Wey & Arun Canal Loxwood: At the Loxwood new lock the topping-out ceremony took place on 22nd November as the last coping on Horse Bridge was fitted. There are still a few things to be finished, but these were held back due to excess water and the need to prepare the bridleway to Brewhurst lock for the Santa Cruises. During a visit by Callis Mill, the lock equipment contractors, to Brewhurst lock (that s the one which is being reduced in height to enable the canal to fit under the B2133) they replaced the top sill mitre to enable the top sill itself to be installed. As I write, Burras, the main contractor, is pressing on with the work on the section of canal behind the Onslow Arms which is being lowered, putting on the pile-capping beam, but has had some equipment failures. The retaining wall along the towpath will then be finished and once that is complete, the towpath has to be reinstated. The bund at Brewhurst can then be removed. Hedgelaying:
Elmbridge (near Cranleigh):
Wey & Arun latest: Brewhurst and elsewhere Brewhurst Lock: November has been a busy month at Brewhurst Lock and as a result a great deal has been achieved. The last two Dig Deep weekends took place, with NWPG tacking on an extra day to their weekend and London WRG casting the last of the coping sections. Several tasks are outstanding, such as painting, fencing, landscaping, top-soiling and seeding, but visitors can now see Brewhurst Lock in its reincarnated form. We look forward to the day when boats are once again passing through the structure. It was decorated for the Santa Cruises with Christmas lights, toys and the charming singing mice . Sally Schupke
WACT
December saw three very large work parties taking part in planting a long hedge (about 1.5 km) beside the canal at Lee Farm, north of Pulborough. Our maintenance manager, David Jessop, was in charge and he was delighted with the response, including a number of new Trust members who came along to have a go .
Progress
Horse Bridge topping-out, and Brewhurst Lock rebuilt. (can you spot the mice?)
WACT
John Empringham and his group of volunteers made the first keeping up appearances visit to the stretch of canal behind Utworth Manor. This was the length on the summit pound cleared by the mid week working parties last winter. From clearing this new stretch only about a year ago, the brush and brambles had grown back to several feet high in places.
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