Rob Dean

I can add: 13 June: Reading Waterfest; Forbury loop, K&A 25/26 July: Newbury Waterways Festival, Victoria Park, K&A Rob

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The consultation should have been sent to all boats registered on the K&A and all others 'sighted' there in the past 12 months. You should have received the consultation form - by email if CRT have it or by post if they haven't. I didn't get one and they appeared to have muddled my address somehow. Please email matthew.symonds@canalrivertrust.org.uk if you haven't. Rob

Alan, Your level-headed comments and analysis of the results shows just why you would have been a great Council member. I'm more disappointed that the IWA stunt prevented that than I am about my own near-miss. The other great disappointment was the low turn out. Boaters are at the heart of the waterways and most have made a large commitment of their time and money to being boat owners. All those I speak to seem to worry about the future and I find it really puzzling that more didn't bother to vote. I really wish we had succeeded in getting through to them. Looking at the latest batch of new Trustees here convinces me that boaters are going to have to campaign hard to have our voices heard. I don't think another association is needed or appropriate. But like minded boaters with the ability to make our voices heard need to keep in touch and share thoughts. This place seems as good as any. I'm a regular lurker on this forum but I've tended not to post unless I've felt I had something useful to say. I'll do more of that in future - not least because I'm just 6 weeks away from escaping a 12 hour working day! Let's move on folks. Holding a charity to account will be even harder than getting through to BW. Rob

Alan, Very well put. My commiserations. I thought your well argued campaign made you a shoo-in and you certainly had my vote. I'm amazed (and humbled) that 397 boaters voted for me but not all surprised not to secure a place. I'm really annoyed that the IWA coup netted them 3 of the places. Let's hold them to their promises to represent boaters rather than a wider IWA agenda. I was pleased that Ann Farrell made it (Vice Commodore or whatever). I don't know her at all but her statement made much sense. Many thanks to any CW members who included me high on their lists. Rob

Alan, Thank you - feedback I can understand. I did post a fuller explanation of my pitch on this forum earlier in the week. But I agree, my 150 word statement wasn't active enough. Rob

Pi, I can't resist asking - on which of your 5 (sensible) criteria did I fail? Rob

Dave, Thanks for your interest. Sadly I'm neither a full time liveaboard nor a continuous cruiser. For the past few summers, I have managed to live aboard (last year for 3 months) by taking my boat on a journey to and around London (to enable me to work) and then up to the midlands on holiday. That means I spent 3 months away from the K&A last year on (respectively) the Thames, GU, Regents, Lee, Nene and Oxford. I think I also confused by saying "I work on my boat". What I meant by that was that I get my hands dirty on the maintenance side. I bought a rusty heap and have done a lot of refit work over 8 years including relining it. Last winter I even rewired the thing (with help from forum members here). Paid work-wise, I drive a desk in London. But only for another 84 sleeps . . Hope that helps Rob

Fellow Boaters, Apologies for starting another topic on the subject of the CRT Council election but I am standing for election and would like to explain briefly why. I think: Our waterways are principally for boats and boaters. It’s great to see the many other users but the experience they come for is only possible because of the boats. To thrive, the waterways must be navigable and affordable to boaters. The dedicated and hard working individuals who restored the waterways over the last half century were mostly boaters. Today’s boaters have a responsibility to keep the waterways alive. The CRT is both an opportunity and a threat. Well run, it could avoid the stifling bureaucracy and costs of a government-owned body. And boaters could have more influence in how it is run. But there must be change. It won’t work as BW rebadged and the limited funding available must go into front line services, not expensive management. A charity must be run more cheaply than BW was. The charity will succeed best if its focus is local. Local boaters, boat clubs and existing canal societies know their waterways better than any national head office possibly can. Head Office should be slim and concentrate on support to local teams who have as much say in the running of their waterway as possible. I am A boat owner based on the Kennet & Avon. I spend a lot of time boating and really enjoy the waterways lifestyle. I work on my own boat and travel as far as each summer has allowed. I still have much of the system to explore. I have spent 34 years with the Diplomatic Service and now have more time to spend boating and supporting the waterways movement. I am qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant so I understand the numbers. I have spent the last 5 years as a Board Director so I have a very clear idea of how the CRT can be run without expensive Directors. I understand how a charity works because I am ‘hands-on’ active with the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. I manage the annual Newbury Waterways Festival and am currently focused on helping to set up a Trust Trip Boat operation in Newbury. I am standing independently rather than a representative of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust or any other organisation. I will Devote my time and energy to representing all boaters whether they have shiny new boats or rather scruffy ones like mine. Whether they live aboard or only manage a week or two each year. I will ensure I listen to fellow boaters and faithfully represent their views. I will play an active role on the CRT Council both in formal meetings and outside. I will hold the Trustees to account for their use of the charities funds, for their stewardship of the waterways, and for their attention to needs of boaters who are the core of the waterways. I think I can do this well. If you agree with me, I would be grateful for your vote please. If you don’t, I’d be pleased to hear what you think. Thanks very much for your time. Rob Dean NB Pukeko Kennet & Avon

Erm OK - many thanks Gibbo, that's a clear and helpful answer. But I confess I was planning to put the shunt in the positive line from the battery to the DC panel/alternator. I guess I should think again. . . Rob

My ammeter shunt came without a cover and most for sale online seem to be that way. But doesn't BSS require it to be insulated? Rob

Jim, Thanks for posting this. It's useful to be aware of problems in Newbury. Which are rather common I'm afraid. There's a long history of hassle at Newbury. It's mostly petty vandalism and boat untying rather than serious theft. This year appears to have been better but perhaps I'm just not getting reports. There's a lot of 'passing trade' at Newbury which seems to cause many of the problems. But, as you say, this sounds targeted. Please let me know if is any further news on this crime. I may write (again) to the local police about their coverage of the towpath. This theft illustrates that the problem is rather more than stupid kids. Rob Dean Chairman, Newbury Branch Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

Thank you Arnot, Gibbo and others for the clear advice on this subject. It's pretty clear to me that, in general use, the alternator is best and most safely wired direct to the leisure battery. Arnot's example illustrates that well. The BSS requirement makes sense only if one takes a narrow view of the risks involved with batteries, large currents and fire. Nevertheless it is a requirement. There are of course 2 ways to isolate a battery. At the moment my boat takes the second route which is a single switch in the negative line. I can see that there are risks in that (if working with 12v lines I tend to disconnect the positive battery line). It's passed BSS every time though. I think I've decided to: 1. Wire the alternator direct to the leisure battery (and not to engine battery). It will actually connect via an ammeter shunt. 2. Fit a master switch between battery and DC panel that will isolate all the domestic wiring but not impact the alternator. 3. Leave the switch in the negative line. It's in the engine compartment, well out of the way and generally will never need touching. But at least it provides BSS compliance. I'd welcome any tweaks on that (or corrections if I'm plain wrong). The alternator of course also has a negative line. At present it's a weedy 6mm2 wire about 6 inches long connecting to the body of the starter motor. Does anyone think it worth a direct line all the way back to the (negative) battery switch? Or just a decent wire to the starter body? Thanks all Rob

Hi Folks, Busy planning a wiring upgrade in the charging circuit. Read a really useful technical article on the Smartgauge website which has me convinced I should run a heavy duty line direct from the alternator to the leisure battery bank. The article warns of the risk of engine starting with the leisure bank switch off and suggests some ways to reduce that risk. Now the silly question . . . why not run the cable direct to the battery? Why does it need to be switched? And if so, why not give its own switch (which could generally be left on? Is the answer that cables must always be switched close to the battery? BSS? Rob nb Pukeko K&A

We were delighted to have Nuneaton & Brighton at the Festival this weekend. The crew worked hard to help the public see the boats. Meridian TV filmed on the boats and BBC Berkshire was fascinated when I told them we had 35 tons of coal for sale! We had thousands of visitors to Festival and managed to get good media coverage of our campaign messages. My thanks to all of the crew - especially Sheena, Britain's most glamorous coalman (lady)! Rob Dean Festival Director Newbury Waterways Festival

Well I'm looking forward to seeing Nuneaton & Brighton for sure. You can join us breasted 7 deep on the Wharf at Newbury and nobody will grumble. Not even the 72' trip boat we're bringing from Burghfield for the Festival. It should be a great weekend. Rob Dean Director, Newbury Waterways Festival Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

My Paloma split during the cold weather. An attempt to solder the heat exchanger has been only partially successful. And other bits are a bit past it. Thinking of replacing it. Many chandleries stock the Morco but its big and wont really fit in the same space. I have come across the Rinnai gas water heater: http://www.rinnaiuk.com/2_Products/5_58e_L...LPG_Heater.html which is small and (if the pictures on the website are anything to go by) suitable for a narrowboat. Does anyone have experience of this heater please? And is it BSS compliant? ta Rob Dean NB Pukeko K&A

Because the fuse panel switch is not heavy duty enough to switch without creating volt drop. The Fridge cable connects direct to the battery bank (through an in-line fuse) I need a method of switch that doesn't introduce volt drop. You can see from other posting here that this is a big issue with these fridges. Using a domestic cooker switch is a good solution but fairly bulky. Rob I thought I'd put the relay at the fuse panel. There's a dedicated 10mm cable for the fridge so it doesn't matter where in the line it is switched. That's the solution I have at present Rob

Hi, My trusty 12v fridge has been wired with 10mm cable through a domestic cooker switch. This works well enough and has given me 4 years good service. I'm now replacing the whole galley and am tempted to do away with the bulky cooker switch and replace it with a relay switched from a spare switch on the main DC fuse panel. Question: What relay should I use? And is this more hassle than it's worth? I quite like simple and the current system works. But if others use a relay without problems, it could be a neater solution. thanks Rob

Folks, Below, for information, is the text of a press release we have sent out today. All support welcomed. Rob NB Pukeko Press Release from the Newbury branch of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Date: 3rd February 2007 Newbury protest on Saturday 3rd March to "Save our Waterways" Cuts in government funding to British Waterways threaten the maintenance of the Kennet & Avon canal and Britain's entire network of waterways. The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust calls on all who use and love our canal to protest at the Wharf on Saturday 3rd March between 11am and 1pm. The protest is part of a nationwide series of events highlighting the importance of the waterways in advance of a national petition being presented to Parliament in early March. The nationwide campaign is being organised by "Save our Waterways", a campaign organization formed to try to ensure the adequate funding of the waterways in future. The organisers hope the protest will involve a wide range of canal users including boaters and canoeists, anglers, walkers, cyclists, dog owners, nature lovers, and those that just like to sit and watch the canal or feed the swans. It's important for all these groups that the canal is maintained to ensure access and safety. Like most canal centres, the presence of the waterway in Newbury has a profound effect on the local economy and it is the centre of a significant amount of recreational use by local residents. The campaign has come about because of financial mismanagement in the Department of Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which was quite unrelated to the waterways. As a result the Department has imposed severe cuts in the grant funding it provides to British Waterways. This means that BW, which maintains our canals, has been forced to lay off over 180 staff and to dramatically cut back on maintenance of the waterways. Having spent nearly 50 years and some £50m getting the Kennet & Avon Canal restored it would be tragic to see our wonderful public amenity fall into a neglected and perhaps unsafe condition The protest will be joined by local MP, Richard Benyon who has taken a leading role in the parliamentary campaign against the cuts. Everyone is welcome at the protest which will gather at the Stone Building on the Wharf from 11am to 1pm on Saturday 3rd March. For further information on the protest you can speak to Tracy Perryman, Trust Branch Chairman at the Stone Building (522609) or ring Julie Dean on 01962 883939. Boaters who can bring their boats can contact John Arthurs at newburyharbourmas...@hotmail.co.uk or just turn up on the day. More details of the nationwide campaign are at www.saveourwaterways.org.uk. Author contact: Julie Dean Branch Communications Officer 01962 883939 robdean...@btinternet.com Notes for Editors: The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust is a registered charity (CC 209206) that campaigned for 40 years before completing restoration of the canal in 1990. It now works to protect, promote and enhance the canal, bringing visitors to Newbury and protecting the canal as an asset for the people of the town. Background on the work of the trust is available on its website at www.katrust.org.uk Background on the campaign is available at www.saveourwaterways.org.uk. More detail on the funding issues is available from the Inland Waterways Association website at http://www.waterways.org.uk/News/ DefraFundingCuts. The Trust would welcome media coverage of the event at around 12 noon. We are expecting a large number of boats with banners as well as canoes, cyclists and other canal users. There will be good photo opportunities, especially from the Parkway Bridge. Richard Benyon, MP has also agreed to speak with the press on behalf of the campaign. It would be helpful if editors could let the organisers know of their plans for coverage so we are able to provide support to your journalists.

What great videos! To answer the question, yes I'd love to meet these people. We do so need more young people on the waterways. My daughter is a demon with the video and has done the odd amusing canal clip. I'll ask her to post some. Rob

Yes, we met this unhappy couple at the end of July as they came up the K&A. Apparently the pilot just said 'keep going' and they made it into Portishead less than a hour before they would have otherwise sunk. They pumped out 600 gallons of water and suffered a lot of damage inside. I think they were still not on speaking terms . . . Rob

The marina is at Hilperton (boat hire from Alvechurch) otherwise known as Staverton Marina. Rob

I agree with Globetrotter, the moorings in the Prison loop can be very pleasant. We've often used them and never had any trouble. The Tesco moorings are handy for Tesco but that's about it - anywhere else is a long walk. The moorings above Sonning lock are especially nice. Caen Hill? Not as bad as people say. We came up last year 2 handed (I did ALL the locks) without managing to pair up. Took about 4 1/2 hours (but I was knackered!). With a decent crew and a partner boat, it can be done easily in 3-4. There's no trick but the best way not to be caught by the wind is not to try and hang about between locks. Wait in your lock until the next gate is open. Someone mentioned the lockie to help you - yeah right. There may be a BW chap zooming up and down on a quad bike. But help you? No way. Rob

Yup, we'll be there - along with a big crowd from the K&A Trust. Looking forward to it. Rob