Richard’s Wey May 2017

Published on: 17 May, 2017
Updated on: 17 May, 2017

The latest report from Richard Cant, the Stoke lengthman on the River Wey Navigations

It seems a long time ago now, but April was dominated by the two weeks of the school Easter holidays, which traditionally signals the start of the boating season.

There was a definite upturn in boat numbers during the holidays and it’s important to me that my length is looking its best for our extra visitors.

Now is a fantastic time of year to see wildlife on the river, like this pair of swans on the Stoke length with nine Cygnets!

It’s also nice to think that all the hard work my volunteers and I have been putting in to property presentation is going to be seen and appreciated.

Predominantly this has meant mowing grass and painting both Stoke and Bowers Locks while trying to avoid leaving any wet paint for boaters to get their hands on.

I even had a day on another length at the beginning of April as I joined the Wey Navigation Conservation Volunteers to help paint Papercourt Lock, which proved to be a very productive day, with a great bunch of volunteers, in a lovely location in glorious weather. What could be better?

Another task this month has been to continue cleaning, repainting and even straightening (yes it did involve a big hammer) some of the signage on the Stoke length.

We try to keep signage along the navigation to a minimum so that it doesn’t detract from the natural beauty of the property, but the signs that we do have need to be kept clean and presentable.

We’ve also needed to replace some of the wooden posts that the signs are mounted on, so a big thank you to my volunteers for their help in the less than glamorous job of digging holes.

With little in the way of rain and weir operations in April, I’ve had time to work on some other tasks such as strimming gaps in the bankside vegetation for visiting boats to moor, and moving some of the mooring pins on the Stoke mooring line to give a bit more space to my permanent moorers.

I also had the pleasure of giving a short talk and demonstration of how a lock works to a group of pupils from Weyfield Primary Academy. They were very keen to learn about the lock and seemed to have really enjoyed their walk down the river.

That just leaves me to say I do hope that the improving weather will entice you to come out and enjoy the Wey Navigations.

Keep your eyes peeled as there are now ducklings and other young animals to be seen for those who are observant enough, but please remember to enjoy them from a distance and try not to disturb them.

Stoke Lengthsman

07786 703 832

richard.cant@nationaltrust.org.uk

www.facebook.com/RiverWey

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