Our appeal total has now passed £200,000 as very generous donors continue to contribute. 

Bricklaying is progressing on the bridge with the 12,000 bricks which have been donated by Wienerberger and valued at £11,000 included the appeal total. 

Further cost savings have been identified bringing the expected costs down to £253k,  meaning just under £50k is required to fully fund phase 1. 

Can you help us reach our appeal total ?

Mark Akers joins the Board as Finance Director -  a role for which he is well qualified. Mark has volunteered with the Midweek Working Party for more than two years.

Until a new Chairman is identified, the existing Board members will ensure that we continue to operate effectively by taking it in turns to to chair Board meetings and keeping all key governance and board oversight responsibilities in force.

Margaret Darvill will remain the external contact for landowners and key supporters. Other duties previously carried out within the Chairman’s role will be shared by the Directors.

We have recently said goodbye to Zoe Mallam who has completed her Water Environment Worker apprenticeship with us over the last two years. Zoe completed her final assessments in January and achieved a Distinction on all aspects of her Apprenticeship.

Zoe said,  "The course has allowed me to gain some great skills and knowledge that could transfer to a variety of industries.  However, I hope to stay within the realm of inland waterways. In addition to the standard courses and certifications hosted by the college, the Trust was kind enough to allow me to complete an NPTC Chainsaw Cross Cutting ticket as well as CPCS Telehandler operator ticket which has been invaluable for completing tasks in and around the depot. 

It has been great to work with so many friendly, resourceful, and knowledgeable individuals and teams. I am always amazed at the huge progress made on our sites and how well the canal is maintained. I look forward to seeing the restoration of the canal continue."

Also in the photo with Zoe,  is our Operations Manager Stuart Dawson.

This year's Spring Meeting will be held on Saturday 18th April at 2pm in Alfold Village Hall.

There will be a guided visit to Rooks Hill that morning to see the amazing progress. 

More details to follow.

A flurry of snow did not deter the hedgelaying team from continuing their good work.  Earlier in the month, four members of the team were invited by the Surrey Wildlife Trust to share their skills with beginners.

The Thursday Group have made several visits to the Drungewick Slipway where they are installing two sets of 'dolphins' (mooring posts) so that the dredger tubs will not get snagged on the bank.  When water levels permit, a further set will be installed so that May Upton can be moored alongside.

In 1939 Tom and Angela Rolt set out to explore the canals of England in the narrowboat Cressy.  Alastair Clark has
followed part of their voyage on a bicycle and will be giving
a talk at Leatherhead Oddfellows Hall at 2pm on 5th March titled:

"In the Wake of the Narrowboat Cressy".

More details at: https://www.surreyarchaeology.org.uk/content/sihg-talk-in-the-wake-of-the-narrowboat-cressy-by-alastair-clark-leatherhead 

Details of Surrey Industrial History Group’s programme can be found at Surrey Archaeology Upcoming Events

Dave Verrall took this photo of an Egyptian Goose at Brewhurst.

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

Did you know you can download an app to your iphone with detailed information on our canal?  This includes canal side features such as mileposts, benches, picnic sites, landing stages and walks. 

There are also details of past and current restoration projects.  This makes the app an excellent source of information available during a walk. 

Further details and instructions on downloading the app can be found via the button below.

Join the Wey & Arun Canal Trust to help extend our green corridor through the beautiful Surrey and Sussex countryside. 

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

Single membership £20pa or £15pa on line.

Joint membership £25pa or £20pa on line