Sacked lock keeper

[pheran]

Just a bit annoyed that no one is sticking up for the chap .

A few of us on here know more about this than you do and have decided that it is not a proper subject for public debate. Others, like you, know little or nothing but in those circumstances, they, at least, have wisely decided it's inappropriate to comment. I can't understand why you don't do likewise. I find your interest in this subject and your holier-that-thou criticism of those, who not knowing the facts of the matter, decline to get involved, somewhat distastful.

 

[TrueBlue]

Cool it chaps -

There's no hidden issue here; no overbearing employer; no victimization.

I spoke to Ian about the time of my original post.
He was comfortable with the outcome.
I'm sure he could have contested the issue if he had wanted - I didn't ask, I felt uncomfortable with probing the full reasons.

From the "customer" interface it's just a pity that one of the Old School lockies has gone.

So really, it's time to let the matter rest.

There will almost certainly be better causes to persue with EA in the fullness of time...

 

[Captain Coochie]

A few of us on here know more about this than you do and have decided that it is not a proper subject for public debate. .

Nice to know your in charge of things

 

[pheran]

Nice to know your in charge of things

Of our own actions and contributions, naturally. And BTW, its 'you're' not 'your' - as in 'when you're in a hole, stop digging'
My last word on the subject.

 

[Captain Coochie]

Thats the Thames spirit ole chap , stiff upper lip and all that .









**** .

 

[No Regrets]

Sorry Nick , i was out of order with my comments . Just a bit annoyed that no one is sticking up for the chap .

Cuchi, I would stick up for the chap IF and ONLY IF he was being persecuted for something he hadn't done, and asked for help, or at least made the appropriate noises.

Rest assured, most other forumites would too methinks...

I just don't want to look like a tw@t though, so I'll wait until the facts are in the open!

I'm sure we're all on the same side mate.

 

[ianc1200]

I think it's a great pity Ian has gone; one of the river's characters, one of only two lock keepers to ask to see my admiralty warrant to fly the blue ensign, often could be found in the public bar of the John Barleycorn at lunchtime, and once called me over to his hut & gave me a canvas covered18" dia lifebelt (if you have a traditional boat & ever tried to find one there's not many about) so very sad to see him go.

 

[TrueBlue]

I think it's a great pity Ian has gone; one of the river's characters, one of only two lock keepers to ask to see my admiralty warrent to fly the blue ensign, often could be found in the public bar of the John Barleycorn at lunchtime, and once called me over to his hut & gave me a canvas covered18" dia lifebelt (if you have a traditional boat & ever tried to find one there's not many about) so very sad to see him go.

He once wen apoplectic on seeing me wearing my ensign without my burgee up, or perhaps it was burgee up and the wrong sort of ensign. Never seen him quite so red in the face again.

We had a long discussion about flags in general and ensigns in particular - including my predilection for wearing obsolete ensigns on special occasions (thereby being non flags and therefore not illegal). After the explanations a broad grin appeared on his face and I became acceptable.

Difficult to have the same sort of rapport nowadays in these PC times.

 

[byron]

Ian was quite a stickler for the illegal wearing of ensigns. I have seen him challenge people on several occasions. Indeed catching people out too.

 

[jecuk]

Fair enough too.

 

[CJL]

Strange......

I get very frustrated by the "old school" lock keepers for whom a minority seem to think it's OK to treat me like dirt because I'm under 40 and don't drive a regular boat.

The more corporate "new school" ones are friendly and chatty and treat me and my friends with respect.

Perhaps I'm in the minority and my views are being tainted by a minority of lock keepers but there are some positive aspects to the new school PC staff ....... well from my perspective anyway!

 

[Captain Coochie]

Ive never been treated with anything other than respect by lock keepers . Other boaters however is another matter .
This thread was supposed to be about boaters supporting lock keepers . It seems to have been turned into something else that isnt very nice .

 

[boatone]

I get very frustrated by the "old school" lock keepers for whom a minority seem to think it's OK to treat me like dirt because I'm under 40 and don't drive a regular boat.

I'm really quite astonished by your comments. I've been on the middle Thames for many years now and know most of the lockies and have great difficulty in thinking of any that might behave in the way you mention. There are one or two 'grumps' and some have an 'off-day' like the rest of us but 'treat you like dirt'????

You say you 'don't drive a regular boat' - may we ask what it is?

The more corporate "new school" ones are friendly and chatty and treat me and my friends with respect.

Now I am having some difficulty recognising who you might be referring to. We are on the Thames, aren't we? I dont think i can recall a single instance of any EA staff treating me with anything other than respect - a few obnoxious boaters, yes, but never lock staff.

[Perhaps I'm in the minority and my views are being tainted by a minority of lock keepers but there are some positive aspects to the new school PC staff ....... well from my perspective anyway!

Genuinely puzzled and not being provocative - who are these 'new school PC staff' - reveal yourselves please !

 

[Chris_d]

Strange......

I get very frustrated by the "old school" lock keepers for whom a minority seem to think it's OK to treat me like dirt because I'm under 40 and don't drive a regular boat.

The more corporate "new school" ones are friendly and chatty and treat me and my friends with respect.

Perhaps I'm in the minority and my views are being tainted by a minority of lock keepers but there are some positive aspects to the new school PC staff ....... well from my perspective anyway!

Odd comments and not the norm I would suggest, but I recognise something in what you say.

The Thames is at this strange point in time where it is moving forwards and backwards at the same time. Newcomers are arriving in swish sportcruisers clearly not designed for the river (although prefectly usuable) at the same time as a majority (dare I say it) are returning it to its original boat type of lookalike working barges. The current establishment is trapped somewhere in between.

 

[TrueBlue]

It's a two sided issue -

If you are polite, and engage the lockie in conversation, "good morning" on entry, "thank you" on leaving, and look as if you can handle a boat in a lock, then the staff will be a bit more relaxed.

If on the other hand you roar into the lock with a radio blaring, make a pig's ear of picking up bollards fore and aft and generally act without consideration for other users, then you might expect a rather more formal approach from the lockside staff.

I'm not saying that you do, of course.

I've see boaters in all sorts of craft treating the lockie like the lowest form of life, quite often being very rude - so no wonder if the lockie is a bit short.

Gone are the days that a lock keeper could offer "a bit of advice" if one was doing things incorrectly. I've had a *******ing from lockies in the past, using the bollards to stop the boat, motoring into a centre line as a spring to keep the bow in, and a whole load of other indiscretions.

After the initial "what do you think you are doing" lecture, I've been contrite, and asked for corrective instructions. The result has been a lasting friendly relationship.

If you treat them like a parking warden, then they will be short with you.

Remember, that they are not now permitted to be contentious and read the riot act, so they have to be defensive.

Be nice. The Thames is an experience caught in a time warp (especially in the next three weeks). Folks will miss a lot if they treat it just as another way of getting from one pub to the next.

I obviously have absolutely no idea whether you fit into any part of the above, but do reflect on whether your approach may have caused their reactions.

 

[Jaysay]

I was sorry to read this news, and note the varied views that followed. May I comment, as a relative newcomer to the forum, but with several years of experience on the river?
It would be totally inappropriate to comment on this individual case, but could I just say that we should not make the mistake of thinking that all our lock-keepers are absolute saints? The vast majority are, but there are one or two individuals - particularly in the stretch below Reading - who are consistently rude, unhelpful and thoroughly obnoxious; hardly a qualification for a job that involves dealing with the public. There is one lock-keeper who has an appalling reputation, even among his peers, and I am amazed that he is still in his job. The term 'a bit of a character' can be a charitable description in some cases!

 

[Outinthedinghy]

I liked the bloke, had a nice chat with him about my collection of Thames Conservancy registration plates and punting swallowtails etc and the history of the river.

However, I know something which he did which is actually unacceptable on EA property and also illegal which is part of the reason for his dismissal. Its a shame he has gone but some things are unwise.
As mentioned previously its probably not a good idea to talk about the reasons for the dismissal on here suffice it to say that it was not unreasonable.

 

[Captain Coochie]

O dear ........................... He didnt mix the tulips with the bergonia did he