overview
The Column of the National Chairman
I
recently returned from a trip to the IWA Festival of Water at Waltham Abbey, which enabled me to experience the current boating issues in London and explore the joys of the Lee & Stort Navigation. I must encourage boaters to continue visiting our capital city; it is still a great experience by boat. The cries that you will not be able to moor south of... are simply not true. Yes, Canal & River Trust has problems with managing its moorings, but I was encouraged by the new locations, including some that are bookable in advance, and the improved enforcement there. I am always fascinated when we pass members en route to note their obvious amazement at seeing the chairman actually cruising. Well, yes I do! And I see it as an important activity for judging for myself just how the waterways system is fairing. (Of course, I am not suggesting that future chairpersons must be boaters; others can bring different and valuable experiences to the post.) It is essential that IWA doesn’t get to the end of successful initiatives just to park them and move on. Ongoing commitment is essential. Earlier in the year, we heard a lot regarding Waterways in Progress, our restoration campaign emphasising the economic and community benefits of partially completed projects. It has been widely welcomed and I am pleased to say that we have continued our support of the
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concept by holding a competition for grants from our legacy income, aimed at encouraging schemes which benefit or engage with local communities. We had an excellent response and the aim is for the successful projects to start next year. Elsewhere, our Restoration Hub’s High-Level Panel continues to support waterway restoration strategically by engaging with significant national agencies to get across the wider benefits of regeneration and achieve their support. Environmental issues are high on everyone’s agenda and we are discussing the likely impacts on the inland waterways and how IWA as a responsible organisation can contribute in a small way towards the future of the planet. Issues range from the effects of climate change on the delicate infrastructure of the waterways, water transfer and the difficulties of maintaining navigations sustainably, to the need to consider different forms of boat propulsion and energy sources. There is much for IWA to focus its efforts on in the future, either by practical intervention or through commissioning research programmes. I have referred previously to the importance of retaining our heritage and I am very excited by the plans being developed through our new Heritage Advisory Group. We want to move from a position of just protecting our heritage to one of also promoting the benefits that heritage can bring to the waterways
economy, tourism and the visitor experience. This may range from major conservation projects to simple information boards, or even an app to engage with mobile technology users. A little knowledge of why a particular canal is there and how it has contributed to the local economy and society can enhance any visit. Our 2019 Annual Members Meeting held on 28th September gave members, as in the previous few years, an enjoyable and interesting experience. So, as well as the essential business of the Annual General Meeting we had several speakers demonstrating the wide range of IWA achievements and challenges followed by a thought-provoking question and answer session to Trustees. The remaining visits, dinner and activities over the weekend were ably organised by the local branch, North Staffordshire & South Cheshire, which received the Branch Achievement Award for its work throughout the year. My congratulations go out to them and to all other award winners who have worked unstintingly to make IWA the success that it is.
Ivor Caplan
IWA Waterways |
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23/10/2019 14:01
