Yorksboat

We hired from Locaboat last September, one of their flying bridge penichettes on the Canal du Midi. They were easy to deal with via email, answered all our questions very efficiently - all in english. The handover was perfect, the boat clean and tidy with everything working fine. They have some good deals including up to 30% for the English at present and lots of bases to choose from. Hoping to go again this year if our crew sort themselves out and would recommend them highly.

Apologies for my impertinence but it seems Mr Ellison's comments indicate he has little or no experience of the psychology of how large groups work. I would also ask out of interest what Mr Fincher's experience of such groups is. 6 or 7 people representing boaters and the boating industry on Council do not a majority make; they will not be in a position to manipulate people or organisations and must not expect to put boaters' aspirations above anyone elses. What our elected members must do is seek to build partnerships with other Council members that will be beneficial to all. That is a two way process which requires listening, learning to understand and supporting the needs and aspirations of others. Partnerships of equals with respect for all, enabling all to achieve, resolving conflicts in a positive manner. I do however agree that we need smart, capable people who are up to the job. These qualities are more important than whether they are residential boaters, long distanec travellers or occasional cruisers. In what I have read of what he has written Mr Fincher suggests he has some of these abilities but my first vote will be for Ivor Caplan who I know will do a good job. Yes he is an IWA member but that is irrevelant as he is his own man and will work for the benefit of all boaters as he is already doing on the West Midlands Local Partnership.