I SEE the Bargee Travellers Association has once again conned the BBC into another sob story of a family with a continuous cruiser licence bemoaning the fact that he [the family] has children locally at school but has to move his boat, writes James Henry.
I just have to ask that why did Ted Powles who has two young children at a local school by the Kennet & Avon Canal, take out a continuous cruiser licence when he knows full well that with two young children at a local school he has to stay put?
No intention
He obviously knew that such a licence, that saves him paying for a mooring, means he has to continuously cruise to abide by its rules, yet obviously has no intention of so doing.
At least the BBC told the other side of the story with spokesman Matthew Symonds, pictured complete with British Waterways name tag(!), telling the BBC:
"But when you're looking at something like education that could go on for 15 years that a child might be in school, then it wouldn't be reasonable to bend the rules for one group. We have to apply them to everybody and be fair."
First in line
If CaRT were to allow people to stay put on a continuous cruiser licence, I would be first in line to get one, followed no doubt by about half the other boaters paying for moorings.
Afraid Mr Powles you just cannot—to coin a phrase—have your cake and eat it.