Mrs Tawny Owl

Paper cruise logs were posted on Friday evening so should be with you today or tomorrow. I've just emailed the excel file, and the details of the food drink and entertainment on offer. There is a dummy page on the file, so you can open it to make sure it's working, but don't look at sheet 2 until Friday morning. Let me know if there are any problems. See you all at Withymoor on Saturday. Sue

As Always some allowances will be made for happenings on the day. The year factory locks were closed with a broken gate the end timings were treated a bit flexibly, and when we arrived at Bradley workshops one year and encountered a 15 boat queue before we could get close enough to hand in the logs allowances were made. It will all be fine.

I don't know, I'm assuming that Closing the tunnel at 1.30pm means no boats can enter from either end after 1.30 pm. I'll send a quick email over.

Latest update. The tunnel will be closed from 1.30pm, so you must be through by then (But you should be anyway to get to Withymoor on time.) They are going to tell the paddle boarders they all need to be waiting at the end of the tunnel to go through as soon as it's closed. Any stragglers will have to walk or make other arrangements. The tunnel will be reopened as soon as they are through, so agg221 if you go and queue at the tunnel entrance ready to go through as soon as you're allowed hopefully you'll get to Wolverhampton in time. They think it will probably be closed for a couple of hours, maybe less. Sue

I'm not sure. I spoke to someone from the local C&RT area. They said the notice had been cancelled, and a new notice with revised times would be issued next week. He didn't say what the revised times would be, I don't think they know yet. He did say there had been a lot of complaints about the notice so they had reacted to them. As soon as I know more I'll let everyone know.

Yes my first though was that I would get boats to note their time arriving at the tunnel, and allow them to keep the points for doing the last bit to withymoor after 2pm. If the time change can happen that will be best so no-one is late to the party. In other news there will be food and drinks on sale, and they have arranged some entertainment. Sue

Right, I have had a chat with the chap who issued our Licence. It seems the request to close Netherton for the paddleboarders was received quote late, as the organiser didn't know they had to apply for a closure for the boarders to go through. I think the request for the closure went to C&RT, and they issued the closure notice, not realising this would impact our event. I suspect it's different departments and they didn't have all the details to hand. That notice has now been removed pending discussion with the boarders organiser. I have said we are happy for the tunnel to be closed from 1.30pm, you'll need to be through by then anyway to get to Withymoor on time.. They did suggest closing it earlier instead, but as I don't know what time people were intending to come though that's not going to work. The trip the boarders are doing includes going through the Dundley tunnels so the suggestion is they do that tunnel first, or only that tunnel if they can't swap the times over. I'll get confirmation once I've spoken to the licencing chap again, probably early next week. Because this is very late notice, I will make allowances for anyone who can't get through the tunnel in time. That will be in the final email I send out with the cruise log. Should be OK I think. Not a deliberate aim to ignore boaters, but a mix up and communication failure. Sue

I have just been told about this, and I'm not very happy after jumping through hoops to get the event licence issued. I'd have thought someone could have let me know this was happening as well. I've put a call into C&RT but it was after 4.30 so no one to speak to me. I've asked for an urgent call back tomorrow, and if they don't call me I'll call them. I'll have to make some allowances if nothing can be done to allow us through during that time. If people were intending to go through the tunnel just before they finish then we can adjust for that. Otherwise people may need to be through the tunnel before 11am. I'll make the decision after I have spoken to C&RT tomorrow, and put the decision on here as well as emailing everyone. I didn't need this complication!!!! Sue

Excuses excuses.! That's a pity.

HI Everyone. We now have 14 entries so it should be a good challenge. If you are thinking of entering and haven't done so yet, please get your form to me ASAP. We've now had some discussions with those in the know at the BCN and C&RT and made our decision. Due to the closure of Blackcock bridge we have decided to remove the Daw End and Rushall canals from this years challenge. Therefore no points will be awarded between Catshill Junction and Rushall junction. This is because there is no suitable winding hole between the top of the Rushall locks and Blackcock Bridge, and will save water as all boats would have to traverse Rushall locks in both directions. We have also allowed points to be scored in both directions between Catshill and Pelsall junctions, and between Pelsall and Birchells junctions, so it's still worth going up to the cannock extension, and Angelsey basin. Please find the new planning sheets attached. I hope you understand, and are happy we have done our best with the situation. Sue Route planner 2022 Final.xlsx

It depends, I'm hoping for a few more, nearer 20 if we can. Sue

We have been notified of this, and advised there is no alternative as the bridge is becoming unsafe. We are just waiting for the official preferred winding hole details, then we'll rejig the route planning document to take this closure into consideration. Sue And I have 8 entries so far, so do send yours in if you want to join in. Sue

Hi Jan. yes. I need to find an hour to reply to everyone. Been a bit manic with work recently. Sue

Worth thinking about. Sue

Possibly, we'll have a look and think over the weekend. Haven't had a chance to get the books out and see exactly what's where. Sue

I have just been told that Black Cock bridge on the Daw End Branch will be closed when the Challenge is taking place. This means there is no through route up the Rushall and onto the Wyrley and Essington canal. Obviously we want to encourage people to visit these canals, so we are going to rejig the points to allow passage in both directions to count either side of the blockage. I'll send out the redone route planner when we've decided what to do. Sue

It's something to think about, but not for this year, I'm struggling with getting this organised, and running our business after the last difficult couple of years. Maybe we can look at ideas and suggestions for a future years, it is a good idea but just too hard at the moment. Sue

Rules edited and Sunday changed to Saturday everywhere (I think) Sue

Rules edited and Sunday changed to Saturday everywhere (I think) Sue

Grr, and I asked Richard to double check, we both missed it!!! Wow that was quick, 1st entry form received. Which file Rob, give me a hint and I'll edit it.

Dam, I thought I'd changed all the dates! It's because it's the one I created ready for last year but didn't use because it got cancelled. The dates inside the file are correct, it's only the title that's wrong. Correct file name uploaded now.

I have just sent out the entry form, rules and route planner to all those I have email addresses for. I'm attaching them here, but do email bcnschallenge@gmail.com if you'd like them emailed directly to you, or have any questions. Looking forward to seeing you all in June. Route planner 2022 Final.xlsx BCNS Marathon Challenge 2022 Info & Rules.docx BCNS ChallengeEntry Form 2022.docx

You've beaten me to it. I was just going to start a new topic! Yes the challenge will take place on the jubilee weekend, and because the bank holiday is Thursday to Sunday the challenge will run from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon. Let me know if you want an entry form, we are just trying to finalise the end point then we'll get the forms out. email me at bcnschallenge@gmail.com Sue

Yes it will definately not happen on the 23rd 24th May. It may happen later in the summer if things improve and we can find a suitable date. If not it will be cancelled for this year. Sue

Yes it is sad, but looking on the bright side (which it's important to do when you can) at least I'm all organised, proof read etc ready in plenty of time for the next one. Sue