The Thames and The Big Society

[boatone]

Any ideas on how David Cameron's 'Big Society' could benefit the Thames?

What aspects of the river do you think could benefit from community involvement?

What could/would you volunteer to do?

 

[byron]

The government could pay Riparian Owners say £1,000 p.a. per foot of frontage owned to help maintain same.

 

[oldgit]

The government could pay Riparian Owners say £1,000 p.a. per foot of frontage owned to help maintain same.

.....and all boats esp. visiting vessels should receive 10 Guineas per day for providing a picturesque back drop to river scenes.
Double rates at night.

 

[byron]

.....and all boats esp. visiting vessels should receive 10 Guineas per day for providing a picturesque back drop to river scenes.
Double rates at night.

Fair enough as long as the boats have adequate cages with wheels and other things for the guinea pigs to play with.

 

[boatone]

Hmmm ..... 128 views, 3 banal comments and no (zero) volunteers.

Now lets see, what do you think that might translate into if push comes to shove?

 

[TrueBlue]

Everybody's afraid to start -

So I'll stick my head above the parapet:-

I'll do a bit of undergrowth and light overhead branch clearance.

I'll operate the locks when unattended, rather than sitting on my arris (as some boaters do)

Will that do for a start, O great B1?

 

[jecuk]

Hmmm ..... 128 views, 3 banal comments and no (zero) volunteers.

Now lets see, what do you think that might translate into if push comes to shove?

Part of the problem is that I, as with many others I suspect, don't actually know what Big Society means. Hence I can't translate it onto the Thames.

Nice community spirited people are plentiful on the river. What is it they are supposed to do?

 

[boatone]

Part of the problem is that I, as with many others I suspect, don't actually know what Big Society means. Hence I can't translate it onto the Thames.

Nice community spirited people are plentiful on the river. What is it they are supposed to do?

You can read all about it on Wikipedia HERE

In a more cynical mood, an article in yesterdays Grauniad states:
"In practice, its transition to the "big society" means little more than dumping state functions on to the voluntary sector, without the money required to discharge them."

What might it mean for us Thames boaters? I know not but, the British Waterways have long relied on volunteer groups to maintain and restore.

 

[teddington_lock]

But this isn't a grotty old canal , it is possibly the most well known and famous river in the world , steeped in history , with ancient rights of navigation , a good portion of Londons drinking water comes from the Thames too.

It needs managing properly , not by the 'friends of XYZ' brigade , and to be honest i think we do a pretty good job. I realise that some of you have your gripes with the EA , but by and large , the general 'waterways' staff is very good.

Sorry , but this is an issue close to my heart.

 

[Brayman]

If you want to be serious, Tony, then you should have invited yourself along to the ATYC Brunch this coming Sunday to listen and say your piece.

You may have already done so, in which case good on you.

 

[boatone]

If you want to be serious, Tony, then you should have invited yourself along to the ATYC Brunch this coming Sunday to listen and say your piece.

You may have already done so, in which case good on you.

Sundays Brunch, as I understand it, is, primarily, to discuss the future of the ATYC and is invitation only for the Commodore and the youngest member of the committee of each club - I qualify on neither count and in any case will be in London this weekend fulfilling other commitments.

 

[boatone]

But this isn't a grotty old canal , it is possibly the most well known and famous river in the world , steeped in history , with ancient rights of navigation , a good portion of Londons drinking water comes from the Thames too.

It needs managing properly , not by the 'friends of XYZ' brigade , and to be honest i think we do a pretty good job. I realise that some of you have your gripes with the EA , but by and large , the general 'waterways' staff is very good.

Sorry , but this is an issue close to my heart.

I agree with you Howard, but this is nothing to do with how good a job you do or how we see the river. It's about what the government might decide to do in its drive to re-organise and cut costs. We already know they intend to turn BW into a charitable trust and the possibility of including the Thames is very much under consideration. Even if the Thames escapes that (and I sincerely hope and believe it should remain independent of BW) it is unlikely to avoid the winds of change

 

[TrueBlue]

But this isn't a grotty old canal , it is possibly the most well known and famous river in the world , steeped in history , with ancient rights of navigation , a good portion of Londons drinking water comes from the Thames too.

It needs managing properly , not by the 'friends of XYZ' brigade , and to be honest i think we do a pretty good job. I realise that some of you have your gripes with the EA , but by and large , the general 'waterways' staff is very good.

Sorry , but this is an issue close to my heart.

Calm down, Howard, it's only a discussion.

Nobody here wants to decry what you do, and nobody wants to take any work away from your goodselves.

If The River wasn't fantastic this forum wouldn't exist. All the regulars are committed (but there aren't many of us).

Being The River doesn't make any money of itself. Gone are the days of Henry Taunt when there was a bustle of small craft, Even in peak season the system is not really pushed.

To us the Thames is the non tidal bit, to the politicians its that wider bit gong through London, where the PLA actively discourages pleasure craft - after all it is a PORT authority, so it's very difficult to get friends in High Places prepared to make special pleadings.

If there are to be major cutbacks, then perhaps volunteers can assist permanent staff in peak times without being a threat.

Also volunteers (once converted) can make a lot of noise in a way that staff cannot.


Don't be unkind about the "grotty canals", without their craft the River would be empty indeed out of the main season. They introduce fresh blood to the River and hopefully spread the Message far and wide.

Now this is beginning to be a bit "heavy" - I think B1 was merely trying to sound the waters (sorry, pun) to see who was prepared to do anything, rather than just "use".

 

[pande]

Sundays Brunch, as I understand it, is, primarily, to discuss the future of the ATYC and is invitation only for the Commodore and the youngest member of the committee of each club - I qualify on neither count and in any case will be in London this weekend fulfilling other commitments.

Well I qualify on one of them and haven't had an invitation - am I doing something wrong or has the world forgotten about me??

 

[Brayman]

Well I qualify on one of them and haven't had an invitation - am I doing something wrong or has the world forgotten about me??

Sounds like you need a word with your commodore!!

 

[boatone]

Sounds like you need a word with your commodore!!

Maybe she is the Commodore . (or should be?)

 

[Brayman]

Maybe she is the Commodore . (or should be?)

Do you know something we don't ?

 

[boatone]

Do you know something we don't ?

Oh, I know lots of things that you don't - but not about Emma, the Commodore or Sundays Brunch ........

 

[pande]

Do you know something we don't ?

 

[Ramage]

Oh, I know lots of things that you don't - but not about Emma, the Commodore or Sundays Brunch ........

Just to set your mind at rest, Marian & I are attending Sunday's ATYC brunch to represent Bray Cruiser Club. If you have any concerns or ideas you wish presented to the ATYC please do feel free to PM me....

(But only if you are a BCC member!)