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 No. 192 Winter 2001
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Relations between the Canal Authority and Canal Society currently seem to be at an all-time high, as witnessed by volunteers being given the use of Unity over the WRG weekend in Woking. I'm not sure why this should be - maybe just personalities, but long may it remain so.
It may therefore seem perverse on the part of the Society to have put forward to the Canal's Joint Management Committee Advisory Group a paper, which reviewed the situation of the Canal on the 10th anniversary of its re-opening and suggested that consideration be given to whether British Waterways could provide a more cost-effective management.
The intention, however, was not to get at the BCA, who currently seem to be doing pretty well, but at the limited resources at their disposal and the somewhat shaky financial backing that they get (Hart have again paid less than half of their due calculated contribution). We felt that, at a time when "best value" practices were the order of the day for local government, advantage should be taken of the much greater resources, expertise and buying power of the body responsible for managing the great majority of Britain's waterways. We also felt that this would improve the Basingstoke's chances of being seen as an integral part of the Country's network of inland waterways.
We suggested that the Canal might be leased to the Waterway's Trust, who could then contract management to BW, and could also look for alternative sources of income, as they have done elsewhere.
The paper was not received with great enthusiasm. There was in fact considerable hostility. English Nature, predictably, talked of reactivating past issues of navigation, as if these had ever really gone away. Other members were concerned about entering into long term commitments and loss of influence. There was also resentment that we had not given credit to the BCA for management changes aimed at addressing adverse user feedback.
As regards the last point, we had not seen these changes when the paper was written, and adverse comment from users is not something which has only recently happened.
However, our concern was not with the BCA so much as the framework within which they operate. I find it a bit worrying that there does not appear to be a commitment on the part of some authorities to the Canal. If they are not willing to consider long term funding, does this imply that they would be prepared to see it revert to a derelict state?
If this is not the case, it must be properly funded and it makes sense to look at the most efficient ways of spending this funding.
Despite the antagonism, the day was saved by Brian Percy of the IWA local branch, who proposed a resolution, which was adopted -
"That the SHCS support the involvement of the Waterways Trust at the next JMC, whilst working towards a management review to be tabled at the Spring 2002 JMC".
A second resolution was agreed -
"That a Resource Working Party be formed to investigate funding opportunities and Best Value practices for managing and operating the Canal".
The Society will be represented on this Working Party, together with the Canal Director and representatives of County, District and Borough Councils. Thus the final outcome of the JMC Advisory Group meeting was to set up a framework within which these issues should be able to be debated in a sensible and constructive way.
If members would like to express their views on the matter, I am sure that Peter Redway would be glad to have them.
* * * * * * *
Good to see that Robin Higgs was one of eight recipients of the IWA's Richard Bird medals this year. These are given to those considered by the IWA Council to have brought significant benefit to the Association over a sustained period. As well as his efforts on the Basingstoke, Robin's contribution includes being a founder member of the Waterways Recovery Group, setting up the Southern Canals Association and being Chairman of the IWA's Restoration Committee for four years.
* * * * * * *
We've all heard of NIMBYs - those people who say Not In My Back Yard in reply to any proposed development. Now, however, it appears that there is a new breed - YIMBYs.
According to the Sunday Times, the term has been coined to describe people living between Bedford and Milton Keynes, who are saying Yes In My Back Yard to the proposed new canal. Unlike the people who objected to Basingstoke's proposals for restoring the Western End, they have the sense to realise that a canal at the bottom of your garden is an asset that can put 20% on the value of your house. Apparently people are even looking for properties next to the Wilts & Berks in anticipation of its restoration!
Who knows, perhaps one day we might get support from would-be waterside property owners for a link with the K&A.
FRONT COVER
Steam boats on the Canal for the Fox & Hounds Rally. Photo: Dieter Jebens
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page 3
The canal has been open for Navigation for the past ten years, but reduced water supplies in hot summer months has restricted access onto the waterway. The backpumping concept has evolved over an eight year period, from an idea for a solution, to reality.
Early politics, developing the design and Heritage Lottery rejection af the first application were time consuming and at times frustrating. The appointment of British Waterways as Project Managers brought expertise and resources to the project providing economies of scale, and competitive contract tenders.
The Pumps have been operational from Easter, but it is ironic that last winter's heavy rain has obviated the need for pumping this summer.
The Environment Agency had originally confirmed that, as a Navigation, the Canal would not require an Abstraction Licence for re-circulation of water within the Navigation. With changes of management and reduction in financial allocations, the Environment Agency has now changed its mind and written advising the need fora licence. Advice from British Waterways is to resist the pressures being applied, and indicates that a damaging National Precedent could be created for other canal restoration projects.
We have been advised that abstraction licences have a charge for water pumped, dependent on assessed losses and volumes. The County Councils and Canal Authority are,
subject to legal advice, intending to resist the E.A. request for licence.
For some months the Society Committee has been preparing a review on the future of the canal. This was presented to the Joint Advisory Committee as a preview to the Joint Management Meeting. We consider that future improvements of the canal facilities and the continued safety of structures will require a higher level of investment than is currently available.
Rangers and volunteers are able to programme day to day tasks and some projects, but contracting must be considered a tool for increasing workloads. An association or fundraising partnership with the Waterways Trust could be beneficial.
We also consider an ongoing partnership with British Waterways would provide engineering and contracting expertise. Our proposals were fully discussed and alternative options tabled. As a result, a Resources Working Party is to be set up to report to the next Joint Management Committee meeting. This will evaluate best practices and recommend the way forward on fundraising, operational management and resources. A special meeting of the Society's Committee endorsed acceptance of a place on this working party.
In closing, I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year, also a big thank you for your efforts during 2001.
Peter Redway
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The 2002 Annual General Meeting
of the
Surrey & Hampshire Canal Society
will take place on Saturday, 13th April
at the
Mytchett Community Centre.
Further details will be in the next issue of the BC News
.
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page 4
ST. JOHN'S
This report covers the post work camp period with the continuation of the St. Johns pumping outlet structure by society volunteers. At the time of writing, the roof has been constructed on the outlet and the pipeline extended to the end of Lock 11. The roof concrete of the outlet needs to cure for some weeks before the internal shuttering and supports can be removed.
Above: Volunteers constructing the
outfall chamber above Lock 11 at
St. John's. Photo: Dieter Jebens
External shuttering is scheduled for removal at the end of November, with above waterline brickwork, entry covers and penstock being completed. The clay bund and piling will be removed last, when the structure is complete to operational standard.
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WOODHAM BACKPUMPING PROJECT
The fitting out of the non operational rooms of the pump house is partof the Society's matching funding contribution. Remedial work on the structure was the responsibility of the
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contractor, and this has just been carried out. Subject to acceptance of the remedial work by the project manager, Society volunteers can now complete the interior works prior to the final Heritage Lottery Account being submitted in March 2002.
TUG SAPPER
The society Bantam tug Sapper developed a leak in the bottom plate below the propeller shaft seal. The tug was at Ash Lock and drawn up onto the slipway and a patch was welded onto the bottom plate over the leak. Unfortunately the welding resulted in further holes at the join with the original plate. The committee have authorised re-plating and the steel was ordered, but delivery has been delayed by the Port Talbot Steel Works furnace accident.
Above: Kevin Redway inspecting the tug on Ash Lock slipway. In the foreground, Zak stands guard over his own project, the first ever canal tunnel to Australia. |
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page 5
BANKSIDE WORK
The Waterway Recovery Group has an annual reunion dig, and when this year they offered to come to the Basingstoke, the offer was accepted. The dig became known as the "Basingstoke Bonfire Bash" and was arranged for 3rd/4th November. WRG also arranged excellent weather for the weekend. Numbers closed at 157, with accommodation at the Bishop David Brown School at Sheerwater.
Offside clearance from Lock 6 to The Grove was scheduled, with a number of dangerous mature trees to be felled and removed. Our tug was not available due to repairs, and we were offered the use of Unity and a BCA workboat with various small craft making up the numbers.
The use of Unity by volunteers was a first, providing the means for removing large felled trees from the canal and transport to the disposal sites.
Above: Volunteers using Unity for bankside clearance. Photo: Dieter Jebens
Good progress was achieved during the weekend. All dangerous trees were felled and removed from site. Clearance work with land access cleared from Monument Bridge to about 200 m short of Chertsey Road Bridge. Water access clearing was slower but all encroaching growth was removed from the offside.
Negotiations with riparian owners for removal of trees and growth was time consuming, as some offside is owned by the BCA and some as private property. Pablo Haworth, as a local, contacted all private owners affected and good cooperation resulted, with no complaints from the residents. David Junkison and Pablo also helped with moving workboats and equipment before and after the weekend. | |
Above: Offside bank clearance above Monument Bridge. Photo: Dieter Jebens
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XMAS WORK CAMP
WRG's Xmas Work Camp will be directed at finishing off the Woking section. The BCA will be using Unity to do some reed clearance and spot dredging, so that next year, with a hopefully guaranteed water supply, the bottom end of the canal should be ready to welcome more visiting boats.
Finally, I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year, also a big thank you for all your hard work during 2001.
Peter Redway
WORKING PARTY DATES AND VENUES
| Dates | Leader | Venue |
|---|
| 1/2 December | KR | Tug, Ash Lock |
| 8/9 December | DJ/DL | St Johns |
| 22/23 December | DJ/DL | St Johns |
26 December to
1 January | Clive Alderman
WRG Xmas Work Camp |
| 12/13 January | DJ/DL | Pumphouse, Woodham |
| 26/27 January | DJ/DL | Pumphouse, Woodham |
| 9/10 February | DJ/DL | St Johns |
| 16/17 February | PR | Pumphouse, Woodham |
| 23/24 February | DJ/DL | St Johns |
Work Party Leaders
DJ Dave Junkison 020 894 10685
DL Dave Lunn 01483 771294
KR Kevin Redway 01483 722206
PR Peter Redway 01483 721710
Note: Please contact Work Party Leaders before the
weekend in case of last minute changes.
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page 6
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BASINGSTOKE CANAL AUTHORITY NEWS
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From Leigh Thornton, Canal Director:
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I recently gave a presentation on the running of the Basingstoke Canal to the Association of Inland Navigation Authorities (AINA). This consists of not only BW, the EA and the Broads Authority, but many small independent Navigation Authorities from all over the country. Many were gobsmacked at the support and resources we have on the Basingstoke Canal. The partnership we have with Local Authorities and the funding they provide, plus the excellent working relationships with English Nature and yourselves that have developed were greatly admired. I found it slightly embarrassing, but very refreshing to be admired for what we have here. I think it is important to appreciate these factors once in a while. Many waterways would give their (proverbial) left arms for some of the resources at our disposal. Many, including BW, are actively seeking the kind of partnership funding with Councils that we currently enjoy. Very few are getting what they want.
Nevertheless there is always room for improvement. We all know canals can be expensive and we have to be prepared for what the future holds. To this end the Joint Management Committee have agreed the setting up of a Resources Working Group to look at how we can access more funds. The Canal Society is to be a key member of this group and we look forward to working with Pete Redway on this. It is important I feel to emphasise that we are looking at resources for The Canal - not just the BCA! Obviously many eyes are looking to the Waterways Trust as a source of income. I have had several meetings with Roger Hanbury, CEO with the Trust, and they are keen to be involved. Part of the brief of the Working Group will be to explore how we can develop a relationship with the Trust to our benefit. Obviously the Waterways Trust do not come with pots of gold and we will have to work with them to identify sources of funding and no doubt pay out money in advance of reaping any rewards. Nevertheless, we look forward to seeing what can be achieved.
Meanwhile out on the Waterway other changes will be taking place over the coming winter. New Ops Manager, Tony Beecher, is working on a set of standards for the Canal, covering navigation, towpath and environs so that clear targets
| | can be set. These reflect a system of national standards that BW are putting in place. A new Ranger - James Emmett - starts in December, giving us a full team once again. Rangers will be having allocated stretches to look after, which coupled with the new standards, should show real benefits. Other changes are being made to the boat booking in system, which should make things easier for visitors. Further details will be available when the system is all agreed and in place. We have been working with the
Canal Society, the Boat Club and the IWA on this matter and hope to come up with something which benefits all. Nevertheless we do remain as an independent waterway, and as such we are legally obliged to see insurance and boat safety certificates for all visiting boats to the canal that are valid on the day of entry. An existing BW or Wey license is no proof that certificates are valid - a bit like your car Tax Disk; a valid disk is no proof that your MOT hasn't expired since issue. Sorry, but it's the law!
Meanwhile, enjoy the coming festive season and get out for a walk along the canal if you haven't been for a while - a bit of frost or a misty winter sunset can make it truly magical!
Leigh Thornton
Editor:
In the 10 years since the Canal re-opened, there has been a good deal of muttering in the boating fraternity about the difficulties of getting on to it and the way such visits were managed. This year, however, the BCA has received rather more direct criticism, both from people met at the IWA National Rally and from others such as Dick Allen, author of Cry of the Heron which we reviewed earlier this year, who wrote some fair but hard hitting comments.
All credit then to Leigh and his new team for taking these criticisms on the chin and trying to do something about them, and also taking the trouble to try to explain some of the constraints under which they have to work. Let's hope that we can all work together to make the Canal a bit more user-friendly for both visiting and resident boaters in future.
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page 7
Andy Howard, Canal Development Manager
Andy Howard, the new Canal Development Manager, started work with the BCA in April and rapidly made a good impression by throwing himself into the organisation and running of various events on the canal. He previously worked for Hampshire Borders, an organisation set up to promote tourism in North Hampshire. He was their Project Manager with a brief to encourage cycle tourism.
His role in the BCA is to promote the use of the canal and facilitate its use for all interests. He has concentrated so far on the Canal Centre itself, but wants to turn now to the canal as a whole. As Tony Beecher mentioned in the last BC News, the BCA wants to make access to the canal easier for visiting boats, hopefully with licenses issued on demand at Lock 1, using the new pump house as an office.
Andy is designing a visitors'pack which will put to bed some of the more popular misconceptions about the canal ("It's never open", etc), and will provide information about when and how access is available. Sadly, the advice from the County solicitors is that inspection of insurance and boat safety certificates is a must. However, these are now also being asked for by the Wey Navigation and Andy hopes some arrangements may be possible to avoid duplicating this formality. He is also working on a map showing the facilities available on the canal.
Andy is looking forward to next year's boat rallies, particularly the one planned for the first, Jubilee, weekend in June at Colt Hill, Odiham, as this gives all the visiting boats the chance to see the whole canal. He is less sure about the future of some of the Canal Centre events, since they involve
a great deal of effort from the BCA staff, which has to be paid for, without necessarily bringing much money into the BCA> He nevertheless acknowledges that they are in raising the profile of the canal and giving something back to local, poll tax paying, residents.
Although he has Sarah Loveridge to help him in promoting
the canal, he recognises that his resources, both in terms of money and manpower, are limited and would welcome help from the Society. Such help with events has already been forthcoming, but part of his job is to look for new sources of funding and this is an area where he would be grateful for some assistance. He has ideas about where to go, but could do with help with the leg-work.
Andy got married earlier this year and currently is looking to move from Basingstoke to somewhere a bit closer to his work. I asked him what his personal ambitions were, as he is only 26 now. He confessed that although he used to have various career plans mapped out, a long period of illness had caused him to revise his thoughts about life and he now placed more value on a happy family life and job satisfaction than climbing a promotion ladder.
I hope that this means that he will be around for a bit longer than some of his predecessors, because I think he has a lot to offer the canal in terms of ideas, enthusiasm and commitment, Sarah seems to share these qualities, judging by the fact that she helped out on the canal stand at the IWA National Rally forthe whole weekend when Andy was on his honeymoon, so we have a good team to work with.
Roger Cansdale
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page 8
END OF SEASON REPORT
JOHN PINKERTON
As reported before, the season had a slow start, most likely due to the foot and mouth problems. Fortunately things recovered with a surge of business during September. Whilst bills are still coming in, it looks as if there is a reasonable profit this year although not as much as last; nevertheless we hope to give a good boost to Society accounts at the AGM.
The season was extended this year by requests for some non profit making trips. The first was a trip for our French visitors from our twinned canal from Colt Hill to the Barley Mow. I say non profit making but they were very taken by our selection of canal miniatures and very nearly cleared our Stock.
We also gave a trip to the Southern Canals Association from the Canal Centre at Mytchett, to view the Aqueduct after turning at Ash Lock. Once again although we did not charge for the trip which lasted about four hours due to several stoppages to inspect the canal, the galley showed a reasonable profit.
Finally as I write this report we are due to give the children from Chernobyl an outing from Mytchett and through Ash Lock. As we have a number of sweets, crisps, soft drinks etc left at the end of the season we intend to see they have a good time at our expense.
(Editor's note: We had an excellent trip in beautiful late autumn weather and the children weren't sick, despite the fears of the party leader about the amount of chocolate, crisps and coca cola that they were consuming!)
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Right: Start of the return leg of the Chernobyl trip at Ash Lock. (Photo: Roger Cansdale) | |
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DRAGONFLY
The delivery of a number of leaflets through letter boxes around Goldsworth Park Estate advertising boat trips during the school holidays brought a number of extra customers. However the bulk of the income came from our visits to Rallies, Fetes and the Woking Classic Car Festival. The result was to end the season with a profit of about £500. The future of this project was in some doubt after last year's loss in the first year but the S.H.C.C. Ltd Committee have decided to continue operating Dragonfly for another year concentrating on those events which brought in the bulk of the profit. Further help in advertising and crewing this boat is still greatly need[ed] particularly from members or new members living at the Woking end ofthe canal. Havea word with your neighbours and other members of your family. Where else can you get to drive a boat for the cost of the Society's membership fee?
Ron McLaughlin
New contact and address for
Basingstoke & Deane Canoe Club:
Alan Macdonald
6 Soper Grove
Basingstoke
RG21 5PU
01256477616
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Anyone with small children might like to take them to see the Christmas illuminations produced by Jacqueline and Bill Findlay in Fleet to raise money for the charity Water for Africa. They can be viewed from the towpath at the end of Regent Street. John Abbott will be delivering Father Christmas by narrowboat, with choirs singing at 6.0pm on 17th, 18th and 19th December. It was much enjoyed by those who went last year, so why not give it a try?
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page 9
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Stan has lived all his life in Crookam Village, and his
forefathers before him. He tells the following story:
FRED KNIGHT'S LEAP
Very many years ago my grandfather Frederick Knight (1855-1939) told me that he once jumped across the Basingstoke Canal.
"But grandad, it's 25 to 30 feet across".
"I did it though. Twere down at Greywell. We used to call it Gruel. I did it for a shilling bet".
One didn't argue with grandparents in those days!
On another occasion he told me that he and his father George Knight (1808-1874) used to walk to Greywell and back each day to work in the sawpits there. Great Grandad was top sawyer of course and Frederick spent his working day in the pit being showered with sawdust. I still have their huge saw.
Much much later I learned that Mulfords timber yard was alongside the canal at the eastern end of the Greywell Tunnel. There was the slope of the cutting between the yard and the towpath; and by that towpath the Greywell stop lock, a standard Basingstoke lock in all but the minor rise and fall.
As I stood there one day it suddenly became clear (as no doubt it has already occurred to you the readers). He ran down the slope and leapt across the lock chamber - fourteen feet. No mean feat in working clothes and heavy boots.
I believe you now Grandad! I hope that shilling bought you some pleasure! In terms of beer it would probably have bought a gallon; but at least in his later years he was not a heavy drinker.
I can be fairly precise about the date because in 1875 at age 20 he started his own business as carrier from Crookham to Famham. He would have been well grown up, to stand the day long toil with the saw, let alone walking some 15 to 20 miles as well. Lets say 18, which would make it 1873. It cannot be later because sadly George died in February 1874.
Paul Vine records, page 152 of 1st edition of "London's Lost Route" and page 151 of 2nd edition, that in 1900 Mulford Brothers paid £20 annual rent for Greywell Wharf. No doubt the lock chamber walls provided that wharf.
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Book Review
"Fleet, a photographic history of your town"
62 pages, published by Black Horse Books for W H Smith Ltd. Price £5.99. (ISBN 1-904033-46-6)
Stan Knight is not only a long standing member of the Society, buta well known expert on the history of Crookham and Fleet (he should be, having lived there for 80 years!). Not surprisingly therefore, when W H Smith, in conjunction with the Frith photo collection, decided to do a photographic history of Fleet, they turned to Stan to provide the words.
The result is a book which not only has a lot of old photos of the area, but also a wealth of historical detail which really brings it to life. From the Society's point of view, the major interest is a section devoted to the Canal, which has eight photos which I have never seen before, largely of the bridges in and around Fleet. One of the most attractive shows a lady standing on a very badly warped swing bridge at Zebon Copse and there are two others which demonstrate that pleasure boating was a major activity on the Canal long before the First World War.
If you are looking for a stocking filler for Christmas, this is just the thing at only £5.99, which includes the offer of a free (not counting the £1.95 p&p) sepia tinted A4 print of the photo of your choice. Other titles of local interest are Aldershot, Farnham, Farnborough, Godalming and Weybridge, whilst other towns with a waterway connection include Banbury, Devizes, Henley, Macclesfield and Skipton.
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page 10
To David Millett, V-P S&HCS
Dear David,
I have rushed together my thoughts on the canal, which I hope will be helpful. Reading them through they do sound rather over critical. I seek only to improve things for visiting boats in a way that perhaps redresses the balance between the interests of boaters and those of others. In this I thoroughly support Dieter Jebens'argument that we should concentrate on getting the existing canal working as a navigable waterway before worrying about the Western End. Incidentally, I note that there are now plans to build a new canal linking the Grand Union with the River Ouse. Wouldn't it be nice to build the (once planned?) link between the Basingstoke Canal and the K&A? Though more ambitious, that might be a more attractive option than messing about in the suburbs of Basingstoke!
Yours sincerely
Dick Allan
It was with alarm that I read of Mr McGrath's proposal that the Basingstoke Canal be handed over to the National Trust. Although the River Wey Navigation is as good as any (or was, last time I was on it), I have not forgotten what the South Stratford was like when the NT had their hands on it.
Vast amounts of time and money were spent restoring this waterway, only to have the Trust let it deteriorate again until it was an effort to cruise it. The difficulties were not eased by an exceedingly rude and offensive employee at the top lock.
Please, please do not let all the hard work of many people over the years (including me) go to waste by letting the Trust take over the Basingstoke. If it is not feasible to carry on as present, British Waterways would do less harm.
Yours faithfully
Doreen Maynard
Dear Roger,
Although a very very new member of the SHCS, I have to take my courage in both hands and add my voice to yours regarding the proposition of a link (by water) between the Basingstoke Canal and the Kennet & Avon.
When John Gould mentioned it to me as we chatted alongside Newbury Lock a few years ago I thought it sounded like a very good idea. I know that the aim of a great many people is to get the Canal open to Basingstoke at all costs to complete the historical link. Bur according to John Gould, the proposed connection of the K&A with the Basingstoke was equally historical. The plan was revived in the 1930s from a much earlier one, but was never carried out, so it is by no means a pie in the sky 21st Century notion. Greywell Tunnel could be used asa special visitor attraction using small boats. To go up to the K&A and down to Bristol or the Thames would be fascinating. Wouldn't it?
Nancy Larcombe
It looks as if I may be part of an increasing band of people who fancy being able to boat directly to Bristol without bothering about the Wey and Thames. Does anybody fancy doing an initial study of possible routes?
Dear Roger,
You sure have stuck at your interest in the canal. My interest lapsed, though that might have been possibly due to the fact that I got no BC News for six years and failed to notice myself that I was paying by direct debit all that time and not receiving! (From '91 to '96)
I've been regularising the position but still don't manage to get to meetings or enjoy the canal enough. However, I did browse through No 191 of the BC News and did enjoy the article by Ron Jesse. At the same time I was dredging out from storage early copies of the BC News, etc that I hadn't thrown away, and I came across an article by me which I wrote in 1978 for my Parish Magazine (St Anne's, Bagshot), which describes my enthusiasm and fascination (and that of others) for the dredger.
Ron Jesse describes how he always had a fascinated audience as he restored the dredger. I send you this article by me which describes such fascination.
I don't suppose it's worth printing, but it might amuse you. I must use canal facilities more; back in 1976-89,1 was a keen member.
Yours sincerely
Ruth Barker
Editor: Ruth's article is too big to fit in this issue, but it is a charming reminder of our youthful enthusiasm and I'll try to find a place for it in a future BC News.
Dear Roger,
The following may be of interest to readers of BC News.
Woking Chamber of Commerce, known locally as COTAC, approached me last year with a request that the Society join in with their Classic Car Show which takes place every year on August Bank Holiday. On these occasions, practically the whole town is covered with some very interesting, extremely well cared for vehicles and their idea was that we could provide a colourful show of boats along the Town Quay. Well, as you all know, the water level in August has generally been, to put it mildly, low and I therefore had to decline the offer.
The same request was made earlier this year and with the knowledge that the Woodham back pumping project would have been completed long before August, I accepted their proposal. Rodney Wardlaw organised some 16 boats to attend from the Byfleet Boat Club and apart from some relatively minimal administration items, e.g Safety and Emergency Plans, an "about us" article for publication in the Official Programme, getting hold of some sales items for our stand, etc, it proved to be a nice easy event to organise. Jill and Pablo Haworth prepared a photographic display on the Back Pumping theme, but they, along with several other stalwarts of the "Show" business, were away at Milton Keynes. We were lucky on two accounts, the most important being the fact thatthe water level was remarkably high for August, which was just as well as my understanding is that whilst the new pumping system has been successfully completed, final approval to use has not yet been
forthcoming. The other factor was the weather was fine and sunny all day. Shirley Trott and I manned our small stand and a lot of interest was generated by our display and we cleared most of our limited items for sale. Ron Mclaughlin worked tirelessly all day on our local tripboat "Dragonfly" boosted for a short while at the end by Woking Boating for the Disabled's boat "Maggie G". Well done Ron.
To close I append the Financial Statement for the day.
Sales £202.30
Collection Boxes £ 11.06
£213.36
ragonfly" £207.50
COTAC donation £140.00
£560.86
To Disabled Boats £21 .00
Grand Total £581.86
Out of this, £140 has gone to the Woking account and this will enable me to send a further £500 to the Water Appeal which, added to the £2500 and £1200 previously contributed, will make a total of £4200 from the Woking section.
We are hoping to hold a similar Event next year but as Nature is unlikely to be generous with the water supply for two years running, we must be optimistic and trust that the pumps will be humming by then.
Peter Coxhead
Woking Organiser
Events in 2002
Next year's events will include
Bridge Barn Rally, Woking 30 March -1 April
Golden Jubilee Rally, Colt Hill, Odiham 1 -3 June
Woking Classic Car Show 26 August
Cavalcade of Transport, Canal Centre, Mytchett 7-8 September
More details in the next BC News.
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page 12
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WOKING TALKS, Winter 2001/2002
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Wednesday 19 December 2001:
Robin Higgs - A Trip on the Canal Du Nivernais
(France).
Last year this talk had to be postponed in deference to his talk on India. However it will take place now! In addition Robin will present his trip to Cuba.
Wednesday 16 January 2002:
Mike Lucas • 30 years of travelling with the Mikron
Company.
Mike Lucas is co-founder of the well-known Mikron Theatre Company which travels around the country giving performances on waterway themes. He will talk about his experiences, with excerpts from his new book about the travelling theatre. Copies of his new book will be available for purchase.
Wednesday 20 February 2002:
Frank Banfield - An evening of films on Transport.
Frank Banfield has been a collector of films since his schooldays. Tonight he presents a selection which includes archive films on British and European canals, trains and even trams.
Wednesday 20 March 2002:
Leigh Thornton - Managing the Basingstoke Canal.
Leigh is the Director of the Basingstoke Canal Authority, and his talk will be on how this Local Authority owned waterway is managed.
Wednesday 17 April 2002:
Bernard Potter - The natural history of the
Basingstoke Canal.
Bernard Potter has spent many hours photographing along the canal over the years and his talk, illustrated with his pictures shows what can be seen as one walks along the towpath.
All talks will be at the Westgate Centre in Woking, starting at 8pm. There is free parking space in the Centre as well as ample space (free in the evenings!) in the nearby Brewery Road Car Park.
All meetings are free and everyone is welcome!
Arthur Dungate
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SILVESTER'S BRIDGE GONE
Another of the Canal's bridges is no more.
The Army decided that the blue bridge in Aldershot, that most of us have never been over as it connected two army camps, was surplus to requirements.
Unfortunately, the contractor seemed to be ignorant of the structural principles of bridges and attempted to remove it in one piece by lifting it in the middle. Predictably, it fell in half, blocking the Canal for a day or so and delaying the passage of two boats.
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Photo: Dieter Jebens | |
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page 13
Fox & Hounds Rally
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Over 20 boats, including a number of steam launches gathered at the canalside Fox & Hounds pub in Fleet for this year's annual rally.
The event was attended by Chris de Wet, founder of the Basingstoke Canal Boating Club in 1989, who coined the phrase "use it or lose it" at a time when the Nature Conservancy Council, now English Nature, was seeking draconian restrictions on navigation, including an additional licence to cruise along certain lengths and a ban on boating above Colt Hill.
Boaters said farewell to pub landlord Ron Kettle, who has welcomed the rally at the Fox & Hounds each year. Peter Redway on behalf of the Society presented Ron with a framed engraving to mark his retirement.
It is good to know that the new landlord and his wife, Keith and Denise Tanner, are also boating enthusiasts and intend to continue the pub's support to this event.
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One of the elegant steam launches at the Fox & Hounds rally in September.
Photo: Dieter Jebens
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Entente Fluvial on the Basingstoke
A party of mayors and councillors involved with the restoration of the 74 km Canal d'Orleans in France, paid a visit to the Basingstoke Canal in October. The visit was the sixth exchange in an informal twinning between the two canals, instigated by Paddy Field when he was the BCA Director. This year, though, Cllr Alan Rice, Chairman of the JMC announced that the twinning had now been formally recognised.
The visitors were shown the back-pumping scheme at Woodham and then had a presentation from Leigh Thornton on the management of the Basingstoke before going to Odiham for a trip on the John Pinkerton. They stopped on the way to inspect construction of the Ash Aqueduct. The party also cast envious eyes on volunteers working at St John's, something that is unknown on French canals.
The Canal d'Orleans once linked the upper Loire to the Canal Briare, providing a waterway transport route to Paris. Eight of the canal's locks have been restored and it is hoped to re-open it in five or six year's time. Like the Basingstoke, however, water supply will present a problem unless local authorities can be persuaded to provide water from adjacent reservoirs, which once served the canal but are now used for other leisure pursuits.
During the trip on the Pinkerton, they met the steam launch
Lunar and were able to witness its recovery on to a road trailer using the slipway at Barley Mow. As the Canal d'Orleans is not yet reconnected to the rest of the French waterways system, such a facility would clearly be an asset and the visitors accordingly took home plans of the slipway with them.
(L-R) Jacques Cotteray Conseiller-General du Loiret, Tony Davis, Dominique Laurette Maire de Mardie, Paddy Field,
former Basingstoke Canal Director who instigated the
twinning and Christian Bourillon Conseiller-General du
Loiret and Maire de Chevillon sur Huillard.
Photo: Dieter Jebens
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page 14
The new Drungewick Lane Canal Bridge over the Wey & Arun Canal near Loxwood in West Sussex was opened by Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage on 20th September.
In his speech, he said "This bridge is the realisation of a dream and has a symbolic significance in marking the difference of not 'if' but 'when' the canal will be re-opened". He added "I look forward to being on the first boat on the canal to reach the English Channel again".
The new bridge permits the removal of one of the obstacles to navigation on the canal caused by the demolition of the original brick arched bridge in 1903 and the in-filling of the canal bed. The Trust has also recently completed an accomodation bridge nearby to allow access by the Environment Agency to a gauging station on the River Lox.
Peter Foulger, Chairman of
the Wey & Arun Canal Trust thanked all those who had contributed to the project, which had cost £320,000, and paid particular tribute to Eric Walker, the Trust's Engineering Manager, who was responsible for the works.
The next step, scheduled to start in June next year, is the re-instatementof Drungewick Aqueduct over the River Lox, whose last remaining arches were washed away by autumn floods some 50 years ago. It is estimated that this will cost £400,000, but £130,000 has already been raised by the Trust and the IWA has granted a further £15,000. An application for the balance is being made to the Heritage Lottery Fund. Once the aqueduct is in place, the 70 metre length of the canal, linking it to Loxwood village, will be restored.
The final phase of the
Loxwood Link Extension
project is planned for 2003
and will re-open the 6 mile length from Loxwood to Newbridge.
Three lock chambers that have already been restored,
Drungewick, Malham and Rowner, need gates and paddle
gear. Two accommodation bridges and two culverts have
also to be built and a back-pumping scheme installed - total cost £280,000. The whole Loxwood project will have cost more than a million pounds, but will result in over a quarter of the canal being open for navigation.
Restoration of the Wey & Arun, which was officially abandoned in 1896, still has a long way to go, but with every step taken, the momentum increases.
Left: Sir Neil Cossons about to pour two bottles of water, from the Rivers Wey and Arun, at the Drungewick Lane Bridge re-opening.
Photo: Dieter Jebens
The task faced by the founders of the Trust in 197O was much worse than our situation in the 1960s. We at least had a largely complete canal, but the course of the Wey & Arun had been
blocked in places by infilling and housing, as well as the
loss of bridges, aqueducts etc.
Official abandonment had also returned ownership of the line of the canal to a large assortment of landowners, many of whose agreement still has to be obtained. However, as restoration becomes more credible, it is to be hoped that it will become increasingly difficult for them to say 'no'.
At the Drungewick Lane Bridge re-opening, (L to R) David Fletcher, Chief Executive of BW, Robin Higgs, and Sir Neil Cossons, Chairman of English Heritage.
Photo: Dieter Jebens
Restoration of the Wey & Arun will provide the only link between the national waterways system and the English Channel.
If you would like to join the Wey-South project, contact The Wey & Arun Canal Trust, The Granary, Flitchfold Farm, Loxwood, Billinghurst, West Sussex, RH14 ORH or Phone 01403752403
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page 15
The 'New Boy' Takes Over
First I would like to thank Derek Truman for his dedicated work raising funds over the years; he can now have a well deserved rest.
The great bonus of this job is to be able to send out some Christmas presents, so the winners for October and December will soon be receiving their cheques.
The latest winners are:
| October | | December |
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| Mr & Mrs Charles (Guildford) | £57 | Mr & Mrs Williams (Farnborough) | £57 |
| Mr Hocking (Yateley) | £28 | Miss H Connel (Weybridge) | £28 |
| E Fairless (Teddington) | £14 | Mr D Heasman (Llantwit Major) | £14 |
| £14 | Miss L Stutchbury (Coleford, Glos.) | £14 |
Unfortunately, with the pleasure comes the pain, so this issue of BCN should also contain a form asking you, please, to send your subscriptions for 2002. Hopefully, I can persuade some more members to join so that the prizes in 2002 will be even larger than those above.
Finally, I should also mention that I joined the crew of the 'John Pinkerton' about 18 months ago so I know a few faces. I look forward to meeting more of you in 2002.
A Good New Year to you all,
Jim Johnstone, 7 Earlsbourne, Church Crookham, Fleet. (01252 626749)
40 YEARS AFTER
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In 1962, Tim Dodwell helped to clear the way for boats attending the last pre-restoration boat rally to be held on the Canal. Some twelve lorry loads of rubbish were removed by the volunteers, which enabled about 30 craft to assemble at Monument Bridge for the Easter event, organised by the Home Counties Branch of the IWA.
Nearly 40 years later, Tim is still at it, helping the other WRG members during their bankside clearance weekend.
Tim Dodwell (right) Photo: Dieter Jebens
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page 16
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MILLETT'S MUSINGS - David Millett
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# Congratulations to David Dare, proprietor of Heart of England Hotel Narrowboats and the trip boats at the Canal Centre, and his partner Angela on the birth of a baby daughter, Kizzie Natalie, 91 lb 12ozs. The baby was born on Angela's birthday, 3rd September.
# The Canal Authority has a new Development and Promotions Officer in Andy Howard so, with Tony Beecher's appointment as Canal Operations Manager, a new management team is now in place. As the stock of the 'Philips' canal leaflet is now exhausted, Andy is working on a new general leaflet with a new map, details of associated organisations and advertising space for commercial operators and pubs. It is being produced in conjunction with Heritage Guides.
# Best wishes to Ron Kettle, landlord of the Fox and Hounds, Crookham Road, Fleet, on his retirement after a very long association with the canal. He has been there since the 1960s so has seen the canal through from dereliction to a fully restored condition. He has always supported the canal mainly through his support of the Fox and Hounds rally each September.
# Ron's successors at the Fox & Hounds are Keith and Denise Tanner from the Cricketers at Upper Hale. They used to have a cabin cruiser up in the Trent & Mersey Canal area and the presence of the canal is one of the things that has drawn then to Fleet. They are keen to continue where Ron left off, so a warm welcome to them.
# Good to hear that dredging is to take place on the "Brookwood Mile" this winter. This has long been a difficult stretch to navigate.
# It looks as if the new mooring basin is about to be dug at the canal centre as Chambers believe they have a client requiring the sand in March 2002. Excellent news.
# Good to hear of a successful prosecution for unsightly supermarket trolleys being dumped in the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation in Essex, with 146 trolleys being removed in a clean-up in April 2000. In August Tesco were fined £30,000 after being prosecuted by the Environment Agency. Food for thought elsewhere where trolleys are dumped in a navigation, e.g. in Woking?
# Proposals for a new canal boathouse near Blacksmith's Bridge, Dogmersfield are being opposed by the Society due to a dangerous location on a double bend. The boathouse proposal is part of a huge conversion of Dogmersfield Park into a luxury hotel and leisure complex rumoured to be costing £27M including purchase of the park.
# Great news that the canal has remained open to navigation for the whole of 2001. The heavy rainfall of last autumn, winter and spring has really helped the canal. How ironical that the new backpumping scheme has not been required.
# Whilst the number of annual licences issued for powered craft in 2001 was down to 119 from 150, the number of visitor licences was up to 169 from 134. (These figures are as at 20th September). Good that visitors from other navigations have been able to visit the Basingstoke Canal all summer.
# Net revenue expenditure to run the canal in 2000/2001 was £406,199 (under budget by £1901). Of the income of £157,700, £22,000 came from boat licences, £52,258 from the fibre optic cable concession, £27,734 from donations and £27,551 from hire facilities, with the rest coming from sales, angling, rents and group activities plus exhibition admissions.
# Interested to read of a partnership arrangement being discussed with the Waterways Trust with a hoped for benefit for the canal in years to come.
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WATER APPEAL
The income from the Water Appeal currently stands at £14,279,80.
This includes £1,882.30 from tax rebates, which demonstrates the importance of filling in a Gift Aid form, which covers both your Society subscription and any donations made.
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page 17
(From Society Newsletters No.42 January-February and No. 43 February - March 1972)
# The Committee had expected by now to have heard the outcome of the County Councils' negotiations to buy the canal from the New Basingstoke Canal Company.
# The Society have recently written to 250 local organisations to enlist their support for the purchase of the canal and to ask them to use their influence with the County Councils. In addition all county councillors have been written to plus influential individuals and national bodies and to the Minister for the Environment.
# A cruise is to be organised in the Spring for local authority councillors on the River Wey to demonstrate the correct techniques for cruising on inland waterways.
# Woking Council approached regarding the proposed development of Slococks Nursery, which could adversely affect the canal.
# "You might be interested to hear that one of our members, held up by traffic in Australia, saw a car in front with a 'Save the Basingstoke Canal' sticker in the rear window. It's a small world". - Extract from a letter from Frimley and Frimley Green Women's Institute.
# Society working party on the Stratford Canal organised for mid-February.
# Volunteers required for the Inland Waterways Association and Waterways Recovery Group "big dig" to be held on March 25/26 at Dukinfield Junction near Manchester. The task is to clear bridge holes and narrow places of rubbish at the junction of the Peak Forest, Ashton and Huddersfield Narrow canals. 1000 volunteers expected from all over the country.
# In late February it was announced that Surrey and Hampshire County Councils are to be asked to give their authority for the making of Compulsory Purchase Orders on the Basingstoke Canal, so that it can be restored for recreational use for the community. This move follows the failure of prolonged negotiations since 1970 to discover the terms on which the New Basingstoke Canal Company would be willing to sell the canal.
# The New Basingstoke Canal Company issued a press release raising the same hoary old arguments against full restoration and that they would oppose the CPO. They also made various allegations about the Society, which were answered by various letters to the press and by a letter from the Canal Society solicitors to the Canal Company.
# Public meetings scheduled for Basingstoke and West Byfleet to encourage new members to join the Society. Volunteers sought to distribute leaflets to publicise the meeting.
# On March 3rd a wide ranging discussion was held to discuss HCC's compulsory purchase order plans. At the meeting were the (late) Mr. David Pumfrett, chairman of the County Councils Countryside Committee, vice-chairman Mr Robert Bostock and County Land Agent Mr Colin Bonsey. Representing the Society were our President, the Earl of Onslow and the committee.
# Scene: Bar, George Hotel, Odiham. Discerning military looking gentleman orders a pink gin. Barmaid: "Malvern water, isn't it sir?". Reply: "Oh yes. Malvern or Basingstoke Canal - anything will do". Contributed by member; Mrs Jutta Manser of Southampton.
From Jill Haworth, the Society's Archivist:-
In the archive store we have a plaque which says
'BUILT BY
5th FIELD Co RE
ALDERSHOT
Sept 1922 |
We know that 5th Co was the local RE company before the war.
Is there anybody out there who might know where it came from?
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page 18
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MEMORIES of the DREDGER by Ron Jesse
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Part 3
Next we turned our attention to the crane engine. It was all taken to bits, cleaned and put back with greasers full and oilways well lubricated. We had the feed pump to pieces and rebuilt with new rings, the injector and safety valves inspected, new gauge glasses, welded patches on the smoke-box and funnel, and - most importantly - had the pressure gauge calibrated.
Finally—overa year later—the time came to lightthe boiler fire. But, not before it was full of water! The Society did not possess a portable pump, so, we went back to basics and transferred a goodly proportion of the River Kennet into one of the boiler inspection holes by bucket! Not a job I would recommend as a casual pastime, it was tedious and muscle-wracking after the first 100 bucketfuls!! When full, we applied a pressure test and all was well!
The Insurance Inspector was satisfied, and at last, we could legally raise steam.
A few lumps of coal remained in fire. I had a job on deck at the time, but I was amazed how quickly steam was raised. We set the safety valve to lift at the required pressure, and Ian gingerly warmed through the pipes and cylinders on the crane engine. Then ...
Plonk, plonk, plonk — up came the jib from its stowage bracket.
It Worked!! And so quietly. A few spins round with the crane base, up and down with the bucket, and all was well.
To celebrate our achievement, we ignored our lunchtime coffee flasks, and walked up to a nearby pub for a pint., or two. Imagine our amazement when the Landlord refused to serve us, because we were dirty,and dishevelled!!
We explained that he was making a big mistake: we expected there would be dozens of canal enthusiasts in his area soon, who would in future studiously avoid his pub. In my experience, restorers of canals, bring a lot of business to pub landlords!
True though, they are often pretty muddy, dirty and scruffy!!
By this time the Hampshire County Council was close to purchasing their half of the canal so we invited officers to witness a demonstration of "our monster's" capabilities.
On the appointed day, we swung the dredger across the river into deep water to put it through its paces. First, bucket into the water, splosh!! Plonkety-plonk and up it came, all wet and dripping. Trip the bucket, and Whoooshsh! - out came the mud with a terrific splash back into the water, which was most impressive, Ian did this several times, and we all agreed that we certainly had the power — the question was, could we get it to the Basingstoke? The H.C.C. agreed in principle that it could be used on the canal.
The early part of 1972 was spent dismantling and marking all the small parts. These were transported, and stored in the shed on Ash Vale Boatyard.
The Royal Engineers at Church Crookham, were persuaded .... ..^....... ..... (my wife just happened to work
for the army at this time!) that it would be a useful training exercise to lift off the crane and boiler, and to transport these to (I believe) a spare hanger on Odiham airfield.
The steam grab was refurbished by the Apprentices at N.G.T.E. Pyestock, and tried out on a temporary scaffold, using compressed air. It would not be required on the dredger at first.
The hulls, which were calculated to weigh 30 tons (main hull) and 12 tons (pontoons) would require commercial transportation. A quotation of £1,000. for the entire job was accepted, and a sponsor sought, Watneys, whose public house, the New Inn (now Water Witch) stood to flourish under the activity planned for Colt Hill, met the full cost. In return, a plaque was fixed to the towpath side of the dredger proclaiming their involvement "in modest language".
To be continued.
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Getting a bit ahead of the story, but Perseverance seen here with the railway in Swan Cutting in about 1976.
Photo: Roger Cansdale |
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page 19
It is with very great regret that we report the death of Jim Reid.
Jim was a long serving member of the staff of the Society
who made friends with all those who met him. He was
engaged by Frank Jones when "job creation" work started
on the Deepcut Flight in 1977. Frank took on both Jim and
Martin Smith as supervisors to manage the efforts of the
youngsters that were engaged to work on restoration of
the Flight at the direct expense of Government funding. Jim
was a direct employee of the Society it being a requirement
that we should bear the wages of the supervisors.
Jim was a major asset for the Society; he was able to
handle very deftly the team of somewhat wayward youngsters
that were available under the terms of "job creation" schemes. One
young man learnt so much from Jim's tuition that when he left
employment with the Society he very shortly secured a job as a foreman
bricklayer.
Jim was on the flight for several years, working during the week, and that work included running the railway that was operated for moving personnel plant and materials between Locks 28 and 21. He was very skilled in the nature of the work required for the repair of locks. When the funding of "job creation" schemes ceased Jim remained working for the Society since his devotion to the work and his skill was too great to dispense with. He left us with the opening of the canal.
He has a permanent memorial to his skills in the existence of the rebuilt Cowshot Manor Bridge. The bridge was in the last stages of existence when work started on the flight. Jim worked with a small team of youngsters to demolish the remains of the bridge complete with the tree that was growing through it, set up scaffolding and build a new bridge to replicate the old. He studied how Pinkerton had used the "100 foot line" technique to obtain ellipsoidal sides to the bridges and successfully copied it at Cowshot.
When work on the Deepcut Flight was coming to an end Jim moved East to work on re-furbishing Woodend and Langmans bridges. He had to work to the demanding requirements of the English Heritage Organisation on Langmans, a requirement that he was well equipped to meet. After he left employment with the Society, one of Jim's young men wrote an article in "Navies" as to how the Cowshot bridge had been built. That bridge is a permanent reminder to all who knew him of what a great guy he was and how much he is missed.
Stan Meller
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The four Job Creation supervisors pictured at the newly restored Lock 27 in October 1979.
(l to r) Frank Jones, Pat Bere, Martin Smith and Jim Reid
photo: David Robinson |
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page 20
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A reminder from the 'Stickers and Stuffers' of the BC News, particularly to those living in the Fleet area, where postcodes have recently changed:-
Could you please check the postcode on your envelope and if it is incorrect, advise the Membership Secretary of the correct one to enable the Post Office to give prompt delivery. Thank you.
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And finally, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!
Date for next copy 15th February 2002
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.
Editorial Team: Editor:
Roger Cansdale* 79 Gally Hill Road, Church Crookham, Hants GU52 6RU 01252-616964
e-mail: roger.cansdale@ntlworld.com
Photos: Dieter Jebens* 60 Middle Bourne Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU10 3NJ 01252-715230
President: The Earl of Onslow
Chairman: Peter Redway* 1 Redway Cottages, St John's Lye, Woking, Surrey GU21 1SL 01483-721710
Vice-Chairman: Dieter Jebens* 60 Middle Bourne Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU10 3NJ 01252-715230
Hon. Secretary: Philip Riley* Wincombe Cottage, Broad Oak, Odiham, Hants. RG291AH 01256-702109
Hon. Treasurer: Jonathan Wade* 30 Hanover Gardens, Cove, Farnborough, Hants GU14 9DT 01252-524690
Membership Secretary: Lesley Richards 9 Denning Close, Fleet, Hants GU52 7SP 01252-684112
e-mail: info@canalia.com
Working Party Information: Peter Redway* 1 Redway Cottages, St John's Lye, Woking, Surrey GU21 1SL 01483-721710
Trip Boat Manager: Ron McLaughlin 94 Guildford Road, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 6BT 01252-672189
Trip Boat Bookings: Marion Gough St Catherines, Hurdle Way, Compton Down, Winchester, Hants SO21 2AN 01962-713564
Sales Manager: Verna Smith* 63 Avondale, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5NE 01252-517622
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 Molesey, Surrey KT6 1TQ 0208 941 0685
Website Manager: Arthur Dungate 39 Sian Close, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hants GU52 6BT 01252-622101
e-mail: arthurdungate@onetel.com
Talks Organiser: Arthur Dungate 39 Sian Close, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hants GU52 6BT 01252-622101
Press Officer: Dieter Jebens* 60 Middle Bourne Lane, Farnham, Surrey GU10 3NJ 01252-715230
Gift Aid manager: Graham Hornsey* 'Mallards', 94a Aldershot Road, Fleet, Hants GU51 3FT 01252-623591
e-mail: grador@totalise.co.uk
200 Club organiser: Jim Johnstone 20 Hawkins Grove, Fleet, Hants GU51 5TX 01252-626749
Archivist: Jill Haworth Sheerwood, 501 Woodham Lane, Woking, Surrey GU21 5SR 01932-342081
Woking Organiser: Peter Coxhead 17 Abbey Close, Pyrford, Woking, Surrey GU22 8RY 01932-344564
Director: Kathryn Dodington* 8 Sheets Heath Lane, Brookwood, Woking, Surrey GU24 0EH 01483-473630
Director: David Lloyd-Langston* 7 Fernhill Close, Upper Hale, Farnham, Surrey GU9 OJL 01252-723309
Director: John Ross* 14 Heathcote Road, Ash, Aldershot, Hants GU12 5BH 01252-330311
Canal Society Internet Website: www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk
Printed by Commercial Press Ltd, Farnham
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