cotswoldsman

The more I research this and read what other people are saying about the make up of the council,the more I feel that for boaters it is just tokenism. So boaters get 5 members and the blurb says this number was thought to be fair as boaters contribute about 20% of the funds to CaRT and 5 seats represents 20% of the seats. So I guess the conclusion from this is the other 30 seats represent 80% of the funds. Now we all know that the other 80% contribute very little financially so when the Council discusses such things as where money should be spent 80% of the members will be deciding based on the fact that they contribute very little financially. Now I know that restoration groups do contribute financially to their own projects but this money is not available for the complete system. I am trying to remain positive about CaRT but I think the make up of the Council is just another example of how the process is flawed. In the excitement of the fact that we are going to have a voice on the Council we seem to be overlooking that our voice in comparison to future funding is just completely inadequate.

Hard work best to wait for another boat making them aware that you are single handed.

I always clean mine in the summer and then give it a quick brush when I return from the Xmas break when the fire has been out for a number of days.

Having lived in Stanthorpe, Queensland we lit a fire every night in the winter!!!

I presume you are not putting all Australians in that category!!!

Thank you for the sdvise Mike. I have done the Liverpool Link before and can understand what you are saying. I will most probably stop overnight somewhere by the swing bridge before if that makes sense. Though last time I did it I moored on the non towpath side and that was fine.

So that is smudge,MJG and mrsmelly on the beer list definitely a 2 year boating plan now!!!!

She is not the only one. I hope I manage to get through end January 2012.

Only reason I am going that is why I think it might be a 2 year plan.........

Unusually for me I have a plan!! (have to have a plan so I can change it) I am presently hanging around on the western stretch of Th Leeds and Liverpool. On 4 April I am booked to go down the Liverpool Link and will spend 12 days in Liverpool. I will then head to Leeds, want to do the complete length of L&L. I will then head up to York. Then down The River Trent to Lincoln and on to Boston. Having just written all that down it might be my 2 year plan!!!!!

You make that sound like there might no be co-opted members and that is not correct the make up of the 35 includes 3 co-opted members You highlight my problem with IWA people standing for the Private Boaters places. I highlight the private as that would imply boaters that are not part of an organisation. Who would the IWA candidates represent? For the sake of clarity I not anti IWA just against them representing me on the Council.

What about the 3 co-opted members?

Apparently they are not going down the membership road.

There now seem to be so many threads on CaRT that I am not sure where to post any more!!! This statement could be correct or it could be wrong, and maybe this shows the importance of knowing who the people are on the council before the election starts. IWA have a number of ways they could be on the Council. The first is as the 5th member of the boaters representative. Second as one of the mysterious 3 co-opted members Thirdly as 1 of the 4 Supporters members Having said all that I would still be very unhappy for 1 of them to represent Private Boaters

I need a plan or target otherwise can not change it!!!!

Let me know as soon as it is a confirmed date and I will book a room at a nearby hotel, might even persuade Stan to book a room.

Alan I do agree with you on IWA fielding 4 candidates. As I have said us boaters and I guess the members from Canal Businesses are actually the only ones that will be paying money to CaRT this in my view means we have to ensure that the very small amount of members we have out of a council of 35 should be 100% committed to the interests of boaters, and in my view you and dave certainly meet that criteria. I am not anti IWA but never joined as I felt they did not represent my interests so can not see how they would represent my interests on the council. It really worries me that no one might actually represent my interests. I should also say the the NBW view on this is good and find myself agreeing with their views........credit where credit is due!!!!!

I have posted this on other threads but will post it again as to me it sums up the arrogance of IWA members,it was a comment left on my website. link to comment LINK

I have lost myself as well I thought Scourie was in the Islands but is actually as you say in Sutherland!!! Still would like to see it done in less than 3 days from Braunstone....... Not so much debate after a long time in Logistics was simply pointing out that 48 hour delivery was stretching it and that price quoted seemed far to cheap for that service even if it was possible. Mind you my knowledge of where Scourie is shows that even with years in Logistics my geography is still crap.......

But it is not going to a mainland address so not quite sure what your point is. The quote you gave was for delivery to The Islands.

You would have to be over 70 and very fit.

You would have to buy a boat for every finch though!!!

Once again a fantastic trip report will continue to read over the next few days. Thinking of going to Boston after York next year....