Comment—only four boaters

IT IS confirmed that out of 35 positions on the Canal & River Trust council, there will be only four boaters, and they are now being asked to stand for election.

But what is worse, it is not known who will actually select those boaters from those who apply. Though, Chairman Tony Hales tells us he is 'writing to all licence holders to encourage them to put themselves forward and add their voices to those shaping the Canal & River Trust's future'.

Writing to 30,000

Just what is the point of wasting such expense in writing to 30,000 odd boaters for just four to be selected, is beyond reason, and is indicative of the way that the charity will be operated.

It is seen that those who have been outspoken against how British Waterways is handling the transformation to the Canal & River Trust in narrowboatworld, will have little chance of being elected.  There will be absolutely no chance for such as Allan Richards and many others who have been far too outspoken being selected.  Much too dangerous.

Greatest contributors

Boaters, who will be the greatest contributors to Canal & River Trust after the government, will have little say, with the decisions obviously left to many, whose organisations contribute nothing, and who have little or no interest in boating.  Organisations, particularly those associated with nature, being adamantly opposed.

For the workers, who look after our waterways—one representative.

Nominations open on the 12th December for the four positions on the council, but with a total of 35 committee members, it is seen as that they will have little chance of realistically having any real influence.

Boaters on board

Tony Hales, who will become chairman of the Canal & River Trust has the audacity to tell us:

"The boating community has a wealth of hands-on experience of the waterways, and having boaters on board is essential to the success of the Canal & River Trust. I am writing to all licence holders and I encourage them to put themselves forward and add their voices to those shaping the Canal & River Trust's future."

Even if you fancy become one of the four, not only do you have had to have held a boat licence for 12 months, which is reasonable, but you also have to be sponsored by 10 other boat owners who also will have had to have held a licence for 12 months—which is not.

It most certainly does not brook well for the future of boating.

Tom Crossley