Goring & Streatley Regatta - but no Lockie

ianc1200 said:
What's the problem with letting volunteers run locks without supervision? It seems it's EA's rules which are stopping manning of locks.
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You are broadly correct in assuming that this is a problem with EA requirements but discussions are taking place to see if it can be resolved or at least eased.
When we operate the locks ourselves we accept personal responsibility. This is clearly not the case for a recognised EA volunteer assisting others.
 
Actionmat said:
Absolutely. If people want to volunteer, then good for them. But I'm against it if the end result is fewer paid jobs.
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That was the feeling amongst lockies (?) when the scheme started - what was it 4 years ago?? Since then I think many lockies have realised that volunteers can be very useful - especially when the locks are busy.
Nobody has said to me - well they wouldn't, would they - Oh, they're threatening our jobs.

At the very least they can be pleasant company in whiling away the time waiting for the next lock full of boats.
Apart from the short peak holiday season, the traffic is just NOT there, What's the point of staffing a lock if there aren't any boats around.
 
TrueBlue said:
That was the feeling amongst lockies (?) when the scheme started - what was it 4 years ago?? Since then I think many lockies have realised that volunteers can be very useful - especially when the locks are busy.
Nobody has said to me - well they wouldn't, would they - Oh, they're threatening our jobs.

At the very least they can be pleasant company in whiling away the time waiting for the next lock full of boats.
Apart from the short peak holiday season, the traffic is just NOT there, What's the point of staffing a lock if there aren't any boats around.
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And there is the rub.

With modern monitoring of waterlevels and flow fewer more mobile profesionals can do what is required except at busy summer periods.

That is the time the volunteers are needed.

The world is changing and Thames boaters must change with it-or the EA must raise more revenue.

And we can guess where that might come from........................................
 
The government depts. pleading poverty is utter tosh. I was reading today how Oxford was hoping to get her hands on a share of the £20m available for an electric taxi fleet. Then there's all the money thrown at bicycle events and bicycle lanes. There was a time when English tourism was encouraged and I hope it is again, before all but the rich are driven off the river.
Right now I'm spending my holiday cash in my own country. The alternative is a family holiday in Thailand or a few weeks in France.
 
Actionmat said:
The government depts. pleading poverty is utter tosh. I was reading today how Oxford was hoping to get her hands on a share of the £20m available for an electric taxi fleet. Then there's all the money thrown at bicycle events and bicycle lanes. There was a time when English tourism was encouraged and I hope it is again, before all but the rich are driven off the river.
Right now I'm spending my holiday cash in my own country. The alternative is a family holiday in Thailand or a few weeks in France.
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I live in the world of trying to get govt dept money, or EU too, it's very highly targeted, is usually match funding with industry, and mainly aimed at core economic growth, and extremely competitive. What you read, and the reality, are highly disconnected.
 
Actionmat said:
The government depts. pleading poverty is utter tosh. I was reading today how Oxford was hoping to get her hands on a share of the £20m available for an electric taxi fleet. Then there's all the money thrown at bicycle events and bicycle lanes. There was a time when English tourism was encouraged and I hope it is again, before all but the rich are driven off the river.
Right now I'm spending my holiday cash in my own country. The alternative is a family holiday in Thailand or a few weeks in France.
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But we are not dealing with other Government departments are we-just the EA.

They have a wide remit and I suspect the Thames is not at the top of their list of priorities-whatever we might wish-and they must cut their coat according to the cloth they have.

And it was ever thus...................................
 
pic from the area.
20150620_204446_zpsxwiaots3.jpg
 
The government depts. pleading poverty is utter tosh. Oxford was hoping to get her hands on a share of the £20m available for an electric taxi fleet. .
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An article in the PHM (taxi trade newspaper] makes it quite clear the the funds are for a feasibility study as to wether an all electric fleet is possible and that the money will allocated on a merit of argument case among several competing councils with an eye on the future.
Many metropolitan areas regularly exceed legal and safe vehicle emission levels .Places in London do it daily. Fortunately the case for the damage to health that exhaust fumes cause is well proven and cannot be ignored by local councils.
Some of the older taxi fleets are prime offenders..
Which would you prefer,our grandkids breathing fresh air or a cheap river licence ?
 
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If fresh air was a priority, we wouldn't have cigarettes and a government backed extra runway at Heathrow. But I do hope that my son and (hopefully, one day) grandchildren are in a position to enjoy the river. Why are you so keen to see the annual EA licence increase when your boat doesn't require one?
 
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A Yacht Club Rally to Ashmount. Looks like either Oxford Ditch or Thames Valley Cruising Club. Incidentally, Oxford Ditch are seeking new members.
 
Actionmat said:
If fresh air was a priority, we wouldn't have cigarettes and a government backed extra runway at Heathrow. But I do hope that my son and (hopefully, one day) grandchildren are in a position to enjoy the river. Why are you so keen to see the annual EA licence increase when your boat doesn't require one?
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Why should we do A B or C, when X Y and Z is going on ?....................Possibily because doing A B and C is the correct thing to do. ?

All tidal boats on the Merdeway and Swale pay a registration fee to a private company. Non tidal have to pay the EA a yearly fee as on the Thames.
None of the locks on the Medway are manned (shock/horror) entire navigation is covered by the staff at the tidal Allington lock..
Some boats pay both sets of dues.:)
 
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