In order to book for the weekends please use the form in this Navvies. If you are keen to work during the week then please contact the site leader directly (see pages 6-7) to discuss the availability of accommodation, we can only take so many people and first choice must go to those with the relevant skills, attitude or who can commit to several days. So that’s what we are doing in a positive, upbeat, forward-looking manner. What’s the rest of the waterways movement doing? The Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions have finally issued the “Waterways For tomorrow” document. A direct reply to IWAACs “Undervalued Asset” report and the result of a lot of campaigning by IWA, BW and many others, it seems to place waterways much higher up the political agenda than before. As well as issuing a series of challenges to the whole waterways movement it also accepts all of the proposals that BW obtained from their recent consultation “Partnership With The People”. Put simply, the politicos have been convinced that there are votes in waterways. However it is important to note that there is no statutory legislation to back up this new vision. BW have only been “asked” to carry out these new duties, they can be told to stop at anytime. So unfortunately it is not quite a case of putting our feet up and letting it all happen. We still have to encourage people to demonstrate they have an interest in the waterways and value them appropriately. (And no, that is not the same as getting lots more people on to the waterways.) Undoubtedly the document is very good news for the waterways in general but what does it mean for us? Reading through the document you cannot miss the references to volunteers and the community. Who exactly are these volunteers? I feel that in many of the cases they are probably not us. Obviously where it mentions direct restoration then we are part of the jigsaw, but only part as they often refer to the other type of essential volunteer. Those who do the mowing, man the information centres, run the trip boats, empty the litter bins, etc. This is much more the preserve of the local societies and just as we have a duty to ensure “best practice” amongst volunteers doing actual restoration work then they should ensure that all their secrets (and problems) regarding encouraging a real local commitment should be brought together and shared to ensure success.
Chairman "Waterways are much higher up the political agenda than before" Make no mistake, these volunteers make a vital contribution to any canal restoration scheme (especially the exit strategy i.e. how the canal runs after it is restored). Whatever happens Mr Prescott has launched a challenge that will require many, many more volunteers. So although the Government “appear” to given waterways a new level of protection they do want their reward for all this assistance, namely the commitment of many more people than just us nutters in wellies. So to sum up we have won a major battle, but there are now new challenges to ensure that waterways get the full respect they deserve. And our contribution to this? Doing what we have always done - being the best and insisting on the very highest standards, whether we are doing the job or someone else. And so what have WRG Brass done to try and encourage you to be the best? Well firstly we have replaced a couple of vans to make sure that as you move around the country you have the most reliable, safest kit you can have. We have traded in LRY against a new minibus and also bought a new panel van that will eventually replace JFH but while we have the Over commitment we will keep JFH on till September. Secondly we have ensured that our new restoration bible the Practical Restoration Handbook has been circulated to WRG regional groups, each van has a copy as does each Camps Kit. This is full of good advice and I strongly recommend that whenever you are given a job to do that you read the relevant section for good hints and tips. Best wishes and see you in September. Mike Palmer PS Regarding the BW announcement that they will restore 200 million quidsworth of canals. Well they have since said they do not understand how the press had got so confused as they had only said they could identify 200 million quidsworth of work that they would like to be involved in if only someone can find the money.
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