | Mr P Bathurst. ticket no 21978 |
| 3rd Prize | Meal for 2 at Bridge Barn, Woking | Mr & Mrs Pond. ticket no 36587 |
| Whiskey | | Mr W Mackintosh. ticket no 21390 |
| Wine | | Mr & Mrs Edward. ticket no 37493 |
| Book Token | | Mr WT Jones. ticket no 8401 |
| Toiletries | | Mrs A Terry. ticket nob29424 |
| Patio Box | | Mr & Mrs Sayles. ticket no 12208 |
| Book | | Mr P Coles. ticket no 3133 |
| Tea Towels | | Mrs Hardy. ticket no 22697 |
The £20 prize for the most tickets sold went to Mr RW Johnston.
I wish to particularly thank Gordon Muchmore of Galleon Marine, Jill Scratchard of Lady of Camelot Gourmet Cruises and Tony Jones of Bridge Barn Restaurant for their generosity in donating the first three prizes. This is the fifth Grand Draw I have organised and am now calling it a day - I should like the chance to win a prize ! I am sure other members will be willing to continue running this useful and successful fund raising event and I shall be delighted to help them with hints and tips. Please contact me if you want to know more - my address is the same as the membership secretary's - (back page)
- Yvonne Chappell
page 14
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200 CLUB - and our gratitude
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200 CLUB
The 200 Club has been running for some 10 years and has raised over £5,000 for the Society. It started originally as a way of enabling people to contribute to the SHCS even though, for whatever reason, they could not participate actively in its work or social functions. The day the SHCS stops needing money will be the day it stops altogether! So the 200 Club goes on - we hope from strength to strength if 1994 is anything to go by.
We also hope the Club is a bit of fun. Half of all subscriptions are returned to its members over the year through the two-monthly draws. There are currently four prizes in each draw but if the membership grew substantially there is no reason why there could not be more. They could certainly be bigger.
And the cost? Well, it has never changed so it must a real bargain. For only £12 for each annual subscription - and you can have as many subscriptions as your bank manager agrees - you could join the winners like those below.
You can pay each subscription by cheque or through a standing order at the rate of £1 a month. Just complete the form enclosed with this copy of the News. (But please remember that banks charge for servicing standing orders and you may find it cheaper to pay the whole subscription in one
go).
Please send your membership forms, cheques and standing orders direct to Derek Truman (NOT to the bank) at Compton Cottage, 11 Connaught Road, Fleet, Hants, GU13 9RA (01252) 613435.
The 1994 winners are (at the time of going to press):
February: Mrs S J Adye (West Byfleet) £44; Mrs J Hunter (Fleet) £24
Mrs P Gaskill (Old Basing) £12; Mr A Bailey (Aldershot) £12
April: Mr J Potter (Woking) £53; Mrs S A Goddard (Fleet) £27
Mr DV Morgan (Fleet) £13; Mr M Houston (Fleet) £13.
June: Mr P Redway (St. Johns) £53; Mrs P Davey (Fleet) £27
Mr J A Collyer (Woking) £14; Mr G Hedger (Fleet) £14
August: Miss H Connel (Weybridge) £53; Mr R M Adams (Cove) £28;
Mrs K Watkins (Leatherhead) £14 Mr J A Riley (Church
Crookham) £14.
September: Miss P M Ford-Young (Salisbury) £53
Miss M Egan (St.Johns) £28; Mrs E Hooper (Fleet) £14
Mr P Redway (St Johns) £14.
(Some of you may wonder why the prizes increase as the year progresses. The reason is that the amount of prize money reflects the total known membership at the time each draw takes place. As more members join, so the amount available for prizes increases. Please don't deal directly with your bank but rather through Derek Truman.
Slides Talks Organiser
The Society would be grateful for a slides / talks organiser to arrange talks on behalf of the Society to interested groups. Please call David Millett - address and 'phone number on back page - for more information.
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Thanks for......
Newsletter Delivery: to our stalwart band of volunteer distributors and 'postmen' who between them deliver by hand about 880 newsletters four times a year, saving the Society some £680 per annum in postage. In addition 550 newsletters are sent via the Post Office all over the UK; 9 even go abroad. Thanks particularly to Percy Mew and his wife, who, after over ten years' service in sorting and distributing bundles of newsletters in the Famborough/Mytchett area, are taking a well-earned rest. We are grateful to them also for having found a replacement to carry on the good work.
Pinkerton Booking: to Ann Bird for
all the work she has done as Bookings Manager for the John Pinkerton. Carol Munro has volunteered to undertake this task; her address appears on the back page.
Stan and Eileen Meller wish to thank all those who responded to their letter about BCA staffing
Vic Trott Memorial
On a grey and damp Saturday afternoon in December ex Chairman and now Vice President of the Society, Robin Higgs, dedicated a seat in memory of Vic Trott. The dedication of the seat, which is adjacent to the new pedestrian bridge in Woking, was attended by Vic's widow, Shirley, and many Society and Byfleet Boat Club members. There were 15 boats 'jamming' the canal, a sight which brightened up a damp Saturday. (Photo below)
Shirley Trott (centre) with her mother and stepfather enjoting Vic's seat
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page 15
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SALES NOTICES
The following items produced to celebrate the Bi-Centenary of the canal and are still available.
1/2 pint glass tankards £2.50 )
Set of 4 slate coasters £3.50 ) All with the bi-centenary logo
Bi-China dishes £2.50 )
All the above make ideal presents or to keep as a souvenir of 1794-1994.
Available from: 14 Dinorben Close, Fleet, Hants, GU13 9SW. Tel: 01252-617364 (for personal collection, not by post).
In addition copies of London's Lost Route to Basingstoke, Paul Vine's second edition of the story of the Basingstoke Canal, which was reviewed in the last BC News, are available at the special price to members of £12.99 plus £1.50 p&p from the same address.
1995 Calendar
A very attractive 1995 calendar in colour has been produced jointly with the Canal Authority. It is a vertical hanging calendar and features postcards at the foot of each month. These colour postcards can be used separately, if required; they picture the four seasons on the canal. Price £3.00 plus 50p p&p.
Rambles on the Basingstoke Canal
Published by the Canal Authority as the second book in the new colour series (the first was the Wildlife book), the walks were devised by George Hyde of the Ramblers Association and part-sponsored by Woking Borough Council. The walks, however, are spread along the length of the canal. Price £3.00 plus 50 p&p. Available from: John Greenfield, 9 Mistletoe Road, Yateley, Camberley, Surrey, GU17 7DT. Cheques to be made payable to: Surrey and Hampshire Canal Cruises Ltd.
Guide to the Basingstoke Canal
A new edition is in course of being written by Dieter Jebens and it will be updated to include.for the benefit of boaters and walkers, information on facilities along the canal such as shops and pubs.
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Canal Costs
The canal cost £443,903 to run in 1993/4, of which £59,329 was raised by the BCA through licence fees and fund raising activities. Next year the budget provides for the BCA to contribute £99,900 to the running costs. These figures exclude capital expenditure.
Society Volunteer Labour
2464 hours were worked by Society
volunteers over the last year. Volunteer labour is estimated to be worth £60 per person per day, and the total value was estimated to be about £33,000 in the year.
Society Membership
The Society has 2115 members
Newspaper Cuttings
Society Archivist Jill Haworth would welcome cuttings about the canal from any source. If you can help please contact the chairman (address on back page). Prospective correspondents will get paid for the papers they have to buy, but we want cuttings from the "freebies" as well.
John Pinkerton Winter
Maintenance
Interested in the John Pinkerton and want to get involved in helping maintain the JP and help Society funds (the JP will have raised over £200,000 for the Society by the end of 1994) ? There are all sorts of skilled and unskilled opportunities. Please help if you can. Your first move should be to contact Martin Bowers on (01252) 513095.
John Pinkerton Discount for Society Members
Surrey and Hampshire Canal Cruises Ltd (the company operating the John Pinkerton) have offered Society members a discount of £25:00 off charter cruises in April, September and October 1995. Please call Carol Munro on (01252) 811707 for further details.
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page 16
200th Walk
A very successful three day walk was held along the length of the canal to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of the canal. The walk was run by Instep Walking Holidays and hosted by David Millett.
Mytchett Place Bridge
The Mytchett Place Road bridge has been nominated for an award by the Civic Trust. The King's Head Bridge (also sometimes called Guildford Road bridge) is to be built to a similar design: work is expected to start in the New Year and to be finished by Easter.
Aqueduct
Work on the aqueduct over the Blackwater Valley Relief Road started on 30th September 1994. The canal is now cut at that point and is planned to be reopened by 30th June 1995.
Parking
Surrey County Council have acquired land near Pirbright Bridge to serve as a car park for visitors to the canal.
Bye-Laws
[should, of course, be "by-laws"...]
Yet another delay to the long-awaited bye-laws [!] has occurred: they have now been sent back to the DoE.
Boat Licences
The maximum number of boat licences to be issued in 1995 will be 400, plus 50
| | short-term licences per month - the same as in 1994.
Canal Centre
The Canal Centre at Mytchett has been enhanced by a playground area, a nature trail, a working model of a lock and a sanitary station - all financed by sponsors. The trip boat Daydream is based there. Further enhancements planned or under negotiation are an audio-visual display, a barbecue area with picnic tables, a footbridge from the towpath, more moorings on the offside bank and a tearoom.
NRA Survey
The National Rivers Authority has delivered a report on the survey it conducted last year on the fish stocks in the Basingstoke Canal.
Silt Disposal
Hampshire County Council are setting up a working group to study the problem of silt disposal to identify sites throughout the whole length of the canal. Suction dredging has started at the Broad Oak site.
Fleet Towpath
Hart District Council are to provide funds for materials to improve the surface of the towpath throughout Fleet; labour will come from the Community Action Scheme.
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Copy date for Next BC News: 15th February 1995
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: Carol Munro 46 Holland Gardens, Church Crookham, Hampshire GU13 0TB (01232) 811707
Sales Manager: Gill Freeman 35 Holland Gardens, Fleet, Hampshire, GU139NE (0252) 624612
Mail Order Sales: John Greenfield 9 Mistletoe Road, Yatetey, Camberley, Surrey, GU177DT (0252) 873167
Exhibitions Manager: David Junkison 4 Thames Meadow, West Molesley, Surrey, KT146BE (081) 941 0685
Audio Visual Producer: Arthur Dungate 187 Ellerdine Road, Hounstow, Middlesex, TW3 2PU No Telephone
Talks Organiser: Janet Greenfield 9 Mistletoe Road. Yatetey, Camberley, Surrey, GU177DT (0252) 873167
Press Officer: Dieter Jebens 60 Middle Bourne Lane, Famham, Surrey, GU10 3NJ (0252) 715230
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