Victor: Bloody stupid

THOUGH we have tried to be somewhat pro-CaRT recently, even to including the boss man's summing up of its endeavours, boaters had a real kick in the teeth upon learning that, though they provide the bulk of its funds, they had no representation on the forthcoming government inquiry.

Let's make it very clear, since the IWA climbed into bed with CaRT, is has lost all its credibility as representing boaters, and its chairman being included in the enquiry has done nothing to allay this feeling.

But then, to actually include a representative for the canoeists, who give nothing, yet not a single independent boater representative who give millions, was a decision that surely shows just how much CaRT really cares about us boaters.

Just how much credence can we put on the 'Thank-you to boaters' by Richard Parry.  I'll tell you how much—none.  As the lack of any representation on the government inquiry clearly shows.

Perhaps...

But have you thought?  There must surely have been a reason for no inclusion of a boating representative on that government inquiry—perhaps Richard just didn't want someone there who would 'spill the beans', and show those in power just what sort of a job CaRT is actually making of running its waterways.

There is nothing so sure as that the chairman of IWA, who I expect is stated as a 'boaters representative', will toe the line and keep his trap firmly shut!

Which will do little to stay its ever dwindling membership.

How many more

Readers may have noticed that there is no mention these days of any awards in narrowboatworld, and I can tell you why. It is because our Thomas realises just how authentic most of them are.

It was those Waterways Trust awards, that showed their authenticity, for having listed all the 'contestants' he was shaken to learn that the Trust was actually publicly pushing for one particular contestant—that of course won.  Since then he has been most wary, especially discovering that with those five anchors awards for marinas, you give yourself the first two!  Which is why so many marinas shun them. They mean nothing.

During Friday we had Press Releases about no less than three awards—Wheelyboat Trust Awards, British Marine Federation Awards and Living Waterway Awards.

Nowadays there are scores of 'em, even the waterways magazines now having their own awards!  But what are they worth?

Nothing!  For instance the CaRT awards are all for its own 'achievements', with the breach at Dutton on the Trent & Mersey, getting its own special award, though it closed the waterway for many months leaving boaters stranded, having to find their own way home! Hardly worthy of an award, eh?

What do you think?

Boaters are having difficulty understanding the moorings sign at Cambrian Wharf in Birmingham, as Keith Gudgin's pictures shows.

The top one says 14 days with the next one showing mooring is allowed, but the third one shows there is no mooring whilst the added one at the bottom tells us it is for long term moorers only!

Simple

So once again the powers that be want to close the part of the Rochdale Nine in Manchester during the hours of darkness where the homosexuals do their business, and who are getting attacked.

David Davis puts forward a solution—why not install some lighting? Then it won't be dark.

That's far too simple for 'em David.

Temptation

Being shown the new development at Mercia Marina was a temptation for us to forsake Sawley and accept Manager Robert Neff's invite to moor our boat there, as many have done before. Just think we could then get onto the main system without having to tackle those dreaded 'Terrible Six'.

They really look after the boaters there, with full length jetties, so no matter how long your boat, even if you have to bring it in forward instead of stern first owing to a strong wind, there is no need to scrabble dangerously along the gunnel from locking the door when you leave.

And being able to black your boat. And a proper chandlery that is open every day.

So why are we still at Sawley that offers none of these? Our Thomas prefers the easy M1 road access...

Makes sense

At the recent Sawley moorers' meeting one boater suggested that instead of the scruffy boats on the sales jetty, someone should be employed to clean them up fit for being seen. The fella even mentioned it's what they do at Mercia.

I would have thought it common sense, though some boaters hardly deserve it, seeing the condition they leave their boats. Some really are scruffy both inside and out with obviously no attempt made to clean up beforehand. Looking through windows I've even seen unwashed pots in the sink.

If a person is not first prepared to put in a little effort to tidy up, perhaps they are not worth helping. When we sold our first boat at Sawley we tidied it up every week, especially with so much dust from the nearby M1 and so many leaves, as it was later on in the year. It paid off.

Victor Swift