The Eastward Cruise
(Report by Alec Gosling)
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Saturday, 11th May 1991.
4.00am started this special day,
kettle on to satisfy our first
thoughts - a cuppa (of tea)! 5.00am saw the lock wheelers
in full flight, transported by van and bikes to set the locks
for the 25 boats. Tony Harmsworth welcomed us to the top lock,
set for Betty G, Tristan III, Which Wey and
Wingletand to enter. The water with mist and light was a
sight to be savoured - but back to the cruise. Peter Bond
helped us through his "own" lock, 25.
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We reached Lock 15,
then it was fancy dress time, boatman
style for the gents and aprons for the ladies. Presentations
were made to Pirbright Parish Council, then into the lock
and away.
Events that followed
started with a small wave of a hand,
then two, balloons in the gardens, streamers, decorated fences,
drinks, party hats and flags. Greetings inceased until
everyone was calling out welcome and the local milkman drank
our health with a bottle of his own "brew"!
The Women's Institute
were in force with a display on
Brookwood Bridge and a sea of waving hands and smiling faces
all so happy to see the canal back in use. By now the
souvenir programmes were selling like they were on ration
and everybody was cruising (riding?) high.
People appeared everywhere,
anywhere with a foothold had a
shoe on it. A real tearjerker was the singing of the members
of the Westgate Day Centre in Woking.
At Spantons Wharf,
speeches were made, bands played and it was
all too quickly time to depart for the official opening
of the Woodham flight, dominated by "Pablo's Folly".
So many people, how no-one had an enforced swim I'll never
know.
Onto the last flight,
out of Lock 2, and in the distance,
no Lock 1, just people everywhere. There to greet us was
"Master of Ceremonies" Tony Davies - "Well
done, 30 seconds early!". The last two gates opened and
at 8.00pm we moored up for a Byfleet Boat Club barbecue.
We had been cruising
for 13 hours.
Back to the top
The Westward Cruise
(Report by David Millett)
24 boats joined
the Westward Cruise led by steam launch
Odiamayde, trip boat Mildred Stocks run by
the Boats for the Handicapped Association and electric
launch Alnwick belonging to cruise director
Brian Percy.
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They were met at Ash Wharf
by the Town Crier and crowds
of children and local people. Here a scroll was presented
to the Mayor of Guildford and a plaque to the Chairman
of Ash Parish Council.
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On to Ash Lock,
joined by the Mayor and Mayoress of
Rushmoor for the second scroll presentation and unveiling
of a plaque provided by Rushmoor Borough Council to
commemorate the reopening.
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Boaters joined
a lunchtime barbecue before proceeding
to Norris Bridge for a presentation to Hawley Parish
Council, and passing the steam dedger Perseverance
at work as they cruised through Fleet.
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Reading Road Wharf
was packed with people welcoming the
boats into Fleet. The third scroll was presented to the
Chairman of Hart District Council and the boaters were
served with refreshments.
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The cruise continued
upstream for presentations to the
Chairmen of Crookham, Winchfield and Dogmersfield
Parish Councils.
Broad Oak Bridge
was lined with people welcoming the flotilla
into Odiham, where the last presentation was made to Odiham
Parish Council.
The Colt Hill celebrations
were joined by the Society's Bantam
tugs and dredger crew, and the boaters were greeted by Mrs
Joan Marshall, once General Manager of the New Basingstoke
Canal Company.
Back to the top
Last five miles
On the Sunday,
(12th May 1991), Bill Homewood and his walkers met the boats at the
limit of navigation at North Warnborough. The walkers then
"navigated" the line of the canal as closely as
possible into Basingstoke on foot.
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Presentations were made
to Greywell Parish Council and the Mayor of Basingstoke, completing
3 days of opening celebrations.
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Highspots
Charles Stock
came from the east coast and
bowhauled his gaff cutter Shoal
Waters all the
way up the canal.
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Back to the top
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NEXT -
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| Some comments after the Re-opening.
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