This forum....

Well, since the origins of the TVR lie in a combined gathering and boat handling competition from five boating clubs, it is not really the place for political statements, more a social get together and most definitely fun.

Would have thought that the ATYC, IWA and RYA are better placed for political statements.


Having said all that, being that the TVR rally is one of the biggest gatherings of boaters on the river, not a bad time to show some solidarity among river users is it.

Darren.
 
My suggestion of inviting Eileen McKeever to the TVR is aimed at giving the EA some direct feedback from river users.

It is much harder to write off the views of a marquee full of people than to ignore one or two reps to a meeting.

However, maybe the TVR does not exhibit sufficient diversity....
 
You're right Darren, the bodies you mention are where the words and actions should come from.

Any gathering of boaters is a good start, but the TVR is what it says on the tin A RALLY. The organising committe can have no political strength and would not want it.
 
Sadly I do not see ATYC, IWC or RYA represented on the forum.

There may be forumites who sit on committees for those bodies, but no-one directly posts as representing them.

At least the EA have Angelaq (thanks for your efforts Angela!)
 
Sadly you are correct, as far as I am aware. If they're on here they keep quiet about it.
As individuals we should lobby these bodies to work on our behalf, after all that is what they claim to be their "raison d'etre" Similarly our own clubs should lobby these bodies.

Over time this forum has obtained input from not only the EA but the BSS Office too, maybe the ATYC, RYA and IWA will follow suit at some point.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sadly you are correct, as far as I am aware. If they're on here they keep quiet about it.
As individuals we should lobby these bodies to work on our behalf, after all that is what they claim to be their "raison d'etre" Similarly our own clubs should lobby these bodies.

Over time this forum has obtained input from not only the EA but the BSS Office too, maybe the ATYC, RYA and IWA will follow suit at some point.

[/ QUOTE ]

Think I read somewhere that the ATYC clubs have a collective membership of about 800 boats - ie around 10% of the cruisers registered on the Thames.
IWA - perceived as primarily Narrow Boat territory, more canals than Thames. RYA ....dunno but never thinks of 'em as river issues majors.

And theres the rub........no, NO really representative body with clout to tackle the issues on our behalf.

Is there an answer? Probably not so lets just soldier on as we are........
 
You have reckoned without the might of the 'Upper Thames Birchwood Massive' (Affiliated to the Birchwood Owners Association)

You want a rabble? A voice which refuses to go away, or be placated with a few feeble excuses from fairweather boating organisations?

Come on people, it's quite clear that the majority of you are gentlemen with impeccable manners, and that there is a possiblity that your existing social connections may cause issues with regard to complaining effectively about this VERY worrying issue.

ARE YOU UNHAPPY? WELL BLOODY WELL TELL THEM!

I don't want to ponce around at any lock within working hours at the current rates of licence fee. I want an equivelant service to last year, at the very least, not a fecking worse one!!

Gentlemen, it is time to do something. If you would like me to create an online space away from here, just ask.

But don't just roll over while the EA crap all over us, laughing at the ease with which we accepted this massive drop in service levels. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Ah well according to this months MBM, we have www.theboatingassociation.co.uk which apparently covers the canals and rivers of the UK, only problem is - it doesnt!

Where is the RYA in all this?

Where is the IWA?

Same place they were while we lost Red Diesel, up their own backsides probably!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Ah well according to this months MBM, we have www.theboatingassociation.co.uk which apparently covers the canals and rivers of the UK, only problem is - it doesnt!

Where is the RYA in all this?

Where is the IWA?

Same place they were while we lost Red Diesel, up their own backsides probably!

[/ QUOTE ]

No fair, many countries lost their red, Malta, Greece, Belgium, Finland to name a few. It was a foregone conclusion and it was delayed as much as possible however our Masters in the EEC were bound to win. JOIN UKIP /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
TVR - a fun weekend or a gathering of Thames boaters

[/ QUOTE ]

Well that rules me out once again /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Not that I'm overly bothered but I keep getting the message that the Thames is the only inland waterway this country has and there are loads of other rivers with boats on them. My number one boat is sea going but number two boat is coastal and inland, has been mainly rivers for years now but will be coastal again when completed, but my moan still stands in that the name Thames Forum does seem to exclude others. Just think how many others might be looking in here and thinking they are excluded by location
Sorry to moan yet again /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
"Just think how many others might be looking in here and thinking they are excluded by location"

Do not think that many posters who feel strongly about something would be put off by a name.
Anywho....the sheer number of boats using the Thames is the only real arguement for retaining the permanent attendence of staff at any particular lock.
The chaos caused could result in safety issues.However the lockeeper does not need to live on site.
Doubt there is a another navigation in the land that has managed to retain any of its riverside tied properties let alone have permanently manned locks.
 
RYA Inland Waters Panel

This body exists to represent the likes of us, not just on the Thames.
If you are a member of the RYA you can look on their website and contact the relevant person to suggest that action be taken.
If you are not a member then don't expect to be represented.
I am as pissed off with the EA as the next person, but I think you guys are at risk of just winding yourselves up instead of enjoying your boating.
I find myself using the boat less and less and within the next few years will either stop or move it to Europe. We do have options, even in few are as convenient as remaining on the Thames.
I agree that TVR is not the forum for some political move. However, the ATYC Rally this year is in Docklands and somewhere around 50 to 100 boats will be steaming past Parliament twice over the August Bank Holiday. Has possibilities?
I must confess that on principle I empty my holding tank as I pass Parliament. Futile I know, but S**t back where it came from!! Makes me feel better.
Contact the RYA Inland Waterways Panel and make your points.
 
[ QUOTE ]
a place to have a bleat/rant/moan ....or an opportunity to start getting something done?


[/ QUOTE ]

Well my hint at buying a licence but not displaying it didnt go to well as a protest so today i got on to Surrey news papers and Ken Livingstone . Tomorrow i may get on with some work or i may spend the day ( at my own cost ) contacting more people that i think can stop the EA steamrollering the waterways to keep the accountants happy !
I have lived and played on the Thames for 34 years and i dont like what i am hearing from the EA .
As for the TVR not being the place to bring up issues , well thats just bullshit ! You lot may want to hide your head in the sand but i wont !
 
Hear Hear! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Sod the RYA, they haven't made any noises so far, and doubt they will. A large number of disgruntled Boaters protesting loudly may make the people who make decisions make new decisions.

Badger Brows has just made concessions on the 10p tax debacle, this is small dice by comparison...
 
A reply from Ken Livingstone

Make of this what you will .

Dear Mr Coochie /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thank you for your inquiry about the EA toll houses.

This was particularly helpful as Ken was not previously aware of this issue. He is
very concerned at
any proposal which could damage the prospects of making more effective use of the
waterways and, if re-elected, will make urgent contact with the Agency and Ministers
responsible to challenge this approach.

Since he was first elected Mayor, he has supported the retention of waterway
infrastructure and sought to increase freight transport by water. He has doubled the
number of wharves on the Thames which are safeguarded for cargo handling and won a
major battle with a property developer to ensure
Peruvian Wharf is brought back into active use.

Through Transport for London, Ken has funded a new wharf at Park Royal which even
now is receiving building materials via the canal and sending them out again by
rail.

Further details of my policies intentions for London's waterways are set out in the
Environment section of my manifesto which can be obtained from my website at :

http://ken.3cdn.net/4bd7c2bd3038548450_qhdm6erqw.pdf.

Yours sincerely


Liz Hutchins
Ken Livingstone Election Campaign




Anyone got the Queens email addie /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: A reply from Ken Livingstone

Doubt if you'll get much joy out of Ken and Co. !

The only 'bits' of London that belong to the River Thames Alliance are the London Borough of Richmond and the Royal Borough of Kingston. The PLA belong as a 'Corresponding Member'. The only bit of the non tidal river that falls within the London Assembly area is the stretch below Ravens Ait where the river meets the main road into Kingston down to Teddington Lock .

What is the River Thames Alliance, I hear you ask? Take a look HERE - but dont expect to be able to read most of the pdf documents cos the links are all screwed !!
Note to RTA - I know exactly whats wrong if you need help sorting it out ! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So far we seem to have at least 3 major websites with Thames issues - the EA, the Visitthames site and the River Thames Alliance.
 
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