Wednesday 4th April 2010
The Wey and Arun Canal Trust by Jim Phillips, OBE
Jim Phillips, OBE (left) presented a very interesting lecture with the use of a computer generated show using Power Point, he explained with the use of diagrams that in the 19th century it was possible to travel by boat from London to Littlehampton on the south coast of England via Weybridge, Guildford, Pulborough and Arundel. This was just part of a once extensive system of inland waterways covering England and Wales.
The route was via the rivers Wey and Arun, linked between Shalford in Surrey, and Pallingham in Sussex, by the 23-mile Wey and Arun Canal.
Jim continued to explain the operation of the Trust in the last forty years, with the ethos of the three legged tripod, where all legs need to be established for contemplation of the start and indeed need for completion. These being the first of access from the landowners for access to private lands and willingness to allow public right of way on the tow paths, many were cooperative but a few sadly are in full objection. Then there is the funding most of which comes from the public, in small and large gifts, all very acceptable, the final leg being the agreement of the environmental camp both public and state who need to be convince of the welfare of all the multitude of wild life and issues of health and safety. But in spite of these multitude of barriers from well meaning organisations and the intrangience of some land owners the trust has managed to plan, fund and complete many sections of the neglected canals. (as show below)
These could not have been completed without much if not all of the construction being provided by a large volunteer force covering many aspects of canal building.
The latest addition being a quiet electrical boat, perhaps in the future it will be solar powered.
Jim continued the Wey and Arun Canal formed a vital link, the only one between the south coast and the Thames, linking London and the busy river Thames with the English Channel - and beyond, he pointed out the Arun river has one of the fastest flows in the UK and your used this only with good seamanship, of which Jim has had vast experience being in the Royal Navy for over 40 years.
There were 3 aqueducts, 26 locks and many bridges.
The locks were 12 feet wide and about 70 feet long, and with average falls of about 6 feet. They were built to accommodate barges of about 11 feet wide and approx 67 feet long, hence not much room for manoeuvres!
The River Wey was made navigable from Weybridge to Guildford in about mid 1600's, and extended to Godalming 90 years later. The Arun has existed as a tidal navigation as far inland as Pallingham Quay, near Pulborough, since late 1500's.
What is known today as the 'Wey & Arun Canal' actually consists of two canals. The first was the Arun Navigation, which gave trading vessels from the south coast access to Newbridge Wharf near Billingshurst and was opened in 1787.
Then in 1800's an Act of Parliament, backed by the 3rd Earl of Egremont of Petworth House, authorised the building of a further canal, the Wey and Arun Junction Canal which extended the navigation from Newbridge up to Stonebridge Wharf south of Guildford on the Godalming portion of the river Wey, Jim relate that the Earl who lived at Petworth House was very rich and funded the canal building to the tune of £10, 000 which in today's values is in the order of five million pounds.
Following the Industrial Revolution, commercial trade on the canal gradually increased, with 23,000 tons carried at its peak in 1840 ish. However, the railways were becoming established as the new form of transport.
Horsham station, the first railways in Sussex had little impact on the canal, but in 1865 the line between Guildford and Horsham opened in direct competition with the canal. Although carrying charges were cheaper, the canal could not compete with the railway for speed and convenience. By 1868 canal traffic had virtually ceased, and this caused an Act of Abandonment to be passed
Further south, the Arun Navigation managed to survive until the start of the 20th century before it too succumbed. On abandonment the canal was sold off, mostly to the estates from which the land had been originally taken, Jim pointed out that most landowners gained vast sums from the original compensation and were able to repurchase the same land at a knock down price, seems the rich have always found a way to make a handsome profit!!
Although neglected, in the few places where it meandered close to civilisation it was still regarded as a feature of local interest. Rowner Lock near Billingshurst is shown on local postcards in the early 1900s despite having been disused for over 30 years.
And so it remained for almost a century, unloved and largely forgotten. Until 1970 when a group of enthusiasts formed the Wey & Arun Canal Society and which later became the Wey & Arun Canal Trust. Jim then mentioned and showed pictures of many and varied projects such as shown below.
Devil's Hole Lock above
The original Devil's hole lock and bridge are believed to have been destroyed during explosives practice by Canadian forces during World War 2. The lock and bridge were rebuilt by volunteers of the Wey and Arun Canal Trust between 1997 and 2002. Indeed Jim mention the Canadians have been invited to the opening due soon and state this time they come in Peace, but of course last time they were training for the Normandy landings of WW11.
Photograph on this page are the property of The Wey & Arun Canal Trust http://www.weyandarun.co.uk/ with many thanks
The lock simply known as Loxwood New Lock.In March 2007 boats were allowed to return to the Onslow Arms section of the canal having been prevented from accessing this stretch during the Loxwood Crossing construction. The new lock on the far side of the road built by volunteers during 2006 and opened during 2007.
Winner of the Trust photographic competition in the Junior Section
Jim who is and has been the Trust treasurer for the last 12 years concluded his presentation and then answered a series of questions covering a wide range of topics. The President Frank Rae invited Malcolm Davis to respond with a vote of thanks, Malcolm thanked Jim but pointed out that slides do not give a full impression of the large magnitude and ground covered by such projects but from his experience as both a Chartered Engineer and a keen walker who on many occasions had hiked the countryside that had been described emphasised the need to put the talk into the larger picture by a visit. Malcolm suggested that members may care to visit the Loxwood sections to view the area to get a better impression of the work carried out with mainly volunteer workforce. He then again thanked Jim and the membership supported his vote in our normal custom, thanks a lot Jim.FURTHER READING BOOKS -
The Thames to the Solent by Canal and Sea by Dashwood
and London's Lost Route to the Sea (P.A.L.Vine)
