Tourist Accommodation Guide
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Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs. A W A R E Formally Alert Awareness of the Waterways, to include Activities, Reports and Events. April 2010. Why you should read their manifestos ? I made the comment in my What is essential is that the Government of report to the AWCC AGM that I the day continues to provide their grant, as this is believe that the waterways’ movement effectively the contribution from the non-boaters is facing a major crossroad, maybe the who can only pay for the waterways via their tax first really major one since the 50s and 60s.The contributions. consultant’s report, ‘Setting a Course’ put forward the options to BW. The option of becoming a full- blown charity to run the inland waterways has Of equal importance is that the new charity been chosen, so it is now a distinct possibility. If must have a substantial endowment. This has to it is sympathetically implemented, it could be of be the current BW property portfolio. All great advantage to the many thousands of people national user group chairmen have fought hard on who appreciate the inland waterways. It will this one. You may recall that I got a personal allow us, the users to have a positive say in the assurance from Gerry Grimstone on the matter a way the waterways are run, via a Board of year ago, but a new government with other Trustees. financial problems may be persuaded by a recalcitrant Treasury to take it away. This would be extremely short sighted. Will it become a reality? I have met with the politicians and all three major parties appear to be signed up. In the run up to an election many I am asking you the membership to get out things are said and promises made. After the big there and lobby: day, reality then strikes home with those that have Read their manifestos, won. I can well imagine that matters of inland Talk to them on the door step and in waterways will not be at the top of the political the meeting place, agenda – it never is, but there is every reason why Send them letters and emails. we must try, and try hard, to ratchet it upwards. The party manifestos are all in draft and will be published as soon the election date is Get the assurance that they will, when they get confirmed. My advice to all members is to make to Westminster: sure you read what they say about waterways and Support the charity proposal, then quiz them when they come knocking on your Not cut the Grant in Aid, door. If enough people do this, they might just get the message that it is important to a lot of Give the new charity the property people who may just vote for them. portfolio as an endowment. You know it makes sense! What are the main political issues? Funding remains the matter of key importance and a change to charity status does not rectify that David Pearce. overnight. However, charity status does create a more liberal tax regime and with a greater National Chairman. emphasis on volunteering, improvements can be expected. www.awcc.org.uk 1 [email protected] Presidential Address for AGM 2010 Following on from last frequency and intensity of his Regional Officers and Club year’s AGM, you may remember external responsibilities to the representatives, who together the hastily contrived changes to National Committee has provide the necessary backbone our Constitution were withdrawn increased immensely. He may for the Association to be able to further to input received. I am well have reached saturation function effectively. pleased to say that this has served point. Thank you all for your well to initiate a sub-Committee, It would be very unfair for efforts and please continue to led by our Vice Chairman Paul us to expect this situation to encourage others to do likewise. LeBlique, to take a thorough look continue without some action to at the whole document, with a alleviate this heavy workload, view to an all encompassing hence Paul, our Vice Chairman, "Keith Noble retired from update, bringing in additional will be sharing more of the work, the NEC this year, having held items relating to liabilities and so he is well placed to succeed various positions both nationally possibly health and safety. David in the near future. and regionally for the last 28 David Pearce, our years or more. His, contribution, The National Committee clear thinking and wealth of Chairman, represents us at many cannot operate without support meetings and committees. David knowledge will be greatly from yourselves. I would missed. " took the chair some seven years therefore like to formally ago, and over those years the recognise all the hard work put in John Baggs by the extensive network of National President. NE Region Report Liverpool. We lobbied BW and Midlands Region Report they increased the number to 8, Roland Dotchin, Chairman. Graham Myatt, Chairman. so now 8 one way one day then 8 Sadness in the NW Region with the other way next day. BW Midlands Region gained one the death of another of our elder promised to look favourably at club during the year: Friendship statesmen, accommodating club cruises but Cruising Club. The club has no Terry Tomlinson. Terry served the results have been mixed. clubhouse and is based around the River Trent and River Soar our waterways for many years, There will be no stopover at junctions. leaving as part of his legacy the Eldonian junction. Boats clubs Ribble Link, due to his work on in the area can accommodate The Region also saw the the Ribble Link Trust. stopovers with prior notice, book retirement of rep from two clubs, Sale Cruising Club celebrated early. Tony Collins of Coventry Canal Society and George and Margaret its 50th anniversary. Self steering through Stannedge Darmody from Mid tunnel seemed to be successful. It Liverpool Link was officially Warwickshire Yacht Club. was however curtailed by a opened. The Liverpool Link was George and Margaret have been stoppage caused by breach on enjoyed and recommended by the reps for many years. many boaters who visited. There Huddersfield Narrow, (Yorkshire have been some problems with side of course.) The Region Secretary Erica Martin has been kept busy BW organisation of boats Marple wharf development is persuading clubs to receive travelling to Liverpool. still under consultation The information on line where Service Station is on BW There was a limit of 6 boats per possible. day each way with an property which BW wants to sell overnight stop over at the end of for development. There was no The Region also gained a new the L&L before boats could provision for replacement Treasurer, Heather Booth. descend into Liverpool docks. services. BW has said that there Heather is a retired accountant This meant that club cruises now will be replacement and has offered to assist clubs if would be limited to 6 boats or services, but not pump out. they are in need of some else have to stage their visit to financial advice. www.awcc.org.uk 2 [email protected] Are the National Executive Council (NEC) value for money? I posed the question at the including three from each rallies and fireworks events, but AGM because I think it is Region. Luckily, for the sake of at Regional or National level important that member orderly and effective discussion, only. This year it is covering organisations know where their there are rarely more than 15 or three Regional events, a rally at money goes and should be in a 17, but even that you may think Willowtree on the Grand Union, position to judge if they think it is a bit over the top. one on the Basingstoke and a is being spent effectively. I The constitution is being fireworks display at St. Pancras highlighted the cost of travel as reviewed at the moment; now which is a Regional event. Other being our largest single might be a good time for you to Regional events could be covered expenditure item. Travel is ask the question above and give simply by notifying me before essentially to attend meetings of us some answers. they happen - preferably in the National Executive November before the year starts Committee or to represent Insurance for events so I can include them in the AWCC at external meetings such Many clubs are corporate initial paperwork. Clubs that as BWAF (British Waterways members of IWA and use their invite other clubs or complete Advisory Forum), BSS (Boat insurance policy. Some clubs non members to their events Safety Scheme), negotiations seem to use IWA and have would be well advised to check with BW, EA, Government, etc. another policy - it might be worth with their insurers (if IWA ring An NEC meeting costs finding out if this is wise. AWCC or email Neil Edwards who is a about £600. As well as receiving nationally is also a corporate mine of information) to make reports from officers - Regional member of IWA and uses that sure they are covered for non- Chairmen, National Chairman, insurance - currently about club-specific events. If in doubt, technical etc., the NEC debates £400pa. The national or if other clubs are involved, what should be the view of membership,and therefore why not make it a Regional AWCC on key issues. The debate insurance, covers national and event...Regional rallies held at a is significantly informed by regional activities; importantly it host club might be covered by regional views collected by the gives us public liability cover at the host club insurance - has this Regional Chairmen and the meetings, social gatherings etc been checked? personal views of others around and covers activities such as Geoff Ashton.