Further to Victor's observations, it is all self-aggrandisement on the agenda. The titivation of the towpaths for all and sundry to the demise of the canal structure shows this. In 20 odd years of living on the canals we've never seen things this bad, writes Glenis Summers.
A couple of years ago, I believe it was, I took a train from Royal Leamington Spa, where we happened to be moored, to Leicester. Mr Parry was having one of his much vaunted meetings with boaters.
Speeding cyclists
He entered the room late and in his introduction mentioned the good work he'd done for Network Rail and so on before listening to all our concerns. Mostly about speeding cyclists I recall. As I left to catch the train back he thanked me for travelling so far to see him.
Not wanting to appear rude Mr Parry, I answered, but I came because I care about our waterways. Was I impressed? No. I got back to my boat at way past midnight with the feeling that I had wasted my time. He said that his vision for the waterways in the future was that every area the waterways passed through would be looked after by those living there.
Can you imagine that?