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EDITORIAL MUSINGS Last issue I wrote about “local heroes”, putting forward Athina Beckett, the driving force for so many years of the Buckingham Canal Society, as a prime example. But we also have similar heroes in other spheres of activity and this time I would like to consider those representing the commercial side of the waterways. In our area a name which immediately springs to mind is Tim Coghlan. Tim is the enthusiastic and energetic boss of Braunston Marina which, seemingly singlehandedly, he rescued from near oblivion and turned it into the thriving business it is today. In the process, he saved and restored many of the marina’s original features, including the old Nurser’s Dock where the Branch is “Boat Gathering” this spring. Tim is a strong supporter of the Inland Waterways Association, especially of the Northampton Branch, as well as of other local canal and associated organisations, notably The Friends of The Canal Museum at Stoke Bruerne and The Friends of Raymond. There are others too, of course, who must be recognised, and I salute here all the advertisers who loyally support this magazine. Their input enables us to produce what is acknowledged as one of the best IWA branch publications. This is not a cheap undertaking by any means (both in time committed and money!), particularly when postage costs enter the equation, for although some members do elect to take Endeavour electronically, the majority still prefer the printed version via the post. So our sincere thanks to all our advertisers. Readers – do please use their services whenever you can, mentioning that you saw their advertisement in Endeavour. One hesitates to single out a specific advertiser, but there is one deserving a special mention at the moment. This is the ABC Leisure Group, operators of Gayton Marina, who have just agreed to sponsor our Northampton Arm guide leaflet, a greatly appreciated gesture which enables the Branch, in turn, to support other voluntary waterway organisations and related activities. Then there are also those who willingly donate prizes for our events. Our raffles always raise several hundreds of pounds, money which we donate, the Buckingham Canal Society, for example, often being a beneficiary. I think we should look at it as being one big team effort for the general good of our waterways. Thank you all. May this happy co-operative situation long remain. Meanwhile, we currently mourn the sad loss of a landmark feature at Northampton’s Becket’s Park – namely, the boathouse by the lock, a focal point of so many of our Boat Gatherings {see report on page 30). It was demolished a few weeks before Christmas to make way for a footbridge from the Park, over the river, to link with the new extensive University of Northampton Waterside Campus now under construction on the south bank. Witness also the extensive works being undertaken at nearby Midsummer Meadow, all part of the same development. Times a-changing. As Alfred, Lord Tennyson reflected: “So sad, so fresh, the days that are no more.”