Sense at last for Tony

HAVING recently commented on the apparent intransigence of CaRT in respect of court action taken in respect of Tony Dunkley's narrowboat Halcyon Daze and also in the case of his commercial boat then deemed by CaRT enforcement to be 'illegally moored', I finally have some good news to report, writes Pam Pickett.

Do the right thing

Now whether this is a 'sea change' on the part of the trust or a lack of desire to take on Tony Dunkley yet again, I don't know. Regardless, with no doubt a good many members of CaRT and Shoosmiths [the solicitors handling the case] staff now probably suffering from stress from the previous court encounter with Tony when they attempted to make him homeless, I'm happy to say that CaRT has decided to 'do the right thing' with regard to Tony's commercial boat.

Stuart Mills, Property Director of the trust has now referred to Tony's mooring as being 'something of an anomaly', verbally agreed with a past member of British Waterways staff. Once made aware of the lack of safe access to Tony's commercial boat, however, this after CaRT had refused Tony a key to allow him to reach it, Stuart Mills says immediate action has been taken by the trust.

Suitable mooring

Following a conversation with Sean McGinley, Manager East Midland Navigations, Stuart Mills tells me the trust has agreed to find Tony Dunkley an alternative, and more suitable mooring elsewhere on the Trent. He goes on to say he understands the trust has not only offered to help Tony gain safe access to secure his boat, it has also offered to assist him to move the boat to an alternative mooring. Whilst Stuart Mills then points out that the trust is not obliged to do this, he says he feels it is only right and proper to do so, given that the oversight on the Meadow Lane mooring was on the part of the trust.

A good result, I think?