| Page 23 | London Boaters

Here are feature articles by London Boaters. Members may comment on matters presented here.

Time for a change at RBOA?

April 2017 - Allan Richards has been looking at the dysfunctional recent past of the Residential Boat Owners Association following its decision to abandon continuously cruising liveaboards with a range of less than 200 miles a year.

It was just over two years ago that I documented the resignation of Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA) Chairman, Jim Owen. Mr Owen's 'crime' appeared to be asking RBOA members what they wanted from the organisation. This led to a falling out with long standing RBOA officials.

April 2017 - Huntsman seem to think the rules about horses on towpaths don't apply if you are in hunting pink – Peter Underwood reports.

Horses are banned from most towpaths so when one was apparently invaded several times by the horses and hounds of a hunt – illegally in pursuit of a fox according to anti-hunt protesters – there are serious concerns about public safety.

April 2017 - Peter Underwood has decided he needs to issue a public apology to all boaters he encouraged to join the Residential Boat Owners’ Association.

For the past 15 years I have been a member of, and actively recruited other liveaboard boaters to join, the Residential Boat Owners Association (RBOA). I am now sorry that I did so and will be resigning my membership and encouraging others to do so.

April 2017 - According to the National Bargee Travellers Association one in three continuously cruising boats have been threatened with the loss of their licence by the Canal & River Trust since it arbitrarily changed its Terms and Conditions in May 2015, writes Peter Underwood.

April 2017 - C&RT's campaign against dumping rubbish in the canals has been a little low-profile to date and its ability to clean the multitude of junk from under the water somewhat patchy and dependent on volunteers.

It makes a new effort to raise public awareness each year just after the stoppage season when it has harvested a new collection of pictures of discarded junk but this year, perhaps because of a small government anti-litter campaign, it seems to be making better inroads into public consciousness, particularly in city areas.

April 2017 - Ideas that unite boaters and other waterways users and initiatives that present an opportunity to improve navigation are welcomed by boaters – and two new public relations initiatives by the Canal & River Trust deserve a cheer or two, according to Peter Underwood.

It may be a pure PR stunt, but it does have the potential to give towpath users a better appreciation of boaters and boaters the rare chance to feel valued.

C&RT's Boat in Bloom awards offer both instant gratification and the chance to build long-term appreciation.

April 2017 - The tragic death of a teenager at the world heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct continues to trouble the Canal & River Trust and Allan Richards reports that the Coroner rejects C&RT's 'independent' report on the incident.

The North East Wales and Central Coroner, John Gittins has again adjourned an inquest into the death of 18-year-old Kris Mcdowell who fell to his death from Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in the early hours of May 31 last year when a railing he was holding onto gave way.

April 2017 - By Peter Underwood

In the Peak District the Trust has been using volunteers to plant a small orchard on the banks of the Macclesfield Canal, planting 20 semi-mature fruit trees, just south of Macclesfield town, below Sutton Reservoir.

A number of varieties have been planted, including apples, plums, pears and cherries, to create a linear orchard. The Trust was helped in the project by students from Stoke College and members of the Lyme & Sutton Canal Adoption Group, Victoria Anglers, Bosley Locks Adoption Group and the Macclesfield Canal Society.

April 2017 - By Peter Underwood

As part of our news service The Floater likes to keep boaters abreast of the things the Canal & River Trust wants them to know. This time we have one urban and one rural press release for your information.

The Trust claims it has been making boating better in London over the past year and cites 'many improvements in 2016/17 includes new mooring rings and facilities, dredging, additional rubbish bins and collection, and the creation of new long-term moorings.'

April 2017 - By Peter Underwood

A childhood on boats brought Rona Hawes back to the canals and a business using her experience and skills in jewellery – and so far it seems to meeting her the expectations of her memories.

Rona Hawes, 61, lives on 'Unfazed' a 10ft x 60ft wide beam boat with her partner Alan Price, 57 and she says: “I'm the maker and he is the enabler!

We asked to to talk about what led to her boating business:

Time for a change at RBOA?

Towpath Tally-ho

RBOA abandons CC liveaboards doing less than 200 miles a year

One third of Continuous Cruisers threatened

What do you think of it so far? Rubbish!

CRT's Boats In Bloom Awards

Pontcysllte death report rejected

New orchard planted along Macclesfield Canal

More moorings for London

Childhood boat memories called Rona back

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