Phase 2 of the project is to dig out a new canal channel to link the new bridge with the birtley section of the canal to the north.   The eastern bank will be constructed in the same way as part of the bank in Phase 1 and excavation of a short section has taken place ready for the first gabion cages.  We have visiting volunteers coming for their summer camps in July so we are expecting to make some rapid progress this summer as we head north. 

As we mentioned last month, the Application we made to Waverley District Council to receive Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding has been approved and will provide 80% of the money we need to fund phase 2 of the Rooks Hill Project.   

While the CIL award is fantastic news, we are still just over £17,000 short of our Phase 1 target and need to raise a further £62,400 to fund the remaining 20% of Phase 2. 

CIL requirements mean we need to spend the money before we can reclaim 80% of the costs, making it even more important we can achieve full funding. 

We have  therefore expanding our Rooks Hill Appeal to target a further £79,800 of donations to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2.  Please donate if you can.

Our sponsored walk previously known as 'The Poddle' took place on Sunday June 7th.  

Our Annual General Meeting (see formal notice on the link below) will be held at 2:30 p.m. on 17th
October 2026 at Pulborough Village Hall, Swan View, Pulborough RH20 2BF.

Phil Short and his team will be taking the Mobile Display Vehicle to:

Cranleigh Carnival    27th June

Reading Water Fest   27th June (Gazebo)

Elstead Village Fete   4th July

Parham Steam Rally   11th/12th July

Weald Fest Billingshurst  18th July

The Thursday Group have continued their repairs to the eroded bank opposite the Drungewick Slipway with clay spoil from Rooks Hill.  

They also installed new stop plank channels at Birtley Bridge 1 to enable water management during construction of the new stretch of canal down to Rooks Hill.

Work continues on dredger Pauline and the refurbished spud leg rams have now been refitted.

While she is on the slipway,  members of the Tuesday group carried out some painting to start the work to give her a shiny black bottom.

The month of May with its two bank holidays gave the Monday group some respite!  However, they have been busy clearing vegetation at Devil's Hole, Loxwood and Brewhurst.  They also cut the vegetation from the enormous mound of spoil at Tickners excavated from the construction of the footbridge and canal extension.  This included a fine crop of prize winning thistles

the Wood White butterfly is one of the UK's rarest species. In 2025 three new colonies were discovered in West Sussex.  They are weak fliers and may be using the banks of the canal to reach new areas of woodland. If you spot a Wood White it would be helpful to email woodwhite@sussexbutterflies.org.uk  who are hoping to find more colonies of the elusive butterfly.

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   

The Small Boat Rally took place on Sunday 17th May.  Our thanks to  Pulborough Paddles for allowing us to use their launch facilities at Stopham.  There were 22 participants and about 15 made it all the way up to Pallingham.  On the return journey they faced a strong headwind and an irate goose!  Our thanks to the marshals and the WACT IT support officer for enabling a most successful event.

We are looking for a volunteer to deliver Wey South in the Littlehampton, Angmering and East Preston area.  the round has about 24 magazines to deliver 3 times a year.  Please get in touch with John Tovell.  john.tovell@weyarun.org.uk

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.