Work on laying the new towpath at Bonfire Hangar is progressing well with over 320 metres of new stone surface laid and rolled with a further 330 metres of base stone laid but requiring a top layer of stone for the finished surface.  The volunteers from the Newbury working group were with us for the first week.  The Waterway Recovery Group WRG  then took over for the second week.  Further work parties are being organised in August to finish the full 1000 metre section. 

A huge thank you to everyone from WACT and especially to our visiting volunteers for the excellent work they have done and the very significant progress they have made.  It will greatly enhance the experience of those walking the canal.  

The Tuesday group had a new Duke of Edinburgh Award participant join two weeks ago to complete his Volunteering section of the award.   After his first week he went home buzzing about the work he had completed and the lovely volunteers he was working with.  He spoke with his Grandad and suggested he sign up as well. This week we were delighted to have both George and Rick working together finishing off some steps from a footbridge across the canal at Bonfire Hanger.

The various working parties have had a busy month.  the Thursday group have greatly improved the internal layout of the Canal Centre. 

The Boat Group have been busy gardening as the photo shows.  The ablutions at the Depot are being refurbished. 

The Midweek Working Party have been cutting the 36 trees felled in the winter into firewood sized logs for transportation to the Depot.

After a hard seasons dredging, the faithful Pauline was successfully manoeuvred onto the Drungewick slipway.  The water levels in the pound needed to be raised to enable the dredger to access the slipway rails.

Pauline's hull will then be pressure washed and then blacked before some protective anodes are fitted to reduce the rate of corrosion.

Julian Morgan took this photo of a Male Banded Demoiselle at Loxwood on 6th June.

What have you seen and photographed recently?  Send us a photo for next month's Newsletter.

The MDV will be deployed to the following locations:

The Sussex Steam Rally    Parham Park, Storrington                                                       Sat 13th July/Sun 14thJuly

The Ripley Classic Tractor & Machinery Show                                                                    Sat 27th July/Sun 28thJuly

Amberly Museum               Sunday 18th August 

Amberly Museum               Sat 24th/Sunday 25th August

Roger Beazer is always happy for some back up from members to help communicate the Wey & Arun story to the public.

On Sunday 23rd June the Trust held its annual Small Boat Rally from Pulborough to Pallingham.  About 50 canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders took part -  some launching from Pulborough and others from Stopham.  Entrants came from a wide area including Chichester, Tonbridge, worthing and Eastbourne.  Quite a number were not aware of the Trust's existence and were keen to know more about the restoration work we are doing.  So it has helped to raise our profile.  

Two large trees had fallen blocking the river at Stopham and were only removed just in time for the Rally.

Our thanks to the marshals for overseeing a very successful day in lovely mid-summer sunshin

The Trust statutory accounts along with those for our trading company have been finalised and reviewed by the external examiner.   Members who want to understand our accounts and balance sheet are encouraged to review and submit any questions ahead of the AGM.   The AGM will take place at 2:30pm on 19th October at Afold Village Hall. 

Join the Wey & Arun Canal Trust to help extend our green corridor through the beautiful Surrey and Sussex countryside. Single membership £15pa - family £20pa.

Members receive our quarterly Wey South Magazine with more in depth stories and are able to attend special members events. .