I have just received a copy of the IWA policy statement on "Operability of Locks and Movable Bridges"

You will find this at: http://www.waterways.org.uk/library/policies/locks_bridges.htm

If you have any comments please forward them to me.
Hon Secretary

Hi
If you are worried about breakdowns the following may be of interst.

River and Canal Rescue (www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk) are offering a slightly discounted fee to club members.

This is information, not a recommendation. Should you wish to take advantage of this please contact me.

I have received this info from James at Byfleet Boat Club. Any members wanting to go will be very welcome.

Weybridge River Festival

Weybridge will be celebrating 350 years of the Wey Navigation on Saturday 27th September with a gathering of boats on the River Wey in Weybridge. Plans include an appearance by horse drawn barge Iona, a re-enactment of the opening of the Old Wey Bridge, by then newly refurbished, and a procession of illuminated boats from the Thames Lock to the Old Wey Bridge and back. There will be exhibitions, stalls and gazebos and funds will be raised for Weybridge Hospital. Radio controlled model boats, face painting, and appearances by Trusty the Hedgehog and possibly Rosie and Jim should all appeal to children, as will the opportunity to hire a rowing boat or take the riverbus from the bridge to the Thames Lock.

Boaters are invited to take part by decorating their boats with bunting and dressing as traditional boaters. If you wish to take part, please contact James Bell (01932 830493) or Rodney Wardlaw (01784 437082) for further details or email byfleetboatclub@bigfoot.com.


Further information: James Bell 01932 830493, (Mobile 07711 277499)

Enjoying a nice cold beer at the Water Witch on Sunday 13/07/03 after a long cycle ride,I noticed the sign restricting access to the canal. I agree with Roger, If I was a canal boater I would also boycott this pub.

Boaters beware! The Water Witch pub at Odiham is no longer boat friendly, I moored at the pubs warf as usual only to find that the gate was nailed shut and a sign (only visible from the pub garden) stated "stricly no access to Canal". I carried on to the Swan! I feel that a boycott of the Water Witch is in order untill they change their attitude! What do you all think?

Hi Everyone - just received this email from the Canal Centre, please take note:

Just to let you know that, unfortunately, we have had to close the Canal to boats coming in as of yesterday. This is due to a general water shortage brought on by the recent very dry spell - just as we were hoping things were looking better over recent years! Apparently, following the wettest December and January on record we have had the driest Spring.....

Obviously the backpumping scheme means boats can still come up the Woodham Flight to Woking.

Hopefully this is just a temporary glitch - thunderstorms are predicted for Sunday and this may help. We have enough water to let visiting boats currently on the Canal off and this process will help top up the pounds on the lower flights of Locks.
We will be reviewing this on a daily basis and any boats wishing to visit can contact the Office during Office hours (inc. Sat and Sun to end of September) on 01252 370073 for an update. A recorded message is available 24hrs on 01252 376523.

Please could you put this on your websites.
Leigh Thornton

Director, Basingstoke Canal Authority
Canal Centre
Mytchett Place Rd
Mytchett, Surrey
GU16 6DD
Tel: 01252 370073 Fax: 01252 371758

The gate paddel coupling has failed on the lefthand gate (looking from lock side) at Ash Lock The paddel never goes up even when the mechanism is turned. This has been reported to the canal authorities, you have to use the other one

Re Club events.

The Odiham Rally was cancelled as there were no boat entries and no signs of other interest.

The next proposed event on the calender is the Fox and Hounds, help needed to organise this. Contact David Wall.

Without a Chairman or Vice Chairman things will get very quiet.

Having just discovered from the BCA that the Colt Hill Rally has been cancelled due to 'lack of interest', can someone explain to me how this can be known, as pre-booking for the event was not obligatory. This news features on nobodies web site, let's just hope people find out as I did.
As it was said at the AGM that the Fox & Hounds would probably be cancelled this year, it's not a very rosy looking future for us, is it? And we had Yen Koh's decoration all planned and ready too ...

Some Good News (from BCA)
The Lift Bridge at North Warnborough is to be Electrified.

The Bad News
The above bridge will be closed from 10th March for approximatly 2 weeks.

KW 15 Feb 2003

At the AGM on 14th of March we will elect a new committee.

It would be very welcome if there was some new blood standing for election. This will keep your club alive and active.

Thank you to Nigel and Lesley for arranging the very enjoyable dinner at the Fox and Hounds. Happy Christmas to all.
If you have any items for the next magazine please let me have them early January.

Happy Christmas to all from Nigel and Lesley! Look forward to seeing everyone out along the canal next year.

I picked up the Christmas Dinner menu from the Fox & Hounds and reckon it sounds excellent value at £17.99 per head, with choice of 6 starters, 7 mains (inc vegetarian options), plus dessert choice, coffee & mints. I'd be quite happy to organise, but would prefer that people make contact with me, rather than have to chase them. A date would need to be agreed between ourselves & the pub, & an idea of numbers, so that we could make a provisional booking. Could Bobbi send out a feeler to all members with my address for replies?
Lesley

WATERWAYS HOLIDAYS
http://www.waterwaysholidays.com
Tel: 0870 747 2934

WATERWAYS DIRECTORY
http://www.waterwaysdirectory.com
Tel: 0870 747 2934


< replied-to message removed by QT >

WE are thinking of having a xmas dinner,if you are interested or would like to organise this please give me a call or hit

Dont forget that through the Club you are also members of the AWCC, a national organisation.

The AWCC campains on your behalf for better boating and also provides contacts whenever you leave your local waterway.

Their Web Site will be found at http://www.penpont.demon.co.uk and you will find items of interest there including the copy from their latest magazine.

The club secretary receives 2 copies of this by post, and if anyone wants to receive one of these please let me know.

Keith Williamson
Hon Secretary Basingstoke Canal Boating Club