|
 No. 173 Autumn 1996
page 2
Time present time past
Problems and controversy have beset the Basingstoke Canal ever since it was completed over 200 years ago. Its history is peppered with financial difficulties, natural disasters and dereliction more than once.
The Canal Society's campaign to save the canal has also taken its place in the waterway's chequered history. But the dream that restoration would be the start of a new beginning has yet to be fully realised. Even before the canal was re-opened the Nature Conservancy Council (now English Nature) stepped in and - in the words of Robin Higgs - "moved the goal posts at the eleventh hour". Suddenly the canal became more important as an aquatic wildlife reserve than a navigation. More predictable, perhaps, is the problem of water shortage from which the canal has always suffered but has only now become a matter of real concern. Whether the deficiency will ever be solved remains to be seen. But additional supplies and plans for back pumping conservation will certainly improve the prospects for through navigation without prolonged lock closures.
Management of the canal as a country park and not simply a navigation is also a new development. The Green Report of 1973 proposed that the waterway should be run by a Canal Trust which would have given the Society direct input to its management. The Society never envisaged the canal staff doing anything more than a traditional lengthman's job; costly promotion to attract visitors; a Visitor Centre aimed "to produce a total canal experience" including plans for a lock gate workshop, nor restrictions on navigation proposed by English Nature.
Those who embarked on the restoration project saw the canal as a sufficient attraction in itself first and foremost as a navigation linked to the national network and to serve the local community as an amenity for the quiet enjoyment of fishermen, walkers and anyone attracted by the tranquilly of a waterway.
Times have changed. The mountain bike had not been invented 30 years ago, and match angling was practically unknown. To-day, it seems, the cost of public amenities has to be justified in terms of visitor numbers said to reaching one million a year on the canal. Small wonder that the canal director recently observed: "at times the canal and towpath become congested and tempers can be frayed". Political correctness is the order of the day. Thus when the Society politely
declined to attend English Nature's recent presentation to the Canal Authority of an award for its good management
| |
of the canal as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, our absence was reported as 'blamed on "militant" members of the Society once described as the "champions of the Basingstoke Canal cause"'.
The Society has good reason to remain committed to its cause which has always been to see the canal managed and used as a navigable waterway above all else.
Site of Special Scientific Interest
The Society has been critisised in the Waterways press by an ex-director of the Society for siding with English Nature and The Canal Authority over the SSSI and there has been press coverage of the Society declining an invitation to attend a presentation to the BCA, by English Nature, for their management of the SSSI. Let's be quite clear about this. The Society has always opposed the SSSI but with the powers of English Nature it was thought (quite rightly so) that the only way to ensure that the Management Plan for the SSSI was controlled in some way, was for the Society to be represented on the Management Group for the SSSI. Two important issues that the Society had reversed that were in the original Working Party plan were the banning of boats above Colt Hill and the imposition of a 'double licence' fee for boats operating above Ash Lock. As for the Society declining to attend the presentation to the BCA of an award for their management of the SSSI; this was a directive to the chairman from the committee as a whole; they thought that the BCA should not be recognised for doing a job they were obliged to do by law and the committee also belived that to attend would be hypocritical as the Society is opposed to the imposition of the SSSI on the canal. The naturalists did nothing to assist with the restoration but as 'Johnny come latelys' turned up at the last minute and proposed management restrictions on the canal.
|
Contents |
|---|
| Editorial | 2 |
| Chairmans Comment | 3 |
| Waterwatch | 4 |
| A look back with Les Foster | 5 |
| Woking Winter Talks | 6 |
| Working Party Notes | 7 |
| Letters | 8 |
| The Basingstoke Canal Guide | 9 |
| A look at the last 30 years | 10/11 |
| Eelmoor Reflections | 11 |
| Planning Issues | 12 |
| Book Review | 13 |
| As it was in the Beginning | 15 |
| Newsletter No 1 | 18 |
| Towpath Topics | 19 |
| Gongoozlers Gossip | 20 |
|
FRONT COVER
An Antonov AN-124 makes an approach to Farnborough 1008 over Eelmoor Flash -
Photo: Dieter Jebens
[back to top]
page 3
|
Restrictions on Navigation of the Basingstoke Canal continue, just when the Autumn rains can be expected and water levels improve, work on Guildford Road Bridge is sheduled to start. The navigation will be closed at Guildford Road Bridge on 4th November 1996 until Easter 1997 for reconstruction work. The reconstruction will be similar to Mytchett Lake Road Bridge, creating the appearance of a traditional bridge but strengthened for modern traffic requirements.
The Public Enquiry on the bridge has delayed the reconstruction from last year, unfortunately this year's closure follows the summer restrictions on through navigation and low water levels.
The down side of Guildford Road Bridge closure is that whilst water will be pumped downstream to maintain levels navigation the eastern section of the canal may not be sufficient attraction for visitors from other waterways.
On the credit side the Canal
Authority intend to concentrate on
the Deepcut Locks continuing the
gate replacement programme.
Locks 15,17 and 19 will have new
upper gates fitted and lower gates
will also be fitted at Lock 26.
Gate construction work has
already started at the time of
going to print. Replanking of gates at Locks 16,17 and
18 is also scheduled. Other bridge work affecting
Navigation is the replacement of Iron Bridge {Queens
Avenue), this bridge requires urgent attention and plans
have been submitted for consent to carry out the
works.
The replacement bridge will be identical to the original but with modern materials being used for the traffic carrying part of the structure resulting in marginally reduced headroom. Scaffolding will be required for the duration of the work. The Canal Authority have confirmed that navigation will remain open except for short duration stoppages when removing and replacing steel girders which support the road above.
A chance meeting with the Surrey County Council Bridge Inspection team at Ash Vale indicates that any work is
| |
post 1997, regular inspections will continue so that the bridge condition is monitored.
At the time of writing the sponsored walk is only a week away. It is some years since we last held a sponsored walk. This year we have combined with the IWA, our
30th, their 50th Aniversary. Sponsorship money will be dedicated to the Woodham Backpumping Fund which is supported by IWA and the BCBC.
I am hopeful that large numbers of walkers will enjoy a fine Autumn day for the walk, the organisers have been very busy prior to the event and a good turnout will repay their hard work.
Towpath improvement works in Fleet have been detailed in the Working Party report. This work is sponsored by Hart District Council over a three year period. We are nearing the end of the second year.
Society volunteers and Community Action Team have completed some 4.9km of towpath in the two years; a very good result for the partnership between ourselves and Hart District Council. The Canal Authority have also been a partner in the scheme and have been working on the towpath at North Warnborough and up to Greywell Tunnel.
The improvements are a credit to everyone involved in the partnership. Well done eveyone.
IWALK
Kathryn Dodington (centre), the marshall at Sheets Heath Bridge, checking in Elisabeth and Jean Cornel from Weybridge (SHCS and IWA Members for over 20 years), after their walk from Ash Vale to Sheets Heath Bridge.
Photo - Dieter Jebens
|
[back to top]
page 4
|
WATERWATCH - Threat or Threatened?
|
|
Do you remember "Ratty" in Wind in the Willows - with his brown coat, blunt nose and tiny ears hidden in his fur ? Of course Ratty was not really a rat but a Water Vole.
Water voles were once very common on the waterways of England due to their fondness for slow moving water and earth banks with good vegetation. In recent years the number of water voles has seriously declined and this is causing considerable concern in ecological circles. The decline is thought to be a combination of predation by American Mink, changes in bank management and more intensive agriculture.
The burrows of water voles appear as a series of holes along steep banks, some at water level and some above, ensuring an escape route if conditions change. You can often find heaps of cylindrical droppings near the burrows or where the voles enter or leave the water. Sometimes you will see water vole "lawns" where they have grazed the vegetation short or feeding stations of neat piles of grass or reed. They leave distinctive footprints in the mud with five toes on the hind foot whilst the four-toed forefoot leaves a star pattern. They are active during daylight particularly in the early evening as they search out their vegetarian food, consuming about eighty per cent of their body weight each day. These little creatures have unfortunately a very short life.
Although they produce several litters a year of 3 to 7 young very few survive the second winter.
If a large colony is established on a bank it could cause a lack of stability and have a negative effect on the structure of a waterway. There is even a suggestion that the presence of water voles was responsible for the final breach which closed the Montgomery Canal. However the canal was already in sharp decline and probably inadequate maintenance was a major contributor. The degree to which voles could be problematic depends on the numbers present together with the quality and shape of the bank and therefore waterways managers need to assess sections individually.
The provision of metal piling to repair banks eroded by wash effectively changes the habitat of the area and has resulted in the disappearance of some water vole colonies. British Waterways which under the 1995 British Waterways Act has a duty to further conservation is now experimenting with new methods of bank protection to minimise the use of metal piling and maximise opportunities for vegetation to be re-established. The
| |
provision of tubes through the banking
on the Oxford Canal to enable the voles to reach their burrows is still being evaluated. BW has asked the public to help in identifying colonies on their canals so
that when maintenance is being planned the presence of voles can be taken into consideration. Meanwhile the Environment Agency is setting up a two year research project in association with Oxford University which will involve electronic tagging to study their behaviour.
We are lucky to have a number of water vole colonies on the Basingstoke Canal. They can but add to the diversity of wildlife we are privileged to see but this does necessitate a fine balance between conservation and the management of an active navigation.
As in other places there has been a marked decline in numbers of voles present mainly attributed to visiting mink, seizure of the young by pike and disturbance from increased activity around the canal. The water voles are not considered to pose any problem as they are not burrowing in vulnerable sites such as embankments. Rats, badgers and foxes also make holes in the bank and the presence of rats in numbers in the Woking area has posed a much greater threat to bank stability necessitating their removal and reinstatement of the bank. The presence of water voles is continually monitored by the rangers and wherever possible in rural areas natural material for bankside protection is used . It is hoped that these fascinating little creatures will continue to give pleasure on our canal for many years to come.
Glow Worms
Have you seen any glow worms along the canal ? There used to be a colony of them at the east end of Ash Aqueduct. If you have seen any of these wonderful creatures please contact Robin Scargill, 1 Milverton Drive, Ickenham, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB10 8PP who would be delighted to hear from you.
|
[back to top]
page 5
|
A LOOK BACK with LES FOSTER
|
|
Taking pride of place in the sitting room of Les Foster's home is the lovely painting presented to him on his retirement from work on the Basingstoke Canal. The picture is of the top of the Deepcut Locks, a reminder every day of the happy days he spent at the Lock Cottage.
Les didn't start out as a canal man. After a spell in the Royal Engineers he began work on the railways in the North developing an affinity with steam engines that he has never lost. On transferring from Yorkshire to Guildford he lived in the railway junction cottages alongside the canal down from Curson Bridge and worked as a fireman driver. Spare time was spent along the canal bank where he got to know Bert York who lived in the cottage at lock 28. In 1957, as the steam days drew to an end and increasingly suffering from asthma Les heard that Bert was to move to the lock cottage in Woking that used to be opposite Bridge Barn. He put in for Bert's job as lock-keeper/ lengthsman at Deepcut and at 10 shillings more than he was getting on the railway became an employee of Mr Cooke's New Basingstoke Canal Company. At this time there were four lengthsmen helping in the maintenance of the canal but towards the end of the NBCC ownership Les worked alone pedaling along the towpath to cover as much of his bankside as possible. The main task was to keep the canal safe for insurance purposes. There was little money forthcoming for repair work and maintenance was completed with odds and ends of plywood and sheeting. Once when Les informed the company of the necessity to repair the handrails on the bridge above the top lock instructions were given to chop some trees down.
Moving boats were rare but it was necessary to keep the water flowing to feed the house boats at the bottom end which were beginning to be converted. Weed cutting was essential but equipment was limited. In the early days, if the weed was thick Les and Bert would use hand knives consisting of about 20
scythe blades bolted together to cut through the weed. They would walk down either side of the canal pulling the blades through the water. It was not easy work particularly as the off side bank was frequently fairly impenetrable. Grass cutting was another time consuming task
with the work being done by grass hook and scythe until the great day came
| | when Mrs Marshall, who was General Manager, supplied a hand mower. Sometimes it was necessary to sheet over the lock gates to make passage of water possible. Much time was also spent walking the banks and checking for leaks. Sometimes the voles made holes through the banks and Les and Bert would dig out a trench and fill in with clay. The voles nearly always came back but as Les has described the pleasure he got from watching their antics in the bank opposite the lock cottage one feels that he didn't really mind.
In winter when the canal filled up it was often necessary to drop the water down to take the rain. Les quickly learned to judge when this was likely and so avoided too many late night journeys. Probably the worst thing that happened during Les' sojourn on the canal was the flood when the bank burst at Aldershot in September 1968. Ron Harmsworth was called out first as he was nearer. By the time Les got there the water was half gone and by tea time it had drained completely. Mr Cooke had a concrete dam put across below the lock which then prevented water getting to the lower levels.
By now the Canal Society was in being and Les remembers the furore the first volunteer weed removers caused and the way in which, in spite of the resulting ban, volunteering crept in and began to grow with his blessing. He remembers too the way in which things changed so rapidly once the councils took over, the arrival of the machinery, giant tractors, drag-lines, hi-macs and the jubilee railway. The pace of change was assisted by the Big Dig at Deepcul with 500 or so volunteers from all over the country. Les recalls vividly the sight of two brawny Scotsmen, kilts and all, carrying planks down the flight.
Although he has worked thirty years on the Basingstoke Canal Les did have a brief but interesting couple of years away working as a carpenter for British Waterways at Stoke Brueme. It was just at the time the mill was being converted to a museum and he quickly became involved in making showcases for the artefacts and in getting the butty Sunny Valley inside the museum. His wife Mary meanwhile was busy crocheting
for the butty cabin. In the year Les went to Stoke Bruerne 147 pairs of boats worked their way through the locks. Two years later it was down to 30. His days on the Grand Union ended when Mrs Marshall visited the museum by cruiser and encouraged his return to the Basingstoke - a loss for Stoke Bruerne but one of good fortune for the canal as his wise counsel was so much valued in the years up to the opening.
Now in retirement Les continues to enjoy life to the full with time to spend on his hobby; painting and looking for pastures new in his motor-caravan. We wish him well.
|
[back to top]
page 6
Work Party Dates and Venues
| 20th October | PJ | Offbank Hermitage | 14th December | | |
| 26th/27th October | PR | Western End | 15th December | PR | Tugs and Barges |
| 2nd November | DJ/DL | Woodham Locks (1-6) | 22nd December | PJ | Off bank Hermitage |
| 3rd November | PJ | Offbank Hermitage | | | |
| | | 4th January | | |
| 9th November | | | 5th January | DJ | Deepcut Locks |
| 10th November | DJ/DL | Woodham Locks (1-6) | | | |
| | | 12th January | PJ | Offbank Hermitage (or Brookwood) |
| 16th November | | | | | |
| 17th November | PR | Tugs and Barges | | | |
| | | 18th January | |
| 23rd November | | | 19th January | PR | Tugs and Barges |
| 24th November | PR | Western End | | | |
| | | 25th January | | |
| 7th December | DJ | Woodham Locks (1-6) or St Johns | 26th January | PR | Western End |
| 8th December | Offbank Hermitage | 1st February | | |
| | | 2nd February | DJ/DL | Deepcut Locks |
|
1996/7 Woking Talks
The editor apologises to all non Woking members of the Society for not being able to publish details of Arthur Dungate's firsf winter talk this year. Suffice to say that an extended trip to Australia was mainly to blame.
However here is the list of what Arthur has in store for you this winter:
November (Tuesday 12th)
A day in the life of a Thames Tug with Richard Thomas.
December (Tuesday 10th)
Special Informal Social Evening. This evening will include a short presentation of recent restoration work carried out by IWA and WRG; work permitting this presentation will be given by Mike Palmer.
January (Tuesday 14th)
Steam in the States with Robin Higgs
February (Tuesday 11th)
The Old Palace Site - Old Woking Stream with Steve Dyer
March and April details will be advised in the next Newsletter
|
page 7
|
The demise of Ken Halls' Community Action Teams resulted in_signicant changes for our volunteer work parties. On the wrong assumption that Ken's teams would continue, we had agreed wilh Hart District Council that we, the Society, would continue the towpath improvements at Fleet.
Work schedules were rearranged so that volunteers would work two long weekends a month, other work parties were scheduled for Tug repairs and repainting, also maintaining a presence at the Western End.
The mud barge at Zebon Common Swing Bridge
Photo Peter Redway
Work at Fleet involved Friday to Monday work parties; Friday was mainly preparation and delivery day for materials and plant and Monday was mainly offhire day. Working from Coxheath Bridge to the Coalpens, Malthouse Bridge to the Coalpens and then Coxheath Bridge to the Fox and Hounds prevented damage to surfaced towpath. Stone deliveries were made at the Coalpens, maximum capacity 100 tons, and also near the Fox and Hounds, maximum capacity 40 tons.
A shuttle service of dumpers between the Coalpens and the Fox and Hounds required full safety measures, roadsigns, cones, advance warning signs, rotating beacons on dumpers and excavators and high visibility vests for drivers. The Police reaction was interest and advice, without any adverse comments.
Malthouse Bridge westwards was a logistical problem, bridleways, bridge weight limits and 20 ton delivery vehicles do not mix. The Tug Sapper was back in service the weekend prior to being used at Fleet. Its initial trial was to collect a barge from Winchfield and return it to Fleet.
| |
Minor ajustments to the forward drive were required
before the tug returned to Ash Lock. The following Friday a second barge was taken to Fleet, a third followed the next Friday.
Roadstone delivered to the Coalpens was loaded into barges and transhipped to the swing bridge and later Poulters Bridge for unloading. This was carried out by excavator into dumpers and thence to the towpath for tipping levelling and compaction.
The last work party for towpath work this year was on the weekend 11th - 14th October when we finished at Chequers Bridge.
This summer we will have strimmed and prepared some [1.36 miles] of towpath, repaired bank erosion and double handled some 500 tons of roadstone. Hart District Council have financed the project with purchase of materials, hire of plant, excavators, dumpers and roller. We have provided the labour, work party support and fuel. The Canal Authority have also been working on towpath improvements at Greywell and North Warnborough, again in partnership with Hart District Council.
In closing I wish to thank all the volunteers involved in the tugs and towpath works for their Stirling efforts and support, also for the excellent standard of workmanship.
Looking towards the coming months, I have prepared a work program for offbank clearance using support barges, continued renovation of our second tug and a return to the Western End if finance for Slades Bridge is confirmed.
Work Party dates and venues follow, please contact the Work Party Leader before the day as changes can occur.
Work continues on the towpath - Photo Peter Redway
|
[back to top]
page 8
|
The last issue of Basingstoke Canal News resulted in a great number of letters all of which deserve their own space .....
Dear Editor
Right of Navigation
I am sorry to read in the Summer edition of Basingstoke Canal News Paddy Field's ill informed article about the right of navigation.
The question of whether rights of navigation conferred on commercial craft extend to pleasure craft has been considered by the courts in conjunction with other canals. Whilst it is true to say that one has to look at the exact legislation for any particular canal, it is generally recognised that rights for commercial craft include rights for pleasure craft.
It is a basic matter of law that rights enabling potentially more damaging use of waterways also includes rights to use craft causing potentially less damage. This principle is covered in general highway law. For example, the right to drive a motorcar along a road includes the right to take a bicycle along the same road.
The way forward is, as Mr Field has said, through consultation and agreement. Frankly, what is the point in public money being spent in maintaining publicly owned waterways if the public can not use boats on them?
Yours faithfully
JC Dodwell
The Inland Waterways Association
Dear Editor
Basingstoke Canal, Right of Navigation.
The first time in recent years that the "Right of Navigation" was queried on the Basingstoke Canal was in the early 1950s, with the lowering of both Pondtail and Reading Road South Bridges.
The IWA, through Robert Aikman, obtained Counsel's advice from a Mr Christie who advised that the right still existed. However the Council at the time (Southampton) sought their own opinion and, suprise, suprise, this was the exact opposite; that the right no longer existed. Both copies of these opinions are now held in the records at Winchester. How we ever managed to retain a headroom of 5'10" under these bridges is another (interesting) story.
Most of our navigable waterways in this country no longer retain the "Right of Navigation" however they are managed by bodies who treat the passage of craft, even though it be leisure craft, as their prime importance and major income. Since the opening of the Basingstoke Canal we have seen a considerable number of long term closures and the threat from English Nature that boat movements must be curtailed. Even the latest closure notice that the Aqueduct will be closed for the first two weeks in November every year to check the seals is only applicable to this canal, BW have considerably more aqueducts including several new ones but do not close their navigations for this reason. I can understand why Society members are concerned that if a Right of Navigation still exists, why are these rights being eroded. If the JMC treat the canal, firstly as a navigation and not a linear country park, the need to prove any rights would not be required. Unfortunately, at the
| |
moment, this does not seem to be the case.
Yours sincerely,
Brian Percy, Region Chairman.
Dear Editor,
I think that you treated Professor Davis rather too kindly. I'm sure that most of your readers, like me felt that it was absurd for him to talk of rehabilitating a canal as if it had nothing to do with boats. Why was it there in the first place? And really, for anyone to talk of 'using it as a kind of skating rink', and 'making it into another motorway for floating vehicles' doesn't make the letter even worth answering.
Canals have been restored all over the country. They not only offer leisurely holidays for people, but in particular provide new havens for wildlife, both moving and growing, where otherwise they would be derelict messes.
Some of us are becoming fed up with those who think as Professor Davis apparently does, and the Basingstoke is one of the main targets for such nonsense. Those who worked for so many years to restore it for "its beauty and scientific interest", as well as for peaceful boat users, must be forgiving souls when they see such blatantly biassed attacks. A cruise on any canal would prove that there is a mass of life along it, peacefully coexisting.
Yours sincerely, John Gagg
Dear Editor
As a society member for 12 years and a regular tow path walker and canoeist, I was pleased to read Professor Davis' views in the last newsletter. I support the restoration of the canal, as far as Greywell but I do not believe this Society should appear to only represent the interests of power boat users. The canal is used and enjoyed by far more walkers, bird watchers and anglers
than boaters. That is good. If more cyclist are using the towpath. then as long as they are well behaved, that is also to be encouraged. A lot of public money has been spent on the canal and we are all tax payers.
The question of nature conservation is not a simple one. Everywhere, rare wildlife is declining before modern living. When English Nature listed the canal as an S.S.S.I., they had no choice. It was their statutary duty to do so. I believe the Society was wrong to oppose the listing. We were made to appear as a rather selfish sectional lobby.
I have no doubt that a reasonable number of boat movements are compatible with most of our wildlife but things must be very carefully monitored. Ultimately, if a rare animal or 'Red Data Book' plant is threatened, it must have the benefit of the doubt and boating must be reduced. An extinct plant can not be en-extinguished. Finally there is the vexed question of the tunnel. My experience as a caver leaves me in no doubt that human activities can drastically effect bat populations.
Greywell is a bat refuge of international importance and should not be touched at present. It may be possible to construct artificial bat winter roosts, possibly in pill boxes. Even then, until considerable numbers of all species involved are seen to have moved, the tunnel must stay as it is.
Yours Sincerely
Maurice Hewins
|
page 9
Trip to Odiham Woods
The trip to the above woods on Monday August 22nd, was a complete success. The weather was all that could be desired, and the boats were filled with a happy company, numbering about 160. After about a three hours trip along this lovely part of the Basingstoke Canal the party duly arrived at their destination, where they thoroughly enjoyed themselves with cricket, games etc., till four p.m. On arriving at the rendevous at this hour, the company found a capital tea laid out in the woods awaiting them, to which, we need scarcely add, ample justice was done.
The return journey commenced at five o'clock. The Fleet Brass Band, which accompanied the party, under the competent counductorship of Bandmaster MacAlister, considerably enlivened the day's proceedings with an excellent selection of popular music. On arriving at Reading Road Bridge the band played 'Auld Lang Syne' and a most enjoyable day was brought to a close by the band playing the National Anthem. The profits, amounting to £2-12-0 have been handed over to the Foresters' New Banner Fund. The committee are to be congratulated upon the success which has attended their efforts.
From The Fleet Recorder and Crookham and Hartley Wintney Advertiser. No 79, September 1892. Price one penny, Issued Monthly.
Thanks to Pamela Scarborough, Archivist of the Fleet Baptist Church (Fleet's oldest Church) for supplying this article.
| |
Guide to the Basingstoke Canal
By Dieter Jebens. Published by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society and the Basingstoke Canal Authority. Maps, layout and design by GEOprojects (UK) Ltd. 28 pages, A5 size.
Members will recall that the last edition (the 3rd.) of the previous (blue covered) guide was published by the Society in 1989 and has been out of print for the last few years.
This new joint publication by the Canal Authority and the Society, and excellently edited by Dieter Jebens, our Press Officer, is in full colour with maps by GEOprojects, who are the publishers of the popular Basingstoke Canal Map.
Featuring clear maps showing all the main features of the canal and a text which covers all the historical and current information required by the canal user, be they boater or walker, this will prove to be a popular companion for all those who wish to explore the canal.
Details and telephone numbers of all the local pubs and inns are shown and a page at the end shows the boating facilities, organisations and a
bibliography.
Canal mileages and a location map are included inside the front cover and
the guide features twentyfive excellent colour photographs which give a full flavour of the attractions of the canal, including the section west of the Greywell Tunnel to Basingstoke.
This new publication completes the trio of colour canal publications, the two previous ones being the Rambles and Wildlife guides. Why not purchase it for yourself or as an ideal Christmas present for a relative or friend. Available by mail order at £3.95 (inc. p & p) from: Alec Gosling, 12 Mole Road, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 4LU. Please make cheques/postal orders payable to The Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society Ltd.
David Millett
|
[back to top]
page 10
|
LOOKING BACK - over 30 YEARS
|
(above)
(top left): A derelict lock chamber in the 1960s
(top right): Clearing the canal bed between Winchfield and Odiham in 1973
(centre left): Perseverance filling a train in Swan Cutting
(centre right): Perseverance at Colt Hill
(bottom left): Towpath Railway Supply line. Seen in hard hats (left to right) are - Stan and David Meller, John Peart and Andy Meller
(bottom right): Workers on a training scheme unloading bricks at Lock 25 in 1978.
| |
(top):
Volunteers clearing Broad Oak Bridge hole
. .
(middle):
Perseverance being prepared to go under Barley Mow Bridge
. .
(bottom):
Cowshot Bridge, Pirbright, being restored under the direction of Frank Jones.
|
[back to top]
Page 12
EELMOOR REFLECTIONS
Eelmoor Reflections
Eelmoor Flash has probably reflected more aeronautical history than any other single place in the world. It seems incredible that, as local people stood on Eelmoor Hill to watch the extraordinary shape of the Stealth Bomber pass over the Basingstoke Canal at the start of this year's Farnborough Air Show, less than 90 years ago a crowd of specatators stood on the same hill to see Samuel Cody make the first prolonged powered flight in England.
America's advanced bomber made the 21-hour non-stop return trip from Wightman's Air Force Base in Montana as a routine flight. On 29th August 1909, Col Cody managed a 9-1/4 minute flight of 8-miles around Long Valley, Jubilee Hill and Claycart Common. Since then most of Britain's aeroplanes and many from around the world have passed over Eelmoor Flash. (Photo shows Cody's later float plane under test on Eelmoor Flash)
page 13
Builders yard, opposite the wharf, Colt Hill, Odiham
|
Earlier this year the Society complained to Hart District Council about the increasingly untidy mess of building materials between the workshop/storeroom and the canal immediately adjacent to Colt Hill Bridge, Odiham. The original planning permission in 1982 had a condition that all building materials must be stored within the workshop/ store.
| |
The Builder's yard at Colt Hill
Photo David Millett
|
Hart Council stated they were unable to taken enforcement action due to the timelag since permission was given. However the owners of the land have now applied for a Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing Use but we have objected to the extent that in future any permission should state that building materials, if stored in the open, should be kept on the other side of the workshop/store building, i.e. the other side away from the canal.
Chicken Farm, near Broad Oak Bridge, Odiham
An application was submitted to Hart District Council, but subsequently withdrawn, for two fields behind the towpath, on the Colt Hill side of Broad Oak Bridge, to be used for free-range egg production with thousands of hens. One of these fields was abutting the towpath to the west of the silt disposal site.
In view of the fact that the canal is a Conservation Area the Society did submit an objection.
John Pinkerton celebration
A number of regular crew helped Joe Lyons celebrate his 80th birthday recently. Pictured here from left to right are Joe Lyons, Mike Hammersley, Marion Gough, Hugh Gough and Chris Guthrie. The John Pinkerton has had a difficult season with a number of engine related problems but the number of trips was on a par with last year. A fuller report on John Pinkerton Operations will appear in the next [issue] of this Newsletter. | |
Photo - Dieter Jebens
|
[back to top]
page 14
|
AS IT WAS IN THE BEGINNING
|
|
This article first appeared in the 20th Anniversary issue of Basingstoke Canal News. It is as relevant now as it was then and is reproduced for the benefit of those members who have joined the Society since 1986. The article was written by the then Editor Dieter Jebens.
When you could post a letter for
4d .... and buy a new Mini for £524-7s-11d; when the late Harold Wilson was Prime Minister and the new film at the Odeon was Those Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines'. The year was 1966.
In the same year, the following letter, dated 23rd August, appeared in the Farnham Herald and other local papers.
'Sir
Having spent a few days of my holiday walking the Basingstoke Canal, I am wondering if the local people appreciate what an amenity they have on their doorstep. It would appear that many are apathetic and treat it as a convenient rubbish dump; however I know that several people are interested in its possible restoration - although at the moment, due to vandalisim and the canal Company's lack of finance, it is still deteriorating. I feel the time is ripe to form a Basingstoke Canal Restoration Society so that a start could be made removing debris and clearing the towpath. Perhaps it might be possible to reopen it for navigation. If anyone is interested perhaps they would be kind enough to write (enclosing a stamped addressed envelope) and a possible meeting can be arranged if there is sufficient interest. Yours Faithfully
EJ Woolgar
56 Connaught Crescent,
Brookwood, Woking, Surrey'
At the time thoughts of restoring the canal were restricted to reports promoted by the Inland Waterways
Association. One such proposal, prepared by John Marriage, a Planning Consultant to the Association, latched on to the new town development of Basingstoke as a good reason to restore the canal even as far as Basing Park, a mile short of the Town centre (the M3 of course was still only on the drawing board).
A vastly more detailed and strictly confidential 37-page report, requested by Surrey County Council, was compiled by David Cooper and Philip Ogden, both qualified Engineers experienced in waterways, and Tim Dodwell, a Solicitor with detailed knowledge of the canal. The document was dated July 1965. It estimated that the restoration of the canal from the Wey Junction to Greywell, on a 'willing contractor' basis would cost £43,000 which could be reduced with the use of volunteer labour. The report also introduced the concept of an autonomous management by a Commission, supported by a Canal Trust to be the 'moving spirit' behind restoration in motivating public support and raising funds for the project. The vital aspect which the report deliberately did not address was the question of change of ownership which was to prove key to restoration.
As a member of the IWA, and a canalside householder of Brookwood, Jim Woolgar gazed frustratedly upon the blanket of duckweed at the bottom of his garden. Conscious of the canal's amenity potential, and a radical by nature, he bombarded the IWA's London and Home Counties Branch with demands for more action to stem the increasing rate of deterioration. But the branch committee maintained a low profile. Their report remained 'top secret', and they were no doubt aware of the delicate situation that lay in the proposal which the Owner was later to condem as preposterous.
According to Hugh McKnight, a member of the London and Home Counties Branch committee, Woolgar's persistence became insufferable to a point when he was told to form his own organisation if he wanted more action.
The letter Jim Woolgar wrote to the Press attracted some 50 replies: from these he contacted 'a nucleus of enthusiasts' to form a working committee.
The selected group met for the first time on Friday 23rd September at 56 Connaught Crescent, Brookwood at the time honoured time of 8:00pm. There was David Gerry of Fleet who became the Society's first Chairman; Paul Dyson, a student from Ash; Les Harris of St John's, a Quantity Surveyor; Robert Harris (no relation), an Architectural Student from Farnham who crusied 500 miles
| |
of the Inland Waterway's system to gain material for his book 'Canals and their Achitecture', and designed the Society's logo; Dieter Jebens who was 'something in advertising'; John White of Guildford whose father was a working boatman on the Wey; a Mr W Robinson who did not pursue active participation after the first meeting; Jim Woolgar, an Engineer with Permutit and his wife, now Flo Flemming, who was equally committed, if less vocal, to saving the canal.
At the first meeting with the Managing Director with the New Basingstoke Canal Co Ltd., Mr Sydney Cooke, and his Solicitor, Mr Harry Swailes, in November, Jim Woolgar realised, perhaps, the profound difficulities that lay ahead - even to achieve the agreed short term objectives - 'to seek to enhance the appearance of the Canal, keep water in the pounds and prevent further decay'.
For a start Mr Cooke objected to the the name 'Basingstoke Canal Restoration
Society'. He also took exception to the aim of achieving full restoration and was
vehemently opposed to any form of publicity !
The first meeting of interested members, numbering 50-60 people, was held on 1st November at Brookwood Memorial Hall. In a effort to promote a
basis for co-operation with the Owner, reference to the Basingstoke Canal was deleted and the objects of the Society were broadened 'to enhance the appearance of local waterways' and aim 'to seek the co-operation of the Owners, Trusts, Boards and other such official bodies ,,,,..'. The name of the Society was also changed to avoid any perceived association with the Canal Company.
Newsletter No 1, a duplicated quarto sheet, came out in January 1967, and so the Society was born.
A brief account of the next seven years, campaigning for public ownership and a policy of restoration, appears in our book 'Basingstoke Canal Restoration'. It was a switchback period with depths of depression, when a successful outcome seemed doomed for ever, interspersed with highlights of achievement, A typical 'crest' was the following letter Dieter Jebens received from the late David Pumfrett, Chairman of Hampshire's Recreation Committee, who spent many hours listening to us attentively and sympathetically.
'29th May
Dear Mr Jebens
Many thanks for your letter. Since coming on the Wey Canal excursion Mr Martin (Deputy Clerk to HCC)and I visited Sir Howard Roberts at Kingston and had a thorough discussion about the Basingstoke Canal with him and two of the Surrey CC Officers. We agreed that the two counties should examine the future policy on a joint basis so that as soon as the canal is acquired the minimum amount of time would be taken before action started. At the same time Hampshire CC are being asked today to agree to spending an unspecified further sum on a detailed investigation of the Hampshire length of the canal particularly in reference to water sources, repairs of breaches and viability of overflows. In this connection I will pass Mr Ogden's name to our officers and it may well be that he will be of use.
I am sorry that this project is taking so long to get off the ground. I can only say that, in present financial circumstances it is extremely difficult to launch any new projects particularly when they obviously involve the spending of a consideranble, as yet incalculable, sum of money. I feel sure this one is a starter if it can be demonstrated that there is a large and determined
public demand. I am myself convinced of this, but democratic procedures require that a majority of individual councillors should be persuaded that this is so.
Yesterday our County Land Agent (Mr Bosney) went to Kingston with Mr Martin to meet Surrey CC Officers for further discussions about the canal. I have not yet heard what took place.
I hope this shows that, though little appears on the surface at the moment, things are in fact in motion and at least two Committee Chairmen concerned are equally anxious that the canal should be acquired and to use for recreational purposes.
Yours Sincerely
DG Pumfrett
The Laundry House,
Twyford, Hampshire'
|
[back to top]
page 15
|
London's Lost Route to the Sea by P.A.L. Vine. Published by Middleton Press. Price £16.95
This new edition of the first of Paul Vine's triology of London's Lost Route series brings the reader right up to date. First published in 1965 by David & Charles, this fifth edition updates the chapter on the Wey & Arun Canal Trust from its formation as a society in 1970 to its as yet unsuccessful bid for a Millenium Fund grant made earlier this year. Whereas the previous chapter was headed 'Future Indefinite', the author observes that, with restoration now in progress, and the canal already navigable at Loxwood with a trip boat service, the prospect of reopening the 18-1/2 mile long canal, linking the Wey and Arun navigations, looks much more promising.
Paul Vine - Photo Dieter Jebens
Although this latest edition is published in softback, no economies have been made on the contents covering 322 pages with 151 maps and illustrations.
| |
The
fruits of Paul Vine's interest in tranport history and particularly
waterways, the depth of his research which started as a child over 50 years ago and his engaging and lucid style of writing makes the reprint of this definitive history of the Wey & Arun Canal so welcome. The development of the Arun navigation as early as 1545 and
the Wey a hundred years later, made a canal link between the two an attractive commercial concept. Sponsored by the 3rd Earl of Egremont and opened in 1816, the canal's trade fell below expectations. The Portsmouth and Arun Canal, opened in 1823, did increase trade but the need for transhipment and cargoes restricted to 30 tons meant it was easier and more economical to use Channel coasters to London. Like the Basingstoke, trade relied on local developments and the Wey & Arun enjoyed a period of prosperity in the 1830s but, as with the Basingstoke, it suffered water shortages on the summit pound and competition from better roads and then railways so that it finally closed in 1871.
The author devotes an interesting chapter on pleasure boating, such as a trip made by [a] young lady who was reprimanded for allowing her young man to row her through Hardnam Tunnel unchaperoned and without a torch! Better known was the trip made by J.B. Dashwood and his wife aboard a Una boat in the summer of 1867.
Paul Vine's interest in his subject and detective work bring the history of London's Lost Route to the Sea alive in a way that will appeal to a much wider readership than canal enthusiasts alone.
£16.95 plus £1.50 p&p. 80th anniversary commemorative, signed copy £20 plus £1,50 p&p. Available from: P.A.L. Vine, The Coach House, Pulborough, Sussex, RH20 2BH.
|
[back to top]
|
Hart Towpath Improvements
On Saturday 12th October a small ceremony took place on the towpath near Crookham Village to mark the completion of the upgrading of nearly seven miles of the canal towpath in Hart District.
In the presence of local and district councillors together with our volunteers, Councillor Mrs Sharyn Wheale, Chairman of Hart's Leisure Services Committee, marked the completion of the two year £45,000 project by saying 'Hart District Council is delighted to be working in with the Society and BCA to make improvements to the canal towpath for the benefit of all'.
Ken Halls who supervised the Community Action team last year was also present.
This year our own volunteers have levelled and upgraded the towpath from the Fox and Hounds to Malthouse Bridge and from Malthouse Cutting to Crookham Wharf, the latter with the help of refurbished tugs and barges to transport scalpings. Hart's funding paid for the materials and hire of dumpers and rollers. Both groups put in a total of 760 hours work to improve the three miles of towpath. Peter Redway, Society Chairman, stated "The Society's work demonstrates that our active commitment to the canal did not end when restoration was completed in 1991".
| |
Further west in Hart District, in 1995 the Canal Authority levelled the three miles of the towpath between Colt Hill and Barley Mow Bridge, This year the Canal Authority has levelled and upgraded the mile of towpath between the lift bridge and Greywell Tunnel.
Stan Knight, Vice Chairman of Crookham Village Parish Council said "how pleased the village were to have a level, surfaced towpath through the village, especially over Crookham Deeps embankment which used to get very muddy and slippery in wet weather".
Paddy Field, Canal Director, commented "Partnership projects such as this are essential to get some vital improvements made to the canal fabric".
It is hoped, if funds are available from Hart, to upgrade the Barley Mow to Crookham Wharf and Pondtail Bridge to Morris Bridge sections of towpath next year.
Photo - David Millett
|
page 17
|
MORE PHOTOS of the LAST 30 YEARS
|
(top left): Volunteers working on Lock 3 at Woodham.
(top right): Lord Montague of Beaulieu naming the John Pinkerton 20th May 1978.
(centre): Ash Lock rally 8th/9th June 1985.
(bottom left): The first boats to work through Lock 1, 18th September 1988.
(bottom right): Prince Michael of Kent with Robin Higgs at the Royal re-opening.
All photos courtesy of Dieter Jebens, David Robinson, Clive Durley and Dick Snell.
[back to top]
page 18
|
30 YEARS ON - Newsletter No 1
|
|
Newsletter No 1 January 1967
Member's Meeting
The meeting on 18th November was well supported with about sixty people present. At the meeting our objects and rules were slightly revised. A copy of the revised rules is enclosed with this newsletter.
A three-part talk was given on the history of the Basingstoke Canal. As a result, perhaps, several members have been trundling through the undergrowth looking for the other tunnel mentioned by Robert Harris.
Several points raised by members were answered and the meeting concluded with a slide show of local canals shown by Mr Snell, including some of the Wey and Arun Canal. Membership of the Society now stands at 75.
Ministry of Transport
A press circular by the Ministry in mid-November requested all persons and organisations to let them know their views on the future of the nationalised waterways system. It is hoped that members have informed Mrs Castle of their opinions.
National Film Theatre
A showing of canal films was given at the National Film Theatre on December 18. The programme included a Look at Life - "Where no tide flows", The Prendergast File" (1963), "Barging through London" (1924) and a feature film "Painted Boats" (1946). There was also a short vintage newsreel shot of ice-breaking on the Grand Union Canal.
Owing to heavy booking a repeat performance is being given at the National Film Theatre, South Bank, Waterloo, London S.E.1 on Tuesday, March 7 at 6.15 pm. All seats bookable at 4s., 6s., and 8s.6d.
Postal requests should include a stamped addressed envelope. Advance bookings do not open until February 15.
This will probably be the first of a series of programmes as the organisers have enough material for at least two more. If in fact anyone knows of further suitable material they would be glad to know.
Basingstoke Canal
As you may know we have been in touch with the New Basingstoke Canal Company requesting permission to work on sections of the Canal. Bearing in mind their objections, we revised our objects.
A copy of these, together with our suggestions, has recently been sent to
| |
the Company.
No.4 lock on the Woodham flight has recently had its top gate patched up and re-tarred. It is believed that the pound is re-filling.
Fleet & Crookham Amenity Society have been clearing out rubbish in their area. Several choice objects have been removed, including a telephone, a brand new lavatory pan and a sack full of decaying horses' heads. Obviously a wide section of the population has found one use for the canal - although of course the mentality of such persons is to be questioned, and dumping can only lead to decay of the waterways.
Society Premises
We have had an offer of a piece of land with some sheds adjoining the Basingstoke Canal. If this offer goes through, working parties will be organised to tidy up the undergrowth. We will let you know once things are finalised. It is hoped that this land could be used as a store/ clubhouse.
Civic Trust
At the suggestion of several members we have applied to the Civic Trust for registration. It is felt that they can give us advice and also keep us informed of the progress of societies whose work is similar to ours.
River Wey
The Society is sad to learn that Newark Mill on the River Wey at Ripley was completely destroyed by fire in early December. Because it was built of wood, fireman had no chance of saving the Mill once the fire took hold. Newark Mill was considered to be the finest example of a water mill in Surrey, and it can never be replaced.
Secretary. Mr Jim Woolgar, 56 Connaught Crescent, Brookwood, Surrey
Membership Matters
Firstly, may I thank all those members who have sent in their membership subscriptions and a special thank you to those members who have kindly added a donation. Secondly, I have now completed the task of putting all the membership details into a new computer database and this should make life easier for the future!
If you are moving, please remember to tell me your new address. Your newsletter can be sent anywhere, even abroad. We would still like you to remain a member whether you are near to or far from the canal.
|
[back to top]
page 19
Mikron Celebration
Those of you who have enjoyed the Mikron Theatre productions on the canal will, I am sure, wish to join us in congratulating the company on the start of its 25th year of touring the canals.
Used Postage Stamps
The Waterway Recovery Group has for some years run a Stamp Bank which collects all used postage stamps and converts them into much needed cash. Our Membership Secretary, Edwin Chappell, currently keeps all stamps for this purpose and all Society members are invited to send their used postage stamps to him where they will be stored and passed onto the Stamp Bank. The Waterway Recovery Group is currently in the middle of an appeal to raise funds for new vans and your stamps will help them buy those new vans. Please send them to Edwin Chappell at the usual membership address.
Deeds of Covenant
A big thank you to all those members who have completed a Deed of Covenant and returned their green forms to Brian Chappell. The latest cheque received from the Inland Revenue was for over £860. However, it would be nice to break the £1,000 barrier. So, have you completed a Deed of Covenant yet? Remember, it does not affect your tax code and the Society really benefits. Please contact Brian Chappell on (01372) 272631 if you can help. Thank you.
Society Membership
Due to difference in understanding, the Membership of the Society has been restated to be 1950 members.
Thanks to Gordon
Gordon O'Nions, who has contacts with Lister's, managed to obtain a copy of the workshop manual for our tug engines.
The engines are Lister JP3s and border on being vintage. Having little experience of these engines the manual has avoided expensive mistakes and enabled repairs to be carried out in a professional manner.
The second tug is being renovated with the assistance of the manual and should be operational next year.
Many thanks Gordon.
IWALK
Initial reports suggest that IWALK on the Basingstoke Canal was not well supported by walkers with approximately 35 walkers in total but £750 raised.
| | Basingstoke Canal News will report more fully on IWALK in a future edition.
However mention must be made of the excellent organisation provided by Bruce White and Chris Guthrie.
Woking Talks
The Woking Talks season began in fine style on 8th October with a really interesting presentation on the Kennet & Avon Canal given by Graham Horn from the K&A Trust. Whilst showing slides of the canal both before and after restoration Graham concentrated on the work of the Trust and its partners since the re-opening. Were it not for the pictures it would have been easy to believe one was listening to a talk on the Basingstoke, so similar are the tasks and problems to be faced. We heard of the need for continuing fund raising in order to support maintenance and rebuilding, dredging and installation of back pumps and of the necessity for
diplomacy and cooperation between a number of different bodies with diverse interests. It was good to hear of the plans to restore the Crofton chimney to full height and members were invited to buy a brick. Graham also spoke of the Trust's role in monitoring development along the canal citing the changes proposed for Reading and of the difficulties which can be caused by the few inconsiderate towpath users to the detriment of all.
It was pleasing to see so many of you there for the first meeting of the season. The next talk will take place on 12th November at the Westgate Centre in Woking and from our comfortable chairs we will experience "A day in the life of a Thames Tug". Do come along.
Christmas Shopping
How about doing your Christmas Shopping and helping the Society at the same time ? Alec Gosling (our Mail order Sales manager) would be delighted to hear from you should you wish to purchase anything from him either for yourself or if you are looking for that elusive Christmas present.
Alec has copies of the new Basingstoke Canal Guide (reviewed on page 9 of this issue of the Newsletter).
Editorial Assistance
Kathy Garrett has kindly offered to help edit the Newsletter and the fruits of her labours should be apparent to you in this issue with articles about Water Voles, Les Foster and a report on the first winter talks evening. We would still welcome help from anyone else who may be interested in helping. If you wish to find out more please call Kathryn on (01483) 473630.
|
[back to top]
page 20
A little thought for others
Canal and River Boat Magazine has launched a campaign to encourage boaters to be more welcoming to new hirers. Apparently there have been complaints that some boaters are impatient and intimidating. As in most areas of life the few make the headlines. Most experienced boaters are only too happy to share their expertise and certainly one cannot imagine such a problem on the Basingstoke. We should be grateful that the nature of our canal effectively keeps away those to whom every minute counts in their quest for the furthest distance in the shortest possible time. The campaign is, however, a timely reminder that all users of the waterways should be tolerant of others who are perhaps enjoying different but equally enjoyable activities.
Water Music
Listeners to Radio Three will in future be able to hear concerts by the Halle Orchestra from their new home at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester which overlooks the re-designed canal basin. Reviewers at the opening concert were fulsome in their praise of the stunning views over the basin and across Manchester. Boaters who have enjoyed tying up in Birmingham to visit
| |
Symphony Hall can look
forward to a further treat when visiting the northern waterways.
Disappearing Water
It was sad the see the pound between Lock 3 and Lock 4 almost completely de-watered but good to see that the BCA had taken the trouble to put up an informative sheet explaining the situation to the public. The notice explained the canal was fed almost entirely from
springs in the Hampshire section and that the springs had suffered in the last fifty years from groundwater extraction whilst trees use up large amounts of water in the summer - a large oak taking up to 200 gallons of water a day. Whilst expressing the hope that boats would be passing through again soon it pointed out that each lockage takes 46,000 gallons of water and that the original expectation of the canal was for the passage of 4 barges upstream and four down per week. Meanwhile it was pleasing to see so many users of the towpath, family walkers, blackberry pickers, courteous cyclists and of course the dog walkers. We would not in any way wish to deter the latter but wish that all would follow the example of the majority of thoughtful owners who keep their dogs from messing up the towpath.
|
Copy date for Next BC News: 25th November 1996
Published by the Surrey and Hampshire Canal Society Ltd., a non-profit distributing company limited by guarantee, registered as a Charity. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Society. Executive members of the Committee are shown in bold type and Directors of the Society have an
asterisk (') after their name.
Editor:
Kathryn Dodington*. Sequoia, Sheets Heath Lane, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey, GU24 0EH (0483) 473630
Chairman: Peter Redway*. 1 Redway Cottages, St John's Lye, Woking, Surrey, GU21 1SL (0483) 721710
Vice-Chairman: Peter Coxhead*. 17 Abbey Close, Pyrford, Woking, Surrey, GU22 8PY (01932) 344564
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
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: Ron McLaughlin. 94 Guildford Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 6BT (012520 26722
Trip Boat Bookings: Marion Gough. St Catherines, Hurdle Way, Compton Down, Winchester, Hants. SO21 2AN (01962) 713564
Sales Manager: Gill Freeman. 35 Holland Gardens, Fleet, Hampshire, GU139NE (0252) 624612
Mail Order Sales: Alec Gosling. 12 Mole Road, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. KT12 4LV (01932) 224950
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 (0181) 737 4896
Talks Organiser: Arthur Dungate. 187 Ellerdine Road, Hounstow, Middlesex, TW3 2PU (0181) 737 4896
Press Officer: Dieter Jebens. 60 Middle Bourne Lane, Famham, Surrey, GU10 3NJ (0252) 715230
Archivist: Jill Haworth. Sheerwood, Woodham Lane, Woking, Surrey. GU21 5SR (01932) 342081
Woking Area Director: Peter Coxhead*. 17 Abbey Close, Pyrford, Woking, Surrey. GU22 8PY (01932) 344584
Director: Roger Cansdale*. 79 Gally Hill Road, Church Crookham, Hampshire. GU13 0RU (01252) 616964
[back to top]
| |
