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Well I have just had a great experience no lifejacket, no blue jumper. We were just pushing off from the glass factory on the Stourbridge flight when tis chap came hurrying up the towpath with a windlass in hand, went straight by without a word and set the next lock, after that very set of bottom gates were open all the way to the top. From then on the boat didn't stop moving, ether going forward or upward, He shut the off side bottom gate behind me and was away. If only CRT volocies could work like this in a flight. It was John from the Dudley Tunnel and Canal trust.

I'm the narrowboating advisor for Leicestershire SCouts. Warwickshire scouts have a boat based at Hillmorton http://www.centenarynarrowboat.btck.co.uk/ Other boats available that I know of are London Narrowboat Project http://www.lnbp.co.uk/ Nottingham City Council have two narrowboats - Megan and Tinkers Leen - which are avaialble for youth groups. Commercially most have been mentioned above but Union Canal Carriers have a couple of 12 berth boats which are suitable. There is a camping boat based in Birmingham but I've forgotten its name - it is an Admiral class boat. William is available http://www.inlandnavigators.co.uk/narrowboat-william.html If you have any disabled Scouts there are several boats which are suitable - the Peter Le Marchant Trust has two a narrowboat and a wide beam. The Guide Association have two boats that I know of Tuptonia is based on the N Stratford and there is a second one on the eastern K&A. If you have a skippered boat the skipper and any crew will need to be qualified - RYA Inland helmsman or Certificate in Community Boat Management. They will also need to have the relevant DBS. If you are going to skipper the boat yourself you will require an Adventurous Activity Permit for Narrowboating. Further information on this can be found on the Scout web page https://members.scouts.org.uk/supportresources/3427/narrow-boating?cat=419,26,415 If you require further information please send me a private message and I will do my best to help

Does it effect your daily life or just my own? No need for that remark. Git!

You are a cock aren’t you. At least Julie is on the ground...there’s many a COO who would be hiding in an office letting some minion deal with the press.

Friday 26 July we arrived at the boat a day later than planned. We had intended to come Thursday afternoon but it was predicted to be (and was) the UK's hottest day ever. So far. As the air conditioning in my old banger no longer works we decided that travelling the next morning at 25°C, rather than 35°C, might be a sensible option. Saturday 27 July was the day we had planned to set off after doing the food shopping. About 5 days earlier the forecast was for a pretty decent weekend. They got it wrong. It rained all day Saturday and most of Sunday so we stayed in the marina. Sunday 28 July we set off at 4 pm as the rain radar suggested we probably had at least a couple of dry hours ahead and I just wanted to get Calcutt locks done for a speedier getaway from the area on Monday. It was busier than I expected, no doubt we were not alone in making a break for it when the rain eased off. We managed to moor just before bridge 102 in one of the spots with a view unspoilt by trees etc on the offside. These are usually taken when we pass through but this time there were only three boats moored along this stretch. Monday 29 July brought beautiful weather, so much so that it briefly felt like summer again. It was very busy as we cruised to Braunston and then on up through Hillmorton before mooring for the night on the new rings at the approach to the visiter moorings at Brownsover. Tuesday 30 July was a day of predicted thunderstorms so we decided to move to a just-vacated spot on the offside, near the water point in the picnic area, and stay put for the day. There's no rush as we have up to a month for this relatively short trip of leisurely boating. I didn't notice any thunder or lightning but there was frequent torrential rain all day and well into the evening. Wednesday 31 July was another day that did not feel very much like summer but at least it stayed dry as we cruised for about 6 hours or so from Rugby to Sutton Stop. That's a very long day by my standards. Still undecided on whether Coventry basin is worth the 11 mile round trip. Thursday 1 August we decided stay at Sutton Stop for a 2nd night and will probably cancel the trip down to the basin, or maybe postpone it until we pass back through in 2 or 3 weeks time. Fortuitously it turned out that esteemed forum member Ray_T's weekly visit to see Captain Mike, who lives nearby, was postponed from Wednesday to Thursday this week so we were able to meet up for lunch in the Greyhound. We hadn't met up for at least a year, probably more, so it was good to catch up. Since we were last here the rubbish and recycling area, previously an outdoor compound, has been moved inside the facilities building due to problems with fly tipping. When I went to use the Elsan I discovered someone had dumped several bags of rubbish and a load of bottles in there. Apparently it was too much effort to walk 10 yards to the door at the end of the building. Friday 1 August. Moved up from Sutton Stop to bridge 6 of the Ashby today in beautiful weather. Didn't seem to be many boats about. One of the not-very-many that we did see, soon after set to g off, was fellow forumite Dogless (Rog) on Paneke. We just about had time to say hello in passing. It took us about 1 hour 10 minutes to get from Marston Junction to where we moored for the night and only met two boats coming the other way. It got a bit busier later when 3 boats passed us in the space of about 10 minutes but I would say that in the five and a half hours we've been on the Ashby the number of boats we've seen moving is still in single figures and probably also the same for the number of moored boats. The canal has a little less rubbish floating in it around here as Mrs Lily Rose has been putting her recently purchased butterfly (?) net to good use as we cruised along. Trouble is, the well deck now looks like a rubbish tip until we get to the next disposal area. Hinckley tomorrow to stop for a walk to either Aldi or Lidl to top up the supplies to ensure we have enough to last at least a week up the top end.

Exactly ffs what do people expect for 15 quid better than that orange 3183 that lots of people think is great for caravan and boat use must be cos it’s orange...

I'm not saying that they don't happen but they are very few and far between compared to the children who really are abused and and not believed, every time someone makes a false allegation it makes it harder for a genuinely hurt child to come forward. Grown ups can fight for themselves, I will fight for every child who is fearful of unjust condemnation and victim shaming. I can't and won't discuss any individual situation but child abuse regularly goes unreported and is more often than not the secret shame of the child. There is a huge amount that could go into the discussion on the psychology of child abuse unfortunately people who have worked with children regularly think they know more on the subject than they really do. I am however very sorry the OP's thread ran off topic with this discussion. My Attitude will stand because there are good children being traumatised and scared for life because of selfish people who want what they shouldn't have. Those children are also innocent, they also suffer greatly and should have a voice to speak for them when they can't.

There are good teachers and youth leaders who are losing their livlihood and marriages and that is a crime. Your attitude unfortunately weights things in favour of the malicious alligation and innocent people suffer greatly.

Intesting (well to me it is) fact. Tonight we are the most northern boat on the system.

Funny how everyone suddenly becomes a civil engineer in these cases?‍♂️

Sad as it is no sane adult would take the risk of having anything to do with working with other peoples children nowadays, unless there was a good adult protection system in place. having had to assist in representing a member of staff, over a malicious allegation made by a ‘child’ I keep as far away from them as possible. The fact all our staff had enhanced child protection screening and certification did not appear to matter a whit when the allegation was made. its a sad reflection to feel you have to protect from those you could educate aid and enable.

What rules ?

At the cost of one dam repair I think that CRT will have achieved their KPI on brand awareness this week

According to the news this morning (which granted may not be the best source of information) they have lowered the water level in the reservoir by 0.5m in three days. They need to lower it by several metres for it to be deemed safe for people to return to their homes. So it is going to be a long wait for the people of the town to return home. Hopefully the storms forecast for tomorrow wont drop too much more water in the area and delay things further.

Hi all, I’m one of the Monday VLK team at Watford and we share your frustration of waiting and queues however 2 hours + isn’t unusual at this time of year. Part of the current problem is that boats are ‘locked out’ of the flight from the previous day which means a queue from the start which has to be cleared first. There’s no policy on the number of boats up/down which is generally based on the time of arriving at the top/bottom. For example, on Monday we started the day with 4 going down and then 7 going up (using the pounds between locks 1 and 3 to ‘stack’ two boats). Luckily few boats were going down that day. Wouldn’t it be great if 3 boats arrived at 1 hour intervals alternating between top and bottom ? One of our key roles is to manage the queue and be as fair as possible to all with the aim of getting everyone through by the end of our shift. Currently though it isn’t unusual for boats arriving at say 1.30pm to not get through. This is regrettable and none of us want to refuse entry but it happens. As was mentioned by johnmck there does seem to be a reluctance on the part of some boaters to help others in emptying/filling locks to smooth/speed the passage of others (perhaps that is a reflection of the society of today) but for those that do assist it it most welcome. As luck would have it we cleared all boats through the flight on Monday with none ‘locked out’. Long may it continue and we hope that rain comes so we can extend the hours again. I’ll put my tin hat on now ?

Wonder no longer - NO. The end of conductors are tinned for about 10mm to form a solid. Not perfect but as there will be no movement I cannot see it being a problem. It'll be better than the 1000's out there that are just stripped-back conductors with loose strands.

Yes a crb check. On paper it sounds a good thing but of course its not thought out properly. A few years ago after I had qualified as a DSA ADI in other words, driving instuctor the law changed and driving instructors had to have the check to qualify. Those of us already qualified had to obtain one before renewing our licences. I used my local pub for care of mail to do with such like and when form came I filled it in and stated I lived on my boat with the pub as a care of address, they refused to issue me with the form stating the law says I had to include postcode where I lived. I again sent it off and stated I didnt have a postcode as I moved about and lived on a boat, again they refused to issue, this would mean my licence would be revoked. I spoke to a senior office bod about it who said to comply with the law i must include a postcode of my home address. I was not going to be beaten by stupid beaurocracy so I copied my discharge form from the Royal navy stating exemplary conduct, I copied my release from the police as injured on duty with exemplary conduct. I also attached a note stating I was in receipt of a police pension and had obtained 7 justices on/off licences, I lived on a boat and the crb check was to do with complying with the law so wasnt going to pretend to live at my care of address to comply. I also said in the covering letter how much fun such as the sun newspaper would have if I lost my licence due to the beaurocratic nonsense. Very soon after I received my crb check with a bullshit covering letter stating that after consideration blah blah blah on this occsion it would be issued, I still have the form!! Typical over kill one size fits all when it most certainly doesnt. I often wish they had denied me the form as I soon after packed in and would have loved to see how it turned out in court. I used to give pretend addresses to doctors, dentists etc but no longer do as put them behind the 8 ball and they fold.

Could you please provide some evidence for the assertion that false allegations are "Very few and far between" preferably some independant research because it contradicts my personal experience of 40 years. I haven't suggested child abuse doesn't go on but your line of argument doesn't seem to accept the damage the false accusations do and that they are growing quite rapidly. I personally know of people who have lost everything becaus of false accusations. I was within minutes of doing so if a girl hadn't heard the plotting and was brave enough to speak out. Have you considered the effect on the children of those falsely accused and the damage done to them when they grow up thinking their parent is a child abuser because it was impossible to prove otherwise. I am at a loss as to why people who have worked with children particulalry teachers with the training in child psycology spotting abuse etc etc are deemed to know less than those who don't work with children. Personally I would like to see false accusations a crime and the person being accused kept anonimous until proven guilty. A view supported by most of the teaching organisations.

In England it is £25, you apply for it from the Disclosure and Barring Service where you create an online account that allows you to give access to any third party necessary. There seems to be no need to keep applying anymore. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/basic-dbs-checks-guidance It's a great pity that middle ground can't be found but I feel very strongly that if it hadn't been common practice in the past for the older generations to turn a blind eye and pretend it didn't happen or to refuse to believe children because the accused molester seemed respectable then there probably so many people today wouldn't feel the need to protect the younger generations so vehemently. There are many children out there who are being abused and are fearful to come forward because they believe they won't be believed and that is an unacceptable crime to me.

I take it you have never been on the recieving end of a malicious allegation. Having suffered a couple in a40 year career they are life changing events and have been known to break up marriages and end careers. These days there are elements, particularly in secondary schools who will tell you if you don't let me do X I will make a complaint about you. One of my malicious allegations was backed up by 4 of his friends . I was only exonerated because as the "witnesses" were being taken away to give evidence a girl said to one of the staff they are going to lie. She and some friends who knew this were included in the evidence and it was proved false. Clearly genuine cases occur and need correct handling but in my 40 year career I know of far more malicious allegations than I do genuine ones.

I feel more sorry for all the children who were never protected Just because no proof can be found and just because the accused molester seems unlikely does not mean the child is lying. A child is a child there are no 'child' children. Obviously I can not comment on any specific situation but I feel very strongly that it should be noted while every case is different victims of abuse very rarely make it up, regardless of what might be in the news headlines at the moment, and that victim shaming is in no way acceptable.

Contact these people for some advice, they hire 2 or 3 boats every year and take a whole load of youngsters out so they may be able to give you some help http://www.thebhy.co.uk/

There were at Warwick castle.?

I am typing this from the commercial! Pint of mild for £2.20=happy boater! Sadly the Washeteria has been replaced by a polish ceramic shop! We are moored behind the fire station. The Local CRT chaps & chapesses have been Marvellous sorting out levels as there have been a few low pounds today...the scouts boat ahead of us managed to dump themselves on the bottom in a lock!

I am not suprised. This is called progress.

Well done that man!! Ok so you need to edit the title but its a no brainer. Just bought one, he had thirty now showing 3 left. Mine is in first class order but at this money its a no brainer to have in stock in the spares bin

Thanks wotever Because they are beautiful! lol If a slight adaption means they can be fitted on my boat then hooray!

Mmmmm - one of the majority again. I demand a 2nd vote.

OK - I'll agree to that.

Totally the opposite. I think I'm classed as a 'moaner' as you put it and my reading is the vollies do it because they like working the locks. Thing is, I like working them too, so when I arrive at a lock in my boat the vollie and I are in instant competition about who is gonna do it. I feel I should win because: 1) I pay CRT handsomely to use their locks and the vollies pay nothing 2) Its my boat in the lock so if I sink it, I suffer the consequences whereas if the vollie sinks it, I'm still the one who suffers the consequences. The vollie just goes home at the end of his shift as normal.

I think it is time to buy a bolt cropper (and some shackles to repair the damage).

Shoreline mandate 1mm2 per metre run, so you should be using 15mm2 cable. 16mm2 is the closest you’re likely to get and that has an OD of about 8.5mm.

My Waeco is 29-30Ah per day running about 25% of the time. Our previous Shoreline was 45Ah per day.

Ah yes, just like Carrillion was subject to all sorts of regulations, inspections, audits by all sorts of experts These too were not optional.. Trouble is, every single person involved in any of the part of such a regime is only interesting on one thing, which is keeping their job until they can find another one by telling their immediate boss exactly what they want to hear... .