On a blustery day in November 2018 Stewart Paton proposed to Louise Williamson at Gennets Bridge Lock at Loxwood. To mark the occasion Stewart picked up a fallen acorn, brought it home and put it in a pot. He hadn’t really expected it to grow, but grow it did and now four years to the day the couple have replanted the sapling in the same spot at Gennets Bridge Lock.
Keeping the sapling alive during the heat of this summer was a challenge but the sapling survived and now looks set to thrive in its new home by the lock.
The pair, from Loxwood, are regular visitors to the canal, walking their two dogs along the towpath, and the little oak tree is now a permanent reminder of their special day. “We wanted to have a legacy of us coming together as a couple and this way people can see our mark on Loxwood and the canal as we love the place so much,” says Louise.
“It’s such a nice place to walk the dogs and it’s free for everyone to enjoy,” adds Stewart. “We’ve seen adders swimming, badgers, mink, loads of wildlife.”
Louise pays tribute to the Wey & Arun Canal Trust volunteers who maintain the canal and are restoring more of the 23-mile waterways for leisure use. “It’s so inspiring seeing the work all the volunteers do,” says Louise. “It’s just amazing.”
Stewart and Louise back at the spot where they got engaged, pictured with their little oak tree.
