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.   Construction of the eastern bank is well underway with both of the visiting work groups helping  to lay and fill gabion cages and auger in the Plastecowood posts. A new towpath will be constructed to run beside this bank to connect up the path along the restored Birtley section.

Our combined Appeal for Phase 1 and 2 is now within £76,000 of our target for full funding. 

We would like to thank all those who have made donations to ensure this project can continue to make rapid progress. 

Donations can be made on-line or by sending a cheque to the postal address at the bottom of this newsletter. 

Gift Aid can be claimed on eligble donations, meaning the Trust receives £1.25 for every £1 donated. 

The project at Tickner’s Heath between Cranleigh and Dunsfold aims to create a new crossing as the route of the canal is currently blocked by a causeway on the Dunsfold Road.

The Trust’s Board has concluded that it cannot proceed with the project at this time, as the costs would exceed the organisation’s available cash and reserves of £0.9 million. Moving ahead would also put other projects at risk and deplete the property fund, thereby limiting the Trust’s ability to respond quickly to future land acquisition opportunities.

We have been nominated for the Kings Award for Voluntary Service.  Following an assessment of suitability in Surrey, our nomination will now be considered for a National Award later this year.

Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS is the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they are awarded for life.

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 visited the Surrey Enterprise Country Fair for the first time.  Attendance was over 2000.There was a great deal of interest in the WACT project and many showed their support by making donations.  A similar degree of interest was shown at the Cranleigh Carnival and the Reading Water Fest.

There is no doubt that MDV plays a key role in our publicity activities.

Next Visits    Weald Fest Billingshurst    18 July

                      Amberley Musuem             16 August

                      Wisborough Green Fete     31 August

Our valiant volunteers have had to face weather conditions ranging from monsoons to heatwaves.  Nevertheless, they have soldiered on regardless and made good progress on many fronts.

Refreshed by their annual BBQ, the Midweek Working Party have cleared the very overgrown towpath from Elmbridge to Mill Farm which had been closed for several years. They have also been clearing trees and vegetation from the bank between Cranleigh Waters and the section of canal between the Birtley Bridges for work to begin on stabilising the bank.

A question was asked at the Spring Meeting as to the future of the 40 or so tree trunks lying in the canal bed at Rooks Hill.  Thanks to one of our neighbouring land agents, they are now at the depot. No mean feat as the first load of 8 trunks weighed over 14 tons. There they will be milled into useable timber using our newly acquired attachment which converts a chainsaw into a portable sawmill.

Julian Morgan took this lovely photo of a Goldfinch at Loxwood.

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   

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.