Q		Q
	Next Committee meeting Monday 16th February 2009 at 7.30pm. in the Bellerby Room at the Huntington Community Centre.
	New Phone masts on The River Foss
	Two applications have been received by York City Council to erect masts well over 20m high close to the River Foss. One at Strensall replaces a 17m mast (photo below). One in Huntington is new and is sited in an area of particular beauty (photo below showing possible view with mast superimposed).
	Maureen Hume Memorial
	On 13th October 2008 a tree was planted by her husband John and daughter Alison in memory of Maureen Hume.
	The River Foss Society is pleased to be associated with her memorial since she was an indefatigable secretary to the Society up to her untimely death.
	After John finished planting the tree Alison read the following poem chosen to reflect Maureen's faith and her appreciation of the environment. Maureen would have welcomed the proximity of the tree to the River Foss next to Layerthorpe Bridge which leads to the ancient Monk Bar in the walls of the City of York.
	Trees             Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree. A tree whose hungry mouth is prest Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; A tree that looks at God all day, And lifts her leafy arms to pray; A tree that may in summer wear A nest of robins in her hair; Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.
	John Hume and daughter Alison after planting the tree. Committee members of the River Foss Society. Recent functions:
	OPEN MEETING TALK OPEN MEETING A talk by Mr Tony Berry and Mr Chris Dunn (Tony and Chris have been surveying and researching the canal and its locks and tonight is a presentation of their work. ) on The History of the Foss Canal Navigation Company at 7.00pm Tuesday 14th October 2008 Strensall Village Hall Strensall, YORK   Admission free. Refreshements available. ALL WELCOME
	Although the weather was diabolical about fifty intrepid River Foss Society members braved the elements to attend this lecture. They all agreed it was well worth while.
	We were treated to an intriguing archaeoligical discourse into the processes which led to the River Foss being turned in a navigation ( a navigable river as opposed to a man-made canal) from Blue Bridge to Wallbutts. The extension to Canal Head is a canal which does not rejoin the Foss.
	Most of the talk was involved with bridges and the associated locks starting at Castle Mills and included those at Layerthorpe and Yearsley. In New Earwick the lock keeper's cottage still exists as does the evidence of Pullen's Landing. Here the signs of the end of navigation are to be seen with blocking walls in the lock which were added in the mid-19th century.
	Remains of Dowker's swing bridge are daily abused by dog walkers and cows in Huntington.
	Actually the whole project seems to have been a classic example of mismanagement as exemplified by the the split towpath at Towthorpe Bridge. A fascinating journey in to the recent history of the River Foss.
	Investigation in that part of the Foss adjacent to The Old Village (4-5 November 2008)
	It is reported that these speakers were surveying the stretch of the River Foss adjacent to The Old Village, Huntington in association with English heritage trying to clarify old changes to the Foss designed to help improve navigation.
	AGM TALK AGM A talk by Darrell Buttery President of the York Civic Trustand Honorary Curator of Painting and Prints of the Merchant Adventurers Company on York's Rivers in Paintings This will be followed, after refreshemnts, by the Society's Annual General Meeting At 7.00pm Friday 18th April 2008 Strensall Village Hall Strensall, YORK   All welcome, so bring your family and friends with you to this special occasion. ALL WELCOME
	Wednesday Visit to the 14th May 2008 Hungate Archaeological Dig An evening visit to the Hungate Archaeological Dig site and a look at some of the latest finds. Meet at 6.30pm in Peasholme Green (opposite the Black Swan) Wednesday, 14th May 2008 This will be followed by an optional informal pub meal at the Golden Fleece in Pavement, YORK where the back bar has been reserved for us.   ALL WELCOME To book the pub meal: email junecard@waitrose.com.
	Inland Waterways Association   An OPEN MEETING of the IWA Ouse-Ure Section Members of the IWA Section will bring you up to date with the developments in the Ouse/Ure Corridor and the arrangements for the opening of the Castle Mills Lock from April 2008 (details of the telephone contacts, conditions of use, etc.) John Oxley (CYC Archaeologist) will talk about the Walmgate end of the River Foss and David Meigh (CYC Rivers) will bring us up to date with the latest state of play with regards to the Ouse. Followed by refreshemnts At 7.00pm Tuesday 26th February 2008 St Olave's Church Hall Marygate Lane, YORK   ALL WELCOME
	Sunday 2nd Decmber 2007 Christmas Lunch at the Novotel at 12 noon, preceded by a walk for the energetic.   Currently over 20 people are coming. Contact the Society secretary if you wish to join us.
	Further details will be found in the Newsletter.