boatone
Well-Known Member
What is so different about these matches that road closures are required? Is this normal for every match at Twickers?
Thames value for money
- Thread starter miket
- Start date
boatone
Well-Known Member
Not so much grumpy as understandably saddened and concerned by the way things are changing.
In a nutshell, government have decided public purse money should be prioritised towards essentials services and not be used to support activities that should be paid for by the participants. I have no issue with this. The EA Thames team's job is to manage the river within the resources they are given and it is an absolute fact that the government contribution has been massively cut over the last 2/3 years. The only other sources of income are registration fees, accommodation fees, incidentals such as lockside moorings/campsites/pumpout etc and water extraction income (little of which actually contributes to the navigation).
As far as registration fees are concerned powered craft income (over £3million) is by far the greatest contributor. Unpowered craft including rowing is minor by comparison (British Rowing block income for all Thames based clubs is around £75k). It is powered craft (approximately 9,000 private boats) that are the most significant users of resources, particularly locks and over 50% of EA Thames employees are lock and weir keeping staff (about 60 in total). Lockiess are primarily employed as weir keepers and provide boaters with assistance as a "complimentary service". There is no statutory requirement for them to do so.
For most of the earlier years us oldies remember, government funding was quite generous and there was little pressure to "cut the cloth" but times are changing and, like you, I feel the pain - particularly in my knees if I have to self service and no-one else is around!
JorgeinLondon
Well-Known Member
They don't do it for other matches. No one knows why they're starting to do it now - its a complete mystery.
I am going to the opening game tonight. I know some of the organisers. Will ask what the story is and see if there's any logical conclusion. It's probably a police/transport for London decision.
I am going to the opening game tonight. I know some of the organisers. Will ask what the story is and see if there's any logical conclusion. It's probably a police/transport for London decision.
Actionmat
Well-Known Member
This is a new plan due to the high volume of supporters. They're expecting 82,000 people. About time Twickenham Rugby ground spent money on footbridges and less on extending itself I think. My wife and I have had to take the day off and we're running around at the moment getting ready to load the boat. Picking our son up from school will be cutting it fine, but if we don't get to Teddington this afternoon we'll be stuck in Twickenham all weekend.
Wavey
Well-Known Member
Sorry Tony but felt the need to just correct that bit. Not saying as such that the government has a duty to fund the river as it used to, just that they might have more money in the coffers to allow them to help a bit more if they didn't spend/waste (delete as appropriate) money on things they feel are necessary but the general public may not agree with.
boatone
Well-Known Member
No worries, I have long complained that funds are freely spent elsewhere on what someone, and probably with more influence than we have, deems desirable.
Our dilemma is what can we do about it ????
As far as joe public is concerned a few, apparently or perceived, well off boaters are hardly a priority. The fact that we contribute several million pounds seems to get lost in the noise!
boatone
Well-Known Member
I think the licence fee is pretty good value for money.
We have cruised extensively this season between Abingdon and Teddington.
Have only had to self service twice and not at all during the peak period.
My marina berth costs 5 x the licence fee.
We have spent considerably more on food and booze while boating this year than the licence fee.
The licence fee is approximately 10% of my annual cost of boating.
I went to the boat show yesterday and ordered new domestic batteries - cost almost exactly the same as my licence fee for this year.
Servicing, maintenance and repair bills exceed the licence fee.
Why do we think the licence fee is not good value? Is it because the EA and government are easy targets to complain about?
We have cruised extensively this season between Abingdon and Teddington.
Have only had to self service twice and not at all during the peak period.
My marina berth costs 5 x the licence fee.
We have spent considerably more on food and booze while boating this year than the licence fee.
The licence fee is approximately 10% of my annual cost of boating.
I went to the boat show yesterday and ordered new domestic batteries - cost almost exactly the same as my licence fee for this year.
Servicing, maintenance and repair bills exceed the licence fee.
Why do we think the licence fee is not good value? Is it because the EA and government are easy targets to complain about?
Wavey
Well-Known Member
Not a lot. In actual fact probably nothing.
Makes you feel better sometimes just to have a winge about it though
bumperdump
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bumperdump
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bumperdump
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Actionmat
Well-Known Member
fantastic pics, thanks for sharing:encouragement: what sort of fish is that monster?
bumperdump
N/A
Ty that ones a Pike, we put them back in.
Actionmat
Well-Known Member
Ah thanks. I did suspect, but I'm no fisherman!
Tam Lin
Well-Known Member
Beautiful pictures guys, thanks. What I was really after were some pics of the run-down live-aboard boats that the OP was complaining about. I have no idea if they are a bit of "local colour" or a blot on the landscape.
bumperdump
N/A
To me its part of the river, to many its an eyesore,
bumperdump
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Actionmat
Well-Known Member
I stayed at Teddington Lock last night. I'd definitely call it an eyesore, with a towpath junkie diplay thrown in for free. And a hell of a lot of rubbish came floating past after one or more of them had a clear out.
bumperdump
N/A
If your at the lock get a spinning rod some decent braid, and some lures have a go in the weir some huge pike there, or there was unless the EU members have removed them.
