THE eventual completion of the Wey & Arun Canal will depend on boats being able to navigate the Arun, and the Wey & Arun Canal Trust make sure of this.
During the early summer of every year the trust organises a flotilla of boats on the river from Pulborough to Pallingham Quay, to safeguard the navigation for the future.
Important
There were 10 boats crewed by 16 people and one dog that made the trip, with Rosie Sugar (pictured) one of those taking part in this important event.
Organiser John Taylor-Cram explained:
"The aim of this annual event is to ensure that when restoration of the Wey & Arun Canal is completed, there will be no legal hold ups in enabling the boats to use the River Arun.
"The event was timed to make the best of the tides, but we still had enough time to stop off at the White Hart at Stopham Bridge for some well-earned refreshments"
Navigation rights
Work started on restoring the Wey & Arun Canal in the 1970s and the annual event organised by John will play an important role in proving that navigation rights have been used.
Organisation of the cruise to the head of the River Arun used to be undertaken by the Solent & Arun Branch of the Inland Waterways Association but the Wey & Arun Canal Trust has agreed to take on the coordination of this traditional boat rally.