If you are looking to meet new people, get out in the fresh air and learn skills then we have a role for you. No specialist skills are needed as all volunteers are given training, and equipment is provided. All we ask is that you bring suitable protective footwear. We currently have six different working groups as follows:
Monday Group
When: Mondays
This team of volunteers ensures restored sites are kept clean and tidy, as well as undertaking work at the request of others. Tasks include mowing, strimming, hedge cutting, painting and maintaining benches.
Contact: mondaygroup@weyandarun.co.uk
Mid Week Working Party (MWWP)
When: Wednesdays
The MWWP meets every Wednesday. The team visits many different lengths of the canal in their work, which also provides an opportunity to see parts of the canal that have no public access. A variety of work is carried out, including clearing vegetation, brambles, fallen trees, scrub & reeds and general maintenance. The working party are also involved with the planning & surveying of the various areas of new work.
Contact: margaret_darvill@weyandarun.co.uk
Eric Walker Group (EWG)
When: Wednesday and Thursdays
This is one of our construction teams which offers a wide variety of skills to the Trust. Brick layers, builders and drivers are all included in this group. Volunteers can learn new skills, or put into practise current ones. The team are currently working on the construction of a new lift bridge near Birtley.
Contact: dennis_gillen@.co.uk
Hedgelaying Team
When: Tuesdays in winter
The hedgelayers meet every week across the winter months from around the end of October to around mid-March. Work includes coppicing hazel to provide binders and stakes, as well as laying hedges alongside the canal, and then clearing all the arisings - with a welcome bonfire in the cold months. New members are always welcome to come and learn or practise this old country craft (we use Southern Counties style).
Contact: hedgelaying@weyandarun.co.uk
Northern and Summit Working Party
When: Monday and Tuesday Groups and third Saturday of the month
Where: Ticker’s Heath Road Crossing, near Dunsfold
The team are working on the construction of a new road crossing at Tickner’s Heath along with other maintenance tasks on other areas of the canal.
Contact: gordon_powell@weyandarun.co.uk
Thursday Group
When: Thursdays !
Where: Mostly in the Loxwood section of the canal, but the group travel to other sections as required
The team tackle canal maintenance activities and other small construction projects.
Contact: brian_king@weyandarun.co.uk
Passengers’ Environment Safety Team (PEST)
When: Two Fridays a month
This team aims to keep the operational side of the canal clear of obstructions that would inhibit the safe passage of our passengers, crew and boats, and focus on water-based parts working party colleagues cannot reach.
Contact: peter_hyem@weyandarun.co.uk