MY THANKS AS USUAL for such an informative canal internet site, writes Michael Daine.
Only I can't keep pace with it all.
I've resisted the temptation to visit the Anderton Boat Lift to build a bird box. I hope they will be holding a decorate an Easter Egg at Christmas, I may attend, not!
I did give thought to go litter picking along a stretch of my local canal. Although not qualified I could 'pick it up' as I go along.
Many years ago a number of us old boaters, most now gone, whilst gathering fallen trees off the canal for a Bonfire at Anderton (a seasonal thing), I came up with the conclusion that within our life times the canals would be ruined, by government greed and a realisation that along with the railways and road transport they realised they could screw the system and its users, get shut of the workforce, lengthsmen and many others, (often related to old waterways families).
Then encourage people to give their time up, for free, whilst the fat cats creamed their wages off it.
Everything could be sold off, desirable waterways property! That new year I went through Harecastle Tunnel on new years day, after just knocking on the guy's door the previous day, delivering a boat back to Anderton.
A far cry from when we (boaters) and BWB all got on and worked together. We knew each other by name and relied on everyone's experience. If a problem came up it was sorted within days and efficiently at low cost.
I'm just amazed that all these new folk, 'influencers', You Tubers think they are so wonderful and know it all after five minutes of getting behind a tiller, is a great source of amusement . 'A fool and his money' springs to mind!
Some of the old boating families I knew, would have found it unbelievable that they were disclosing their lives to folk, when they kept their lives a closely guarded secret and didn't want to know what was going on the other side of the towpath hedgerow.
I know I do go on, sorry.
I have mentioned the trust's public meeting on the 20th Oct and assume its a Zoom internet thing? Most of my associates think a Zoom meeting is where we all sit around cooling our gums on rocket shaped lollies.
The new guy seems to have the required credentials, his name is Robb.
Thanks as ever, keep on telling it like it is.