Voting for CART opens today - The candidates Page 3
Article Index
I am 59, live in South Yorkshire and started boating in 1973. In 1976, my wife and I fitted-out our narrowboat Jake and have cruised nearly all of the canal system in it ever since. I lived aboard with my young family for three years, subsequently our boat was mainly used for memorable family summer journeys. I have been a member of Aylesbury Canal Society since 1984.
Professionally I am a recently retired Chartered Civil Engineer specialising in Ground Engineering and also have extensive Local Government experience including the procurement of external funding and urban regeneration.
I am totally committed to ensuring the future of the inland waterways and maintaining them in good condition for boating and other recreational uses. The engineering excellence of the canals, the wildlife corridor they provide and the sense of adventure and romance they bring are immeasurably important.
HENDERSON, CLIVE
I have been a boater for 30 years. I am Chairman of the Inland Waterways Association, and also of British Waterways Advisory Forum. I have ensured that the boaters' viewpoint has been consistently and constantly put forward and have built relationships with key people within Canal & River Trust and other user groups. Most aspects of the business and operations are familiar to me and I have enjoyed insight into the plans and aspirations for the new charity as they have evolved and have engaged with Defra and Parliament.
My key aims have been to ensure that the charity would have a sound and viable basis in terms of structure, representation and financing.
If you were to elect me I would strive to hold Trustees and Management to account to ensure that navigation is always Canal & River Trust prime purpose and that boaters' interests will be held paramount as the principal funders of the system.
HUGHES, BERNARD, OBE
I am self-employed, a Devon County Councillor, and have time available to represent boat owners on Canal & River Trust Council.
I have been boating for 35 years, 21 as an owner, Ein Cariad is moored at Great Haywood. I have a good working knowledge of the system and its needs.
I give regular talks on the waterways, donating proceeds to restoration. I belong to IWA, K&A, Litchfield/Hatherton, Gloucester/Hereford, Wilts/ Berks, WRG(BITM), NABO, BCF, B&MK, and Trent/Mersey.
I am anxious that Canal & River Trust when formed will serve the requirements of all users recognising that waterways were principally constructed for boats. To succeed I believe that Canal & River Trust needs a well-motivated, trained, professional staff supported by enthusiastic volunteers with a wide range of skills and abilities. I would take every opportunity to talk to boaters around the system and try to achieve their aspirations for a well managed and expanding network.
KELLY, FRANK (FRANCIS)
I am a wholly independent candidate and a continuous cruiser with experience of campaigning on the River Lee and Grand Union, London. Over many years the waterways have become crucially important as a national housing alternative and now support a large population of people dependent upon their boats as homes. I am deeply concerned that the Defra consultation failed to reflect this. As a member of Council I will undertake to be an effective voice for the civil liberties, human rights and security of residential boat dwellers nationally and will seek to address problems of prejudice, discrimination and harassment faced by our community.
I note and fully support the Boater's Manifesto, and Article 8 in particular.
LEE, VAL
I am Val Lee, married to Michael. We designed narrowboat Thistle for our retirement mindful of including several years Full Board Short Breaks for couples, introducing them to boating, life afloat and the ways of the cut.
My history of volunteering includes Youth Work, representing a local Kart Racing Club on the Lichfield Sports Council, local Group Canal Dredging and for the Residential Boat Owners' Association (RBOA); Publicity Secretary, General Secretary and ending up being Administrator for Exhibitions. I was also joint editor of the latest edition of the RBOA Publication ‘Living Afloat'. In 16 years we have cruised the entire network that 70' can navigate except the Lee & Stort and we winter in Barton Marina.
Residential boaters need positive representation and their interests protected. If elected, this will be my passion, as well as safeguarding the navigation of our inland waterways.
MAYALL, DAVID
Other candidates may be nominated with the support of associations; I believe we are best served by individuals, not representatives of associations. Too often the voice of the many boaters who aren't members of anything goes unheard.
Canal & River Trust must manage waterways for the benefit of all boaters, balancing the needs of leisure and residential, moored and cruising, unswayed by those seeking to change things only for their own benefit, and to the detriment of others. It must welcome other users, but not at the expense of boating users.
In over ten years of boating, I feel that I have amassed sufficient experience to understand some of what boaters want, and more important to understand what I don't yet know.
I will be accessible, via the internet, listening to boaters' views, and will use my voice to represent the prevailing view ahead of my own views.
NORRIS, REX
Having served 25 years in the RAF and five years in north west Scotland running a croft, I now live in Buckinghamshire and am self-employed running a smallholding and in building maintenance.
After hiring and shared ownership, my wife and I commissioned a shell to our own specification for self fit-out. From our base on the Grand Union we have cruised to many destinations including Llangollen, Bath and Limehouse.
If elected, my aims would be to represent the views of boaters and other users whilst keeping regulation and bureaucracy to the minimum. I would champion the use of volunteer groups to augment the Trust's workforce, and support groups adopting sections of the canal system to assist in inspection and maintenance. To conserve water and try to reduce restrictions, I would like to see side ponds brought back into use. Volunteer groups would be ideal for assisting in this aim.
PEARCE, DAVID
I am a scientist, Chartered Engineer and economist, with wide experience in industry, academia and government. Appointments included managing naval projects, Whitehall policy group head and pension scheme Trustee.
I came to waterways campaigning 22 years ago after joining St Pancras Cruising Club where I was commodore for six years. I have cruised the UK and European waterways extensively and have significant practical experience of boating. My knowledge of government and public bodies has been of considerable benefit to my role as National Chairman of the Association of Waterways Cruising Clubs. As such I have been closely involved with British Waterways and Defra in discussions leading up to the Canal & River Trust.
I am committed to making Canal & River Trust thrive both nationally and locally in protecting and improving our waterways, with emphasis on navigation through a fully interconnected network.
I am a long-term member of IWA and currently Secretary of British Waterways Advisory Forum.
PETERS, STEPHEN
Boat owner since 1989 with a Seamaster 30 motor cruiser Nattajack based on the River Severn. Council member of National Association of Boat Owners (NABO) for the past 18 years - currently Hon Treasurer and Rivers Secretary.
Member of RYA, Avon Navigation Trust, RNLI (Governor), Railway & Canal Historical Society, Cruising Association and Seamaster Club.
Experience of canal restoration - Hon Secretary of Droitwich Canals Trust in 1980's; local government - elected district councillor for 12 years, currently Independent county councillor and parish councillor representing home area.
I intend to represent the interests of ALL boaters, irrespective of lifestyle, including broad beam and river users. My knowledge of waterway legislation, byelaws, Acts of Parliament, technical issues, Boat Safety Scheme and local planning should be of value to the Canal & River Trust Council and I will strive to ensure that the Trust makes sound decisions in the interests of all who navigate the waterways.