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NEWSLETTER

Editor's comment May 1997

Newsletter 0000 2-5 Editor's comment...... 2 Chairman's comment ...... 3 NOWS oo eeeee 5-14 Council meeting...... 5

BW moves water... 7 We do welcome your opinions FIDLOWa coer 9 on any topic related to boats and Reciprocal licences ...... 10 ‘boating, and will gladly publish Towpath cycling...... 12 them, however radical. But readers, be aware that not all that News in brief...... 14 is published in these pages NABO Business...... 16-17 corresponds with NABO official BSS practice... 16 policy. Water supply has to be the Marketing news...... 17 worry, of the moment in the FBDOMS io eecsscceeerermcn 20-21 south, and the rain that is falling Midlands news...... 20 as | write this is most welcome AOVEIMS ieececssyp ppgcmrorn| 15,18,19 (yes, even if you are out working a lock flight just now!). | know Letters 000.0000. 22-26 that BW at GU South have been Amusement page... 27 perfecting a rain dance; great NABO representatives...... 28 success, but I think they went a

bit far with the snow and hail! Published by Whilst every care is taken to ensure that the contents af the Newsletter are factually correct, we accept nv liability for any direct or National Association of consequential loss arising from any action Boat Owners taken by anyone as a result af reading anything contained in this publication. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the Association. The products and services advertised in this publication are not necessarily endorsed by the Association.

NEWSLETTER

Chairman's comment

the rules for river users, commercial carrying, and end of pee garden moorers, as_ the Conditions do not seem to have been drawn up with them in mind. NABO members will know of many of the objectionable clauses from the report in the NABO‘’s victory in the January “NABO News”. decision by the Waterways The Public Inquiry into the Ombudsman, Lady Ponsonby, Environment Agency’s applic- that BW were guilty of malad- ation for an Order to become the ministration by not consulting Navigation Authority for the over the three year licence fee River Wye started in mid-April. increases, is a victory for fairness NABO has lodged written and commonsense. It has been objections against this. The [WA reported by all three waterway has secured quite a number of magazines, with specially good concessions from the EA, which coverage in Canal & Riverboat meet many of our concerns. and Waterways World, and the However, we have not with- IWA has issued a press release drawn our objections, unlike supporting the decision. BW has some other waterways associ- made no public statement so far. ations. We believe the proposed We hope it will learn from its Wye Navigation Advisory mistakes and return to the road of Committee is still heavily full, open and fair consultation. weighted against boat owners, Following our meeting with and that traditional rights of BW, reported in the last issue of navigation enjoyed since the 13th NABO News, we have sent David Century could be extinguished Fletcher a list of nearly twenty without proper representation. changes we believe are needed to By the time you receive this the Licence & Mooring Permit newsletter, a new Parliament will Conditions. Some of our sug- have been elected. This is a gested changes would improve crucial time for the waterways: if NEWSLETTER

Chairman's comment (continued) we can attract the attention of fuel tank being replaced because MP's now we have a chance of it leaked. However, at the April persuading them waterways meeting, David Smith reported matter, before they become that an AWCC questionnaire involved in a million other indicated average remedial costs things. May I ask vou all to please of £385. We shall be circulating write to your MP, pointing out our own questionnaire to all our the desperate need for more members in the next few weeks, funding? Mention the fact that and would very much like to millions of people, including know what the BSS has cost you. casual visitors, walkers, anglers, On 15th April, I attended a nearby residents, etc, benefit from National Navigation Users Forum rivers and canals, and ask the MP meeting organised by the to consider joining the Parlia- Environment Agency. It is nice to mentary Waterways Group. You be able to report that it, as well as can get some more ideas from the BW, has received some extra article on page 20 of the January government funding. The EA has “NABO News”. A letter from received an extra £600,000 for you, a constituent, will count for navigation, which will be spent far more than a letter from an on providing new facilities and organisation. This is very import- repairing or replacing unsafe ant: a letter from you now really structures. | was less pleased to will help. hear that the reciprocal licencing It was reported at the January arrangements, which give private meeting of the Boat Safety boaters licenced by the EA or BW Scheme Advisory Group that an opportunity to use the other while some boaters paid up to authority’s waters free for up to £1000 for alterations due to the 15 days a year, are only in place BSS, the majority were under for this year. it will be decided at £150, with the average falling the end of the year whether to between £130 and £150. Where extend the arrangement to 1998, the bills were very high it tended i was also very unimpressed to be because large maintenance to hear John Redmond of the EA jobs were needed, for example a announce that all boats visiting NEWSLETTER

Chairman's comment (continued)

EA waters (and specifically the Thames have always had to Thames this summer) had to certify they complied with the comply with the BSS in full, or Thames Launch regulations, this they would be committing an new requirement strikes me as offence. This in spite of the fact being over-zealous and unfair. that a great many boats licenced 1 will be visiting the NABO by the EA do not have to have a stand at the Braunston Boat BSS Certificate yet (the same is of Show, and hope to see many of course true of BW licenced boats). you there - or while boating Although boats visiting the during the summer!

NEWS

View from the Council meeting held on 12th April, 1997

dryness is part of a permanent change or not, only time will tell. In the meantime, everyone involved has a responsibility. It was agreed that the Daventry meeting has demonstrated that BW are taking the matter seriously and are without doubt My screen is very blurred at mounting a major effort. Others this moment. The picture looks as have responsibilities too. Hire if it were under water, which is operators could persuade their an extremely contrived (and customers to take things more poor) way of introducing the easily and not try to circum- major topic of this Council navigate the Midlands or meeting. Water and the lack of it Cheshire or whatever at high is almost outweighed by the speed, but just to take things a number of statements and articles little bit easy. The Thrift on the subject. Whether this Campaign is just as important as

NEWS

View from the Council meeting (continued)

how the fridge works. Boat more water, less boats, higher Owners have an even heavier costs, less boats, more tranquillity responsibility as they are - where were we? supposed to know what it’s all Incidentally, the meeting with about. They must ensure that BW was described by the their use of the waterways is Chairman as better in substance water efficient. Use it and lose it. than in style. Contact will be kept Council was very concerned and undertakings followed up. about water extraction principally Despite our avowed support by agricultural interests. It is up of the scheme, a Council meeting to Boaters to report to the local would not be complete without a Waterway office if they see water BSS clanger. The cost of being drawn from the rivers or modifications which may be canals under dubious circum- ordered by an examiner is stances, particularly at night. causing concern. Are members We shall be forwarding ideas being charged correctly? Are the on water conservation to British charges for what are sometimes Waterways. Members ideas will only simple jobs reflecting be welcome, constructive though current commercial practice? If please. This request for ideas was you have any doubts let us know. made at the Chairman to BW set up the scheme and if Chairman BW/ NABO meeting. Boaters are being exploited as a At the meeting we were also result, then they should know asked for ideas on how to and be asked to do something encourage young people onto the about it. cut, and older people to stay. In And finally, Fibreway is on this lizard's view it ain't as simple the move - a 2° deep trench, 20 as all that. Older people like the gangs, 300m a day, kilometres tranquillity the waterways and kilometres of towpath will be provide, cost is a factor for both dug up and reinstated as before groups, and are there enough without damage or disruption, boats already? Tranquillity ts and it will rain all August! under threat, costs are up and rising, water is short; less use, Back to the sun. - Monitor.

NEWS

BW moves water to fight drought, by Peter Lea

British Waterways revealed a southern Grand Union. Further ground-breaking plan to move sources are also being sought water from the Midlands to closer to London. Other ideas supply southern canals badly hit being considered are the dredg- by drought. The exceptional ing of the Minworth pound and measures were announced by BW the Northern Oxford to improve Operational Director Stewart Sim, their water storage capacity. who said the canals had not faced The scheme was announced to conditions like this since they user groups including NABO on were built 200 years ago. 28th April. At that point BW’s hastily assembled negotiations with contractors drought-busting team identified over the installation and sources of additional water commissioning of pipes, pumps supply in Birmingham, where a and metering were nearly previously unused well is being completed, and the whole sysem brought into operation and is planned to be operational by extraction from an existing the end of May. supply increased. These should Stewart Sim said that move- supply some 23 million litres a ment of water on this scale had day more water. It will be run never been attempted before, and down the ten-mile pound on the it will enable water to be sent Northern Grand Union and around the central and southern Hatton, and backpumped to the parts of the canal network in any Braunston level. From there direction. The whole project will water will be pumped up Napton cost close to £1 million out of to the Oxford summit and BW’s contingency fund. lt will be Watford locks to the Leicester kept in place so it can be used summit, when needed. Additional water supplies will However he warned that the be obtained from the River Anker work was being carried out in a for the Coventry and Ashby rush to meet the immediate canals, and from the rivers Ouse demand, so there will be some and Tove which will be back- untidiness and perhaps a few pumped up to Marsworth on the NEWS

BW moves water (continued) teething problems this summer. early this summer. They have put He asks us to bear with them, and together a large-scale and well- the installations will be tidied up thought out plan which should over next winter. He also asked improve water supplies signifi- users to warn the local BW office cantly for several years. And if if they notice anything which everything goes according to might be going wrong with the time-table the whole scheme will pumps or pipes. be operational within two and a Stewart Sim is also still half months of inception. | concerned over wastage of water, believe BW deserves praise for particularly by inexperienced their efforts, and have written to boaters. He has asked whether both Stewart Sim and David users would be willing to man Fletcher to say so, and to offer selected locks as part-time our support for the scheme. volunteers under a sort of water saving partnership between BW NABO continues and the user groups. They could opposition to EA's Wye provide advice and assistance to Navigation Order boaters (not act as lock-keepers!) and encourage observance of the NABO is continuing its “Thrift” code, They would be objections to the Environment provided with some basic Agency's proposals to become the training and an identifying tee- navigation authority for the River shirt. This could be very useful at Wye. In spite of the concessions locks near boat-yards and hire announced by the EA before the bases on summer weekends. start of the Public Enquiry into its Could any members who might draft Order, NABO believes that be interested contact me for the Wye Navigation Advisory further information. Committee is still heavily weighted against boat owners, I think BW have put a great NABO has requested additional deal of hard work into tackling a members on the Committee to serious problem which could represent boaters’ interests, in have resulted in much of the line with the EA Advisory Southern network being closed Committees in other regions.

NEWS

Fibreway:news from Philip Ogden

BW and Fibreway Ltd have The methods involved in reached an agreement to build a laying the cables will vary nationwide optical fibre link according to the site conditions. along parts of the canal network. They will include trenching by Two telecom operators have excavator, tunnelling by means of already signed up to use the new a moje, and hand digging. A cables, and there is room for number of gangs will be working many more. The Fibreway Project at the same time, the hours being will be a major source of income 6am to 10pm on five days per for BW, which will increase as week, ie not at weekends. more operators join in. The contractors will have to The canals to be used as part take great care over the reinstate- of the Fibreway route in the first ment as well as the actual work. phase are as follows: BW employees will be with each -From Caniden Lock along te GU to gang, equipped with cameras and Bordesley Junction telephones to record and report -From A448 at Tardebigge along the problems. The reinstatement will Wares and Birmingham to Worcester be carried out as work proceeds. Bar -B’ham and Fazeley Canal from I do not feel that the project Snow Hull bridge to Fazeley Jn will greatly affect most of our -Birnitit ham and Warwick Canal to members, but | have confirmed Salford Teel that if any members boat is -Coventry Canal from Fazeley damaged, or crew injured as a Junction to Fradley Junction result of the works, claims should -Trent and pee Canal from be made to the Contractors who Fradley Junction to Shardlow will accept responsibility. The - Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Cables will be laid near the Ashton Canals from Huddersfield to hedges and deep enough not to Store Street, Manchester -K&A Canal from Bath to be damaged by mooring pins. Trowbridge, an isolated section Details of the work pro- These lengths will be gramme can be obtained from the completed by the end of 1997, 24 hour helpline (charges at local and the second phase will then rates) 01203 565666. follow, involving more canals.

NEWS

Heron Trail: further information from Denis Smith

The last issue of the As to the future BW say that Newsletter contained an item this initial project at Gnosall is regarding the Staffordshire based being used as an example when Heron Trail Group and in view of talking to other parishes and local the somewhat alarming content it authorities. The chairman of the was felt that perhaps some Group Stuart Nadin, enthus- enquiries should be made as to iastically says that with the its background and future possibility of a County Council intentions. grant of £130,000, local council BW have confirmed that the grant of £10,000 and Millenium Trail originated as a joint funds in the offing the project is initiative between themselves and set to expand. This seems to be Gnosall Parish Council to make borne out in the press report that the towpaths and access points the Group wish to convert some suitable for use by ALL groups of 90 miles of towpath along the people ie disabled and able- Staffs & Wores, and T & M canals bodied alike. as well as the Shroppie. The official leaflet produced [t remains to be seen whether by the Heron Trail Group the likes of towpath concerts themselves states that it is a (Wet,Wet, Wet!) regattas, theatr- community project enabling: ical events and sports activities as access to the Shropshire Union reported in the press form part of Canal at Gnosail to be enjoyed by current thinking - and perhaps a the whole community and watching brief needs to be especially the disabled. maintained?

Reciprocal licencing: the full story from Stephen Peters

Boat owners have received licensing on BW and Environ- some rather confusing and ment Agency navigations, NABO contradictory information over can now reveal the full extent of recent months regarding the the proposals on a waterway by introduction of reciprocal waterway basis.

10 NEWS

Reciprocal licencing (continued)

Agency licences on BW Visiting Environment Agency waterways: Rivers: Environment Agency private BW private annual licence annual licences will be valid on holders can visit the River all BW waterways for up to 15 Thames free for up to 15 days ina days in a year. The days need not year but must register their boats be consecutive. Agency licence in advance or on arrival and then must be displayed. display the free visitors licence Manchester Ship Canal Co. plate. The reciprocal licence only licences, applies on the Thames for 15 consecutive days or individual Holders of private MSC days up to a maximum of 6, free licences to use the Bridgewater of charge. A free 15 days licence Canal can travel free for up to 7 can be extended by purchasing days in a year on the following another 15 day short term licence. BW canals: BW private annual licence - Leeds & Liverpool Canal - Leigh holders visiting the Anglian and Branch, Wigan to Burscough and Southern region rivers can do so Wigan to bottom of Blackburn free of charge for up to 15 days in Locks. each year (the days need not be - Trent & Mersey Canal - Preston consecutive). Visitors must fill in Brook to Harecastle Tunnel. a form and maintain a log and - Shropshire Union Canal - display a visitors licence. Middlewich Branch from Middle- Agency licences are accepted wich to Barbridge Junction. on the River Cam. Holders of MSC licences can Environment Agency Intra- purchase a BW annual licence for Region arrangements: the price of a 3 month licence Holders of Agency private commencing from January 1 each annual licences can obtain one year. free 15 day consecutive visitor's BW annual licence holders can licence to visit each of the other use the Bridgewater Canal for up region’s waterways. to 7 days in a year. Quite simple really isn’t it? 11 NEWS

Towpath cycling: new scheme details from Philip Ogden

Terry Kemp of BW gave a Close the path to cyclists - too presentation at Hatton on 10th difficull to enforce April concerning cycling issues, Positively accommodate cyclists- including conflict with other by charging for the use of paths, users, accidents, increased tow- and paying for insurance and path maintenance, and concern of maintenance and improvement of users over problems. paths and use of rangers. BW Cycling Review It was decided to take the last The ojective was the safe use option, and the Kennet and Avon of towpath for cycling and other Canal was selected for a trial users. To date the following has scheme. it already had a towpath been done. A major safety survey, ranger, and had a heavily used closing off lengths of towpath towpath. There were existing unfit because of poor standard or points of sale for permits. maintenance needs, signs erected, The Package free permits issued, also a cyclist code of practice. Cycle sales are Two rangers will be employed to manage and enforce. Permiss- rising. On the K&A Canal 10,000. permits were issued in 1996, ion will be given to use identified towpaths. One free pass will be IWAAC Report 1996 issued for each boat licence Stated that “On the towpath, holder for lockwheeling. £2 walking, angling, and cycling million 3rd party liability insur- sometimes conflict; these prob- ance and personal accident insur- lems need to be tackled. Closer ance will be arranged for each and more proactive management cyclist. A newsletter and code of both use and users will be including maps will be issued. needed. On some stretches a The annual licence charge will ranger service may be part of the be £15, or £12.50 advance pay- answer. ment. Short term licence valid for Options one month will be £5 (advance To do nothing - this will] not payment £4) Under 16 no charge. resolve the issue The scheme will start on Ist July 1997. 12 NEWS

Gloucester Harbour byelaws could threaten pleasure boating: the latest from Stephen Peters

Following publication of the wishing to make the passage, in draft proposed byelaws which good weather, from the Severn the Gloucester Harbour Trustees via Bristol to the K&A Canal. intend to apply to the tidal River The previous concession Severn for the first time ever, which will permit vessels to NABO offered its comments and exceed 12 knots when navigating observations to the Trustees. in the main navigation channel We pointed out a number of has been confirmed but they will matters of concern to us be expected to adjust their speed including the imposition of if forced to leave the defined restrictions on pleasure craft and narrow channel by the presence small vessels. The Trustees have of larger vessels. This means no now responded but apart from more short cuts will be permitted! making some minor adjustments We pointed out that the there remains much for us to be prohibition of any discharges concerned about. from vessels would mean that All vessels exceeding 20 engine cooling water, bilge water metres overall length will be and sink discharges would be compelled to notify the Harbour illegal. The Trustees have Master before navigating tidal responded that no other harbour waters. This will mean that full authority permits such dis- length narrowboats will be charges. Room for some further subject to possible restrictions. In improvement here! addition, the Trustees have now NABO has asked to be stated that the exemption from advised when the proposed this requirement will NOT apply byelaws are submitted to the to vessels which are designed Secretary of State for approval so ‘primarily for navigation in non- that we may continue to seek tidal waters. Application of this improvements and relaxations. regulation could effectively spell Owners of vessels using the tidal the end for narrowboats and Severn are invited to contact me other inland waterway craft to express their views.

13 NEWS

News in brief

Residency on boats is not a Stoppage at Knowle changed problem to BW The replacement of lock gates BW have stated that live- at Knowle has been brought aboards going quietly about their forward due to the early own business in a low profile availabilty of the replacement manner, providing they are not gates. The stoppage is now 28 causing a problem for the April - 4 June. neighbouring moorers, land- TBA Chairman becomes a owners, other users or the ‘tandiubber' after 46 years planning authority, are not likely to be an issue for the Board. Don Wocthouse, Chairman of Houseboat certificates (recog- the Trent Boating Association, nised residential moorings) will has sold his boat. Some of the probably be more appropriate for reasons he gives are “the hassle of ‘high profile’ residential occu- the Boat Safety Certificate and piers, e.g. those with children. general bureaucracy now connected with boating, coupled New Stourport MP with ever increasing costs’. As the plans for development. Launch of Inland Waterways of Stourport basin continue to be Boat Listing discussed, one of the leading players has necessarily changed - Douglas Maas has spent a year the Conservative MP lost his seat! of painstaking work compiling his listing of all inland waterways Green for harmony boats, and it is to be launched at It has recently been reported the Canal Museum at Stoke that teachers are being encour- Bruerne on Sth July. aged to use green ink rather than The book promises to be a red for marking their pupils good read, full of interesting work. Red is an aggressive information about every kind of colour, whereas green " gives off boat. It should appeal to old canal a more relaxed message of hands, boat watchers and spotters harmony, balance and universal or anyone experiencing the.canals love". Now we know why BW for the first time. changed to green trousers! 14 AN ADVERTS PAGE

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15 NABO BUSINESS

The Boat Safety Scheme: practice and statistics

For most boat owners, 1997 compiled at Watford, without will be the "year of the BSC"! We which they will never know have written much practical which items cause the greatest advice on how to go about problems. A Fail Certificate will obtaining your certificate, but if also allow you to licence your you still have doubts, please do boat - you then have 6 months in contact our Engineering Officer, which to remedy the faults and Nigel Parkinson. submit your BSC. When reading through the Hf your inspector considers a blue/ grey book and other notes particular item to be a ‘failure’, in preparation for your boat's and you do not, you should examination, please note that if a challenge him. You can always particular item is not mentioned telephone the BSS office for clar- in the documentation, then it ts ification. not relevant to the scheme. If If your boat fails but you your inspector subsequently believe that the inspector has not recommends that things are done complied with the guidance which are not part of the BSS and notes, then advise the BSS office refuses to issue a certificate’ in writing (and send a copy to without, then contact the BSS NABO). The BSS managers Office in Watford immediately -. genuinely want to hear about this is not allowed! transgressions by inspectors. In If you decide to get the last resort, you can lodge a preliminary advice from an formal appeal - procedure still inspector to identify items of pending. potential failure, it is vital that NABO is gathering inform- any such examination is carried ation on how the BSS is affecting out in conformity with BSS ordinary boat owners, and you procedure, and that you are will soon be sent a questionnaire. issued with a Fail Certificate and Piease let us know your exper- failure check list. The reason for iences, especially with regard to this is that only a collection of costs. If you already have a CofC, Fail Certificates will allow it should be cheap and easy to get meaningful statistics to be a BSC - let us know if not. 16

NABO BUSINESS

Marketing and recruitment news from Christine Denton

You will by now have copy these, and return the received the £5 of raffle tickets to criginal to you. The copy may be sell. Please return the stubs/ used on our display stand. money to me in the envelope Anyone wili:ng to promote provided. This is your way of NABO- at local boating helping us and we thank you in clubs/associations? We will anticipation. If you want more provide an advertising/ raffle tickets to sell give me a call information pack to make it or come and collect some from us easier and ensure that the on the NABO stand at the message is consistent. We need Braunston Rally 24/25/26 May. volunteers to leaflet boats - give If you are at Braunston during mé a call please. the above weekend do call and

see us - we do like to meet our DUNTON DOUBLES 1997 members and hear their views. Peter Lea our Chairman will be We have available to NABO “manning” the stand during the members DUNTON DOUBLE afternoon of Sunday 25th May. WINDIASSES. We are selling Peter will also be on our stand al these at £15.00 each, exclusive Little Venice at the start of May. of postage. Roger Davis our Membership Contact Christine Denton on Secretary will be at the Wendover to place your Rally - do make yourself known order. Leave your , address and to him if you are there. John and | telephone number. will be at the Sutton Stop protest

rally at the beginning of May, and Birmingham meetings we hope to have a presence at the Ashby Rally again tin May. Until now, all NABO AGMs have been held in the Birming- We still need good quality ham area. Do you have any photographs of typical problems strong views about this, or can encountered whilst cruising, you suggest an alternative picturesque scenes, helpful venue? Please let Peter Lea Waterways personnel? We will know if you do.

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REPORTS

Midlands User Group meetings: Denis Smith reports

Four meetings have been held and Worcs/south Shroppie the over the past few weeks and a standard appeas to be the red few points of interest have brick coloured stuff. emerged. A lengthy discussion centred ‘Fibreway’ is happening and on the suitability/need for a will be the ‘in’ word for the next floating restaurant (and not of year or so - more of this ina narrowboat size!} in the Gas separate article. Any short term Street Basin complex. towpath disruption must be The viewpoint seemed to compensated by the envisaged depend on whether you were a long term substantial income boater, Brummie or tourist, but at (several million pounds least the waterway manager increasing annually} to BW - to be certainly had the feedback he had invested in the track? Judging by requested on this one! the number of BW secondments, The award to BW of Statutory BW are determined that the shortcomings experienced in Consultee Status on planning Scotland will not be repeated. applications could be a mixed blessing. Dependant on the The Ocker Hill development keeness of the Local Authority (comprising the new admin HQ each waterway manager could be for the Black Country and. faced daily with details of Birmingham Canais, moorings applications ranging from new (including residential), marinas to garden sheds at hte information and educational bottom of gardens adjoining centres) is proceeding. canals! There are now only 68 boats Water resources is clearly a nationally on the -residential common theme of which no moratorium of which 20 are on doubt we shall all hear a lot more the Midlands canals. over the coming months. Flavour The standard covering for of the month at meetings up and towpaths in the Birmingham and down the country seems to be Black Country area is black ash agricultural abstractions - one whilst in the more rural Staffs suggestion is that adjacent to the

20 REPORTS

Midlands meetings (continued) abstraction points there should be Early indications of the a sign giving details of the 1997/98 stoppage programme authorised abstraction. It was involving the Shroppie and T & pointed out that details of M emerged. A North/South licences are published in the window will be maintained by London Gazette and = any keeping the former open prior to objections can be made through Christmas and the latter after. that medium if required. ' Strangely, dredging did not Dog fouling, cycling and feature too prominently - are vandalism are discussion points boaters being gradually which emerge at each and every conditioned not to expect too User Group Meeting whether on much? However, the Fradley the Agenda or not and the meeting was positive, with present round of meetings priorities being Fradley to proved no exception - anybody Fazeley, Rugely to Alrewas and out there with the ultimate the Ashby, in that order. answer, apart from the obvious?

Simple boating!

Jeni Parsons, the curate at Halesowen Parish Church, in her coracle at Kinver on the Staffs & Worcester canal.

Note the BW number!

LETTERS

Customer's letter to ‘everyone at BWB Watford!

Dear BWB, Further | do not want extra Enclosed is my cheque for my facilities that can be used to so- boat licence, Also Certificate of call “justify” increased charges. Safety and Third Party Insurance. Certainly shower blocks are not Please forward my window disc preferable lo dredging. Towpath soonest. Thank you. improvements are not preferable to dredging. Enhanced harass- I have read in a recent copy of ment from Waterways police is your publication ‘Waterways not preferable to dredging. News’ that you intend to raise Endless volumes of “aren’t we charges to the limit the market wonderful” literature is not will bear. In my language this wanted particularly when it is so means until the pips squeak. | patently not true and we are presume raising licence fees by paying for it! Nor do we want 30% over the next 3 years is part you to employ expensive !awyers of this exploitative process. As to fight actions that are not in our the administrators of our best interests. waterways you are to be despised for taking financial advantage of So in line with NABO guide- your monopoly position. What lines, | need to advise you | am other increased charges do you unable to accept all your new have in the pipeline? When will” boat licence and permit they come into effect? After 15 conditions issued Nov 96. Rule 23 years, when do 1 get out of in particular, along with others, is boating? quite unreasonable and no reasonable organisation would So please be advised you have oblige its customers to sign under already reached the limit of the the threat and duress of licence elastic in my purse and { have withdrawal. Assuming there is a had to struggle very hard to reasonable face to BWB | suggest scrape together the above. Indeed you please cash my cheque the last £50 has come from without my signature. someone else’s pocket in the form of a loan. I have forfeited much to Yours unhappily, pay your inflated bill. Mary Babe & Simon Greer, Macclesfield 22 LETTERS

Thoughts on our favourite topic, part 1...

Having read over. the last few general mood could be more months the correspondence about clearly established. (Fences are the Boat Safety Scheme, not too uncomfortable until they particularly that generated by start rocking!) Initially, my Dominic Miles’ outspoken views, thoughts were to obtain a fail I feel there is another side to this certificate, but reading through matter that should be considered. the various blue and grey books There are now far too many made me think that perhaps the boats on the system with either a standards weren't that draconian. BSC or C of C to make a boycott The more | looked, the more it of the Scheme anywhere near seemed senseless to make no effective. These certificates have attempt to comply, so I decided been oblained by owners with to attempt to rectify those items I new boats, who understandably felt to be constructive. The have insisted that construction majority of my work has been in meets the requirements, vendors instatling ventilation, an area who found the prospect of where | had previously relied spending several hundred mainly on open windows and pounds to realise thousands what [| felt was an ingenious sensible economics, and others design of side hatches. With who complied to save £20 per interior trims (and the cost of year on their licence fees. During jigsaw blades!) I spent approx the current year they have been £110 on ventilation. A further £20 supplemented by those whose was spent on two new fuel lines licences have become dependant that are fire proof for thirty upon an examination. minutes (a real necessity!!!), and This latter category is the one £75 to replace fire extinguishers in which IT found myself some which | initially baulked at, but four months ago, and caused me subsequently discovered to be much soul searching. | decided time expired. A further £9 was upon a course of action to renew spent to remind me that | should my licence for at least the length not put water in the diesel tank of the cruising season, and put off and vice versa, and perhaps any definite action until the another £25 on other incidentals. 23

LETTERS

Thoughts on our favourite topic, part 1... (continued)

The next expense was the a more positive attitude to the actual examination. Had this scheme, then through the remained in the hands of the examiners, maybe the feedback “chosen few” who had previously would continue that has conducted the tests, then J think I produced the current exemptions. would not have felt so amenable, | am not saying that we should be but the opening up of the scheme complacent because the whole to Examiners as well as Surveyors thing needs to be tuned, but on has really proved the economic the other hand, | would not like law of supply and demand. The to think that ] am mooring next to advise I would offer here is to someone as inconsiderate as the examine your examiner. Find out individual who destroyed half a his views of the scheme, what he hire fleet and several private considers its objectives, and how boats on the Grand Union last effective he considers it to be. If year. (If this refers lo the incident | he does not want to discuss such think it does, this is a total matters, then maybe he is not the exaggeration; an accident caused by person to examine your boat. use of petrol on a hot day, which no Finally, do not forget to ask his- amount of BSCs would have price, and whether this includes prevented. - Ed.) your certificate and any re-. in closing, the BSS is perhaps examinations. like the cuate’s egg, good in At our Club, we negotiated a parts. Let’s keep the best parts, group discount, which brought i'm sure it’s what we all want. the cost down to £40 each. Our We must continue to press for its examiner was objective, and, | improvement, but in doing so we would like to think, was should not deter BW from encouraged that we had made an attacking the areas it was effort to take the matter seriously. originally intended to control. The result was that most of us Martin Howes obtained our certificate at the first Telford, Shropshire attempt. Perhaps if we boaters adopted

24 LETTERS

Thoughts on our favourite topic, part 2...

With reference to the C of C, onboard services. This [ feel although | am sure that the would make living onboard very technical aspects are very easy for anyone breaking into my important, the part that concerns boat. Am [ the only member with me is where | have to mark the this concern? switching positions of all the Roy de la Haye, Aldershot

..and a final twist in the tale

It’s a bit rich for Dominic Dontinic Miles replies: Miles to accuse Peter Lea (NABO Quite right. Exactly what | News 97/2) of performing a wrote. The BSS is now it place, and “remarkable L-turn” when he Ho membership body or association appears to have committed the moolved wilh the liland Waterways mother of all U-turns himself. has successfully opposed its In the Feb edition of Water- introduction, For someone conustd- ways World he wrote an article ering buying a boat, | would suggest entitled “Isn’t it cold in Winter?” that it was the right advice. in which he dispensed the It does not mean | agree with the wisdom he had gained “whilst BSS. | also believe that if enough living happily and permanently existing boat owsers refuse to afloat for the past four years”. comply with it, it might become The article was written for the unworkable. | had the inupressian benefit of what he called that NABO were, in the main, “intrigued gongoozlers” and as apposed to tf, Peter Lew and the well as letting his readers in on NABO Council have dectded that to such facts as that water has to be recommend a boycott to their fetched and toilets emptied, he members would be too fraught with also wrote “...it would be wise to risk. Perhaps they are right, or ensure that your intended perhaps that risk ts worth taking. dreamboat has a Boat Safely You decide. That's the thrul of living Certificate.....”. That’s right. uta democracy! That’s what he wrote! Enough! This is all getting a bil Mike Russell, Birmingham personal - Ed. 25 LETTERS

Another Cautionary Tale: beware of Worcester

Since beginning our summer reached the rowing club they had cruising in early April, gone from view. circumstances have prompted me As | strolled back to the boat I to write this letter to you, in the noticed our generator in the long hope that it may serve as a grass, luck was on our side. They warning to other boaters in one of must have dropped it when they your NABO publications. heard me in pursuit. Why didn't I My wife and I] had moored our have the generator chained up? I narrowboat at the racecourse end have now. | have heard of of the Severn at Worcester, near generators being stolen from the the pedestrian bridge. It was bank, but not when the burglar 11.30pm, and I had the boat has to get on board. engine running for a little power Anyway the moral of the story to the batteries, and our Honda I wished to portray is, when in 1000 generator for power to the Worcester, don't leave your boat, boat (TV and lights). chain everything up if you can’t Suddenly the lights and TV keep it out of sight, remember, went off and | heard a bump on someone is always watching you. the back deck. We retreated into Diglis basin, Thinking the generator had where it is comparatively safer falien over, | made for the door, than the river mooring, even switching the back deck light on though. here the threatening at the same time. On reaching the atmosphere is still present. In back deck I was shocked to see no fact we didn’t feel at all safe until generator at all, and realised we we had left Worcester and its had been burgled. Voices at the outlying areas far behind, which top of the bank suggested to me is a great pity, as Worcester town that all was not lost, so | gave a has a wonderful shopping area loud shout and pursued them up and BWB have done a great deal the bank. By the time I reached to make the waterways very the bank's summit I could see two pleasant and tidy. figures disappearing into the T F Simmonds, Cheltenham darkness and I gave pursuit. As |

26 AMUSEMENT PAGE

Another Junction teaser Answers to location puzzle

Can you work out the loca- Did you know the locations of tions of these two junctions from the two pictures in the last issue? the sketches sent in by David I guess you were all flummoxed, Crage? as I received no postcards! The ‘Statue of Liberty’ is in Leicester, photographed from the River Soar. The Jock is Kent Green Stop lock on the Maccles- field canal. The fact that this is the only BW lock with one bottom gate and two top gates should have been the clue!