A different approach

WHEN I returned to our boat when moored on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal in May, it was covered in grass cuttings which had been sprayed onto a wet boat and then baked in the sun, Peter Earley writes.

It took my wife a good hour to remove them. I sent an email to Fountains Contracting suggesting that their operatives be told not to strim along moored boats and said that if it happened again I would send them an invoice for the time taken to clean it off. I also mentioned about possible stone chips.

Taking the blame

Below is the reply I received. [Showing a very different approach indeed, taking the blame without any excuses.]

I have just had forwarded your e-mail regarding grass cuttings.

I am responsible for the vegetation management throughout England and Wales on behalf of Fountains working for Canal & River Trust.

Please accept my humblest apologies for the inconvenience we have caused you. Rest assured I will be taking the Manager to task on this matter.

Again Apologies

Rob Howes, Regional Operations Manager, Fountains