The Rooks Hill project has benefitted from two visiting work groups that attract volunteers to sign-up to "Working Holidays" arranged by the Waterways Recovery Group (part of the IWA).  The first of these was led by our own Bill Nicholson and the BBC dropped in to film a feature on working holidays.   The feature is expected to air in September, so look out for more information on this in our August Newsletter. 

The second group was led by members of KESCRG.  The visiting volunteers include many highly experienced members and ensured we could make significant progress at Rooks Hill as reported above.

Unfortunately the recent dry spell means that we have currently suspended boat trips as there is insufficient water in the navigable section of the canal.

Still no significant rain!

The Thursday Group have been busy at Devil's Hole Lock repairing the eroded wall of the lock chamber.  The area has been jet washed and will require building up with thin layers of mortar.

Phase 1 of the Rye Farm bridleway/towpath is making good progress with 70% of the final topping surface laid.

At Tickners Crossing Thames Water have now completed work on the length task of diverting the water main.  Work has continued on the temporary road with trenches being dug on either side for the drainage piping.

Stockproof fencing has been installed behind the newly laid towpath hedge at Drungewick/Barnsill.  The team have been practicing their gaucho skills

The Mobile Display Vehicle will be visiting:

Amberley Commercial and C0mmunication 17th August.

Amberley Taste of Sussex   23rd/24th/25th August

Balls cross Steam Rally     30th/31st August

Julian Morgan took this photo of a Ringlet Butterfly at Brewhurst Lock at the end of June.

What have you seen and photographed recently? If you send a photo to Dave Verrall who will upload it to the  Wildlife photo section on the website.  dave.verrall@weyarun.org.uk   

The annual River Arun Small Boat Rally from Pulborough to Pallingham took place on June 29th in glorious summer weather. There were 26 participants of whom 16 made it all the way up to the shallows at Pallingham.

Paddlers came from as far afield as Thames Ditton in the north and Chichester in the south.  It was good to see so many other paddlers using the river in contrast to a few years back when the 'raison d'etre' of the rally was to prove that the navigation was used at least once a year.

Our thanks goes to the front office team of marshals and to the back office team who organised the publicity and IT support.  Furthermore, we were indebted to the Environment Agency for removing at short notice a very large tree completely blocking the river around the half way point. 

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.

If you want to know more about how much we have achieved click on the The First 50 Years button below .