BRANCH CHAIRMAN’S CHAT You may wonder why, in the later days of July 2015, I am concerning myself with the spring of 2016. The answer is that the IWA’s National Trail Boat Rally is coming to our branch area, and the date is less than nine months away. Certainly the bulk of the organisational work will fall on the shoulders of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, the local body tasked with organising the event at Staveley on the restored section of “our” Chesterfield Canal; but, as the local branch of the IWA we can not let the CCT carry all the load, monopolise the enjoyment and bask in all the glory. This is after all an IWA event, and we, the local branch, need to pull our weight. There are about four hundred of us, including you, in the branch area. For many of you IWA is a cause to quietly support fro which IWA is grateful, but for jus a few of you, a local rally of National significance will offer an opportunity to become involved, if only for a short while, in the great cause that is the IWA. Obviously the great and the good will be attending, and at similar events I found myself drinking tea with TV personalities, or opening doors for minor Royals. It all happens, as they say. So you may ask “what can I bring to the party? I am too old to dig, too shy to give talks, and I don’t know that much about canals. But the running of a waterway event opens many doors. Someone will need to ensure that access for people with mobility problems is as easy as possible, so someone might liaise with local organisations to ensure a supply of wheelchairs. The event will, hopefully, attract families with young children , should there be a crèche? If so who will staff it and ensure that safe activities are available should the weather prove unkind. Should the branch have a sales stand, if so what should be on sale, and who will organise stocks , preferably on a sale or return basis? Would a guide to local attractions prove popular.? If so it needs to be written. Should the branch commission a video record of the event and if so is there a member with equipment and skills to record and edit such a thing. Not one of the above tasks required a great knowledge of our canals, but through your work or other hobbies you may have skills that would enhance the enjoyment of the event for all. The days of simply turning up at a canal, dropping in your canoe , dinghy or
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