StarUKKiwi

The EA have tweeted to say CRT will remove, so perhaps something is happening

CRT is like any big company - the higher up the food chain you go; the more they understand engagement, just not how to go about it. That's where having boaters on the National Advisory Group, National Users Group and the Council may help. I agree that there is room for improvement. The election process was ill-thought out IMHO. last time, all postal - this tome , all electronic; but they should have sent out explanations from at least a year before, as I am sure many people don't/won't have access to email. The regions are, to a certain degree, siloed. I think this is slowly changing; but needs time to evolve. In answer to the question above, 32% of voters bothered to vote in the General Election and of that 32%, about 26% (?)voted Conservative.

It poses some interesting questions, doesn't it? Note the usual suspects have commented

I hope that is not copy and pasted as, once again, my name is misspelt. Have you written and asked why the internet Q&A was cancelled? The voting procedure was not communicated properly IMHO. There should have been at least a year's warning - explanations sent out with licence renewal notices from Jan 2014 to get people to register email addresses. What would you replace it with?

I think the first agenda item might be funding and who pays?

She being the cat's mother. (edited for those who have nothing better to do than come out from under the bridge)

The EA came out to it last week. It is not leaking diesel, wildlife is not affected and it is not causing a navigation hazard; therefore, nothing is done until it is. EA has no funding for retrieving sunk boats and I understand CRT will only salvage it if it causes a hazard.

It's on the upper Peak Forest and has been under for eight weeks or so; reported to both EA and CRT - the owner has tried to pump it out - we were moored not far from it when she went down

I am on a continuous journey; started 2 years ago and mostly cruise within the Manchester and Pennine area - our range was probably about 120 miles last year, partly due to the fact we had no engine for six weeks and a year to sort it out. Therefore, last year we did not cruise as much as we would have liked to

I only found out at 4:15on when the email came on as I was in meetings until then. I was unaware that ERS had updated their page, but if so - a major miscommunication in the brief given to ERS

I agree - it's the opportunities between formal meetings that will be important. I do know that an awful lot of people did not get the voting email and letters arrived yesterday. Whatever, others may think; I will represent all private boaters and hope that this forum and other social media will provide me with a platform to gather opinion and disseminate information

Thanks to all who voted for me, as the only woman, only continuous cruiser and live aboard elected, I will do my absolute best to represent all boaters' interests; obviously, I will not be some people's choice and I will try and alter my name on my profile to make it easier for members to contact me. A full breakdown of the votes is here Stella Ridgway - NB Gracie - currently on the Macclesfield Canal

Thank you for your vote. I can see where people are coming from and IMHO, isn't that the problem? People don't believe they can make a difference, so why bother? However, you change your world and you will change the wider world. I stood because I believe that we need to change the culture and (daresay) the IWA stranglehold on the Council. Roger and I have both said how we intend to engage and Daniel has kindly said that he would enable this for us. I cannot let this chance go by without at least trying to change things and represent all boaters, as a live aboard continuous cruiser. I aim to do the best I can and to try and take in as much opinion as I can. Obviously, I am based in the North and most of the other candidates are London based, but we all face the same issues across the country - lack of facilities, offside vegetation clearance, dredging (or lack of) and maintenance. I hope those who haven't voted, reconsider and vote Starukkiwi aka Stella Ridgway

Christmas time always means dumped dogs; as do summer holidays - I hope that he is found

Belated happy birthday

I believe two of the owners have spoken to the boater concerned and it is all sorted.

To clarify; when I was nominated, I held no position with NABO. I was elected to Council at the recent AGM Well, having posted all over social media tonight; a campaign message As one of the candidates , I would encourage you to vote; but I can give you my reasons for standing and why I believe that I can try and make a difference. I was born in Shardlow, my parents emigrated to New Zealand by boat and I suppose that's when I had my first experience of living on a boat on our six week journey across the world and where my parents and siblings still live. However, the chance to move aboard Gracie came three years ago and I then discovered that my great grandfather was born on a Narrowboat and so I realised why it felt as though I had come home. I moved to England and became interested in representation almost immediately, in the YWCA where I lived and then onto Trade Union Representation. I have been a Senior Workplace Representative for nine years and have lead consultations with the employer for that time. I have been involved in local communities where we pass through . This brings us into Canal and River Trust (CRT) and my reasons for deciding to stand. I went to Boaters Meetings where Richard Parry was speaking and it appeared to me that unless we at least tried, nothing would change the perception and way, we as live aboard boaters and CRT's customers were treated . I decided that if I could do anything to improve how CRT was governed, to try and influence what we want them to concentrate on - good facilities that work properly, dredging, vegetation clearance and general maintenance . The other reason was as a woman of the cut, I believe that I can bring that experience with me of working and cooperating with others I can make a difference.

Mainly because this boat is no longer associated with the pub that it is named after (Marple) as the previous landlord sold it. We have also seem said boat with skipper onboard late at night, plainly intoxicated, but not (as far as we can tell) carrying fee paying passengers. But I am not surprised, the owner is abroad at present.

The likliehood of me having either parent onboard is remote as they both live in New Zealand and are now in their 80's. My Mum is fascinated by it all; the drawback is phonecalls over mobile is quite expensive and she doesn't do social media. My Dad does and my half brother keeps him in touch with what we are doing. Three of our daughters have been onboard - the two youngest aren't keen but my eldest enjoyed it when she visited from NZ. I know my family don't really get it but understand it I think.

I think the idea of running an election purely online flawed, unless the majority of the electorate are online and I cannot find any evidence to suggest this is the case. Numerous instances of email not received, although you can phone to request details. Personally, I found the process of standing confusing - after the initial Q&A said you had 250 words; in fact this was 150 words and I could neither upload photo nor video. However, I did set up a Facebook page and I intend to use it to report back in the future and for people to contact me through that - Stella Ridgway - Boater on Facebook. The advantage of this is that you can view the page and contact me even if you don't use FB. there is also here as well and I am @starukkiwi on Twitter.

It was diificult as after being told we had 250 words, it became 150. I have a Facebook page, and if you look for The State of Gracie„ that is our cruising and life updates. You can ask me anything in pm here or through Facebook. I am not about to put email and phone numbers up, but ask away. I am also, now, elected to the Council of NABO and whilst I have a responsibility to those members, I will follow the principles of my trade union representation - Help all because they may be a future member and/or rep. I did not find NABO exclusive and as a northern boater I find that the problems experienced by those in the South are the same all over. Mooring - lack of reasonable dredged places you can get to moor up at - not visitor moorings normally. Dredging navigational areas of canal and washwall maintenance to allow safe mooring Vegetation - overgrown Towpath - 'shared space' - speeding cyclists Facilities - water points accessible and eksan and pump out facilities. There are likely many others, but they seem to be the main ones. I will, if elected, use social media and this forum plus mailing lists to stay in touch with all boaters' views.